Input devices and methods of operating same
US7330923B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/0384
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Input devices and methods of operating the same are described. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a housing, a display screen, a main input device, a wireless receiver, a carrier bay, and an auxiliary input device. The main input device translates user manipulations of the main input device into control signals. The auxiliary input device is sized and arranged to be carried in and attached to the carrier bay in a docked state and detached from the carrier bay in an undocked state. In the undocked state, the auxiliary input device translates user manipulations of the auxiliary input device into control signals and wirelessly transmits the control signals for reception by the wireless receiver. In the docked state, the auxiliary input device is unresponsive to user manipulations of the auxiliary input device. The apparatus additionally includes a graphics controller in the housing that presents a graphical user interface on the display screen in accordance with the control signals received by the wireless receiver from the main input device and the auxiliary input device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.