The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 05, 2001
Filed:
May. 07, 1999
Robert M. Paratore, Woodinville, WA (US);
Intermec IP Corp., Woodland Hills, CA (US);
Abstract
A hand held user computer interface is capable of being automatically switched between a keyboard input mode and a pen input mode. When the computer is pivoted to the pen input mode, the keyboard is automatically disabled allowing the user to grip the keyboard without concern about accidentally hitting a key. The hand held computer comprises a display portion pivotally connected to a keyboard portion by a hinge. In the keyboard input mode, the display portion is at an angle with respect to the keyboard portion. The keyboard portion is pivotable to a position underneath the display portion so that the display portion overlies the keyboard portion and faces upwards to form a comfortable writing surface. The rotation of the keyboard is detected and the computer automatically switches mode to disable the keyboard portion and activate the pen input mode. Thus, no manual knob or switch control is needed to change from keyboard input mode to pen input mode or vice versa. The hand held computer eliminates interference from the keyboard portion while in the pen input mode. The keyboard may then be used for easy gripping and keeping control. As a result, the computer design can be made small and light.