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`
`US 20020118175A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0118175 A1
`Liebenow et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 29, 2002
`
`(54) DIGITAL INFORMATION APPLIANCE
`INPUT DEVICE
`
`(75) Inventors: Frank LiebenoW, Dakota Dunes, SD
`(US); Stephen Vossler, Sioux Falls, SD
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address;
`MARK WALKER, ESQ,
`GATEWAY, INC.
`LAW DEPARTMENT, MSY04
`610 GATEWAY DRIVE
`N_ SIOUX CITY, SD 57049_2000 (Us)
`
`(73) Assignee; Gateway, Inc_
`
`(21) Appl, No;
`
`10/135,113
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(62) Division of application No. 09/407,353, ?led on Sep.
`29, 1999.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... .. G09G 5/00
`(52) US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 345/168
`
`_
`_
`ABSTRACT _
`_
`_
`(572 _
`A digital information appliance comprises a housmg having
`a display disposed on a ?rst surface for displaying informa
`tion to a user of the digital information appliance and an
`input device disposed on a second surface opposed to the
`?rst surface for imputing information. The input device is
`oriented With respect to the display so as to be operable by
`the ?ngers of the user’s hand for input of information While
`holding the housing so the display is viewable.
`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 1
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 11
`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
`I14
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`FIG. I
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`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 2
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 2 0f 11
`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 3
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 3 0f 11
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`US 2002/0118175 A1
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 4
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 4 0f 11
`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
`FIGS
`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 5
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 5 0f 11
`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
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`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 6
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 6 0f 11
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 7
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 7 0f 11
`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 8
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 8 0f 11
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`US 2002/0118175 A1
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 9
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 9 0f 11
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 10
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 10 0f 11
`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
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`REPRESENTING
`POSITION OF KEYS
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 11
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 29, 2002 Sheet 11 0f 11
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`US 2002/0118175 A1
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`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 12
`
`

`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
`Aug. 29, 2002
`
`DIGITAL INFORMATION APPLIANCE INPUT
`DEVICE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to the ?eld
`of digital information appliances, and more speci?cally to a
`digital information appliance comprised of a housing includ
`ing generally opposed ?rst and second surfaces Wherein a
`display suitable for displaying information to a user is
`disposed on the ?rst surface and an input device suitable for
`keyed input of information is disposed on the second sur
`face. The present invention further relates to a method for
`aiding a user of such a digital information appliance in
`locating keys of the input device for entry of information.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Digital information appliances such as electronic
`books, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and portable infor
`mation handling systems are Well knoW in the art for storage,
`manipulation and communication of information. For many
`digital information appliances (e.g., pen tablet type appli
`ances such as PDAs, electronic books, etc.), it is desirable
`that appliance’s housing have a compact, hand-held form
`factor. As a result, such compact digital information appli
`ances rarely include a keyboard or keypad, but instead rely
`on displays having touch sensitive panel overlays employing
`touch or pen input for entry and manipulation of informa
`tion.
`[0003] With the groWing popularity of the Internet and
`similar netWork information services, compact digital infor
`mation appliances Will become increasingly common ?x
`tures of everyday life. Unlike present stationary personal
`computers, compact digital information appliances do not
`constrain the user to a single location While accessing
`information via a netWork information service, but instead
`enable the user to freely roam throughout his or her home or
`of?ce. HoWever, because compact digital information appli
`ances lack a keyboard, entry of information such as com
`mands, electronic mail (e-mail) messages, and the like is
`inef?cient, reducing the advantage gained from increased
`portability.
