US5874906A — Data entry system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 181 words

A data entry system combining an ergonomic keyboard and a device controller, comprising: an ergonomic base adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic base having an upper surface and a side surface; upper surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of two of a user's digits to generate a first set of electrical signals; side surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base side surface 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 said upper surface control means; and, mode select means disposed on said ergonomic base for establishing said first, second and third sets of electrical signals as (a) respective sets of device input signals, or (b) respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a user's selection of one of (1) a device mode, and (2) a keyboard mode.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 181 words

A data entry system combining an ergonomic keyboard and a device controller, comprising: an ergonomic base adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic base having an upper surface and a side surface; upper surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of two of a user's digits to generate a first set of electrical signals; side surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base side surface 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 said upper surface control means; and, mode select means disposed on said ergonomic base for establishing said first, second and third sets of electrical signals as (a) respective sets of device input signals, or (b) respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a user's selection of one of (1) a device mode, and (2) a keyboard mode.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 1 where said upper surface control means includes at least one multi-position input device for providing at least four discrete output signals responsive to said multi-position input device being displaced in each of four discrete directions.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 57 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 1 where said ergonomic base includes a pair of hand grip portions extending angularly with respect to said upper surface, each of said hand grip portions being adapted to be gripped by the user's fingers, said side surface control means being disposed on said pair of hand grip portions.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 3 where each of said pair of hand grip portions extend substantially orthogonally with respect to said upper surface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 1 where said first and second sets of electrical signals together represent a majority of alphabetic characters of an alphabet in said keyboard mode.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 36 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 5 where said third set of electrical signals represent characters selected from the group consisting of numbers, punctuation, mathematical operators, words and combinations thereof, in said keyboard mode.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 1 where at least a portion of said first set of electrical signals represent directional control signals in said device mode.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 58 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 1 where at least a portion of said first set of electrical signals represent control signals for a device selected from the group consisting of a video entertainment device, audio entertainment device, television cable tuning device, telephonic device, Internet interface device, game machine, and combinations thereof, in said device mode.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 1 where said third set of electrical signals are generated by combining operation of said upper surface control means by one of a user's hands with operation of said side surface control means by the other of a user's hands.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 29 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 1 where said upper surface control means includes at least four switch pushbuttons grouped together on said ergonomic base upper surface.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 3 where each of said hand grip portions includes support means for assisting in support of said ergonomic base while said side surface control means is being operated.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 155 words

A data entry system, comprising: an ergonomic base adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic base having an upper surface and a side surface; upper surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of two of a user's digits to generate a first set of electrical signals; side surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base side surface 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, mode select means disposed on said ergonomic base for establishing said first and second sets of electrical signals as (a) respective sets of device input signals, or (b) respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a user's selection of one of (1) a device mode, and (2) a keyboard mode.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 155 words

A data entry system, comprising: an ergonomic base adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic base having an upper surface and a side surface; upper surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of two of a user's digits to generate a first set of electrical signals; side surface control means disposed on said ergonomic base side surface 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, mode select means disposed on said ergonomic base for establishing said first and second sets of electrical signals as (a) respective sets of device input signals, or (b) respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a user's selection of one of (1) a device mode, and (2) a keyboard mode.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 29 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 12 where at least a portion of said first set of electrical signals represent directional control signals in said device mode.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 58 words

The data entry system as recited in claim 13 where at least a portion of said first set of electrical signals represent control signals for a device selected from the group consisting of a video entertainment device, audio entertainment device, television cable tuning device, telephonic device, Internet interface device, game machine, and combinations thereof, in said device mode.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 115 words

A data entry system comprising: an ergonomic housing adapted to be held by two hands of a user; a plurality of switches mounted on said housing for operation by at least one digit of the user's hands; switching means mounted on said housing for selecting between a first operating mode and a second operating mode; and, circuit means for coupling an output of at least a portion of said plurality of switches as game input data responsive to said switching means selecting said first operating mode and converting an output of at least a portion of said plurality of switches to alphanumeric character code data responsive to said switching means selecting said second operating mode.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 115 words

A data entry system comprising: an ergonomic housing adapted to be held by two hands of a user; a plurality of switches mounted on said housing for operation by at least one digit of the user's hands; switching means mounted on said housing for selecting between a first operating mode and a second operating mode; and, circuit means for coupling an output of at least a portion of said plurality of switches as game input data responsive to said switching means selecting said first operating mode and converting an output of at least a portion of said plurality of switches to alphanumeric character code data responsive to said switching means selecting said second operating mode.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-02-22	2002-08-24	2003-02-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-02-22	2006-08-24	2007-02-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-02-22	2010-08-24	2011-02-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Data entry system

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag