Thumb actuated X-Y input device

Abstract

Various x-y input devices are disclosed that are adapted to allow a user to hold and operate the input device with a stress-reducing, open grip posture with the thumb pointing forward and on top of the device. One preferred embodiment discloses an input device for a computer comprising an x-y input sensor (such as a touchpad) positioned perpendicular to the thumb such that the user provides input with the thumb tip by using pivotal movement of the thumb. Various stress-reducing zero force touch switches are disclosed including zero force touch switches that can be adjusted to accommodate variations in user finger length. The mode of x-y cursor control can be altered through the use of x-y input sensor perimeter inputs. One preferred embodiment discloses a thumb actuated scroll select touch switch that alters the response to actuation of the finger actuated zero force touch switches from mouse button input to scroll wheel input. A unique fin-shaped feature of one preferred embodiment stabilizes the device within the relaxed hand and adapts the device to fit a range of user hand sizes.

1. An input device adapted for receiving an x-y input and input from at least one input actuator on the input device; the input device comprising:
 a) a housing adapted for use independent of any solid surface beyond the user's hand;  
 b) the housing comprising a main body section with a long axis substantially parallel to a line in the body of a user grasping the pointing device running through the forearm of the user to the tip of the user's extended thumb;  
 c) the housing further comprising a platform for containment of an x-y input device, the platform placed to be protruding outward from and substantially perpendicular to and slightly skewed to one side of the long axis of the main body section;  
 d) the housing having a channel for placement of the user's index finger;  
 e) the housing having a channel for placement of the user's middle finger;  
 f) the channels positioned to place the user's index and middle fingers below and substantially orthogonal to the orientation of the user's thumb while the user is grasping the device;  
 g) an input actuator being integrally formed into a recessed portion of at least one of the channels; and  
 h) an x-y input sensor placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist, such that the x-y input is provided to the x-y input sensor by movements of the thumb primarily comprised of circumduction of the thumb's basal joint.  
 
     
     
       2. The input device of  claim 1  wherein the x-y input is provided by the thumb tip of the user. 
     
     
       3. The input device of  claim 2  wherein the x-y input from the user's thumb tip is provided to a touchpad. 
     
     
       4. The input device of  claim 3  wherein the touchpad may be tilted through use of at least one tilt adjustment screw. 
     
     
       5. The input device of  claim 2  wherein the device senses the thumb tip at a perimeter input position and communicates to software the user's request for x-y movement of the object image under software control until the user's thumb tip cases to be detected at the perimeter position. 
     
     
       6. The input device of  claim 2  wherein the x-y input from the user's thumb tip is provided to a touchpad and a set of perimeter input position commands are actuated by pressing tactile cursor movement buttons adjacent to the touchpad. 
     
     
       7. The input device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the input actuators comprises a zero force touch switch to receive mouse-button inputs. 
     
     
       8. The input device of  claim 7  wherein the zero force touch switch detects contact of the user's finger. 
     
     
       9. The input device of  claim 7  wherein the zero force touch switch detects the interruption of a beam of light. 
     
     
       10. The input device of  claim 1  wherein the input actuator integrally formed in the recessed portion of the at least one channel further comprises:
 a beam of light that travels between an emitter and a detector and  detector, and 
 an adjustment means for adjusting the placement of the emitter and detector pair along a path substantially perpendicular with the finger channel to allow adjustment of the activation position of the input actuator to accommodate variations in finger length.  
 
     
     
       11. The input device of  claim 10  wherein the placement of the beam of light can be adjusted to accommodate a range of finger lengths via input to an adjustment screw. 
     
     
       12. The input device of  claim 1  wherein the placement of a beam of light for an input actuator actuated by the use's  user's index finger and the placement of a beam of light for an input actuator actuated by the user's middle finger are both adjusted by a common adjustment means for adjusting the placement of the beams of light. 
     
     
       13. The input device of  claim 1  wherein the x-y input from the user's thumb is provided to a track ball. 
     
     
       14. The input device of  claim 1  wherein the input actuator being integrally formed into a recessed portion of at least one of the channels is a zero force touch switch comprising a conductive capacitive sensing plate. 
     
