(12) United States Patent
`Willner et al.
`
`US006.760013B2
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`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,760,013 B2
`*Jul. 6, 2004
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`(54) HAND HELD GAMING AND DATA ENTRY
`SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Michael A. Willner, Mason Neck, VA
`(US); Scott M. Arnel, Syosset, NY
`(US)
`(73) Assignee: Alphagrip, Inc., Mason Neck, VA (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 537 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`5,581,484 A 12/1996 Prince
`5,605,406 A 2/1997 Bowen
`D386,544 S
`11/1997 Kajikawa et al.
`5,874,906 A 2/1999 Willner et al.
`5,984,548 A 11/1999 Willner et al.
`... 400/489
`6,132,118 A * 10/2000 Grezeszak .....
`6,288,709 B1 * 9/2001 Willner et al. .............. 345/169
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`
`308048
`
`9/1918
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`P.J. Kennedy, “Hand—Held Data Input Device”, IBM Tech
`nical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 26, No. 11, Apr. 1984, pp.
`5826–5827.
`“Compact Computer Keyboard”, IBM Technical Disclosure
`Bulletin, vol. 27, No. 10A, Mar. 1995, pp. 5640–5642.
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/753,467
`R.J. Bamford, et al., “Chord Keyboard with Case Lock and
`Chord Definition Features”, IBM Technical Disclosure Bul
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 4, 2001
`letin, vol. 21, No. 7, Dec. 1978, pp. 2929–2932.
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`D.C. Kowalski, “Semi–Captive Keyboard”, Xerox Disclo
`sure Journal, vol. 1, No. 2, Feb. 1976, p. 85.
`US 2001/0003713 A1 Jun. 14, 2001
`* cited by examiner
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Primary Examiner—Steven Saras
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/118,886, filed on
`Assistant Examiner—Srilakshmi Kumar
`Jul. 20, 1998.
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Rosenberg, Klein & Lee
`(51) Int. Cl." … G09G 5/00
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................ 345/169; 345/163
`A hand held gaming and data entry system (100, 100', 100")
`(58) Field of Search ................... 400/489; 345/160–170
`has an ergonomic housing (102) including thumb operated
`(56)
`References Cited
`controls (104) which generate a first set of electrical signals,
`and finger operated controls (106, 106) which generate a
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`second set of electrical signals when operated indepen
`dently. The first set of electrical signals and second set of
`electrical signals define all of the lower case alphabetic
`characters of an alphabet, such being generated without the
`user having to remove a finger or thumb from a HOME
`switch operator or switch grouping.
`
`4,414,537 A 11/1983 Grimes
`4,791,408 A 12/1988 Huesinkveld
`4,974,183 A 11/1990 Miller
`5,087,910 A 2/1992 Guyot-Sionnest
`5,189,403 A 2/1993 Franz et al.
`5,267,127 A 11/1993 Pollitt
`5,352,050 A 10/1994 Choate
`5,410,333 A 4/1995 Conway
`
`
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`7 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
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`1
`HAND HELD GAMING AND DATA ENTRY
`SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT
`APPLICATIONS
`This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser.
`No. 09/118,886, entitled HAND HELD DATA ENTRY
`SYSTEM, filed 20 Jul. 1998.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention directs itself to ergonomic keyboard sys
`tems for providing data entry and/or gaming inputs to one or
`more devices. In particular, this invention directs itself to a
`hand held gaming and data entry system which can function
`as a game controller and as an ergonomic keyboard. Still
`further, this invention directs itself to a hand held system
`having an ergonomic housing having first and second upper
`surface portions supporting a plurality of first surface con
`trols. The ergonomic housing further includes another sur
`face having a plurality of second surface controls. More in
`particular, this invention pertains to a hand held system
`wherein the first surface controls and the second surface
`controls can be operated independently, for producing char
`acter codes without chording, to generate all of the lower
`case characters of an alphabet. Obviously, generation of
`upper case characters requires the use of a SHIFT or CAPS
`LOCK key in combination with the key switch for a par
`ticular character.
