Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Willner et al.
`
`US005874906A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,874,906
`Feb. 23, 1999
`
`[54] DATA ENTRY SYSTEM
`
`[75] Inventors: Michael A. Willner, Mason Neck, Va.;
`Scott M_ Arne], syosset, NY
`
`[73] Assignee: Wilnel, Inc., Mason Neck, Va.
`
`9/1995 Garrido ................................... .. 463/38
`5,451,053
`5,479,163 12/1995 SamuleWicZ
`121995/341
`5,481,263
`1/1996 Choi ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
`~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -- 341/20
`5,486,058
`1/1996 Allen ..... ..
`.. 400/485
`5,493,654
`2/1996 Gopher et a1. .......................... .. 341/22
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[21] APPL NO; 934,648
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Sep. 22, 1997
`
`213022 4/1987 European Pat. Off. .
`308048 9/1918 Germany .
`WO 86/05143 12/1986 WIPO .
`
`[51]
`
`Int. Cl.6 ................................................... .. H03K 17/94
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`[52] US‘ Cl‘
`[58] Field Of Search ...................... .. 341/20, 22; 400/485,
`400/489, 100, 345/160, 168, 161; 463/38,
`36 37
`’
`
`P.' J. Kennedy, “Hand—H~eld Data Input Device,” IBM Tech
`meal Dlsclosure B‘me‘m’ VOL 26’ NO' 11’ Apr' 1984’ PP'
`582658” _
`_
`_
`_
`D. C. KoWalsk1, “Sem1—Capt1ve Keyboard,” Xerox Drsclo
`sure Journal, vol. 1, No. 2, Feb. 1976, p. 85.
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,990,565 11/1976 Felton et a1. ............................ .. 400/70
`4,360,892 11/1982 End?eld
`707/534
`
`4,442,506
`
`4/1984 End?eld . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 341/22
`
`_
`_
`_
`_
`Primary Examzner—M1chael Horabrk
`Assistant Examiner—Albert K. Wong
`Attorney’ Agent’ Or Firm—R°Senberg’ Klein 8‘ B?ker
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`4/1984 End?eld et a1- -
`4,443,789
`45167939 5/1985 Crimmins: Jr- ~~
`435183164
`5/1985 Hayford) Jr‘
`
`5:4O8:621
`5,426,449
`5,432,510
`
`12323? 111222
`4’680’577
`7/1987 Strayer et a1‘
`4:727:478
`2/1988 End?eld et a1_ _
`4,833,446
`5/1989 E?am et a1_
`4,917,516
`4/1990 Retter ............. ..
`5,137,384
`8/1992 Spencer et a1. ..
`5,160,919 11/1992 Mohler et al
`52077426 5/1993 11love 6‘ a1~ ~~~~ -~
`$223210“ a1‘ '
`364/190
`4/1995 Berk/Mic
`345/168
`6/1995 DanZiger .... ..
`7/1995 Matthews ................................ .. 341/20
`
`-- 341/22
`~~~~ ~~ 434/38
`273/148 B
`
`~~~~ 12132
`345/160
`395/887
`341/22
`400/489
`400/489
`345/168
`-~ 463/36
`
`Adata entry system (100, 100‘) has an ergonomic base (102,
`102‘) including upper surface controls (104, 104‘) Which
`generate a ?rst set of electrical signals, and side surface
`
`0064094
`s1gnals When operated 1ndependently.Ath1rd set of electrrcal
`signals are generated When the side surface controls (106,
`106‘) are operated in combination With the upper surface
`controls (104, 104‘). Data entry system (100, 100‘) further
`includes mode selection controls (108) for establishing the
`?rst, second and third sets of electrical signals as device
`control signals responsive to a ?rst mode being selected and
`respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals
`responsive to a second mode being selected.
`
`15 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 0f 7
`
`5,874,906
`
`SI
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 0f 7
`
`5,874,906
`
`
`
`SCEA EX. 1011 Page 3
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 0f 7
`
`5,874,906
`
`mg.5W
`
`_8_
`
`9:mg
`
`E
`
`E«fog
`
`mm.89.
`
`>59
`
`8,82
`
`man.—39
`
`5%
`
`£9.um—pv30InmggII...82
`
`w:£9
`
`/{|\\.Ua
`
`mm:
`
`«N.0:
`
`
`
`flag
`
`3%
`
`mm—
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 4
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f 7
`
`5,874,906
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 0f 7
`
`5,874,906
`
`5.53
`
`33.6»
`
`SCEA EX. 1011 Page 6
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 0f 7
`
`5,874,906
`
`3282
`a mi:
`
`5E?
`55%
`@Wm
`
`qmlm
`
`M20555
`
`55¢
`89>
`@?.
`
`Nvm
`
`mmm
`
`mmm
`
`E55
`E53
`
`05
`
`0mm
`
`gm
`
`Non
`
`m .wE
`
`mom
`
`$51200
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`5,874,906
`
`b.58pm9285;IIE1
`:Bma”@2583w+n,@258 ma
`
`
`
`m-mgm3..%\>I
`
`0:
`
`£2
`
`58.30
`
`2955mm
`
`bays
`
`m:
`
`msZo9.
`
`E0;
`
`SCEA EX. 1011 Page 8
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 8
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`DATA ENTRY SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`This invention directs itself to ergonomic keyboard sys
`tems for providing data entry to one or more devices. In
`particular, this invention directs itself to a data entry system
`Which can function as a game controller and as an ergonomic
`keyboard. Still further, this invention directs itself to a data
`entry system having an ergonomic base With a central
`support portion supporting a plurality of upper surface
`controls. The ergonomic base further includes a back side
`having a plurality of side surface controls. More in
`particular, this invention pertains to a data entry system
`Wherein upper surface controls and side surface controls can
`be used independently, or in combination to provide alpha
`numeric and keyboard control signals in a keyboard mode,
`While also functioning independently in a device mode.
`
`Prior Art
`
`Keyboard data entry systems and game controllers are
`Well knoWn in the art. The best prior art knoWn to the
`Applicants include US. Pat. Nos. 5,493,654; 5,486,058;
`5,481,263; 5,479,163; 5,451,053; 5,432,510; 5,426,449;
`5,408,621; 5,332,322; 5,317,505; 5,207,426; 5,160,919;
`5,137,384; 4,917,516; 4,655,621; 4,552,360; 4,833,446;
`4,727,478; 4,680,577; 4,518,164; 4,516,939; 4,443,789;
`4,442,506; 4,360,892; 3,990,565; German Patent No. 30804;
`PCT Publication No. WO86-05143; European Published
`Patent Application No. EP213022; the publication entitled
`“Semi-captive Keyboard”, Xerox Disclosure Journal, Vol. 1,
`No. 2, February 1976; and, the publication entitled “Hand
`held Data Input Device”, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin,
`Vol. 26, No. 11, April 1984.
`Some prior art systems, such as that shoWn in US. Pat.
`Nos. 3,990,565; 5,137,384; 5,160,919; and, 5,426,449 are
`directed to ergonomic keyboard systems Wherein the user’s
`hands are substantially vertically oriented When the key
`board is used. Such systems disclose utiliZing someWhat
`standard QWERTY keyboard formats, as opposed to chord
`type systems. HoWever, such systems do not disclose or
`suggest the combination of a keyboard With a game con
`troller.
`In other prior art systems, such as that disclosed in US.
`Pat. No. 5,408,621, there are provided multi-directional
`sWitches for use in entering data into a computer. Through
`utiliZation of tWo tWelve position directional type sWitches,
`one hundred and forty-four different input combinations are
`generated to provide input of alphanumeric and other sym
`bols. HoWever, such does not disclose the combination of a
`keyboard data entry system and a game controller and does
`not provide for data entry utiliZing both the thumbs and
`?ngers of both hands of the user, to provide for high speed
`data entry.
`In still other systems, such as that disclosed by US. Pat.
`Nos. 4,552,360 and 4,518,164, video game controllers are
`disclosed Which include a numeric keypad. While the key
`pad provides for limited data entry, such is intended to alloW
`input of information to the video game computer during
`play, to select skill levels, initiate the game, or the like. Such
`systems do not include any mode controls for utiliZation of
`the multi- directional sWitches for generation of alphanu
`meric characters in a keyboard mode.
`Over the years, many prior art systems have presented
`alternatives to the QWERTY format as a means of increas
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`5,874,906
`
`2
`ing typing speed. While those systems Would permit a user
`to type faster, they required a user to learn the neW keyboard
`layout. In spite of the potential typing speed increase, the
`public has been loath to adopt any keyboard format other
`than the old QWERTY arrangement. It is clear that once
`typists become familiar With a keyboard layout, a promised
`increase in typing speed is not suf?cient motivation to learn
`an additional keyboard arrangement.
