Tablet computer input device

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for user input to a tablet computer. The apparatus consists of movable grips with touch sensitive regions attached to the sides of a tablet computer. Both the positions of the grips and the location of touches are used to determine the input codes sent to the computer.

主权项

1. A method for user input to a held computer using grips attached to the sides of the computer in a manner to allow for movement of the grips; with touch sensitive areas on the grips positioned under the user's fingers and thumb; with a controller able to read the positions of the grips and the status of the touch sensitive areas; where the position of the user's fingers and thumb stays fixed relative to the touch sensitive areas as the grips move responsive to movement of the user's hands; and where a subset of the key codes from a larger set of key codes are assigned to the touch sensitive areas by the controller; and where the subset of key codes currently assigned are selected by the controller based on the current position of the grips; and where the user selects a key code for the controller to send to the computer by pressing with the finger or thumb above the touch sensitive area currently assigned the desired key code among the currently available subset of key codes.