`2. Prior Art
`Keyboard data entry systems and game controllers are
`known in the art. The best prior art known to the Applicants
`include U.S. 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; 4,533,446; 4,727,478;
`4,680,577; 4,518,164; 4,516,939; 5,443,789; 4,442,506;
`4,360,892; 3,990,565; German Patent #30804; PCT Publi
`cation #WO86-051.43; European Published Patent Applica
`tion #EP213022; the publication entitled “Semicaptive
`Keyboard”, Xerox Disclosure Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, Feb.
`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 U.S. 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 a
`format which is capable of higher speed data entry.
`However, such systems do not disclose an ergonomic hous
`ing that is adapted to be supported by the two hands of the
`user while the user operates the key switches during data
`entry.
`Over the years, many prior art systems have presented
`alternatives to the QWERTY format as a means of increas
`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 sufficient motivation to learn
`an additional keyboard arrangement.
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`During the past decade there has been a tremendous
`growth in the use and ownership of computers, game soft
`ware and video game systems. 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 popu
`lation is more likely to adopt a keyboard 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 all of the
`alphabetic characters of an alphabet (lower case) can be
`generated without the use of chording (the simultaneous
`operation of two or more keyboard switches).
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A hand held gaming and data entry system is provided.
`The hand held gaming and data entry system includes a
`housing contoured to be grasped by two hands of a user. The
`housing has an first surface portion and a pair of hand grip
`portions extending from the first surface portion to a dis
`placed second surface portion of the housing. The contour of
`the housing includes a pair of recessed portions disposed on
`opposing sides, in the hand grip portions, for contiguous
`contact with a portion of the user’s hands. The hand held
`gaming and data entry system also includes a first set of
`pushbutton switch controls disposed on the first surface
`portion of the housing for operation by the user’s thumbs to
`output signals representing a first portion of alphabetic
`characters of an alphabet. Additionally, the hand held gam
`ing and data entry system includes a second set of switch
`pushbutton controls disposed on the hand grip portion of the
`housing for operation by the user’s fingers to output signals
`representing a second portion of alphabetic characters of the
`alphabet.
`It is therefore a feature of the invention to provide a
`two-handed keyboard with switch pushbutton groupings
`and/or multidirectional switches to provide high speed data
`entry, ergonomically.
`It is another feature of the invention to provide an easy to
`learn keyboard system that is faster to learn than the
`QWERTY keyboard, as the user’s fingers and thumbs can
`generate all of the alphabetic characters without their dis
`placement from the respective HOME switch pushbutton
`assemblies or groupings.
`It is a further feature of the invention to provide a hand
`held gaming and data entry system which frees the user from
`having to provide data entry at a desk, or with an apparatus
`balanced on the user’s lap.
`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 top perspective view of the hand held gaming
`and data entry system according to the present invention;
`FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of another configuration
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2A is a bottom perspective view of yet another
`configuration of the present invention;
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`3
`FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the present invention;
`FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the configuration of the
`present invention shown in FIG. 1A;
`FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the present invention;
`FIG. 4A is a bottom plan view of the configuration of the
`present invention shown in FIG. 2A;
`FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of the present invention;
`and
`
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the multi-mode
`functions of the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to FIGS. 1—6, there is shown hand held
`gaming and data entry system 100, 100', 100" which com-
`bines an ergonomic housing 102 with a unique arrangement
`of switch operators, the buttons used to actuate one or more
`switches. Hand held gaming and data entry system 100, 100',
`100" is specifically directed to the concept of providing a
`keyboard data entry device which can be held easily by the
`two hands of the user while the user makes use of the first
`surface controls 104 and second surface controls 106. Hand
`
`held gaming and data entry system 100, 100', 100" functions
`as a fully functional 101 key keyboard for communication
`with a computer system 300. Further, gaming and hand held
`data entry system 100, 100', 100" provides a single data
`entry device capable of communicating with a computer to
`provide keyboard entry thereto, as well as providing an
`interface with the computer’s game, serial or parallel port.
`Additionally, the hand held gaming and data entry system
`100, 100', 100" may be utilized for communicating with
`dedicated internet devices, telephone equipment, and vari-
`ous entertainment devices, such as televisions, VCRs, etc.
`Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, hand held gaming and
`data entry system 100 is packaged within an ergonomic
`housing 102 having a lower surface 105 and an upper
`surface 115 defined by a first upper surface portion 115a and
`a second upper surface portion 115b extending angularly
`from a proximal edge of the first upper surface portion 115a.
`Housing 102 further includes hand grip portions 114 and 116
`formed in respective side sections 113, 117 and the lower
`surface 105. These side sections 113 and 117 provide a
`transition between the upper surface portions 115a, 115b and
`the lower surface 105. In particular, that transition includes
`a recess 120 that provides for contiguous contact with a first
`dorsal interosseous portion of a user’s hands. The hand grip
`portions 114, 116 also include a portion of the lower surface
`105 which is ergonomically contoured to allow the fingers of
`the user to wrap around those hand grip portions 101, 103 of
`the lower surface, with the distal ends of the fingers disposed
`in contact with respective finger operated controls 106. In
`addition to the finger operated controls 106, the housing 102
`includes thumb operated controls 104 disposed in the first
`upper surface portion 115a. Additional
`thumb operated
`controls are also disposed in the second upper surface
`portion 115b. All of the controls disposed on the first upper
`surface portion 115a and second upper surface portion 115b
`are intended to be individually operated by one or both
`thumbs of the user. The first upper surface portion 115a is
`provided with a display 118, which may include an LED,
`electroluminescent, or the like, display for indicating the
`particular operating mode of the hand held gaming and data
`entry system 100, and may include the display of a prede-
`termined number of entered characters. Display 118 may
`also include light emitting diode indicators for indicating the
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`enablement of the NUMBER LOCK, SHIFT LOCK, and
`SCROLL LOCK functions.
`
`The primary data entry controls of thumb operated con-
`trols 104 include a multidirectional switch assembly 110,
`commonly known as a D-pad, and a multiple switch group-
`ing 112. D-pads are well known in the game controller art,
`and function to provide particular contact closures depend-
`ing upon where the user applies pressure on an operating
`button thereof. When the user depresses the uppermost or
`northern position 130 of the D-pad switch operator 110a,
`such is equivalent to depressing a key of a standard key-
`board. When the user depresses the rightmost or East
`position 132 of D-pad switch operator 110a, such is equiva-
`lent
`to a different key of a standard keyboard being
`depressed. Likewise, separate keystroke entries are made by
`depressing the southern portion 134 and western portion
`136. It is possible to provide for yet additional keystroke
`entries by depression of the D-pad switch operator in
`portions intermediate the North position 130 and East posi-
`tion 132 or West position 136, and intermediate the South
`position 134 and the East position 132 and West position
`136. The D-pad switch operator 110a is disposed within a
`raised area 111 of the first upper surface portion 115a. By
`elevating the D-pad switch operator 110a on the raised area
`111, such permits a user to easily identify the location of the
`D-pad tactilely.
`The multiple switch grouping 112 is disposed in a raised
`area 109, allowing the user to tactilely identify the location
`of grouping 112. Grouping 112 includes 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. It should be noted that the multiple switch
`grouping 112 is utilized for consistency with current game
`controllers, but could be replaced by a D-pad, like D-pad
`assembly 110, without departing from the scope of the
`present invention. Each of the switch pushbuttons 158, 160,
`162 and 164 are intended to be operated by the thumb of the
`user’s right hand. It
`is contemplated that the ergonomic
`housing 102 would be available in multiple sizes, to provide
`switch locations in correspondence with the size of a user’s
`hands. Therefore,
`there may be a small size ergonomic
`housing 102 for use by children, a medium size ergonomic
`housing 102 for use by a portion of the user population, and
`a large size ergonomic housing 102 for use by individuals
`having larger-than-average hands.
