39
`
`EP O 689 122 Al 40
`
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`
`proximity of the finger to the keys has been
`detected.
`
`12.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`
`
`claim 1, wherein
`each of the keys has a plurality of the
`
`
`sensors for detecting direct touch or proximity
`of a finger to the keys so that the direct touch
`
`or proximity of the finger to the keys can be
`
`
`expressed in a form of a detailed coordinate
`data.
`
`
`forces;
`a sensor circuit means tor detecting a de­
`
`
`gree of direct touch or proximity of a finger to
`all or a part of keys;
`5
`
`a data processing means for Judging or
`
`
`
`predicting a intentional direct touch or proxim­
`
`ity of the finger to a spec1f1c key by data
`
`
`processing of a value produced by the sensor
`
`circuit means or a change with time of the
`
`
`value. and thus obtaining information codes
`
`corresponding to the key;
`a first display means for displaying the
`
`
`
`information codes obtained by the data pro­
`cessing means; and
`a second display means for displaying. in
`
`
`a manner different from that of the first display
`
`means, when the switch circuit 1s closed by
`
`
`
`pressing the specific key , a corresponding
`
`
`specific information code ; and
`
`20
`
`13.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`a plurality of switch circuits;
`an array of keys for opening and closing
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`forces:
`a plurality of sensors for detecting direct
`
`
`
`touch or proximity of a finger to all or a part of
`keys;
`a signal processmg means for receiving
`
`
`
`
`
`and processing data outputs from the sensors
`and switch circuits;
`claim 8, wherein
`
`when a plurality of the keys are made
`a first display means for displaying in a
`
`
`corresponding to the degree of the proximity.
`
`certain form such as a bit map , the direct
`25
`
`
`the degree of the proximity is indicated by
`
`
`touch or proximity to the keys detected by the
`
`
`
`sensors in response to physical pattern of the
`
`
`designating the corresponding information
`
`
`codes to a physical positions of the keys and
`sensors;
`
`a detailed data command switch for com­
`
`specific color or shape.
`
`
`manding display of a detailed data; and
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`a detailed data display means responsive
`
`claim 1, further comprising
`
`to the detailed data command switch for dis­
`switching circwts for producing a demand
`
`
`
`playing in a more detailed form the keys to
`
`to perform a given data processing action.
`which the finger is in direct touch or proximity
`process demand key for opening and clos­
`
`as detected by the sensors .in response phys­
`35
`
`
`ing the switching circuits through transmission
`
`ical pattern of the sensors,
`
`of forces. and
`
`in which when the specific key 1s pressed
`a third display means for d1splay1ng a
`
`
`
`and its switch circuit is closed, corresponding
`
`
`symbol or dialogue implying a type of the data
`
`input information codes are entered.
`processing action in response to a physical
`40
`pattern of the keys, in which
`14.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`a housing of a hand size hav111g a palm­
`when the process demand key 1s pressed
`
`when the direct touch or prox1m1ty of the
`rest on a near side thereof;
`
`finger to the keys is detected, ,ts correspond­
`
`
`a plurality of switch circuits and an array of
`
`ing symbol or dialogue 1mply1ng a type of the
`
`peripheral keys for opening and closing the
`45
`
`
`switch circuits through transmission of forces,
`
`data processing action is displayed by the
`third display means and when the keys are
`those being mounted on a peripheral edge of
`
`
`pressed, the corresponc1ng data process111g
`
`the housing upwardly of the palm-rest;
`action can be performed.
