1111
`
`United States Patent [191
`Toda et al.
`
`1111111111111111111111
`
`US005673066A
`[111 Patent Number:
`[451 Date of Patent:
`
`5,673,066
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`[54] COORDINATE INPUT DEVICE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Yasusbi Toda; Hideki Suzuki, both of
`Iwaki, Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 317,688
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Oct. 5,1994
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation ofSer. No. 47 ,221,Apr. 14, 1993, abandoned.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`[30]
`
`[JP]
`[JP]
`[JP]
`[JP]
`
`Japan .................................... 4-101351
`Japan .................................... 4-101352
`Japan .................................... 4-101353
`Japan .................................... 5-093583
`
`Apr. 21, 1992
`Apr. 21, 1992
`Apr. 21, 1992
`Mar. 29, 1993
`Int. CI.6
`....................................................... G09G 5/08
`[51]
`[52] U.S. CI •............................. 345/157; 345/173; 341134
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 345/156, 157,
`345/160, 173, 179, 180, 182, 174, 104,
`145; 178118, 19; 463/37; 273/178 B; D14/114,
`100, 107; 341/34
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,121,049
`4,293,734
`4,736,191
`4,745,565
`5,053,758
`5,117,071
`5,231,380
`5,327,161
`5,432,531
`
`10/1978 Roeber ...................................... 178/18
`10/1981 Pepper, Jr. ................................ 178/19
`4/1988 Matzke et al. .......................... 345/157
`5/1988 Garwin et al. ............................ 178/18
`10/1991 Cornett et al ...............•........... 3401712
`5/1992 Greanias et al ........................... 178/19
`7/1993 Logan ....................................... 341/22
`7/1994 Logan et al ............................. 345/173
`7/1995 Calder et al. ........................... 345/173
`
`0383304
`0419145
`58-181170
`2139762
`85005477
`
`8/1990
`3/1991
`10/1983
`1111984
`1211985
`
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off .•••••••..•••..• 345/173
`Japan ....................................... 341/22
`United Kingdom ................... 345/173
`WIPO .................................... 345/173
`
`OTHER PUBUCATIONS
`
`"Mouse/Keyboard Concept-Incorporating Unique Devices
`For Controlling CRr Display Cursors" -ffiM Technical
`Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 27, No. 10 B Mar. 1985.
`"Foot-Operated Mouse" LB.M. Technical Disclosure Bul(cid:173)
`letin vol. 28 No. 11 Apr. 1986.
`
`Primary EXaminer-Richard Hjerpe
`Assistant Examiner-Lun-Yi Lao
`Attorney, Agen~ or Finn-Guy W. Shoup; Patrick T. Bever
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A cursor control device is provided which has good oper(cid:173)
`ability and can reflect clearly an operator's natural motion in
`accordance with a qualified value (conversion coefficient).
`The cursor control device is constituted of an operation plate
`(5) with an operation surface (7), an operation pressure
`detector with a pressure-sensitive sensor (3) arranged on the
`back surface of the operation plate (5) to detect a touch
`pressure by a control member, and an arithmetic circuit The
`arithmetic circuit performs an arithmetic operation of both
`the coordinate position and the moving rate of the control
`member using a detection signal from the operation pressure
`detector, and the movement of a cursor based on a first
`qualified value and a second qualified value. The first
`qualified value is determined according to the movement
`and the moving rate of a coordinate position. The second
`qualified value is determined according to the touch pressure
`of the control member.
`
`4 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`SENSOR DETECTS PRESSURE
`
`CALCULATE MOVING RATE V
`
`CALCULATE U2
`
`OUTPUT VALUE D TO DISPLAY
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG 1
`
`6
`{
`
`4 2
`
`3
`
`7
`{
`)
`
`\
`
`,..1,
`,
`I
`\
`\
`
`---
`
`1.
`f
`-..._ '
`
`(
`
`I
`\
`,_ /
`
`FIG. 2
`
`9
`I
`
`(
`
`l
`
`,- .....