`[0004] Consequently, there exists a need for a digital
`information appliance having a keyboard type input device
`positioned on the appliance’s housing so that the siZe of the
`appliance is not substantially increased in comparison to a
`like digital information appliance Without such an input
`device. It Would be desirable to orient the input device With
`respect to the appliance’s display to facilitate ef?cient entry
`of information by the user via methods such as touch-typing
`or the like. It Would further be advantageous to provide a
`means of aiding the user in locating keys of the input device
`Wherein the input device is not vieWable by the user While
`typing so the user may more efficiently use the input device
`for entering information.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0005] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
`digital information appliance comprised of a housing having
`a generally opposed ?rst and second surfaces, a display for
`displaying information to users of the digital information
`appliance, and an input device for entry of information via
`keyed input. The display is disposed on the ?rst surface so
`
`as to be generally faced toWard a user holding the appliance
`While the input device is disposed on the second surface so
`as to face aWay from the user during use. The input device
`is preferably oriented With respect to the display so as to be
`operable by the ?ngers of the user’s hand While holding the
`digital information appliance so the display may be vieWed.
`
`[0006] The present invention is further directed to a
`method of utiliZing the digital information appliance of the
`present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the method
`includes the steps of holding the digital information appli
`ance so the display is vieWable and the input device is
`positioned in a generally inverted orientation opposite the
`display Wherein it is not vieWable by the user, positioning a
`?nger of the hand holding the digital information appliance
`over a key of the input device, and actuating the key to
`facilitate entry of information into the digital information
`appliance.
`
`[0007] The present invention is further directed to a
`method of aiding a user in entering information into the
`digital information appliance. In an exemplary embodiment,
`the method comprises the step of displaying indicia on the
`display to help the user locate keys of the input device. The
`method may further include the steps of sensing the actua
`tion of a key and advising the user that the key has been
`actuated. In an exemplary embodiment, the method may be
`implemented as a program of instructions storable on a
`medium readable by the digital information appliance for
`causing the appliance to perform the steps of the method.
`
`[0008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing
`general description and the folloWing detailed description
`are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of
`the invention claimed. The accompanying draWings, Which
`are incorporated in and constitute a part of the speci?cation,
`illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together With
`the general description, serve to explain the principles of the
`invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0009] The numerous objects and advantages of the
`present invention may be better understood by those skilled
`in the art by reference to the accompanying ?gures in Which:
`
`[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric vieW of a digital information
`appliance in accordance With an exemplary embodiment of
`the present invention;
`
`[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric vieW of the back surface of
`the digital information appliance shoWn in FIG. 1, further
`illustrating an exemplary input device comprised of a key
`board split into left and right key ranges positioned and
`oriented so the user may type on the keyboard While vieWing
`the display;
`
`[0012] FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial cross-sectional side
`elevational vieWs of the digital information appliance shoWn
`in FIGS. I and 2, Wherein the keys of the left key range are
`omitted to further illustrate the position of the ?ngers of the
`user’s hand during input of information via the keyboard;
`
`[0013] FIG. 5 is an isometric vieW of the back surface of
`the digital information appliance shoWn in FIG. 1, further
`illustrating an exemplary input device comprised of one or
`more touch sensitive panels;
`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 13
`
`

`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
`Aug. 29, 2002
`
`[0014] FIG. 6 is an isometric vieW of the digital informa
`tion appliance shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, wherein the
`housing of the appliance is further provided With gripping
`aids to assist the user in holding the appliance While typing;
`
`[0015] FIG. 7 is an isometric vieW of a digital information
`appliance in accordance With a second exemplary embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`
`[0016] FIG. 8 is a vieW of the back surface of the digital
`information appliance shoWn in FIG. 7, further illustrating
`an exemplary input device comprising a keypad positioned
`and oriented so the user may type on the keypad While
`vieWing the display;
`
`[0017] FIG. 9 is a vieW of the back surface of the digital
`information appliance shoWn in FIG. 7, further illustrating
`an exemplary input device comprising one or more touch
`sensitive panels;
`
`[0018] FIG. 10 is an isometric vieW of a digital informa
`tion appliance in accordance With a third exemplary embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`
`[0019] FIG. 11 is a vieW of the back surface of the digital
`information appliance shoWn in FIG. 10;
`
`[0020] FIG. 12 is an isometric vieW of an exemplary
`digital information appliance Wherein the digital informa
`tion appliance is mounted to a support during use;
`
`[0021] FIG. 13 is a block diagram depicting the hardWare
`architecture of a digital information appliance in accordance
`With an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0022] FIG. 14 is a How diagram illustrating a method of
`aiding a user in entering information into the digital infor
`mation appliance by displaying indicia on the display for
`helping locate keys of the input device; and
`
`[0023] FIGS. 15 and 16 are vieWs of a digital information
`appliance in accordance With an exemplary embodiment of
`the present invention, further illustrating lenticular or semi
`transparent indicia displayed on the display for aiding the
`user in locating and depressing desired keys in accordance
`With the method illustrated in FIG. 14.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0024] Reference Will noW be made in detail to the pres
`ently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of
`Which are illustrated in the accompanying draWings.
`
`[0025] Referring noW to FIGS. 1 though 6, a digital
`information appliance in accordance With an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention is shoWn. The digital
`information appliance 100 is comprised of a housing 102
`siZed and shaped to be held by a user in both hands. In an
`exemplary embodiment, the housing 102 includes a front
`surface 104 and a back surface 106 Wherein the front surface
`104 is generally opposed to, i.e., faces aWay from, the back
`surface 106 as vieWed by a user holding the digital infor
`mation appliance 100. The housing 102 may further include
`left and right side surfaces 108 & 110 and top and bottom
`surfaces 112 & 114joining the front surface 104 to the back
`surface 106 thereby providing an enclosure for the appli
`ance’s internal components.
`
`[0026] A display 116 is mounted in the front surface 104
`of the housing 102 for displaying information to users of the
`digital information appliance 100. The display 116 may
`comprise a liquid-crystal display (LCD), or may comprise
`an alternative type of display technology, such as a light
`emitting diode (LED) display, light emitting polymer (LEP)
`display, ?eld emission display (FED), gas or plasma display,
`or may comprise a cathode ray tube (CRT) display. A
`touch-sensitive panel (e.g., a touch-screen) 118 may overlay
`the display 116 for touch or pen input (via a pen or stylus
`120) of information and data. Preferably, the touch sensitive
`panel overlay 118 is substantially transparent to alloW infor
`mation displayed via the display 116 to be vieWed by the
`user.
`
`[0027] During use, the digital information appliance 100
`may be held by the user in both hands 122 & 124 so the
`display 116 is faced upWard and vieWable by the user, as
`shoWn in FIG. 1. When held in such a position, the user may
`grasp the housing 102 so the left and right side surfaces 108
`& 110 ?t Within the palms of the user’s left and right hands
`122 & 124, respectively. In this manner, the ?ngers of the
`user’s left and right hands 122 & 124 are positioned over the
`back surface 106 of the housing 102 While the thumbs are
`positioned over the front surface 104 along the left and right
`side surfaces 108 & 110 as shoWn in FIG. 1, or alternately,
`positioned along side surfaces 108 & 110.
`
`[0028] Any or all of the front and back surfaces 104 &
`106, the left and right side surfaces 108 & 110 and/or the top
`and bottom surfaces 112 & 114 may further be shaped to
`provide a comfortable gripping area for the user’s hands 122
`& 124. For instance, as shoWn in FIG. 1, left and right side
`surfaces 108 & 10 may be someWhat curved so the user may
`comfortably grasp the housing 102 in a natural holding
`position (e.g., as shoWn in FIG. 1). Further, it should be
`appreciated that the front and back surfaces 104 & 106, or
`any portion thereof, need not be parallel to each other as
`shoWn, but instead, may be faced aWay from each other at
`an angle or may be contoured so the housing 102 may be
`more comfortably held by the user.
`[0029] An input device 130 is positioned on the housing’s
`back surface 106 for entry of information via keyed input.
`The input device 130 is preferably oriented With respect to
`the display 116 so as to be operable by the ?ngers of the
`user’s hands 122 & 124 While holding the digital informa
`tion appliance 100 so the display 116 may be vieWed (e.g.,
`While holding the housing in the position shoWn in FIG. 1).