     
       15. An input device adapted for receiving an x-y input and input from at least one input actuator on the input device; the input device comprising:
 a) a housing adapted for use independent of any solid surface beyond the user's hand;  
 b) the housing comprising a main body section with a long axis substantially parallel to a line in the body of a user grasping the pointing device running through the forearm of the user to the tip of the user's extended thumb;  
 c) the housing further comprising a platform for containment of an x-y input device, the platform placed to be protruding outward from and substantially perpendicular to and slightly skewed to one side of the long axis of the main body section;  
 d) the housing having a first input actuator for engagement with the user's index finger;  
 e) the housing having a second input actuator for engagement with the user's middle finger;  
 f) the first and second input actuators positioned on a housing face in positions adapted to place the user's index and middle fingers substantially orthogonal to the orientation of the user's thumb while the user is gasping  grasping the device with both the index and middle fingers positioned to allow input from the fingers to the first and second input actuators, and placing the tips of the user's index and middle fingers on the other side of the device from the user's thumb; and  
 g) an x-y input sensor placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist, such that the x-y input is provided to the x-y input sensor by movements of the thumb.  
 
     
     
       16. The input of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a) a scroll-mode select touch switch positioned to be actuated by a movement of the thumb; and  
 b) control logic to interpret the input from the scroll-mode select touch switch and the first input actuator wherein the control logic interprets the activation of the first input actuator after the onset of a maintained activation of the scroll-mode select touch switch as a request for continued scrolling of a displayed image on the computer's image display for as long as both the scroll-mode select touch switch and the first input actuator are activated.  
 
     
     
       17. The input device of  claim 16  wherein the first input actuator is a zero force touch switch. 
     
     
       18. The input device of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a) a scroll-mode select touch switch positioned to be actuated by a movement of the thumb to toggle the operation of the x-y input sensor from a first mode to a second mode; and  
 b) control logic to interpret the input from the scroll-mode select touch switch and the first input actuator wherein the control logic interprets the input to the scroll-mode touch switch as a request to toggle the operation of the control logic from a first mode to a second mode and while operating in the second mode, the control logic interprets input to the first input actuator as a request for continued scrolling of a displayed image on the computer's image display for as long as the first input actuator remains activated.  
 
     
     
       19. The input device of  claim 18  wherein the first input actuator is a zero force touch switch. 
     
     
       20. An input device for receiving an x-y input from a user's thumb, comprising:
 a housing having an upper surface shaped for supporting a user's thumb thereon in a position substantially coextensive with a user's forearm corresponding to the user's thumb;  
 a fin extending upward from said housing along a direction substantially parallel to the forearm of a user holding the input device in a manner for being used, said fin located for supporting a user's thumb at the region at which it connects to the hand;  
 at least one input actuator for receiving x-y input, the input actuator extending substantially perpendicularly upward from said housing at a location allowing a user's thumb to contact and to move in contact along the input actuator's surface without undesirable flexural motion of the thumb at the thumb's interphalangeal joint; and  
 said housing having at least one other surface located substantially opposite to said upper surface for allowing at least a portion of at least one user's finger from the same hand as the thumb to be in contact therewith for allowing a user to operatively hold and support the device.  
 
     
     
       21. An input device for receiving input from at least one input actuator on the input device; the input device comprising:
 a) a housing having a channel adapted to receive placement of a user's finger;  
 b) an input actuator being integrally formed into a recessed portion of the channel, wherein the input actuator detects the interruption of a beam of light between an emitter and a detector; and  
 c) an adjustment means for adjusting the placement of the emitter and detector pair along a path substantially perpendicular with the finger channel to allow adjustment of the activation position of the input actuator to accommodate variations in finger length.  
 
     
     
       22. The input device of  claim 21  wherein the channel is adapted to receive the user's index finger and further comprising:
 d) a second channel in the housing adapted to receive the user's middle finger; and  
 e) a second input actuator being integrally formed into a recessed portion of the second channel, wherein the second input actuator detects the interruption of a second beam of light between a second emitter and a second detector;  
 wherein the adjustment means for adjusting the placement of the emitter and detector pair along a path substantially perpendicular with the finger channel to allow adjustment of the activation position of the input actuator to accommodate variations in index finger length also adjusts the placement of the second emitter and the second detector along a path substantially perpendicular with the second finger channel to allow adjustment of the activation position of the second input actuator to accommodate variations in middle finger length.  
 