`Referring further to FIGS. 1 and 3, the D-pad assembly
`110 and multiple switch grouping 112 are each surrounded
`by additional switch operators to provide for additional
`keystroke entries utilizing the user’s thumbs. Thus, sur-
`rounding the D-pad assembly 110 there is provided a first
`pair of switch pushbuttons 140 and 142 that are radially
`spaced and disposed intermediate the North D-pad position
`130 and the East D-pad position 132. Between the East
`position 132 and the South position 134 there is a radially
`spaced switch pushbutton 146, and there is provided a
`radially spaced pushbutton 150 located between the South
`position 134 and the West position 136, and further there is
`provided a pair of radially spaced switch pushbuttons 126
`and 128. Further, radially spaced from each of the respective
`North, East, South and West positions are three directional
`switch operators 138, 144, 148, and 124, respectively. The
`three directional switch operators 124, 138, 144 and 148 are
`essentially mini D-pads, displaceable in each of three dif-
`ferent positions to provide signals representative of three
`different characters. Similarly, the multiple switch grouping
`112 is surrounded by radially spaced switch operators.
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`Between the North position 158 and the East position 160
`there is a radially spaced switch pushbutton 174 and
`between the East position 160 and the South position 162
`there is a radially spaced switch pushbutton 178. A switch
`pushbutton 182 is disposed radially between the South
`position 162 and the West position 164, and a pair of switch
`pushbuttons 168 and 170 are disposed radially between the
`West position 164 and the North position 158. While the
`switch pushbuttons and operators 126, 128, 138, 140, 142,
`144, 146, 148, 150 and 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178,
`180, 182 have been disclosed as being radially positioned
`with respect to the D-pad assembly 110 and multiple switch
`grouping 112, such may be arranged in side-by-side rela
`tionship or in angularly spaced relationship. Further, in
`addition to the three-position switch operators 124, 138,
`144, 148, 166, 172, 176 and 180, one or more of the other
`switch pushbuttons 126, 128, 140,142, 146,150, 168, 170,
`174, 178, and 182 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 pushbutton and a separate
`keystroke is enabled by depression of the opposing end, as
`in a rocker type switch.
`The thumb operated controls 104 may also include a pair
`of multidirectional switches 154 and 156, disposed on the
`second upper surface portion 115b of ergonomic housing
`102. Multidirectional switch 154 may be a cursor displace
`ment 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. Multidirectional switch 156 may
`be utilized as a page/file 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. Mode selection controls 108
`are defined by a plurality of switch pushbuttons, including
`switch pushbuttons 108a and 108b used for selecting the
`operating mode of system 100, such as the keyboard mode,
`the game controller mode, or other device controller mode.
`While each of the available modes may be initiated through
`actuation of an individual switch pushbutton, a single switch
`pushbutton 108a may be utilized to cause the available
`modes to be displayed on display 118, and then selected
`using switch 108b, to select a mode that is highlighted on the
`display. The method of highlighting the mode to be selected
`is conventional, utilizing cursor control switch 154, the
`cursor pointing device 117, or entry of a particular numeral
`associated with the desired mode.
`Cursor positioning control 122 is located on the second
`upper surface portion of housing 102, adjacent to its inter
`face with first upper surface portion 115a. Cursor position
`ing control 122 includes a pointing device, which may be a
`track ball, a track point, a track pad or some other cursor
`displacement input device 217 and a pair of switch push
`buttons 218 and 220, which function like mouse pushbutton
`switches.
`Referring to FIGS. 1A and 3A, there is shown an alternate
`configuration of the thumb operated controls 104. Gaming
`and data entry system 100' includes a multiple switch
`grouping 110' instead of a D-pad operator. Switch grouping
`110' may be implemented by a plurality of individual
`switches, or a D-pad where the switch operator includes four
`protruding portions extending through respective openings
`in the housing, so as to give the appearance of multiple
`individual switches. The grouping of individual switches are
`disposed so as to allow the user’s thumb to actuate a selected
`switch with only a small displacement of the user’s thumb.
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`That small displacement is substantially equivalent to the
`movement required to operate a corresponding multidirec
`tional switch.
`When the user depresses the uppermost or northern switch
`operator 130' of the grouping 110', such is equivalent to
`depressing a key of a standard keyboard. When the user
`depresses the rightmost or East switch operator 132' of the
`grouping 110, such is equivalent to a different key of a
`standard keyboard being depressed. Likewise, separate key
`stroke entries are made by depressing the southern switch
`operator 134' and western switch operator 136'. The switch
`grouping 110' is disposed within a raised area 111 of the first
`upper surface portion 115a.
