Patent ID: 8576170

Claim:
A user input device, comprising: a base comprising a top surface; a joystick comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the joystick is flexibly attached to the base, wherein the base provides multiple unique joystick positions for placing the joystick, wherein each unique joystick position represents a different character; a processor; and non-volatile memory storing machine-readable instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit a code corresponding to said different character in response to the joystick being held in an angular deflection position for a duration equivalent to a character entry hold time ranging from 300 milliseconds to 500 milliseconds, and further comprising a visual indicator configured and disposed to generate an indication in response to the joystick being held in a position for the character entry hold time; and further comprising a Z positional encoder, the Z positional encoder configured and disposed to toggle the user input device between a character entry mode and a cursor control mode when the joystick is moved to a Z-down position in an undeflected orientation.