Abstract: A handheld electronic communication device features an optically based user input device and navigation tool. In one embodiment, the optically based user input device features a translucent domed lens and a light source to illuminate a user's finger as the user slides his finger over the domed lens. In another embodiment, the optically based user input device features a translucent ball that the user rotates. In both embodiments, optical means are used to measure movement of the user's finger and translate that movement into a navigational command to the handheld electronic communication device. The optically based user input device is further configured such that an entry command is entered by depressing the optically based user input device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a base segment, a sliding segment, and an input module. The base segment defines more than one indicator. The sliding segment is slidably connected to the base segment and defines a pointer operable to align with an indicator. The input module includes a first magnet, a second magnet, and a sensor. The first magnet is received in the base segment. The second magnet is fixed to the sliding segment to align with the first magnet, and is configured for applying a magnetic force to the first magnet. The sensor is connected to the first magnet to sense the magnetic force and convert the magnetic force into a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal is inputted to the electronic device.

Abstract: When a directional event is triggered, enable the directional event and start to time a first time period, and disable any select event triggered within the first time period. When a select event is triggered, start to time a second time period. If a directional event is triggered within the second time period, disable the select event and enable the directional event. If no directional event is triggered within the second time period, enable the select event. Thus the false trigger of a select event would not enable an unwanted event.

Abstract: A display device includes a processor, a memory, an interface and a keypad. The keypad, separably connected to the interface, includes a signal generator. When the display device is connected to a power source, the processor sends a first signal to the interface. The signal generator generates a second signal in response to the first signal. The processor determines whether the second signal is correct based on data stored in the memory. If yes, the display device may be activated. A method for activating the display device via the separable keypad comprises the steps of: connecting the display device to the power source; the display device sending the first signal to the interface; determining whether the second signal is correct; and if yes, activating the display device.

Abstract: Provided is an image display apparatus which includes a display unit that displays a series of images obtained by imaging an inside of a subject in time sequence, and displays a specific area with a predetermined size; and an input unit having an input button group for performing a display operation of the images. The apparatus also includes a control unit that performs a control so that an operation mode is set to a button operation mode for performing the display operation of the images with a button operation of the input unit when a cursor on a display screen is in the specific area, and the operation mode is set to a cursor operation mode for performing the display operation of the images corresponding to at least a position on the display screen and a position of the cursor when the cursor is out of the specific area.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband assembly is provided. The assembly includes a non-conductive tapered core having a conductive wire wound on an outer surface of the non-conductive tapered core, a low-frequency inductor coupled to the non-conductive tapered core via the distal end of the conductive wire and configured to allow mounting of the non-conductive tapered core at an angle with respect to the circuit board. The low frequency inductor is being disposed on a dielectric board configured to be coupled to the circuit board. The assembly includes an ultra-wideband capacitor coupled to the non-conductive tapered core via the proximate end of the conductive wire, the ultra-wideband capacitor being also coupled to the transmission line on the dielectric board.

Abstract: Disclosed are a key sheet for a pointing device and a pointing device using a magnet compact in terms of both magnetic force and size to allow a reduction in thickness. Between a pusher (14f) opposed to a contact input portion (E) of a board (P) and a magnet (11) fixed to a base sheet (14) at an outside position around the pusher (14f) as a center so as to be away from a key top (15), there is provided an elastic flexible portion (14d) allowing displacement in a depressing direction through depression of the key top (15) toward the contact input portion (E). As a result, it is possible to perform depressing operation on the key top (15), with the magnet (11) being provided on the base sheet (14), making it possible to perform switch input, such as confirmation input.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus and method for a three-dimensional graphical user interface are provided. The apparatus includes an input unit that has a plurality of trackballs, in a space containing a certain plane and an-axis crossing the plane at a right angle, for navigation in a direction of the plane and the-axis, a detecting unit that detects a combination of the plurality of trackball movements and generates an input signal, a mapping table that defines the relationship between the input signal and the command for the navigation, and a graphics object control unit that performs the navigation corresponding to the input signal.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided which can reduce its size and height, reduce leakage magnetic flux density to the outside. Magnetic sensors are disposed symmetrically two by two on X and Y axes on a printed circuit board. A silicone resin is placed on the printed circuit board, and an internally and externally unipolarly magnetized ring-like magnet is placed near the center of the magnetic sensors. The printed circuit board and silicone resin are not bonded. The silicone resin is easily deformed by applying external force, and returns to its initial state without the external force as soon as the external force is removed. The ring-like magnet is configured to move approximately in parallel to the surface of the printed circuit board. The variations in the ambient magnetic flux density produced by the movement of the ring-like magnet are detected by the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a pointer, such as changing between a pointer mode for activating the pointer and a search key mode for deactivating the pointer, in a mobile terminal having a pointing device. The method of controlling a pointer includes detecting movement input by the pointing device; identifying whether the detected movement satisfies a condition of changing a display mode; if the detected movement satisfies a condition of changing a display mode, displaying the pointer by changing the current display mode to a pointer mode; identifying whether a specific key is input; and if the specific key is input, hiding the pointer by changing the current display mode to a search key mode. Additionally, if elapsed time measured after displaying the pointer exceeds a predetermined value, the display mode of the mobile terminal may automatically be changed to a search key mode.

Abstract: A method for changing a value displayed on a screen is provided. In response to receiving a user input indicating motion in a particular direction, changing the value independent of where the position of a cursor is on the screen. The value being changed may comprise of a series of segments, and each segment value can be changed individually. In addition, a different user input device that does not indicate motion in a particular direction may be used to change segment values and to select other segment values. Methods for automatically formatting a segmented values and calculating a base time rate based on two different frame rates are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for the interactive display floor with multi-touch surround surfaces that is integrated with an interactive computer system. There is provided a system comprising an interactive video floor, a sensitized peripheral surface, an interactive computer and video system. When the user makes contact with sensitized peripheral surface, digital input data is transmitted to interactive computer. After analyzing the digital input data, the interactive computer sends digital output data back to interactive video floor through video system, and back to sensitized peripheral surface. The interactive video floor redisplays its graphics based on the content of the digital output data, and the sensitized peripheral surface reconfigures itself with respect to the information within digital output data.

Abstract: A data input device and a display layout method for the same, which permit quickly laying out plural display keys for inputting data by touching these keys. The location of a base key, the spaces between adjacent keys other than the base key and a key alignment parameter for the set/release of the base key are appropriately changeably set, and plural keys are displayed on the display screen. From these keys a base key is selected by the touch, the location of the base key is determined, and other keys in groups related to the base key are laid out at predetermined distances by touching them.

Abstract: User interface control using a keyboard is described. In an embodiment, a user interface displayed on a display device is controlled using a computer connected to a keyboard. The keyboard has a plurality of alphanumeric keys that can be used for text entry. The computer receives data comprising a sequence of key-presses from the keyboard, and generates for each key-press a physical location on the keyboard. The relative physical locations of the key-presses are compared to calculate a movement path over the keyboard. The movement path describes the path of a user's digit over the keyboard. The movement path is mapped to a sequence of coordinates in the user interface, and the movement of an object displayed in the user interface is controlled in accordance with the sequence of coordinates.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes: a casing; and an operating module exposed on an external surface of the casing at a nearer side than a keyboard in a depth direction of the casing, the operating module including a pointer operating module receiving an operation to move a pointer on a screen, a first click operating module receiving a click operation associated with a position of the pointer, and a second click operating module receiving a click operation associated with the position of the pointer, wherein among the pointer operating module, and the first and second click operating modules, the pointer operating module is t a nearest side in the depth direction, the first click operating module is at a farther side than the pointer operating module, and the second click operating module is at a farther side than the first click operating module in the depth direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a PoC portable terminal capable of performing edit and information addition on a display screen on which screen information relating to a group telephone conversation is displayed. When a push button of a key operation part 15 is pushed down, a portable terminal 1 becomes a master side. The portable terminal 1 displays pointer information of a marker, which is outputted by a pointing device part 18, on a display part 16. The portable terminal 1 transmits the pointer information from a radio part 14 to a PoC server. The PoC server sends the pointer information from the portable terminal 1 to other users' portable terminals in a group. If the pointer is moved, then the portable terminal 1 as a master side repeats the aforementioned processes.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a directionality judging method for an operation key in a direction detecting switch, capable of detecting a key operation in any direction; and superior as the cursor can be freely moved by one operation key.

