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US5729220A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ergonomic customizable user/computer interface device

Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1995-12-29
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2015-12-29
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Abstract

Abstract A ergonomic customizeable user/computer interface system for wireless computer control. A hand-attachable user interface device transmits control information upon activation of switches on the interface device. A base interface device receives the transmissions, decodes the information and provides control signals to the computer. The interface system allows for security authorization control and multiple computer or LAN operations with each user interface device. Greater functionality is provided by the use of personality modules in the user interface device for different modes of operation.

Inventors

  • 👤 David C. Russell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 01:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0338; A; A61; A61F; A61F4/00; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/82; G06F21/83; G06F3/011; G06F3/014; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0233; G06F3/0236; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0489; G06F3/04895; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0331

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 133 words
A security system in connection with a wireless user/computer interface device, comprising: a user interface device for generating and transmitting computer control signals, including: identifying means for transmitting a unique identifying signal, and disabling means for disabling transmission of said computer control signals upon receipt of a kill signal; and a receiver device for receiving said computer control signals, including: receiving means for receiving said unique identifying signal; comparison means for comparing said unique identifying signal with a predetermined set of authorized signals, transmission means for transmitting said kill signal if said unique identifying signal does not match one of said predetermined set of authorized signals, and control means for transferring said computer control signals to a computer if said unique identifying signal does match one of said predetermined set of authorized signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 133 words
A security system in connection with a wireless user/computer interface device, comprising: a user interface device for generating and transmitting computer control signals, including: identifying means for transmitting a unique identifying signal, and disabling means for disabling transmission of said computer control signals upon receipt of a kill signal; and a receiver device for receiving said computer control signals, including: receiving means for receiving said unique identifying signal; comparison means for comparing said unique identifying signal with a predetermined set of authorized signals, transmission means for transmitting said kill signal if said unique identifying signal does not match one of said predetermined set of authorized signals, and control means for transferring said computer control signals to a computer if said unique identifying signal does match one of said predetermined set of authorized signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 61 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of user interface devices, wherein each interface device has a distinct identifying signal; and a plurality of receiver devices respectively connected to a plurality of computers, wherein each receiver device includes a distinct predetermined set of authorized signals, such that each interface device can operate at least one of said receiver devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 89 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said unique identifying signal transmitted by said identifying means included in said interface device comprises an individually authorized annunciator device with an individually authorized annunciator password for identifying both the computer user and said interface device, and wherein: said predetermined set of authorized signals, said comparison means, and said control means included in said receiver device for transferring said computer control signals to a computer if said unique identifying signal does match one of said predetermined set of authorized signals comprises an interrogator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
The identifying means of claim 1, wherein said user interface device is assigned a unique device password and wherein each user is also assigned a separate unique password, said passwords together comprising a composite password and at least an annunciator password.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 129 words
The security system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of user interface devices comprises annunciators of said distinct identifying signals, and wherein; said plurality of receiver devices comprises interrogators including a comparison means for comparing said distinct identifying signals with said predetermined set of authorized signals such that each interface device can operate at least one of said receiver devices, and wherein; each one of said receiver devices is further adapted to control access to enterprise resources including centralized and distributed networks, computers, and applications by initiating access to operating systems, teleprocessing systems, and transactions processing applications, and wherein; said transactions processing applications are further adapted to permit electronic requests for credit by said plurality of interface devices and authorizations of said credit by said plurality of receiver devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The wireless user/computer interface device of claim 1 further adapted to transmit secured transmissions specifying desired transaction requests, providing payment and auditability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 61 words
The annunciator password of claim 4, wherein transmission of computer control signals and said annunciator password by said user interface device comprises an attempt for authorization to access said enterprise resources, and said identifying means further comprises: a unique identifying signal from among a set of predetermined authorized signals further adapted to allow transaction auditability to facilitate documentation of electronic transactions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 50 words
The user interface device of claim 7, wherein said user interface device includes disabling means for disabling transmission of said computer control signals upon receipt of a kill signal from said receiver device including comparison means, transmission means for transmitting said kill signal and control means which includes interrogator logic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 42 words
The interrogator logic of claim 8 wherein activation of alarm features can include activation of a kill signal, if an attempted transaction is deemed illegal by said interrogator logic, and wherein said interrogator logic is adapted for transaction auditability, authorization, and documentation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 38 words
The enterprise resources of claim 4, wherein each said receiver device is one of a plurality of enterprise resources comprising interrogator logic accessed by such user to attempt transaction authorization by any of said plurality of enterprise resources.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said annunciator can be granted access to enterprise resources including at least one of a plurality of computers, networks, applications, and other remotely controllable machinery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 133 words
A wireless user and computer interface device comprising: an ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface means for generating user signals, wherein said user signals contain messages packets that are processable by at least one computer; a signal transmission means for transmitting said message packets from said ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface to said one computer; a kill transmission signal generated by said one computer for deactivating said signal transmission means from said ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface to said one computer; a kill transmission means for transmitting said kill transmission signal from said one computer to said ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface; a kill transmission switch in connection with said ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface for receiving said kill transmission signal and deactivating said signal transmission means in response to said kill transmission signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 133 words
A wireless user and computer interface device comprising: an ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface means for generating user signals, wherein said user signals contain messages packets that are processable by at least one computer; a signal transmission means for transmitting said message packets from said ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface to said one computer; a kill transmission signal generated by said one computer for deactivating said signal transmission means from said ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface to said one computer; a kill transmission means for transmitting said kill transmission signal from said one computer to said ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface; a kill transmission switch in connection with said ergonomically shaped, finger attachable interface for receiving said kill transmission signal and deactivating said signal transmission means in response to said kill transmission signal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4988981A Cited
US4988981B1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-03-16 2001-09-15 2002-03-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-03-16 2005-09-15 2006-03-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-03-16 2009-09-15 2010-03-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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