     
     
       23. The input device of  claim 21  wherein the placement of the beam of light can be adjusted to accommodate a range of finger lengths via input to an adjustment screw. 
     
     
       24. An input device for receiving an x-y input from a user's thumb, comprising:
 a housing having an upper surface shaped for supporting a user's thumb thereon in a position substantially coextensive with a user's forearm corresponding to the user's thumb;  
 at least one input actuator for receiving x-y input, the input actuator extending substantially perpendicularly upward from said housing at a location allowing a user's thumb to contact and to move in contact along the input actuator's surface without undesirable flexural motion of the thumb at the thumb's interphalangeal joint; and  
 said housing having at least one other surface located substantially opposite to said upper surface for allowing at least a portion of at least one user's finger from the same hand as the thumb to be in contact therewith for allowing a user to operatively hold and support the device.  
 
     
     
       25. The input device of  claim 24  further comprising a scroll-mode select switch placed in sufficient proximity to the at least one input actuator extending substantially perpendicularly upward from the housing so that a user can provide input to the input actuator with the user's thumb and then provide input to the scroll-mode select switch with the same thumb without requiring movement of the portion of the at least one user's finger in contact with the housing to operatively hold and support the device. 
     
     
       26. The input device of  claim 24  wherein a scroll-mode select switch is located near the base of the input actuator and positioned for engagement by the thumb while moving from the position substantially coextensive with the user's forearm to a position further to the left for a thumb on a right hand using a right handed device and further to the right for a thumb on a left hand using a left handed device. 
     
     
       27. The input device of  claim 25  further comprising a finger touch switch positioned at the bottom of a channel intended to receive and support the index finger from the same hand as the thumb of the user such that the movement of the index finger tip of a supported channeled index finger actuates the finger touch switch and a prescribed input to the scroll-mode select switch causes input to the finger touch switch to be interpreted as a request to scroll a document. 
     
     
       28. An input device capable of receiving an x- y input and input from at least one input actuator on the input device, the input device comprising:      a housing adapted for use independent of any solid surface beyond the user's hand;        the housing comprising a main body section with a long axis substantially parallel to a line in the body of a user grasping the pointing device running through the forearm of the user to the tip of the user's extended thumb;        the housing further comprising a platform for containment of an x - y input device, the platform placed to be protruding outward from and substantially perpendicular to and slightly skewed to one side of the long axis of the main body section;        an input actuator being integrally formed into a recessed portion of at least one channel disposed on said housing capable of receiving placement of a finger; and        an x - y input sensor placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist, such that the x - y input is provided to the x - y input sensor by movements of the thumb primarily comprised of circumduction of the thumb's basal joint.      
     
     
       29. The input device of  claim 28  wherein the x- y input is provided by the thumb tip of the user.    
     
     
       30. The input device of  claim 29  further comprising a touchpad disposed on said housing, the touchpad being capable of receiving the x- y input from the user's thumb tip.    
     
     
       31. The input device of  claim 30  further comprising at least one tilt adjustment screw capable of tilting the touchpad.  
     
     
       32. The input device of  claim 29  wherein the input device is capable of sensing the thumb tip at a perimeter input position and is capable of communicating to software the user's request for x- y movement of the object image under software control until the user's thumb tip ceases to be detected at the perimeter input position.    
     
     
       33. The input device of  claim 29  wherein the x- y input from the user's thumb tip is provided to a touchpad and a set of perimeter input position commands are capable of being actuated by pressing tactile cursor movement buttons adjacent to the touchpad.    
     
     
       34. The input device of  claim 28  wherein at least one of the input actuators comprises a zero force touch switch capable of receiving mouse- button inputs.    
     
     
       35. The input device of  claim 34  wherein the zero force touch switch is capable of detecting contact of the user's finger.  
     
     
       36. The input device of  claim 34  wherein the zero force touch switch is capable of detecting the interruption of a beam of light.  
     
     
       37. The input device of  claim 28  wherein the input actuator integrally formed in the recessed portion of the at least one channel further comprises:
   means for emitting a beam of light capable of traveling between an emitter and a detector; and        means for adjusting placement of the emitter and detector pair along a path at least partially perpendicular with the channel to allow adjustment of the activation position of the input actuator to accommodate variations in finger length.      
     
     
       38. The input device of  claim 37  wherein the placement of the beam of light is capable of being adjusted to accommodate a range of finger lengths via input to an adjustment screw.  
     
