Abstract:
A Pocket-sized User Interface for Internet Browser Terminals and the Like is disclosed. The disclosed interface provides a plurality of pre-programmed as well as user-programmable touch-sensitive switches that integrate with frequently-used browser functions. The disclosed touch-sensitive switch functions may be responsive to the application that the user is interfacing with. A critical aspect of the disclosed interface is that the housing be less than about 0.45 inches in thickness, and further be roughly the length and width of a standard business card. Also disclosed is an attachment means for attaching the keypad of the present interface to one&#39;s arm or leg, or other structure, such as a monitor, keyboard, desktop or other surface. Still further disclosed is a keypad that is in wireless communication with a browser terminal, and that further includes a user display for displaying pertinent information.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to computer user interfaces, including the convergence of computer technology into televisions, telephones, videogames and other consumer electronics, and more specifically, to a Pocket-sized User Interface for Internet Browser Terminals and the Like. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Personal computers have indisputably revolutionized the world, having applications suited for nearly every aspect of our daily lives. One of the most significant ongoing developments of the personal computer deals with the &#34;Internet.&#34; Even though the Internet is only just beginning to be fully developed and exploited to its full potential, a large percentage of our population has found many uses for it. It seems that one can find nearly any resource on the Internet and, therefore, people are spending more and more time &#34;surfing&#34; the `Net. 
     Surfing the Net describes a person exploring the vast data resources available on the Internet via an &#34;Internet browser.&#34; Internet browsers are software applications that are specially designed to allow users to browse, view, download and otherwise manipulate the data available on the Internet. There are a handful of browsers that have attained wide success in the Internet market; these browsers have become somewhat standardized in their functionality, although there continues to be refinement and expansion from the original packages. This browser software is now becoming a cross-platform operating system that is being used off the Internet in local and wide area networks (Intranets). 
     Until now, the majority of terminals for access to the Internet have been personal computers. It is common for today&#39;s personal computers to include a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a &#34;mouse,&#34; &#34;trackball,&#34; or the like. These keyboards are also the devices that users employ to use the computer--for such things as word processing, drawing, or even playing games. Keyboards are well suited in most cases for these applications, where a wide range of functionality is needed. 
     Internet browsers, on the other hand, do not mandate this broad applicability. As a typical person browses the Web or an Intranet, only a small percentage of his or her actions require the fill keyboard of a personal computer. Much of that person&#39;s activities comprise the use of a series of pre-programmed functions available through the browser application, one need only press a screen representation of a single button or series of buttons to activate the desired function. 
     Indeed, there are problems with the use of keyboards for browser interface. First, the aspects of convenience and speed. A typical graphical-interface browser has preprogrammed functions that appear as buttons, either on the command border to the browser, or as included at a particular Web site that is being viewed. In order to activate this preprogrammed function with a conventional keyboard/pointer arrangement, one must manually move the arrow on the screen (with the pointer) to the desired button representation, and then depress it. This can be time-consuming and even physically exhausting for users who spend a significant amount of time &#34;surfing.&#34; A user interface that is tailored to browser applications, including keys or touch-pads corresponding to the pre-programmed functions used by the browser, would be very helpful in this regard. 
     A second problem of the conventional keyboard/pointer arrangement is that of functionality. While, as discussed above, the keyboard is suited for a wide variety of applications, it is not tailored to any one application in particular. In the case of operating a browser, such as when surfing the Net, users frequently perform a small group of actions. As stated above, the conventional keyboard/pointer does not typically provide any &#34;shortcuts&#34; to perform these activities. The conventional keyboard/pointer user must manually select, or type in the desired action each and every time that the action is desired, the amount of movement required to &#34;click on&#34; scroll bars, forward and back buttons, and the like, can be very inconvenient when doing so on the terminal screen, particularly when the user must switch to the keyboard to select &#34;hot keys.&#34; A user interface with pre-programnned function keys or pads that would cause the browser to execute common functions would be very helpful with this problem. 
     A third, and very serious, problem with conventional keyboards is a physical ailment known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of tendonitis, or inflammation of the tendons, in the hand. CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome) has been linked to long-term use of computer keyboards, and has become a serious health problem for individuals and, consequently, a serious and expensive liability for corporations with alot of computer users. CTS can result from the unique hand position required to operate a conventional keyboard. The act of holding one&#39;s fingers poised and depressing the keyboard&#39;s keys for long hours can irritate some of the hand&#39;s tendons. The remedy for CTS has been for computer users to wear wrist braces that help to support the hands and thereby reduce the tendons&#39; irritation. The problem with these braces is that they significantly reduce the person&#39;s hand mobility and dexterity. If the user interface was configured so that it could be held in one&#39;s hand, laid on one&#39;s lap or strapped around one&#39;s wrist, it would virtually eliminate the hazard of acquiring CTS while surfing the Net. An interface such as this would also reduce the shoulder and neck strain that commonly results from keeping one&#39;s arms and shoulders in one position for long periods of time. 
