Computer and RFID-based input devices

• US 7,315,908 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2004
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): SHIN, CHRISTOPHER B
• Application Number:
  US10/821,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20050237295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 710 62- 64, 710 72- 74, 342/42, 342/44, 342/46, 342 50- 51, 340 101- 103
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0031 for allowing different types or orientation of connections to contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/048 Inductive or infrared coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/068 having a not operable condition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/032 using RFID technology in switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/054 Application timeslot: duration of actuation or delay between or combination of subsequent actuations determines selected function
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

A computer has at least one input device. The input device includes at least one RF transponder that is configured as part of an RFID device, the at least one RF transponder being controllable by a user to be selectively capable or incapable of transmitting a signal. The computer also includes a computing arrangement including a reader and a microprocessor, the computing arrangement being adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder.

Claims

1. A computer having at least one input device, comprising:

an input device including at least one RF transponder that is controllable by a user to be selectively capable or incapable of transmitting a signal;

a computing arrangement including a reader and a microprocessor, the computing arrangement being adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder; and

a display adapted to display information represented by the signal;

wherein the at least one RF transponder is controlled to be capable of transmitting the signal by exposing an antenna and is controlled to be incapable of transmitting the signal by shielding the antenna.

2. The computer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one RF transponder is configured as part of an RFID device.

3. The computer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input device includes a keypad having a plurality of keys.

4. The computer as set forth in claim 3, wherein the keypad is arranged such that, when one of the plurality of keys is depressed, an antenna is caused to connect with a corresponding integrated circuit and send a signal.

5. The computer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input device includes a pointing device.

6. The computer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the computer is adapted to be connected by wires to one or more wired input devices adapted to perform the same function as the input device.

7. The computer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input device is adapted to communicate via wiring to the computing arrangement and to be disconnected from the wiring and communicate via the at least one RF transponder.

8. The computer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the computing arrangement causes status information pertaining to the input device on the display.

9. The computer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input device operates together with another RFID product.

10. The computer as set forth in claim 9, wherein the computing arrangement is adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder only when the computing arrangement detects the presence of an authorized RFID tag.

11. The computer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display is a monitor.

12. The computer as set forth in claim 1, whereto the display includes a printer.

13. A computer having at least one input device, comprising:

an input device including at least one RF transponder that is controllable by a user to be selectively capable or incapable of transmitting a signal;

a computing arrangement including a reader and a microprocessor, the computing arrangement being adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder;

a display adapted to display information represented by the signal;

wherein the input device includes a keypad having a plurality of keys;

wherein the keypad is arranged such that, when one of the plurality of keys is depressed, an antenna is caused to connect with a corresponding integrated circuit and send a signal; and

wherein depression of selected combinations of keys simultaneously sends a different signal than depression of the same keys individually.

14. The computer as set forth in claim 13, wherein the computing arrangement is arranged such that depression of a selected sequence of keys within a predetermined period of time is decoded differently than if the sequence of keys is not depressed within the predetermined period of time.

15. The computer as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one RF transponder is configured as part of an RFID device.

16. The computer as set forth in claim 13, wherein the input device includes a pointing device.

17. The computer as set forth in claim 13, wherein the input device operates together with another RFID product.

18. A computer having at least one input device, comprising:

an input device including at least one RF transponder that is controllable by a user to be selectively capable or incapable of transmitting a signal;

a computing arrangement including a reader and a microprocessor, the computing arrangement being adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder;

a display adapted to display information represented by the signal;

wherein the input device includes a keypad having a plurality of keys;

wherein the keypad is arranged such that, when one of the plurality of keys is depressed, an antenna is caused to connect with a corresponding integrated circuit and send a signal; and

wherein the computing arrangement is arranged such that depression of a selected sequence of keys within a predetermined period of time is decoded differently than if the sequence of keys is not depressed within the predetermined period of time.

19. The computer as set forth in claim 18, wherein the at least one RF transponder is configured as part of an RFID device.

20. The computer as set forth in claim 18, wherein the input device includes a pointing device.

21. The computer as set forth in claim 18, wherein the input device operates together with another RFID product.

30. The computer input device as set forth in claim 20, wherein the antenna is part of a stylus.

22. A computer having at least one input device, comprising:

an input device including at least one RF transponder that is configured as part of an RFID device, the at least one RF transponder being controllable by a user to be selectively capable or incapable of transmitting a signal;

a computing arrangement including a reader and a microprocessor, the computing arrangement being adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder;

wherein the input device includes a pointing device;

wherein the at least one RF transponder includes an array of antennas disposed in a first plane and an array of integrated circuits disposed in a second plane, each antenna being movable upon application of a force to the antenna to contact a corresponding one of the integrated circuits and transmit a corresponding signal and, upon removal of the force, to be removed from contact with the one of the integrated circuits.

23. The computer as set forth in claim 22, wherein the antennas are disposed on a flexible material.

24. The computer as set forth in claim 23, wherein the flexible material is a sheet material.

25. The computer as set forth in claim 22, comprising a stylus for moving the antennas.

26. The computer as set forth in claim 22, wherein the at least one RF transponder includes a plurality of RF transponders.

27. The computer as set forth in claim 22, wherein the input device operates together with another RFID product.

28. The computer as set forth in claim 27, wherein the computing arrangement is adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder only when the computing arrangement detects the presence of an authorized RFID tag.

29. A computer input device, comprising:

an input device including at least one RF transponder that is configured as part of an RFID device, the at least one RF transponder being controllable by a user to be selectively capable or incapable of transmitting a signal,

wherein the input device is adapted to cooperate with a computing arrangement including a reader and a microprocessor, the computing arrangement being adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder, and wherein the input device includes a pointing device; and

wherein the at least one RF transponder includes an array of integrated circuits and an antenna that is moved over the array to cause signals to be transmitted.

31. The computer as set forth in claim 29, wherein the array of integrated circuits includes a wire grid connected to a plurality of integrated circuit chips, the antenna contacting the wire grid to cause signals to be transmitted.

32. The computer input device as set forth in claim 29, wherein the at least one RF transponder includes a plurality of RF transponders.

33. A computer input device comprising:

an input device including at least one RF transponder that is configured as part of an RFID device, the at least one RF transponder being controllable by a user to be selectively capable or incapable of transmitting a signal,

wherein the input device is adapted to cooperate with a computing arrangement including a reader and a microprocessor, the computing arrangement being adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder, and wherein the input device includes a pointing device; and

wherein the at least one RF transponder includes a plurality of antennas and a rotatable member, and wherein rotation of the rotatable member causes the antennas to connect with and disconnect from one or more integrated circuits.

34. A computer input device comprising:

an input device including at least one RF transponder that is configured as part of an RFID device, the at least one RF transponder being controllable by a user to be selectively capable or incapable of transmitting a signal,

wherein the input device is adapted to cooperate with a computing arrangement including a reader and a microprocessor, the computing arrangement being adapted to receive and decode the signal from the at least one RF transponder, and wherein the input device includes a pointing device; and

wherein the at least one RF transponder includes at least one antenna and a pivotable member, and wherein pivoting movement of the pivotable member causes the at least one antenna to connect with and disconnect from one or more integrated circuits.