     
       39. The input device of  claim 28  wherein the placement of a beam of light for an input actuator actuated by the use's index finger and the placement of a beam of light for an input actuator actuated by the user's middle finger are capable of being adjusted by a common adjustment means for adjusting the placement of the beams of light.  
     
     
       40. The input device of  claim 28  further comprising a trackball capable of receiving the x- y input from the user's thumb.    
     
     
       41. The input device of  claim 28  wherein the input actuator comprising a zero force touch switch, said zero force touch switch comprising a conductive capacitive sensing plate.  
     
     
       42. An input device capable of receiving an x- y input and input from at least one input actuator on the input device; the input device comprising:      a housing adapted for use independent of any solid surface beyond the user's hand;        the housing comprising a main body section with a long axis at least partially parallel to a line in the body of a user grasping the pointing device running through the forearm of the user to the tip of the user's extended thumb;        the housing further comprising a platform for containment of an x - y input device, the platform placed to be protruding outward from and at least partially perpendicular to and slightly skewed to one side of the long axis of the main body section;        the housing having an input actuator for engagement with the user's finger;        the input actuator being positioned on a housing face in a position capable of allowing a user to place the user's finger substantially orthogonal to the orientation of the user's thumb while the user is grasping the device with the finger positioned to allow input from the finger to the input actuators, and placing the tip of the user's finger on the other side of the device from the user's thumb; and        an x - y input sensor placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist, such that the x - y input is provided to the x - y input sensor by movements of the thumb.      
     
     
       43. The input device of  claim 42  further comprising:
   a scroll - mode select touch switch positioned to be capable of being actuated by a movement of the thumb; and        control logic capable of interpreting the input from the scroll - mode select touch switch and the input actuator wherein the control logic is capable of interpreting the activation of the input actuator after the onset of a maintained activation of the scroll - mode select touch switch as a request for continued scrolling of a displayed image on the computer's image display while the scroll - mode select touch switch and the input actuator are activated.      
     
     
       44. The input device of  claim 43  wherein the input actuator is a zero force touch switch.  
     
     
       45. The input device of  claim 42  further comprising:
   a scroll - mode select touch switch positioned to be capable of being actuated by a movement of the thumb to toggle the operation of the x - y input sensor from a first mode to a second mode; and        control logic capable of interpreting the input from the scroll - mode select touch switch and the input actuator wherein the control logic is capable of interpreting the input to the scroll - mode touch switch as a request to toggle the operation of the control logic from a first mode to a second mode and while operating in the second mode, the control logic being capable of interpreting input to the input actuator as a request for continued scrolling of a displayed image on a computer's image display while the input actuator remains activated.      
     
     
       46. The input device of  claim 45  wherein the input actuator is a zero force touch switch.  
     
     
       47. An input device capable of receiving an x- y input and input from at least one input actuator on the input device, the input device comprising:      means for housing adapted for use independent of any solid surface beyond the user's hand comprising a main body section with a long axis substantially parallel to a line in the body of a user grasping the pointing device running through the forearm of the user to the tip of the user's extended thumb;        said means for housing further comprising means for containing an x - y input device, wherein said means for containing is placed to be protruding outward from and substantially perpendicular to and slightly skewed to one side of the long axis of the main body section;        means for actuating an input wherein said means for actuating is integrally formed into a recessed portion of at least one channel disposed on said housing capable of receiving placement of a finger; and        means for sensing an x - y input wherein said means for sensing is placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist, such that the x - y input is provided to the means for sensing by movements of the thumb primarily comprised of circumduction of the thumb's basal joint.      
     
     
       48. An input device capable of receiving an x- y input and input from at least one input actuator on the input device; the input device comprising:      means for housing adapted for use independent of any solid surface beyond the user's hand, said means for housing comprising a main body section with a long axis at least partially parallel to a line in the body of a user grasping the pointing device running through the forearm of the user to the tip of the user's extended thumb;        said means for housing further comprising:      means for containing an x - y input device, wherein said means for containing is placed to be protruding outward from and at least partially perpendicular to and slightly skewed to one side of the long axis of the main body section;        means for actuating an input for engagement with the user's finger;          wherein said means for actuating an input is positioned on said means for housing in a position capable of allowing a user to place the user's finger substantially orthogonal to the orientation of the user's thumb while the user is gasping the device with the finger positioned to allow input from the finger to the means for actuating an input, and placing the tip of the user's finger on the other side of the device from the user's thumb; and        means for sensing an x - y input placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist such that the x - y input is provided to the means for sensing x - y input by movements of the thumb.      
     
