System for using a touchpad input device for cursor control and keyboard emulation

• US 5,666,113 A
• Filed: 09/05/1995
• Issued: 09/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: MicroTouch Systems, Inc. (3M Company)
• Inventors: Logan, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US08/525,859
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/22, 341/34, 345/157, 345/160, 345/168, 345/173
• US Class Current: 341/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A system for using a touch-sensitive computer input touchpad for computer cursor control and keypad emulation in which the system senses a touch on the touchpad surface, resolves lateral touch movement after the touch, and establishes cursor control on resolution of sufficient lateral movement.

Claims

1. A system which automatically switches use of a touch-sensitive computer input touchpad between the functions of cursor control and keypad emulation, the system comprising:

touchpad means;

means for sensing a touch on the touchpad means;

means for timing the time period between a touch on and a lift off from said touchpad means;

mean for sensing lateral movement across the touchpad means after a touch and for determining the distance of said lateral movement;

means for entering cursor control upon a lateral movement across the touchpad means, after a touch, of more than a predetermined distance and for entering cursor control upon the expiration of a predetermined time period after a touch without a liftoff; and

means for entering keypad emulation upon the sensing of a liftoff and a subsequent touch on the touchpad means within said preestablished time of and within said predetermined distance from a prior touch on said touchpad.

2. The system of claim 1 further including separate switch means and means for entering keypad emulation upon sensing movement of said switch means within said preestablished time period of and within said predetermined distance from a prior touch on said touchpad means.