`During the past decade there has been a tremendous
`groWth in the use and oWnership of computer and video
`games. As a result, children and young adults have become
`very accustomed to handling and using game controllers that
`incorporate multidirectional sWitches. This groWing portion
`of the keyboard-using population is likely to adopt a key
`board format that is arranged like a game controller, can
`function as a game controller, is ergonomically designed,
`alloWs users to enter data While seated in a reclined position
`aWay from a desk and offers greater typing speed. The
`likelihood of the instant invention being adopted by a large
`segment of the keyboard-using public is further enhanced by
`the fact that the instant invention requires a minimal number
`of simultaneous depression of keys.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A data entry system is provided. The data entry system
`includes an ergonomic housing adapted to be held by tWo
`hands of a user. The data entry system also includes a
`plurality of sWitches mounted on the housing for operation
`by at least one digit of the user’s hands, and a sWitching
`assembly mounted on the housing for selecting betWeen a
`?rst operating mode and a second operating mode. The data
`entry system further includes a circuit for coupling an output
`of at least a portion of the plurality of sWitches as game input
`data responsive to the sWitching assembly selecting the ?rst
`operating mode and converting an output of at least a portion
`of the plurality of sWitches to alphanumeric character code
`data responsive to the sWitching assembly selecting the
`second operating mode.
`Looking at the data entry system in another Way, such
`includes an ergonomic base adapted to be graspable by tWo
`hands of a user, the ergonomic base having an upper surface
`and a side surface. Additionally, the data entry system
`includes upper surface controls disposed on the ergonomic
`base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of
`tWo of a user’s digits to generate a ?rst set of electrical
`signals. Further, side surface controls are provided that are
`disposed on the side surface of the ergonomic base and
`adapted for operation by at least another of a user’s digits on
`either of the user’s tWo hands to generate a second set of
`electrical signals When operated independently and a third
`set of electrical signals When operated in combination With
`the upper surface controls. The ?rst and second sets of
`electrical signals together representing at least a majority of
`alphabetic characters of an alphabet.
`It is therefore a feature of the invention to provide a data
`entry system Which combines the functionality of an ergo
`nomic keyboard With that of a game controller.
`It is another feature of the invention to provide a data
`entry system having an ergonomic base Which includes a
`pair of hand grip portions Which eXtend substantially
`orthogonally With respect to an upper surface thereof.
`It is a further feature of the invention to provide a data
`entry system having both upper surface controls and side
`surface controls Which respectively generate ?rst and second
`sets of electrical signals, the ?rst and second sets of elec
`trical signals representing a majority of alphabetic characters
`of an alphabet.
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 9
`
`

`

`5,874,906
`
`3
`It is still a further feature of the invention to provide upper
`surface controls and side surface controls Which respectively
`generate ?rst and second sets of electrical signals When
`operated independently, and generate a third set of electrical
`signals When operated in combination, the third set of
`electrical signals representing characters selected from the
`group consisting of numbers, punctuation, mathematical
`operators, Words and combinations thereof.
`It is yet a further feature of the invention to provide a data
`entry system having upper surface controls Which generate
`signals representing alphabetic characters in a keyboard
`mode and directional control signals in a game controller
`mode.
`Yet another feature of the invention is to provide a data
`entry system capable of generating alphabetic characters in
`a keyboard mode and control signals for controlling such
`devices as telephones, dedicated Internet interface devices,
`and home entertainment devices in one or more device
`control modes.
`These and other advantages and novel features of the
`invention Will become apparent from the folloWing detailed
`description When considered in connection With the accom
`panying draWings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a plan vieW of the data entry system according
`to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a rear elevation vieW of the present invention;
`FIG. 2A is a rear elevation vieW of another con?guration
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a cut-aWay plan vieW of an alternate con?gu
`ration of a directional control of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a plan vieW of the present invention shoWing the
`addition of labeling thereto;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the multi-mode
`functions of the present invention; and,
`FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Referring noW to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4—6, there is shoWn data
`entry system 100 Which combines an ergonomic keyboard
`With a device controller. As Will be seen in folloWing
`paragraphs, data entry system 100 is speci?cally directed to
`the concept of providing a single data entry device capable
`of communicating With a host of computational, communi
`cation and entertainment devices, found in the Workplace
`and in the home. Data entry system 100 functions as a fully
`functional 101 key keyboard for communication With a
`computer system 300 and dedicated Internet device 330 or
`any other device that utiliZes an alphanumeric input, While
`acting as a numeric entry handset for telephone system 320.
`When used With telephone system 320, a microphone 184
`incorporated in system 100 is used to input voice signals,
`While a speaker of telephone system 320 or incorporated in
`system 100 (not shoWn) provides the voice output to the
`user. Data entry system 100 also is capable of functioning as
`a game controller for use With the dedicated game system
`310, or the personal computer 300, and as a remote control
`device for such entertainment devices as the TV or cable
`tuner 340, a video entertainment device 350 or an audio
`entertainment device 360. Thus, a single ergonomically
`designed base 102 provides the controls 104, 106, 108, 152
`for interfacing With any one or more of the computational,
`communications and entertainment devices available for use
`in the home or of?ce.
`
`4
`Referring noW to FIG. 1, data entry system 100 is pack
`aged Within an ergonomic base 102 having a centrally
`disposed supporting portion 115 from Which hand grip
`portions 114 and 116 angularly extend. Thus, data entry
`system 100 is intended to be utiliZed by both hands of a user.
`The user grasps the respective hand grip portions 114, 116
`With each hand, the user’s thumbs remaining eXtended over
`the central supporting portion. Both the central supporting
`portion 115 and each of the hand grip portions 114 and 116
`include sWitches Which the user Will utiliZe to enter data and
`control signals. Those sWitches Which are disposed on the
`central support portion 115 de?ne the upper surface controls
`104, such controls being intended to be individually oper
`ated by one or both thumbs of the user. The central support
`portion 115 also is provided With a display 118, Which may
`include an LCD display for indicating the particular oper
`ating mode of system 100, as Well as include light emitting
`diode (LED) indicators for indicating the enablement of the
`number, shift and scroll lock functions.
`The primary data entry controls of upper surface controls
`104 are a pair of multi-directional sWitch assemblies 110 and
`112, commonly knoWn as D-pads. D-pads are Well knoWn in
`the game controller art, and function to provide particular
`contact closures depending upon Where the user applies
`pressure on an operating button thereof. When the user
`depresses the uppermost or northern position 130, 158 of the
`D-pad 110, 112, such is equivalent to depressing a key of a
`standard keyboard. When the user depresses the rightmost or
`east portion of the D-pad 132, 160, such is equivalent to a
`different key of a standard keyboard being depressed.
`LikeWise, separate keystroke entries are made by depressing
`the southern portion 134, 162 and Western portion 136, 164.
`It is possible to provide for yet additional keystroke entries
`by depression of the D-pad in portions intermediate the
`north, east, south and West positions Without departing from
`the scope of the present invention. A sWitch pushbutton 150,
`166, de?ning an additional keystroke entry position, may be
`provided centrally on each D-pad 110, 112. Thus, each
`D-pad 110, 112 may provide for ?ve keystroke entries, that
`then may be increased utiliZing chording techniques, as Will
`be described in folloWing paragraphs. Where sWitch push
`button 150, 166 is not provided, the characters Which Would
`otherWise be generated thereby are generated by other of the
`upper surface control sWitches 104 or side surface control
`sWitches 106.
`Alternately, as shoWn in FIG. 3, the D-pads may be
`replaced by four to ?ve discrete sWitches. As an example, the
`upper surface controls 104‘ may include a sWitch pushbutton
`158‘ disposed in the north position, a sWitch pushbutton 160‘
`located in the east position, a sWitch pushbutton 162‘ located
`in the south position, and a sWitch pushbutton 164‘ located
`in the West position. Optionally, a sWitch pushbutton 166‘
`may be centrally disposed With respect to sWitch pushbut
`tons 158‘, 160‘, 162‘ and 164‘. Each of the sWitches being
`located on the central supporting portion 115 of the ergo
`nomic base 102 are intended to be operated by the thumb of
`the user. Although the sWitch pushbuttons 158‘, 160‘, 162‘,
`164‘, and 166‘ are shoWn on the right side of ergonomic base
`102, it should be understood that the D-pad 110 may also be
`replaced by a similar arrangement of sWitch pushbuttons.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, each of the D-pads 110, 112 are
`surrounded by additional sWitch pushbuttons for additional
`keystroke entries utiliZing the user’s thumbs. Thus, sur
`rounding the D-pad 110 there is provided a ?rst pair of
`sWitch pushbuttons 138 and 140 that are radially spaced and
`disposed intermediate the north D-pad position 130 and east
`D-pad position 132. BetWeen the east position 132 and the
`
`5
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 10
`
`

`

`5,874,906
`
`15
`
`5
`south position 134, there are provided a pair of radially
`spaced switch pushbuttons 142 and 144, and between the
`south position 134 and the west position 136 there is also
`provided a pair of radially spaced switch pushbuttons 146
`and 148. Further, between the west position 136 and the
`north position 130 there is provided a pair of radially spaced
`switch pushbuttons 126 and 128. Similarly, the D-pad 112 is
`surrounded by radially spaced pairs of switch pushbuttons.
