US5982302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch-sensitive keyboard/mouse
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-03-07
•
Granted: 1999-11-09
•
Expires: 2014-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A combination keyboard/mouse is realized using a touch-sensitive member. The touch-sensitive member (or an area of a larger touch-sensitive member) may be approximately the size of a business card (2"×3.5"). Data obtained from a touch sensor array is software manipulated to achieve a simple, powerful method of user interaction in which the traditional keyboard and mouse disappear, being replaced by a display window (manipulable like other display windows) overlaid by the touch sensor array. The resulting input window allows for realization of a sketch-pad computer having essentially no external moving parts but providing keyboard/mouse interaction (as opposed to pen-only interaction, for example). The window need not obscure underlying text and graphics but need only delineate its extent. The keyboard/mouse may instead be housed in a housing in the same manner as a conventional mouse.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Ure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/04883; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03547; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
Using an input device having a touch-sensitive stationary member, a method of interacting with a computer having a display and displaying an icon, the method comprising the step of: moving a fingertip across said member while a user's thumb is applied to said member; and sensing said fingertip and said thumb by means of said touch-sensitive stationary member in order to drag said icon across said display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
Using an input device having a touch-sensitive stationary member, a method of interacting with a computer having a display and displaying an icon, the method comprising the step of: moving a fingertip across said member while a user's thumb is applied to said member; and sensing said fingertip and said thumb by means of said touch-sensitive stationary member in order to drag said icon across said display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
Using an input device having a touch-sensitive stationary member, a method of interacting with a computer having a display and displaying a cursor, the method comprising the steps of: moving a fingertip across said member in order to cause said cursor to moved across said display; and varying a distance said cursor is moved across said display in response to a distance said fingertip is moved across said member in accordance with whether one or more than one fingertip is moved across said member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
Using an input device having a touch-sensitive stationary member, a method of interacting with a computer having a display and displaying a cursor, the method comprising the steps of: moving a fingertip across said member in order to cause said cursor to moved across said display; and varying a distance said cursor is moved across said display in response to a distance said fingertip is moved across said member in accordance with whether one or more than one fingertip is moved across said member.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising: touching different numbers of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters; sensing a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising: touching different numbers of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters; sensing a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising: touching different combinations of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters; sensing a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising: touching different combinations of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters; sensing a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 4, comprising the further steps of: at a first time, touching a predetermined combination of fingers to the touch-sensitive member; sensing and storing positions of said predetermined combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and using said positions for determining, from among different possible combinations of fingers, a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member at a second time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5, comprising the further step of: producing a binary representation of a space in response to said predetermined combination of fingers.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising: touching different numbers and combinations of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters; sensing a number and a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of inputting characters into a computer using a touch-sensitive member, comprising: touching different numbers and combinations of fingers to the touch-sensitive member to represent different characters; sensing a number and a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and responsive to said sensing, producing a binary representation of respective ones of said different characters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising: a touch-sensitive member; means for sensing a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising: a touch-sensitive member; means for sensing a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising: a touch-sensitive member; means for sensing a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising: a touch-sensitive member; means for sensing a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: means for sensing and storing positions of a predetermined combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member at a first time; and means for using said positions for determining, from among different possible combinations of fingers, a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member at a second time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising: a touch-sensitive member; means for sensing a number and a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A touch-sensitive apparatus for inputting characters into a computer, comprising: a touch-sensitive member; means for sensing a number and a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and means, responsive to said sensing, for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
A computer input device for inputting characters into a computer, comprising: touch-responsive means for producing a signal in response to movement of a user's fingertips, said touch-responsive means being void of visual indications indicating distinct keys; and means responsive to said signal for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
A computer input device for inputting characters into a computer, comprising: touch-responsive means for producing a signal in response to movement of a user's fingertips, said touch-responsive means being void of visual indications indicating distinct keys; and means responsive to said signal for producing a binary representation of respective ones of said characters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer input device, comprising: a touch-sensitive member; means coupled to said touch-sensitive member and operative in a first mode of operation for producing a position-related signal responsive to movement of a user's fingertip across the member; means coupled to said touch-sensitive member and operative in a second mode of operation for sensing at least one of 1) a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member, and 2) a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and means, responsive to said sensing and operative in said second mode of operation, for producing a binary representation of an input character.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer input device, comprising: a touch-sensitive member; means coupled to said touch-sensitive member and operative in a first mode of operation for producing a position-related signal responsive to movement of a user's fingertip across the member; means coupled to said touch-sensitive member and operative in a second mode of operation for sensing at least one of 1) a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member, and 2) a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and means, responsive to said sensing and operative in said second mode of operation, for producing a binary representation of an input character.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer input method using a touch-sensitive member, comprising the steps of: in a first mode of operation, producing a position-related signal responsive to movement of a user's fingertip across the member; in a second mode of operation, sensing at least one of 1) a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member, and 2) a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and in said second mode of operation, producing a binary representation of an input character responsive to said sensing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer input method using a touch-sensitive member, comprising the steps of: in a first mode of operation, producing a position-related signal responsive to movement of a user's fingertip across the member; in a second mode of operation, sensing at least one of 1) a number of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member, and 2) a combination of fingers touched to the touch-sensitive member; and in said second mode of operation, producing a binary representation of an input character responsive to said sensing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3691555A
Cited
US4042777A
Cited
US4550221A
Cited
US4836700A
Cited
US5017030A
Cited
US4775255A
Cited
US5327161A
Cited
US5245321A
Cited
US5231381A
Cited
US5194862A
Cited
US5189416A
Cited
US5341133A
Cited
US5376946A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |