United States Patent
`
`(1
`
`5,949,408
`’
`9
`’
`Kang
`et al.
`45] Date of Patent:
`Sep. 7, 1999
`
`
`US005949408A
`Patent Number:
`
`11]
`
`[75]
`
`[54] DUAL ORIENTATION DISPLAY HANDHELD
`COMPUTER DEVICES
`.
`Inventors: Beng Hong Kang, Farrer Cy
`Singapore; Chun Wun Yeung,Santa
`Clara, Calif.; Eswin Tedja; Jin-Meng
`Tan, both of Singapore, Singapore
`[73] Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto,
`Calif.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/799,319
`[22]
`Filed:
`Feb. 13, 1997
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`
`
`[63]
`
`[56
`
`Continuation-in-partof application No. 08/535,411, Sep. 28,
`1995, abandoned.
`[S51]
`Unt. Cho oes G09G 3/36; GO9G 5/34;
`[52] U.S. Che casccssssnnese 345/169,345/100;345/126
`345/179: 345/905: 361/680; 361/681; 364/708.1
`[58] Field of Search oo. 345/905, 98, 173,
`345/100, 126; 361/681, 683; 364/707, 709.09,
`708.1, 708: 395/653, 340; 455/90; 382/297
`~
`>
`,
`>
`>
`.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9/1887 Baudot .
`362,662
`1/1985 Dunn «oe eeseeecteeteseeneeneneens 364/708
`4,497,036
`sesceeessssesssseeeseeecsees 178/18
`9/1987 Farel et al.
`4,697,050
`
`
`364/709.09
`5,133,076 F992 Hawkinsetal
`
`”
`os eee
`5,231,578
`iytoOn ain et ar
`peep wit994 si ot “al.
`o Soe50
`
`“*
`~ 361/683
`5438475
`8/1995 Bradley
`5.451.724
`9/1995 Nakazawa...
`"345/173
`5,452,413
`9/1995 Blades..........
`. 395/159
`
`5,452,414
`9/1995 Rosendahlet al.
`395/159
`5,481,665
`1/1996 Okadaetal. ........
`se 395/155
`5,488,575
`1/1996 Danielsonet al.
`ve 364/707
`
`.....
`ve 345/173
`5,489,924
`2/1996 Shimaet al.
`
`. sale
`oe titooe Matsuda os
`
`_ 364/708. 1
`5,566,098 10/1996 Lucenteetal.
`5,583,542 12/1996 Capps et al. ieee 345/173
`
`5,594,619
`1/1997 Miyagawa et al. sessseevsseen 361/681
`
`5,596,697
`......
`“ 395/340
`1/1997 Foster etal.
`5,644,469
`.. 361/681
`7/1997 Shioyaetal.
`
`5,661,632
`.........
`.. 361/683
`8/1997 Register
`5,663,745
`wn 345/98
`9/1997 Ishikawaetal.
`
`5,682,529
`10/1997 Hendryetal. .....
`. 395/653
`5,712,662
`1/1998 Miyazakietal. ......
`.. 345/173
`5,715,524
`2/1998 Jambhekaret al. ote 455/90
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WO91/19245
`12/1991 WIPO. eaesessessssssessnsseeensee GO6F 3/33
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Kenneth L. Stanwood et al., “System Iconic Modeling
`Facility”, Proceedings of the 1986 Winter Simulation Con-
`ference Proceedings, pp. 531-536.
`Hewlett-Packard Patent Application S/N 08/433,771 filed
`on May 3, 1995.
`Hewlett-Packard Patent Application S/N 08/535,724 filed
`on Sep. 28, 1995.
`Primary Examiner—Jeltery Brier
` “S8/S!@nt Examiner—David L Lewis
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`.
`.
`instance a palmtop personal
`for
`A computer device,
`organizer, has a dual-orientation display device with both
`portrait and landscape modes of viewing the display. The
`keyboard is automatically disabled when the portrait mode
`is selected by a user. The display has two digitized regions
`separated by a workspace, whichis preferably also digitized
`to provide input commands to a processor unit when
`touched. The display further includes indicia, such as icons
`or symbols shownonthe display, which maybeselected to
`activate a computer program, function or command. These
`icons are slanted and permanently fixed to the display, so
`they may be readily understood when viewed from either the
`portrait or landscape modes. A method is also provided of
`displaying indicia for viewing from two orthogonal direc-
`tions. The invention further includes a way to use an analog
`touch-sensitive panel, having opposing resistive layers, to
`trigger an interruptline used for returning the palmtop from
`a sleep mode. In addition, screen image rotation is accom-
`plished by alternately configuring sets of LCD select lines
`either as columnlines orrow lines.
