WO2002054214A1

WO2002054214A1 - A data input arrangement and a system including such an arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2002054214A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/002861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomas ÖQUIST
Original assignee: Digityper Ab
Priority date: 2001-01-03
Filing date: 2001-12-20
Publication date: 2002-07-11
Also published as: SE0100016D0

Abstract

The invention concerns a data input arrangement comprising a first input unit (10), which comprises at least a first support portion (16), wherein the first input unit (10) is designed to be worn on a first hand of a person using the arrangement such that said first support portion (16) is positioned principally on the back of said first hand. The first input unit (10) also comprises first input means (20-27) positioned on the first support portion (16). The first input unit (10) is configured such that when it is worn on said first hand, said first input means (20-27) are positioned to be operated by a plurality of fingers of the second hand of the person using the arrangement when said person has clasped the first and second hands together such that said plurality of fingers of the second hand are interlaced with fingers of said first hand. The invention also concerns a system including such an arrangement.

Description

A data input arrangement and a system including such an arrangement

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to data input arrangements. A number of different kinds of such arrangements are known. The most common data input arrangement is a standard keyboard for a computer. Depending on where the keyboard is to be used, different key arrangements are used. One such commonly known standardised keyboard is the so-called QWERTY keyboard. The standard keyboards for computers are usually quite large and requires a support surface, such as a desk or a table, when they are used. This leads to a static working position which may cause injures. Furthermore, the person using the keyboard is often bound to a certain location when using this keyboard. Attempts have been made to make the use of keyboards more flexible. For example laptop computers may be carried around. However, when actually using the computer, the computer usually has to be put on a support surface. Furthermore, when making these kinds of standard keyboards smaller, they become more difficult to use.

US-A-6, 019,264 describes a strap-on implement support which may be carried in a belt around the waist of a person. The support may be used for supporting a computer.

GB-A-2305714 describes a keyboard glove. The glove includes finger sensors positioned under the finger tips. The keyboard glove may be used to input data without the need of any standard keyboard. The glove thus enables typing on different surfaces. The document also describes that a large number of characters may be generating by pressing several keys in combination. US-A-5,087,910 describes a keyboard for one-hand operation. Also according to this document a relatively large number of characters are generated by pressing a combination of keys.

US-A-4,905,001 describes an input device that is held inside the hand. The document also describes sensors arranged around the fingers of a person. Furthermore, the document describes switches with more than two states.

US-A-4,414,537 describes a data input glove interface which is particularly suitable for transforming the hand alphabet into electrical signals.

US-A-5, 717,428 describes a standard keyboard that is capable of operation in different modes. In particular, the keyboard is adapted to be operated in connection with a plurality of different host computers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a data input arrangement that is portable and easy to use and that does not require any particular support surface such as a desk or a table.

The object of the invention is achieved by a data input arrangement comprising a first input unit, which comprises at least a first support portion, wherein the first input unit is designed to be worn on a first hand of a person using the arrangement such that said first support portion is positioned principally on the back of said first hand, the first input unit also comprising first input means positioned on said first support portion, the first input unit being configured such that when it is worn on said first hand, said first input means are positioned to be operated by a plurality of fingers of the second hand of the person using the arrangement when said person has clasped the first and second hands together such that said plurality of fingers of the second hand are interlaced with fingers of said first hand. It should be noted that the expression "the back of the hand" is meant to include also the back of the lower portion of the fingers. By the feature "principally on the back of the hand" is meant that there may be a support portion for input means also on other parts of the input unit, such as on the sides of the hand or even inside the hand; however, the major part of said support portion is to be positioned on the back of the hand.

An input arrangement of this kind is easy to carry and easy to use. Since the input means is operated by clasping the hands together, there is no need for a special support surface on which the input unit is positioned. The arrangement thus allows for a much more flexible use than the standard kind of keyboards usually used as input devices. Furthermore, the person using the arrangement may stand up, sit down or even lie down. Moreover, the position of the hands of the user may be varied. Because of this flexibility the invention reduces the risk of injuries caused by a static working position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first input unit is arranged or programmed such that by operating one or more of the input means, which are positioned to be operated by a plurality of fingers of the second hand of the person using the arrangement when said person has clasped the first and second hands together such that said plurality of fingers of the second hand are interlaced with fingers of said first hand, at least some alphabetic characters are generated. The input means can of course be arranged such that also some special function commands or other characters can be generated thereby.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises a corresponding second input unit such as is defined in claim 2 below. By this embodiment a very efficient input arrangement is achieved wherein fingers on both hands may be used when operating the device. The data may therefore be input in a quick manner. Furthermore, since the input means are positioned principally on the back of the hands, the input units can be made such that the input units are not in the way when performing other tasks with the hands. The person in question may thus wear the input units on the hands and still use the hands for other purposes when not actually inputting any data with the help of the arrangement.