Abstract: In an input device, a control element is operated by a user; a pressure sensor is mechanically coupled to the control element and is provided with a monolithic body of semiconductor material housing a first sensitive element, which detects an actuation of the control element; a supporting element is connected to the pressure sensor; and connection elements electrically connect the monolithic body to the supporting element without interposition of a package. In particular, the monolithic body has electrical-contact areas carried by one main surface thereof, and the printed circuit board has conductive regions carried by a main face thereof; the connection elements are conductive bumps and electrically connect the electrical-contact areas to the conductive regions.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a position determining mechanism and a control mechanism that has a field of motion associated therewith. The control mechanism can be an object a user moves with his or her finger or it can be the user's finger that he or she moves over a surface. The pointing device is used to control a selection box shown on a display screen. The pointing device can operate in one or more different modes when emulating wheel-style navigation, rocker-style navigation, or both wheel and rocker-style navigation.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a sense electrode structure and a displaceable member. The sense electrode structure includes an arrangement of peripheral sense electrodes in a peripheral region surrounding a central sense electrode. The displaceable member is movable in an operational zone over the sense electrode structure. The displaceable member includes a target electrode facing the sense electrodes and overlapping at least a respective portion of the central sense electrode in each position of the displaceable member in the operational zone.

Abstract: Provided is an input device, the operability of which can be VEHICLE improved by enabling efficient character input and function execution. A main controller (121) generates character codes corresponding to a plurality of different character types assigned to a character input key (14) that has been pressed down. The generated character codes of the different character types are stored in a RAM (121b) and each of the character codes read from the RAM (121b) is converted to each character code by a character generator ROM (117a). The converted character codes of the different character types are displayed on the same screen of a display (21).

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a hand held controller adapted to communicate with at least one item of process equipment. The controller communicates to an operator through a screen using at least one graphical image. The operator uses the image to assess at least one operational parameter of the equipment. The operator may manipulate the controller to alter the parameter of the equipment.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a direction detecting switch which can detect a key operation in every directions of 360 degree, can obtain an accurate click feeling, and can also detect a strength or a speed of the key operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for inputting characters and method thereof are disclosed, by which a character can be inputted at high speed in a manner of implementing a new character set and by which a character can be inputted at high speed using a new character set and a rotatable moving key. The present invention includes an input unit comprising a plurality of roller type keys, each generating a rotation-associated keying signal or a pressing-associated keying signal and a plurality of selection keys, each generating the pressing-associated keying signal and a controller performing a character set search by a character set unit according to the rotation-associated keying signal, the controller performing a character input according to the pressing-associated keying signal.

Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer running an application program and generating a graphical image and a graphical object, comprises a user manipuatable object in, communication with the computer, a sensor to detect a manipulation of the object, the sensor providing a signal to the computer to control the graphical image, and an actuator adapted to provide a haptic sensation to the palm of the user in relation to an interaction between the graphical image, and the graphical object, the actuator comprising a member that is deformable to provide the haptic sensation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method of mapping a layout of a keyboard onto a keypad in an electronic device. The method comprises: providing a map of a keyboard layout as a collection of segments including a left column of segments and a right column of segments onto the keypad; providing a navigation system having programmable keys in the keypad for moving through the keyboard layout; and associating a set of characters in one segment of the segments to the programmable keys based on a signal received from the navigation system and a current mapping of the collection of segments to the programmable keys. The navigation system has: a left set of directional keys providing navigation controls for the programmable keys when the set of characters are from the left column of segments; and a right set of directional keys providing navigation controls for the programmable keys when the set of characters are from the right column of segments.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which enables a pointer to move a long distance on a screen at a time is provided. The present invention comprises an operation means equipped with a plurality of keys, a display means which displays a pointer for indicating a position on a screen, and a control means which divides at least part of the screen of the display means into a plurality of areas corresponding to plurality of keys, and when either key among plurality of keys is selected in order to move the pointer, moves the pointer to the area corresponding to the selected key and makes a display means perform a display highlighting the pointer.

Abstract: A slide operation apparatus capable of preventing damages to a movement guide for slidably supporting a movable member, without increasing the weight and length thereof. The movable member (70) is disposed for sliding motion relative to guide bars (78, 79). Usually, a protrusion (70a) of the movable member is apart from a bottom portion (11) of a casing (10) with a spacing, and engaging protrusions (76, 77) of the movable member is apart from a rail portion (18) of the casing with a spacing. When the movable member is displaced by being applied with a force in a direction different from a direction in which the guide bars extend, an excessive displacement of the movable member is restricted by the contact between the protrusion and the bottom plate portion or between the rail portion and the engaging protrusions.

Abstract: A user input device utilizes a self-centering flat spring to allow a user interface structure of the device to be manipulated by a user and to return the user interface structure back to its initial position.

Abstract: The Invention relates to a computer input pointing device which comprises its casing (2), an upper movable steering element (3), steering element's movement detector (5a), and the system transmitting information about such movement to the computer. Such device is applicable especially in portable computers. To enhance ergonomics and the precision of steering element (3) movement as well as the comfort of its control, the steering element is supported by a bearing (21a) in the casing (2), with the possibility of two dimensional spherical movement, while the center of the spherical surface (4) defined by the movement of the steering element (3) in relation to the bearing is situated above the largest horizontal secant surface of the steering element (3).

Abstract: Acceleration data which is output from an acceleration sensor is obtained. A rotation motion of an input device around a predetermined direction as a rotation axis is determined by comparing a start point in a two-dimensional coordinate system which is represented by the first acceleration data obtained in a predetermined period, and an end point in the two-dimensional coordinate system which is represented by the last acceleration data obtained in the predetermined period. Coordinate axes of the two-dimensional coordinate system are defined based on components of the two axial directions of the acceleration data, and an origin of the two-dimensional coordinate system represents a value of the acceleration data in the state where no acceleration including the acceleration of gravity acts upon the acceleration sensor. Motion data including at least the determined rotation motion is output.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to an optical displacement sensor for sensing movement of a data input device across a surface by determining displacement of optical features in a succession of frames. The sensor includes at least an illuminator, telecentric imaging optics on the object (scattering surface) side, and an array of photosensitive elements. The illuminator is configured to illuminate a portion of the surface. The telecentric imaging optics is configured to image the optical features emanating from the illuminated portion of the surface, and the array of photosensitive elements is configured to detect intensity data relating to the optical features imaged by the telecentric imaging optics. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A first microcontroller running an application with input-output is coupled through a serial communication channel to a second microcontroller running a human interface display and keyboard. The aforementioned first microcontroller sends a C-language printf( )-like format string and raw binary data variables to the aforementioned second microcontroller, which converts this data into ASCII character strings, which it displays. This second microcontroller, responsive to keyboard activity, edits the ASCII character strings, and sends updated raw binary data over the serial communication channel to the aforementioned first microcontroller, which rewrites this raw binary data in its memory. This apparatus reduces the size of the application's program memory.

Abstract: An apparatus that can be used as a mouse device and as a pen device. The apparatus has modular configuration. It has four types of units: a sensor unit, a processor unit, a mouse converter unit and a pen attachment unit. The sensor unit may use an optical arrangement for detecting relative motion. The sensor unit and processor unit are used in mouse and pen device configurations. Mouse converter unit is a mouse-shape enclosure useful mainly when apparatus is employed for mouse-input. Pen attachment unit is actively employed when the apparatus is used as a pen device, but it can be made compact to fit into mouse converter unit when the apparatus is used as a mouse device. The pen attachment unit connects the sensor unit with any pen-shaped object, selectively coupling the motion of the object with the sensor unit. When the apparatus is used as a pen-device, the processor unit can be conveniently worn on hand thereby making the device highly portable.

Abstract: A mobile terminal is provided for use in a wireless communication system. The mobile terminal comprising a housing having an opening and a selective input device. The selective input device includes a hub secured in the opening in the housing such that at least a portion of the periphery of the hub extends from the housing. A capacitance layer is integral with the periphery of the hub. A resilient ring is movably disposed on the periphery of the hub and operatively connected with the capacitance layer for generating signals when the ring is moved relative to the hub. A controller is operably connected to the input device for receiving and processing the signals.

Abstract: A display device having a puck, a display screen, and a controller is disclosed. The puck moves in a puck field of motion on a surface, the field of motion being divided into a pointing region and a function region. The controller determines a position of the puck within the field of motion. The display screen has first and second display modes, the display screen displaying a two-dimensional scene in the first display mode and a sub-scene of the two-dimensional scene in the second display mode. A cursor that moves within the sub-scene in a manner controlled by the puck position in the pointing region is displayed in the second mode. The controller causes the display scene to change between modes when the puck moves between regions. The sub-scene position moves in response to the position of the puck in the function region in the first display mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an electrical device, the apparatus comprising: a touch module for sensing user input and generating a touch signal and a press signal; at least one switch assembly for accepting the press signal and generating a selection signal; and a processing module for receiving the touch signal and the selection signal and for generating a processed signal for controlling the electrical device, the processed signal comprising at least one television control signal.

Abstract: A pointing device that can be operated to move an operational object on a display screen in any direction comprises a control unit for changing an operation mode of the pointing device according to contents displayed on the display screen and, further, a mobile telephone comprises such a pointing device.

Abstract: Ergonomic keyboards incorporating cursor control or scrolling devices where they can be operated with minimal movement of the hands from the home row. The keyboards are peripheral keyboards or are part of a notebook computer or kiosk. Cursor control and scrolling devices are incorporated among the letter and number keys of the keyboard or in the front side of the keyboard housing. Included are keyboards where a graphical pointing device and the mouse buttons associated with it are in different planes, one on the top side of a keyboard housing, the other in the housing's front side. Some ergonomic keyboards incorporate multiple cursor control and scrolling devices. Improved cursor control devices increase the ergonomics of the keyboards. These improvements include improved arrangements and forms of mouse buttons and stick-type cursor control devices that operate as four-way navigation devices.

Abstract: A system and method of selecting a character for display in a communication device having a display and a reduced-key keyboard is provided. One of the plurality of keys on the reduced-key keyboard is selected and a default letter associated with the selected key is displayed. A backspace key is selected to display a cursor in the position of the character on the display. The key associated with the default character is selected again and an alternate character associated with the selected key is displayed in place of the default letter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a character input device. The character input device includes a first directional input unit (10) provided such that first directional input, which is performed through selection of one from among a plurality of first direction indication locations, arranged radially around a reference location and spaced apart from one another, can be performed. Second directional input units (50) are provided such that second directional input, which is performed through selection of one from among a plurality of second direction indication locations, arranged radially outside the first directional input unit and spaced apart from one another, can be performed. A first directional input detection unit (61) detects the first directional input. A second directional input detection unit (65) detects each second directional input. A control unit is configured to extract and input character codes assigned to the first and second direction indication locations.

