Devices and processes for data input

• US 9,041,665 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2011
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ten One Design, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ten One Design, LLC
• Inventors: Skinner, Peter James
• Primary Examiner(s): Boyd, Jonathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): AZONGHA, SARDIS F
• Application Number:
  US13/337,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20130002571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

Devices are disclosed for inputting data to a touch sensitive user interface, which devices comprise a base operative to affix to the user interface, a button having an outer touch surface and an inner surface operative to engage the user interface to convey a data input signal thereto in response to presence of a user'"'"'s finger at the outer touch surface of the button, and an arm connecting the button to the base; processes for data input are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for inputting data to a touch-sensitive user interface, consisting essentially of:

a base operative to affix to the touch-sensitive user interface, said base including one or more fastening elements capable of affixing said base to the touch-sensitive user interface, said user interface both receiving data input through touching of the interface with a button connected to the base and responsively performing a particular function corresponding to the data input;

the button having an outer touch surface and an inner surface operative to engage the user interface such that electrical contact is established between the button and the user interface, to convey a data input signal to the user interface in response to presence of a user'"'"'s finger at the outer touch surface of the button; and

an arm having a first end affixed to the base and a second end affixed to the button, the arm comprising first and second arm segments arranged between the first and second ends;

each of the first and second arm segments being movable in respectively different directions over the user interface in response to force applied by the user'"'"'s finger to the button to enable the button to move over the user interface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a curved member comprising the first and second arm segments.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the curved member has a spiral shape.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first and second arm segments are comprised of a material permitting the first and second arm segments to be deformed in response to a force applied by the user'"'"'s finger to the button, such that the user is enabled by applying such force to move the button in multiple directions over the user interface.

5. The device of claim 1, comprising a first rotatable connector joining the first arm segment to the base and a second rotatable connector joining the first arm segment to the second arm segment.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second arm segments has a linear shape.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second rotatable connectors comprises a bearing.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second rotatable connectors comprises a deformable material enabling the button to be rotated with respect to the arm.

9. The device of claim 1, comprising a rotatable connector affixing the button to the second end of the arm and permitting the arm to rotate with respect to the button as the user moves the button laterally over the user interface.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the rotatable connector comprises a bearing.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the rotatable connector comprises a deformable material enabling the button to be rotated with respect to the arm.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a first suction cup positioned with respect to the arm to affix to the user interface while the arm is enabled to move in a lateral direction over the user interface.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the base further comprises a second suction cup spaced from the first suction cup and positioned with respect to the first suction cup to affix to the user interface while the first suction cup is affixed thereto.

14. The device of claim 1, comprising a frame limiting a range of motion of the button in a lateral direction over the user interface.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the base comprises the frame.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the base further comprises a first suction cup positioned with respect to the arm to affix to the user interface while the arm is enabled to move in the lateral direction over the user interface.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the base still further comprises a second suction cup spaced from the first suction cup and positioned with respect to the first suction cup to affix to the user interface while the first suction cup is affixed thereto.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the frame is affixed to the first and second suction cups and extends therebetween.

19. A device for inputting data to a touch-sensitive user interface, consisting essentially of:

a base operative to affix to the touch-sensitive user interface, said base including one or more fastening elements capable of affixing said base to the touch-sensitive user interface, said user interface both receiving data input through touching of the interface with a button connected to the base and responsively performing a particular function corresponding to the data input;

the button having an outer touch surface and an inner surface operative to engage the user interface such that electrical contact is established between the button and the user interface, to convey a data input signal to the user interface in response to presence of a user'"'"'s finger at the outer touch surface of the button;

a member affixed to the base; and

a rotatable connector connecting the base-affixed member to the button, such that the member permits the button to be moved in multiple directions laterally over the user interface in response to force applied by the user'"'"'s finger, while the rotatable connector permits the member to rotate with respect to the button as it is thus moved.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the rotatable connector comprises a bearing.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the rotatable connector comprises a deformable material enabling the button to be rotated with respect to the arm.

22. The device of claim 19, wherein the arm comprises a deformable material that applies a torque to the rotatable connector as the button is moved from a rest position with respect to the base, while applying a force against the button as a result of such movement, such that the user is thereupon provided with a force feedback via the button.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the arm is curved.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the arm has a spiral shape.

