Input device

• US 9,477,320 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Argotext, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Argotext, Inc.
• Inventors: Schaffer, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): XAVIER, ANTONIO J
• Application Number:
  US13/790,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20140104180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/08 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/08 Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

The present invention is a data entry device featuring a novel way of touch-typing on a small smart-device using two or more opposing touchpad surfaces positioned around a display, said surfaces comprising a housing. Bumps or other touch sensitive features are arrayed around the periphery of a digital display on the device. The bumps or other touch sensitive features provide both a locating means for finger placement and a zone for sensing the shift of a pressure point or sensing motion of the finger along the surface, the shift or motion in a preferred direction indicating a selection from a displayed menu to be made by lifting the finger from contact. A novel way of holding the device by its wrist band or handle or strap while fingering the bumps leads to a fluid method of keying functionalities for use as a phone and as an internet-enabled texting device.

Claims

1. A data entry device comprising:

a housing including a top surface, two opposing edges of the top surface, and a plurality of stacked panels adjacent each of the opposing edges, wherein the stacked panels include a plurality of delineated regions, the stacked panels being set at a non-zero angle from the top surface and being set at a non-zero angle to one another;

a plurality of sensors associated with a respective one of each of the delineated regions, wherein the sensor detects contact by a user'"'"'s finger on the delineated region and a sliding motion along the surface of the delineated region in one of at least two non-co-linear directions;

a memory, wherein the memory stores a plurality of symbols, the symbols arranged in one or more groups of symbols, and wherein at least a first group of symbols corresponds with a first one of the delineated regions and wherein a first direction corresponds with a first symbol in the first group of symbols;

a processor connected with the memory and with the sensor, wherein the processor processes a signal from the sensor to detect a direction of the sliding motion along the first delineated region to determine that the direction of sliding motion is in the first direction, and to select the first symbol in said first group of symbols.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one delineated region includes a raised ridge.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one delineated region includes a groove in the surface of the device.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a digital display on the top surface operatively coupled with the processor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stacked panels adjacent one of the opposing edges comprise two panels stacked upper and lower, the upper and lower panels inclined to each other.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a wristwatch, a TV remote control, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone, or a game controller.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of symbols are alphanumeric characters.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first group of symbols comprises a plurality of adjacent keys on a QWERTY keyboard.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the at least two directions correspond to directions between adjacent keys on the keyboard.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a watch and watchband.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of delineated regions are distinguished by a tactile cue.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the tactile cue comprises surfaces at a non-zero angle, a perceivable distance separation, a bump, a ridge, or an indentation.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the delineated regions are distinguished by a visual cue proximal to the delineated regions.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the visual cue comprises a display of one or more of the plurality of symbols.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the visual cue for the first delineated region comprises the first group of symbols.