`
`[0030] Turning noW to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the input device
`130 may be comprised of a keyboard 132 having a plurality
`of keys 134 generally arranged according to a standardiZed
`key con?guration. As shoWn in FIG. 2, the keys 134 of the
`keyboard 132 may be divided into left and right key ranges
`136 & 138 positioned adjacent to the left and right side
`surfaces 108 & 110, respectively, of the housing 102. In this
`manner, the ?ngers of the user’s left and right hands 122 &
`124 may be positioned over the keys 134 of each key range
`136 & 138 in a manner alloWing the user of conventional
`touch-typing techniques.
`[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the keys 134 of the
`keyboard 132 may be generally ordered in accordance With
`the QWERTY standard key con?guration currently utiliZed
`by most conventional typeWriter and computer keyboards.
`HoWever, as shoWn in FIG. 2, the keys normally typed by
`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 14
`
`

`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
`Aug. 29, 2002
`
`the left hand When utilizing conventional touch-typing tech
`niques (i.e., keys “Z”, “A”, “Q”, “1”, “X”, “S”, “W”, “2”,
`“3”, “D”, “E”, “3”, “V”, “F”, “R”, “4”, “B”, “G”, “T”, “5”,
`etc.) are grouped in the left key range 136 While the keys 134
`normally typed by the right hand (i.e., keys “6”, “Y”, “H”,
`“N”, “7”, “U”, “J”, “M”, “8”, “I”, “K”, “, ”, “9”, “O”, “L”,
`“. ”, “0”, “P”, “; ”, “/ ”, “- ”, “[”, “‘”, etc.) are grouped in the
`right key range 138. Further, the keys 134 of each key range
`136 & 138 are rotated and positioned so as to be in the
`expected location relative to the other keys of the keyboard
`and the user’s ?ngertips for touch-typing. Thus, the ?rst or
`bottom roW of keys of the left key range (i.e., the roW
`including the “Z”, “X”, “C”, “V”and “B”keys) is closest to
`the left side surface 108 of the housing 102. The second roW
`of keys, usually referred to as the “home” roW (e.g., the roW
`including the “A”, “S”, “D”, “F” and “G” keys) is positioned
`adjacent to the ?rst roW, the third roW (e.g., the roW
`including the “Q”, “W”, “E”, “R”and “T”keys) is positioned
`adjacent to the second roW, and the top roW (e.g., the roW
`including the “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” and “5” keys) is positioned
`adjacent to the third roW and farthest from the left side
`surface 108. Similarly, the ?rst or bottom roW of keys of the
`right key range (i.e., the roW including the “N”, “M”, “,”,
`“.”and“/”keys) is placed closest to the right side surface 110
`of the housing 102. The second or “home” roW of keys (e.g.,
`the roW including the “H”, “J”, “K”, “L” keys) is positioned
`next to the ?rst roW, the third roW (e.g., the roW including the
`“Y”, “U”, “I”, “O”, and “P” keys) is placed next to the
`second roW, and the top roW (e.g., the roW including the “6”,
`“7”, “8”, “9”, and “0” keys) is placed farthest from the right
`side surface 110.
`[0032] The digital information appliance may further
`include a cursor control device such as a cursor control stick,
`touchpad, trackball, microball, or the like. The cursor con
`trol device is preferably disposed on the back surface 106 of
`the digital information appliance’s housing 102 so that it
`may be operably controlled by the user’s ?ngertip. HoWever,
`the cursor control device may alternately be disposed on the
`front or side surfaces 104, 108 & 110 of the housing 102 so
`as to be operably controlled by the user’s thumb. For
`example, as shoWn in FIG. 2, a cursor control stick 158 may
`be disposed among the keys 134 of keyboard 132. In FIG.
`2, the cursor control stick 158 is shoWn positioned betWeen
`the “N”, “H”, “M” and “3” keys of keyboard 132. This
`location, Which is near the home typing roW, is advantageous
`because it alloWs a user to conveniently manipulate the
`cursor control stick 158 using the index ?nger from a normal
`typing position. It should hoWever be appreciated that While
`the location of cursor control stick 158 shoWn herein is
`preferred, the cursor control stick 158 may alternately be
`positioned elseWhere Within keyboard 132, or mounted
`elseWhere on the housing 102 of digital information appli
`ance 100 Without departing from the scope and spirit of the
`present invention.
