Patent ID: 7674053

Claim:
A data entry device, comprising: a pair of key pods adapted for use with respective left and right hands of a user, each key pod comprising: a base housing including a longitudinal pivot along a first axis; a carrier housing mounted on the longitudinal pivot of the base housing, the carrier housing rotating clockwise and counter-clockwise about the first axis, wherein the carrier housing has at least a center position, a first rotational position in the clockwise direction, and a second rotational position in the counter-clockwise direction, the carrier housing comprising a top surface and a side surface and having a shape adapted to support the palm of a user's hand with the fingers of the hand extending in the direction of the first axis; a plurality of data input keys disposed on the top surface of the carrier housing and arranged to correspond to the fingers of the user's hand in the hand's natural position; and a thumb key disposed on the side surface of the carrier housing and adapted to receive the thumb of the user's hand in the hand's natural position, wherein the plurality of data input keys provides first, second and third sets of input signals corresponding to the carrier housing being in the center position, the first and the second rotational positions, respectively.