Computer user interface input device and a method of using same
AssigneeTouch Controls, Inc.
InventorRoberto E. Frulla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example of the present invention as disclosed herein provides an improved user interface input device that enables a person to slide his or her digit or other indicator over a surface between a neutral and a discrete touch sensor position. Sliding a digit such as a finger requires much less concentration and precision of movement as compared to lifting and lowering a finger when activating a conventional key, and thus is characterized by ease of operation. Motion and speed selection for the user interface starts only after the finger is moved over the discrete touch sensors, and hence the mental and muscular coordination strain felt by users of a conventional mouse or other user interface input device is minimized or greatly reduced.
Claims22
A user interface input device for a user interface for a computer, comprising:
- a member having a substantially flat exterior surface on the front side thereof;
- a plurality of discrete touch sensors arranged in a spaced apart manner on said member for sensing the touch of an operator and generating a signal indicative of a feature related to the user interface;
- each one of said touch sensors having user interface function indicia disposed on the front side of said surface;
- and
- a neutral position on the front side of said surface centrally disposed relative to said sensors for not generating a signal relating to the user interface when a digit of the operator is slid from one of said sensors to said neutral position.
A user interface input device for a user interface for a computer, comprising:
- a member having a surface;
- and
- at least five discrete touch sensors arranged in a spaced apart manner on said member for sensing the touch of an operator and generating a signal indicative of a direction feature related to the user interface, wherein four of said touch sensors being useful in generating signals relating to vertical and horizontal user interface movements and at least one additional sensor useful in generating signals relating to diagonal user interface movements.
A method of using a user interface input device for a user interface for a computer, comprising:
- using the input device having a plurality of discrete touch sensors and a neutral position disposed substantially in a common plane;
- interacting with one of the discrete touch sensors to generate a signal indicative of a user interface function;
- ceasing the interaction with the discrete sensor by moving toward the neutral position substantially within said plane to terminate the signal;
- and interacting with the neutral position for rest purposes.
A system including a user interface input device for a user interface, comprising:
- a microprocessor;
- a member having a substantially flat exterior surface on the front side thereof;
- a plurality of discrete touch sensors arranged in a spaced apart manner on said member for sensing the touch of an operator and generating a signal indicative of a feature related to the user interface;
- each one of said touch sensors having user interface function indicia disposed on the front side of said surface;
- and
- a neutral position on the front side of said surface centrally disposed relative to said sensors for not generating a signal relating to the user interface when a digit of the operator is slid from one of said sensors to said neutral position.
A method of using a user interface input device, comprising:
- reading output address lines, corresponding to horizontal and vertical directions of movement of a mouse pointer;
- determining whether any one of the lines is true;
- calling a subroutine corresponding to the line determined to be true;
- and
- generating corresponding data packets to cause mouse pointer movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.