WO2008099205A1

WO2008099205A1 - Data input apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008099205A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/050019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tony Dale
Original assignee: Tony Dale
Priority date: 2007-02-12
Filing date: 2008-01-08
Publication date: 2008-08-21
Also published as: GB0702572D0; GB2446408A; GB2446408B

Abstract

The invention relates to finger-mountable data input apparatus for operative engaging a surface to be actuated, such as a touch-screen display or function button(s). The apparatus comprises an annular member for receiving a finger. The annular member has an exterior surface (18) from which projects surface engageable protrusions (20a, 10 20b). A user can select the protrusion (20a, 20b) having the most appropriate characteristics in terms of shape and/or size and/or texture by rotating the annular member such that the selected protrusion (20a, 20b) is in an actuating position. In alternative embodiment (see Figs. 2a-c) the protrusions (20) are detachable and interchangeable.

Description

Data Input Apparatus

The present invention relates to the general field of data input apparatus and particularly, but not exclusively, to finger-mountable data input apparatus.

Developments in technology have led to handheld personal electronic devices such as mobile telephones, so called smart phones, personal data assistants (PDA's), palm-computers, mp3 players, games consoles etc. becoming progressively smaller in size. However, despite their miniaturisation, such devices have enjoyed major advances in their functionality. An emerging trend has seen increased use of graphical user interfaces employing touch-screen technology.

Inherent in the decreasing size of handheld personal electronic devices is the fact that display screens and function buttons are generally becoming reduced in size. Accordingly, the number of micro-switches per unit area on a touch screen display is becoming necessarily higher and, similarly, the size and/or spacing of buttons on a device is tending to reduce. The overall consequence is that many users of such devices experience considerable difficulty and frustration when attempting to correctly select particular functions on a handheld device. This arises because micro- switches are often inadvertently and/or incorrectly activated by the user because of the reduced margin for error on a small touch-screen. Similarly, small operating buttons are difficult to actuate with the fingers, particularly by users having larger fingers and/or long nails. Some surfaces are also susceptible to scratching after repeated contact with fingernails. Attempts have been made to address the aforementioned problems. For example, it is well known to provide a handheld elongate stylus to facilitate greater accuracy on the part of the user when interfacing with a touch screen display. However, a conventional stylus requires the user to grasp it between the index finger and the thumb in a similar way in which one holds a pen or pencil. Accordingly, a conventional stylus can be rather awkward to use, particularly if the handheld personal electronic device is also being supported by the same hand which is holding the stylus. Moreover, a conventional stylus is designed for gently tapping a touch screen and is therefore unsuitable for use with buttons requiring a greater degree of force for their actuation.

A known alternative to conventional styli are finger styli such as those marketed by Orbit Industries NJ, LLC under the brand name Stinger. Such styli suffer from the fact that they are intended to be worn exclusively on the index finger and have insufficient surface grip to be effective in depressing buttons.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided finger-mountable data input apparatus for operatively engaging a surface to be actuated, the apparatus comprising an annular member for receiving a finger and a plurality of surface-engagable protrusions protruding from a surface of the annular member.

Preferably, the surface-engagable protrusions protrude away from a notional central axis of the annular member.

Optionally, the surface-engagable protrusions protrude radially outwardly with respect to the notional central axis of the annular member. Preferably, the surface-engagable protrusions are circumferentially spaced around the annular member.

Advantageously, each protrusion has different characteristics in terms of shape and/or size and/or texture. Therefore, a user can select the most appropriate surface-engagable protrusion depending upon the type of surface to be actuated by simply rotating the annular member such that the selected protrusion is in an actuating position when worn on a finger. The particular shapes, sizes and surface textures of the protrusions are limited only by the imagination.

Most preferably, the respective surface-engagable protrusions are spaced equidistantly.

Advantageously, the protrusions are sufficiently spaced such that only one protrusion can engage a surface at any one time. Most preferably, the protrusions are respectively spaced at a minimum angle of 45 degrees with respect to the circumference of the annular member.

Preferably, the annular member is formed from a band of material having interior and exterior surfaces which are substantially flat in the axial direction.

Optionally, a textured surface profile is provided on the interior surface of the annular member for enhancing grip with a finger received therein.

Preferably, the annular member is formed from a resilient material.

Advantageously, the annular member is dimensioned such that it can be readily stretched over any of the fingers on the hand, including the thumb. Preferably, the resilient material is a synthetic rubber material.

Preferably, the surface-engagable protrusions are formed integrally with the annular member.

Preferably, the surface-engagable protrusions are formed from a material having a density that is greater than that of the annular member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided finger-mountable data input apparatus for operatively contacting a surface to be actuated, the apparatus comprising an annular member for receiving a finger and at least one releasably attachable surface-engagable protrusion protruding from a surface of the annular member.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises attachment means to effect the releasable attachment of the or each surface-engagable protrusion.

Advantageously, a user can select the most appropriate surface- engagable protrusion depending upon the type of surface to be actuated without the need to rotate the annular member into an actuating position on the finger. Instead, the interchangeable nature of the surface- engagable protrusions means that a user may simply attach a new protrusion having the most appropriate characteristics in terms of shape and/or size and/or texture.

Preferably, the attachment means is in the form of a passage extending through the annular member. For example, the passage may be dimensioned to be smaller than the cross-sectional width of the surface-engagable protrusion itself such that the protrusion is held in position solely by means of its fhctional engagement with the walls of the passage. Additionally or alternatively, the surface-engagable protrusion may be provided with an enlarged flange or collar portion at its base which either abuts against the interior surface of the annular member (i.e. due to the force applied to it by a finger), or frictionally engages with a correspondingly shaped recess formed in the interior surface of the annular member.

Alternatively, the attachment means is in the form of a recess formed in an external surface of the annular member.

For example, the base of a surface-engagable protrusion may be push- fitted into the recess and retained therein by means of its frictional engagement with the walls of the recess. The base of the surface- engagable protrusion may be enlarged and force-fitted within a correspondingly shaped recess.

Alternatively, the attachment means is in the form of a fastener.

For example, the attachment means may take the form of a stud fastener, its male and female parts being respectively formed on the surface- engagable protrusion and the annular member (or vice-versa), or any other suitable fastening means such as a magnetic fastener.

Preferably, the at least one surface-engagable protrusion is formed from a material of higher density than that of the annular member. Preferably, the at least one surface-engagable protrusion is selectable from a group comprising those formed from a rubber material, those formed from a plastics material and those formed from a metallic material.

Advantageously, since the at least one surface-engagable protrusions may be formed from different types of material, a user is provided with several alternatives to choose from dependent upon: (i) the type of surface to be actuated (i.e. button, touch-screen, surface susceptible to scratching etc.); (ii) the degree of precision required in terms of its contact with a surface (i.e. small surface area of contact); and (iii) and the degree of tactile feedback required (i.e. whether a soft/cushioned or hard contact is to be made with surface).

Preferably, the at least one surface-engagable protrusion is substantially symmetrical about its central longitudinal axis.

Optionally, the at least one surface-engagable protrusion reduces in diameter towards its distal end.

Optionally, the at least one surface-engagable protrusion is substantially conical or frusto-conical.

Advantageously, if a conical or frusto-conical surface-engagable protrusion is sufficiently elongate, it can be utilised as a substitute for a conventional stylus. This is particularly suitable for surfaces requiring a high degree of accuracy in terms of the placement of the protrusion, for example, for small touch-screen surfaces having a high density of micro- switches per unit area. The distal end of the protrusion may be rounded and, provided it has a sufficiently small radius of curvature, the protrusion may still be used as a substitute for a conventional stylus. Optionally, at least one surface-engagable protrusion is provided with a textured surface profile on its distal end.

Advantageously, a protrusion having a textured surface on its distal end enjoys greater traction on the surface of a button or other smooth surface thereby facilitating its actuation as compared to using a smoother stylus- type protrusion.

In order that the present invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 a is a plan view of finger-mountable data input apparatus having two surface-engagable protrusions;

Fig. 1 b is a plan view of finger-mountable data input apparatus having three surface-engagable protrusions;

Fig. 1 c is a plan view of finger-mountable data input apparatus having two surface-engagable protrusions and connection means for connecting the apparatus to a handheld personal electronic device;

Figs. 2a-c each show partial cross-sectional views of a finger-mountable data input apparatus having a detachable/interchangeable surface- engagable protrusion with different attachment means; and

Fig. 3 is a side view of the finger-mountable data input apparatus of Fig. 1 a as worn on the thumb of a user. Fig 1 a shows a plan view of a finger-mountable data input apparatus (10) in the form of an annular member (12) having a notional central axis (14) (coming out of the plane of the paper). It will be appreciated that the figures are not to scale and certain features have been exaggerated for clarity. The annular member (12) is formed from a band of resilient synthetic rubber material having interior and exterior surfaces (16, 18) which are substantially flat in the axial direction. The internal diameter of the annular member (12) is arranged such that it can be readily stretched over any of the fingers on the hand, including the thumb.

