US6498601B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for selecting input modes on a palmtop computer
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1999-11-29
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Granted: 2002-12-24
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Expires: 2019-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A palmtop computer for entering characters using one or more input modes. In one example, a physical sensor is coupled to select the input mode. The physical sensor may be in the form of a button, rocker switch, dial, pressure strip, moveable bar, or accelerometer mounted to the device. The physical sensor may also be mounted to a pen. In another example, a ridge is formed on the digitizer pad and positioned to define input regions associated with particular input mode. In another example, a border is formed around the digitizer pad. The border includes a ridge coupled to select the input mode. The digitizer pad may also be textured. A first textured region is associated with one input mode and a second textured region is associated with another input mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Anuj Uday Gujar
- 👤 David Goldberg
- 👤 Kenneth P. Fishkin
- 👤 Beverly L. Harrison
- 👤 Roy Want
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/016; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1662; G06F1/1671; G06F1/1684; G06F1/169; G06F3/011; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0233; G06F3/0234; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03545; G06F3/03547; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/01; G06F2203/014; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04809
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A palmtop computer for receiving input of characters, the computer comprising: a casing; a digitizer pad coupled to said casing; and, a bar mounted with said casing and positioned over said digitizer pad to define a first input region and a second input region, wherein said bar maybe moved to select a character type input mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A palmtop computer for receiving input of characters, the computer comprising: a casing; a digitizer pad coupled to said casing; and, a bar mounted with said casing and positioned over said digitizer pad to define a first input region and a second input region, wherein said bar maybe moved to select a character type input mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The palmtop computer of claim 1 , wherein said bar may be moved to select a first input mode for said first region and a second input mode for said second region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The palmtop computer of claim 1 , wherein bar may be used to cycle through a plurality of input modes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A palmtop computer for receiving input of characters, the computer comprising: a casing; a digitizer pad coupled to the casing; and a ridge formed on the digitizer pad to define a first input region associated with a first character type input mode and a second input region associated with a second character type input mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A palmtop computer for receiving input of characters, the computer comprising: a casing; a digitizer pad coupled to the casing; and a ridge formed on the digitizer pad to define a first input region associated with a first character type input mode and a second input region associated with a second character type input mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The palmtop computer of claim 4 , wherein said first input region includes a first textured region and said second input region includes a second distinct textured region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The palmtop computer of claim 4 , further comprising: a second ridge formed on the digitizer pad to define, within said first input region, a first sub-region and a second sub-region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The palmtop computer of claim 6 , further comprising: a third ridge formed on the digitizer pad to define, within said second input region a third sub-region and a fourth sub-region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The palmtop computer of claim 7 , wherein each said sub-region is assigned a character type input mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A palmtop computer for receiving input of characters, the computer comprising: a casing; a digitizer pad coupled to the casing; and a border formed around the digitizer pad, the border including an actuable ridge to select a character type input mode, wherein said actuable ridge includes a stepped inner edge that may be actuated by applying a pressure to said stepped inner edge to select a character type input mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A palmtop computer for receiving input of characters, the computer comprising: a casing; a digitizer pad coupled to the casing; and a border formed around the digitizer pad, the border including an actuable ridge to select a character type input mode, wherein said actuable ridge includes a stepped inner edge that may be actuated by applying a pressure to said stepped inner edge to select a character type input mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The palmtop computer of claim 9 wherein the ridge includes a pressure sensitive material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The palmtop computer of claim 9 wherein the ridge may be positioned in a plurality of locations on said digitizer pad.
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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) | 2005-12-23 | 2006-06-24 | 2006-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | 2010-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-23 | 2014-06-24 | 2014-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |