The present disclosure relates to the field of computing system. In particular, the present disclosure provides a reconfigurable input and pointing device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. [0003] Conventional design of an input and pointing device, which is used as an accessory to a computing device, has a specific geometry. The geometry contains a single piece of hardware, configured to be used by a single hand of a user. The geometry further contains two keys which enable the user to provide inputs by clicking on the keys, such that the keys are configured to be operated by the single hand of the user. For people working on computing devices for long hours like programmers, gamers, animation artists, data-entry operators and the likes, this restrictive geometry is not comfortable and produces fatigue of the hand.
[0004] It would be advantageous and if the design for an input and pointing device can be made flexible by enabling in the keys to be detachable from the body of the device and facilitating double handed operation, such that each of the individual keys can be operated by one hand of the user. Existing solutions can include a hybrid input and pointing device where alphanumeric keys can be combined along with a pointing device. However, this solution can be complicated and difficult to operate. Another solution can include an ambidextrous design, where a first and a second input key of a pointing device can be interchanged. In yet another solution, any or a combination of a set of input and pointing devices can be used in simultaneously. However, all of these solutions present fixed configurations having multitasking abilities and none of these solutions disclose a reconfigurable design.

[0005] Hence, there is need in the art to develop a reconfigurable input and pointing device that can be configured to facilitate either a flexible double handed operation or a single handed operation, depending upon the comfort of the user.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an input and pointing
device that reconfigures itself into two or more secondary input and pointing
units.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
input and pointing device that enables the two or more secondary input and
pointing units to be operated independently.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
input and pointing device that facilitates double handed operation by the user,
such that one of the two or more secondary input units are configured to be
operated by one hand of the user.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
input and pointing device that enables the two or more secondary input and
pointing units to attach with a base plate and facilitates single handed operation by
the user on the combined units.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
input and pointing device that enables the user to point to an object on a display
device associated with a computing device, by using any or a combination of the
two or more secondary input and pointing units.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
input and pointing device that enables the user to provide a set of input commands
through one or more keys associated with any or a combination of the two or
more secondary input and pointing units.
[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
input and pointing device that enables the two or more secondary input and

pointing units to attach with the base plate by means of detachable magnetic coupling.
SUMMARY
[0014] The present disclosure relates to the field of computing systems. In
particular, the present disclosure provides a reconfigurable input and pointing
device
[0015] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an input and pointing
device that may be reconfigured into two or more secondary input and pointing
units.
[0016] In an aspect, the two or more secondary input and pointing units may
be operated independently by a user.
[0017] In an aspect, the reconfigurable input and pointing device may be
operated by both hands of the user, such that a first of the two or more secondary
input units may be configured to be operated by a first hand of the user and a
second of the two or more secondary input units may be configured to be operated
by a second hand of the user.
[0018] In an aspect, any one of the two or more secondary input and pointing
units may be operated independently by the first hand of the user, while the
second hand of the user may be free.
[0019] In an aspect, the reconfigurable input and pointing device may be
configured to have a base plate having two or more predefined zones for
accommodating the two or more secondary input and pointing units.
[0020] In an aspect, the two or more secondary input and pointing units may
be configured to attach with the base plate through detachable magnetic coupling
units.
[0021] In an aspect, any or a combination of the two or more secondary input
and pointing units in combination with the base plate may be operated by one
hand of the user.
[0022] In an aspect, the base plate may be configured to have a first motion
sensor that detects motion input from one hand of the user, the motion input being

configured to point to an object on a display device associated with a computing
device, configured to be communicatively coupled to the reconfigurable input and
pointing device.
[0023] In an aspect, one of the two or more secondary input and pointing units
may be configured to have a second motion sensor that detects motion input from
one hand of the user, the motion input being configured to point to an object on a
display device associated with a computing device, configured to be
communicatively coupled to the one of the two or more secondary input and
pointing units.
[0024] In an aspect, the first and the second motion sensors may be
configured to generate a first set of electrical signals pertaining to the position of
the object pointed to, on the display device.
[0025] In an aspect, the two or more secondary input and pointing units may
be coupled to one or more keys, configured to provide a set of input commands
received from the user.
[0026] In an aspect, the one or more keys of the two or more secondary input
and pointing units may be configured to generate a second set of electrical signals
pertaining to a set of functions on the object associated with the first set of
electrical signals. The set of functions may be configured to perform operations
executed by any or a combination of keys of an alphaneumeric input device
associated with a computing device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0028] The diagrams described herein are for illustration only, which thus are not limitations of the present disclosure, and wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary block diagram of the proposed reconfigurable input and pointing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 2A-2B illustrates exemplary views of the proposed reconfigurable input and pointing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present
invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the
present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0032] If the specification states a component or feature "may", "can",
"could", or "might" be included or have a characteristic, that particular component
or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0033] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that
follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the
meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise.
[0034] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and
described in the accompanying drawings, the embodiments are offered only in as
much detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure and are not intended to limit
the numerous equivalents, changes, variations, substitutions and modifications
falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the
appended claims.
[0035] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of computing
systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a reconfigurable input and
pointing device.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the proposed
reconfigurable input and pointing device (100) in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 2A-2B illustrates exemplary views of the proposed
reconfigurable input and pointing device in accordance with an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0038] In an illustrative embodiment, the proposed reconfigurable input and
pointing device (100) (interchangeably referred to as device (100), herein) may
include a base plate (102), configured to form the base of the device when
operated as a combined unit or unibody.
[0039] In an embodiment, the base plate (102) may be coupled to a first set of
motion sensors (106) that may be configured to detect a first set of input signals
pertaining to motion of a hand of a user. The first set of input signals may be
configured to point to an object on a graphical user interface of a display device,
associated with a computing device, communicatively coupled to the
reconfigurable input and pointing device (100).
[0040] In an embodiment, the computing device communicatively coupled to
the reconfigurable input and pointing device (100) may be a computer, laptop,
tablet and the likes. In an embodiment, the display device associated with the
computing device may be a monitor, display screen of a laptop, display screen of
a tablet and the likes.
[0041] In an embodiment, the device (100) may be communicatively coupled
to the computing device by a communication pathway including but not limited to
any or a combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Li-Fi, Zigbee and the likes. In another
embodiment, the communication pathway may be a wireless network, a wired
network or a combination thereof that may be implemented as one of the different
types of networks, such as Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network
(WAN) and the likes.
[0042] In an embodiment, the device (100) may be reconfigured into two or
more secondary input and pointing units (104) (interchangeably referred to as the
secondary devices (104), herein). The secondary devices may be configured to

perform a predefined set of functions pertaining to pointing of the object on the display device and a set of operations on the object pointed to. [0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the base plate (102) in combination with the secondary input and pointing units (104) may be configured as the unibody to perform functions similar to but not limited to a computer mouse, coupled to the computing device through the wired or wireless network. In an alternate embodiment, the base plate (102) in combination with the secondary input and pointing units (104) may be configured to perform the functions of a touchpad associated with a laptop, a touchscreen associated with a tablet PC, a pointing stick associated with a computing device and the likes. [0044] In an embodiment, each of the secondary devices (104) may be coupled to a second set of motion sensors (112) that may be configured to detect the first set of input signals pertaining to motion of the hand of the user. The first set of input signals may be configured as a tracking signal configured to control the movement of a pointer on the display device associated with the computing device. In an embodiment, the pointer may be configured to move along Cartesian or polar coordinates on the display device.
[0045] In an embodiment, the first (106) and the second motion sensors (112) may be configured to generate a first set of electrical signals, pertaining to the first set of input signals. The first set of electrical signals may be transmitted to the computing device coupled to the device (100). In an embodiment, the first set of electrical signals may be transmitted by serial communication through a universe serial bus of a cable. In another embodiment, the first set of electrical signals may be transmitted wirelessly by a Bluetooth link, a radio frequency link, an optical link, an infrared link and the likes.
[0046] In an embodiment, the first (106) and the second set of motion sensors (112) may include motion detector units like but not limited to a roller ball or a track ball. The motion sensors associated with the roller ball or the track ball may be configured to detect the rotation of the ball along two Cartesian axes and map the motion of the ball to movement of the pointer on the display device associated

with the computing device, coupled to the base plate (102) or the secondary input and pointing units (104).
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the first (106) and the second set of motion sensors (112) may be configured as an optical assembly including infrared light emitting diode and receiver pair that may be configured to detect movement of the hand of the user relative to a surface in direct contact with the base plate (102) or the secondary input and pointing units (104). The surface may be a desktop, a mouse pad and the likes.
[0048] In an embodiment, the secondary devices (104) may include one or more keys (108), configured to receive a second set of input signals from the user. In an embodiment, the second set of input signals may be configured to perform a predefined set of operations on the object pointed to by the first (106) or the second set of motion sensors (112). In an exemplary embodiment, the predefined set of operations may include functions like but not limited to moving the object, selecting the object, opening a file or a document, launch a program, execute a set of instructions and display a set of menu such as, enter, delete, insert, page up/down.
[0049] In an embodiment, the one or more keys (108) associated with the secondary devices (108) may include tact switches that may require to be clicked by the user to generate the second set of input signals. In another embodiment, the one or more keys (108) may include optical switches, touch switches and the likes. Touch switches may be configured to receive the second set of input signals by pressure-less touch signals from the user. In an embodiment, the one or more keys (108) may include capacitive sensor, resistive sensor, touch sensor, pressure sensor, optical sensor, surface acoustic wave sensor and the likes. [0050] In an embodiment, the one or more keys (108) associated with the secondary devices (104) may be configured to generate a second set of electrical signals pertaining to the second set of input signals and may transmit the second set of electrical signals to the computing device coupled to the secondary devices (104).

[0051] In an embodiment, the second set of electrical signals may be transmitted to the computing device by serial communication through the universe serial bus of the cable. In another embodiment, the second set of electrical signals may be transmitted through the wireless network including but not limited to Bluetooth link, radio frequency link, optical link and infrared link. [0052] In an embodiment, the set of operations configured to be performed by the one or more keys (108) of the secondary devices (104) on the object pointed to, may include actions related to any or a combination of keys of an alphanumeric input device and a pointing device associated with the computing device. By way of example, the actions may be similar to actions performed by the keys of a keyboard, a computer mouse, a combination of keyboard and mouse, a touchpad of a laptop, touchscreen of a laptop or a tablet, a pointing stick and the likes.
[0053] In an embodiment, the one or more keys (108) of the secondary devices (104) may be configured in the form of buttons, wheels and the likes. The button housing may include tact switches, optical switches, touch switches and the likes. In an embodiment, the surface of the button housing may be configured to be touch sensitive. In another embodiment, the wheels may be configured to make rolling motion along either of the two Cartesian axes. The wheels may be configured to have tactile features.
[0054] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more keys (108) (interchangeably referred to as a single key, herein) coupled to secondary devices (104) may be configured to perform a first set of functions including but not limited to selection of the object pointed to on the display device, moving the object, opening a file/document and launching a program. In an exemplary embodiment, the first set of functions may be configured similar to the actions performed by a left key of a computer mouse, a left key of a touchpad, a left foot switch and the likes.
[0055] In another embodiment, at least one of the one or more keys (108) coupled to secondary devices (104) may be configured to perform a second set of functions including displaying a set of user selectable menu on the display device

associated with the computing device. In an exemplary embodiment, the second
set of functions may be configured similar to the actions performed by a right key
of a computer mouse, a right key of a touchpad, a right foot switch and the likes.
[0056] In another embodiment, at least one of the one or more keys (108)
coupled to secondary devices (104) may be configured to perform a third set of functions including scrolling. The third set of functions may be configured similar to the actions performed by a scroll key of a computer mouse, a set of up/down keys of a keyboard, a set of vertical arrow keys of a touchscreen and the likes. [0057] In an embodiment, the base plate (102) may be configured to have a set of pre-defined magnetic zones that may facilitate attachment of secondary devices (104) to the base plate through a set of magnetic coupling units (110). In an embodiment, the secondary devices (104) may be detached from the base plate (102) and reattached again. The magnetic coupling units may be configured in the form of buttons, plates, bars and the likes.
[0058] In an embodiment, the secondary devices (104) may be configured to be operated independently. In an independent operation, an embodiment of the single key in each of the two or more secondary devices (104) may be configured to generate the second set of electrical signals pertaining to either the first or the second and the third set of functions associated with the one or more keys (108) coupled to the one of the two or more secondary devices (104). [0059] In an embodiment, any one of the two or more secondary devices (104) may be configured to be detached from the base plate (102) and held by one hand of the user, facilitating independent single handed operation. In an embodiment, the independent single handed operation may be configured to receive the first set of input signals from one of the second set of motion sensors (112) coupled to one of the secondary devices (104). In an embodiment, the independent single handed operation may be configured to receive the second set of input signals associated with a single key coupled to one of the secondary devices (104).
[0060] In an embodiment, the secondary devices (104) may be configured to be detached from the base plate (102) and one of the two or more secondary