`\
`(
`I
`' - /
`
`l
`
`,.- ..... ,
`I
`t--'
`i
`3
`
`)
`9
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG 3
`
`0
`0
`
`1
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.30, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 4
`
`SENSOR DETECTS PRESSURE
`
`CALCULATE TOUCH
`PRESSURE P
`
`CALCULATE
`COORDINATE POSITION
`
`CALCULATE MOVING RATE V
`
`CALCULATE MOVEMENT S
`
`OUTPUT VALUE 0 TO DISPLAY
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 5
`
`U1
`
`w
`::::>
`_J
`~
`0 w u::
`::J
`~
`0
`1-
`V) a::
`u..
`
`MOVING RATE OF CONTROL MEMBER
`
`FIG. 6
`
`U2
`
`TOUCH PRESSURE OF CONTROL MEMBER
`
`w
`
`:3 :s;
`Cl
`lLJ u:
`5
`Cl
`:z:
`8 w
`
`_J
`<(
`
`V)
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 19
`
`·
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 7( a J
`
`1
`
`FIG 7(b)
`
`I
`
`\.
`
`1
`
`(
`
`lb
`
`rr.
`
`14
`15
`""'(
`
`'I
`
`16
`
`I
`
`M· M
`
`j - JtN'J'ttJ
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 8
`
`51
`
`I
`
`54b
`
`54.c
`
`53
`)
`-l
`57 58 .
`
`61
`
`r--~
`
`62
`
`L __ - -_56 _ _j L _ _j
`
`60
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 9(a J
`
`180 P1
`160
`140
`-120
`en
`~ 100
`~ 80
`60
`40
`20
`00
`
`_J
`
`20
`
`40
`
`60
`80
`TIME ( m sec)
`
`100
`
`120
`
`140
`
`FIG. 9(b)
`
`7
`6
`s
`UJ 54
`a:
`t:;3
`2
`1
`
`00
`
`20
`
`40
`
`60
`
`80
`
`100
`
`120
`
`140
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 10(a)
`
`90
`80
`70
`60
`!:! SO P1
`~ 40
`0
`..J 30
`20
`10
`0o
`
`P2
`
`80
`
`100
`
`240
`320
`TIME ( m sec)
`
`400
`
`480
`
`FIG. .10(b)
`
`LU
`
`600
`500
`400
`a3oo
`a:
`t; 200
`100 P2 . '
`%~~8~0~1~60---2~40---3~20---40~0--4~8-0--
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 11
`
`NO
`
`102
`
`101
`
`111
`
`103
`
`105
`
`106
`
`112
`
`SWITCH
`INPUTTING
`OFF
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.30, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 12(a)
`
`P1
`
`300
`
`250
`
`-200
`c:n
`Cl 150
`<(
`0 __, 100
`so
`oo
`
`7
`6
`s
`~4
`0 cx:3
`1-
`V12
`
`1
`00
`
`20
`
`40
`TIME ( m sec)
`
`60
`
`80
`
`FIG. 12(b)
`
`20
`
`40
`
`60
`
`80
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 13(a)
`
`P1
`
`120
`
`100
`
`~ 80
`
`~ 60
`0
`....J 40
`
`20
`
`40 60 80 •100 120 140 160 180
`TIME(m sec)
`
`FIG 13{b)
`
`so
`45
`40
`35
`~ 30
`~ 25
`~ 20
`15 ---------------
`10
`5
`0o~~20~4~0==:=6:::=0 ~8 0::---:-10-::'-:0---:-:1 2~0-1-:-'-4-:-0 ---:'1~60:----1 8&...1.0_
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 12 of 19 .
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 14
`
`1 t 2
`
`SWITCH
`INPUTTING
`OFF
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 15(a J
`
`P4
`
`250
`
`200
`
`~150
`
`-Cl
`
`~ 100
`
`_J
`
`0
`0
`
`60
`
`160
`
`240
`320
`400 480 560
`TIME{m sec)
`
`FIG. 15{b)
`
`UJ
`
`235
`230
`225
`a 220
`0::
`tt; 215
`210
`205o
`
`80
`
`160
`
`240
`
`320
`
`400
`
`480 560
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 14 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 16(a)
`
`120
`
`100
`-eo
`0"
`,__..__,.,
`Cl 60
`<
`0 __, 40
`
`20
`0o
`
`eo
`
`160
`
`P3
`
`240 320 400
`TIME ( m sec)
`
`480 560
`
`FIG. 16(bJ
`
`250
`
`~ 150
`0 a::
`tn 100
`so
`
`0o
`
`ao
`
`160
`
`240 320
`
`400 480
`
`560
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.30, 1997
`
`Sheet 15 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 17
`
`122
`
`NO
`121
`NO
`123
`
`NO
`
`?
