Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-30
2001-05-01
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2774)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
C345S173000, C345S179000, C341S021000, C341S022000, C341S023000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06225976
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to remote computer input peripherals and, more particularly, to a remote computer input peripheral used to control presentation projectors, electronic white board hardware and software, and personal computer (PC) based video and teleconferencing.
BACKGROUND ART
The proliferation of computer driven systems and appliances into arenas that were traditionally non-computer related has rendered conventional user input devices inadequate, and sometimes obsolete. Considerable resources are being spent to create new user-interface paradigms using pen and voice.
An electronic meeting room typically includes a PC and a number of communications peripherals. The communications peripherals include white boards, presentation projectors, and video and teleconferencing systems. People use the communications peripherals for white board applications involving interactive presentations and meetings, and collaborative data sharing sessions.
An electronic meeting room does not need to be a single room. Rather, an electronic meeting room can be a virtual room where one or more persons in different physical locations are connected together via the Internet or some other communications network.
A user interface controls remote location meetings and conferences where computerized data and document sharing takes place through a teleconferencing or a video conferencing medium. Currently, the user interface for the above applications involves employing multiple devices such as a projector remote control, a microphone, a mouse, a wireless keyboard, a digitizer pad, and a phone. A problem with employing multiple devices for the user interface is that users must manipulate many devices making the user interface less friendly.
Pad-entry paradigms employing touch pads have been developed which incorporate the features of some of the multiple devices. It is desirable that one hand holds the touch pad in space while the other hand manipulates the touch pad with either a finger(s) or a stylus. A problem with these prior art pad-entry paradigms is that the hand manipulating the pad needs to be constantly lifted from the pad surface to perform clicks or other entry functions (usually the activation of hard or soft keys). This interruption of mousing or graphic capturing tasks causes inconvenience and renders the device less friendly and usable.
Other pad-entry paradigms require the pad to be set down, thereby freeing up the holding hand to perform other functions. Some current paradigms use expensive pad technology solutions to facilitate usage such as a specialized stylus or pen that requires either activation of buttons on the pen or pressing the stylus tip against the pad. Other paradigms require a pad designed to sense proximity of a special stylus to accomplish certain functions. These prior art paradigms require specialized technologies that are expensive and less practical to do in a portable, wireless device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a remote computer input peripheral that combines several input requirements, currently managed via multiple devices, into one intuitive hand-held input device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hand-held remote computer input peripheral having a touch pad that enables the harmonious working of the hand holding the peripheral with the hand manipulating the touch pad.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand-held pad sensor peripheral held by one hand while being addressed by the other hand either with a finger(s) or stylus in which the fingers and/or thumb of the holding hand activate input buttons on the peripheral simultaneously, or in conjunction with, input activities of the pad addressing hand.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects, the present invention provides a hand-held remote computer input peripheral for communicating with a host computer having a graphical user interface with a cursor and other objects. The input peripheral includes a housing having a top surface, first and second opposed side surfaces, and a rear surface. A human operator holds the housing in space by using a first hand to grip the first side portion. A touch pad is positioned in the top surface of the housing such that the operator manipulates the touch pad using a second hand. A plurality of activation mode buttons are positioned in the top surface of the housing. Each of the activation mode buttons corresponds to a respective activation mode of the touch pad. The operator switches between activation modes by pressing the activation mode buttons with the second hand. A plurality of function keys are positioned in the top surface of the housing. Each of the function keys corresponds to a respective user-defined function. The operator actuates functions by pressing the function keys using the first hand while manipulating the touch pad with the second hand. A click button is positioned on the housing to be actuated by the first hand of the operator. The operator actuates the click button with the first hand while manipulating the touch pad with the second hand.
An advantage of the present invention is that the harmonious working of both hands of the operator renders the input peripheral user preferred.
These and other features, aspects, and embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5059958 (1991-10-01), Jacobs et al.
patent: 5200913 (1993-04-01), Hawkins et al.
patent: 5307297 (1994-04-01), Iguchi et al.
patent: 5379057 (1995-01-01), Clough et al.
patent: 5410333 (1995-04-01), Conway
patent: 5450079 (1995-09-01), Dunaway
patent: 5528266 (1996-06-01), Arbeitman et al.
patent: 5543818 (1996-08-01), Scott
patent: 5551693 (1996-09-01), Goto et al.
patent: 5587560 (1996-12-01), Crooks et al.
patent: 5681220 (1997-10-01), Bertram et al.
patent: 5708458 (1998-01-01), Vrbanac
patent: 5716274 (1998-02-01), Goto et al.
patent: 5748185 (1998-05-01), Stephan et al.
patent: 5956019 (1999-10-01), Bang et al.
patent: 5983073 (1999-11-01), Ditzik
patent: 5996956 (1999-12-01), Shawver
Branton Steven B.
Martinelli John K.
Segal Jack A.
Smither Michael R.
Tickle James D.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Hjerpe Richard
Interlink Electronics, Inc.
Zamani Ali
LandOfFree
Remote computer input peripheral does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Remote computer input peripheral, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Remote computer input peripheral will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2532087