`
`an array of central keys mounted in a
`
`recess of the housing surrounded by the pe­
`
`ripheral keys and the palm-rest;
`
`
`a plurality of thumb proximity sensors
`mounted on a lower part of the housing for
`
`
`detectmg direct touch or proximity of an ob­
`ject;
`a plurality of proximity sensors for detect­
`
`
`
`ing direct touch or proximity of an object to the
`
`central keys;
`
`
`
`9.An information input apparatus according to
`
`10.An information input apparatus according to
`
`50
`11.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`claim 10, further comprising
`
`
`a fourth display means arranged to display
`
`a text explaining the demand while the symbol
`
`
`or dialogue implying the type of the data pro­
`55
`
`cessing action being displayed by the third
`
`display means when the process demand key
`has been pressed and the direct touch or
`
`22
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 122
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`

`

`15.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`claim 14, wherein
`a set of thumb proximity sensors are fur­
`
`
`
`ther provided on an openable tab mounted on
`15
`
`a side of the housing for detecting direct touch
`
`or proximity of an object.
`
`41
`
`
`
`EP O 689 122 A1
`
`42
`
`a display means for displaying the data
`
`sors, proximity sensors, and thumb proximity
`
`
`
`sensors,
`in which a visual pattern is determined by
`
`
`
`
`
`a combination of the insertion or proximity of
`
`the object to the recess , the insertion or
`
`proximity of the object to the thumb proximity
`
`
`sensor. and the position sensors.
`
`
`
`18.An information input apparatus according to
`
`a movement detecting means for detecting
`
`a movement of the housing;
`
`an input data processing means for receiv­
`
`ing and processing data outputs from the
`
`
`
`switch circuits, thumb proximity sensors. and
`5
`
`movement detecting means;
`
`
`outputs; and
`a communicating means for communicat­
`
`
`
`
`ing with other apparatuses than the housing.
`claim 14, wherein
`10
`
`a surface level of the keys mounted in the
`
`recess is lowered towards the palm-rest and
`
`
`raised towards the thumb proximity sensors.
`
`19.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`a housing of a hand size;
`
`an array of keys corresponding to informa­
`tion codes;
`a plurality of position sensors for detecting
`
`
`
`the position of an object across the keys;
`
`a movement detecting means for detecting
`a movement of the housing;
`
`an input data processing means for receiv­
`
`
`ing and processing data outputs from the posi­
`
`tion sensors and movement detecting means;
`
`a display means : and
`wherein the display means displays on its
`
`
`
`
`screen a coordinate pattern according to the
`
`
`keys in response to a data output from the
`
`input data processing means, points out a po­
`
`
`
`
`sition in the coordinate pattern in response to a
`
`
`data output of the position sensor, and allows
`
`
`
`the coordinate pattern with its pointed position
`
`to be moved in response to a movement out­
`
`put of the movement detecting means.
`
`16.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`a plurality of switch circuits;
`20
`an array of keys for opening and closing
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`forces;
`a plurality of recesses provided in a pe­
`
`
`
`
`
`ripheral edge of a housing for insertion of a
`25
`finger;
`a plurality of finger proximity sensors
`
`
`
`
`mounted in the recesses respectively for de­
`
`
`
`tecting direct touch or proximity of an object;
`
`
`a plurality of thumb proximity sensors
`30
`
`mounted on a peripheral edge of the housing
`
`
`for detecting direct touch or proximity of an
`
`object; and
`a data processing means for receiving and
`
`
`
`processing data outputs from the finger prox­
`35
`
`
`
`imity sensors, thumb proximity sensors. and
`switch circuits,
`
`in which information codes data pattern
`
`
`
`assigned in relation to the switch circuits can
`
`be changed by a combination of the insertion
`40
`
`or proximity of the object to one of the reces­
`
`
`ses and the insertion or proximity of the object
`
`to the thumb proximity sensor.