`YES
`STORE TOUCH PRESSURE F AT
`RISING POINT P3 IN RAM ?
`
`?
`YES
`STORE THE TOUCH PRESSURE F
`AT PEAK POINT P4 IN RAM
`
`124
`
`125
`
`126
`
`127
`
`128
`
`129
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.30, 1997
`
`Sheet 16 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 18
`
`FIG. 18A
`FIG. 188
`
`FIG. 18A
`
`YES
`T-o
`
`T-o
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`c
`
`8
`
`YES
`
`A
`
`1 01
`
`103
`
`NO
`108
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 17 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 188
`
`c
`
`8
`
`109
`
`143
`
`111
`
`141
`
`SWITCH INPUTTING ON
`
`144
`
`SWITCH
`INPUTTING OFF
`
`F>15g
`YES
`
`NO
`
`112
`
`SWITCH
`INPUTTING OFF
`
`YES
`
`142
`ENTER DRAG
`MODE
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 18 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 19
`FIG. 19A
`FIG. 198
`
`FIG 19A
`3'
`
`122
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`STORE THE TOUCH PRESSURE F AND THE
`TIME OF RISING POINT P3 IN RAM
`
`STORE THE TOUCH PRESSURE F
`AT PEAK POINT P4 IN RAM
`
`127
`
`128
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 19
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 19 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 198
`
`YES
`
`SWITCH
`INPUTTING
`OFF.
`
`SWITCH INPUTTING ON.
`
`NO
`
`130
`
`ENTER DRAG MODE
`
`131
`
`SWITCH
`INPUTTING OFF
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 20
`
`

`
`5,673,066
`
`1
`COORDINATE INPUT DEVICE
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`08/047,221, filed Apr. 14, 1993, now abandoned.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a coordinate input device
`which inputs the coordinate position of an operation surface
`pointed by a finger or pen to a personal computer, and 10
`particularly to a coordinate input device which can perform
`a cursor position control by dragging a finger on an opera(cid:173)
`tion surface to input the coordinate and which can perform
`a switching input operation from the operation surface.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`It has been widely known that such a coordinate input
`device uses as a tablet which can detect the coordinate
`position of a control member such as a finger on an operation
`plate in response to, for example, a change in an amount of 20
`a received light or an electrostatic capacitance. The tablet is
`a detecting device in a fiat shape which detects a coordinate
`position of a control member every a predetermined short
`sampling period of time and issues the detection signal to a
`computer body. The position of the cursor displayed on a 25
`display screen can be controlled by dragging the control
`member (usually, an operator's finger) on the operation
`surface of the tablet When an operator touches his finger
`against the operation surface of the tablet and moves it in the
`same direction as a direction of the cursor to be moved and 30
`by a predetermined movement thereof, a computer issues a
`control signal to move the cursor on the display screen. In
`this case, the movement and the moving direction of the
`cursor can be determined in accordance with the coordinate
`change of the finger on the operation surface.
`Since the operation surface of a tablet is generally much
`smaller than the screen of a conventional display, the move(cid:173)
`ment of the cursor is determined by multiplying the move(cid:173)
`ment of a control member (finger) by a predetermined
`qualified value. If the qualified value is constant, the drag- 40
`ging operation on the operation surface is complicated when
`a cursor is moved largely or finely on a display. For that
`reason, a current cursor control device using a tablet detects
`the moving rate of a control member based on a coordinate
`change of the control member every sampling time, whereby 45
`it determines coarsely the qualified value when the moving
`rate is large or determines finely the qualified value when the
`moving rate is small. As described above, the qualified value
`which is a coefficient for converting the movement of a
`control member into a cursor movement increases and 50
`decreases in accordance with the moving rate of the control
`member. Therefore an operator can control the position of
`the cursor with the movement quite larger than that of a
`finger by moving swiftly it on the operation surface when he
`wants to move largely the cursor on a display screen. In 55
`similar manner, an operator also can control the position of
`the cursor at the same movement as that of his finger by
`moving slowly his finger on the operation surface when he
`wants to move finely the cursor on a display screen.
