Single finger controlled computer input apparatus and method

• US 6,323,845 B1
• Filed: 03/06/1995
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Robbins, Daniel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): FATAHI YAR, MAHMOUD
• Application Number:
  US08/398,834
• Time in Patent Office: 2,458 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 345/171, 345/172, 345/173-178, 178/18, 178/19
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; 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 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A computer 10 has an input device 12 keyboard with two sets of input keys 14, 16 separated by a touch pad 20. The touch pad 20 is accessed by an operator'"'"'s index finger from the home row of keys, typically the next to last row.

Claims

1. A computer with a central processing unit, a memory, a display and an input device, wherein said input device comprises:

a keyboard having a plurality of keys, each key corresponding to one of a plurality of alphanumeric and punctuation characters, said keys arranged in first and second sets, each set having a plurality of rows, each set having a home row of keys for normally receiving the tips of the fingers of an operator, said first and second sets spaced from each other, said keyboard having a switching matrix operatively associated with said keys for generating a computer input signal corresponding to the key operated by an operator; and

a touch sensitive input pad disposed in the space between the two sets of keys and accessible by removing only one index finger from one of the home keys,

wherein the touch sensitive input pad generates one or more signals corresponding to one or more different pressures applied to on the pad by the operator,

wherein a first pressure generates a cursor acquisition signal for enabling the operator to acquire positional control of a cursor on a display coupled to the computer input device,

wherein said display is divided into a plurality of quadrants, said touch sensitive input pad includes an edge boundary area, and said cursor advances directly from a first quadrant of said plurality of quadrants to a second quadrant of said plurality of quadrants in response to said operator applying pressure to said edge boundary area.