`
`12 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 1
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 7, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`5,949,408
`
`
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 2
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 7, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`5,949,408
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 3
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 7, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`5,949,408
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 4
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 7, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`5,949,408
`
`TO DATA
`PROCESSOR FOR
`COORDINATE
`DECODING
`
`sw2
`im
`
`|
`
`
`
`!
`
`Swi
`
`|
`
` TO DATA
`
`*— PROCESSOR
`WAKEUP LINE
`
`SW5
`
`RI
`
`FIG. 5
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 5
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 7, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`5,949,408
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`132
`
`COLUMN/ROW
`INTERFACE LOGIC
`
`COLUMN
`
`
`
`VOLTAGE
`SOURCE
`
`130
` COLUMN+
`
`
` COLUMN/ROWINTERFACE/LOGIC
`COLUMN/ROWDRIVER
`COLUMN/ROWDRIVER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COLUMN/RO
`DRIVER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`132
`
`COLUMN/RO
`DRIVER
`
`
`
`LCD PANEL
`
`130
`
`FIG. 6
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 6
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 7, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`5,949,408
`
`COLUMN/
`COLUMN#
`
`G27OL
`
`FIG. 7
`
`G27OL
`
`SIGOSLIFT14
`
`SIGOYLIF14
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 7
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 7, 1999
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`5,949,408
`
`RI
`
`R3
`
`sw8
`
`R4
`
`sw9
`
`R5
`
`MI
`
`R2
`
`V6
`
`FIG. 8
`
`V2/V3
`
`V5/V4
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 8
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 8
`
`

`

`5,949,408
`
`1
`DUAL ORIENTATION DISPLAY HANDHELD
`COMPUTER DEVICES
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 08/535,411, filed on Sep. 28, 1995 now
`abandoned, which has at least one inventor in common
`herewith.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to portable, hand-
`held computer display devices that accept input signals from
`an operator touching the display with a finger or stylus, and
`particularly to dual orientation displays which have both
`portrait and landscape modes of viewing the display. In
`particular, the present inventionrelates to a dual orientation
`display and associated touch-sensitive panel used in a hand-
`held computer device, wherein the display and touch-
`sensitive panel are hinged to a keyboard, and to methods of
`driving and responding to the display and touch-sensitive
`panel.
`
`BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION
`
`In the past, computer display devices, such as monitors
`used on desktops and consoles, typically had rectangular
`displays or screens which were oriented with the longer
`sides of the rectangle at the top and the bottom ofthe display.
`In graphics or word processing applications designed for
`output on a rectangular sheet, such as a letter or A-4 size
`sheet of paper,
`the terms “portrait” and “landscape” are
`commonly used to refer to the orientation of the image on
`the page. In the portrait mode, the shorter sides of the paper
`are at the top and the bottom of the image, whereas for
`landscape mode,
`the longer sides are at the top and the
`bottom. These terms portrait and landscape are also used
`herein to denote the orientation of a rectangular display
`screen.
`
`In the past, the majority of display devices have been
`orientated in the landscape mode, typically on fixed screens
`mounted on consoles, desktop monitors and the like. As
`consumer demands for more portable devices are being met,
`the majority of notebook computers, laptop computers, and
`the smaller palmtop devices incorporate a keyboard attached
`to a landscape oriented screen. These portable computers are
`basically rectangular clam-shell devices, having a lower half
`carrying a keyboard hinged to an upperhalf that carries the
`display screen. The rectangular shape is easily transported,
`and the rectangular orientation of the keyboard allows for
`easy adaptation from conventional desktop keyboards.
`Many graphical computer interfaces are being used in an
`effort
`to match more closely the established habits of
`humans when they communicate with writing. In the most
`natural and intuitive of these interfaces, a human user
`“writes” with a stylus on the surface of a computer-driven
`display, entering handwriting, sketching a diagram or
`picture, pressing a “button”, etc. What actually happens, of
`course,
`is that
`the user stimulates a digitizer or touch-
`sensitive panel, co-located with the display, and the digitizer
`signals the position of the stylus to the computer. The
`computer then responds appropriately, driving the display to
`reproducethe path of the stylus (thus making an imageofthe
`handwriting or picture) or to signal that the button has been
`pressed.In this way, the stylus/digitizer/display combination
`becomesa close metaphor to the commonpencil and paper
`tablet or notepad that nearly everyone uses.
