Coordinate input device

• US 6,304,248 B1
• Filed: 05/29/1998
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Hirashima, Takeo, Niwata, Tsuyoshi, Shiobara, Tomomi
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): YANG, RYAN R
• Application Number:
  US09/086,951
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof

Abstract

A coordinate input device includes coordinate detecting elements for detecting input coordinates, operating elements for generating operational information corresponding to a predetermined operation and a communication element for transmitting data of said input coordinates detected by said coordinate detecting elements and said operational information generated by an operation of said operating elements to a processing device. The coordinate input device further comprises an IC card access element for allowing an access to an IC card.

Claims

1. A coordinate input device comprising:

coordinate detecting elements for detecting input coordinates;

operating elements;

input key element;

a communication element for transmitting data of said input coordinates detected by said coordinate detecting elements and information generated by said operating elements to a processing device;

an IC card access element allowing an access to an IC card according to data input by said input key element; and

a cover which is freely pivotable between an open position and a closed position, provided so as to cover said input key element in said closed position and such that said operating elements are operable both in said open position and in said closed position,

wherein said IC card access element is provided on said cover.

2. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display element for displaying information thereon.

3. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said IC card access element compares said data input by said input key element and data read from said IC card, so as to allow said access to said IC card when said input data and said read data match.

4. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 1,

further comprising a battery for allowing the IC card access element to access said IC card independent of an operation of said processing device.

5. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 4,

further comprising a charging a element for charging said battery by a power supply provided from said processing device to said coordinate input device via said communication element.

6. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 1,

further comprising a transmission control element for connecting said IC card access element to said processing device via said communication element.

7. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 6,

wherein said transmission control element controls communication between said coordinate input device and said processing device and communication between said IC card access element and said processing device in a time-division manner.

8. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said IC card access element comprises a coupling element for allowing an access to said IC card by coming into contact with a contact part of said IC card.

9. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said IC card access element comprises a coupling element for allowing an access to the IC card by being coupled to an input/output element of said IC card in a non-contact manner.

10. The coordinate input device as claimed in claim 8,

further comprising a holding element for holding said IC card so as to be adjacent to and opposing said coupling element.