Computer input device with individually positionable and programmable input members

Abstract

A configurable computer input device. A base is operable to generate and detect a radio frequency carrier signal. A plurality independently positionable input members are each operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base and individually operable to modulate the carrier signal responsive to its identity and status.

1 . A configurable computer input device, comprising: 
 a base operable to generate and detect a radio frequency carrier signal; and    a plurality of independently positionable input members each operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base and individually operable to modulate the carrier signal responsive to its identity and status.    
   
   
       2 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein input members modulate the carrier signal through inductive backscattering.  
   
   
       3 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one computer input function is assignable to activation of at least one of the input members.  
   
   
       4 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members is positionable in an infinite number of positions on the base.  
   
   
       5 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members comprises memory operable to store an input function assigned to activation of the input member.  
   
   
       6 . The computer input device according to  claim 5 , wherein the input member memory stores at least one of strings of characters, macro sequences, executable programs, scripts, application plug-ins, user identity data, passwords, advertising information, electronic images, and a scan code that corresponds to an input function.  
   
   
       7 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises memory operable to store an input function assigned to activation of the input member.  
   
   
       8 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein an input function assigned to activation of at least one of the input members is stored in the host computer.  
   
   
       9 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members comprises a coil, an RFID chip, and a switch circuit connecting the coil and the RFID chip.  
   
   
       10 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members comprises an electromechanical element, a coil, and a microprocessor connected to the electromechanical element and the coil.  
   
   
       11 . The computer input device according to  claim 10 , wherein electromechanical element comprises output members connected to digital input pins of the microprocessor.  
   
   
       12 . The computer input device according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the input members comprises an analog input member, a microprocessor and an analog to digital converter means.  
   
   
       13 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members comprises at least one antenna operable to receive power and carry out base-to-input member and input member-to-base communication.  
   
   
       14 . The computer input device according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the input members comprises a first antenna operable to receive power, a second antenna operable to carry out base-to-input member communication and a third antenna operable to carry out input member-to-base communication.  
   
   
       15 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members comprises a tuned coil operative to receive power and communicate with the base.  
   
   
       16 . The computer input device according to  claim 15 , wherein inductance and capacitance of a circuit comprising the coil produces a naturally resonant circuit.  
   
   
       17 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members comprises a tuning capacitor.  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . The computer input device according to  claim 18 , wherein the base comprises a multiple object, multiple-protocol anticollision algorithm.  
   
   
       20 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is operable to selectively interrogate the input members.  
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members is operable to only transmit its status in response to interrogation by the base.  
   
   
       23 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a wired or wireless connection for communication with a host computer.    
   
   
       24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein a status of at least one of the input members is initialized upon being operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base.  
   
   
       26 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a cover on which the input members are each independently positionable.  
   
   
       27 . The computer input device according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the input members is independently positionable in an infinite number of locations on the cover.  
   
   
       28 . The computer input device according to  claim 26 , wherein the cover is removable.  
   
   
       29 . The computer input device according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the cover and the base comprises at least one attachment element operable to removably secure the cover to the base.  
   
   
       30 . The computer input device according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the input members is attached to the cover with a reusable adhesive.  
   
   
       31 . The computer input device according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the input members is independently removably attachable to the cover.  
   
   
       32 . The computer input device according to  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a template operable to indicate at least one of positions and functions for the input members.    
   
   
       33 . The computer input device according to  claim 32 , wherein at lease one of the cover and the template comprises an RFID circuit.  
   
   
       34 . The computer input device according to  claim 32 , wherein at least one of the base and the template is operable to modulate the carrier signal.  
   
   
       35 . The computer input device according to  claim 26 , wherein the cover comprises a template operable to indicate at least one of positions and functions for the input members.  
   
   
       36 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input devices is independently repositionable.  
   
   
       37 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members is independently removably attachable to the base.  
   
   
       38 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one antenna operable to transmit and receive the carrier signal.  
   
   
       39 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is arranged on a keyboard housing.  
   
   
       40 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members is removably positionable in an infinite number of locations on the base.  
   
   
       41 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the input members are selected from the group comprising keys, buttons, button pads, key pads, thumb pads, joysticks, sliders, dials, trackpads and jog/shuttle wheels.  
   
   
       42 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the input members is inductively powered by the carrier signal.  
   
   
       43 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one the input members is powered by a power source included in each input member.  
   
   
       44 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is operable to record computer input functions to be assigned to activation of the input members.  
   
   
       45 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is operable to launch a configuration program on a host computer.  
   
   
       46 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one input members is independently positionable in a plurality of discrete positions.  
   
   
       47 . The computer input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is operatively connectable to a host computer.  
   
   
       48 . A computer system, comprising: 
 a host computer;    an input device comprising a base operable to generate and detect a radio frequency carrier signal, the base being operatively connected to a host computer and a plurality of independently positionable input members each operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base and individually operable to modulate the carrier signal responsive to its identity and status.    
   
   
       49 . A configurable computer input device, comprising: 
 a base operable to generate and detect a radio frequency carrier signal; and    at least one independently positionable input member operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base and individually operable to modulate the carrier signal responsive to its identity and status.