Virtual keypad input device

Abstract

A compact input device for fast text input. Ten perimeter regions are defined in a decagon shaped ring on a touch pad, and nine more center regions arranged in a 3 by 3 matrix are defined at the center of the perimeter regions. In alphanumeric mode, each of the ten perimeter regions represents a numeral or a character of the same order, found on a corresponding key of the ten numeric keys, 0 to 9, found on a standard 12-key telephone keypad. All perimeter regions synchronously switch to another group of characters of the same order, in accordance with the direction of a swipe on any of the perimeter regions. A tap on a perimeter region selects the character represented by the region at the moment. In addition, it is capable of operating in a standard 12-key telephone keypad mode, pointing device mode, and symbol mode.

1 . An input device comprising:
 a) a flexible pressure sensitive touchpad;   b) a set of pushbuttons positioned below said touchpad;   c) a collection of software and hardware subsystems in communication with said touchpad and pushbuttons; and   d) a set of instructions defined within the collection of software and hardware subsystems configured to interpret the observation of the movement of a contact point, which is the point of contact of an object on said touchpad, in relation to said touchpad and pushbuttons,   wherein said touchpad captures the movement of said contact point, while said pushbuttons retain a recognizable tactile feedback, and said instructions trigger a signal conditional on the position of said contact point.   
   
   
       2 . Said input device of  claim 1  further comprising a set of regions defined by a set of spatial boundaries, and said pushbuttons are arranged in accordance with said regions. 
   
   
       3 . Said input device of  claim 1  wherein said instructions further require to recognize and interpret:
 a) a mouse down event when said contact point engages with said touchpad;   b) a mouse up event when said contact point disengages with said touchpad;   c) a mouse move event when said contact point moves across said touchpad while maintaining contact;   d) a push down event when said contact point depresses and activates one of said pushbuttons; and   e) a push up event when said contact point is released from is depressed position, which has activated one of said pushbuttons.   
   
   
       4 . Said input device of  claim 3  wherein said instructions further require to treat said mouse down and push down events the same. 
   
   
       5 . Said input device of  claim 3  wherein said instructions further require to treat said mouse down and push down events differently. 
   
   
       6 . Said input device of  claim 3  wherein said instructions further require to treat said mouse up and push up events the same. 
   
   
       7 . Said input device of  claim 3  wherein said instructions further require to treat said mouse up and push up events differently. 
   
   
       8 . Said input device of  claim 1  further comprising a set of regions defined by a set of spatial boundaries, wherein said instructions trigger a signal conditional on said contact point traversing one of said spatial boundaries.