INPUT DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A POINTER ON THE SCREEN OF A COMPUTER
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An input system for controlling a computer application, the device including:
- a housing;
a platen supported by the housing and including a surface against which a digit of a user is selectively engaged;
a sensing system within the housing that provides a data signal indicative of the selective engagement of the digit on the platen; and
means controlling the computer application based upon the data signal.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hand operable input device (1) is coupled (2). The device (1) includes a housing (4) and an optical platen (5) supported by the housing (4) A sensing system (7) within the housing provides a signal indicative of a finger or other digit selectively engaged against the surface (6) of the platen (5). The signal is used to control a computer application. The signal may include positional information for controlling the operation of a pointer (2a) on the screen (2), and fingerprint information for authenticating the identity of the user to authorize use of an other application.
50 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An input system for controlling a computer application, the device including:
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a housing;
a platen supported by the housing and including a surface against which a digit of a user is selectively engaged;
a sensing system within the housing that provides a data signal indicative of the selective engagement of the digit on the platen; and
means controlling the computer application based upon the data signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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19. An input device for a computer having a computer screen on which a pointer is displayed, the device including:
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a housing;
a platen supported by the housing and including a contact surface against which a user'"'"'s digit is selectively engaged; and
a sensing system within the housing that provides a data signal to the computer indicative of the position of the digit against the contact surface to allow the pointer to be displayed in a corresponding position on the screen.
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27. An input device for a computer having a computer screen on which a pointer is displayed, the device including:
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a housing;
a platen supported by the housing and including a contact surface against which a user'"'"'s digit is selectively engaged to effect an actuation of the platen; and
a sensing system for providing, upon actuation of the platen by the digit, a signal to the computer indicative of both actuation of the platen and the position of the digit against the contact surface to operate an application of the pointer.
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28. A computer input system for controlling a protected computer application on a computer, comprising:
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an input device communicating with the computer, including a housing, an optoelectronic system that provides an image signal indicative of features of engagement of a user'"'"'s digit on an optical platen; and
processing means, including a processor, providing a control signal based upon the image signal to control the protected application.
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33. A method for controlling a computer application on a computer, the method comprising:
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providing an input device having an optical platen supported from a housing;
selectively engaging a user'"'"'s digit against a surface of the platen;
providing an image signal indicative of the engagement of the digit on the platen surface;
controlling the computer application based upon the image signal. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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37. A method for controlling a pointer on a display screen of a computer, the method including:
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providing a platen which includes a contact surface against which a user'"'"'s digit is selectively engaged;
providing an image signal indicative of the engagement of the digit on the contact surface;
providing a pointer signal to the computer based upon the image signal, the pointer signal being indicative of the position of the digit against the contact surface; and
positioning the pointer on the display screen in response to the pointer signal.
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Specification