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

• US 6,618,039 B1
• Filed: 06/19/1998
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Now Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: David G. Holey, Gerry R. Grant
• Inventors: Grant, Gerry R., Holey, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Said, Mansour M.
• Application Number:
  US09/100,926
• Time in Patent Office: 1,908 Days
• Field of Search: 345/158, 345/168, 345/169, 345/170-172, 345/156, 345/157, 345/160, 345/163, 345/167, 359/148, 348/734, 341/21-23
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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, however, other sizes may be available to provide further utility. 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. Also disclosed in other preferred embodiments are keypads that: include multimedia device control capability; are configured for the physically handicapped user; are provided as an addition to a conventional keyboard; as well as devices having the touch-sensitive switches that may also be voice-activated; these switches being arranged on a touch pad.

Claims

1. A user interface for at least one browser terminal, as well as an entertainment system, a TV or a telephone, each said terminal providing users interface to browser software applications, said software comprising browser functions not found on a standard computer keyboard and keyboard functions that are found on a standard computer keyboard, 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 to accept user input to select said browser functions, as well as to select TVpad functions, Phonepad functions, Digitalpad functions and Appliancepad functions;

at least one pointer device located on said housing.

2. The interface of claim 1, wherein:

said face further comprises a display portion for displaying pertinent messages; and

said interface further comprises a translator for receiving said user input from said keypad and translating said user input into application-specific commands for use by at least one browser terminal, said translator further receives information from at least one browser terminal and translates said received information for use by said keypad.

3. The interface of claim 2, wherein said first communicating means comprises optical transmissions through air.

4. The interface of claim 2, wherein said first communicating means comprises radio frequency signal transmission through air.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said keypad further comprises touch- or voice-sensitive switches for accepting user input to TVpad functions, Phonepad functions, Digitalpad functions, Appliancepad functions and E-Commercepad functions.

6. The interface of claim 1, wherein said housing is integrated into a conventional computer keyboard.

7. The interface of claim 1, wherein said TVpad functions comprise:

display current channel number;

channel number selection;

display current volume;

volume level selection; and

program search selection.

8. The interface of claim 1, wherein said Phonepad functions comprise:

display telephone number to be called;

display telephone book function;

display elapsed time for call; and

display a screen depicting touch- and voice-activated switches to interact with telephone functions.

9. The interface of claim 1, wherein said Digitalpad functions comprise:

control compact disc player functions;

control video terminal functions; and

control video game functions.

10. The interface of claim 1, wherein said Appliancepad functions comprise:

control of home security system operations; and

home/building management system operations.

11. The interface of claim 1, wherein said E-Commercepad functions comprise:

banking functions;

shopping functions; and

information/access security functions.

12. A system for providing users with and application-specific interface, comprising:

a browser terminal for providing users interface to browser software applications, said software comprising browser functions not found on a standard computer keyboard and keyboard functions that are found on a standard computer keyboard, comprising;

a pocket-sized keypad for accepting user input to at least one browser terminal to operate said browser functions, as well as to select functions that belong to the group of Mode Functions, said Mode Functions group comprising;

TVpad functions, Phonepad functions, Digitalpad functions, Appliancepad functions and E-Commercepad functions;

at least one pointer device located on said housing.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said keypad further comprises:

a pocket-size housing further having a face;

a plurality of touch-sensitive switches disbursed across said face; and

at least one pointer device located on said housing.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

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

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

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

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

attaching means for attaching said keypad to a user'"'"'s hand, arm or leg, or other structure external to said user'"'"'s person.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said keypad comprises twenty touch-sensitive switches and one pointing device and said twenty touch-sensitive switches and one said pointing device are arranged in functional groups.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said keypad further comprises touch- or voice-sensitive switches for accepting user input to TVpad functions, Phonepad functions, Digitalpad functions, Appliancepad functions and E-Commercepad functions.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said functional groups comprise:

a user-programmable group comprising four said touch-sensitive switches;

a control group comprising eight said touch-sensitive switches, at least one of said switches permitting the user to select at least one said browser function; and

a navigating group comprising eight said touch-sensitive switches, and one said pointing device, at least one of said switches permitting the user to select at least one said browser function.