Patent ID: 7113171
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: G05G,G06F

Abstract:
1. A portable handheld universal input device for use by a user having a support hand and a primary input hand comprising: (a) a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface and edge portions connecting said upper surface with said lower surface, said housing adapted to be supported in use on the palm of the user support hand by said lower surface; (b) four primary input keys disposed on said upper surface of said housing, said primary input keys arranged on said upper surface to permit all four fingers of the user primary input hand to be simultaneously positioned ergonomically over a corresponding primary input key and said primary input keys adapted to receive input from each of the four fingers of the user primary input hand; (c) at least one primary thumb input mechanism disposed on said housing, said primary thumb input mechanism arranged on said housing to permit the thumb of the user primary input hand to be positioned over said primary thumb input mechanism without moving the user primary input hand from its position over the four primary input keys, said primary thumb input mechanism adapted to receive input from the thumb of the user primary input hand; (d) at least one secondary thumb input mechanism disposed on said housing, said secondary thumb input mechanism arranged on said housing to permit the thumb of the user support hand to be positioned over said secondary thumb input mechanism while simultaneously supporting the lower surface of said housing on the palm of the user support hand, said secondary thumb input mechanism adapted to receive input from the thumb of the user support hand; (e) at least one of said primary and secondary thumb input mechanism adapted to select one of multiple possible values for assignment to each of the four primary input keys; (f) means disposed within said housing for generating an electrical signal in response to finger or thumb actuation of said primary input keys, said primary thumb input mechanism and said secondary thumb input mechanism; and (g) means for operatively providing the information in said electrical signals to an object device adapted to receive input signals.