25. A device for inputting data to a touch-sensitive user interface, consisting essentially of:

a base operative to affix to the touch-sensitive user interface, said base including one or more fastening elements capable of affixing said base to the touch-sensitive user interface, said user interface both receiving data input through touching of the interface with a button connected to the base and responsively performing a particular function corresponding to the data input;

the button having an outer touch surface and an inner surface operative to engage the user interface such that electrical contact is established between the button and the user interface, to convey a data input signal to the user interface in response to presence of a user'"'"'s finger at the outer touch surface of the button; and

a member affixed to the base and to the button;

the member biasing the inner surface of the button against separation from the user interface and permitting the button to move in multiple directions laterally over the user interface in response to force applied by the user'"'"'s finger.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the member is comprised of a resilient material disposed with respect to the base and the button such that affixing the base to the user interface deforms the resilient material resulting in a reactive force urging the button against the user interface.

27. A process for inputting data to a touch-sensitive user interface, consisting essentially of:

affixing a base to the touch-sensitive user interface via one or more fastening elements capable of affixing said base to the touch-sensitive user interface, said user interface both receiving data input through touching of the interface with a button connected to the base and responsively performing a particular function corresponding to the data input, the base being affixed to a member, the member being affixed to the button;

the button having an outer touch surface and an inner surface;

engaging the user interface with the inner surface of the button such that electrical contact is established between the button and the user interface;

conveying a data input signal to the user interface via the button in response to presence of a user'"'"'s finger at the outer touch surface thereof; and

biasing the inner surface of the button against the user interface by means of the member.

28. The process of claim 27, wherein the member is comprised of a resilient material, and biasing the inner surface of the button against the user interface comprises deforming the resilient material upon affixing the base to the user interface, resulting in a reactive force urging the button against the user interface.

29. A process for inputting data to a touch-sensitive user interface, consisting essentially of:

affixing a base to the touch-sensitive user interface via one or more fastening elements capable of affixing said base to the touch-sensitive user interface, said user interface both receiving data input through touching of the interface with a button connected to the base and responsively performing a particular function corresponding to the data input, the base being affixed to an arm at a first of the arm'"'"'s ends, and the arm being affixed to the button at a second of the arm'"'"'s ends, said arm having first and second arm segments arranged between the first and second ends;

the button having an outer touch surface and an inner surface;

engaging the user interface with the inner surface of the button such that electrical contact is established between the button and the user interface;

conveying a data input signal to the user interface via the button in response to presence of a user'"'"'s finger at the outer touch surface thereof; and

moving the button over the user interface in response to force applied by the user to the button such that the first and second arm segments move in respectively different directions laterally over the user interface to permit the button to move with respect to the base.

30. The process of claim 29, wherein moving the button over the user interface comprises deforming the first and second arm segments in response to the force applied by the user'"'"'s finger to the button.

31. The process of claim 29, comprising rotating the button with respect to the arm as the button moves over the user interface.

32. The process of claim 29, comprising applying a force to the button as it is moved over the user interface tending to return the button to a predetermined rest position with respect to the base.

33. A process for inputting data to a touch-sensitive user interface, consisting essentially of:

affixing a base to the touch-sensitive user interface via one or more fastening elements capable of affixing said base to the touch-sensitive user interface, said user interface both receiving data input through touching of the interface with a button connected to the base and responsively performing a particular function corresponding to the data input, the base being affixed to a member, the member being affixed to the button;

the button having an outer touch surface and an inner surface;

engaging the user interface with the inner surface of the button such that electrical contact is established between the button and the user interface;

conveying a data input signal to the user interface via the button in response to presence of a user'"'"'s finger at the outer touch surface thereof; and

moving the button over the user interface in response to force applied by the user to the button while rotating the button with respect to the member.

34. The process of claim 33, wherein moving the button over the user interface comprises deforming the member in response to the force applied by the user to the button.

35. The process of claim 33, comprising applying a responsive force against the button in response to the movement thereof, such that the user is thereupon provided with a force feedback via the button.

36. The process of claim 33, comprising applying a responsive force against the button in response to the movement thereof, the responsive force tending to return the button to a predetermined rest position thereof with respect to the base.

37. The process of claim 33, wherein the member is connected to the button via a bearing and rotating the button comprises rotating the bearing.

38. The process of claim 33, wherein the member is connected to the button via a deformable coupling and rotating the button comprises deforming the deformable coupling.