`[0033] As shoWn in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, one or more keys
`146, 148, 150, 152, 154 & 156 may be mounted on the front
`surface 104 of the housing 102 so as to be actuated, e.g.,
`depressed and released, by the thumbs of the user’s left and
`right hands 122 & 124. In an exemplary embodiment, one or
`more of the keys may correspond to the keys of a conven
`tional QWERTY keyboard that are normally actuated by the
`thumbs. For instance, keys 146 & 148 may provide the
`“space bar”for keyboard 132. Similarly, other front surface
`mounted keys 150, 152, 154 & 156 may act as combination
`
`function keys (e.g., “Ctrl”, “Alt”, “Shift”, etc.). Such keys
`provide a function When depressed in conjunction With
`another key of the keyboard. Alternately, one or more of the
`front surface mounted keys 150, 152, 154 & 156 may
`function as a conventional “ENTER” key to accept or
`execute entry of information inputted or typed via the
`keyboard 132. In one embodiment, information inputted via
`the keyboard 132 may be displayed on the display 116 as it
`is typed. Wherein the user determines that the information is
`correctly typed, the “ENTER” key may be depressed to
`accept the information and execute its entry. Keys 150, 152,
`154 & 156 may further be utiliZed in conjunction With a
`cursor control device such as cursor control stick 158 (FIG.
`2) to emulate the buttons of a conventional computer mouse
`to provide user input for softWare employing a graphical
`user interface (GUI). In this manner, the cursor control stick
`158 and keys 150, 152, 154 & 156 may be used to accom
`plish such actions as “pressing”or “clicking” on-screen
`“buttons” in dialog boxes, choosing menu items, or the like.
`[0034] Alternately, the thumbs of the user’s left and right
`hands may be positioned along side surfaces 108 & 110 of
`the digital information appliance’s housing 102 during use.
`For instance, as shoWn in FIG. 2, the user’s thumbs may be
`inserted Within cavities 160 formed in the left and right side
`surfaces 108 & 110 of the housing 102. The cavities 160
`function as aid in supporting the digital information appli
`ance 100 While typing. One or more keys 162, 164 & 166
`may be positioned Within one or both cavities 160 so the user
`may actuate, e.g., depress and release, them using his or her
`thumb(s). In embodiments of the invention, these keys 162,
`164 & 166 may function as keys of a conventional
`QWERTY keyboard that are normally actuated by the
`thumbs such as the “space bar”, as combination function
`keys (e.g., “Ctrl”, “Alt”, “Shift”, etc.), as a conventional
`“ENTER” key to accept or execute entry of information
`inputted or typed via the keyboard 132, in conjunction With
`a cursor control device such as cursor control stick 158
`(FIG. 2) to emulate the buttons of a conventional computer
`mouse, or may provide application speci?ed or user de?ned
`functions.
`
`[0035] In the exemplary embodiment shoWn in FIGS. 1,
`2, 3 and 4, keys 134, 146, 148, 150, 152,154,156,162,164 &
`166 maybe comprised of a keycap, a tension mechanism for
`suspending the keycap and alloWing it to be actuated (i.e.,
`depressed), and an electronic assembly that records the key
`press and key release. It should hoWever be appreciated that
`other key structures may be utiliZed. For instance, each key
`may be comprised of a touch sensitive surface. Further,
`although a keyboard 132 having a QWERTY key con?gu
`ration is described in the exemplary embodiment, it should
`be appreciated that the keyboard 132 of the present inven
`tion may utiliZe other key con?gurations such as the Dvorak
`key con?guration, a non-English language key con?gura
`tion, a user or manufacturer de?ned key con?guration, etc.
`Like the QWERTY key con?guration, keyboards employing
`such alternative key con?gurations may be split into left and
`right key ranges to facilitate typing in an inverted orienta
`tion.
`
`[0036] Turning noW to FIG. 5, an exemplary input device
`130 may alternately be comprised of one or more touch
`sensitive panels 140. Areas of the touch sensitive panel 140
`may be de?ned as keys of a keyboard so that a user touching
`the panel Within such an area Would accomplish an actuation
`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 15
`
`

`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
`Aug. 29, 2002
`
`of the key. In this manner, the touch sensitive panels may
`emulate an electromechanical keyboard such as keyboard
`132 shoWn in FIG. 2. Like keyboard 132, the touch sensitive
`panel 140 may be divided into left and right key ranges 142
`& 144 positioned adjacent to the left and right side surfaces
`108 & 110, respectively, of the housing 102. In this manner,
`the ?ngers of the user’s left and right hands 122 & 124 may
`be properly positioned over the touch sensitive panel 140 so
`as to be in the proper position for supporting conventional
`touch typing techniques. Further, since the keyboard is
`emulated, various key con?gurations may be de?ned as
`desired by the user or as required by the applications
`executed by digital information appliance. For instance, the
`left and right key ranges 142 & 144 may be de?ned to
`emulate the divided QWERTY keyboard 132 illustrated in
`FIGS. 2 through 4. Alternately, the key ranges 142 & 144
`may be de?ned to provide alternate key con?gurations such
`as a Dvorak key con?guration, a non-English language key
`con?guration, a numeric keypad con?guration, a telephone
`keypad con?guration, or a user or application speci?ed key
`con?guration (see FIGS. 15 and 16). Exemplary apparatus
`and methods for providing con?gurable keyboards utiliZing
`touch sensitive panels are described in commonly oWned
`U.S. pat. application Ser. No. 09/346,777 Which is herein
`incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`
`[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensitive
`panel 140 may comprise a resistive touch pad suitable for
`generating an analog signal proportional to the amount of
`pressure applied by the user’s ?ngertips. This analog signal
`may be converted to a digital signal via an analog to digital
`converter (ADC) for processing by the digital information
`appliance’s processor (see FIG. 14). Such resistive touch
`pads have conventionally been utiliZed to alloW the user to
`select a point on the display 116 by either tapping or
`applying an added doWnWard pressure to the surface of the
`touch pad. In the present invention, such resistive touch pads
`Would alloW the user to rest his or her ?ngertips on the pad’s
`surface Without inadvertently actuating a key. The touch pad
`could then sense an increase in pressure applied to its surface
`as the user attempts to actuate a key. This increase in
`pressure Would be registered as a key press, and the infor
`mation corresponding to that key (i.e., the character or
`function) Would be entered.
`[0038] Alternately, the touch sensitive panel 140 may
`utiliZe other touch pad technologies. For instance, the touch
`sensitive panel 140 may be comprised of a capacitive touch
`pad capable of sensing variations in applied pressure by
`measuring the area of the user’s ?nger tip in contact With the
`surface of the pad. Similarly, the touch sensitive panel 140
`may be comprised of touch pads employing electromagnetic
`radiation (e.g., infrared (IR) radiation) or ultrasonic tech
`nologies. For instance, the digital information appliance 100
`may employ a “virtual” keyboard Wherein electromagnetic
`radiation forms a planer ?eld over the back surface 106 of
`the digital information appliance. Auser may then actuate a
`key of the “virtual” keyboard by breaking the planer ?eld in
`a de?ned position. Exemplary “virtual” keyboard technolo
`gies are described in greater detail in commonly oWned U.S.
`pat. application Ser. No. 09/350,572 Which is herein incor
`porated by reference in its entirety.
`
`housing 102 While typing information into the input device
`(e.g., keyboard, touch sensitive panel, etc.). In the exem
`plary embodiment shoWn in FIG. 6, the gripping aids may
`be comprised of left and right hand straps 158 & 160 affixed
`to the left and right side surfaces 108 & 110 of the housing
`102. The user may insert a hand 122 & 124 through each
`hand strap 168 & 170 so the hand strap 168 & 170 extends
`betWeen the thumb and index ?nger, thereby Wrapping
`around the back of the hand 122 & 124. Preferably, the hand
`straps 158 & 160 are positioned to support the digital
`information appliance 100 from the back of the hands 122 &
`124 thereby freeing the user’s ?ngers and thumbs for entry
`of information via the input device.