     
       49. The input device of  claim 48  further comprising:
   means for selecting a scroll - mode positioned to be capable of being actuated by a movement of the thumb; and        means for interpreting the input from the means for selecting a scroll - mode and the means for actuating an input wherein the means for interpreting is capable of interpreting the activation of the means for actuating an input after the onset of a maintained activation of the means for selecting a scroll - mode as a request for continued scrolling of a displayed image on the computer's image display while the means for selecting a scroll - mode and the means for actuating an input are activated.      
     
     
       50. The input device of  claim 48  further comprising:
   means for selecting a scroll - mode positioned to be capable of being actuated by a movement of the thumb to toggle the operation of the means for sensing an x - y input from a first mode to a second mode; and        means for interpreting the input from the means for selecting a scroll - mode and the means for actuating an input wherein the means for interpreting is capable of interpreting the input to the means for selecting a scroll - mode as a request to toggle the operation of the means for interpreting from a first mode to a second mode and while operating in the second mode, the means for interpreting being capable of interpreting input to the means for actuating an input as a request for continued scrolling of a displayed image on a computer's image display while the means for actuating input remains activated.      
     
     
       51. A method for receiving an x- y input on an input device having a housing adapted for use independent of any solid surface beyond a user's hand comprising a main body section with a long axis that is substantially parallel to a line in the body of the user grasping the pointing device running through the forearm of the user to the tip of the user's extended thumb, a platform for containment of an x - y input device wherein the platform is placed to be protruding outward from and substantially perpendicular to and slightly skewed to one side of the long axis of the main body section, an input actuator being integrally formed into a recessed portion of at least one channel disposed on said housing, and an x - y input sensor placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist, the method comprising:      actuating said input actuator by receiving placement of a finger of the user thereon; and        sensing an x - y input with said x - y input sensor, such that the x - y input is provided to the x - y input sensor by movements of the thumb primarily comprised of circumduction of the thumb's basal joint.      
     
     
       52. A method for receiving an x- y input and input from at least one input actuator on an input device comprising a housing adapted for use independent of any solid surface beyond the user's hand comprising a main body section with a long axis at least partially parallel to a line in the body of a user grasping the pointing device running through the forearm of the user to the tip of the user's extended thumb and a platform for containment of an x - y input device, wherein said platform is placed to be protruding outward from and at least partially perpendicular to and slightly skewed to one side of the long axis of the main body section, an input actuator for engagement with the user's finger that is placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist and positioned on said housing in a position capable of allowing a user to place the user's finger substantially orthogonal to the orientation of the user's thumb while the user is gasping the device with the finger positioned to allow input from the finger to the input actuator, and placing the tip of the user's finger on the other side of the device from the user's thumb, and an x - y input sensor placed at the end of the input device, distal to the user's wrist, the method comprising:      actuating said input actuator by receiving placement of a finger of the user thereon; and        sensing an x - y input with the x - y input sensor, such that the x - y input is provided to the x - y input sensor by movements of the thumb.      
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 52  further comprising:
   actuating a scroll - mode select touch switch positioned on said housing to be capable of being actuated by a movement of the thumb; and        interpreting the input from the scroll - mode select touch switch and the input actuator with a control logic on said device, such that the activation of the input actuator is interpreted after the onset of a maintained activation of the scroll - mode select touch switch as a request for continued scrolling of a displayed image on the computer's image display while the scroll - mode select touch switch and the input actuator are activated.      
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 52  further comprising:
   actuating a scroll - mode select touch switch positioned to be capable of being actuated by a movement of the thumb to toggle the operation of the x - y input sensor from a first mode to a second mode; and        interpreting the input from the scroll - mode select touch switch and the input actuator with a control logic on said device such that the input to the scroll - mode touch switch is interpreted as a request to toggle the operation of the control logic from a first mode to a second mode; and        interpreting input to the input actuator with the control logic as a request for continued scrolling of a displayed image on a computer's image display while the input actuator remains activated while operating in the second mode.