`The conventional cursor control device where a qualified 60
`value (conversion coefficient) is varied in accordance with
`the moving rate of a control member on the operation
`surface of a tablet can improve its operability in comparison
`with a fixed qualified value using device. However, actually,
`it is not easy to vary properly the moving rate of the control 65
`member such as a finger on an operation surface. The
`operability is not necessarily good because it is unexpect-
`
`2
`edly difficult to control the moving rate of the control
`member. Particularly, with a narrow operation surface of a
`tablet because of a limited space, it is more difficult to
`control the moving rate of the control member through the
`5 qualified value must be varied largely, thus causing poor
`operability.
`The above tablet can input coordinates to a personal
`computer. However, when an icon at a specified position on
`a display is selected, a special pen with a switch mounted on
`its tip thereof must be used or a push-button switch mounted
`separately from the operation surface for coordinate input-
`ting must be depressed after the finger inputting a coordinate
`has been left off from the operation surface. Accordingly, the
`conventional tablet provides poor operability.
`
`15
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is made to overcome the above
`problems. An object of the present invention to provide a
`coordinate input device with good operability.
`An another object of the present invention is to provide a
`coordinate input device which can prevent an erroneous
`switching input operation and can perform a reliable switch
`input operation only when a switching operation has been
`performed intentionally in various operating states accord(cid:173)
`ing to actually measured data regarding a touch pressure and
`an operation movement
`According to the present invention, the coordinate device
`wherein when a control member such as a finger is moved
`on an operation surface, a signal corresponding to the
`direction and movement thereof are issued to a computer
`body to control the position of a cursor on a display is
`constituted of an operation plate having the operation sur(cid:173)
`face; an operation pressure detecting means having a
`35 pressure-sensitive sensor arranged on the back surface of the
`operation plate, for detecting the touch pressure of the
`control member in use; and an arithmetic circuit for calcu(cid:173)
`lating the coordinate position and moving rate of the control
`member based on a detection signal from the operation
`pressure detecting means, and for calculating the movement
`of the cursor in accordance with a first qualified value and
`a second qualified value, the first qualified value being
`determined based on the movement and moving rate of the
`coordinate position, the second qualified value being deter(cid:173)
`mined based on the touch pressure of the control member.
`The cursor control device is constituted of a coordinate
`input unit including an operation plate having a control plate
`for dragging a control member such as a finger, a substrate
`arranged on the back surface of the control plate and having
`a pressure sensitive sensor for detecting a touch pressure of
`the control member, and a CPU arranged on the substrate for
`calculating the variation and the moving rate of a coordinate
`position based on a detection signal from said pressure
`sensitive sensor; a keyboard input device having an input
`port portion for receiving a signal from the coordinate input
`unit; a computer body connected to the keyboard input
`device; and a display connected to the computer body for
`displaying the movement of the cursor in accordance with an
`input signal from the coordinate input unit
`A coordinate input device according to the present inven(cid:173)
`tion is constituted of an operation plate having an operation
`surface where a touch pressure is applied; a pressure detect(cid:173)
`ing means arranged on the back surface of the operation
`plate; a pressure position detecting means for detecting the
`coordinate of a touch point on the operation plate; a com(cid:173)
`parison means for comparing a movement, a touch pressure
`value, or a time variation in pressure value of the coordinate
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 21
`
`

`
`3
`with a prescribed value for the movement, the pressure
`value, or the time variation in pressure; a judging means for
`selecting a switching operation or non switching operation
`by the comparison means; and a switching signal generating
`means for generating a switching signal by means of the 5
`judging means.
`A control member such as a finger can be swiftly moved
`on an operation surface when the touch pressure against the
`operation surface is weak On the contrary, a control member
`can be slowly moved on the operation surface when the 10
`touch pressure against the operation surface is strong. An
`operator's natural motion depends on qualified values, thus
`controlling the position of the cursor easily in comparison
`with the conventional device where a qualified value is
`determined only by the movement of a control member. The
`qualified value which is a coefficient to convert the move(cid:173)
`ment of a control member into a cursor movement is
`determined as a function (for example, a product) of a first
`qualified value and a second qualified value. The first
`qualified value is set so as to increase or decrease in
`accordance with the movement of a control member. The
`second qualified value is set so as to increase as the touch
`pressure of a control member decreases. When the operation
`surface has a small area, the touch pressure of the control
`member can be controlled. It is expected that good oper- 25
`ability is obtained because the second qualified value can be
`varied suitably.