     Another prior computer-user interface is a &#34;joystick.&#34; These devices are primarily configured for interaction with computer games, or &#34;video games.&#34; A wide variety of joysticks are available on the market today, with a series of shapes and functionality&#39;s being available. These joysticks are very well suited for use with video games, and more enjoyment can be obtained by playing these video games through the use of a joystick. The basic joystick includes a base with a hand-grip configured pointing device. The hand grip typically includes at least one button that is generally used to simulate a trigger while playing a game. Many times the base will also include other buttons for additional functionality. Again, these joysticks are very well suited for playing video games, they are unsuitable for surfing the Net. Although benefits could be achieved by the large hand-grip pointing device, the joystick will not provide sufficient programmability or functionality to truly optimize Net surfing or other browser or application interface. Furthermore, the joystick is much too large to be an efficient browser interface, since the standard keyboard would still be needed, the joystick would add unnecessary clutter to the desktop. An application-specific user interface for use with browser terminals that is smaller than a joystick would solve this problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pocket-sized user interface for world-wide web terminals and the like, such as personal computers, televisions, telephones, videogames and other consumer electronics. It is a further object that the user interface provide a series of pre-programmed as well as programmable keys that integrate with frequently-used browser functions. Still further, the present interface should be less than about 0.45 inches in thickness and be roughly the length and width of a standard business card. One type of embodiment may include an attachment means for attaching the keypad of the interface to one&#39;s arm or leg or other structure, such as a monitor, keyboard, desktop or other surface. A further object is that the keypad be in wireless communication with the browser terminal, in order to reduce workspace clutter. Another preferred embodiment may include a user display on the keypad to display pertinent information to the user. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
     FIG. 1 is a collection of views of the prior art and a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, depicting one mode of using the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention depicting a preferred arrangement of the face features; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, further depicting a preferred attaching means; and 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, highlighting the functional arrangement of controls. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Pocket-sized User Interface for Internet Browser Terminals and the Like. 
     The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a collection of views of the prior art and a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A conventional keyboard 10 is displayed at roughly 1/3rd of actual size. Also depicted is a representation of a conventional joystick 20, also at roughly 1/3rd of actual size. Further depicted is a conventional mouse 25, which is also shown at roughly 1/3rd of actual size. As can be seen the keypad 30 of the present invention, which is also roughly 1/3rd of actual size, is much more compact than the keyboard 10 or the joystick 20 or the mouse 25. It is for this reason that the keypad 30 of the present invention can provide such significant advantages. 
     By now turning to FIG. 2, one may gain an understanding of one preferred arrangement for connecting the present invention to a browser terminal. Depicted in FIG. 2 is a typical browser terminal 40, in this case, a personal computer having a conventional keyboard 10. As can be seen, the keypad 30 has a first communicating means 42 extending from it. In the embodiment depicted, the first communicating means 42 is wires, other embodiments are available that include some sort of wireless means of communication, such as optical and radio frequency transmission, among others. 
     The first communicating means 42 may lead to the translator 44. The translator 44 takes user input from the keypad 30 and translates it into signals that are useable by the browser terminal 40. The translator 44 box depicted is merely one embodiment, other preferred translators could be part of the keypad 30 or even installed into the browser terminal 40. 
     Leading from the translator 44 to the browser terminal 40 is a second communicating means 46. As with the first communicating means 42, the second communicating means could be wires or wireless, such as optical, radio frequency signals, among others well known in the art. 
     FIG. 3 provides additional detail regarding the keypad 30. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention depicting a preferred arrangement of the face features. In a preferred form, the keypad 30 comprises a thin housing 48. This housing 48 may be made from many conventional materials, such that a light-weight, durable structure is created; in the present form it is plastic. On the face of the housing 48 are disbursed a plurality of buttons 50 and a pointer 52. These buttons 50 may be in a variety of forms, including keys or buttons, touchpads, or other touch-sensitive switches. The pointer 52 depicted here is akin to a miniature joystick. The pointer 52 may be pivoted around its axis with a user&#39;s finger to provide directional input to the browser terminal (not shown). Other types of pointers 52 may be used, including trackballs, touch pads, and the like. 
     A further aspect shown in FIG. 3 is the display 54. The display 54 may be located in virtually any position on the housing 48. The purpose of the display 54 is to provide information to the user. Examples of desirable information might be elapsed time or time of day, status or strength of the keypad&#39;s connection to the browser terminal, as well as the URL address, among many other bits of information. The display 54 should be fairly small, to retain the compact form of the keypad 30. 
     Included in the present invention, but not shown in FIG. 3 is a variety of indicia disposed on the buttons 50 and the face of the housing 48. Indicia may be inscribed on these surfaces to provide information regarding the functionality of the keypad 30, or merely just for aesthetic purposes. 