devices (104) may be held by the first hand of the user and another one of the two or more secondary devices (104) may be held by the second hand of the user, facilitating double handed operation. In an embodiment, the one or more keys (108) associated with the secondary device (104) held by the left hand of the user may be configured to perform the first and third set of functions pertaining to the second set of input signals. The one or more keys (108) associated with the secondary device (104) held by the right hand of the user may be configured to perform the second and third set of functions pertaining to the second set of input signals. By way of example, the double handed operation may be configured to interchange the secondary devices (104) held by the left and right hand of the user and perform functionalities similar to an ambidextrous computer mouse, depending on the dominant hand of the user.
[0061] In an embodiment, the double handed operation may be configured to receive the second set of input signals associated with a single key of the secondary devices (104) from each hand of the user. Any or a combination of second set of input signals received from each hand of the user may be configured to perform the first, second and the third set of functions associated with the one or more keys (108).
[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, while detached from the base plate (102) and performing double handed operation, one of the two or more secondary devices (104) may be configured to perform functionalities similar but not limited to an ergonomic keyboard and mouse combination. The functionalities may be configured to facilitate symmetrical movement of the hands of the user and reduce stress and fatigue.
[0063] In another embodiment, one or more keys (108) of the two or more secondary devices (104) may be configured to function similar but not limited to a foot switch that may be operated by one or both feet of the user. [0064] In an embodiment, the double handed operation may be configured to generate the first set of electrical signals pertaining to motion of the hand of the user from any of the second set of motion sensors (112) attached to a corresponding secondary device (104).

[0065] In another embodiment, the secondary devices (104) may be attached to the base plate (102) and the combined unit may be configured to be held by one hand of the user, facilitating combined or unibody single handed operation. In an embodiment, combined single handed operation may be configured to generate the first set of electrical signals pertaining to motion of the hand of the user from the first set of motion sensors (106) attached to the base plate (102). In an embodiment, combined single handed operation may be configured to generate the second set of electrical signals pertaining to the first, the second and the third set of functions associated with the one or more keys (108) coupled to the secondary devices (104).
[0066] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean "communicatively coupled with" over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0067] The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only. Many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the subject matter, which is intended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.
[0068] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0069] The present disclosure provides for an input and pointing device that
reconfigures itself into two or more independent input and pointing units.
[0070] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable input and pointing
device that enables the two or more secondary input and pointing units to be
operated independently.
[0071] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable input and pointing
device that facilitates double handed operation by the user, such that one of the
two or more secondary input units are configured to be operated by one hand of
the user.
[0072] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable input and
pointing device that enables the two or more secondary input and pointing units to
attach with a base plate and facilitates single handed operation by the user on the
combined units.
[0073] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable input and
pointing device that enables the user to point to an object on a display device
associated with a computing device, by using any or a combination of the two or
more secondary input and pointing units.
[0074] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable input and
pointing device that enables the user to provide a set of input commands through
one or more keys associated with any or a combination of the two or more
secondary input and pointing units.
[0075] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable input and pointing
device that enables the two or more secondary input and pointing units to attach
with the base plate by means of detachable magnetic coupling.

We Claim:
1. A reconfigurable input and pointing device, said device comprising:
a base plate further comprising:
a first motion sensor that detects motion input from a hand of an user, wherein the motion input points to an object on a display device associated with a computing device, wherein the computing device is communicatively coupled to the reconfigurable input and pointing device;
two or more predefined zones configured to accommodate two or more secondary input and pointing units, wherein each secondary input and pointing unit comprises:
a second motion sensor that detects motion input from a hand of an user, wherein the motion input points to an object on the display device associated with the computing device, wherein the computing device is communicatively coupled to the secondary input and pointing unit;
one or more keys coupled to the secondary input and pointing unit, wherein the one or more keys upon receiving inputs from the user, performs a set of functions on the object pointed to by the motion sensors, wherein the object pointed to is displayed on the display device associated with the computing device.
2. The device claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second motion
sensors generate a first set of electrical signals, wherein the first set of
electrical signals pertain to position of the object pointed to and, wherein

the object is displayed on the display device coupled to the computing device.
3. The device as claimed in claim2, wherein the one or more keys of the two or more secondary input and pointing units, upon receiving inputs from the user, generate a second set of electrical signals, wherein the second set of electrical signals pertain to one of the set of functions on the object associated with the first set of electrical signals.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two or more predefined zones are configured to provide magnetic coupling to the two or more secondary input and pointing units with the base plate, wherein the two or more secondary input and pointing units can be attached and detached from the predefined zones of the base plate.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more keys coupled to the two or more secondary input and pointing units performs a first set of functions associated with any or a combination of keys of an alphanumeric input device operatively coupled to a computing device.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more keys coupled to the two or more secondary input and pointing units performs a second set of functions associated with any or a combination of keys of an alphanumeric input device operatively coupled to a computing device.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the two or more secondary input and pointing units are configured to enable the user to perform independent single-key based input and pointing operation .

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein any or a combination of the two or more secondary input and pointing units are configured to facilitate single and double handed operation by the user, wherein each secondary input and pointing unit is detached from the base plate and, wherein each secondary input and pointing unit is operated by one hand of the user.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the combination of two or more secondary input and pointing units and the base plate is configured to facilitate a double key based single handed operation by the user, wherein the two or more secondary input and pointing units are attached to the base plate.