`Between the north position 158 and east position 160 there
`is provided a pair of radially spaced switch pushbuttons 168
`and 170 and between the east position 160 and south
`position 162 there is a pair of radially spaced switch push
`buttons 174 and 172. Apair of switch pushbuttons 178 and
`160 are disposed radially between the south position 162 and
`the west position 164, and radially spaced between the west
`position 164 and north position 158 there is provided a pair
`of switch pushbuttons 182 and 180. While the switch
`pushbuttons 126, 128, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 and 168,
`170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182 have been disclosed as
`being radially positioned with respect to the D-pads 110,
`112, such may be arranged in side-by-side relationship in
`angularly spaced relationship with respect to the D-pad 110,
`112. Further, one or more of such switch pushbuttons may
`be associated with multi-position switches, and in particular,
`may be associated with two-position switches wherein one
`keystroke is accomplished by depressing one end of the
`switch and a separate keystroke is enabled by depression of
`the opposing end, as in a rocker type switch.
`The upper surface controls 104 may also include a pair of
`multi-directional switches 154 and 156. Multi-directional
`switch 154 may be a cursor displacement control switch for
`inputting one of four directional inputs for use by a computer
`as an input for moving the cursor on a display screen.
`Multi-directional switch 156 may be utiliZed as a page/?le
`displacement control switch to provide the PAGE UP, PAGE
`DOWN, HOME and END functions when system 100 is in
`a keyboard mode. Those switches may serve other functions
`when system 100 is in other than a keyboard mode. A
`plurality of single or multiple position switches may be
`provided to serve as function switches 152, providing the
`function switch input commonly found on conventional
`personal computer keyboards.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, a rear view of the ergonomic
`base 102 of data entry system 100 is shown in order to depict
`the side surface controls 106. The hand grip portions 114 and
`116 eXtend substantially orthogonally with respect to the
`upper surface of the ergonomic base allowing the user’s
`hands to be disposed in a more natural vertical orientation.
`As each of the user’s hands are wrapped around the respec
`tive handgrip portions 114 and 116, the user’s digits are able
`to operate the side surface control switches 106 located on
`the back side 105 of ergonomic base 102. In the embodiment
`
`6
`shown, each of the user’s fore?ngers is intended to operate
`a selected one of two switch pushbuttons 192 and 194, 186
`and 188. Each of the switch pushbuttons 192, 194, 186 and
`188 are associated with two-position switches providing one
`keystroke when the user depresses a ?rst end of the switch
`pushbutton 192a, 194a, 186a, 188a and another keystroke
`when the user depresses the opposing second end of the
`switch pushbutton 192b, 194b, 186b, 188b. Below the
`fore?nger operated switch pushbuttons there is provided an
`additional two-position switch associated with switch push
`buttons 196, 190 for operation by a respective one of the
`user’s middle ?ngers, with the remaining digits of the user
`being utiliZed to grasp the handgrip portions 114 and 116 and
`maintain the stability of data entry system 100.
`The back side 105 of ergonomic base 102 is also provided
`with an optical communications port 200 for providing a
`wireless interface with one or more systems, as will be
`further described in following paragraphs. Port 200 consists
`of an infrared transparent window behind which is disposed
`one or more photo sensors and infrared emitting devices (not
`shown). For providing a hard wire interface, system 100
`includes an interface cable 198. Interface cable 198 has
`connectors for coupling to a computer’s keyboard port and
`the computer’s game port or the controller port of a dedi
`cated game system on an opposing end thereof (not shown).