`
`20.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`
`a correct command switch for instructing a
`
`correcting action;
`
`a plurality of switch circuits;
`an array of keys for opening and closing
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`forces;
`a plurality of proximity sensors for detect­
`
`
`17.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`ing direct touch or proximity of an object to the
`45
`a housing of a hand size;
`keys;
`an array of keys;
`a first controlling means responsive to a
`
`
`a plurality of recesses provided about the
`
`
`
`command output of the correct command
`
`
`keys at a distance accessible with a finger;
`
`switch ,for displaying on a display screen a
`
`
`a plurality of position sensors for detecting
`
`
`word or a partial character string of a word
`50
`
`the position of a finger across the keys;
`
`
`approximate to an inputted word or a partial
`
`
`a plurality of proximity sensors mounted in
`
`character string of a word as candidates
`
`the recesses respectively;
`
`
`
`through citation with a built-in dictionary in
`
`
`a plurality of thumb proximity sensors
`
`response to the keys ; and
`
`mounted on the housing for detecting direct
`
`a second controlling means responsive to
`55
`
`
`touch or proximity of an object; and
`
`
`informations from the proximity sensors for
`
`a data processing means for receiving and
`
`
`
`identifying a candidate which corresponds to
`
`
`processing data outputs from the position sen-
`
`
`the keys determined by the direct touch or
`
`23
`
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`Apple EX1002 Page 123
`
`

`

`43
`
`EP O 689 122 A1
`
`44
`
`corresponding keys , a part of the word or a
`
`
`
`
`partial character string of the specified can­
`
`didate is selected in color inverse manner and
`
`so on by sliding direct touch or proximity of
`
`the thumb to thumb proximity sensors . and
`when a desired part of the word or a partial
`
`
`character string is selected . an only desired
`
`
`character string is entered by pressing cor­
`
`responding keys.
`
`proximity of the object among the candidates
`
`on the screen .
`in which when the keys are pressed. their
`
`
`corresponding word or a partial character
`
`string a word is entered as a correct word or a
`
`
`partial character string of a word.
`
`5
`
`21. An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`
`
`claim 20, further comprising
`
`
`a plurality of thumb proximity sensors for
`10
`
`
`detecting direct touch or proximity of a thumb
`wherein
`while specifying one word or a partial char­
`
`
`
`acter string among the displayed candidates
`
`by direct touch or proximity of the finger to the
`15
`
`corresponding keys , a part of the word or a
`
`
`
`partial character string of the specified can­
`
`didate is selected in color inverse manner and
`
`
`so on by sliding direct touch or proximity of
`
`the thumb to thumb proximity sensors . and
`20
`when a desired part of the word or a partial
`
`
`character string is selected , an only desired
`
`character string is entered by pressing cor­
`
`responding keys.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`24.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`a plurality of switch circuits:
`an array of keys for opening and closing
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`forces;
`
`a plurality of finger sensors for detecting
`
`direct touch or proximity of an object to all or a
`part of the keys;
`
`a plurality of thumb sensors mounted sep­
`arately of the finger sensors . for detecting
`
`direct touch or proximity of a thumb;
`
`a signal processing means for receiving
`
`and processing data outputs of the finger sen­
`
`sors, thumb sensors, and switch circuits;
`
`
`a display means (A) for displaying a plural­
`22. An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`
`ity of information codes assigned to the keys;
`
`a display means (B) for specifying selec­
`a plurality of switch circuits:
`
`an array of keys for opening and closing
`
`tively the information codes in response to an
`output of the finger sensor; and
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`
`a display means (C) for further specifying
`forces;
`
`
`selectively the the information codes in re­
`a plurality of finger proximity sensors for
`
`
`sponse to an output of the thumb sensor.
