Data entry system
First Claim
1. A data entry system combining an ergonomic keyboard and a device controller, comprising:
- an ergonomic base adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic base having an upper surface and a side surface;
upper surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of two of a user'"'"'s digits to generate a first set of electrical signals;
side surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base side surface and adapted for operation by at least another of a user'"'"'s digits on either of the user'"'"'s two hands to generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently and a third set of electrical signals when operated in combination with said upper surface control means; and
,mode select means disposed on said ergonomic base for establishing said first, second and third sets of electrical signals as (a) respective sets of device input signals, or (b) respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a user'"'"'s selection of one of (1) a device mode, and (2) a keyboard mode.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data entry system (100, 100'"'"') has an ergonomic base (102, 102'"'"') including upper surface controls (104, 104'"'"') which generate a first set of electrical signals, and side surface controls (106, 106'"'"') which generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently. A third set of electrical signals are generated when the side surface controls (106, 106'"'"') are operated in combination with the upper surface controls (104, 104'"'"'). Data entry system (100, 100'"'"') further includes mode selection controls (108) for establishing the first, second and third sets of electrical signals as device control signals responsive to a first mode being selected and respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a second mode being selected.
189 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A data entry system combining an ergonomic keyboard and a device controller, comprising:
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an ergonomic base adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic base having an upper surface and a side surface; upper surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of two of a user'"'"'s digits to generate a first set of electrical signals; side surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base side surface and adapted for operation by at least another of a user'"'"'s digits on either of the user'"'"'s two hands to generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently and a third set of electrical signals when operated in combination with said upper surface control means; and
,mode select means disposed on said ergonomic base for establishing said first, second and third sets of electrical signals as (a) respective sets of device input signals, or (b) respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a user'"'"'s selection of one of (1) a device mode, and (2) a keyboard mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A data entry system, comprising:
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an ergonomic base adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic base having an upper surface and a side surface; upper surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of two of a user'"'"'s digits to generate a first set of electrical signals; side surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base side surface and adapted for operation by at least another of a user'"'"'s digits on either of the user'"'"'s two hands to generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently and, mode select means disposed on said ergonomic base for establishing said first and second sets of electrical signals as (a) respective sets of device input signals, or (b) respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a user'"'"'s selection of one of (1) a device mode, and (2) a keyboard mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A data entry system comprising:
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an ergonomic housing adapted to be held by two hands of a user; a plurality of switches mounted on said housing for operation by at least one digit of the user'"'"'s hands; switching means mounted on said housing for selecting between a first operating mode and a second operating mode; and
,circuit means for coupling an output of at least a portion of said plurality of switches as game input data responsive to said switching means selecting said first operating mode and converting an output of at least a portion of said plurality of switches to alphanumeric character code data responsive to said switching means selecting said second operating mode.
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Specification