GB2503652A - Input device for portable device having transducers at different radial positions - Google Patents

Input device for portable device having transducers at different radial positions Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2503652A
GB2503652A GB1211263.7A GB201211263A GB2503652A GB 2503652 A GB2503652 A GB 2503652A GB 201211263 A GB201211263 A GB 201211263A GB 2503652 A GB2503652 A GB 2503652A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
hid
digit
portable computing
computing device
pad
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1211263.7A
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GB201211263D0 (en
Inventor
Monovie Ibiso Astia
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Individual
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Individual
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Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1211263.7A priority Critical patent/GB2503652A/en
Publication of GB201211263D0 publication Critical patent/GB201211263D0/en
Publication of GB2503652A publication Critical patent/GB2503652A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0338—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
    • G06F3/0233—Character input methods
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03547—Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/0414—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using force sensing means to determine a position
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/045—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G06F3/04883—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

Human Input Device (HID) 20 for portable computing device 10 comprising pressure sensitive digit pad 20 having a plurality of transducers (sensors) 30 at different radial positions ( for example an annular ring) for detecting displacements of a digit in contact with the digit-pad (finger pad or thumb pad with dimensions substantially of average user's fingertip). The pad comprises pressure sensitive area 22 comprising touch or pressure sensitive matrix of sensors. The pressure transducers comprise one or more of strain gauge (with individual gauges bonded together), capacitive or resistive sensor. The transducers can detect infinitesimal movements of users digit corresponding to shapes of handwritten letters. Other inputs are cursor, scroll, and zoom. The HID can be integrated into an area of a touch-screen. The HID can be a recessed circular area on portable devices or flush with a surface of the devices and identified via tactile indicia (rough or textured surface).

