General Datacomm, Inc.

Andrew M Gorniak

Michael J Fargano

A system under the hand held control of a user for providing three dimensions of input to a computer processor while operating on an essentially planar surface is disclosed. The system of the invention generally comprises: an apparatus operated over a substantially planar surface; a means chosen from one of a means for detecting and measuring movement of the apparatus in two perpendicular dimensions along the substantially planar surface and a means for determining the location of the apparatus in two perpendicular dimensions along the substantially planar surface, and for providing first outputs representative of either the two-dimensional location or the movement of the apparatus; means for detecting and measuring an analog third dimension input into the apparatus under the control of the user while the apparatus is located along the planar surface, and for providing a second output representative of the third dimension input; and means for receiving the first outputs and the second output and providing therefrom information suitable for input into the computer processor, wherein the information is representative of the three dimensions of input. The apparatus of the system can take various forms such as a computer mouse, a stylus for a bit pad, or a light pen.

System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host

An intelligent synchronous modem and data communication systems utilizing the intelligent synchronous modem are provided. The modem comprises: at least one connector having a first and a second port for primary and secondary channels of communication with a host computer, wherein the primary communication channel is for communication of synchronous data and the secondary communication channel is for communication of asynchronous data; a microprocessor for recognizing and executing commands of the host computer, wherein the commands are in the form of asynchronous data received over the secondary communication channnel; and interface means for interfacing the microprocessor with telephone lines, wherein synchronous data received by the microprocessor is sent to the interface means. The data communication system of the invention comprises: a host computer including asynchronous and synchronous communication ports, wherein the host computer is arranged to send command mode data through the asynchronous port, and data mode data through the synchronous port; an intelligent synchronous modem as described above; at least one cable for connecting the synchronous port of the host computer with said synchronous port of the modem, and for connecting the asynchronous port of the host computer with the asynchronous port of the modem; and code/decode means for coding data received from the host computer into a synchronous format, and for decoding synchronous format data received from a second computer into data understandable by the host computer. Preferably, the modem of the invention is arranged to permit the conversion of the modem from an intelligent synchronous modem into an intelligent asynchronous modem through the use of data path logic circuitry which is controlled by the microprocessor of the modem.

Intelligent synchronous modem and communication system incorporating the

An intelligent synchronous modem and data communication systems utilizing the intelligent synchronous modem are provided. The modem comprises: at least one connector having a first and a second port for primary and secondary channels of communication with a host computer, wherein the primary communication channel is for communication of synchronous data and the secondary communication channel is for communication of asynchronous data; a microprocessor for recognizing and executing commands of the host computer, wherein the commands are in the form of asynchronous data received over the secondary communication channel and interface means for interfacing the microprocessor with telephone lines, wherein synchronous data received by the microprocessor is sent to the interface means. The data communication system of the invention comprises: a host computer including asynchronous and synchronous communication ports, wherein the host computer is arranged to send command mode data through the asynchronous port, and data mode data through the synchronous port; and intelligent synchronous modem as described above; at least one cable for connecting the synchronous port of the host computer with said synchronous port of the modem, and for connecting the asynchronous port of the host computer with the asynchronous port of the modem; and code/decode means for coding data received from the host computer into a synchronous format, and for decoding synchronous format data received from a second computer into data understandable by the host computer. Preferably, the modem of the invention is arranged to permit the conversion of the modem from an intelligent synchronous modem into an intelligent asynchronous modem through the use of data path logic circuitry which is controlled by the microprocessor of the modem.

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Oxford, CT, United States of America

Andrew M Gorniak