Programmable computer pointing device

• US 6,137,479 A
• Filed: 12/05/1997
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Timex Group USA Incorporated (Tanager Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Timex Corporation (Tanager Group BV)
• Inventors: Olsen, Anette, Olsen, Fred
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nelson, Alecia D.
• Application Number:
  US08/985,587
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 345/2, 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, 345/167, 345/168, 345/169, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/121
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A processor-based computer pointing device includes a keypad, a display and data memory. The pointing device includes traditional computer mouse components to position a cursor displayed on a computer display screen and select items displayed on the screen. The pointing device provides data organizer and timekeeping functions and can be programmed to control other devices. Data interfaces are provided for transferring data between the pointing device and other devices.

Claims

1. A portable computer pointing device for positioning a cursor on a display screen of a computer and displaying information stored in said pointing device, comprising:

a sensor for generating a position signal;

a first data port, coupleable to said computer and adapted to receive said position signal, wherein said first data port sends said position signal to said computer to position said cursor on said display screen;

a first housing adapted to receive said sensor and said first data port, said first housing including a second data port for transferring data between said first data port and a third data port;

a data memory for storing data that includes said information;

a keypad for generating an input signal that includes information to be stored in said data memory;

a processor, coupled to said data memory and said keypad, for processing said input signal to store data in said data memory, for accessing, modifying and replacing data previously stored in said data memory, and for processing said data stored in said data memory to generate a display signal;

a display device, coupled to said processor, for displaying an image defined by said display signal; and

a second housing adapted to receive said data memory, said keypad, said processor and said display device, said second housing including said third data port coupled to said second data port for transferring data between said data memory and said second data port.

2. A computer pointing device according to claim 1 further including an auxiliary data port for transferring data between said computer pointing device and an auxiliary device.

3. A computer pointing device according to claim 2, wherein said processor is programmed to control said auxiliary device.

4. A portable computer pointing device according to claim 1 wherein said second housing is adapted to be removably attached to a wristband.

5. A portable watch device, comprising:

a sensor for generating a position signal corresponding to a position of a cursor;

a data port, adapted to receive said position signal, wherein said data port sends said position signal to a computer to position said cursor on a display screen of said computer;

a timekeeping circuit for calculating a time and generating signals representative of said time;

a receiver for receiving first transmission signals that includes data from said computer;

a data memory for storing said data;

a processor, coupled to said data memory and said receiver, for processing said first transmission signals to store said data in said data memory, for accessing, modifying and replacing said data and for retrieving said data and generating a display signal and second transmission signals that includes said modified data;

a transmitter for transmitting said second transmission signals to said computer; and

a display device, coupled to said timekeeping circuit and said processor, for displaying an image defined by said signals representative of said time, said display signal and said second transmission signals.

6. A portable watch device according to claim 5 further including:

a keypad for generating an input signal that includes data to be stored in said data memory and of data for modifying said modified data.

7. A portable watch device according to claim 5 wherein said transmitter includes said data port.

8. A portable watch device according to claim 5 wherein said receiver includes an optical receiver.

9. A portable watch device according to claim 5 wherein said sensor includes a track ball.

10. A portable watch device according to claim 5 wherein said sensor includes a pressure sensor.

11. A computer pointing device assembly for positioning a cursor on a display screen of a computer and displaying information stored in said pointing device, comprising:

a first housing comprising;

a sensor for generating a position signal corresponding to a position of said cursor;

a first data port, coupled to said computer and adapted to receive said position signal, wherein said first data port sends said position signal to said computer to position said cursor on said display screen; and

a second data port for transferring data between said first data port and a third data port; and

a second housing comprising;

a keypad for generating an input signal that includes said information;

a data memory for storing data that includes said information;

a processor, coupled to said data memory and said keypad, for processing said input signal to store data in said data memory, for accessing, modifying and replacing data previously stored in said data memory, and for processing said data stored in said data memory to generate a display signal; and

a display device, coupled to said processor, for displaying an image in accordance with said display signal;

wherein said third data port is coupled to said second data port for transferring data between said data memory and said second data port.

12. A computer pointing device assembly according to claim 11 further including a timekeeping circuit.

13. A computer pointing device assembly according to claim 12 wherein said timekeeping circuit generates said display signal to display a time on said display device.

14. A computer pointing device assembly according to claim 11 wherein said second housing is adapted to be removably attached to a wristband.

15. A computer pointing device assembly according to claim 11 wherein said second housing includes means for receiving and coupling to said first housing.

16. A computer pointing device assembly according to claim 11 wherein said first data port is adapted to send and receive data stored in said data memory to and from said computer.