Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-02
2001-04-17
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2774)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S156000, C345S157000, C345S158000, C345S163000, C345S168000, C345S169000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219037
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 Pointing Device Provided With Two Types of input Means For a Computer System earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 2
nd
day of October 1997, and there duly assigned Serial No. 51054/1997, a copy of which is annexed hereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device inputting data to a computer system, and more particularly to a pointing device inputting pointing data to a portable computer system.
2. 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, 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. Typically, a computer system's main board, which is a printed circuit board known as a motherboard, is used to electrically connect these components together.
Portable computers are often referred to as laptop, notebook, or subnotebook computers. These computers typically incorporate a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other relatively small display. Portable computers also often provide for coupling to a conventional standalone display monitor and also often provide for coupling to an external input device such as an external mouse or trackball.
A computer is usually equipped to use a “mouse” for movement of a cursor and initiating other functions of the computer. The mouse has a rotatable ball and is known as an input device which is also a pointing device. Typically, one pointing device is provided as the input device for a portable computer. For example, a portable computer may include a trackball input device incorporated in the housing of the portable computer. Or the portable computer may include a touchpad input device incorporated in the housing of the portable computer. The trackball input device is a pointing device since it inputs pointing data or positional coordinate data to the computer. The touchpad input device is also a pointing device.
Problems that can occur include the following. Since these input devices are fixedly mounted to the housing of the portable computer, errors can occur due to unintentional touching of the input device. Also, a user may be accustomed to using a trackball and may prefer to use a trackball in lieu of a touchpad. However, if a particular portable computer includes only a touchpad, that user must use the touchpad, even though that device is not the preferred input device.
Exemplars of recent efforts in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,359 for a System For RF Communication Between a Computer And a Remote Wireless Data Input Device issued to Ushikubo, //U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,684 for a Detachable Convertible Mouse-Trackball Pointing Device for Use with a Computer issued to Blankenship et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,334 for a Notebook Computer System with a Separable Trackball issued to Hsieh et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,368 for a Combination Mouse and track Ball Unit issued to Grant, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,268 for a Wireless Mouse Apparatus issued to Mori.
While these recent efforts provide advantages, I note that they fail to adequately address how an improved input unit including two types of pointing devices can be provided conveniently and efficiently at a computer system, thereby adding versatility to the computer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pointing device for a notebook computer, which has both the ball type data input means and the touch pad type input means to selectively use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pointing device with both types of input means, which may be detachably mounted in a notebook computer, and thus operated in wireless data communication with the computer in the detached state.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pointing device mounted in a notebook computer having a system unit for data processing and a display, comprises a housing detachably attached to the notebook computer, and a first and a second input means formed integrally with the housing, wherein the first input means is used for data input by making a wireless data communication with the system unit when the housing is detached from the computer, and the second input means is directly connected with the system unit through wire for data input when the housing is attached to the computer. Preferably, the housing may be detachably mounted in a seat provided in the system unit. The first and second input means are respectively a ball type mouse and a touch pad. Thus, the pointing device may be selectively used as a ball type mouse when detached from the system unit or as a touch pad when attached to the system unit. Used as the ball type, the pointing device transfers the pointing data to the system unit by means of a radio transmitter, and as the touch pad, it transfers the pointing data to the system by means of wire connection.
To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a pointing apparatus for use with a computer, comprising: an apparatus housing being removably attached to a host computer and having first and second spaced-apart surfaces; a first input unit being formed integrally with said apparatus housing and generating first pointing data to be conveyed to said host computer via wireless communication when said apparatus housing is not attached to said host computer, said first pointing data corresponding to position coordinate information; and a second input unit being formed integrally with said apparatus housing and generating second pointing data to be conveyed to said host computer via an electrical connector when said apparatus housing is attached to said host computer, said second pointing data corresponding to said position coordinate information.
To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a pointing apparatus for use with a host computer, comprising: an apparatus housing being removably attached to a host computer and having first and second spaced-apart surfaces; a plurality of input keys being mounted to said apparatus housing and inputting key data to said apparatus to be conveyed to said host computer; a first input unit being formed integrally with said apparatus housing and generating first pointing data to be conveyed to said host computer via wireless communication when said apparatus housing is not attached to said host computer, said first pointing data corresponding to position coordinate information; a second input unit being formed integrally with said apparatus housing and generating second pointing data to be conveyed to said host computer via an electrical connector when said apparatus housing is attached to said host computer, said second pointing data corresponding to said position coordinate information; a switching unit outputting a selection signal when said apparatus housing is attached to said host computer, and not outputting said selection signal when said apparatus housing is not attached to said host computer; a control unit receiving said selection signal from said switching unit, and controlling said first pointing data and said second pointing data in accordance with said selection signal, said second pointing data being transmitted as an electrical signal to said host computer via said electrical connector when said selection signal is received, and said first pointing data being transmitted as a wireless signal to said host computer via sa
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Hjerpe Richard
Lesperance Jean
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
LandOfFree
Pointing device provided with two types of input means for a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pointing device provided with two types of input means for a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pointing device provided with two types of input means for a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2509883