Hand-held computer having input screen and means for preventing inadvertent actuation of keys

• US 6,177,926 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1997
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Kunert, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US08/955,899
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/168, 345/169, 345/173, 345/179, 361/681, 364/708.1, D14/100, D14/114, D14/115, D14/115.1, D14/117.9, 178/18.03
• US Class Current: 345/173
• 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A hand-held computer terminal employing a touch screen for the input of handwritten data comprises a contoured surface disposed between a touch screen surface and input keys or buttons, thereby providing improved ergonomics aiding in the entry of handwritten data while preventing unintentional actuation of input keys or button during the entry of handwritten data.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising a housing, a data processor, handwritten data capture means disposed on said housing and operatively and communicatively coupled to said data processor, one or more input keys disposed on said housing, and a hand rest on said housing, said hand rest comprising a means for sensing a user'"'"'s hand and for deactivating one or more of said input keys in response to sensing a user'"'"'s hand.

2. A portable computer comprising a housing a data processor and data storage means, handwritten data capture means disposed on said housing and operatively and communicatively coupled to said data processor one or more input keys disposed on said housing and a hand rest on said housing, said hand rest comprising a means for sensing a user'"'"'s hand,

wherein said means for sensing a user'"'"'s hand comprises a switch for deactivating some or all of said input keys.

3. The portable computer according to claim 2, wherein said switch is disposed beneath or within a depressable area of said hand rest.

4. A portable computer comprising a housing, a data processor system and a data storage system, a handwritten data capture system disposed on said housing and operatively and communicatively coupled to said data processor system, one or more keys disposed on said housing, and a hand rest on said housing, said hand rest comprising a sensor system for sensing a user'"'"'s hand, and for deactivating one or more of said keys in response to the sensing of a user'"'"'s hand.

5. The portable computer according to claim 4 wherein said sensor system comprises a switch disposed beneath or within a depressable area of said hand rest.