Integrated pointing and drawing graphics system for computers

• US 6,088,023 A
• Filed: 12/10/1996
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Willow Design, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Willow Design, Inc.
• Inventors: Louis, Constance M., Louis, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOW, DOON Y
• Application Number:
  US08/763,095
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 345/175, 345/176, 345/177, 345/184, 345/156, 345/157, 345/160, 345/158, 341/22, 341/32, 341/33, 341/34
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

An integrated graphic tablet/touchpad can be toggled between an absolute (graphic tablet) input mode and a relative (touchpad) input mode. In the relative mode, a graphics window appears on an associated display only when pressure is exerted on an input surface, and a cursor can be moved by stroking the input surface. In contrast, in the absolute mode the window is always displayed, and the cursor is relocated to a new position in the window each time a stylus or finger is moved onto the input surface. A graphic tablet armrest bridge is also disclosed, as is a one-piece stick-on device that converts a portion of the area of a position sensitive cursor control input device into a cursor control area having cursor control characteristics that are different than those of the remainder of the input device.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising:

a computer program storage device readable by a digital processing system; and

logic means on the program storage device and including instructions executable by the digital processing system for performing method steps for controlling a cursor on

a display associated with the digital processing system based on signals received from

a position sensitive input surface, the method steps comprising;

receiving calibration signals from the input surface;

in response to the calibration signals, defining at least a click zone and a velocity zone; and

in response to subsequent signals from the click zone and the velocity zone, respectively returning click signals and cursor motion signals.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method steps further comprise:

defining a transition zone in response to the calibration signals; and

in response to subsequent signals from the transition zone, returning click and hold signals.

3. The computer program product of claim 2, in combination with a device comprising:

a unitary flexible plastic body defining a central tactile element, a velocity ring element centered on the tactile element, and a transition plate between the tactile element and the velocity ring element, wherein the central tactile element, transition plate, and velocity ring element respectively correspond to the click zone, transition zone, and velocity ring, the body including an adhesive surface for adhering the body to the position sensitive input surface.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the device further comprises:

a bezel surrounding the velocity ring;

an annular sloped surface extending from the bezel toward the velocity ring; and

a circular groove separating the sloped surface from the velocity ring.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the bezel establishes the adhesive surface, and the device further comprises at least one vent hole formed in the circular groove.

6. A device, comprising:

a unitary flexible plastic body defining a central tactile element, a velocity ring element centered on the tactile element, and a transition plate between the tactile element and the velocity ring element, wherein the central tactile element, transition plate, and velocity ring element respectively correspond to a click zone, a transition zone, and a velocity ring, the body including an adhesive surface for adhering the body to a position sensitive input surface.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the device further comprises:

a bezel surrounding the velocity ring;

an annular sloped surface extending from the bezel toward the velocity ring; and

a circular groove separating the sloped surface from the velocity ring.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the bezel establishes the adhesive surface, and the device further comprises at least one vent hole formed in the circular groove.