The interior surface (16) of the annular member (12) is textured to enhance its grip with a finger received therein. Whilst the illustrated example shows regularly spaced dimples on the interior surface (16), it will be appreciated that other suitable surface features may be employed to enhance fhctional engagement with a finger, for example annular or longitudinal ridges.

Two protrusions (20a, 20b) are provided on the exterior surface (18) of the annular member (12) at opposite ends thereof (i.e. at a spacing of 180 degrees on the circumference of the annular member (12)). In the alternative example of the present invention shown in Fig. 1 b, three equidistantly spaced (i.e. at 120 degree intervals) protrusions (20a, 20b, 20c) are provided on the exterior surface (18) of the annular member (12).

Each protrusion (20a, 20b, 20c) extends away from the exterior surface

(18) in a generally radial direction and is formed integrally with the annular member (12). It is preferable if the synthetic rubber material from which the protrusions are formed has a density which is higher than that of the annular member (12). Each protrusion (20a, 20b, 20c) is substantially symmetrical about its central longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axis (14) of the annular member. In the examples of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 a-c, the respective protrusions (20a, 20b, 20c) each have a different shape. For example, protrusion (20a) is substantially conical but terminates in a rounded distal end suitable for functioning in the same way as a conventional stylus. Meanwhile, protrusion (20b) has an overall rounded profile with a substantially regular radius of curvature over its entire surface. Such a protrusion may be more suitable for surfaces not requiring the same degree of precision in terms of the placement of the protrusion on a surface to be actuated. Finally, protrusion (20c) is provided with a textured surface for enhancement of frictional engagement with a surface to be actuated.

In use, a user can select the most appropriate protrusion (20a, 20b, 20c) depending upon the type of surface to be actuated by rotating the annular member (12) such that the desired protrusion (20a, 20b, 20c) is in an actuating position when worn on a finger. The protrusions are sufficiently spaced such that only one protrusion (20a, 20b, 20c) can engage a surface at any one time. Most preferably, the protrusions are respectively spaced at a minimum angle with respect to the circumference of the annular member of 45 degrees, thus providing a maximum of eight protrusions.

A finger-mountable data input apparatus (10) having two or more surface- engagable protrusions (20a, 20b, 20c) each formed from a different type of material and/or each having a different profile or surface features provides a user with several alternatives to choose from dependent upon: (i) the type of surface to be actuated (i.e. button, touch-screen, surface susceptible to scratching etc.); (ii) the degree of precision required in terms of its contact with a surface (i.e. small surface area of contact); and (iii) and the degree of tactile feedback required (i.e. "soft" or "hard" contact to be made with surface).

Fig. 1 c shows a finger-mountable data input apparatus (10) provided with a connecting means (22) in the form of a loop or ring member. Such a connection means facilitates connection of the finger-mountable data input apparatus (10) to a device with which it is intended to be use, for example a mobile telephone or a games console etc. The connection of the apparatus to such devices may be achieved by an elastic cord or chain. In this way, the apparatus (10) is less likely to be lost and is always conveniently available for use when required.

In an alternative arrangement of the present invention illustrated in Figs 2a-c, attachment means (22) are provided on the annular member (12) for releasable attachment of a discrete surface-engagable protrusion (20) to the annular member (12). The attachment means (22) may take the form of a passage extending through the annular member (12) in a substantially radial direction (see Fig. 2a), the passage being dimensioned to be smaller than the cross-sectional width of the connecting base of the surface-engagable protrusion (20) itself. The base of the protrusion (20) is therefore force-fitted into the passage such that it is held in position solely by means of its frictional engagement with the walls of the passage.

The base of the protrusion (20) may be provided with an enlarged distal end (e.g. bulbous or flanged/collared) at its base which abuts against the interior surface (16) of the annular member (12). Alternatively, the enlarged distal end may be engagable within a correspondingly shaped recess formed in the interior surface (16) of the annular member (18) (not shown). In a further alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 2b, the attachment means may take the form of a recess formed in an external surface of the annular member into which the base of the protrusion (20) may be push- fitted and retained by means of its frictional engagement with the walls of the recess. The base of the protrusion (20) may be enlarged as described above and force-fitted through a reduced diameter opening and housed within a correspondingly shaped recess.

In a further alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 2c, the attachment means may take the form of a suitable fastener, such as a stud fastener. The male and female parts of such a fastener may be formed on the protrusion (20) and the annular member (12) respectively, or vice-versa. Any other suitable fastening means may be used to connect a protrusion (20) to the annular member (12), for example a magnetic fastening arrangement.

In use, a user can select the most appropriate protrusion (20) depending upon the type of surface to be actuated. A finger-mountable data input apparatus (10) having interchangeable surface-engagable protrusions (20) each: (i) of different material types (e.g. synthetic rubber, plastics or metallic materials or combinations thereof); and/or (ii) having different shapes; and/or (iii) having different surface profiles provides a user with several alternatives to choose from dependent upon: (i) the type of surface to be actuated (i.e. button, touch-screen, surface susceptible to scratching etc.); (ii) the degree of precision required in terms of its contact with a surface (i.e. small surface area of contact); and (iii) and the degree of tactile feedback required (i.e. "soft" or "hard" contact to be made with surface). In the context of the present invention, the term "finger" is intended to include each of the five fingers of the human hand, including the thumb. Indeed, in certain circumstances, the present invention is particularly suitable for use on the thumb. For example, the most common means of communication using a handheld electronic device is by SMS text messaging. The increasing sophistication of mobile telephones has led to their use for sending emails, some even being provided with full QWERTY keyboards for this purpose. The alphanumeric keypads or QWERTY keyboards provided on such devices are intended to be operated by one or both thumbs. Similarly, some games consoles having touch-screen displays are intended to be held with both hands and operated using the thumbs.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the finger-mountable data input apparatus can be manufactured in varying sizes and colours.

Claims

1. Finger-mountable data input apparatus for operatively engaging a surface to be actuated, the apparatus comprising an annular member for receiving a finger and a plurality of surface-engagable protrusions protruding from a surface of the annular member.

2. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the surface-engagable protrusions protrude away from a notional central axis of the annular member.

3. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the surface-engagable protrusions protrude radially outwardly with respect to the notional central axis of the annular member.

4. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface-engagable protrusions are circumferentially spaced around the annular member.

5. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the respective surface-engagable protrusions are spaced equidistantly.

6. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the annular member is formed from a band of material having interior and exterior surfaces which are substantially flat in the axial direction.

7. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a textured surface profile is provided on the interior surface of the annular member for enhancing grip with a finger received therein.

8. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the annular member is formed from a resilient material.

9. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the resilient material is a synthetic rubber material.

10. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface-engagable protrusions are formed integrally with the annular member.

11. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface-engagable protrusions are formed from a material having a density that is greater than that of the annular member.

12. Finger-mountable data input apparatus for operatively contacting a surface to be actuated, the apparatus comprising an annular member for receiving a finger and at least one releasably attachable surface- engagable protrusion protruding from a surface of the annular member.

13. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus comprises attachment means to effect the releasable attachment of the or each surface-engagable protrusion.

14. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the attachment means is in the form of a passage extending through the annular member.

15. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the attachment means is in the form of a recess formed in an external surface of the annular member.

16. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the attachment means is in the form of a fastener.

17. Finger -mountable data input apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the at least one surface-engagable protrusion is formed from a material of higher density than that of the annular member.

18. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the at least one surface-engagable protrusion is selectable from a group comprising those formed from a rubber material, those formed from a plastics material and those formed from a metallic material.

19. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 18, wherein the at least one surface-engagable protrusion is substantially symmetrical about its central longitudinal axis.

20. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 19, wherein the at least one surface-engagable protrusion reduces in diameter towards its distal end.

21. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 20, wherein the at least one surface-engagable protrusion is substantially conical or frusto-conical.

22. Finger-mountable data input apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 21 , wherein at least one surface-engagable protrusion is provided with a textured surface profile on its distal end.

23. Finger-mountable data input apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 a-c and 3.

24. Finger-mountable data input apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 2a-c.