Pocket-sized user interface for internet browser terminals and the like

• US 5,854,624 A
• Filed: 09/12/1996
• Issued: 12/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Device Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Innovative Device Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Grant, Gerry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US08/713,210
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 345/170, 345/171, 345/172, 345/156, 345/158, 348/734, 359/148, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/025 adapted to a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

A Pocket-sized User Interface for Internet Browser Terminals and the Like is disclosed. The disclosed interface provides a plurality of pre-programmed as well as user-programmable touch-sensitive switches that integrate with frequently-used browser functions. The disclosed touch-sensitive switch functions may be responsive to the application that the user is interfacing with. A critical aspect of the disclosed interface is that the housing be less than about 0.45 inches in thickness, and further be roughly the length and width of a standard business card. Also disclosed is an attachment means for attaching the keypad of the present interface to one'"'"'s arm or leg, or other structure, such as a monitor, keyboard, desktop or other surface. Still further disclosed is a keypad that is in wireless communication with a browser terminal, and that further includes a user display for displaying pertinent information.

Claims

1. A user interface for at least one browser terminal, each said terminal providing, users interface to browser software applications, comprising:

a pocket-sized keypad for accepting user input to at least one browser terminal, comprising;

a pocket-sized housing, further having a face and a plurality of touch-sensitive switches disbursed across said face and arranged in functional groups, said groups comprising a user-programmable group, a control group and one navigating group to accept user input to select said browser functions; and

said control group comprises a Find/Search switch, an iNet EMail switch, a Shift switch, a Mode switch, a PG UP switch, a Scroll ↑

switch, a PG DN switch and a Scroll ↓

switch; and

said navigating group comprises a Back switch, a Home switch, a Fwd switch, an Enter switch, a Reload switch, a Stop switch, a Left switch and a Right switch;

a translator for receiving said user input from said keypad and translating said user input into browser software-specific commands for use by at least one browser terminal;

a first communicating means for said keypad to communicate with said translator;

second communicating means for said translator to communicate with at least one browser terminal; and

said keypad further comprises at least one pointer device located on said housing to assist user input to select said browser functions and said keyboard functions.

2. The interface of claim 1, further comprising attaching means for attaching said keypad to a user'"'"'s hand, arm or leg.

3. The interface of claim 1, further comprising a pointing device.

4. The interface of claim 1, wherein said face further comprises a display portion for displaying pertinent messages.

5. The interface of claim 4, wherein said translator further receives information from at least one browser terminal and translates said received information for use by said keypad.

6. The interface of claim 1, wherein said housing is between 0.05 and 0.45 inches in thickness.

7. A system for providing users with an application-specific interface to at least one browser terminal, comprising:

a keypad for accepting user input to said at least one browser terminal, comprising;

a pocket-sized housing further having a face and a plurality of touch-sensitive switches disbursed across said face and arranged in functional groups, said groups comprising a user-programmable group, a control group and one navigating group to accept user input to select said browser functions; and

said control group comprises a Find/Search switch, an iNet EMail switch, a Shift switch, a Mode switch, a PG UP switch, a Scroll ↑

switch, a PG DN switch and a Scroll ↓

switch; and

said navigating group comprises a Back switch, a Home switch, a Fwd switch, an Enter switch, a Reload switch, a Stop switch, a Left switch and a Right switch;

a translator for receiving said user input from said keypad and translating said user input into browser software-specific commands for use by at least one browser terminal;

a first communicating means for said keypad to communicate with said translator;

a second communicating means for said translator to communicate with at least one browser terminal; and

said keypad further comprises at least one pointer device located on said housing to assist user input to select said browser functions and said keyboard functions.

8. The interface of claim 7, further comprising attaching means for attaching said keypad to a user'"'"'s hand, arm or leg.

9. The interface of claim 8, further comprising a pointing device.

10. The interface of claim 9, wherein said face further comprises a display portion for displaying pertinent messages.

11. The interface of claim 10, wherein said translator further receives information from at least one browser terminal and translates said received information for use by said keypad.

12. The interface of claim 11, wherein said housing is between 0.05 and 0.45 inches in thickness.