US 5,854,624 AGranted

Pocket-sized user interface for internet browser terminals and the like

AssigneeInnovative Device Technologies, Inc.

InventorGerry R. Grant

Life of this patent

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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'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.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A user interface for at least one browser terminal, each said terminal providing, users interface to browser software applications, comprising:

a pocket-sized keypad for accepting user input to at least one browser terminal, comprising:
a pocket-sized housing, further having a face and a plurality of touch-sensitive switches disbursed across said face and arranged in functional groups, said groups comprising a user-programmable group, a control group and one navigating group to accept user input to select said browser functions;
and
said control group comprises a Find/Search switch, an iNet EMail switch, a Shift switch, a Mode switch, a PG UP switch, a Scroll .uparw. switch, a PG DN switch and a Scroll .dwnarw. switch;
and
said navigating group comprises a Back switch, a Home switch, a Fwd switch, an Enter switch, a Reload switch, a Stop switch, a Left switch and a Right switch;
a translator for receiving said user input from said keypad and translating said user input into browser software-specific commands for use by at least one browser terminal;
a first communicating means for said keypad to communicate with said translator;
second communicating means for said translator to communicate with at least one browser terminal;
and
said keypad further comprises at least one pointer device located on said housing to assist user input to select said browser functions and said keyboard functions.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/713,210Filed 12 Sep 1996
Granted: 29 Dec 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G06F 3/0219
Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device: special purpose keyboards
G06F 3/0202
Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials: constructional details or processes of manufacture of the…
G06F 3/0231
Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as…:…
G06F 3/0238
Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as…:…