Also the input means of the second input unit may according to a preferred embodiment be arranged or programmed in the same manner as has been described above in connection with the first input unit, i.e. such that at least some alphabetic characters may be generated.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one of said first and second input units comprises a communication unit for data communication between the input unit that comprises the communication unit and at least one peripheral arrangement that is not included in said first or second input units. The data input arrangement may thus be used to input data into such a peripheral arrangement.

According to another preferred embodiment, said communication unit is arranged for wireless communication between said input unit that comprises the communication unit and said peripheral arrangement. Since the data input arrangement does not need to be connected to the peripheral arrangement by a cable, more flexibility in the use of the arrangement is achieved.

According to a further preferred embodiment, said communication unit is arranged for radio communication between said input unit that comprises the communication unit and said peripheral arrangement. Although a different kind of wireless communication is possible, such as via an infrared link, radio communication appears particularly suitable.

According to another embodiment, said first and second input units comprise means for data communication between the input units. According to this embodiment, the two input units can thus cooperate as a single entity.

According to a further embodiment, said means for data communication between the input units is arranged for wireless communication between the input units. More flexibility is achieved since the communication is wireless.

According to a still further embodiment, said means for data communication between the input units is arranged for radio communication between the input units. Also between the input units it is advantageous to use radio communication. However, also in this case other alternatives are possible, for example infrared communication.

According to another embodiment, the arrangement includes mode activation means for activating a working mode of the arrangement, when said first and second input units are moved close to each other. The mode that is initiated may for example be that the arrangement functions as a keyboard and is thus ready to input characters to a peripheral device.

According to a further embodiment, said mode activation means is arranged to sense when said first and second input units are moved close to each other without there being any wiring connecting the first and second input units. The arrangement is easier to use when there is no wiring between the units.

According to a further embodiment, said first input means comprises at least four input members positioned to be operated by four different fingers of the second hand. By having several input members, efficient input is achieved.

According to a further embodiment, said first input means comprises at least five input members positioned to be operated by the five different fingers of the second hand. By thus having at least one input member for each finger a quick input is achieved. According to a further embodiment, said first input means comprises a plurality of input members positioned to be operated by one and the same finger of the second hand. By having more input members per finger, a larger number of different characters may be input.

According to a further embodiment, said first input means comprises at least one pair of input members positioned to be operated by one and the same finger of the second hand, wherein said first input unit is arranged such that four different states are generated by said pair of input members by respectively not activating any of the two input members in the pair, by activating only one input member in the pair, only the other input member in the pair or both input members in the pair essentially simultaneously. Two input members may in this manner be used for generating three different characters.

According to another embodiment, at least a plurality of the input members have more than two states, such that by manipulating the input member in different manners with the corresponding finger, different signals are generated by the input member. Again, according to this embodiment more states or characters may be generated by a limited number of input members.

According to a further embodiment, said second input means comprises input members corresponding to the input members of the first input means according to any of the above embodiments. Since also the second input unit comprises the kind of input members described above, an increased number of different characters or states may be generated by the arrangement. The first and second input means may of course comprise different numbers of input members.

According to a still further embodiment, at least one of said first and second input units comprises an input member in the form of a joystick or similar device suitable for continuously moving a cursor or other entity of a peripheral device to which data is input by the data input arrangement. Such an input member gives improved input possibilities. By joystick or similar device is meant a device, which may perform the same function as when moving an ordinary computer mouse. A small kind of joystick is often called a trackpoint™.

According to another embodiment, the arrangement is organised such that the input member or members controlled by a certain finger of the person using the arrangement are arranged to generate essentially the same input characters to a peripheral device that would be generated by the same finger when used with correct finger positions on a standardised keyboard for a computer. It is easier for a person used to a standardised keyboard to learn to use the arrangement if the same fingers are used to input characters as in an ordinary keyboard.

According to a further embodiment, each of said first and second input units comprises means for correctly retaining the input unit in a predetermined position on the respective hand of the person using the arrangement. Since the units are held in a correct position, it is easy to use the device.

According to a further embodiment, said means for correctly retaining the input unit comprises at least one holding portion designed to extend into the space formed between two fingers of the person using the arrangement. By this feature a well-defined position of the input means is achieved.

According to a still further embodiment, the data input arrangement comprises a control means arranged such that said data input arrangement may communicate with different kinds of peripheral devices that are not included in said first or second input units. This means that the data input arrangement may not only be used with a predetermined device, for example with a certain computer, but is arranged to be flexible such that different peripheral devices may be controlled from the data input arrangement. According to another aspect of the invention a system is provided, which includes a data input arrangement according any of the above embodiments and also at least one receiving and converting unit that is not included in said first or second input units, wherein said receiving and converting unit comprises means that enables data communication between a peripheral device and the input units. According to this aspect of the invention, at least one peripheral device is arranged to receive input from the input units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig 1a shows schematically a first input unit, positioned on the left hand of a user Fig 1 b shows schematically a second input unit, positioned on the right hand of a user Fig 2 shows schematically a block diagram of a data input arrangement according to the invention Fig 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a peripheral arrangement

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Fig 1a and 1 b show an embodiment of a data input arrangement according to the invention. The arrangement comprises a first input unit 10 and a second input unit 12. The first input unit 10 is designed to be worn on the left hand of a person using the arrangement. In order to hold the input unit 10 in the correct position, the input unit 10 comprises means 14 for correctly retaining the input unit 10 in a predetermined position on the hand of the user. These means 14 may for example comprise a holding portion designed to extend into the space formed between two fingers of the user. A particularly large such holding portion 14 may be provided between the thumb and the index finger. Fig 1a shows two holding portions 14 arranged between the ring finger and the middle finger and between the middle finger and the index finger, respectively. The input unit 10 may also comprise one or more holding portions 14 that extend around one or more fingers of a user. The input unit 10 may for example comprise three such holding portions, wherein one holding portion extends around the index finger, one holding portion extends around the middle finger and one holding portion extends around the ring finger. The input unit 10 may also comprise retaining means 14 which extend around the whole hand, i.e. also around the palm side of the hand. The input unit 10 may also be arranged as a glove that is worn on the hand.

Independently of how the input unit 10 is retained on the hand, the input unit 10 comprises at least a first support portion 16 which is positioned principally on the back of the hand. This support portion 16 comprises input means 20-27 located on the first support portion 16.

The second input unit 12 (see Fig 1 b), which is designed to be worn on the right hand of the user, comprises a corresponding second support portion 18 positioned principally on the back of the right hand. The second input unit 12 comprises corresponding second input means 30-35 positioned on the second support portion 18. The second input unit 12 comprises means 14 for retaining the input unit 12 at a predetermined position on the right hand.

The first 10 and second 12 input units are designed such that when they are worn on the hands of the user, the input means 20-27 of the first input unit 10 are arranged to be operated by fingers of the right hand of the user and vice versa concerning the input means 30-35 of the second input unit 12. The respective input means 20- 35 are arranged such that the person using the arrangement is to clasp the hands together such that the fingers of the left hand are interlaced with the fingers of the right hand. In this position the person can simultaneously operate the input means 20-35 of the first 10 and second 12 input units.

It should be noted that the arrangement may be made in two different versions: one version in which the little finger of the right hand is positioned outside of the little finger of the left hand when the arrangement is used, and one version where the little finger of the left hand is arranged outside of the little finger of the right hand. The remaining fingers are interlaced in the corresponding different manners. The embodiment of Fig 1 a and 1 b concerns the first mentioned version.

Each input unit 10, 12 comprises a plurality of input members 20- 35. Preferably there is at least one input member for each finger. In the embodiment shown in Fig 1 a there is one input member 20 for the little finger of the right hand, two input members 21 , 22 for the ring finger of the right hand, one input member 23 for the middle finger of the right hand, two input members 24, 25 for the index finger of the right hand and two input members 26, 27 for the thumb of the right hand. Fig 1 b shows one input member 30 for the little finger of the left hand, one input member 31 for the ring finger of the left hand, one input member 32 for the middle finger of the left hand, one input member 33 for the index finger of the left hand and two input members 34, 35 for the thumb of the left hand. It should be noted that the number of input members may be varied. Fig 1a and 1 b thus show only one possible configuration of input members 20-35.

The input members 20-35 may be made as mechanically operated keys or may be touch-sensitive non-mechanical keys. Each input member 20-35 may be arranged such that it can generate two or more states. With two states is meant one active and one inactive state. For example, in an ordinary keyboard a certain key will have one state when it is pressed down and another, inactive state, when it is not pressed down. A member with three states may for example be constructed such that an inactive state is the case when the member is not pressed, a first active state is generated when the member is pressed a small amount and a second active state is the case when the input member is pressed further. Examples of such keys with more than two states are described in some of the documents mentioned above. The input means 20-35 may comprise input members arranged in pairs. Each such pair is positioned to be operated by one and the same finger of the user. Such a pair of input members may generate four different states, one state when none of the input members in the pair is pressed, one state when only one input member in the pair is pressed, one state when only the other input member in the pair is pressed and finally a forth state when both members of the pair are pressed simultaneously or at least within a short time interval. Two such input members in the pair may be arranged beside each other in the length-wise direction of the hand. The input members 21 , 22 may constitute one such pair of input members. Alternatively, the two input members in such a pair may be positioned next to each other in a direction essentially perpendicular to the length-wise extension of the hand. The input members 24, 25 may constitute such a pair of input members.

In order to reduce the number of input members 20-35 it is also possible that characters or states are generated by pressing a combination of two or more input members in a similar manner as is described in the above mentioned GB-A-2305714 or US-A- 5,087,910. The input units 10, 12 may also include special function keys such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt etc or keys having the same function as the normal keys on a computer mouse. There may also be a special function key that is activated in order to input digits with the help of the input members 20-35.

In an advantageous embodiment that is easy to learn to use for new users, the input members 20-35 are arranged such that the same fingers are used for generating characters as would be used on a standardised keyboard for a computer. For example, concerning a QWERTY keyboard, the letters Y, H, N, U, J, M are generated by the index finger of the right hand. One of more input members 24, 25 with which these characters are generated may thus be positioned on the first input unit 10 in such a position that they are operated by the index finger of the right hand. Preferably, at least one of the input units 10, 12 comprises a joystick, trackpoint™ or similar device 35 with which a continuous movement of a cursor or other entity of a peripheral device may be controlled.

Fig 2 shows schematically the first 10 and second 12 input units as block-diagrams. The first input unit 10 comprises the input members 20-27, a control means 50 and a battery 61. The control means 50 includes a memory 52. The control means 50 includes the necessary logic for decoding the input members 20-27 and for setting the control of the input unit 10 according to the personal preference of the user. The user may, for example, prefer a certain setting of the characters generated by the different input members 20-27. The input unit 10 may thus be customised according to the personal preference of a user. The second input unit 12 comprises the corresponding input members 30-35, a battery 63 and a control means 51 including a memory 53.

The input units 10, 12 may be arranged such that they can communicate with different kinds of peripheral devices 58. The control means 50, 51 thus includes a logic which adjusts the input units 10, 12 to the respective peripheral device 58.

At least one of the input units 10, 12 comprises a communication unit 54 for data communication between the input unit 10 and a peripheral arrangement 56, 58 (see Fig 3). The communication unit 54 is preferably arranged to communicate with the peripheral arrangement 56, 58 by means of a radio link. The communication unit 54 may for example be designed in accordance with the blue- tooth standard. In an alternative embodiment, also the second input unit 12 could have a corresponding communication unit 55 for communicating directly with a peripheral arrangement 56, 58.

The first 10 and second 12 input units also comprise means 60 for data communication between the input units 10, 12. Also these means 60 are preferably arranged for wireless communication between the units 10, 12, for example according to the blue-tooth standard.

The input units 10, 12 also comprise mode activation means 62. The mode activation means 62 are arranged for activating a working mode of the arrangement when the first 10 and second 12 input units are moved close to each other. Preferably, this mode activation means 62 is arranged to activate the mode without there being any wiring between the first 10 and second 12 input unit. The mode activation means 62 may for example be arranged to inductively detect when the first 10 and second 12 input units are moved close to each other. This can be done for example by means of a coil in one of the units 10, 12 and a permanent magnet or another coil in the other of the two units 10, 12. The mode is thus automatically activated when the hands are clasped together. The mode may for example simply be that the arrangement is on as opposed to off. Another possible mode that is activated is that the units 10, 12 change from a first working mode to a second working mode. In the second working mode, the two units 10, 12 may, for example, together function as a keyboard or other data input device such as has been described above.

Fig 3 shows a peripheral arrangement 56, 58 with which the data input arrangement according to Fig 2 may communicate. The peripheral arrangement 56, 58 may comprise a receiving and converting unit 56 which is adapted to communicate with the arrangement 10, 12. The receiving and converting unit 56 is for example connected to a peripheral device in the form of a computer 58. The receiving and converting unit 56 may for example be connected directly to the keyboard input of the computer 58. The receiving and converting unit 56 may of course also comprise means for sending information from the computer 58 to the arrangement 10, 12. The receiving and converting unit 56 thus functions as an interface between the computer 58 and the arrangement 10, 12. The receiving and converting unit 56 may also be arranged inside a housing that is common to the receiving and converting unit 56 and the peripheral device 58; in other words: the receiving and converting unit 56 may be included in, for example, a computer 58.

The receiving and converting unit 56 may be included in a system according to the invention.

It should be noted that in addition to the function as a keyboard, one or both the input units 10, 12 may be arranged to fulfil other functions. The unit 10, 12 may thus include means such that it may function as a mobile phone, a remote control, a personal digital assistant, a radio, an MP3-player, a digital key, a GPS or other positioning means, a means for physiologically monitoring the heart rate etc. As an example of the two working modes mentioned above, the following may be the case: one input unit 10 may for example in a first mode function as a mobile phone; however, when the two input units 10, 12 are moved close to each other, by clasping the hands together, the two input units 10, 12 together function in a second mode, for example as a keyboard. When in a certain working mode only one input unit 10, 12 is used, it is of course not necessary that the hands are clasped together. The input members can in such a mode be operated in different manners. It is even possible that the input unit 10, 12 includes further input members that are only used in a particular mode and that cannot be used when the hands are clasped together and the two units 10, 12 function together in the manner described above.

It should also be noted that when the two input units 10, 12 function together, for example as a keyboard, the data input arrangement is not limited to the control of a computer. The arrangement may also function as a game control, as a control of stationary phones and DECT-type of phones, as a multi-mouse (where several users in a meeting have one marker each on a screen for pointing and/or drawing), for controlling a lap-top computer or a communicator, or for controlling a musical instrument such as a synthesiser. The input units 10, 12 may also be provided with means for reading a smart-card or other types of cards. Furthermore, the data input arrangement may be used for authentication (with or without fingerprint-detection) or in order to set automatic personalisation of a system, terminal or other device based on the identity of the person carrying the arrangement.

The invention is thus not limited to any particular field of application but may include a number of different functions. Nevertheless, the arrangement comprising the two units 10, 12 is always arranged so that it can be used for inputting data to some peripheral device.

The arrangement 10, 12 may be made in different sizes to fit onto the hands of different individuals. The input units 10, 12 may also be customised and thus formed to fit on a particular person's hand. The input members 20-35 may also be adjustably arranged on the input units 10, 12, such that the position of the input members 20- 35 may be varied in order to adjust the position of the input members 20-35 to the size of the hand of the person using the arrangement.

Different materials may be used for the input units 10, 12, for example polymer based materials or cloths. The input units 10, 12 may be rigid, for example in that they are formed by moulding. However, it is also possible that the basic support material of the input units 10, 12 is soft.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A data input arrangement comprising a first input unit (10), which comprises at least a first support portion (16), wherein the first input unit (10) is designed to be worn on a first hand of a person using the arrangement such that said first support portion (16) is positioned principally on the back of said first hand, the first input unit (10) also comprising first input means (20-27) positioned on said first support portion (16), the first input unit (10) being configured such that when it is worn on said first hand, said first input means (20-27) are positioned to be operated by a plurality of fingers of the second hand of the person using the arrangement when said person has clasped the first and second hands together such that said plurality of fingers of the second hand are interlaced with fingers of said first hand.

2. A data input arrangement according to claim 1 , comprising a second input unit (12), which comprises at least a second support portion (18), wherein the second input unit (12) is designed to be worn on the second hand of a person using the arrangement such that said second support portion (18) is positioned principally on the back of said second hand, the second input unit (12) also comprising second input means (30-35) positioned on said second support portion (18), the second input unit (12) being configured such that when it is worn on said second hand, said second input means (30-35) are positioned to be operated by a plurality of fingers of the first hand of the person using the arrangement when said person has clasped the first and second hands together such that said plurality of fingers of the first hand are interlaced with fingers of said second hand.

