Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Patent
1994-07-29
1997-02-25
Powell, Mark R.
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
34113, 34118, 34120, 34146, 34168, 34173, 34902, G06F 3033, G06F 3023
Patent
active
056063458
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device designed to simplify the use of a computing system.
2. Description of Related Art
A computing system such as a microcomputer comprises of a central microprocessing unit and a keyboard for command and data input.
To facilitate the use of either computing systems, use of a tactile keyboard covering the screen serving as the point at which the user intervenes directly by pointing a finger, or a specific command device, depending on the type of tactile keyboard concerned, is widely known. However, such a system either does not have an independent command keyboard, or the system is specifically designed to function with a tactile keyboard, which must be taken into consideration by the applications processed by the system.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
One object of the invention is to furnish a device which simplifies the use of a computing system by implementing a tactile keyboard at the screen. This device is simple in design and allows the appearance of command windows superimposed over the current application, display without modifications to the application.
To this end, the device generates windows superimposed over the current application display and receives inputs from a tactile screen covering the computer screen. The device comprises at least one central microprocessing unit (CPU including CPV RAM and ROM memories, one RAM memory for window position, one RAM memory for data to be displayed in the windows, a keyboard interface designed to be connected to the keyboard connector of the computer, a peripheral circuit to drive the tactile keyboard, and an electronic switching system allowing the device to be situated between the computer screen connector and the screen in such a way that for selecting in real time the source of the data to be displayed, from either a keyboard or a tactile keyboard.
This device allows the inserting of a display window on the viewing screen of the computing system completely independently of the application that is running without needing to modify or intervene in any way with the hardware of the computing system or the software running on the system. The window inset by the device according to the invention may also be broken up into multiple windows, each one corresponding to the display part of the device.
This window or windows may, for example, be used for simultaneous display of an application running in parallel with the current main application on the computing system to which the device is connected.
The inset mode will always be graphic. In other words, the inserting is not dependent on the display mode, either character or graphics, used by the system to which the device is connected.
The device, according to the invention, thus permits the sharing of a computing system display screen between the main application and a second application, which may be generated by two independent electronic systems, and displaying the results and/or information of both applications on the same screen. The screen is displayed so that the main application is not aware of this screen sharing. The device thus allows the superimposition over the display of the main application of the screen of the second application. Furthermore, the device allows interaction with the main application while still preserving the integrity of the second application.
The device is able to provide input of information to the second application as if it had been input on the computing system keyboard (simulation of the input device).
The device also allows for the attachment of a single input tactile keyboard that covers the computing system screen and acts as a substitute for the mechanical keyboard and/or other input and/or pointing devices (mouse, trackball, etc.) usually connected to these computing systems.
The computing system has access to the screen, keyboard and data bus in the form of connectors. The device, according to the invention, uses this access and no modification is necessary to the existing access
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Lockett Kuniki C.
Powell Mark R.
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