Abstract: A computer input device includes a keyboard, a pair of pointing devices, control buttons and an additional thumb operable control button for selecting the operating mode of one or both pointing devices. In an alternative embodiment, a computer input device includes a wrist rest having a pair of pointing devices, control buttons and an additional thumb operable control button for selecting the operating mode of one or both pointing devices. In another embodiment, the keyboard shift keys are used to select the operating mode of one or both pointing devices.

Abstract: A computer dictation device provides a slender microphone sheath into which a hand-held microphone is inserted. The sheath incorporates a miniature pointing device and control buttons, and provides a single electrical cable connection between the hand-held device and a computer system. The comfortable, light weight device can easily be operated with one hand because it makes the microphone and pointer controls accessible to the fingers and thumb of the microphone-holding hand.

Abstract: An integrated manual control input device is provided for use in a computer system having a graphical user interface. The device comprises a pointing actuator mounted to a computer keyboard between preselected ones of the keys for engagement by a user's index finger. The pointing actuator includes a coil in the form of a cylinder that, when carrying a current, produces a magnetic field to drive a ferromagnetic slug to provide tactile feedback to a user of the control input device.

Abstract: A notebook computer having a resilient, portfolio-type case includes a large flat-panel display module and a processor-keyboard module constructed into the case so that the case need not be stored separately during use. The case is secured for carrying by a slide fastener, and the angle between the display and the keyboard is adjustable by positioning of the slider in the open position. Crushable corners, an extending, protective lip, and a resilient, rugged material provide added protection for the computer while in use and while being transported. The two functional modules are electrically interconnected via inexpensive flex cable routed along the fold between opposed halves. The computer includes a removable, multipurpose writing pad that folds into the case serving as a protective cover for the keyboard in the open position, and is detachable and insertable between the flat display panel and the keyboard during transport.

Abstract: An information processing system includes at least two processors sharing a common instruction set and address space. One processor at a time is active and executes program instructions. The active processor is placed into a sleep mode in which a current machine state is saved in the shared address space and instruction execution is suspended. A different processor becomes active and resumes instruction execution using the previously saved current machine state. The sleep mode is used to effectively pass control from one processor to another. In a specific embodiment, the currently active processor will resume operation after a sleep mode unless the user overrides that default selection. In another specific embodiment, the currently active processor selects which processor will become active following a sleep mode transition.

Abstract: A notebook computer having a resilient, portfolio-type case includes a large flat-panel display module and a processor-keyboard module constructed into the case so that the case need not be stored separately during use. The case is secured for carrying by a slide fastener, and the angle between the display and the keyboard is adjustable by positioning of the slider in the open position. Crushable corners, an extending, protective lip, and a resilient, rugged material provide added protection for the computer while in use and while being transported. The two functional modules are electrically interconnected via inexpensive flex cable routed along the fold between opposed halves. The computer includes a removable, multipurpose writing pad that folds into the case serving as a protective cover for the keyboard in the open position, and is detachable and insertable between the flat display panel and the keyboard during transport.

Abstract: A computer pointing device on a single, small printed wiring board includes all electronics necessary for providing a standard mouse-type output signal. The pointing device uses a balanced bridge strain gauge isometric sensor having a manipulation lever for user input. The computer pointing device includes a receiving space for accepting one of a large-size strain gauge sensor and a small-size strain gauge sensor, depending upon the specific application. The computer pointing device includes internal power regulation and has input for up to two momentary switches and two of the pointing devices can be daisy chained with a single, composite output signal. The small-size strain gauge sensor permits use of the pointing device in ultra thin keyboard applications.

Abstract: An input device for a computer system includes a keyboard, a pointing device embedded in the keyboard, operational buttons, including a button for selecting an operating mode for the pointing device. The mode selection button is located adjacent left- and right-buttons. In one embodiment, an alternative pointing device operating mode is available when the mode button is held depressed. In another embodiment, a depress-release sequence permits the user to sequence through a menu of predetermined pointing device operating modes. The placement of the mode button with respect to the left- and right-buttons facilitates improved performance of certain eye-hand coordination tasks.

Abstract: A method for displaying a group of headlines from a headline stream across the bottom of a computer graphical user interface display provides a solid polygon shaped display which displays a headline, its immediate predecessor and its immediate successor on adjacent polygon faces. At predetermined intervals the bar rotates so that the successor headline moves into a dominant position, the previous headline moves to a predecessor position, and a new successor headline is displayed. In one embodiment, the predecessor and successor headlines are foreshortened to enhance the suggestion of a three-dimensional solid polygon being displayed and rotated about a central axis. The headline display method is less distracting than the usual ticker tape display, and is easier to read because the eye does not have to follow moving text. In another embodiment, the user double clicks on the a displayed headline to retrieve and display an associated news story.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus is provided for small and lightweight computers and the like. Keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprise a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement. A plurality of cutouts are provided in the sheet member, partially surrounding each key face. A living hinge member is provided in the sheet member at one side of each key face. Each living hinge member includes a base section, an intermediate section, and a key face section. The former two and the latter two sections each interface at a living hinge. Depressing the key face causes the key face section to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. A conventional rubber spring may transmit the pivot motion of the key face to the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A piezoelectric keyswitch for providing tactile response comprises a bimorphic piezoelectric element anchored at its edge, and a keypad mounted on the bimorphic piezoelectric element spaced from the anchored edge so that depression of the keypad flexes the element to generate an electrical signal. A drive circuit responds to the electrical signal to provide a drive signal to bend the piezoelectric element to provide upward tactile feedback to the keypad.

