Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Mechanical control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-14
2002-11-19
Mengistu, Amare (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Mechanical control
C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06483500
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application entitled COMPUTER SYSTEM HAVING JOG DIAL FUNCTION earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the Dec. 13, 1997, and there duly assigned Serial No. 97-68430, and from an application entitled A USER INTERFACE METHOD OF USING JOG-DIAL FUNCTION earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the Jul. 14, 1998, and there duly assigned Serial No. 98-28457, copies of which are annexed hereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a computer system, and more particularly to a computer system having a control panel that allows selection of an application program installed in the computer and execution thereof and to a user interface method for the same.
Related Art
Computer systems are information handling systems that are utilized by many individuals and businesses today. A computer system can be defined as a microcomputer that includes a central processing unit (CPU), a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory such as read only memory (ROM), a display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse or other input device such as a trackball, a floppy diskette drive, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive, a modem, a hard disk storage device, and a printer. A computer system's main board, which is a printed circuit board known as a motherboard, is used to electrically connect these components together.
The central processing unit is often described as a microprocessor. The microprocessor is an electronic component having internal logic circuitry handling most, if not all, the data processing in the computer system. The internal logic circuitry of microprocessors is typically divided into three functional parts known as the input/output (I/O) unit, the control unit, and the arithmetic-logic unit (ALU). These three functional parts interact together and determine the power and performance of the microprocessor. The combination of the control unit and the arithmetic-logic unit can be referred to as the central processing unit. Also, the combination of the input/output unit, the control unit, and the arithmetic-logic unit can be referred to as the central processing unit.
Computer systems include a basic input output system (BIOS) which is an especially important program stored in read only memory (ROM). The basic input output system (BIOS) tests a computer every time the computer is powered on. The basic input output system (BIOS) can allocate a computer system's resources automatically, making adjustments needed to accommodate new hardware. Also, the basic input output system (BIOS) governs how system board components interact.
When the computer system is powered on, the basic input output system (BIOS) immediately takes control of the computer system and its components. The first duty of the basic input output system (BIOS) is to perform a series of diagnostic routines called the power on self test (POST) routine, which ensures that every part of the computer system's hardware is functioning properly.
In the personal computer system, there are many methods of executing a command or an application program depending on the operating system used in a computer system and its user interface method. Operating systems used in state-of-art personal computers adopt so-called graphic user interface (GUI). This graphic user interface has made a great contribution to the computing environment for its convenience in using the computer. For example, in the Windows(R) operating system developed by Microsoft(R) Corporation, an application can be executed by selecting the corresponding icon placed on the Desktop or by exploring the File Manager or Explorer through mouse or keyboard operation. Basically, present operating systems adopting the GUI designate icons relative to every tile or documents and icons are displayed on the monitor screen so that the user may select the desired one and execute it by clicking the mouse button.
In such an operating system, however, if many program icons are placed on the Windows Desktop or a program group window, those icons may cause inconvenience to a user in selecting a desired one among many icons. Further, if an icon corresponding to the desired application program is not presented in the Desktop, it is difficult for a novice to find the desired program in the Windows Explorer and to execute the very program.
Recently, in order to facilitate execution of frequently used application programs, provisions are made to the personal computer such that a control panel, having a plurality of buttons called “Easy Button” or “Q button,” are provided in the front panel of the computer main body. Such buttons may be the one incorporated into a remote control device of the computer. Each button of the control panel is designated by a particular function of the computer or common application program. By pressing a button, starting or ending of an application program is possible.
However, although the above-noted control panel provides the user with easy and quick access to the computer, the inherent problem is that it has limitation in number of the button. Further, since designation of the functional button has been determined by the computer manufacturer, the computer user could not change the button designation at will. If it is possible to provide more buttons with the front control panel, then too many buttons will cause inconvenience to a user as like many icons registered in the Windows Desktop. Furthermore, the above-noted control panel lacks the ability to choose a main menu or control menu of the selected application program through the button operation.
I have found that a simplified and convenient access apparatus and method for a computer system would be desirable. Efforts have been made to develop devices and methods related to electrical systems and computer systems.
Exemplars of recent efforts in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,926 for METHOD OF GENERATING AN OPERATING BUTTON FOR COMPUTER PROCESSING, METHOD OF RETRIEVING DATA WITH THE OPERATING BUTTON AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING THE OPERATING BUTTON issued to Arita, U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,811 for OPERATOR/CIRCUIT INTERFACE WITH INTEGRATED DISPLAY SCREEN issued to Jaeger, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,477 for SYSTEM FOR INTERACTIVELY CREATING ACTION BAR PULL-DOWN WINDOWS OF A USER INTERFACE FOR USE AT PROGRAM RUN TIME issued to Koopmans et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,429 for MULTIFUNCTION SEQUENCE OPERATED INTEGRATED SWITCH-DISPLAY DEVICE issued to Tsuha et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,784 for MANAGEMENT CONTROL TERMINAL METHOD AND APPARATUS issued to Van Bemmelen.
While these recent efforts provide advantages, I note that they fail to adequately provide a simplified and convenient access apparatus and method for a computer system. Thus, there is a need of an improved computer control panel, capable of selecting and executing an application program more efficiently, to improve user interface provided by the computer control panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a computer system having an improved user interface which can select and execute a desired application program among many programs, and registration of a new program menu item as well as edition of the registered program menu can be performed by a user.
It is another object of the invention to provide a computer system having a control panel which can select a menu or submenu of an executed program through operation of the control panel.
In accordance with the present invention, the computer system comprises a control panel having a rotary switch and at least one push button switch; a microcontroller in response to input signals fed from the switches of said control panel to produce predefined key scan code data corresponding to each switch signal; a host system for determining whether a key scan code data corresponds to the key operation of the control panel is inputted to produce a command fo
Choi Seung-Beom
Lee Kwang-Sik
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Mengistu Amare
LandOfFree
Computer system with jog dial function and the user... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Computer system with jog dial function and the user..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computer system with jog dial function and the user... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2918594