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Integrated keyboard and pointing device system with automatic mode change

  • US 6,107,996 A
  • Filed: 11/24/1992
  • Issued: 08/22/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. In a computer system having a typing mode of operation and a pointing mode of operation, and including a keyboard having a plurality of keys that includes typing keys, one of the typing keys being also a pointing key arranged to provide analog signals for cursor control, and a display screen having a cursor, an implicit method of switching between typing mode and pointing mode, comprising the steps of:

  • during the typing mode of operation, monitoring the keyboard to detect a first keyboard event;

    responsive to detecting a first keyboard event, testing for a pointing key press;

    if the first keyboard event is not a pointing key press, processing the first keyboard event normally;

    if the first keyboard event is a pointing key press, monitoring a time elapsed since the pointing key press; and

    if the pointing key remains pressed and no other key is pressed within a predetermined time period, begin repositioning the cursor responsive to analog pointing signals acquired from the pointing key and change the operating mode of the entire keyboard to the pointing mode of operation, so that subsequent actuation of other keys is intercepted and interpreted according to the pointing mode, thereby changing the meaning of keys other than the pointing key based solely on holding down the pointing key.

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