Touch-sensitive keyboard/mouse

A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising:

• touching different numbers of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters;
• sensing a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member;
• and
• responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.

A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising:

• touching different combinations of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters;
• sensing a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member;
• and
• responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.

A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising:

• touching different numbers and combinations of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters;
• sensing a number and a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member;
• and
• responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.

A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising:

• a touch-sensitive member;
• means for sensing a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member;
• and
• means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.

A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising:

• a touch-sensitive member;
• means for sensing a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member;
• and
• means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.

A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising:

• a touch-sensitive member;
• means for sensing a number and a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member;
• and
• means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.

A computer input device, comprising:

• a touch-sensitive member;
• means coupled to said touch-sensitive member and operative in a first mode of operation for producing a position-related signal responsive to movement of a user's fingertip across the member;
• means coupled to said touch-sensitive member and operative in a second mode of operation for sensing at least one of 1) a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member, and 2) a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member;
• and
• means, responsive to said sensing and operative in said second mode of operation, for producing a binary representation of an input character.

A computer input method using a touch-sensitive member, comprising the steps of:

• in a first mode of operation, producing a position-related signal responsive to movement of a user's fingertip across the member;
• in a second mode of operation, sensing at least one of 1) a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member, and 2) a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member;
• and
• in said second mode of operation, producing a binary representation of an input character responsive to said sensing.