`As an alternate to connecting to the personal computer’s
`game port, the interface connection with the personal com
`puter may be by way of the computer’s serial or parallel
`ports, in addition to the keyboard port interface, or the
`interface cable may provide coupling to an interface bus of
`the computer.
`In the keyboard mode, initiated by use of one of the mode
`selection controls 108, such as the switch 108a, shown in
`FIG. 1, character codes are transmitted from data system 100
`by independent operation of any of the upper surface con
`trols 104 and side surface controls 106. By use of the D-pads
`110 and 112, and the plurality of two-position side surface
`controls 106, the character codes for at least a majority of the
`alphabetic characters of an alphabet can be generated by
`single individual switch operations, without resorting to
`chording. Where a combinational key activation (chording)
`is to be utiliZed, system 100 utiliZes a cross-coupling
`technique, wherein a switch closure activated by a user’s left
`thumb is combined with the operation of one of the side
`surface controls 192, 194 or 196. Conversely, when a switch
`closure activated by the user’s right thumb is to be part of a
`combinational key activation, such is combined with opera
`tion of one of the switches 186, 188 or 190 operated by the
`digits of the user’s left hand.
`An exemplary representation of the character codes gen
`erated by individual and combinational switch activations is
`shown in Table 1.
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`SW
`
`186a 146b 188a 188b 190a 190b 192a 192b 194a 194b 196a 196b
`
`TABLE 1
`
`1
`
`4
`
`3
`
`6
`
`5
`
`2
`
`to
`
`130
`132
`134
`136
`150
`158
`160
`162
`164
`
`166
`
`,
`
`9600
`
`O
`#
`with
`
`+
`—
`@ &
`that
`was
`
`[
`
`E
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 11
`
`

`

`5,874,906
`
`8
`
`7
`
`TABLE 1-continued
`
`SW
`
`186a 146b 188a 188b 190a 190b 192a 192b 194a 194b 196a 196b
`
`186a space
`
`186b a
`188a 1
`188b e
`190a m
`190b I
`192a Space
`192b 0
`194a s
`194b u
`196a t
`196b
`138
`
`shift
`EH‘EI
`
`142
`144
`146
`148
`126
`128
`168
`170
`172
`174
`176
`
`178
`180
`
`f
`1
`g
`k
`Alt
`Ctl
`Alt
`Ctl
`v
`z
`q
`
`X
`shift
`EH‘EI
`
`Back Back
`Spc.
`Spc.
`DEL INS
`
`Esc.
`Esc.
`TAB TAB
`
`As shown in Table 1, all of the alphabetic characters in the
`English language are generated by individual sWitch
`closures, a portion thereof being generated by the upper
`surface controls 104 and a remaining portion being gener
`ated by the side surface controls 106.
`When the mode is changed from the keyboard mode to the
`game controller mode, such as by activating sWitch 108a for
`a second time, the upper surface controls 104 and side
`surface controls 106 provide device input signals that are
`output to a computer’s game port or to the controller input
`port of a dedicated game system. Thus, one or both of the
`D-pads 110, 112 provide directional input for use by game
`softWare and one or more of the side surface controls 186,
`188, 190, 192, 194, 196 provide sWitch closure signals
`Which are typically utiliZed by game softWare to control the
`?ring of Weapons, and provide control of particular maneu
`vers of the game icons, such as jumping, ?ying, and the like.
`When in a mode to control some other device, such as a
`telephone, dedicated Internet connection device, a TV/cable
`tuner, video entertainment device, or an audio entertainment
`device, the upper surface controls 104 and side surface
`controls 106 are utiliZed to provide the necessary signals to
`control the device, ansWer or dial a telephone, move a
`cursor, change the channel of a tuner, initiate the playing of
`a video tape or disc, or to change the volume or station on
`a stereo, for eXample. The particular sWitches of upper
`surface controls 104 and side surface controls 106 Which are
`utiliZed to perform those functions, are not important to the
`inventive concepts embodied herein, and it is contemplated
`that such assignments may be programmable by the users to
`suit their oWn tastes.
`Due to the large number of control functions Which are
`possible utiliZing upper surface controls 104 and side sur
`face controls 106, the control of several devices may be
`combined in a single mode. Thus, a home entertainment
`mode could include operation of a TV cable tuner 340, one
`or more video devices 350 and one or more audio devices
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`360, utiliZing the separate D-pads 110 and 112 and the
`sWitch pushbuttons 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 and 196. In such
`an arrangement, data entry system 100 Would be interfaced
`With a personal computer 300 utiliZing the interface cable
`198 for communicating With the computer in both the
`keyboard mode and the game controller device mode. In the
`home entertainment device mode, data entry system 100
`could communicate With the various devices to be controlled
`utiliZing the optical communications port 200.
