Abstract: A miniature keyboard optimized for use by older persons and the visually impaired is described. In order to quickly learn to use a miniature keyboard on a mobile phone, the present invention highlights a miniature keyboard's most frequently used characters for text messaging, including the alphabetical characters and the space. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the alphabetical character keys and the space key are grouped together and distinguishable from the miniature keyboard's other keys by contrasting color or shade. In addition, to avoid confusion and clutter, and to maximize the size of the letters imprinted on the alphabetical keys, no other character is imprinted on the top surface of any alphabetical key. The group of alphabetical keys and the space key is symmetrically centered on the keyboard, making it easier to locate said keys and to reduce the risk of a repetitive strain injury.

Abstract: A hand held gaming and data entry system (100, 100′, 100″) has an ergonomic housing (102) including thumb operated controls (104) which generate a first set of electrical signals, and finger operated controls (106, 106′) which generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently. The first set of electrical signals and second set of electrical signals define all of the lower case alphabetic characters of an alphabet, such being generated without the user having to remove a finger or thumb from a HOME switch operator or switch grouping.

Abstract: A hand grippable combined keyboard and game controller system (100, 100′) includes a pair of housings (102 and 104). One housing (102) is provided with a first surface portion which carries a group of first control switches (114) and a hand grip portion (110) which carries a group of third control switches (118). The other housing (104) includes a first surface portion (108) which carries a group of second control switches (116) and a hand grippable portion (112) which carries a group of fourth control switches (120). The signals from the groups of first control switches (114), second control switches (116), third control switches (118), and fourth control switches (120) define all of the lowercase alphabetic characters of an alphabet, which signals are generated without the use of chording.

Abstract: A hand held data entry system (100, 100′) has an ergonomic housing (102) including upper surface controls (104) which generate a first set of electrical signals, and lower surface controls (106) which generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently. The first set of electrical signals and second set of electrical signals define all of the lower case alphabetic characters of an alphabet, such being generated without the user having to remove a finger or thumb from a HOME switch operator or grouping. Each side of the housing (102) is provided with a recess (120) for contiguous contact with a first dorsal interosseous portion of the user's hands, providing support for housing (102) while the user's fingers and thumbs operate the switch operators which make up the upper surface controls (104) and the lower surface controls (106).