`
`
`
`detecting direct touch or proximity of an object
`to the keys;
`a first controlling means for predicting a
`
`
`
`
`candidate of character string which is to be
`
`next entered , by using a dictionary or gram­
`
`
`matical rules from inputted characters and dis­
`
`playing them in response to a physical pattern
`of the keys;
`a selection mode selector switch for shift­
`
`
`40
`
`
`ing to a mode for selecting a candidate : and
`
`
`a second controlling means responsive to
`
`outputs of the finger proximity sensors for
`
`
`
`specifying the plural displayed candidates by
`
`
`the switching of the selection mode selector
`45
`switch
`in which when the keys are pressed the
`
`
`candidate corresponding to the keys is entered
`
`25. An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`a plurality of switch circuits:
`an array of keys for opening and closing
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`forces;
`a plurality of thumb proximity sensors for
`
`
`detecting
`
`direct touch or proximity of an ob­
`ject; and
`a signal processing means for receiving
`
`
`and processing data outputs of the thumb
`
`
`proximity sensors and switch circuits, in which
`
`
`specifying one of the thumb proximity sen­
`
`
`sors by a detection of direct touch or proximity
`
`action of the thumb and specifying one of the
`
`
`keys by pressing of other finger or fingers than
`the thumb are executed
`
`
`a plurality of information codes are made
`
`
`corresponding to combinations of both the
`23.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`claim 22. further comprising
`
`specifyings and entry is executed , and
`
`the thumb proximity sensors are provided
`
`
`a plurality of thumb proximity sensors for
`
`
`detecting direct touch or proximity of a thumb ,
`at an upper surface of a housing.
`wherein
`26. An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`while specifying one word or a partial char­
`
`
`
`a plurality of switch circuits:
`
`acter string among the displayed candidates
`an array of keys for opening and closing
`
`by direct touch or proximity of the finger to the
`
`35
`
`50
`
`55
`
`24
`
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`

`

`45
`
`
`
`EP O 689 122 A1
`
`46
`
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`
`
`
`imity of a little finger.
`
`30.A cover for covering a main housing, char­
`
`
`
`
`acterized that as the cover is inwardly foldable
`
`
`at a center, its half separated from the other
`
`
`
`half by folding has an enlarging reflector mirror
`
`mounted on an inner side thereof and the other
`
`
`half has a display device mounted pivotably on
`
`the inner side thereof so that when the cover is
`
`opened , a folding part are folded , and the
`display device is opened , and thereby an
`
`image on the display device can clearly be
`
`
`viewed through the enlarging reflector mirror
`
`
`and when the cover is closed, the holding part
`
`is stretched and the display is stored inside
`the cover.
`
`
`forces;
`a plurality of thumb proximity sensors for
`
`
`
`
`detecting direct touch or proximity of an ob­
`ject; and
`5
`a signal processing means for receiving
`
`
`
`and processing data outputs of the thumb
`
`
`
`proximity sensors and switch circuits, in which
`
`
`specifying one of the thumb proximity sen­
`
`sors by a detection of direct touch or proximity
`10
`action of the thumb and specifying one of the
`
`
`keys by pressing of other finger or fingers than
`the thumb are executed
`
`
`a plurality of information codes are made
`
`
`corresponding to combinations of both the
`15
`
`
`specifyings and entry is executed , and
`
`the thumb proximity sensors are provided
`
`on a switch plate set on an upper surface of a
`31.A cover according to claim 30, wherein
`
`housing.
`
`the cover is pivotably mounted to the main
`housing for opening and closing so that the
`
`
`
`enlarging reflector mirror is directly viewed
`from the near side when the cover is opened.
`
`20
`27.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`a plurality of switch circuits:
`an array of keys for opening and closing
`
`
`the switch circuits through transmission of
`32.A cover according to claim 30 or 31, wherein
`
`forces;
`
`the cover is detachably mounted to the
`25
`a plurality of thumb proximity sensors for
`
`
`
`main housing and it can be detachably at­
`
`
`detecting direct touch or proximity of an ob­
`tached to a head band.
`ject: and
`a signal processing means for receiving
`
`33. A cover according to claim 32, wherein
`
`
`and processing data outputs of the thumb
`
`while the cover being attached to the head
`30
`
`
`proximity sensors and switch circuits. in which
`
`band, its half accompanied with the display
`
`
`specifying one of the thumb proximity sen­
`
`apparatus is joined to a holder of the head
`
`
`sors by a detection of direct touch or proximity
`band and the other half with the enlarging
`
`action of the thumb and specifying one of the
`
`reflector mirror is folded as hangs down.
`
`
`keys by pressing of other finger or fingers than
`35
`the thumb are executed
`
`
`a plurality of information codes are made
`
`
`corresponding to combinations of both the
`
`
`specifyings and entry is executed , and
`
`the each thumb proximity sensors for de­
`40
`
`
`
`tecting a position of the thumb comprises a
`
`plurality of small sensors , the small sensors
`
`
`aligned lengthwisely of the thumb.
`
`34. A cover according to any of claims 30 to 33,
`
`
`wherein
`the main housing is a data entry apparatus
`
`defined in any one of claims 1 to 29.
`
`28.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`45
`any of claims 2 to 4, 6, 14 to 18, 21, and 23 to
`27.wherein
`a number of the thumb proximity sensors
`
`is not equal to a number of kinds of informa­
`
`
`tion specifying given with a position of the
`50
`thumb.
`
`35.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`
`proximity sensors for detecting direct
`
`touch or proximity of an object and producing
`
`
`a positional coordinate data of the object;
`
`
`a tablet to which the proximity sensors are
`mounted respectively;
`a touch degree judging means for deter­
`mining that the touch of the object to the
`
`
`proximity sensors is greater than a predeter-
`
`mined degree; and
`a touch indicating means for indicating in a
`
`
`
`physical form a fact that the touch of the
`29.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`
`
`object to the proximity sensors is greater than
`any of claims 2 to 4, 6, 14 to 18, 21, and 23 to
`
`
`the predetermined degree as determined by
`27, wherein
`
`55 the touch degree judging means, in which
`
`soma of the thumb proximity sensors are
`when the touch degree of the object to the
`
`
`replaced with a plurality of little finger proxim­
`
`
`proximity sensors is not greater than the pre­
`
`ity sensors for detecting direct touch or prox-
`
`
`determined degree, a center position of the
`
`25
`
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`47
`
`
`
`EP O 689 122 A1
`
`48
`
`object is given as a coordinate data and when
`
`
`the touch degree is greater than the predeter­
`is issued as a se­
`mined degree, information
`
`
`lection of the positional coordinate
`
`when it is issued with correspondence to
`
`mined degree;
`a touch indicating means for indicating in a
`
`
`physical form a fact that the touch of the
`
`object to the proximity sensors is greater than
`
`
`the predetermined degree as determined by
`
`the touch degree judging means;
`
`a data switching means for selecting
`
`whether a positional coordinate data of the
`
`object is directly issued or is issued with cor­
`
`
`respondence to key positions which are be­
`
`
`
`forehand determined by a combination of posi­
`tion data of the other four fingers than the
`
`
`thumb and the horizontal position of the thumb
`
`
`
`determined by the thumb proximity sensors, in
`which
`
`the key positions
`only the corresponding key code position
`
`is issued when the touch degree of the four
`fingers to the tablet is not greater than the
`
`predetermined degree and
`
`
`a selected information of the key code is
`
`
`issued when the touch degree is greater than
`
`the predetermined degree, and
`
`
`nate data itself ,
`a center of the position of the object is
`
`issued when the touch degree of the object is
`not greater than the predetermined
`degree and
`
`
`an information is issued as a selection of
`
`
`positional coordinate when the touch degree is
`
`
`greater than the predetermined degree.
`
`when it is issued as the positional coordi­
`
`5
`36.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`proximity sensors for detecting direct
`
`touch or proximity of an object and producing
`
`
`a positional coordinate data of the object;
`
`a tablet to which the proximity sensors are
`10
`mounted respectively;
`a touch degree judging means for deter­
`mining that the touch of the object to the
`
`
`proximity sensors is greater than a predeter­
`mined degree;
`15
`
`
`a touch indicating means for indicating in a
`
`physical form a fact that the touch of the
`
`
`object to the proximity sensors is greater than
`
`
`the predetermined degree as determined by
`
`the touch degree judging means; and
`20
`
`a data switching means for selecting
`
`
`whether a positional coordinate data of the
`
`object is directly issued or is issued with cor­
`
`
`respondence to key positions which are be­
`
`
`forehand allocated to the tablet, in which
`25
`
`when it is issued with correspondence to
`the key positions
`
`only the corresponding key code position
`is issued when the touch degree of the object
`
`
`is not greater than the predetermined degree
`30
`and
`a selected information of the key code is
`
`
`
`
`issued when the touch degree is greater than
`
`
`the predetermined degree, and
`
`when it is issued as the positional coordi­
`35
`nate data itself
`a center of the position of the object is
`
`issued when the touch degree of the object is
`
`
`not greater than the predetermined degree and
`
`
`an information is issued as a selection of
`40
`
`
`positional coordinate when the touch degree is
`
`
`greater than the predetermined degree.