`Referring now to FIGS. 2, 2A, 4 and 4A, a view of the
`lower surface 105 of the ergonomic housing 102 of the hand
`held gaming and data entry system 100 is shown in order to
`depict the finger operated controls 106, 106". While surface
`105 is being referred to as a lower surface, it need not be
`disposed directly below and/or in parallel with surface 115.
`The hand grip portions 114 and 116 include the angularly
`offset lower surface portion 119 that in combination with the
`respective recesses 120 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) provide
`the means by which the user’s hands can wrap around the
`ergonomically contoured lower surface adjacent the respec
`tive side sections 113, 117 to support the ergonomic housing
`102 while the user’s fingers are operating the finger operated
`controls 106, 106", such support being accomplished by
`contiguous contact between the first dorsal interosseous
`portion of the user’s hands and the recesses 120 and portions
`of the angularly offset lower surface portion 119. As shown
`in the Figures, each of the switch operators which define the
`finger operated controls 106, 106' are positioned so as to be
`ergonomically operable by a respective digit of a user’s
`hand. Thus, the distance A, B, C and D between an interior
`end of a respective switch operator and a center line 248 are
`each different. Thus, the spacing A between the switch
`operator 194, 2041', actuated by a forefinger, is greater than
`the spacing B of switch operator 196, 2121, the switch
`operator actuated by the middle finger, since the middle
`finger is typically longer than the forefinger. The spacing A
`is less than the spacing C and the opening D of the switch
`operator 193,2123, the ring finger actuated switch operator,
`and 195, 2125, the pinky or little finger actuated switch
`operator. The finger operated controls 106, 106' are divided
`into one set of switch operators 194,196, 193 and 195; 2041,
`2061, 2021, 2081, 2121, 2101, 2123, 2103, 2125, and 2105
`which define the left hand operated switch operators 106a
`106a', while the switch operators 186, 190, 185 and 187;
`2022, 2062, 2042, 2082, 2102, 2122, 2104, 2124, 2106, and
`2126 define the right hand operated switch operators 106b,
`106b'. As the left and right hand operated switch operators
`106a, 106a' and 106b, 106b are symmetrically arranged
`about the center line 248, the same differential spacing
`applies to switch operators 186, 190, 185 and 187; 2022,
`2062, 2042, 2082, 2102, 2122, 2104, 2124, 2106, and 2126.
`As will be discussed in following paragraphs, with respect
`to FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the switches which make up the
`finger operated controls 106 are multi-position switches.
`Each of the forefinger actuated switch operators 186 and 194
`provide for four position switch functions. Therefore, when
`the distal longitudinal end is depressed, signals representing
`a first character are generated, signals representing a second
`character are generated when the proximal longitudinal end
`of the switch operator is depressed, while a third signal
`representing yet another character is generated when the
`switch operator is displaced transversely, upwardly, and a
`fourth signal representing yet a different character is gener
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`IPR2018-00354
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`ated when the switch operator is displaced transversely in a
`downward direction. As will be discussed in following
`paragraphs, the switch operators 186 and 194 are contoured
`to cradle a user’s finger therein and make it easier to displace
`the switch pushbutton in each of the four directions. Each of
`the switch operators 190, 185, 187, 196, 193 and 195 are
`associated with two-position switch functions, providing
`one keystroke when the user depresses a first end of the
`switch operator, defined by a recess 212, and another key
`stroke when the user depresses the opposing second end of
`the switch operator, defined by the convex portion 210. Like
`the switch operators 186 and 194, the two-position switch
`operators 190, 185, 187, 196, 193 and 195 are each con
`toured to cradle the user’s finger and make it easier for the
`user to operate the switch assembly associated therewith.
`Referring to FIGS. 2A and 4A, a plurality of individual
`switches may make up the finger operated controls 106" of
`gaming and data entry system 100". While the use of switch
`grouping 110' and finger operated controls 106 have been
`shown in independent embodiments, those switch schemes
`may be combined without departing from the inventive
`concepts set forth herein. Each of the user’s forefingers are
`provided with four switches 2041, 2061, 2021, 2081 and
`2022, 2062, 2042, 2082 that may be actuated to provide
`different character generation functions. The respective
`groupings of individual switches are disposed so as to allow
`the user’s forefingers to actuate a selected switch with only
`a small displacement of the user’s forefinger. That small
`displacement is substantially equivalent to the movement
`required to operate a corresponding multidirectional switch.
