Multi-functional user interface for electronic devices

• US 7,859,514 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Young Park
• Original Assignee: Young Park
• Inventors: Park, Young
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang; Quan-Zhen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Jennifer T
• Application Number:
  US11/183,096
• Time in Patent Office: 1,988 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-172, 400/472, 400/485, 400/100
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041

Abstract

A multi-functional user interface for electronic devices includes a hand-operable controller for providing an interface through which a user can command a peripheral electronic device to perform multiple actions. Such a controller includes an ergonomic housing including a communication link electrically matable to the electronic device. The housing includes a plurality of controls for generating a plurality of control signals based upon a plurality of corresponding user inputs respectively. The housing includes front and rear faces, each including a plurality of controls for generating a plurality of signals based upon a plurality of corresponding user inputs respectively. The device is selectively interchangeable between Internet Mode, Applications Mode, and Word Mode, conveniently enabling a user to use a single input device for a variety of different functions.

Claims

1. A hand-operable controller for providing a versatile interface through which a user can command a peripheral electronic device to perform multiple actions, said controller comprising:

an ergonomic housing including a communication link electrically matable to the electronic device, said housing being sized and shaped to be held in a user'"'"'s hands during operating conditions, said housing including a plurality of controls for generating a plurality of control signals based upon a plurality of corresponding user inputs respectively, said housing having a general bat shape including integrally opposed arms defining bat wings respectively; and

a control circuit operably mated with said controls for processing and transmitting said control signals to the electronic device during operating conditions, said control circuit including means for allowing the user to independently operate at least one controller function such that the user can command the electronic device to perform a plurality of tasks unique to a joystick and a mouse and a keyboard respectively, said controls being selectively programmable between an application mode and an internet mode and a word mode so that the user can interchangeably perform the plurality of tasks with said independent operating means;

wherein said controls include a plurality of keys, wherein the plurality of keys are (*) keys and a first group of controls comprising AB, CD key;

when said controller is in said applications mode, two phenomes are selectively outputted using one of said keys in combination with one of said first group of controls and thereby input an entire alphabet while using approximately half of said controls; and

when in the internet mode, pressing the AB key would result in the input HOME, Pressing the CD key would result in the input BACKWARD.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises:

at least one bay for receiving said control circuit therein such that the user can selectively program said control circuit as desired.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprising:

an eyelet integrally connected to said housing; and

a flexible cord positioned through said eyelet so that the user can wear said controller around a selected portion of the user'"'"'s body.

4. The controller of claim 1, wherein said independent operating means comprises:

a programmed computer software product for enabling the electronic device to perform a plurality of word processing tasks for displaying alphanumeric characters.

5. The controller of claim 1, wherein said independent operating means comprises:

a programmed computer software product for enabling the electronic device to perform a plurality of Internet browsing tasks for accessing at least one web page using hypertext transfer protocol.

6. The controller of claim 1, wherein said independent operating means comprises:

a programmed computer software product for enabling the electronic device to perform a plurality of gaming tasks for controlling a gaming figure during game play.

7. A hand-operable controller for providing a versatile interface through which a user can command a peripheral electronic device to perform multiple actions, said controller comprising:

an ergonomic housing including a communication link electrically matable to the electronic device, said housing being sized and shaped to be held in a user'"'"'s hands during operating conditions, said housing including a plurality of controls for generating a plurality of control signals based upon a plurality of corresponding user inputs respectively, said housing having a general bat shape including integrally opposed arms defining bat wings respectively, said housing having top and bottom surfaces wherein selected ones of said controls are disposed on said top surface and other ones of said controls are disposed on said bottom surface respectively; and

a control circuit operably mated with said controls for processing and transmitting said control signals to the electronic device during operating conditions, said control circuit including means for allowing the user to independently operate at least one controller function such that the user can command the electronic device to perform a plurality of tasks unique to a joystick and a mouse and a keyboard respectively, said controls being selectively programmable between an application mode and an internet mode and a word mode so that the user can interchangeably perform the plurality of tasks with said independent operating means;

wherein said controls include a plurality of keys adapted between engaged and non-engaged positions thereby defining said Internet mode and said Applications mode respectively;

wherein a first group of said controls are situated subjacent to said keys on a left side of said controller;

when said controller is in said Internet mode, said first group of controls maximize, minimize, and close a web browser window respectively;

when said controller is in said Word mode, said first group of controls are IJ, KL, MN, OP, and QR letters, respectively;

when said controller is in said Internet Mode, a second group of said controls are “

BOOK,”

“

SEARCH,”

“

LIST,”

“

STOP,” and

“

P”

functions, respectively;

when said controller is in said Word mode, said second group of controls are ST, UV, WX, YZ, and “

www”

letters, respectively.

8. The controller of claim 7, wherein said housing comprises:

at least one bay for receiving said control circuit therein such that the user can selectively program said control circuit as desired.

9. The controller of claim 7, wherein said housing further comprising:

an eyelet integrally connected to said housing; and

a flexible cord positioned through said eyelet so that the user can wear said controller around a selected portion of the user'"'"'s body.

10. The controller of claim 7, wherein said independent operating means comprises:

a programmed computer software product for enabling the electronic device to perform a plurality of word processing tasks for displaying alphanumeric characters.

11. The controller of claim 7, wherein said independent operating means comprises:

a programmed computer software product for enabling the electronic device to perform a plurality of Internet browsing tasks for accessing at least one web page using hypertext transfer protocol.

12. The controller of claim 7, wherein said independent operating means comprises:

a programmed computer software product for enabling the electronic device to perform a plurality of gaming tasks for controlling a gaming figure during game play.