`It is judged that a switch input is not intended when an
`operator depresses strongly an operation surface uninten(cid:173)
`tionally even if the touch pressure or a change in time of the
`touch pressure exceeds a predetermined value. As a result,
`an operator cannot perform unintentionally a switch input(cid:173)
`ting. After the processing means judges that a switching
`input has been performed, the switching input is held when
`the movement of the coordinate exceeds a predetermined 35
`value. Even if a finger strikes the end of the operation
`surface while performing a switching input operation, the
`switching input is in a holding state. Hence after a finger is
`lifted off from the operation surface, the dragging operation
`can be continuously carried out by touching the operation
`surface to perform a switch inputting.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will hereinafter be explained in
`more detail with reference to the attached drawings,
`wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a pointing device
`according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the pointing device
`according to the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is an external view showing a portable personal
`computer mounting the pointing device according to the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an arithmetic processing
`routine in an arithmetic circuit according to the present
`embodiment;
`FIG. 5 is a graph showing first qualified values obtained
`by calculating the moving rate of a control member using the 60
`arithmetic circuit;
`FIG. 6 is a graph showing second qualified values
`obtained by calculating the touch pressure of a control
`member using the arithmetic circuit;
`FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams illustrating an input/ 65
`output operation of the pointing device according to the
`present invention;
`
`5,673,066
`
`4
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing structurally an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the coordinate input device according to the present
`invention;
`FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) show data actually measured when an
`operation surface is touched to perform intentionally a
`switching input operation, FIG. 9(a) being a graph showing
`the relationship between time and touch pressure, and 9(b)
`being a graph showing the relationship between time and
`movement;
`FIGS.10(a) and 10(b) show data actually measured when
`an operation surface is touched without any intention to
`perform a switching input operation, FIG. lO(a) being a
`graph showing the relationship between time and touch
`pressure, and FIG. 10(b) being a graph showing the rela-
`15 tionship between time and movement;
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing steps
`according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) show data actually measured when
`20 a hard thing such as a pen is touched to an operation surface
`to perform intentionally a switching input operation, FIG.
`12(a) being a graph showing the relationship between time
`and touch pressure, and FIG. 12(b) being a graph showing
`the relationship between time and movement;
`FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) show data actually measured when
`a hard thing such as a pen is moved on an operation surface
`without any intention to perform a switching input
`operation, FIG. 13(a) being a graph showing the relationship
`between time and touch pressure, and FIG. 13(b) being a
`30 graph showing the relationship between time and move(cid:173)
`ment;
`FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing steps
`according to the second embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) show a flowchart showing data
`actually measured when a finger is moved on an operation
`surface to perform intentionally a switching input operation,
`FIG. 15(a) being a graph showing the relationship between
`time and touch pressure, FIG. 15(b) being a graph showing
`40 the relationship between time and movement;
`FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) show data actually measured when
`a finger is moved on an operation surface without any
`intention to perform a switching operation, FIG. 16(a) being
`a graph showing the relationship between time and touch
`45 pressure, FIG. 16(b) being a graph showing the relationship
`between time and movement;
`FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing steps
`according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b) are flowcharts showing the pro-
`cessing steps according to the fourth embodiment of the
`present invention; and
`FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) are flowcharts showing the pro(cid:173)
`cessing steps according to the fifth embodiment of the
`55 present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`A preferred embodiment of the coordinate input device
`according to the present invention will be explained below
`in accordance with FIGS. 1 through 6.
`FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a pointing device
`according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view
`showing the pointing device. FIG. 3 is an external view
`showing a pointing device built-in portable personal com(cid:173)
`puter. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing arithmetic processing
`routine of an arithmetic circuit in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is
`
`50
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 22
`
`

`
`5,673,066
`
`5
`a characteristic diagram graphing first qualified values
`obtained by calculating moving rates of a control member by
`means of an arithmetic circuit FIG. 6 is characteristic
`diagram graphing second qualified values obtained calcu(cid:173)
`lating touch pressures of a control member by means of an 5
`arithmetic circuit FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an input/
`output operation of the pointing device according to the
`present embodiment
`FIG. 8 is a block structural diagram showing the coordi(cid:173)
`nate input device according to the present invention. FIGS. 10
`9(a) and 9(b) show actual data obtained by touching. int~n­
`tionally the operation surface 51a to perform a switching
`input. FIG. 9(a) is a graph showing a time vs t?uch p~essure
`characteristic and FIG. 9(b) is a graph showmg a time vs
`movement characteristic. FIGS.10(a) and 10(b) show actual
`data obtained by touching intentionally the operation surface 15
`51a to perform a moving operation without a switching
`input. FIG. 10(a) is a graph showing a time vs touch pressure
`characteristic. FIG. 10(b) is a graph showing a time vs
`movement characteristic. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the
`processing steps according to the first embodintent of the 20
`present invention. FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) show actual data
`measured when the operation surface 51a is touched using
`a hard material such as a pen to perform a switching input
`intentionally. FIG. U(a) is a graph showing a time vs
`pressure characteristic and FIG. 12(b) is a graph showing a 25
`time vs movement characteristic. FIGS. 13 (a) and 13(b)
`show actual data measured when the operation surface 51a
`is touched with a hard thing such as a pen, with an intention
`to perform only a moving operation without performing a
`switching input.. FIG. 13(a) is a graph showing a time vs 30
`pressure characteristic and FIG. 13(b) is a graph showing a
`time vs movement characteristic. FIG. 14 shows a flowchart
`showing the processing steps according to the second
`embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b)
`shows actual data measured when the operation surface 51a 35
`is touched with a finger, with an intention to perform a
`switching input. FIG. 15(a) is a graph showing a time vs
`touch pressure characteristic and FIG. 15(b) is a graph
`showing a time vs movement characteristic. FIGS.16(a) and
`16(b) shows actual data measured when a touch pressure is 40
`added to the operation surface 1a with a finger, without any
`intention to perform a switching input. FIG. 16(a) is shows
`a graph showing a time vs pressure characteristic and FIG.
`16(b) shows a graph showing a time vs movement charac(cid:173)
`teristic. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing steps 45
`according to the third embodiment FIG. 18 is a flowchart
`showing the processing steps according to the fourth
`embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing
`steps according to the fifth embodiment.
`Referring to now in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pointing device 1 50
`includes a flexible print board 4 arranged fixedly over a
`metal plate 2 acting as a supporting plate. The flexible print
`board 4 mounts a pressure sensitive sensor 3 and other
`elements. A hard operation plate 5 is arranged on the
`pressure sensitive sensor 3. The fiat cable 6 extending from 55
`the flexible print board 4 is connected to a computer 9 (not
`shown). The operation plate 5 has a rectangular operation
`surface 7 where an operator can touch with and drag on it
`with a control member such as a finger. A face sheet 8 is
`adhered to the operation surface 7. The pressure sensitive 60
`sensors 3 are arranged beneath the four comers of the
`rectangular operation surface 7, respectively. The four pres(cid:173)
`sure sensitive sensors 3 support the operation plate 5. Guide
`rails 9 are arranged on both sides of the pointing device 1 to
`draw in and out a keyboard case mentioned later. The 65
`operation plate 5 is supported by an elastic member to tilt
`slightly in accordance with a finger pressure.
`
`6
`The pointing device 1, as shown in FIG. 3, can be
`structurally drawn out of and into the keyboard case 11
`arranging many keys 10 on the top surface. The drawing
`operation is done along the rails 9. In concrete, as shown in
`FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), when the lock releasing mechanism 12
`is pushed into the keyboard case 11, the locking mechanisms
`14 and 15 are released so that the pointing device 1 is
`protruded out in front of the keyboard case 11 due to the
`return force of the biased springs 16. When the pointing
`device 1 is pushed into the keyboard case 11 along the rails
`9, the locking mechanism 14 and 15 are operated so that the
`pointing device 1 is housed inside the keyboard case 11.
`Since the pointing device 1 can be stored in the keyboard
`case 11 in no use, it is possible to miniaturize a portable
`personal computer.
