Two-handed input control apparatus and method

A hand-held input control apparatus, comprising:

• a pair of holders;
• a connector pivotally joining the holders in X-shaped relation so that the holders are pivotally moveable relative to each other around a pivot axis into and out of overlying and X-shaped positions when the user grasps the holders and moves his or her hands relative to each other;
• and
• an input control element supported by each holder and engageable by a finger of a user's hand holding the holder.

A hand-held input control apparatus, comprising:

• a pair of hand-held holders positioned in opposed relation to each other,
• a connector pivotally interconnecting the holders for movement in separate planes relative to each other about a pivot axis that is disposed transversely of the planes;
• a signal generating device supported by each holder and operable to transmit signals;
• and
• an input control element supported by each holder, engageable by a finger of a user's hand holding the holder, and capable of actuating the signal generating device.

A hand-held input control apparatus, comprising:

• a pair of holders interconnected so that they are pivotally moveable relative to each other when the user grasps the holders and moves his or her hands relative to each other around a pivot axis;
• and
• a signal generating device supported by each holder and operable to transmit signals,
• wherein the holders are interconnected by a first pivot having a first axis disposed transversely of the holders, and
• wherein the holders are interconnected by second pivots each having a second axis disposed transversely of the first axis, said second axes being parallel to each other.

A hand-held input control apparatus, comprising:

• a pair of pivotally interconnected handles pivotally moveable relative to each other when the user grasps the handles and moves his or her hands relative to each other;
• an electronic device supported by each handle and operable to transmit signals during pivotal movement of the handles;
• an input control element supported by each handle, engageable by a finger of a user's hand holding the handle, and capable of actuating the electronic device,
• the handles being interconnected by a first pivot having a first axis disposed transversely of the handles, and
• the handles being interconnected by second pivots each having a second axis disposed transversely of the first axis, said second axes being parallel to each other.

A hand-held input control apparatus comprising,

• a pair of holders;
• a connector having multiple pivots including a first pivot interconnecting the holders so that they are pivotally interconnected in X-shaped relation and so that the holders are moveable relative to each other when the user grasps a holder in each hand and rotates his or her arms about their longitudinal axes;
• the connector including a second pivot for each holder, each second pivot having a second axis about which its respective holder pivots when the user grasps a holder in each hand and tilts his or her hands toward or away from each other;
• and
• an electronic device supported by each holder and operable to transmit signals.

A hand-held inputting apparatus, comprising:

• first and second holders each including a hand-grasping portion having a hand resting surface and a device-mounting portion having a mounting surface;
• an input device mounted on the mounting surface of the device mounting portion of each holder and having finger-engaging elements engagable by the fingers of a hand grasping the band-grasping portion;
• and
• a connector pivotally joining the holders with the hand-grasping portions and the input control devices disposed outwardly of the holders and so that the holders can be moved relative to each other when the hand-grasping portions are individually grasped in the left and right hands of the user and the user moves his or her hands relative to each other.

A hand-held input control apparatus adapted to be operated using both hands of a user, comprising:

• a pair of holders each having a front portion and a back portion and a longitudinal axis and hand-holding portions capable of being held individually in the two hands of a user so that the longitudinal axis of each holder is generally in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the arm of the hand that holds the holder;
• a connector interconnecting the holders in back-to-back relation so that the front portions are disposed outwardly and so that the longitudinal axes can be moved into and out of X-shaped relation;
• and
• a signal generator mounted on each holder adapted to generate signals during movement of the holders,
• said connector enabling the holders to be moved through separate arcuate paths between a first position with one of the input devices facing upwardly under the right hand of the user and a second position with the other input device facing upwardly under the left hand of the user while the holders are held in the two hands of the user with said axes remaining in general alignment with the longitudinal axes of the user's respective arms holding the holders.

A two-handed input control apparatus comprising:

• first and second housings;
• a hand-operated input device mounted on each housing,
• each of the housings having a hand-holding portion enabling it to be held in the hand of a user in such a way that the hand can reach and manipulate the input device mounted thereon;
• a first pivot interconnecting the housings for pivotal movement relative to each other when one housing is held in one hand of a user and the other housing is held in the other hand of the user and the housings are pivoted back and forth relative to each other between a first position wherein the first housing and its input device on top of the second housing and a second position wherein the second housing and its input device are on the top of the first housing, whereby the input device selected for the top position is in a convenient position for manipulation;
• second pivots interconnecting the housings for pivotal movement relative to each other when one housing is held in one hand of a user and the other housing is held in the other hand of the user and the housings are pivoted back and forth toward and away from each other;
• and
• an electronic signal transmitting device in each housing responsive to manipulation of the input devices.