US-12625609-B1 - Input device for interfacing with an electronic device

US12625609B1US 12625609 B1US12625609 B1US 12625609B1US-12625609-B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an input device ( 100 ) for interfacing with an electronic device ( 200 ). The input device ( 100 ) includes a housing ( 10 ), a touch display ( 40 ), at least one sensor ( 50 ), and a processing unit ( 60 ). The touch display ( 40 ) is arranged on a portion of the housing ( 10 ), configured to display a keyboard and receive touch input from the user. The sensor ( 50 ) is adapted to detect the position of one or more fingers of the user relative to the touch display ( 40 ) for showing the position of the fingers on a screen ( 210 ) of the electronic device ( 200 ). Specifically, the processing unit ( 60 ) is configured to determine the position of the finger aligning with a key displayed on the touch display ( 40 ), and upon detecting the touch input corresponding to the position of the key, transmits an input signal to the electronic device ( 200 ).

Inventors

Sridhar Thirunakara

Assignees

OUTSHINY INDIA PVT LTD

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20250325

Claims (17)

1 . An input device for interfacing with an electronic device, the input device comprising: a housing adapted to be held by a user, the housing has a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is adapted to slide over a fixed surface; a motion sensor adapted to detect movement of the input device relative to a fixed surface; a plurality of buttons arranged on the housing and adapted to transmit user input to the electronic device; a touch display arranged on a portion of the housing, configured to display a keyboard and receive touch input from the user; at least one sensor arranged on the housing, adapted to detect a position of one or more fingers of the user relative to the touch display for showing the position of the fingers on a screen of the electronic device; a processing unit configured to determine the position of the finger aligning with a key displayed on the touch display using the at least one sensor, and upon detecting the touch input corresponding to the position of the key, transmit an input signal of the selected key to the electronic device, wherein, the top surface includes a slanted portion configured between the front portion and the rear portion to arrange the at least one sensor thereon in such a way that the fingers of the user hovering over the touch display are detected to communicate with the processing unit of the input device.
2 . The input device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronic device includes a virtual keyboard displayed on the screen of the electronic device to allow the user to track the finger for aligning above one or more keys of the keyboard, wherein the virtual keyboard is configured to receive the input signal from the touch display upon detecting the touch input from the user.
3 . The input device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a camera arranged on the housing to detect the position of the one or more fingers of the user.
4 . The input device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a capacitive touch sensor integrated within the touch display, calibrated to detect the position or movement of the fingers of the user hovering over the touch display.
5 . The input device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged adjacent to each other to detect at least one finger of the user.
6 . The input device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of buttons includes a first button, a second button, and a scroll wheel arranged between the first button and the second button.
7 . The input device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the touch display is arranged on an upper surface of the housing adjacent to the plurality of buttons, allowing the fingers of the user to reach the touch display.
8 . The input device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is adapted to transmit the input signal to the electronic device through a wire connection or a wireless connection.
9 . An input device for interfacing with an electronic device, the input device comprising: a housing adapted to be held by a user, the housing has a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is adapted to slide over a fixed surface; a plurality of buttons arranged at a front portion of the top surface of the housing, and adapted to transmit user input to the electronic device; a touch display arranged adjacent to the plurality of buttons at a rear portion of the top surface of the housing, configured to display a keyboard and receive touch input from the user; at least one sensor arranged on the housing, adapted to detect a position of one or more fingers of the user relative to the touch display; a processing unit configured to determine the position of the finger aligning with a key displayed on the touch display using the at least one sensor, and upon detecting the touch input corresponding to the position of the key, transmit an input signal of the selected key to the electronic device; wherein, the top surface includes a slanted portion configured between the front portion and the rear portion to arrange the at least one sensor thereon in such a way that the fingers of the user hovering over the touch display are detected to communicate with a processing unit of the input device.
10 . The input device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of buttons includes; a first button arranged in a left region of the front portion; a second button arranged in a right region of the front portion; a scroll wheel arranged between the first button and the second button, rotatable to transmit user input to the electronic device.
11 . The input device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the slanted portion separates the front portion and the rear portion, the slanted portion extends from the front portion in a downward direction and blends with the rear portion of the top surface.
12 . The input device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the input device is connected to the electronic device through a wired connection or a wireless connection.
13 . The input device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of buttons, the sensor, the touch display and the processing unit are connected to a power source to power the input device.
14 . The input device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the power source is a battery arranged in the housing and adapted to charge using a charging port arranged on the housing.
15 . The input device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the input device includes a switch arranged on the bottom surface of the housing to turn ON or OFF the input device.
16 . The input device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the input device includes a first shortcut button and a second shortcut button arranged on the front portion, adapted to be customised according to the user, wherein the first shortcut button and the second shortcut button are configurable to perform preset tasks assigned by the user.
17 . The input device as claimed in claim 9 , the input device includes a voice-to-type button arranged on the side surface of the housing to receive voice input from the user, wherein the processing unit processes the voice input and generates the corresponding user input to communicate with the electronic device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an input device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an input device for interfacing with an electronic device. BACKGROUND Presently, input devices are essential components for interfacing with computer systems, enabling users to provide commands, navigate interfaces, and input data. The traditional input devices, such as keyboards and mice, operate as different input devices, with keyboards used for text entry and mice used for cursor control. To control these two functions two separate devices are required which limits the adaptability of input systems, particularly in a situation where compact and multifunctional solutions are required. The keyboard is effective for typing but is fixed in layout and size, making it less suitable for portable or space-constrained environments. Further, a separate interface is required for cursor control, such as a mouse or a touchpad, which adds to the bulk and complexity of the computer system. Furthermore, physical keyboards are limited in their ability to adapt to user-specific requirements, such as dynamic layouts or specialized input methods. Similarly, the traditional mouse is designed for pointer control and relies on fixed buttons and scroll wheels for input. The mouse offers precise movement detection, but it lacks the ability to provide multi-functional input or adapt to modern user interfaces that demand seamless transitions between typing and pointer-based interactions. Currently, users rely on multiple separate devices such as keyboards, mice, and additional input devices which creates inefficiencies in workflows and is challenging for users working in compact or mobile setups. The existing technologies in input devices, do not adequately meet the demand for a compact, multifunctional, and adaptable input device that enhances user interaction without sacrificing comfort or precision. Therefore, there is a need for an input device for interfacing with an electronic device to overcome a few or all drawbacks of the existing technologies. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an input device for interfacing with an electronic device. Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device for interfacing with an electronic device that enables seamless and versatile interaction Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device for interfacing with an electronic device that improves usability and functionality. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an input device for interfacing with an electronic device that provides accurate and intuitive input. Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device for interfacing with an electronic device that provides a multifunctional and compact alternative that combines typing, navigation, and advanced input capabilities in one device. According to the present invention, there is provided an input device (100) for interfacing with an electronic device. The input device may include a housing, a motion sensor, a plurality of buttons, at least one sensor, a touch display and a processing unit. The housing may be adapted to be held by a user. The housing may have a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is adapted to slide over a fixed surface The motion sensor may be adapted to detect the movement of the input device relative to a fixed surface. The plurality of buttons may be arranged on the housing and adapted to transmit user input to the electronic device. The plurality of buttons includes a first button, a second button, and a scroll wheel arranged between the first button and the second button. The plurality of buttons may be arranged at a front portion of the top surface of the housing. The first button may be arranged in a left region of the front portion, the second button may be arranged in a right region of the front portion, and the scroll wheel may be arranged between the first button and the second button. The scroll wheel may be rotatably arranged to transmit user input to the electronic device. The touch display may be arranged on a portion of the housing and may be configured to display a keyboard and receive touch input from the user. The touch display may be arranged on an upper surface of the housing adjacent to the plurality of buttons, allowing the fingers of the user to reach the touch display. The touch display may be arranged adjacent to the plurality of buttons at a rear portion of the top surface of the housing. Further, at least one sensor may be arranged on the housing and may be adapted to detect a position of one or more fingers of the user relative to the touch display for showing the position of the fingers on a screen of the electronic device. In the present aspect, the sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged adjacent to each other to detect at least one finger of the user. Specifically, in