Abstract: A cursor on a graphics display is controlled by a cursor control device including a tactile generator. The tactile generator is activated when the cursor is located at a graphics object that has been determined to be interesting, and that has a size which bears a predetermined relationship to the speed of the cursor, provided an update time has elapsed since the time of the last tactile activation of the cursor control device.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided, for use with a portable authorization key, such as a "Personal Area Network" (PAN) device, wherein the PAN device is to be carried by a human user and to be used for authorization for the user's use of equipment, such as a computer. Further, the mechanism of the invention is for use in situations where the user is to remain in close proximity to the equipment for a moderate-to-long period of time. The mechanism provides a physical interface for direct coupling with the PAN device. The interface includes a recharge power coupling. When the user begins a session of use of the equipment, HE gets out the PAN device and places it at the physical interface. Authorization to use the equipment is provided through the direct contact. Further, the equipment provides recharge power to the PAN device. Thus, the mechanism of the invention takes advantage of the extended period of time the user remains in close proximity to the equipment, to provide convenient recharging of the PAN device.

Abstract: A cursor control apparatus allows switching between at least two modes of cursor position control operation; one of which provides emulation of cursor control keys with a graphic input device. The emulation of cursor keys provides control of cursor location in a digital mode in which the cursor is rendered only at locations corresponding to character areas, fields or cells as opposed to an analog mode in which the cursor may be positioned at higher resolution, either by providing multiple increment inputs to a cursor position controller or by direct application of signals to cursor key inputs of a processor. Enhancements of the digital mode of operation including cursor movement speed control are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided, for use with a computer graphical user interface (GUI) system, for giving the user help information associated with displayed symbols, such as icons representing data objects, applications, etc. For a given icon or other symbol, a plurality of different images are provided. When help is invoked, such as in response to a user moving the display cursor onto the icon, the plurality of help images are displayed. The images may represent a sequence of actions the user is to take, in order to make use of the object represented by the icon. The images are then displayed in time sequence. The images may then include reminder images of what had taken place prior to the image currently being displayed. Alternatively, the images may represent a set of alternative uses to which the user may put the object.

Abstract: A threshold discrimination filter circuit compares signals output by a graphic input device such as an isometric joystick including strain gauges and a fixed resistance in a hierarchical voltage divider with threshold reference signals and corrects the output of the graphic input device based on previously stored samples thereof when a selection or deselection action by a user is discriminated to values at a time of onset of selection. Onset of selection may be achieved by estimating maximum curvature of a plot of output values over time. Changes in output signals during selection and other signal signatures such as would correspond to a lift are exploited to provide a plurality of selection operations which can be recognized. User actions may be adaptively captured to increase discrimination capability (e.g. resolution) and/or user recognition.

Abstract: A system and method are provided, for use with network communication systems such as Internet terminals having World Wide Web browsers, for indicating to the user a parameter related to a piece of remote information, such as an estimation of a length of time required to download a given piece of information resident at a remote site. Hyperlinks, icons, or menu items are displayed, as in conventional systems. Also provided are indicia which give the user the length of time estimate. The indicia may be displayed concurrently with the displayed hyperlink, or otherwise provided, such as by audio or tactile user feedback. In one preferred embodiment, each hyperlink is accompanied by a red, yellow, or green dot, the color of the dot being representative of the estimated download time.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter utilizing pulse width modulation and ramp and count techniques. A microcontroller generates the pulse width modulated digital signal which is converted into a floating triangle. When the floating triangle signal is equal to the analog, input signal, a comparator generates and output which is sensed by the microcontroller. During an initialization process, the microcontroller uses information with respect to the timing of the comparator output to adjust the duty cycle so that the triangle wave remains within maximum and minimum levels above and below the analog, output signal. Calculation of the voltage, of the input signal is made as a function of the timing of the comparator outputs on successive upward ramps of the floating triangle signal, and of the slope of the upward ramp signal. As a result, the analog-to-digital converter utilizes the same process for low and high resolution measurements, thereby significantly decreasing its cost and increasing its speed.

Abstract: Disclosed are keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprising a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement, a plurality of cutouts in the sheet member partially surrounding each key face, and a plurality of living hinges in the sheet member at one side of each key face, whereby the key face may be depressed, causing the key face to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. A conventional rubber spring may transmit the pivot motion of the key face to the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A user-manipulable in-keyboard pointing device is provided, for use in portable electronic apparatus such as laptop computers, for allowing the user to move a symbol, such as a cursor, around a GUI display. For small laptops whose displays close over their keyboards, such as in clamshell fashion, the device protects the display surface from smearing or abrasion from physical contact with the user-manipulable device. The device includes a post, rigidly coupled to motion sensors for producing motion signals, responsive to user manipulation, the post having a head-and-shoulder contour. The device further includes a resilient fingertip grip cap that fits over the head of the post. The grip cap has a shape which provides two cooperative arrangements for fitting onto the post. The first configuration, which is for normal use, has the cap projecting above the post by a first height.