`
`nn
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`One such handheld notepad device made by the Apple
`Computer Company, is knownasthe “Newton.” The New-
`ton device has only a minimal keyboard, and recognizes user
`inputs from a stylus, whichis used to activate digitized areas
`on the screen. Indeed,
`the Newton product can be pro-
`grammed to recognize a user’s handwriting. The Newton
`device has a rectangular display screen, which is in a portrait
`orientation, in contrast with the landscape orientation of the
`hinged devices.
`Some of the hinged portable computers, as well as the
`Newton notepad device, typically have one or more icons
`located around the periphery of the display. For the land-
`scape displays, icons are oriented to be viewed in a land-
`scape mode, whereasfor the portrait display of the Newton
`notepad, the icons are positioned for viewing in a portrait
`mode. These icons are indicia, or symbols indicating either
`an application or program, or a specific command within a
`program. For example, the icon to delete a file may appear
`as a trash can, whereas to activate the save function of a
`program,the icon maybe an imageof a computerdisk. Icons
`may be activated by placing the cursor over the icon and
`then pressing the enter key, or by using a mouse-type locator
`device, then keyclicking one of the mouse buttons. Using a
`wand-sensitive device, such as a digitized screen on the
`Newton notepad, the wand is pressed on the screen over the
`icon to activate the particular application or function. Instead
`of a wand, somedisplay devices are sensitive to the touch of
`a finger to activate the icon’s function.
`to incorporate the
`It would be particularly convenient
`features of the handheld keyboard computer with those of a
`handheld notepad computer into a single device. In such a
`device, it would also be desirable for the display screen to
`be in a landscape mode when usedas a palmtop keyboard or
`typing device, and in a portrait mode when used as a notepad
`device. There is also a need for such a device to readily
`interpret inputs from the touch-activated display and/or the
`keyboard.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention, a
`According to one aspect of the present
`display apparatus is provided as a user interface for a
`computer device, with the display apparatus being readable
`from dual orientations, such as landscape and portrait
`modes, which are typically perpendicular or orthogonal to
`one another. The apparatus displays an image generated by
`the computer device. The apparatus has a display with a
`work area and a digitized region. The workarea displays the
`image from the computer device, while the digitized region
`receives an input commandfor the computer device from an
`operator. The workarea selectively displays the image from
`one of two orthogonal directions. The apparatus also has
`indicia displayed on the digitized region of the display to
`communicate to the operator an input command. Upon
`selection of the indicia by the operator, an input signal
`associated with the selected input commandis generated for
`the computer device. The indicia comprises a design with an
`upper portion that defines an upright viewing position, with
`the indicia being oriented for upright viewing at an angle
`between the two orthogonal directions.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, a
`display apparatus is provided for displaying an electroni-
`cally generated image having an upright orientation. The
`apparatus has a display with a work area to display the
`image, and a digitized region to receive an input command
`from an operator, with the work area having an axis to
`selectively display the electronically generated image with
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 9
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 9
`
`

`

`5,949,408
`
`3
`the upright orientation either parallel to the axis or normalto
`the axis. The apparatus also has indicia displayed on the
`digitized region of the display to communicate to the opera-
`tor the input commandforselection by the operator, with the
`indicia comprising a design having an upright orientation
`located at an acute angle with respect to the axis.
`Accordingto still a further aspect of the present invention,
`a computer device is provided, including a processor unit
`and a display apparatus, which may be as described above.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, a
`method is provided of displaying indicia for viewing from
`two orthogonal directions. The method includes the steps of
`determining two upright orthogonal directions from which a
`selected display may be viewed,and selecting indicia having
`an upright orientation. In an orienting step, the indicia on the
`display is oriented with the upright orientation being slanted
`with respect to each of the two determined upright orthogo-
`nal directions from which the display may be viewed.
