Finger navigation input device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A finger navigation input device, comprising:
- a shaft;
a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; and
a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft;
wherein said navigation mechanism is a collar that completely encircles the shaft;
wherein, in operation, the device is held in one hand, wherein the collar is manipulable with a finger of the hand, and wherein the device is stable without the use of a supporting surface and without the use of another hand.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input device includes a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to a shaft and to move tangential to the shaft. The input device further includes a movement detection system to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft.
10 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A finger navigation input device, comprising:
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a shaft; a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; and a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; wherein said navigation mechanism is a collar that completely encircles the shaft; wherein, in operation, the device is held in one hand, wherein the collar is manipulable with a finger of the hand, and wherein the device is stable without the use of a supporting surface and without the use of another hand. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A finger navigation input device, comprising:
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a shaft; a collar, connected to the shaft, configured to move parallel to the shaft and rotate tangential to the radius of the shaft, wherein movement of the collar relative to the shaft is restricted by the shaft; and a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; wherein the shaft has upper and lower portions with larger diameters than a central portion, wherein the collar fits around the central portion, and wherein movement parallel to the shaft is restricted by the upper and lower portions.
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14. A portable computer system comprising:
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an input device, including; a shaft; a navigation mechanism configured to move relative to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; an output port for transmitting signals that correspond to movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; a battery for powering the input device; and a charging interface through which the battery is rechargeable; a computing device responsive to the input device, wherein the computing device includes a receiver configured to receive signals from the input device; a stowing bay for stowing the input device, wherein said stowing bay includes a charging interface, compatible with the charging interface of the input device, for recharging the battery of the input device when the input device is stowed in the stowing bay; and a clip having a dual purpose of facilitating clipping the input device to an object and facilitating guiding the input device into a storage bay of the portable computer system.
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15. A finger navigation input device, comprising:
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a shaft; a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; wherein said shaft includes; an upper shaft segment; a laser pointer connected to the upper shaft segment; a lower shaft segment; and a button, connected to the lower shaft segment, for activating the laser pointer.
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16. A finger navigation input device, comprising:
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a shaft; a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; an upper shaft segment configured to move parallel to the shaft; and a lower shaft segment configured to move parallel to the shaft, wherein the navigation mechanism is connected to the shaft between the upper shaft segment and the lower shaft segment, and wherein when the upper shaft segment and the lower shaft segment are moved next to the navigation mechanism, the movement of the navigation mechanism parallel to the shaft is restricted.
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17. A finger navigation input device, comprising:
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a shaft; a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; and a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; wherein the shaft includes multiple shaft segments, wherein multiple shaft segments are adjustable to ergonomically fit into a hand.
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18. A finger navigation input device, comprising:
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a shaft; a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; and a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; wherein the shaft includes multiple shaft segments, wherein one or more of the shaft segments include respective buttons, and wherein the device further comprises a turning disk for setting the programming of said respective buttons.
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19. A finger navigation input device, comprising:
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a shaft; a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft; and a turning disk for setting functionality, wherein the turning disk has a plurality of settings with each setting corresponding to a different mode of operation, wherein the turning disk has a plurality of settings with each setting corresponding to a different mode of operation.
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Specification