Description

HUMAN INPUT DEVICES
Description:
This invention relates to Human Input Devices (HID5) for computers, and in particular, but without limitation, to HIDs for portable computing devices such as tablet PCs, mobile telephones and the like.
The popularity of portable computing devices has increased enormously over recent years.
As the functionality and usefulness of such devices has increased, so has the need for ergonomic and intuitive HIDs. Traditionally, the HID of a portable computing device was a keypad comprising user-operable buttons. Keypad-type HIDs have a number of limitations, however, inasmuch as, from a practical point of view, each key can usually only be assigned one or more discrete functions, such as letter inputs and additional functions that are accessible via preceding "shift", "control" or "function" key presses. As the versatility of portable computing devices increases, so too does the need for a greater number of possible input commands, which, with a keypad-type HID, requires evermore keys to be provided. On the other hand, the design of portable computing devices is such that their size seems to be ever-decreasing, which places practical and ergonomic constraints on the number and size of the keys that a keypad can have. Nevertheless, traditional keyboards or keypads remain one of the most efficient ways for users to input text, principally because of its similarity to a full-sized computer keyboard.
In an attempt to address the problem of over-cluttered user interfaces, hardware manufacturers have devised alternatives to traditional keyboard or keypad HID designs, for example "soft keys" whose functions can be configured to change according to context, and nowadays, touch screens, which offer enormous versatility in terms of "virtual keyboard" typing input, gesture-based scrolling and zooming, and touch-based icon selection and execution.
Whilst touch screen interfaces are rapidly becoming the de-facto HID for portable computing devices, there remains a sizeable proportion of users who prefer more traditional keyboard or keypad HIDs.
One solution the problem of different user preferences (which can change from application to application -a user may prefer to use a touch screen for web browsing, but a keyboard for typing e-mails, for example) is to utilise a combination of a keypad-type HID and touch screen-type HID in a single device. This solution remains, however, a compromise because both the size of the keyboard and the area of the touch screen need to be reduced to accommodate them both in a single device.
Even in a device with both keyboard-type and touch screen-type HIDs, there is, in many cases, no substitute for a highly intuitive, direct handwriting-type HIDs, such as an HID comprising a touch-sensitive area and a stylus that can be used in the same way as a pen or pencil to input text using handwriting. Such systems have been known for many years, and both hardware and software has been extensively developed to allow direct handwriting-type HIDs to be practical and intuitive to use.
Notwithstanding all of the above, there remains a need for an alternative type of HID that offers the advantages of direct handwriting without compromising on screen size. Moreover, as portable electronic devices become ever smaller and portable, there exists an as-yet unmet need for a new type of HID that can be used single-handedly, and easily whilst on the move, for example, in a moving vehicle or whilst walking. The invention aims to provides a solution to one or more of the above problems and/or to provide an alternative type of HID for a portable computing device.
According to the invention there is provided a human interface device for a portable computing device comprising a pressure-sensitive digit pad, the pressure sensitive digit pad comprising a plurality of pressure transduces arranged at different radial positions on, or surrounding, the digit pad for detecting, in use, displacements of a digit in contact with the digit pad.
The detected displacements of a digit in contact with the digit pad may be small, microscopic or infinitesimal.
The digit pad may be a finger pad or a thumb pad, and its dimensions preferably correspond to those of an average user's fingertip, say 10-30mm across. Ideally, the diameter of the HID 20 is 10mm +1-5mm. Advantageously, the invention enables a single digit or thumb to provide cursor-type user input commands whilst remaining in contact with the digit pad.
The HID of the invention preferably interacts with a portable computing device via driver software that translates pressure-or movement-based user inputs into device commands or text inputs. The hardware driver's selection of device commands or text inputs is preferably automatic, and most preferably application-or context-specific.
In one possible embodiment of the invention, the pressure transducers are arranged substantially in a ring or circle around the periphery of the digit pad to enable the HID of the invention to determine whether a user's digit is moving, or being pushed in any particular direction.
