Input device

摘要

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

主权项

1. A data entry device comprising:
a housing including a top surface, two opposing edges of the top surface, and a plurality of stacked panels adjacent each of the opposing edges, wherein the stacked panels include a plurality of delineated regions, the stacked panels being set at a non-zero angle from the top surface and being set at a non-zero angle to one another; a plurality of sensors associated with a respective one of each of the delineated regions, wherein the sensor detects contact by a user's finger on the delineated region and a sliding motion along the surface of the delineated region in one of at least two non-co-linear directions; a memory, wherein the memory stores a plurality of symbols, the symbols arranged in one or more groups of symbols, and wherein at least a first group of symbols corresponds with a first one of the delineated regions and wherein a first direction corresponds with a first symbol in the first group of symbols;
a processor connected with the memory and with the sensor, wherein the processor processes a signal from the sensor to detect a direction of the sliding motion along the first delineated region to determine that the direction of sliding motion is in the first direction, and to select the first symbol in said first group of symbols.