3. A data input arrangement according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first (10) and second (12) input units comprises a communication unit (54, 55) for data communication between the input unit (10, 12) that comprises the communication unit (54, 55) and at least one peripheral arrangement (56, 58) that is not included in said first (10) or second (12) input units.

4. A data input arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said communication unit (54, 55) is arranged for wireless communication between said input unit (10, 12) that comprises the communication unit and said peripheral arrangement (56, 58).

5. A data input arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said communication unit (54, 55) is arranged for radio communication between said input unit (10, 12) that comprises the communication unit (54, 55) and said peripheral arrangement (56, 58).

6. A data input arrangement according to any of claims 2-5, wherein said first (10) and second (12) input units comprise means

(60) for data communication between the input units (10, 12).

7. A data input arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said means (60) for data communication between the input units (10, 12) is arranged for wireless communication between the input units (10, 12).

8. A data input arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said means (60) for data communication between the input units (10, 12) is arranged for radio communication between the input units (10, 12).

9. A data input arrangement according to any of claims 2-8, including mode activation means (62) for activating a working mode of the arrangement, when said first (10) and second (12) input units are moved close to each other.

10. A data input arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said mode activation means (62) is arranged to sense when said first (10) and second (12) input units are moved close to each other without there being any wiring connecting the first (10) and second (12) input units.

11. A data input arrangement according to any of claims 2-10, wherein said first input means (20-27) comprises at least four input members (20-27) positioned to be operated by four different fingers of the second hand.

12. A data input arrangement according to claim 1 1 , wherein said first input means (20-27) comprises at least five input members (20- 27) positioned to be operated by the five different fingers of the second hand.

13. A data input arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said first input means (20-27) comprises a plurality of input members (21 , 22; 24, 25; 26, 27) positioned to be operated by one and the same finger of the second hand.

14. A data input arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said first input means (20-27) comprises at least one pair of input members (21 , 22; 24, 25) positioned to be operated by one and the same finger of the second hand, wherein said first input unit (10) is arranged such that four different states are generated by said pair of input members (21 , 22; 24, 25) by respectively not activating any of the two input members (21 , 22; 24, 25) in the pair, by activating only one input member (21 ; 24) in the pair, only the other input member (22; 25) in the pair or both input members (21 , 22; 24, 25) in the pair essentially simultaneously.

15. A data input arrangement according to any of claims 11-14, wherein at least a plurality of the input members (20-27) have more than two states, such that by manipulating the input member (20- 27) in different manners with the corresponding finger, different signals are generated by the input member (20-27).

16. A data input arrangement according to any of claims 11-15, wherein said second input means (12) comprises input members

(30-35) corresponding to the input members (20-27) of the first input means according to any of the claims 11-15.

17. A data input arrangement according to any of claims 11-16, wherein at least one of said first (10) and second (12) input units comprises an input member (35) in the form of a joystick or similar device suitable for continuously moving a cursor or other entity of a peripheral device (58) to which data is input by the data input arrangement.

18. A data input arrangement according to any of claims 11-17, organised such that the input member or members (20-35) controlled by a certain finger of the person using the arrangement are arranged to generate essentially the same input characters to a peripheral device (58) that would be generated by the same finger when used with correct finger positions on a standardised keyboard for a computer.

19. A data input arrangement according to any of claims 2-18, wherein each of said first (10) and second (12) input units comprises means (14) for correctly retaining the input unit (10, 12) in a predetermined position on the respective hand of the person using the arrangement.

20. A data input arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said means (14) for correctly retaining the input unit comprises at least one holding portion (14) designed to extend into the space formed between two fingers of the person using the arrangement.

21. A data input arrangement according to any of the claims 2-20, comprising a control means (50, 51 ) arranged such that said data input arrangement may communicate with different kinds of peripheral devices (58) that are not included in said first (10) or second (12) input units.

22. A system including a data input arrangement according any of claims 2-21 , which system also comprises at least one receiving and converting unit (56) that is not included in said first (10) or second (12) input units, wherein said receiving and converting unit (56) comprises means that enables data communication between a peripheral device (58) and the input units (10, 12).