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Integrated keyboard and pointing device system with automatic mode change

  • US 5,189,403 A
  • Filed: 02/01/1991
  • Issued: 02/23/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a computer system having a typing mode of operation and a pointing mode of operation, and including a keyboard having a plurality of keys that includes typing keys, one of the typing keys being also a pointing key, and a display screen having a cursor, an implicit method of switching between typing mode and pointing mode, comprising:

  • defining a first predetermined time interval and a second predetermined time interval longer than the first time interval;

    during the typing mode of operation, monitoring keyboard to detect a first keyboard event;

    responsive to detecting a first keyboard event, testing for a pointing key press;

    if the first keyboard event is a pointing key press;

    monitoring a time elapsed since the pointing key press;

    monitoring the keyboard to detect a second keyboard event;

    if the elapsed time is greater than the first time interval and no second keyboard event has been detected, storing an initial cursor position, acquiring pointing sensor data and moving the cursor from the initial position responsive to the pointing sensor data, thereby switching the system to the pointing mode of operation;

    continuing after the first time interval has elapsed to monitor the time elapsed since the pointing key press;

    continuing after the first time interval has elapsed to monitor the keyboard to detect a second keyboard event; and

    responsive to detecting a second keyboard event, if the elapsed time is less than the second predetermined time interval, switching the system back to the typing mode of operation;

    defining a third predetermined time interval longer than the second time interval;

    designating at least one key other than the pointing key as a pointing event key for emulating a mouse button;

    if the elapsed time is greater than the second time interval and a second keyboard event has not been detected, continuing after the second time interval has elapsed to monitor the keyboard to detect a second keyboard event; and

    responsive to detecting a second keyboard event, if the elapsed time is less than the third predetermined time interval, determining whether the second keyboard event is a pointing key release;

    if the second keyboard event is not a pointing key release, determining whether the second keyboard event is a pointing event key press; and

    if the second keyboard event is pointing event key press, processing the pointing event key press normally to emulate a mouse key press and continuing in the pointing mode of operation.

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