Abstract: A radio frequency pointing device used for controlling a computer pointer/cursor. The device is a glove that has a pointing device mounted on the index finger of the glove, the device communicates with a computer via radio frequency transmissions. The device has ergonomically positioned switches and touch scroll sensors thereon. The device does not need a surface to control the movement of a computer pointer/cursor. A pair of gloves can be used simultaneously to provide the user of the gloves the ability to multitask by using two pointers.

Abstract: A displaceable member moves in an operational zone over a sense system that includes a spatial arrangement of sense electrodes and at least one drive electrode. A conductive coupling element of the displaceable member capacitively couples signals from the at least one drive electrode to ones of the sense electrodes underlying the conductive coupling element. A measurement system generates measurement signals indicating amounts of overlap between the conductive coupling element and ones of the sense electrodes. A processing system produces from the measurement signals an output signal with information conveying motion measures corresponding to absolute positions of the conductive coupling element in the operational zone. At least one regional sense electrode may include discrete electrically conducting sensing elements distributed across a respective region of the operational zone.

Abstract: A mobile device includes at least one application and a user-controllable pivoting input switch. This application has a number of selectable items. This switch has a number of operational modes. Several of these operational modes direct the operation of the application to determine a current item according to an order.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a base surface. The pointing device includes a moveable puck confined to move over the base surface within a puck field of motion. The pointing device includes a position detector for identifying a position of the puck. The pointing device includes a first light source for providing visible light through the puck.

Abstract: A character entry method and apparatus in a terminal in which characters are grouped into a plurality of character sets and a representative character of each of the character sets is imprinted on a respective key are provided. In the character entry method, when a key imprinted with a representative character is pressed, characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character are displayed. When a directional key is pressed, the number or duration of key presses of the directional key is counted or measured. A character corresponding to the number or duration of key presses is selected among the displayed characters and entered.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optical imaging based computer pointing, including optical imaging based pointing motion and button functionality. Optical image motion information is translated to a computer pointing device data format, and one or more patterns, sequences, or combinations of optical image information are translated to one or more corresponding pointing device button select indications in the pointing device data format.

Abstract: Information elements such as alphanumeric characters are input into a small computing device having little or no keyboard by operating with a predetermined number of strokes on a multi-directional input key, such as a joystick, input button or pointing button. Each direction of movement of the input key provides a input choice for a user allowing the user to make a sequence of choices through a hierarchy of selectable information elements. The sequence of strokes in the predetermined number of strokes is detected to identify the information element selected. A display provides information to the user indicating the information elements or characters available and the pattern of strokes to select a particular character. In some implementations of the invention the entire key stroke pattern is displayed. In other implementations of the invention, the display provides guidance before each stroke to indicate the key stroke choices available to select subsets of the information elements.

Abstract: A pointing device having a puck sub-assembly and a base sub-assembly is disclosed. The puck sub-assembly includes a moveable puck having a user sensor that detects the interaction of a user and the puck. The puck is confined to move within a puck field of motion. The puck sub-assembly includes a support member having an opening therein that determines a boundary for the puck field of motion. The base sub-assembly includes a base surface over which the puck moves, a position detector that measures the position of the puck in the puck field of motion, and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism connects the base sub-assembly to the puck sub-assembly such that the puck sub-assembly is easily removed. The base surface is accessible when the puck sub-assembly is separated from the base assembly. The puck sub-assembly can also include a restoring mechanism that returns the puck to a predetermined area.

Abstract: This invention discloses an interactive sequential system to input letters of the English alphabet and of many world languages, numbers, punctuation marks and many other symbols on keypads with few buttons. The invention includes a device for receiving input characters from a user, having a keypad with a plurality of keys arranged in rows and columns forming a keypad array; a display screen showing a plurality of character sets arranged in rows and columns forming a character set onscreen array wherein each element in the character set array is mapped to each element in the keypad array; and a processor for receiving a selection of one of the plurality of keys on the keypad to designate a character set by its corresponding location coordinate as mapped on the keypad array. Sequential key selection drills down through nested arrays.