Computer input-output device
US4908612A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1987 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0238
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer input-output device for permitting a user to control the operation of an application program on a host computer. The device includes a display divisible into a plurality of sections for displaying the names of the options then available to the user at any point in the operation of the application program. Selection keys associated with each section allow the user to select the option displayed in the corresponding section. In response to the selection, the input device sends a series of keystroke codes to the keyboard input port of the host computer to cause the application program to execute the selected option. The host computer keyboard is connected to the input-output device which intercepts keystroke codes generated by the keyboard and transmits them to the computer only if the codes are designated as permissable ones. A set of programmable arrow keys controls the pointer functions of the application program on the host computer screen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.