`
`[0040] Referring noW to FIGS. 7,8 and 9, a digital infor
`mation appliance in accordance With a second exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention is shoWn. As shoWn in
`FIG. 7, the digital information appliance 200 is comprised
`of a housing 202 siZed and shaped to be held by a user in one
`hand. Like the digital information appliance 100 shoWn in
`FIGS. 1 through 6, the digital information appliance 200
`shoWn in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, is comprised of a housing 202
`having a front surface 204 and a back surface 206 Wherein
`the front surface 204 is generally opposed to, i.e., faces aWay
`from, the back surface 206 as vieWed by a user holding the
`digital information appliance 200. The housing 202 further
`includes left and right side surfaces 208 & 210 and top and
`bottom surfaces 212 & 214 joining the front surface 204 to
`the back surface 206.
`
`[0041] During use, the digital information appliance 200
`may be held by the user in either the left or right hand 224
`so the display 216 mounted on the front surface 204 is faced
`upWard and vieWable by the user, as shoWn in FIG. 8. In
`such a natural holding position, the user may grasp the
`housing 202 so one of the top, bottom or side surfaces 208,
`210, 212, or 214 ?ts Within the palm of the hand 224. In this
`manner, the ?ngers of the user’s hand 224 are positioned
`over the back surface 206 of the housing 202 While the
`thumb is positioned over the front surface 204, or, alter
`nately, along a top, bottom or side surface 208, 210, 212 or
`214. Like the digital information appliance 100 shoWn in
`FIGS. 1 through 6, any or all of the front and back surfaces
`204 & 206, the left and right side surfaces 208 & 210 and/or
`the top and bottom surfaces 212 & 214 may be contoured to
`provide a comfortable gripping area for the user’s hands
`224. Further, it should be appreciated that the front and back
`surfaces 204 & 206, or any portion thereof, need not be
`parallel to each other, but instead, may be face aWay from
`each other at an angle. As shoWn in FIG. 8, the digital
`appliance 200 may be suitable for both left or right handed
`operation. Alternately, as shoWn in FIG. 9, the appliance 200
`may be speci?cally adapted for left or right handed opera
`tion only, depending on the requirements of the user (e.g.,
`Whether the user is left handed or right handed).
`
`[0042] Turning noW to FIGS. 8 and 9, an input device 230
`is positioned on the back surface 206 of the housing 202 and
`oriented With respect to the display 116 so as to be operable
`While the user is holding the housing so the display may be
`vieWed (e.g., While holding the housing in the position
`shoWn in FIG. 7).
`
`[0039] Turning noW to FIG. 6, the digital information
`appliance 100 shoWn in FIG. 1, may further include one or
`more gripping aids for assisting the user in holding the
`
`[0043] As shoWn in FIG. 8, the input device 230 may be
`comprised of a keypad 232 having a plurality of alphanu
`meric and/or function keys 234 that may be actuated by the
`
`SCEA Ex. 1003 Page 16
`
`

`
`US 2002/0118175 A1
`
`Aug. 29, 2002
`
`user, i.e., depressed and released, for entering information
`into the digital information appliance 200. In an exemplary
`embodiment, the keys 234 are oriented so the user may enter
`information in an inverted orientation (i.e., While the digital
`information 200 appliance is held in the position shoWn in
`FIG. 7). For instance, as shoWn in FIG. 8, for a user desiring
`to hold the appliance in his or her right hand, the keypad 232
`may be rotated so that the bottom roW of keys of the keypad
`232 is adjacent to right side surface 208 of the housing 202.
`Alternately, for users desiring to hold the digital information
`in the left hand, the keypad 232 may be rotated so the bottom
`roW of keys of the keypad 232 is adjacent to the left side
`surface 210 of the housing 202.
`
`[0044] As shoWn in FIG. 9, the input device 230 may
`alternately be comprised of a touch sensitive panel 240.
`Such a touch sensitive panel 240 may utiliZe resistive,
`capacitive electromagnetic or ultrasonic touch pad technolo
`gies described in the discussion of FIG. 5. Areas of the touch