`
`38.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`
`claim 35, 36, or 37, wherein
`
`the touch indicating means is provided
`
`with resilient members mounted to the tablet
`
`
`for producing a simulated click action upon
`being pressed by a force of more than a
`
`predetermined degree so that when the degree
`of the direct touch of the object exceeds the
`
`
`predetermined degree, it can physically be ex­
`
`pressed, and
`the touch degree judging means is ar­
`ranged to detect the fact that the touch of the
`
`object is greater than the predetermined de­
`
`gree by measuring a sensor signal change
`
`according to the degree of the direct touch of
`
`the object or a secondary sensor signal
`change derived from the direct touch of the
`object , triggered by the real touch action.
`
`
`37.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`
`a housing arranged of a hand-held type or
`45
`
`for supporting a hand;
`proximity sensors for detecting direct
`
`
`
`
`touch or proximity of an object and producing
`
`
`a positional coordinate data of the object;
`
`
`a tablet on which the proximity sensors are
`50
`mounted;
`thumb proximity sensors mounted on a
`
`
`side of the housing for detecting direct touch
`
`
`
`or proximity of and horizontal position of the
`object;
`55
`a touch degree judging means for deter­
`mining that the touch of the object to the
`proximity sensors is greater
`than a predeter-
`
`
`
`toaccording 39.An information input apparatus
`
`
`
`claim 38, wherein
`a first resilient piece is provided in re­
`
`
`
`
`sponse to predetermined positions of the key
`on the tablet,
`
`
`
`
`a second resilient piece is provided at a
`
`26
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`Apple EX1002 Page 126
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`

`49
`
`EP O 689 122 A1
`
`50
`
`ceeding the predetermined degree is detected
`
`
`
`
`
`at the horizontal direction selection position , is
`
`delivered, and
`when the object departs from the thumb
`proximity sensor,
`a horizontal direction selection position
`
`
`
`which is given when the degree becomes low­
`
`er than a predetermined degree , is main­
`tained.
`
`
`
`45.An information input apparatus according to
`
`predetermined boundary part of each key
`
`
`
`a lock mechanism is linked to the second
`
`
`resilient piece for locking a face of the tablet.
`and
`the lock mechanism locks the tablet when
`
`5
`
`the positional coordinate data of the object is
`
`
`
`delivered in response to key position predeter­
`
`mined for the tablet and
`the lock mechanism does not lock when
`
`
`the positional coordinate data itself is delivered
`10
`
`
`claim 37, wherein
`when the object moves towards a thumb
`
`proximity sensor, a forward and backward di­
`
`
`
`rection selection is measured together with the
`
`horizontal direction selection .
`
`
`
`40.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`claim 37, wherein
`the thumb proximity sensors is provided
`
`15
`
`with a moving mechanism so that they can be
`moved forward and backward along a side of
`
`the housing and the distance of movement is
`
`
`adjustable with relation to a length of the
`thumb.
`
`20
`
`46.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`
`
`a tablet having i-directional electrodes and
`
`
`
`j-directional electrodes which are insulated to
`each other;
`a conductive object coordinate acquisition
`
`
`
`
`claim 40, wherein
`
`means for detecting direct touch or proximity
`the moving mechanism is arranged de­
`
`
`of an object to the i-directional or j-directional
`
`
`
`electrode and producing a coordinate data of
`
`
`tachable and can thus be attached to either a
`25
`left or a right side of the housing.