`In the pointing device 1 drawn out in front of the keyboard
`case 11 for use, when an operator touches his finger against
`the operation surface of the operation plate 5 and moves in
`a predetemtined direction by a predetemtined movement,
`each of the pressure sensitive sensors 3 transmits a signal
`corresponding to the finger pressure through the operation
`plate 5 to the computer in the keyboard case 11 via the flat
`cable 6. Hence the position of the cursor displayed on a
`display screen can be controlled.
`Next, a detail explanation will be made below as for the
`cursor position control method employing the pointing
`device 1 with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
`When an operator touches against the operation surface 7,
`the pressures of the respective pressure sensitive sensors 3
`vary with his finger's position (pressure position). Hence the
`coordinate position (x, y) of a finger on the operation surface
`7 is expressed by the following arithmetic formulas:
`
`x=M{ (a-tb)-{c+d) }/(a+btct-d)
`
`y=N{(a-tb)-{btc)}/(a-tb+ctd)
`where ~ )2, £, and 4 are the outputs of the four pressure
`sensitive sensors 3, respectively, and M and N are propor(cid:173)
`tional constants, respectively. The movement S of a finger on
`the pressure surface 7 can be detected as a perpendicular
`coordinate component corresponding to a moving direction.
`Furthermore, the moving rate V of a finger can be detected
`by the detected results. The touch pressure P against the
`operation surface 7 of a finger is expressed as the following
`formula:
`
`p=K(atbto+d)
`
`where K is a proportional constant.
`When the movement S, moving rate V, and touch pressure
`P of a finger on the operation surface 7 are detected, the
`qualified value U which is a coefficient for converting the
`movement S of a finger into the movement of a cursor is
`determined as a product (U1xU2) of a first qualified value
`U1 determined in accordance with the moving rate V and a
`second qualified value U2 detemtined in accordance with
`the pressure P. That is, the qualified value U1, as shown by
`the graph in FIG. 5, is set so as to increase and decrease
`proportionally the moving rate V. The qualified value U2, as
`shown by the graph in FIG. 6, is set so as to increase as the
`touch pressure P decreases. The values U1 and U2 is
`multiplied by the movement S every sampling time while
`the movement D of the cursor is calculated as a perpendicu(cid:173)
`lar coordinate component corresponding to the moving
`direction. Namely, the movement D of a cursor is obtained
`by the following formula:
`
`D=Ux.---Ul><IJ2><s
`
`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1003 - PAGE 23
`
`

`
`5,673,066
`
`10
`
`7
`The value D obtained is sent to the display 13 to move the
`cursor.
`In the above embodiment, the qualified value U for
`converting the movement of a control member into the
`movement of a cursor is determined based on the first 5
`qualified value Ul determined according to the movement of
`a control member and the second qualified value U2 deter(cid:173)
`mined according to the pressure of the control member.
`When a control member is swiftly moved with a small touch
`pressure, the qualified value U becomes large, whereby a
`cursor can be moved coarsely on the display 13. On the
`contrary, when the control member is slowly moved with a
`large touch pressure, the cursor can be moved finely on the
`display 13. This means that an operator can control easily by
`weakening the touch pressure when an operation member
`such as a finger is moved at high speed. An operator can 15
`control easily by strengthening when a control member is
`moved at slow speed. Hence in comparison with the con(cid:173)
`ventional device where a qualified value is determined only
`by the moving rate of a control member, an operator's
`natural motion can be reflected clearly by the qualified value 20
`U by determining a qualified value U as the product of Ul
`and U2, as shown in the above embodiment. As a result, the
`position of a cursor can be easily controlled while the
`operability can be improved.
`As described in the above embodiment, since the pointing 25
`device 1 is mounted so as to be drawn in and out of a
`portable personal computer, the touch pressure of the opera(cid:173)
`tion surface 7 can be easily controlled even if the operation
`surface 7 with a small area makes it difficult to control the
`moving rate of a control member. Therefore the second 30
`qualified value U2 can be varied properly to provide good
`operability.
`Next, the above embodiment will be explained in more
`detail as for its switching function.
`The structure of the coordinate input device according to 35
`the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 8.
`Piezoelectric elements 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d for converting
`a pressure into a voltage are arranged at four corners A, B,
`C, and D of the back surface or the operation surface Sla of
`a rigid plate 51, r