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Arrangement for the input and processing of characters and/or graphic patterns

  • US 4,899,137 A
  • Filed: 09/26/1988
  • Issued: 02/06/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for the selective input of characters and graphic patterns for processing in an electronic data processing system, comprising:

  • a graphics tablet having an input layer, and a plurality of sensor elements disposed on said input layer which are each actuable to produce electrical signals corresponding to the location of the respective actuated sensor element;

    a keyboard which is movable relative to said graphics tablet to a keyboard operating position for keyboard entry of characters and to a second operating position to permit direct entry of information to said input layer, said keyboard having a plurality of movable keys, in said keyboard operating position, each of said movable keys overlying a corresponding predetermined group of sensor elements; and

    operating mode detecting means for detecting whether said keyboard is in said keyboard operating position or in said second position for signalling the data processing system to respectively interpret information from said graphics tablet either as characters corresponding to keys on said keyboard, or to graphic patterns corresponding to actuated ones of said plurality of sensor elements.

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