`
`
`
`the object on the tablet through scanning; and
`
`
`a coordinate conversion data output means
`
`
`for converting the coordinate data produced by
`
`
`the coordinate acquisition means to an ortho­
`
`gonal coordinate data in another coordinate
`
`
`determined by X and Y directions on the tablet
`
`and delivering it.
`
`41.An information input apparatus according to
`
`42.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`
`
`claim 37, wherein
`the thumb proximity sensors are optical
`
`30
`sensors,
`
`
`each comprising a light emitter region
`
`and a light receiver region and having a focus­
`
`ing lens for focusing light.
`
`
`35
`
`43.An information input apparatus according to
`
`47.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`
`
`a thin film with flexibility;
`
`a perforated plate bonded to a lower sur­
`claim 37, wherein
`face of the thin film;
`the thumb proximity sensor has at least
`
`key tops movably fitted into apertures of
`
`
`
`two different types of hysteresis characteristic
`
`which are selectable with a selector means so
`
`the perforated plate respectively;
`that
`
`
`a lock/resiliency selector drive mechanism
`40
`when one of the two hysteresis types is
`
`for locking the key tops in their respective
`
`
`
`
`apertures ,thereby closing the apertures to flat­
`
`
`selected, the distance between the thumb and
`
`
`a thumb proximity sensor when the thumb
`
`ness or for lifting up the key tops in the ap­
`
`
`proximity sensor turns firstly OFF from ON
`
`ertures to raise the thin film so that the key
`
`tops can be pressed in through a resiliency of
`
`state by an approaching thumb , is smaller
`45
`the thin film; and
`
`than the distance between the thumb and a
`
`thumb proximity sensor when the thumb prox­
`an object coordinate acquisition means for
`
`
`
`
`detecting direct touch or proximity of an object
`
`imity sensor turns firstly ON from OFF state by
`
`
`, provided to the thin film and producing a
`
`an leaving thumb , and
`
`coordinate data of the object on the thin film
`
`
`50
`by scanning.
`
`characteristic is reversed.
`
`when the other hysteresis is selected, the
`
`
`
`44.An information input apparatus according to
`
`
`
`claim 37, wherein
`when the object moves towards a thumb
`55
`
`proximity sensor,
`a horizontal direction selection position
`
`
`
`
`which is given when a proximity degree ex-
`
`48.An information input apparatus comprising:
`
`
`a housing provided with a drive mecha­
`nism which can move upward and downward
`
`or with free rotating motion;
`a set of a light receiver, a light emitter, and
`
`
`
`an optical system mounted to the drive mecha-
`
`27
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`

`

`51
`
`
`
`EP O 689 122 A1
`
`52
`
`a communications circuit means for com­
`
`5
`
`nism;
`comprising:52. A coordinate data input apparatus
`
`
`
`a drive system position detecting means
`
`
`
`
`stripes of resistors mounted on a tablet;
`
`
`for detecting a position of the drive mecha­
`
`
`
`a current applying means for applying to
`nism;
`
`
`the striped resistors a current including al­
`
`
`
`
`ternate current components;
`municating
`
`
`an insulator layer for insulating the striped
`by detecting a predetermined signal sys­
`
`
`
`resistors; and
`
`tem from outputs of the light receiver and
`a current measuring means for measuring
`
`
`
`by driving the light emitter with inputted
`
`
`a current running across the striped resistors,
`
`any informations under a predetermined signal
`in which
`10
`system ; and
`a coordinate data along a major axis of the
`
`a direction controlling means for control­
`
`
`
`
`
`striped resistors is given by measuring with the
`
`ling the drive mechanism so that an output of
`
`
`current measuring means a change in the cur­
`
`the light receiver becomes optimum corre­
`
`
`rent caused by that the alternate current com­
`
`
`sponding to irradiation of light from an external
`
`
`ponents of the applied current by-passes a
`15
`
`
`light source actuated by a predetermined sig­
`
`
`part of the striped resistor and flows through
`
`nal system and simultaneously, making a path
`
`an earth capacitance of an object which moves
`
`
`of communications from the light emitter to an
`
`towards the insulator layer, and
`
`
`external light receiver, in which
`
`a coordinate data along a minor axis of the
`
`after the optical system in the housing is
`
`
`striped resistors is given by measuring a
`20
`
`faced towards the external light source by an
`
`
`
`change in the current applied to a specific one
`
`operator, a desired data is issued from the
`
`
`
`of the striped resistors or a difference of the
`
`
`communications circuit means while a particu­
`
`
`current between two adjacent striped resistors.