`Other aspects of the invention include touch activation
`circuitry for bringing a portable computer device out of a
`power conservation mode in response to a touch on a
`touch-sensitive display panel, without requiring the data
`processor of the computer device to periodically scan the
`touch-sensitive panel. The portable computer device further
`has hardware for allowing screen rotation between the
`landscape and portrait orientations with little or no partici-
`pation by software. In addition,
`the computer device is
`programmedto at least partially disable its keyboard when
`the portrait orientation has been selected.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a handheld or
`palmtop computer device of the present invention, which
`has a dual-orientation display shown in a landscape orien-
`tation for use as a keyboard or typing device.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the palmtop computer
`device of FIG. 1, shown with the dual-orientation display in
`a portrait orientation, with the keyboard folded behind the
`display for use as a notepad device.
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the display screen of
`FIG. 1 in a landscapeorientation, with the display showing
`two groups of dual-orientation readable icons.
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the display screen of
`FIG. 1 in a portrait orientation, rotated 90° from the view of
`FIG. 3.
`
`FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a touch-panel
`and associated electronics in accordance with the invention.
`
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of screen driving and rotation
`circuitry in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of screen driving and
`rotation circuitry in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a voltage divider circuit
`in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one form of a portable
`microprocessor-based computing system or computer
`device, such as a handheld personal organizer or “palmtop”
`computer 20, constructed in accordance with the present
`invention. The housing of the palmtop 20 is a clamshell
`design, having opposing clamshell upper and lower
`portions, such as a lid 22 and a base 24. The lid 22 and base
`24 are pivotally attached together by a hinge mechanism 25,
`
`4
`which has two parallel pivot axes 26 and 27. In use, the
`clamshell lid 22 may be closed overthe base 24, then opened
`by releasing a conventional latch mechanism 28. A main
`battery receiving area is provided by a chamber defined by
`a portion the hinge mechanism 25 to receive a pair of
`replaceable batteries. A back-up battery is held by a tray 29
`whichis slidably received inside a chamberdefined by the
`clamshell lid 22.
`
`The clamshell base 24 houses a keyboard 30, including a
`range of alpha, numeric and function keys, which provides
`a typed-in input to a computer processor unit 32, housed
`primarily within the interior of base 24. The base 24also has
`a chamber 34 whichslidably receives a separate wand unit
`or stylus 35, which may be used to provide operator input
`commands to the processor unit 32, as described further
`below. The base 24 also has an auxiliary device card
`chamber 36 that slidably receives a PCMCIA card (not
`shown), which is removed using slide button 38. Such an
`optional PCMCIAcard conformsto standards established by
`the Personal Computer Memory Card International Asso-
`ciation (PCMCIA). A PCMCIAcard plugsinto a connector
`housed within the base 24 to provide additional features to
`the processor unit 32, such as modem capability, extra
`memory, facsimile capability, higher math functions, sound,
`dictionary/thesaurusfunctions, or networkinterfacing. Thus,
`the palmtop 20 may be readily adapted to a variety of
`specialized uses.
`The clamshell lid 22 supports a display device, panel, or
`screen 40, constructed in accordance with the present inven-
`tion. The hinge 25 advantageously allows the keyboard base
`24 to be folded in a back-to-back relationship with the lid
`portion 22, as shown in FIG. 2. As used herein, the orien-
`tation of the display 40 in FIG. 1 will bereferred to as either
`a landscape, typing or keyboard mode, whereas the view of
`FIG. 2 will be referred to as the portrait, writing or notepad
`mode.
`
`Display 40 includes a touch-sensitive panel that can be
`used for operator input. Specifically, the operator can touch
`specific portions of the display with a hand-heldstylus 35.
`Palmtop 20 has hardware and software that recognize the
`position that has been touched. Depending on the operating
`state of the palmtop or the position relative to the display
`that is touched, the palmtop might respond to a touch by
`darkening the corresponding portion of the screen,
`thus
`allowing the user to draw graphics or letters. In other
`situations, a touch might be interpreted as a command.
`In the keyboard modeof FIG. 1, either the keyboard, the
`stylus, or both may be used to provide an operator input
`command signal to the processor unit 32. Instead of using
`the stylus 35, some input commands maybe activated by
`touching the display screen 40 with an operator’s finger.
`The manner in which the palmtop 20 interfaces with a
`user will be describedfirst, before discussing how the device
`operates to accomplish these functions.
