Patent Document ID: 8686945
Application ID: 12439157

Base Claim:
1. A handheld input device for receiving user input, the user input including at least one of characters or commands, the handheld input device comprising: a base; a plurality of input elements provided on an input surface of a first input structure and an input surface of a second input structure, the plurality of input elements configured to receive user input, wherein the first input structure is pivotably coupled to a left end of the base and the second input structure is pivotably coupled to a right end of the base so that when the first input structure and the second input structure are each in a vertical position relative to the base, the input surface of the first input structure and the input surface of the second input structure are oriented to face away from each other in opposite directions; a reproduction component provided with the base to provide a representation of the plurality of input elements that are provided on the first input structure and the second input structure; a first holding component coupled to the first input structure to enable a user to hold the handheld input device with a first hand while making contact with one or more fingers of the first hand on one or more of the plurality input elements provided on the input surface of the first input structure; a second holding component coupled to the second input structure to enable the user to hold the handheld input device with a second hand while making contact with one or more fingers of the second hand on one or more of the plurality input elements provided on the input surface of the second input structure; and an interface for communicating signals corresponding to the user input received by the plurality of input elements to a data processing device; wherein the first holding component and the second holding component each includes (i) a support plate, and (ii) a ring, coupled to the support plate, in which the user can insert a thumb.

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Claim 7:
7. The handheld input device of claim 1 , wherein the interface enables a wire to connect the handheld input device to the data processing device.