`
`lar data about a direction of the housing rela­
`
`
`tive to the external light source detected by the
`25
`
`
`drive system position detecting means is trans­
`
`
`mitted as a pointing data to the external light
`source.
`
`
`
`to according 53.A coordinate data input apparatus
`
`
`
`claim 52, wherein
`the striped resistors are grouped into M,
`
`
`
`
`resistors, each comprising N of near striped
`
`
`
`the current applying means is arranged to
`
`
`apply the current including alternate compo­
`nents to the entire or part of N of the striped
`
`the same resistors in any of M at substantially
`
`time, and
`the current measuring means is disposed
`
`
`
`
`on a downstream side of the striped resistors,
`while the current flowing from upstream to
`
`
`downstream, for measuring a current flown
`
`
`of each across each of the N striped resistors
`group.
`
`
`
`
`to according 49. An information input apparatus
`30
`
`claim 48, further comprising
`
`
`an installation state detecting means for
`
`examining whether or not the housing is
`placed on a base and
`a means for inverting a positive or nega­
`
`
`35
`
`tive sign of a quantity of a upward or down­
`ward movement
`
`
`
`to according 50.An information input apparatus
`
`
`
`claim 48, wherein
`40
`
`
`
`with the optical system facing the external
`claim 52, wherein
`
`
`light source, sorts of information attributed to
`
`
`
`equipments linked to external optical receiv­
`the striped resistors are grouped into M,
`
`
`
`
`resis­each comprising N of the near striped
`
`ing/transmitting device or to the housing can
`
`be communicated to each other to carry out
`tors,
`45
`
`
`
`initial communications through optical links.
`the current applying means is arranged to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`apply the current including alternate compo­
`nents to the entire or part of N of the striped
`
`the same resistors in any of M at substantially
`
`time, and
`the current measuring means is disposed
`
`
`
`
`on a downstream side of the striped resistors,
`while the current flowing from upstream to
`
`
`
`downstream. for measuring a difference be­
`
`
`tween currents flown across neighboring strip­
`
`ed resistors in each group .
`
`
`
`toaccording 54.A coordinate data input apparatus
`
`to according 51.An information input apparatus
`
`
`
`
`
`claim 48, wherein
`
`
`the drive mechanism movable vertically or
`50
`
`
`rotatable in all directions has another optical
`
`
`system for measuring a distance from the ex­
`
`
`ternal light source, thus
`allowing data of the distance between the
`
`
`
`housing and the external light source to be
`55
`
`
`transmitted along with directional data of the
`housing.
`
`28
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 128
`
`

`

`53
`
`EP O 689 122 A1
`
`54
`
`a pressure sensor for detecting at least
`
`recess provided in a center thereof for entering
`
`
`
`
`a coordinate data;
`
`
`
`two directional pressures; and
`a means for transmitting the pressure of
`
`
`
`an object against an inner edge of the coordi­
`
`
`
`nate data input tablet to the pressure sensor, in
`which
`a position pointing in a certain area on a
`
`
`
`
`
`screen is indicated by a coordinate data of the
`
`
`coordinate data input tablet and a movement of
`
`
`the certain area on the screen is carried out
`
`using a coordinate data on the screen deter­
`mined by the pressure.
`
`55. A coordinate dat