Patent US5982302A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5982302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch-sensitive keyboard/mouse
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-03-07
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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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 15:45
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.
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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 |