Additionally or alternatively, a surface of the digit pad in contact, in use, with a user's digit may comprise a pressure sensitive area divided into discrete pressure sensitive areas or pixels such that pressure on different areas of the digit pad are detectable. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the digit pad comprises a combination of pressure transducers arranged substantially in a ring or circle around the periphery of the digit pad and a pressure-sensitive surface divided into discrete pressure sensitive areas or pixels such that pressure on different areas of the digit pad are
detectable.
The pressure transducers may be of any suitable type, for example, strain gauges, capacitive sensors, and/or resistive sensors. Where strain gauges are provided, each strain gauge may comprise a plurality of individual strain gauges bonded together to enable lateral and axial pressure inputs to be detected.
The HID of the invention is preferably integrated into a portable computing device, and thus a second aspect of the invention provides a portable computing device comprising an HID as described herein.
Possible advantages of the invention include: the ability to interact with a computing device single-handedly, that is to say, using a digit to grip and control the device simultaneously; the ability to input a range of commands or text inputs using, in essence, a single "button" or area of the device; to use a handwriting-type of movement to input text; to avoid or reduce the need for gross hand movements to scroll, select or execute objects on a display screen.
Further possible advantages of the invention, its construction and implantation may become apparent from the following description of several preferred embodiments of the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable computing device comprising an HID according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an HID in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic cross-section of the HID of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a table of possible input commands and user inputs for an HID in accordance with the invention; FigureS is a schematic diagram of an HID arrangement corresponding to the table of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an HID in accordance with the invention; and Figure 7 is a schematic cross-section of the HID of Figure 6.
In Figure 1, a portable computing device 10 comprises a touch screen 12 and an HID 20 according to the invention. The touch screen 12 of the portable computing device 10 is surrounded by a border area 14 forming the periphery of the front face of the device 10, as has become customary in the design of modern portable computing devices. The HID 20 is located within the border area 14 to one side of the touch screen 12 and is conveniently located at a position to correspond to the location of a user's thumb 16 when gripping the device 10 with one hand. Most
S
touch screen portable computing devices 10 comprise an internal orientation sensor for automatically re-orienting the display on the screen 12 depending on the device's orientation, so the HID 20 of the invention could be located on the left or right side of the screen 12, or indeed above or below it depending on the user's preference. As such, the HID 20 enables the device 10 to be used left-or right-handedly depending on the device's orientation.
A user is able to grip the device 10 with one hand 18 with his or her device-gripping thumb 16 resting on the HID 20 to control it. Of course, the HID could be located on a rear or edge surface of the device 10 to enable it to be operated by a user's forefinger or other digit whilst gripping the device 10 at the same time. In a possible embodiment of a computing device comprising an HID 20 according to the invention, a plurality of HIDs 20 may be provided at different locations on the device 10.
In Figures 2 and 3, a first embodiment of an HID 20 in accordance with the invention is formed as a circular area 22 located on the front face of the device 10 with an outer diameter of between 10mm and 25 mm to correspond to the dimensions of an average user's fingertip or thumb tip. As can be seen in Figure 3, the circular area is slightly recessed relative to the level of the front surface 24 of the device lOso as to provide a tactile indication that the user's thumb, in use, is correctly located on the HID 20. Additionally or alternatively, the depression may have a different texture or feel to the surrounding area to assist a user in identifying when his or her digit is correctly seated on the HID 20. The depression and/or textured border, where provided, also provides lateral resistance to slippage of a user's finger or thumb, thereby substantially maintaining it, in use, on top of the HID 20.
The HID comprises an annular ring 26 surrounding the central circular area 22, which ring is made up of a number of sensors 30 (eight sensors in the illustrated embodiment, but any number of sensors could be provided). Each sensor 30 is part-annular when viewed from above so as to form a ring surrounding the central area 22 when placed side-by-side.
As can be seen in Figure 3, each sensor 30 of the ring 26 comprises a pair of bonded-together strain gauges 34, 36 -a first one 34 located radially outwardly of the circular area 22 and a second one 34 located radially inwardly, that is, towards the centre of the circular area 22. The strain gauges 34, 36 are bonded together such that they can be used in unison to detect both lateral movements of a digit on the HID 20 (as indicated by arrow 38) as well as digit movements out of the plane of the surface 24 of the device (as indicated by arrow 40).
