Key palette

• US 6,595,424 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Search and Social Media Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Shelton E. Harrison Jr
• Inventors: Harrison, Shelton E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Diane I.
• Application Number:
  US09/724,701
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.45, 235/462.46, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/380, 235/385, 361/679, 361/683, 361/686, 345/169, 345/168, 345/867, 341/22, 341/20
• US Class Current: 235/472.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen

Abstract

An arm-mounting mechanism affording users almost unlimited mobility, alternately adaptable to personal computers, digital assistants, cellular phones, cameras, audio recorders, barcode scanners, multimedia remote controls, MIDI controllers, gaming devices and others. One embodiment, utilized with speech recognition technology, provides monitor and/or keys on an arm-mounted first element movably attached to allow rotation, swiveling and/or tilting of this element relative to the arm. A second, optional element rests on projections from the arm-mounting mechanism, allowing interface with the hand of the device-bearing arm. Data processing, transmission, reception and storage equipment typically resides within the first element. The second element may be retractable to fit under sleeve. Another embodiment is a laptop PC reconfigurable for arm use. An alternative mechanism arm-mounts pre-existing devices.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

at least one component of a credit card terminal;

and arm attachment mechanism suitable for wearing on the human arm, upon which mechanism is mounted a credit card terminal component, said arm attachment mechanism configured to allow said terminal component to revolve around the axis described by a user'"'"'s forearm along a prescribed path while the arm attachment mechanism remains stationery relative to the user'"'"'s forearm so that the terminal component does not rub against the user'"'"'s forearm while in motion.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the credit card terminal component includes a magnetic strip reader.

3. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the credit card terminal component includes a printer.

4. An electronic device according to claim 1, additionally comprising a movable coupling configured to enable the credit card terminal component to swivel in place relative to the arm attachment mechanism.