`As shownin detail in FIGS. 3 and 4,the display device 40
`has two digitized regions 42 and 44 separated by a work
`space 45, whichis preferably also digitized. The workspace
`45 is preferably square, although rectangular, oval, hexago-
`nal or other shapes may also be implemented. As shownin
`FIGS. 3 and 4, the display 40 may be, circular, square or
`oblong in shape, such as ovalor elliptical, or as illustrated
`here, rectangular, having a major axis or portrait axis 46, and
`a minor axis or landscape axis 48. The digitized regions 42
`and 44 are sensitive to a touch from the operator’s finger or
`from the stylus 35 to active one of plural icons, which are
`indicia or symbols indicating a particular computer
`
`nn
`
`10
`
`15
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 10
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 10
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`

`

`5,949,408
`
`5
`application, or a commandor function within an application,
`such as icons 50, 52, 54, 55, 56 and 58 within region 42, and
`icons 60, 62, 64, 65, 66 and 68 within region 44. The icons
`may be radially symmetrical, such as a circle, that have an
`infinite numberof upright viewing directions, but the supply
`of such radially symmetrical iconsis readily exhausted. The
`illustrated icons 50-68 are non-radially symmetrical, and
`have a single upright viewing direction. Indeed, the function
`associated with an icon may also be written or abbreviated
`in text within the digitized regions 42, 44 adjacent
`the
`associated icon, but such text has been omitted from the
`drawings for clarity. The illustrated icons may activate the
`following functions, for instance:
`
`Icon
`
`Function
`
`Textual Abbreviation
`
`59
`52
`54
`55
`56
`58
`60
`62
`64
`65
`66
`68
`
`Home Screen
`Appointment Book
`Phone Book
`Notepad
`Database
`Jotter
`Finance
`Spreadsheet
`Calculator
`Help
`Graffiti
`Portrait or Landscape Display
`
`“Home”
`“Appt”
`“Phone”
`“Note”
`“Data”
`“Jotter”
`“Finance”
`“Sheet”
`“Calc”
`“Help”
`“Graffiti”
`“Rotate”
`
`Touching oneof the icons 50-68 generates an input signal
`to the processor unit 32. The illustrated icons 50-68 are also
`referred to as “hard icons” because they are permanently
`located in-control areas adjacent the work surface 45, and
`remain visible even after the palmtop 20 has been turnedoff.
`The palmtop display 40 interacts with the operator in an
`intuitive manner, closely resembling the use of pencil and
`paper. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 40 com-
`prises a planarliquid crystal graphical display, overlaid with
`a transparent planar digitizer layer. While a liquid crystal
`display 40 is shown, other varieties of displays, such as
`electroluminescent, may also be used if higher power con-
`sumptionis tolerable. The overlying digitizer layer is com-
`posedoflayers of both electrically conductive andinsulating
`material arranged so that, when the digitizer surface is
`pressed, measurable resistances are generated. These resis-
`tances are then interpreted to determine the surface position
`where the pressure was applied, and the processor unit 32
`then correlates the location to a selected input command.
`Both the digitizer layer and liquid crystal display have active
`areas which are nominally the same size so they can be
`superimposed during manufacture.
`The processor unit 32 communicates display drive signals
`to enable the generation or removal of image elements
`(“pixels”) anywhere on the active area workspace 45 of the
`display. In a preferred embodiment, a pointed end of the
`stylus 35 is used for writing or inputting commands, while
`the opposite end is used to erase pixels, similar to the
`operation of a conventional pencil. Note that the display
`need not be co-located with the digitizer layer, although such
`a system would clearly detract from the intuitive analogy to
`pencil and paper. Another variation of display 40 locates a
`non-transparent digitizer layer under a flexible display. A
`further variation of display 40 may employ a non-planar,
`transparent digitizer and an inductive winding onthe spheri-
`cal surface of a cathode-ray tube display.
`Muchofthe operation of this type of computer system 20
`consists of the operator moving the pointed writing end of
`stylus 35 in a path on the surface of the work surface 45,
`
`6
`using enough pressure to activate the digitizer. Preferably,
`the level of pressure required approximates that required to
`makea legible mark with a pencil on a piece of paper. If the
`computer 20 is expecting a handwriting or drawing input,
`then the system generates a graphical trace on display 40,
`duplicating the stylus path and located directly underit. In
`another mode, graphical “buttons,” appearing in the work-
`space 45 or supplied by the hard icons 50-68 indicate
`command choices and the operator is expected to select a
`commandby pressing over the button with the stylus 35.
`Since the display 40 may be viewed from either orthogo-
`nal orientation (landscapeorportrait), and is usable in both
`orientations,if the hard icons 50-68are totally upright when
`viewed from one direction,
`they cannot be viewed in a
`normal manner from the other direction. Particularly in a
`handheld device, such as the personal organizer 20, space is
`at a premium to maintain portability of the device. Dividing
`the display 25 into the work space 45 and the digitized
`regions 42, 44 forces the workspace 45 and regions 42, 44
`to compete for the available display space. Moreover, the
`larger the area devotedto digitized regions 32, 34, then the
`greater is the ultimate cost of the computer 20. Thus, it is
`advantageous to have a minimally sized region dedicated
`solely a digitized region for the hard icons 50-68, whether
`the palmtop 20 is being used as a keyboard, or as a notepad.
`Consumeracceptance of hand held devicesis often based
`on their ease of use, with the simpler devices being more
`appealing to a variety of consumers. Thus,it is advantageous
`to simplify the palmtop’s user interface as muchaspossible.
`To this end, the hard icons 50-68 are slanted with respect to
`both the portrait and landscape modesof viewing display 40.
`For example, each hard icon 50-68 is preferably oriented
`anywhere between 20° and 70° from the upright minor axis
`48, when viewedin the landscape mode. A preferred optimal
`rotation from either the landscape axis 48 or the portrait axis
`46 is a 45° angle of rotation. By havingsets of slanted icons
`50-68 which service both keyboard and notepad uses, visual
`clutter of the display 40 is kept to a minimum. Furthermore,
`the user may become accustomed to locating an icon in a
`certain position. By having these dual-orientation icons
`50-68 permanently located on the display 40, the operator
`may readily locate a particular icon in either orientation,
`negating the need to become accustomed to a completely
`new arrangement of icons switching between viewing
`modes. Thus, use of the dual-orientation icons 50-68 yields
`a simple, reliable, low cost and versatile personal organizer
`20.
`
`Theillustrated dual-orientation readable icons 50-68 may
`be advantageously read from either the landscape or portrait
`orientation of display 40. Additionally, the hand held com-
`puting device 20 may be made smaller, with a smaller
`footprint (physical space occupied) for the housing of orga-
`nizer 20. Moreover, having one set of hard icons instead of
`two as in the previous devices, helps to conserve the
`valuable area of display 40 for
`the worksurface 45.
`Furthermore, the use of the illustrated dual-orientation icons
`50-68 significantly conserves screen space, as opposed to
`using two sets of icons oriented orthogonally to one another,
`as on devices of the past. Moreover, display 40 appears to be
`simplified, since only one set of hard iconsis required. And
`finally, the presence of the icons 50-68 shownslanted at an
`angle, provides an intuitive message to the user, that the
`device 20 may be used in either a keyboard or a notepad
`orientation.
`
`Power Conservation Mode
`
`Palmtop 20, similarly to many handheld devices, has a
`power-conservation mode.
`In devices such as this that
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 11
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1030 - Page 11
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`

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`5,949,408
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`typically use batteries, power conservation is critical made between the layers while applying a voltage toafirstto
`ensure against premature exhaustion of powerreserves. One
`of the layers and using a second of the layers as a high-
`impedance terminal to measure the resultant voltage, the
`way to conserve power is to remove power from compo-
`measured voltage can be mappedto the location along the
`nents when they are not in use. However,
`this is often
`axisof the first layer at which contact is being made between
`impractical. Another way to reduce power consumption is to
`the layers. By then applying voltage to the second layer, and
`put components such as data processors or microprocessors
`measuring the resulting voltage at the first layer, the location
`in a “sleep” mode in which they consumeverylittle power.
`of contact along the axis of the second layer can be deter-
`Many microprocessors have such a sleep mode. Returning a
`mined. Since the layers are aligned at 90° to each other, an
`processor from such a mode can usually be accomplished by
`orthogonal coordinate pair representing the point of contact
`changing the voltage on an interrupt
`line or other such
`between the two layers can be calculated. Thus, by scanning
`“wake-up” line.
`or alternately applying voltage to each of the two layers and
`It works well for a handheld device to automatically enter
`measuring the result at the other layer, coordinate pairs
`a sleep mode whenthere has been a defined period without
`indicating the presence and movement of operator touches
`any input from a user. In many cases the device is brought
`can be obtained.
`backto an active state by pressing an “on” button. It is more
`FIG. 5 showsthe scanningcircuits, under controlof a data
`desirable, however, to wake the processor by monitoring for
`processor of palmtop 20, for alternately applying voltage
`normal user input such as a key press.
`across each resistive layer and measuring the resulting
`When using a touch-sensitive panel, in particular, it is
`voltage from the other layer to determine coordinates of a
`desirable to wake the processor when the user touches the
`touch on the touch sensitive panel. Top layer 102 is con-
`panel with a finger or the stylus. Some devices provide this
`nected to a potential of V... through a first pair of switches
`feature. Such devices conventionally detect a touch by
`SWI1and SW2. These switches are connected to apply V...
`periodically “waking” the device’s data processor to scan
`across a first axis of top layer 102. Bottom layer 104 is
`the touch-panel. If no touch is detected, the data processor
`connected to V_. through a secondpair of switches SW3 and
`re-enters its sleep mode.
`SW4. V.... is connected by these switches across bottom layer
`While this prior art method works,it consumessignificant
`104 along a second axis thatis perpendicularto thefirst axis.
`powerto perform such periodic scanning. In contrast, the
`The components described above allow conventional
`preferred embodimentof the invention uses an interrupt to
`operation of the touch-panel in a coordinate decoding mode,
`signal the data processor to return from its sleep mode. Thus,
`employing voltage divider principles to determine touch
`the system can remain in a suspended, sleeping, or power-
`coordinates. However,
`the configuration of FIG. 5 also
`conservation state until a contact or touch is made on display
`includes a “wake-up” mode in which the analogorresistive
`40, which then causes an interrupt
`to wake the system
`touch-panel is used as a digital switch. To accomplish this,
`immediately.
`palmtop 20 includes a touch activation circuit that can be
`The digitizer or touch-sensitive panel in this embodiment
`enabled by the data processor to apply a voltagetoafirst of
`of the invention is implemented using resistive overlay
`the resistive layers and to configure a data-processor wake-
`technology. Such technology utilizes a transparent sensor
`up line to respond to a changein voltage at the secondof the
`placed over a display screen to detect
`the position of a
`layers. More specifically, a switch SW7 is provided for
`passive pen or stylus as it is pressed or touched against the
`providing V.. to bottom layer 104 during the “wake-up”
`surface of the display screen.
`modeof operation. Another switch SW5 connects top layer
`FIG. 5 shows the elements of a resistive sensor and
`102 through a pull-downresistor R1 to ground, thus biasing
`associated electrical or electronic controls used in conjunc-
`top layer 102 to ground. A switch SW6 connects top layer
`tion with the data processor of palmtop 20 to detect
`the
`102 to the wake-up line of the data processor. The wake-up
`coordinates of a touch on display 40. The resistive sensor
`line is typically an interrupt line that can be electrically
`itself is formed byfirst and second opposingresistive layers
`activated to return the data processor from a power-
`that couple electrically with each other in response to a
`conservation mode.
`In the preferred embodiment,
`the
`switches are either transistors or tri-state buffers under the
`touch. A data processor of palmtop 20 is connected to
`determine coordinates of a touch on the resistive sensor by
`master control of the data processor.
`applying and measure voltages to and from these layers.
`The data processor is programmedto disable the scanning
`This data processor may be the device’s primary micropro-
`circuits and to enable the touch activation circuit just prior
`cessor or may be a smaller, auxiliary microcontroller used
`to entering its power-conservation mode. Morespecifically,
`for I/O functions. In the preferred embodiment, the data
`switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4are openedto disable
`processoris a low-cost 8-bit microcontroller that is used for
`scanning of the touch-panel. Switch SW7is closed to apply
`display, keyboard, and touch-panel control.
`V.. to bottom layer 104, and switch SW5 is closed to bias
`More specifically, the touch-panel comprises a flexible
`top layer 102. The wake-up line is connected to respond to
`top layer 102 (e.g., PET film) and a rigid bottom layer 104
`a changein voltage of top layer 102—itis connected through
`switch SW6 to be electrically activated by a touch on the
`(e.g., glass) coated with transparent conductive material
`such as indi