Specifically, if pressure is applied vertically (÷40) to a particular sensor 30, then the strain gauge outputs will be substantially equal indicating vertical pressure. However, if the user's digit is pressed sideward (+38) then the inner strain gauge 36 of each sensor 30 will bend more than the outer strain gauge 34 of each sensor, indicating a strain differential that is indicative of a lateral movement. It will be apparent that by providing a ring 26 of sensors 30 surrounding the central area 22, that movements of a user's digit in any lateral direction can be resolved by comparing the strain gauge outputs of each of the sensors 30, as well as even downward pressure (substantially equal pressure applied to all sensors 30) and offset downward pressure (pressure applied preferentially to certain sensors 30 of the ring 26).
Notably, the strain gauges 34, 36 are selected and wired so as to have a very high sensitivity thereby allowing infinitesimal movements of a user's digit to be detected. Such a set-up enables the HID 20 to be operated using tiny amounts of finger or thumb pressure whilst simultaneously gripping the device 10.
An HID 20 of the type described above affords enormous versatility of user inputs. The HID can be used as a single button for selecting or executing an on-screen command by pressing evenly at the centre of the HID 20 such that all of the strain gauges 34, 36 detect a substantially equal pressure. In such a way, the HID 20 of the invention can be used in the same way as a conventional push button on a known mobile computing device. Additionally, the HID 20 can be used to enable a user to provide cursor inputs by detecting lateral digit movements in different directions. Also, the HID 20 of the invention may provide for text inputs via handwriting inputs on the HID 20.
The HID can be used for text input by a user making finger or thumb movements akin to handwriting. For example, a vertical movement of the user's digit on the HID could be the input for a letter "1", whereas a down, up and over input could be the input for a letter "h". Handwriting input software and drivers are well known and it ought to be apparent that the HID 20 of the invention provides a convenient alternative to a stylus and touch pad-type HID for an electronic device 10.
Figure 4 is an exemplary table of user input commands that could enable the HID 20 of the invention, as shown in Figure 5, to control a portable electronic device 10. In FigureS, the exemplary HID 20 comprises an annular ring 26 comprising eight sensors 301-308 that can be actuated in the order shown in Figure 4 to provide user inputs. In Figure 4, the sub-scripts "d" and "1" indicate, respectively, downward or lateral pressure detected by each of the sensors. Of course, the table of Figure 4 is incomplete and purely exemplary -additional or alternative sensor combinations could be used to provide further user inputs, Of course, the designations 301-308 could be rotated depending on the detected orientation of the device 10 such that the user input sequences are adjusted for left-or right-handed operation, or for portrait (vertical or inverted) orientations of the device 10.
Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which central area 22 of the HID 20 is provided with a touch-or pressure-sensitive matrix 42 of sensors 44 for detecting movement and/or pressure of a user's digit within the central area 22 of the HID 20. Again, user inputs can be resolved by detecting infinitesimal movements or changes of pressure on different parts (or pixels) of the central area 22. As can be seen in Figure 7, the HID 20 is flush with the surface 24 of the device 10 and the location of the HID 20 can be found via a tactile indicia, such as a rough surface compared to a smooth or gloss surface of the border 14 of the device 10.
Alternatively, the texture of the periphery of the HID 20 could be different to the central area 22 thereof and/or the surrounding border of the device. For example, the roughness or texture of the HID could vary step-wise or gradually from its centre to the periphery.
It will be appreciated that the matrix 42 of sensors 44 could be used in combination with, or independently of, the annular ring 26 of sensors 30 of the HID 20 without departing from the scope of the invention.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, whilst the invention has been described with reference to strain gauges, it is also possible to detect pressure or movement of a user's digit on the HID 20 via other means, such as capacitive sensing, resistive sensing, etc., as is commonly used in touch screen display technologies. Also, it is not necessary for the HID 20 to be provided in a separate area of the device 10 to the screen 12: for example, if the HID 20 were to use capacitive touch sensing technology, there would be no reason why the HID 20 could not be integrated into an area of the touch screen 12 of a device 10, and to operate purely through software. It will be appreciated that the HID 20 of the invention may ideally enable user inputs to be made using small movements of a user's digit, as opposed to making gross hand movements as is required by a known "virtual keyboard" or "gesturing of a known device 10.

