EP0372955A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Position indicating device for a digital computer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-12-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-12-07
Abstract
Abstract In the present invention an input device for use with a digital computer having a video display for displaying the position of an indicator thereon is disclosed. The input device has means for converting rotational motion signals into conventional cursor key signals and also has a plurality of keys which include a numeric keypad and a plurality of control keys. A program controls the input device such that in the event the key signals are supplied, then said key signals are supplied to the computer. However, if no key signal is supplied, then the motion signals are converted into key signals and are then supplied to the digital computer. The input device also can receive the input signal and reprogram the function of the keys in response to that one input signal. Still, the input signal caused by activation of one of the plurality keys can cause the suspension and resumption of the transfer of the motion signals to the computer. Finally, activation of one of the plurality keys can cause the activation of one or more of the plurality of commands that are displayed normally in the periphery of the display without the device or the indicator being moved to the position of the command.
Inventors
- 👤 Kirk F. Mackenzie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0333
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An input device for use with a digital computer having a video display, for displaying the position of an indicator thereon and responsive to cursor key signals for moving said indicator, said device comprising: first transducing means for generating a first motion signal in response to said input device moving in a first direction; second transducing means for generating a second motion signal in response to said input device moving in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction; a plurality of keys including a numeric keypad and a plurality of control keys for supplying input signals to said input device; and means for processing said first and second motion signals and said input signals by supplying said input signals to said digital computer in the event said input signals are supplied to said input device, and for determining the direction of motion of said input device corresponding to said first and second motion signals and supplying same to said digital computer, in the event no input signal is supplied to said input device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An input device for use with a digital computer having a video display, for displaying the position of an indicator thereon and responsive to cursor key signals for moving said indicator, said device comprising: first transducing means for generating a first motion signal in response to said input device moving in a first direction; second transducing means for generating a second motion signal in response to said input device moving in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction; a plurality of keys including a numeric keypad and a plurality of control keys for supplying input signals to said input device; and means for processing said first and second motion signals and said input signals by supplying said input signals to said digital computer in the event said input signals are supplied to said input device, and for determining the direction of motion of said input device corresponding to said first and second motion signals and supplying same to said digital computer, in the event no input signal is supplied to said input device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of Claim 1 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for reprogramming the function of said plurality of keys in response to said input signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of Claim 1 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for suspending and resuming the transfer of said one or more motion signals to said computer in response thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said display also displays a plurality of commands positioned generally to the periphery of said display and activated by said indicator being positioned thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of Claim 4 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for activating one or more of said plurality of commands without said device and indicator being moved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
A position indicating device for use with a digital computer having a display for displaying the position of an indicator thereon and responsive to cursor key signals for moving said indicator, said position indicating device comprising: first transducing means for generating a first motion signal in response to said device moving in a first direction; second transducing means for generating a second motion signal in response to said device moving in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction; a plurality of keys each for supplying an input signal to said device; and means for receiving an input signal and for reprogramming the function of said keys in response to said one input signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
A position indicating device for use with a digital computer having a display for displaying the position of an indicator thereon and responsive to cursor key signals for moving said indicator, said position indicating device comprising: first transducing means for generating a first motion signal in response to said device moving in a first direction; second transducing means for generating a second motion signal in response to said device moving in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction; a plurality of keys each for supplying an input signal to said device; and means for receiving an input signal and for reprogramming the function of said keys in response to said one input signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of Claim 6 further comprising: means for processing said first and second motion signals and said input signals by supplying said input signals to said digital computer in the event said input signals are supplied to said device, and for determining the direction of motion of said device corresponding to said first and second motion signals, and supplying same to said digital computer, in the event no input signal is supplied to said device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of Claim 6 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for suspending and resuming the transfer of said one or more motion signals to said computer in response thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of Claim 6 wherein said display also displays a plurality of commands positioned generally to the periphery of said display and activated by said indicator being positioned thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of Claim 9 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for activating one or more of said plurality of commands without said device and indicator being moved.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
A position indicating device for use with a digital computer having a display for displaying the position of an indicator thereon and responsive to cursor key signals for moving said indicator, said position indicating device comprising: first transducing means for generating a first motion signal in response to said device moving in a first direction; second transducing means for generating a second motion signal in response to said device moving a second direction, substantially perpendicular to said first direction; a plurality of keys, each for supplying an input signal to said device; and means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for suspending and resuming the transfer of said one or more motion signals to said computer, in response thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
A position indicating device for use with a digital computer having a display for displaying the position of an indicator thereon and responsive to cursor key signals for moving said indicator, said position indicating device comprising: first transducing means for generating a first motion signal in response to said device moving in a first direction; second transducing means for generating a second motion signal in response to said device moving a second direction, substantially perpendicular to said first direction; a plurality of keys, each for supplying an input signal to said device; and means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for suspending and resuming the transfer of said one or more motion signals to said computer, in response thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of Claim 11 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for reprogramming the function of said plurality of keys in response to said input signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of Claim 11 further comprising: means for processing said first and second motion signals and said input signals by supplying said input signals to said digital computer in the event said input signals are supplied to said device, and for determining the direction of motion of said device corresponding to said first and second motion signals, and supplying same to said digital computer, in the event no input signal is supplied to said device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of Claim 11 wherein said display also displays a plurality of commands positioned generally to the periphery of said display and activated by said indicator being positioned thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of Claim 14 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for activating one or more of said plurality of commands without said device and indicator being moved.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
142 words
A position indicating device for use with a digital computer having a display for displaying the position of an indicator thereon and responsive to cursor key signals for moving said indicator, and a plurality of commands positioned generally to the periphery of said display and activated by said indicator being positioned thereon; said device comprising: first transducing means for generating a first motion signal in response to said device moving in a first direction; second transducing means for generating a second motion signal in response to said device moving in a second direction, substantially; a plurality of keys, each for supplying an input signal to said device; and means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for activating one or more of said plurality of commands without said device and indicator being moved.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
142 words
A position indicating device for use with a digital computer having a display for displaying the position of an indicator thereon and responsive to cursor key signals for moving said indicator, and a plurality of commands positioned generally to the periphery of said display and activated by said indicator being positioned thereon; said device comprising: first transducing means for generating a first motion signal in response to said device moving in a first direction; second transducing means for generating a second motion signal in response to said device moving in a second direction, substantially; a plurality of keys, each for supplying an input signal to said device; and means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for activating one or more of said plurality of commands without said device and indicator being moved.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
74 words
The device of Claim 16 further comprising: means for processing said first and second motion signals and said input signals by supplying said input signals to said digital computer in the event said input signals are supplied to said device, and by determining the motion of said device corresponding to said first and second motion signals and supplying same to said digital computer, in the event no input signal is supplied to said device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of Claim 16 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for suspending and resuming the transfer of said one or more motion signals to said computer in response thereto.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of Claim 16 further comprising: means for receiving an input signal caused by activation of one of said plurality of keys and for reprogramming the function of said plurality of keys in response to said input signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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