`That same concept is also used in conjunction with the
`switch groupings for the other fingers. Each of the user’s
`other fingers can selectively actuate one of two switches
`2102 and 2122, 2121 and 2101, 2104 and 2124, 2123 and
`2103,2106 and 2126, 2125 and 2105 respectively associated
`therewith to provide a corresponding keystroke when
`depressed.
`The lower surface 105 of the ergonomic housing 102 is
`also provided with a pair of feet defined by a respective pair
`of protrusions 188 and 192 spaced from the pinky operated
`switch operators 187 and 195, respectively. A distal portion
`of the angular offset lower surface 119, in combination with
`the feet 188 and 192, provide a support for spacing the finger
`operated controls 106 above a base surface 10, when the
`housing 102 is placed on the base surface 10 by a user, as
`shown in FIG. 5. Thus, if the user wishes to temporarily
`discontinue data entry, the housing may be placed down on
`a work surface without the finger operated controls being
`inadvertently operated. It is contemplated that users will use
`system 100, 100', 100" while seated in an easy chair or on
`a couch, and if the housing 102 is placed on such a soft
`surface, the feet 188 and 192 may not prevent contact of the
`soft base surface with at least some of the finger operated
`controls 106, 106". Therefore, system 100, 100', 100"
`includes a PAUSE switch pushbutton 222, shown in FIGS.
`3, 3A which alternately disables and enables signal genera
`tion by the finger operated controls. Thus, when the user first
`depresses the PAUSE switch pushbutton 222, subsequent
`depression of any of the lower surface control switch
`operators does not cause the output of signals representing
`characters normally generated thereby. The resumption of
`signals being output responsive to operation of the finger
`operated controls 106, 106" is provided by actuation of the
`PAUSE switch pushbutton 222 a second time.
`The lower surface 105 may also include access to a
`battery holder 214 into which one or more batteries 216 are
`disposed for operating the electronic circuitry of system 100.
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`US 6,760,013 B2
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`8
`System 100, 100', 100" may also be powered from an
`external source, such power source residing in a device to
`which the system 100, 100', 100" is coupled, or a separate
`and distinct power supply.
`At a front edge portion 199 of housing 102, bridging
`between the first upper surface portion 115a and the lower
`surface angular offset portion 119 there is provided a com
`munications port 200 for providing a wireless interface with
`one or more systems. Port 200 may consist of an infrared
`transparent window behind which is disposed one or more
`photo sensors and infrared emitting devices (not shown), an
`antenna behind a radio frequency transparent window and
`respective receiving and transmitting circuits, or a dia
`phragm coupled to acoustic transmitting and receiving
`devices. In place of the wireless communications port 200,
`or in combination therewith, an interface cable may option
`ally be provided to provide a hard wire coupling with the
`system with which system 100, 100', 100" is being utilized
`to enter data. 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 dedicated game system, on an
`opposing end thereof. As an alternative to connecting to the
`personal computer's game port, the interface connection
`with the personal computer may be by way of the comput
`er’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.
`System 100,100', 100" may function as a keyboard in one
`mode, or a game controller in another mode. To select the
`mode, the user utilizes the mode selection controls 108. The
`user depresses the mode switch pushbutton 108a in order to
`display the selected modes on the display 118. The user then
`utilizes the cursor control switch 154 or pointing device 217
`to highlight the desired mode, followed by actuation of the
`select switch pushbutton 108b. In the keyboard mode,
`character codes are transmitted from system 100, 100', 100"
`by independent operation of any of the thumb operated
`controls 104 and finger operated controls 106, 106". By use
`of the thumb operated controls 104 and finger operated
`controls 106, 106', all of the lower case alphabetic characters
`of an alphabet can be generated by single individual switch
`operations, without resorting to chording. Where a combi