Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1994-07-06
2001-04-03
Lao, Lun-Yi (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S169000, C341S034000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211860
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the electronics circuitry field. More particularly, this invention is a pressure sensitive electronic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, electronic devices capable of performing a wide variety of functions were quite large. The size of such devices was primarily dictated by the size of the circuitry needed to perform the functions of the device. When vacuum tubes made up the bulk of the electronic circuitry that performed these functions, these devices were at least the size of a desktop (TV, stereo receiver) and often were the size of an entire room or building (computer). In such devices, space for a keyboard or other conglomeration of keys, switches, etc, which allowed for user control of the device was not a concern, since the device itself was so large.
But technology marched on, and rapid advances were made in the miniaturization of the circuitry required to perform the functions of electronic devices. The vacuum tube gave way to the transistor. The transistor gave way to the integrated circuit. Today's VLSI (very large scale integration) circuits are capable of storing millions of transistors on a single chip. As the circuitry for electronic devices got smaller, the devices themselves got smaller. An electronic device that used to take up a whole room can now literally fit in the palm of a user's hand, or on their wrist.
While the ongoing miniaturization of electronic devices has truly been a revolution in technological progress, it has not been without its problems. One such problem is that the space for a keyboard or other conglomeration of keys, switches, etc, which allowed for user control of the device is now often the critical path that dictates the size of an electronic device. Everything from computers to watches could be made smaller and more efficient if space for user control of the device could be minimized
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pressure sensitive electronic device has a display, a case, a processor, and a pressure sensor, such as one or more force sensitive resistors. When the pressure sensor detects pressure on the case, the information displayed on the display is changed. Pressure in one or more dimensions (X, Y, and/or Z) on the case is detected by the pressure sensor. Most commonly, the information that is changed on the display is the repositioning of a cursor on the display, although switching between various operating modes and/or writing on the device can also be performed. The cursor is repositioned corresponding to the direction and magnitude of the pressure detected on the case. Pressure can also be used to execute an operation corresponding to the position of the cursor on the display. Keys or other input devices (mouse, trackball, etc) are not required to control the movement of the cursor on the display, execute operations, or switch between various operating modes of the device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4313113 (1982-01-01), Thornburg
patent: 4954817 (1990-09-01), Levine
patent: 5088070 (1992-02-01), Shiff
patent: 5111005 (1992-05-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5184120 (1993-02-01), Schultz
patent: 5329501 (1994-07-01), Meister et al.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Lao Lun-Yi
Rose Curtis G.
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