Claims (26)

  1. Claims: 1. A HID for a portable computing device comprising a pressure-sensitive digit pad, the pressure sensitive digit pad comprising a plurality of transduces arranged at different radial positions for detecting, in use, displacements of a digit in contact with the digit pad.
  2. 2. A HID according to claim 1, wherein the digit pad comprises a finger pad or a thumb pad.
  3. 3. A HID according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dimensions of the digit pad correspond substantially to those of an average user's fingertip.
  4. 4. A HID according to any preceding claim, wherein the pressure transducers are arranged substantially in a ring or circle around a periphery of the digit pad.
  5. 5. A HID according to any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the digit pad in contact, in use, with a user's digit comprises a pressure-sensitive area divided into discrete pressure sensitive areas or pixels such for detecting pressure on different areas of the digit pad.
  6. 6. A HID according to claim 5, wherein pressure-sensitive area comprises a touch-or pressure-sensitive matrix of sensors.
  7. 7. A HID according to any preceding claim, wherein the touch or pressure transducers comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a strain gauge, a capacitive sensor and a resistive sensor.
  8. 8. A HID according to claim 6, wherein each strain gauge comprises a plurality of individual strain gauges bonded together.
  9. 9. A HID according to any preceding claim, wherein the transducers are selected and wired so as to have a very high sensitivity for detecting, in use, infinitesimal movements of a user's digit.
  10. 10. A HID for text input according to claim 8, wherein the infinitesimal movements correspond to the shapes of hand-written letters as inscribed, in use, by the movements of a user's digit on the F-lID.
  11. 11. A HID according to any preceding claim, formed as a recessed circular area located on a face of a portable computing device.
  12. 12. A HID according to any of claims ito 10, wherein the HID is flush with a surface of a portable computing device and its location can be identified via a tactile indicia means.
  13. 13. A HID according to claim 12, wherein the tactile indicia means comprises a rough or textured surface compared to a smoother or gloss surface of the border or remainder of the portable computing device.
  14. 14. A HID according to claim 13, wherein the rough/textured surface is disposed at or around the periphery of the HID.
  15. 15. A HID according to claim 13, wherein the roughness or texture varies step-wise or gradually from the centre of the HID towards its periphery.
  16. 16. A portable computing device comprising an HID according to any preceding claim.
  17. 17. A portable computing device according to claim 16, comprising a touch screen display.
  18. 18. A portable computing device according to claim 17, further comprising a border area surrounding the touch screen display and an HID according to any of claims ito 15 located within the said border area
  19. 19. A portable computing device according to claim 18, wherein the HID is located to one side of the touch screen and is located at a position corresponding, in use, to the location of a user's thumb when gripping the device with one hand.
  20. 20. A portable computing device according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the touch screen display comprises a capacitive touch screen and the HID is integrated into an area of the touch screen.
  21. 21. A portable computing device according to any of claims 16 to 20, further comprising an orientation sensor for sensing the orientation of the device, and means for automatically re-orienting the display on the screen depending on the device's orientation.
  22. 22. A portable computing device according to any of claims 16 to 21, further comprising a hardware driver for translating detected user inputs via the HID into cursor-, scroll-, zoom-or text-type user inputs for the device.
  23. 23. A portable computing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the hardware driver is configured to select between the different types cursor-, scroll-, zoom-or text-type user inputs automatically.
  24. 24. A portable computing device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the hardware driver is configured to select between the different types cursor-, scroll-, zoom-or text-type user inputs depending on a context of an active application of the device.
  25. 25. A portable computing device according to any of claims 21 to 24 when dependent on claim 19, wherein the hardware driver is configured to re-orientate the detected user inputs via the HID according to the detected orientation of the device.
  26. 26. A HID or portable computing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
GB1211263.7A 2012-06-25 2012-06-25 Input device for portable device having transducers at different radial positions Withdrawn GB2503652A (en)

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GB1211263.7A GB2503652A (en) 2012-06-25 2012-06-25 Input device for portable device having transducers at different radial positions

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GB2503652A true GB2503652A (en) 2014-01-08

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5508719A (en) * 1992-05-01 1996-04-16 Ast Research, Inc. Pressure-actuated pointing device
WO2002031641A1 (en) * 2000-09-22 2002-04-18 Ziad Badarneh Means for handhold functional apparatus
EP1406158A2 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-04-07 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Portable electronic equipment
GB2407679A (en) * 2003-10-27 2005-05-04 Wai Sze To Character input using a five-button keypad
WO2009073606A2 (en) * 2007-12-03 2009-06-11 Apple Inc. Multi-dimensional scroll wheel
EP2267578A2 (en) * 2008-04-01 2010-12-29 OH, Eui-Jin Data input device and data input method
EP2267585A2 (en) * 2008-03-31 2010-12-29 OH, Eui-Jin Data input device

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5508719A (en) * 1992-05-01 1996-04-16 Ast Research, Inc. Pressure-actuated pointing device
WO2002031641A1 (en) * 2000-09-22 2002-04-18 Ziad Badarneh Means for handhold functional apparatus
EP1406158A2 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-04-07 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Portable electronic equipment
GB2407679A (en) * 2003-10-27 2005-05-04 Wai Sze To Character input using a five-button keypad
WO2009073606A2 (en) * 2007-12-03 2009-06-11 Apple Inc. Multi-dimensional scroll wheel
EP2267585A2 (en) * 2008-03-31 2010-12-29 OH, Eui-Jin Data input device
EP2267578A2 (en) * 2008-04-01 2010-12-29 OH, Eui-Jin Data input device and data input method

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