     An additional feature of the present invention is its attachability to external structures. FIG. 4 illuminates this feature. FIG. 4 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, further depicting a preferred attaching means 56. As can be seen from the drawing, the attaching means 56 may be fixed to the bottom side of the housing 48. The attaching means 56 could be in a variety of forms, including a rigid clip, a flexible cuff or sleeve, a strap with &#34;Velcro&#34; or snaps, etc. The attaching means 56 could be used to attach the keypad 30 to one&#39;s wrist, arm, leg or even some desktop or chair-type structure. Once attached to the external structure, the keypad 30 would be very easy to locate and use. This would help to reduce workspace clutter. 
     The specific functionality of the present invention may be best appreciated by consideration of FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows that the buttons and pointer are divided into 3 functional groups. These groups are provided to give users the convenience of having like controls grouped intuitively. Other arrangements of groups may be provided, such as for keypads 30 that are configured for specifically one type of browser. 
     The control group 58 is a portion of the keypad that handles &#34;high-level&#34; communications with the browser terminal. Single-key functions that can be found within the control group 58 include: &#34;Search&#34; which launches a preferred search engine from the browser; &#34;iNet/eMail&#34; which launches a user&#39;s email software or browser, alternately, &#34;Mode&#34; which may enable or disable the on-screen display of a browser&#39;s tool bars at the top of the screen (in order to provide a full-screen view); &#34;PG UP&#34; and &#34;PG DN&#34; provide for quick traversing through a multi-paged on-screen document, one page at a time; &#34;Scroll and &#34;Scroll .arrow-down dbl.&#34; permit the user to scroll up and down the displayed web page by a line at a time, or continuously, and &#34;Shift&#34; which may be depressed prior to one of the other pre-programmed buttons in order to access a secondary function assigned to that particular button or other touch-sensitive switch. 
     The user-programmable group 60 is a series of user-programmable buttons that can be configured for a variety of &#34;shortcut&#34; internet applications, such as going to the user&#39;s favorite news and information site, accessing a preferred page location, getting a stock quotation or reviewing a stock portfolio; the possibilities are virtually limitless. 
     The navigating group 62 is a series of buttons that allow a user to maneuver efficiently through a particular document being viewed in an efficient manner. The navigating group 62 also includes the pointer (see FIG. 4) and &#34;left&#34; and &#34;right&#34; &#34;mouse buttons,&#34; allowing the user full mouse functionality in a more ergonomically desireable interface. Both mouse buttons are programmable and interchangeable, such that either or both can perform any standard mouse button function. The other buttons comprising the navigating group 62 may provide the following functions: 
     Back&#34;--may take the user back to the previous &#34;web page&#34; that was viewed during a particular session 
     &#34;Home&#34;--may return the user to a pre-selected home page 
     &#34;Fwd&#34;--may take the user forward to a previous web page that was viewed during a particular session (i.e. after going &#34;Back&#34;) 
     &#34;Learn&#34;--may be a programmable function when programming one of the buttons in the User-programmable Group 60. Alternately, it might be assigned to the secondary function of a button (accessed by first selecting the &#34;Shift&#34; button). 
     &#34;Reload&#34;--may reload the current web page again 
     &#34;Stop&#34;--may interrupt the transfer of information to the terminal in use 
     &#34;Print&#34;--may cause the printing of the web page being viewed. It may be assigned to the secondary function, accessed by first selecting the &#34;shift&#34; function. 
     &#34;Enter&#34;--may allow a user to open a networked document or application or to select an on-screen object upon which the pointer is indicating (i.e. clicking on something). The pointing device depicted in FIGS. 1-5 is only one preferred embodiment, other embodiments might include a trackball-type pointing device or even a conventional rolling mouse-type pointing device, such as used in the mouse 25 (see FIG. 1). 
     Other functionality may be available in other embodiments of the present invention, depending upon the particular application intended for the keypad. The present invention may include embodiments that will facilitate the interface with browser software &#34;terminals&#34; that comprise televisions, telephones, video game units and other consumer products, in addition to personal computers. By moving the software functions of an Internet browser onto a convenient, easy-to-use, hand-held or mounted device, the present invention will provide users with significant advantages over current means for interfacing with browsers. 
     The ability to control the Internet browser function from a pocket-sized device is a capability unique to the present invention. This permits the use of full-screen viewing of web page content and easier intuitive control of browser functions. 
     It is the intent of the inventor that the present invention not be limited to interfacing with only &#34;Internet browsers,&#34; Preferred embodiments of the present invention include interfaces matched to browsers that are configured to perform as computer operating systems, as well as other applications. The present invention is specifically intended to be applied anywhere that a browser, or graphical user interface, is used; examples might be word processing program interfaces, spread sheet program interfaces, and any number of other program applications. 
     It is anticipated that the particular functionality of the buttons or touch-sensitive switches disposed upon the keypad 30 might be responsive to the application that the user is interfacing with. For example, a particular button might activate the &#34;paste&#34; function while the user is interfacing with a word processor program, however the identical button may activate the &#34;stop&#34; function when interfacing with an Internet browser. In such circumstances, the labels on or above each touch-sensitive switch might also change with the function of each touch-sensitive switch. 
     Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.