`Therefore, it can be seen that data entry system 100 is very
`versatile and may be utiliZed to interface With a plurality of
`entertainment, computational and communications devices,
`as illustrated in FIG. 5. Data entry system 100 is intended to
`communicate With a computer 300, Which may be a personal
`computer, Wherein a data link 302 may be established
`utiliZing the interface cable 198 or optical communications
`port 200. When coupled to computer 300, data entry system
`100 may be utiliZed in a keyboard mode Wherein the single
`and combinational sWitch closures provided through opera
`tion of the upper surface controls 104 and side surface
`controls 106 establish signals Which are output to the
`computer to represent alphanumeric characters, punctuation,
`mathematical operators, and commonly used Words such as
`“the”, “to”, “and”, “of”, “for”, “in”, “With”, “that”, and
`“Was”, for eXample. When the computer is utiliZed for
`playing games, data entry system 100 is sWitched into a
`game controller mode, Wherein the same sWitch closures
`Which previously generated a character code input to the
`keyboard port of the computer, noW are input to the game
`port as input signals representing directional and operational
`control signals.
`Data entry system 100 may be coupled directly to a
`dedicated game system 310, such as the type manufactured
`by Nintendo, Sega, Sony and others for communication over
`a data link 312. If the dedicated game system 310 accepts
`alphanumeric character input codes, data entry system 100
`may be utiliZed in a mode to provide such input. Whether
`
`SCEA Ex. 1011 Page 12
`
`

`

`5,874,906
`
`10
`closures of the upper surface controls 104 and side surface
`controls 106 are coupled directly to the game port through
`the portion 198a of the interface cable 198. Alternately, the
`cable portions 198a and 198b may be replaced With a
`connection to the optical communications port 200 for
`providing a Wireless coupling With the computer, and/or
`other device.
`
`9
`coupled to computer 300 or dedicated game system 310,
`data entry system 100 may be placed in other device modes
`for communicating With other systems, such as the tele
`phone system 320 through the data channel 322. When
`coupled to telephone system 320, the user provides voice
`input through a microphone 184, and receives voice output
`by means of a speaker (not shoWn) located in the telephone
`system 320 or data entry system 100. Preferably, the com
`munications over the data link 322 Would be a Wireless
`communications link such as by use of the optical commu
`nications port 200, but may be by Way of a radio frequency
`communications port disposed Within ergonomic base 102.
`Similarly, data entry system 100 may be utiliZed for inter
`face With a dedicated Internet device 330 through a data link
`332, to provide the appropriate keyboard character codes
`and cursor positioning input to the Internet device 330. As
`previously mentioned, data entry system 100, acting as an
`infrared remote control, may be utiliZed to control such
`home entertainment devices as the TV/cable tuner 340
`through data link 342, video device 350 (Which may be a
`video tape recorder, video disc player, or the like) through
`the data link 352, and the audio entertainment device 360
`(Which may be a stereo tuner, audio tape deck, CD player, or
`the like) through the data link 362. The particular data links
`302, 312, 322, 332, 342, 352, 362 represent a hardWired or
`Wireless communications path for unidirectional or bidirec
`tional transmission of data, utiliZing the appropriate coding
`for the particular device being communicated With.
`Referring noW to FIG. 6, there is shoWn a block diagram
`of the circuit arrangement for coupling the sWitch closures
`of the upper surface controls 104 and side surface controls
`106 to the appropriate port. As the coding circuitry for
`converting individual sWitch closures into the digital char
`acter codes utiliZed by most computers are Well knoWn, such
`are not detailed here. The coding and decoding circuit block
`240 includes the Well knoWn circuitry for converting sWitch
`closures to character codes and for decoding any control
`signals Which may be supplied from the computer to the
`keyboard. The coding and decoding circuitry 240 is con
`trolled by input from the mode selection sWitches 108,
`alloWing different coding schemes to be utiliZed, depending
`upon the mode selected, and coupling such to either the
`keyboard port, through a respective portion 198b of the
`interface cable 198 or to the game, serial, or parallel port
`through portion 198a of the interface cable 198, as required
`by the computer being communicated With.