Modular computer user interface system
First Claim
1. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
- a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular computer user interface system particularly adaptable for use with portable computers and comprising the integration therewith of at least one, but in certain specific embodiments, a plurality of auxiliary modules, such as keypads, interfaced with the processor independent of the conventional keyboard. The one or more auxiliary modules may be permanently secured to the platform of the portable computer in spaced, segregated relation to the keyboard and keys associated therewith. Alternatively, one or more of the auxiliary modules may be removably mounted on or detachably connected to the platform and keyboard, wherein regardless of their fixed, removable or detached relation to the platform of the computer, each of the auxiliary modules are independently operable to effect data and signal communication with the central processor of the computer, independent of operation of the conventional keyboard. The plurality of auxiliary modules may each be independently structured to perform various functions and therefore are independently operative as a numerical keypad, a proprietary keypad for processing specialized software and/or another type of user interface module.
72 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module secured to said platform in segregated relation to said keyboard, and d) an interface assembly at least partially connected to said platform and structured to operatively interconnect said auxiliary module and said processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor communicatively connected to and responsive of data communication from said keyboard, c) at least one auxiliary module removably mounted on said platform in spaced, segregated relation to said keyboard, and d) an interface assembly operably associated with both said platform and said auxiliary module and structured to at least partially define an operative interconnection between said auxiliary module and said processor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A modular computer user interface system comprising:
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a) a processor operatively connected to a display device, b) a platform including a keyboard mounted thereon, said processor electrically connected to and responsive of data communication with said keyboard, c) a plurality of auxiliary modules each attachable to said platform in spaced, segregated relation to said keyboard, and d) an interface assembly connected to said platform and each of said auxiliary modules and structured to at least partially define an operative interconnection between each of said auxiliary modules and said processor. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification