FR2544103A1 - INFORMATION INPUT DEVICE IN A COMPUTER USING A CONTACT PANEL - Google Patents

Abstract

THIS CONTACT PANEL 21 USABLE IN PARTICULAR WITH A LAPTOP COMPUTER IS MOUNTED IN A CIRCUIT WHICH ALLOWS THE X-Y COORDINATES OF THE POINT WHERE THE USER PRESSES THE FINGER. THE PANEL IS DIVIDED INTO SEVERAL PUSHBUTTON ZONES 65-79 AND A LARGER ZONE 63 OF CURSOR CONTROL. WHEN THE CIRCUIT DETERMINES THAT THE FINGER IS PRESSED ON A PUSH-BUTTON, IT TRANSMITS THE CORRESPONDING INFORMATION TO THE COMPUTER. WHEN IT DETERMINES THAT THE FINGER PRESSES ON THE CURSOR CONTROL AREA, THE CIRCUIT TRANSMITS TO THE COMPUTER SIGNALS OF INCREMENTIAL DISTANCE, A FUNCTION OF THE FINGER MOVEMENT SPEED, WHICH ARE USED TO MOVE A CURSOR ON THE VISUAL OF THE COMPUTER. IF THE USER APPLIES A BRIEF BLOW TO THE SURFACE OF THIS ZONE, THE CIRCUIT DIFFERENTIATES IT FROM A FINGER MOVEMENT AND TRANSMITS A SPECIAL SIGNAL TO THE COMPUTER WHICH INTERPRETS IT, FOR EXAMPLE, AS AN EXECUTION SIGNAL.

Description

i

  The present invention relates generally to

  information entry devices and methods

  in a computer and more particularly to those who use

  read a surface that is sensitive to the touch of a user's finger to input signals into the computer system.

  to change its display and operation.

  Most computer terminals use a

  which is displayed on a screen and that the operator can move on the screen A cursor is the

  most commonly used to indicate a location on the

  notch where the operator wants to perform a certain operation.

  For example, a computer terminal operating as a word processor can replace or delete a word or

  a letter that the cursor covers o that it designates

  first moves the cursor to the desired location on the display screen and then gives a command

  to perform any operation at this location.

  There are a number of devices and techniques

  commonly used to enter these commands from the user.

  in a computer terminal An ordinary keyboard is most common at least in processing applications

  The use of a 'mouse' tends to generalize

  A mouse is a hand-held device that is de-

  place on a flat surface adjacent to the computer terminal.

  to move the cursor to a dis-

  and a direction proportional to the movement of the mouse A mouse also generally carries one or more buttons for transmitting commands to be executed by the computer terminal so that a user can indicate that a predetermined action is to be performed at the location of the display screen or view o the cursor

was positioned by the mouse.

  Touch display screens are also used.

  to generate control signals and data for entry into a computer system Other external devices include broomsticks,

  reels, rolling balls and the like

  are often used to play with the computer by controlling the movement of a "slider"

  the shape of a tank, a machine gun or the like

  firing command tone is also provided, in general, with the control device to cause the execution of a

  predetermined action once the "cursor" has been posi-

  where the player wishes it to be.

  Another slider control device which is more and more generally accepted is a touch panel or touch control panel, which is provided either as part of a computer terminal adjacent to its keyboard or as a device Separate used next to it and interconnected with the terminal Such a panel is sensitive to the touch of a finger and is connected to cause the movement of its cursor in both directions X and Y corresponding to the movement of the operator's finger on the

  panel surface Typical contact panels function

  using an electrically conductive surface that has a given resistance per unit length from one end to the other of the panel The resistance value transmitted to the

  terminal of the computer depends on the location of the

  touched by the user Other touch panels

  operate on the principle of magnetostriction and

  give a signal proportional to the distance from the

  the user touched surface of the edges of the panel.

  The currently used contact panels pro-

  the desired movement of the cursor, which must then be

  followed by any other appropriate action of the use

  for example, pressing a separate key

  to cause a function to run at the new location

  the cursor on the display screen.

  One of the main purposes of the present invention is

  to realize a method and a control device to pan-

  advanced contact water that is easier to use

  ser, of a simpler construction and present, however,

  advanced operating features -

  These and other objects of the invention are achieved by the various aspects of the invention wherein

  summarily, according to one aspect of the invention, provision is made

  a system and method of operation to enable the contact panel controlling a two-dimensional cursor to perform two functions When a user moves the finger on the surface of the touch panel, this causes the normal movement of the cursor but when the cursor is at

  the desired location of the screen, the operator does not have to

  carefully search for any other input device, such as a separate key, to cause a predetermined function to be performed at that location of the viewer screen. The operator, using the enhancement of the present invention. , only needs to apply a small short cut on the touch panel and this is distinguished

  by the touch panel system as a different command

  longer contact time that typically accompanies

  placing a finger on the panel to cause movement

  This allows the operator to keep the gaze fixed on the screen of the visu without having to look for a separate execution command button and this allows, in addition, to achieve a simpler system by removing the

  need to have to use an executing command button

separated.

  Another improvement to the touch panel system according to the present invention is the processing of the signals from the touch panel before they are used to move the cursor so that the displacement

  the erratic finger of the user is converted into a

  more regular placement of the cursor on the screen of the visu and so that the distance of movement of the cursor for a given distance of movement of the finger on the panel is made dependent on the speed of movement of the finger La

  regularization is carried out according to a pre-existing embodiment

  by signaling through the panel system to con-

  tact at the computer terminal the incremental movement of the finger in the X and Y directions per unit time, the

  average of several successive incremental

  cessive being used to move the cursor so as to regularize its motion The characteristic of

  scale is provided, according to a method of

  tion, by squaring the incremental average displacement distance signals before using them to move the cursor, thereby causing a larger displacement of the cursor for a given displacement of the cursor.

  finger on the panel when the speed of such a moving

the finger is higher.

  Another improvement, according to another aspect of the

  present invention, is the combination with the area of the

  contact water used to control the displacement of the

  cursor in the X-Y directions of a number of

  Discrete push button operations, the operation of any one of a number of such pushbuttons being transmitted by the touch panel on the same signal line as the cursor XY motion signal and run command produced by hits

  The signals of the discrete pushbuttons are separated

  X-Y signals in the common output circuit of the

  In a preferred embodiment, a single contact panel is provided with

  separate areas in space for a series of push-buttons

  evenings and a region X-Y The meaning of a contact some-

  con finger of the user on the touch panel is determined from the location of this contact, such

  expressed by the common output signal of the con-

  tact In a specific form of such an embodiment,

  two resistive sheets are normally kept

  closely connected and electrically connected for

  the location of the finger contact of a user during

  that it causes sheets to come into contact with a

particular.

  Other purposes, features and benefits of the various

  aspects and embodiments of the present invention

  will appear on reading the following description of a

  preferred embodiment of the invention 1 description which

  It should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 generally shows a portable computer system in which the improved contact panel system of the present invention can be advantageously used;

  Fig 2 is a general block diagram of the computer system.

  of Fig 1; Fig 3 shows an exploded view of the mechanical assembly of the contact panel of the computer of Fig 1;

  FIG. 4 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of a system

  using the contact panel of FIG. 3; Fig. 5 is a timing chart for the electronic circuit of Fig. 4;

  Fig. 6 shows the manipulation of digital data

  by the circuit of FIG. 4; Fig. 7 shows the format of particular digital signals of the circuit of Fig. 4;

  Fig 8 is a flowchart showing the function

  circuiting of the circuit of FIG. 4; and Fig 9 is a state diagram that illustrates the

  operation of the computer software used in combination with

  with the circuit shown in Fig. 4 to process information

  obtained from the touch panel.

  The present invention will be described with reference to its

  application in one embodiment of a computer

  The present invention has a very large use in a computer terminal of any kind,

  it is particularly advantageous in a portable system.

  due to the reduced number of circuit elements that are necessary to perform a given set of desired functions A housing 11 contains a keyboard 13 on the top of its front part, this keyboard being enclosed by a cover

  15 when the apparatus is transported In FIG.

  vircle 15 is shown in a vertical position and it is seen that it contains a display or a display 17

2544103 '

  The type of view 17 that is used in such a laptop computer is a liquid crystal display (LCD) because of its low power consumption. Typically, the view is of the pixel type and is capable of display more lines, for example, eight

  lines or more alphanumeric or

  graphic formations of similar dimensions.

  The system is capable of displaying a cursor 19,

  1 in the form of a natural arrow.

  other cursor configurations, such as a small rectangle, a large square or a rectangular frame surrounding a large part of the screen, and other shapes and dimensions that vary with

  In any case, the cursor may move

  under the control of the operator on the surface of the

  notch of the display or visually 17.

  A graphic sheet 21 that covers the part

  The mechanics of the contact panel system are arranged

  The following will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 the mechanical aspects of a specific contact panel assembly. The orientation of the contact panel, disposed immediately adjacent to the upper edge of the keyboard 13, and one more low inclination, makes it

  very convenient observation and access for use

  and also provides a compact package that is indis-

  thinkable for u-an portable device.

  In Fig 2 to which reference will be made, there is shown a general block diagram of the computer system 11 A bus

  common system, typical of such systems,

  connects the microprocessor (UYC 8088) with the other main functional elements of the system which include a read-only memory (MN) 27, a random access memory (MAS) 29, a disk drive (Disk) 31 and a control circuit 34 In addition, the keyboard 13 is connected to the

  system bus via an electronic system

  and a touch panel system 33 is likewise connected to the bus 23 in this particular system.

  The system 33 of the contact panel of FIG.

  seems mechanical contact panel shown in FIG. 3 and its electrical circuit shown in FIG. 4 In addition, various I / O circuits and devices 35, such as a printer, a telephone modem and similar peripheral devices commonly used, are

  connected to the system bus In the particular system de-

  As an example, the microprocessor 25 is a micro-

Intel 8088 processor.

  Referring now to FIG.

  seems mechanical special touch panel We have

  presented a resistive type of contact board but, naturally

  Similarly, similar signals can be obtained in response to

  contact applied to a surface using other

  transducer mechanisms, such as a magnetostrictive device

  tif that works by measuring the time that an impulse

  to propagate from one point to another of the surface

  as an indication of the location of the contact and the like.

  Behind the protective cover sheet 21 is

  a first resistive sheet 37 followed by a spacer sheet 39, a second resistive sheet 41 and a support member 43 forming a rigid substrate.

  resistive sheets is characterized by the fact that its

  face which faces the other has a conductivity which has a

  uniform activity per unit of distance along its surface.

  The sheets 37 and 41 may have any of the various specific constructions each of which provides equivalent electrical characteristics. They may be, for example, polyester sheets.

  coated on their surfaces with respect to a carbon ink.

  or a material applied thereto by vapor deposition, such as an indium-tin oxide. Alternatively, these sheets may be conductive sheets of elastomeric material which are impregnated with conductive materials such as carbon. In these cases, the resistivity per unit length is carefully adjusted so as to be uniform over the entire surface of each sheet and its value is chosen according to the needs of the electrical circuit.

  particular with which the contact panel operates.

  An electric potential is applied to one of the sheets 37 and 41 between its opposite edges in the X direction and an electric potential is applied to the other sheet

  between its opposite edges in the direction o

  or other material having a conductivity

  45 and 47 are placed on the surface

  sistive of the sheet 41 along its opposite transverse edges to cause the application of an applied voltage

  at terminals 49 and 51 in the X direction of the sheet 41.

  Likewise, conductive strips 53 and 55 are placed on the opposite longitudinal edges of the sheet 37, thereby causing the generation of a potential gradient between

  these edges, in the Y direction, when a voltage is applied

Placed at terminals 57 and 59.

  To ensure that leaves 37 and 41 do not touch each other

  not accidentally, a grid of small bumps in

  The bumps are arranged about 5 mm apart from each other in a symmetrical configuration over the entire surface of the sheet and have This spacing and these dimensions allow the electrically conductive surfaces facing the sheets 37 and 41 to come into contact with one another when applying a thickness of less than 0.025 mm and a diameter of about 0.1 nm. finger pressure, of a desired force, at any point on the surface of the sheet 37 through the thin

  flexible indicator sheet 21 The sheet 37 is, naturally,

  it is flexible enough to allow such a phy-

and physical contact.

  The contact panel assembly of Fig. 3 is used

  se to generate a number of independent signals by means of the single common set of four terminals 49, 51, 57 and 59 The two-dimensional surface of the contact panel is spatially divided into discrete areas that the two-slider control area 63 XY dimensions and one

254410-3

  series of zones of buttons or discrete keys 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77 and 79 It is possible to provide a number

  higher or lower discrete areas according to the applica-

  of the computer system and according to the dimensions

  As will be explained below with reference to FIG. 4, that of

  areas on which the user has put his finger is identified

  determined by determining the X-Y coordinates of the point of contact

  between the resistive surfaces of the sheets 37 and 41.

  In order to help achieve this discrimination,

  a thin non-conductive spacer sheet 39 is posi-

  between the electrically resistive sheets 37 and

  41 Openings are formed in sheet 39, these openings are

  vertures having the same configurations as the indications carried by the surface of the sheet 21 to allow the identification of the different button areas and the control area of the X-Y cursor The spacer sheet 39 is

  not absolutely necessary, but it facilitates the

  by the electronic system which will be described below,

different discrete areas.

  In FIG. 4 to which reference will now be made, there is shown an electrical diagram in which the contact panel of FIG. 3 is electrically represented by resistors drawn inside a frame 81 in broken lines. A resistor 83 represents the contact resistance produced when the sheets 37 and 41 are pushed against each other at a particular point by the finger pressure of a user The location of such contact

  is shown diagrammatically in FIG.

  electrical connection to particular locations in the area

  the resistance of the sheet 41 in the X direction and the resistance

  The location of the connection between the two resistors representative of the surfaces 37 and 41 varies both in the X direction and in the X direction.

  the Y direction when the location of the con-

  tact applied to the two-dimensional surface of the panel at

contact is changed.

  A + V supply voltage is selectively applied

  the surfaces of the resistive leaves 37 and 41 under the

  control of four transistors Q 1 i, Q 2, Q 3 and Q 4 These transistors

  The transistors Q 1 is connected between the terminal 49 and the ground potential and is maintained in a conductive or non-conductive state depending on the voltage level of a conductor 85 which is connected via 'a resistance of the terminal of

  base of the transistor Q 1 Similarly, the transistor Q 2 is connected

  between the terminal 59 and the potential of the ground while its base is connected via a resistor to a control line 87 The transistor Q 3 is connected

  between the positive voltage source + V and the terminal 51, tan-

  say that its base is connected through a network

  At line 87 the transistor Q 4 is connected between the positive power source + V and the terminal 57 while its base is connected to a circuit 89 via

of a series resistance.

  The control signals for putting these four transistors in the conductive state and in the non-conductive state are emitted by a central processing unit (UTC) 91 in the form of a control signal TPD on an output line 93. and a CONTROL PANEL signal on a line

  In the case of the particular system which is described, the

  The processor unit 91 is preferably an Intel 8051 microprocessor which has a certain amount of read only memory (MM) and random access memory (MAS). A two-level TPD control signal applied on the line 93 is transmitted by the processor. intermediate of an inverter 97 whose output produces a control signal on the line 87 The signal of

  The control of line 87 is also transmitted via

  An inverter 99 which produces a control signal on line 89 Inverters 97 to 99 are preferably

  formed by integrated circuit elements at MOS com-

  The transistors Q 3 and Q 4 are of the PNP type and

  the transistors Q 1 and Q 2 are of the NPN type. The signal of CON-

  TWO-TIER PANEL SHEET transmitted under line 95

2544 1 03

  is applied to an input of an NI gate 101 and to the base, via a series resistor, of a transistor

  Q 5 A second entry for NI 101 is line 87.

  The transistor Q 5 is usefully connected between the terminal 59 and the ground potential via a series resistor and is controlled in its conductive and non-conductive states by a signal applied on the line 95. the NI 101 gate provides an output signal on

line 85.

  As will be explained more fully below, the X and Y coordinates of the point of contact of a finger on the

  sheets 37 and 41 are determined during chronological stages.

  logically separated During a first period of time, the transistors Qi and Q 2 are made conductive for

  apply a voltage across the resistor X 41, tan-

  say that the Y resistor 37 serves as a detector for transmitting the voltage that exists at the location of the resistive sheet where the contact has occurred. This signal is transmitted by the terminal 59 which is connected to the non-inverting input of a

  operational amplifier 103 whose output 105 is direc-

  The amplifier 1 _ serves as a splitter stage so that the resistor 37 of the Y axis is not itself modified by the load because otherwise it could not be used to indicate the voltage. at the point of its connection with the resistor 41 of the X axis. Similarly, the reading of the position of the point of contact along the Y axis is performed by making the transistors Q 2 and Q 3 conductive to apply a The resistor 41 of the X axis serves as a mechanism for transmitting the voltage at the point of contact with the resistor Y, this transmission being effected via the terminal 49 which is connected to the terminal. 'Entrance

  noninverter of a second operational amplifier 107.

  The output 109 of the amplifier is connected directly

  back to his inverting input.

  The analog voltages produced on lines 105 and 109 are proportional to the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the interconnection between the sheets, respectively.

  resistive X and Y, 41 and 37 These signals are applied r.

  after the other to an analog to digital converter (A / D) 111 via a multiplexer 113 (switch

  followed by a splitter amplifier and a

  capacitor-resistance, as shown The multiplexer

  113 receives on a line 115 from the processing unit

  91 a control signal indicating whether the signal of the

  line 105 or line 109 must be sent to

  A / D converter 111 A signal applied on a line 117 which

  also comes from the processing unit 91 also indicates

  multiplexer 113 when he should choose one

  either of the signals A control signal emanating from the

  treatment number 91 and applied on a line 119 is trans-

* set to A / D converter 111 to determine when it

  must begin its conversion Similarly, another signal applied

  on a line 121 determines when the value of

  conversion of the converter must be read

  analog voltages of lines 105 and 109 is

  sequentially presented to a system data bus.

  This system bus is connected, via an appropriate buffer memory, to bus 23 of the system of the main processing unit.

25 (shown in Fig 2).

  We will now describe, using the time diagram

  Fig. 5 and the flow diagram of Fig. 8, the operation

  of the circuit of FIG. 4 to obtain the X and Y coordinates of a particular connection between the resistors X

  and Y 37 and 41 FIG. 5 represents the chronological relationship

  signals of seven different lines in FIG. 4,

  these lines being identified in FIG.

  tial t O, the CHANNEL CONTROL signal from line 95 changes to a high level (from state 0 to state 1) as well as the control signal TPD from line 93 As can be seen in the logic diagram of In Fig. 4, this condition causes the transistors Q1, Q2 and Q4 to be off (non-conductive) while transistors Q3 and Q5 are in their on state (conductive). This has the effect of

  to apply a voltage to the non-inverting input of the

  If the resistive sheets X and Y are touching at any point, this produces a positive voltage on the output line 127 of the amplifier 101 transmitting a signal ON PANEL to the processing unit 91. that there is a closing of the circuit between the two resistors 37 and 41 at a certain point and that thus the ON PANEL signal (curve (B) of FIG. 5) follows the same shape as the signal CHECKING THE PANEL (curve (A)>.

  At time tl, the signal CHECK THE PANEL of the unit

  treatment 91 is returned to its down state ni-

  cal or state O and the multiplexer 113 is connected for re-

  the analogue signal of the X-position of the line 105 by the appropriate signals applied to it on the lines 115 and 117 by the processing unit 91. At this time, the combination of a low-level signal CHECKING the PANEL and of the high level that is maintained of the TPD signal of FIG. 5 (C) has the effect, as can be seen by examining the

  logic circuits of Fig 4, to pass the transistors

  tors QI and Q 2 in the conductive state while the other trans-

  sistors Q 2, Q 3 and Q 5 go into the off or conductive state

  The voltage at the point of resistance 41 which is in con-

  tact with the resistor 37 is thus transmitted through

  of the operational amplifier 103 and the multiplexer

  113 at the input of the A / D converter 111 At time t 2, the

  truction is given to the converter 111 to start

  version and at a time t 3, he receives the instruction to trans-

  set the voltage value of line 105 to the data bus

  born in a numerical form which represents the coordi-

born X of the point of contact.

  Also at time t 3, the signal TPD drops to a low level and the multiplexer 113 is switched to receive the

  analog signal of the Y position transmitted on line 109.

  The logic circuits of FIG. 4 have the effect, under these conditions, of making the trasistors Q 1 and Q 3 pass to the state

  non-conductive while transistor Q 5 remains non-conductive

  the transistors Q 2 and Q 4 pass to the conductive state.

  The resistor X is then used to apply to the amplifier 107 the value of the voltage at the point of the resistor 37 where a contact has been established by the user.

  by pressing an emrplacemient of the surface of the con-

  At time t 4, the A / D converter 111 receives the instruction

  to begin conversion and at the time t 5 i 1 receives

  the instruction to transfer the numerical value of the

  the analog Y position of line 109 to the bus

data 123.

  At this point, the two X and Y coordinates of a contact point on the contact panel have been determined and are available for transmission to the processing unit.

  host 25 (FIG. 2) via the bus 23 of the system.

  However, as shown in Figs 5 and 8, it is pre-

  fable to perform a final check to ensure that there is a circuit closure between resistors 37 and 41 at the end of the cycle The cycle lasts about 3 milliseconds

  in this particular example and it is better to only

  cepter the X and Y coordinate values only if the contact lasted at least during this period In the negative it is unlikely that the data are valid data Therefore, at time t 6, the signal CONTROL PANEL and the signal TPD repass at a high level and if the ON-PANEL signal also passes to a high level, as shown in Fig 5, the system then knows that the contact detected on the contact panel was an effective contact and that the X and Y values may be transmitted to the system to be

exploited.

  The form of digital information generated by the

  processing unit 91 and transmitted to the bus 23 of the system has been shown in FIG. 7 Two bytes 131 and 133 are transmitted immediately one after the other by the unit.

  The multiplet (byte) of data 133

  holds a numerical representation of the data while the state byte 131 immediately preceding

  identifies the data There are three types of trans-

  The first type is used to indicate that one of the buttons or buttons 65 to 79 with contact of FIG. 3 has been touched and to identify the button actuated. The processing unit 91 compares the coordinate information generated.

  in the manner described above at the X and Y limits

  each of these pushbutton zones.

  then in the status byte 131, a code indicating

  any button area has been touched and

  in the data byte 133 for this type of information.

  the identity of the particular button that was operated.

  If the processing unit 91 determines that the coordinates

  received X-Ys are in the control zone 63 of the

  touch panel slider in Fig. 3 the existence of

  slider control formations is indicated in the

  state tiplet 131 of Fig. 7 and information about the exact X-Y coordinates of the point of contact during a

  given cycle are included in data byte 133.

  Since the X and Y coordinates are calculated all

  30 to 40 milliseconds, in a particular embodiment

  In particular, the movement of a finger on the zone 63 of the contact panel causes the processing unit 91 to periodically transmit new X and Y coordinate information as part of the byte 133. At a first instant, the multiplet 131 will indicate that an X coordinate value is indicated in byte 133 and the next instant that the indicated coordinate value is in the Y direction, and so on. This information is then used by the processing unit h 8 te 25 with the usual cursor control hardware or software to cause displacement

  of the cursor on the visu 17 over a distance and in a direction

  This is the second of the three types of data generated by the processing unit 91.

  from the X-Y information thus obtained from the con-

  tact. In a preferred embodiment of this second type of information, the processing unit 91 transmits in the

  multiplet of data 133 the differential motion

  early as the absolute X-Y position, that is to say that the

  In addition, it is desirable not to apply the differential signals directly to the hardware or software controlling the slider given that the closing of a circuit between the resistive sheets 37 and 41 since the last reading has been performed is indicated. this would have the effect of causing the cursor to follow a path

  if the user's finger does not follow

  Therefore, the processing unit 91 performs a certain equalization of the successively acquired X and Y differential displacement values.

  by transmitting to bus 31 of the system an average of several

  6 shows the elements 135, 137 and 139 of a register internal to the processing unit 91 as well as the elements 141, 143 and 145 of another internal register Each new differential displacement value ME is introduced into the first stage 135 of the first register while each new incremental Y displacement value is introduced into the first stage of the second register. During each successive cursor cycle, these values are

  shifted in the registers, from left to right and destroyed.

  The differential displacement value X transmitted by the processing unit 91 to the bus 23 of the system by means of the multiplet

  133 is the average of the three values contained in the

  In the same way, the value of the

  incremental Y placement is determined by establishing the

  average of the last three incremental values recorded

  in the elements 141, 143 and 145 of the register.

  It is also desirable in most applications

  cations, to provide a characteristic of change of

  scale of the cursor displacements in response to the movement of the finger in the X-Y area 63 of the panel & contact Thus, the host processing unit 25 before applying the average incremental X and Y values to the software or hardware

2544 103

  Cursor command manipulates these values to

  using a quantity proportional to the speed of de-

  contact placement A preferred technique is to

  worm these values mathematically and then multiply this result by an appropriate constant (which may be the unit> This causes the cursor to move farther

  on the screen 17 of the visu for a given distance of displacement.

  contact point on the contact panel as the speed of this movement increases It can be seen that since each incremental X and Y value represents the displacement of the contact point during a fixed period of time which is the time of the measurement cycle of the X and Y values, the squaring of these differential values before applying them to the hardware or to the usual decursor control software moves the cursor a distance

  which depends on the speed of movement of the point of contact.

  If the user wants the cursor to move on a

  short distance, he slowly moves the finger over the

  touch panel face 63 Fast finger movement causes the cursor to move farther away for

  same distance of movement of the finger.

  Referring back to the data format represented

  In Fig. 7, the third and last type of information transmitted in this manner by the processing unit 91 to the system bus 23 is information indicating that a short cut has been applied to the XY zone 63 of the panel. contact In

  other words, once the processing unit 91 has de-

  finished with the X and Y coordinates that are

  If a particular circuit closure between the resistive surfaces 37 and 41 is within the XY cursor control area 63, it then conducts further investigations by performing successive interrogations to determine (1) whether the closing time

  is greater or less than a particular fixed time,

  usually of the order of a few hundred thousand

  and (2) if the circuit closure has been moved to

  a distance more or less superior to a certain distance

  defined in the X direction or at some other distance defined in the Y direction during this interval

  particular fixed time If the closing time is s Dp-

  during this particular fixed period of time or if the displacement of the contact is greater than one of these defined distances X and Y, the contact is then interpreted as a cursor movement command and the data type type described above by referring to the

Fig 7 is transmitted.

  However, if the circuit closure

  than the predetermined time and if the displacement of the contact is less than the certain distances X and Y defined, a short shot is detected and a different form of data

  according to FIG. 7 is transmitted to the bus 23 of the system

  state tiplet 131 then indicates another touch key (push button); that is, the typed stroke is treated simply as another push button zone but a separate pushbutton was not needed to generate that signal. The data byte 133 indicates by a clean code that it is a typed stroke Although the use of both time and distance of movement of the contact to differentiate a short shot from a cursor movement signal is preferred for most applications,

  the use of only one of these factors or the other is satisfactory.

  for some applications, Ainsila XY slider moving area 63 performs the additional function of generating a push button type signal which is very advantageously used by the host processing unit 25 as an execution signal of the type which normally follows. the repositioning of the cursor on a screen of computer visu Thus, the user does not need to leave the screen of the eyes to find another

  button that he must push to cause a

  at the cursor's location, but it only needs to apply

  take a quick shot at the X-Y 63 area where his finger is already placed. Another benefit of signal generation

2544 1 03

  typed in this way is that it simplifies the elec-

  The simplification leading to a reduction in the number of circuit elements is of great interest in the case of a laptop computer and, in other areas of application, it results in financial savings. An attached appendix provides a source code list of a control program of the processing unit 91 which enables it to perform all the control functions of the controller.

  system and data processing described above.

  as being executed by this processing unit.

  This appendix is written in Intel assembly language for

  the 8051 microprocessor The control program for cer-

  some of the stages of implementation represented in the

  gram of Figure 8 is given in the parts of the Annex designated as 80, 81, 90 and 91 and in certain

subroutines.

  The calculations described above as being executed by the processing unit 91 are represented in the diagram

  states of FIG. 9 which shows the operation of the

  seems taken globally from the control software of the appendix.

  The operations performed by the software of the appendix in the parts designated states 10 and 1 are represented by a circle 151 in FIG. 9. In this state, the system is

  inactive as he executes his repetitive cycles of inter-

  rogation of the touch panel to determine whether a closure

  circuit between the resistive sheets 37 and 41 has occurred When a circuit closure is detected

  When ON PANEL is returned, the system follows a

  to the states 20 and 21 indicated in a circle 155, if this circuit closure is in the XY zone 63 of the contact panel If the circuit closure is detected, during the states 10 and 11, as being located in one of the push button zones 65 to 79, the system then follows a path 157 to a state represented by

  When in state 30, the system

  simply output in a format that has been described

  Referring to FIG. 7, the pushbutton zone

2544 1 03

  which has been pressed as long as the signal ON PAINEAU

stays at a high level.

  If the system is in state 155 as a result of a circuit closure in the XY cursor control area 63, it determines whether the circuit closure has the characteristics of a short execution cut or, conversely, Cursor movement control according to the above-discussed criteria If it is determined that it is a short stroke, the system follows a path 161 to states 50 and 51 represented by a circle 163 On the other hand,

  if it is determined that circuit closure is an

  truction to cause XY movement, the system follows a path 165 to states 40 and 41 shown in Fig 9 by a circle 167. When in states 40 and 41, the system continues to output values differential X and Y displacement in the form of digital signals in the format previously described in FIG.

referring to Fig 7.

  When the system is in states 40 and 41, a

  execution cycle during which the disappearance

  When the system is in the latter two states, it returns to the states 40 and 41 following a path 171 if the signal ON PANEL do not stay

  only for a time shorter than a predetermined time

  This characteristic provides the ability to accept "skating", in other words, the finger of

  the operator moving on the X-Y 63 zone may be

  temporarily to the surface or apply for a short period of time only pressure too low to cause a circuit closure without this causing the system to go to another state However, as soon as the

  The system detects that the ON PANEL signal has been

  period greater than a predetermined time, the system

  tem, working in states 50 and 51, returns by a

  path 173 to the initial states 10 and 11.

  Another feature of the annex software is,

2544 1 03

  21. As shown in its state diagram of FIG. 9, the passage of the states 50 and 51, via a path 175, to the state 30

  when the ON PANEL signal is restored in a certain time.

  at the predetermined time, but as a result of the shift of the X-Y 63 contact point to one of the 65-79

  (Fig 3), in one of these button areas.

  Although the various aspects of the pre-

  invention with reference to a preferred embodiment

  However, it is understood that the present invention and its various aspects are limited only to the extent defined

by the appended claims.

ANNEX

Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 1

GAVILAN

03/21/83

  Richard B Ravel copyright 1983 gavilan computer corzoration

___ _ _ _ _ _

  * p 2 3 -sur panel '(detect contact on panel) p 2.4' tpd '(set X axes) (1 = x, O = y)

: _ -_ _ _ _ __

  ; Enter here for the touch panel t 8 che and then make a connection to the appropriate state of touchpad: mov mov clr subb jnc call dotpdl: mov mpv jmp psw, n rbl a, tpdstate ca, n tpd state 80 do tpdl pad check a, tpdstate dptr, n tpd _jmp _tbl * a + dptr; tpd_jmp_ tbl: ajmp tpdsl O choose register block 1 set state in 'a' clear report comp current state with n tpd_ state 80 NOTE that n tpd_state 80 <> O x O 80

  connection if state 80 or sup

  It is NOT recommended to check on panel put indicator on panel to restore state in 'a' to prepare for connection to table to make connection by means of the table below or inactive state & 1st detection on panel Mar 31 13: Ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp ajmp 1983 tpad a 5 l Page 2 tpd sl 1 tpd_s 20 tpd_s 21 tpd S 30 tpds 40 tpd_s 41 tpds O 50 tpd_s 51 tpd BS 80 tpd S 81 tpd_s 90 tpd 91 determine key or panel-xy determine if still on panel report short shot or motion-xy state release key readings motion-xy report motion-xy or exit perform read xy motion-xy or state looseness short blow 'start conversion x: read x conversion; prepare to start conversion there read conversion y

STATE 10

tpdsi O: jb statusoonpadtpd_s 10 a

rav padcount, N 2-

connection if you are on panel

we must obtain 2 values on

  before acting on the value of the touch panel

  ALL NORPIJ 3 LS OUTPUTS ARE THROUGH THIS POINT

  tpd exit: mov tpd_timer, n tpd_sample_rate; prepare time back jmp hand; go out and come back later Come here if you're on board On

  ; must come here twice before acting.

tpd_s 1 i Oa: #

4 10 3

  Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 3 jnb status adcactive, tpd_s 10 b 1 connection if A / D converter i (adc) is not in use

_____

  ALL OUTPUTS FOR CONV A / N (ADC) OCCUPIED ARE EFFECTED BY THIS POINT

  busyexit adc: mov tpdtimer, n adc wait; retry in lms (conv A / N (adc); busy) jmp main; return soon 6 t tpdsl Ob: djnz padcount, tpdexit; we must obtain 2 values on the panel before acting on the mov tpd ret state value, n tpd_state 11; prepare back to state 11

  COME THE CONVERSION X-Y S $ PERFORM HERE

start_ xyconv:

  setb status adc active; exclude all other activities of conv.

YEAR

  mov r O, n padon loc -; prepare padon location

  tr 6 the panel) mov a, n padon O; prepare stop detection on movx panel er O, a; shutdown detection on panel, now ready to prepare conversion x mov r O, n xchannel; prepare x channel record in conv A / N

  movx er O, a; register x channel; data without

  ; generation mov tpd_state, n tpdstate 80; come back and start conversion x

  ALL XY PREPARATIONS WAIT OUTPUT TO THIS POINT

  _ _ xy_setupexit: mov tpdtimer, n xy_setup; start conversion in 1 ms jmp main f perform something else while waiting

  _ ____ __ _ _ ___ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2544 1 03

Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad has 51 Page 4

; STATE 11

  l Return here after reading x and y i tpd_ sll: jb status onpad, tpdslla; connection if you are still on the panel

  mov tpd_state, n O tpd statel O; it must be parasites, recom-

  imp tpd exit mencer go out and come back later where am i determine if touch or panel-xy

  If there is a return from this point, it must be a -xy move.

  Otherwise where am i reports a key and returns to the release state-

  (30) and the determination of CET Tf E return address will have

been carried out.

  ; tpd_sllb: call flush deltas; reset all the deltas and initialize the x and y receivers mov pad count, n tap count; prepare counting short shot delay tpdsuc: mov tpd_state, n tpd-state 20; prepare back to state 20 jmp tpd exit; go out and come back later $ W $ tpd_slla: call Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad 51 Page 5 Richard B Ra ': el GAVILAN 21/3/83

STATE 20

  __ _; Dtermn Link if it is a short shot or a movement-xy o tpd S 20: jb status onpad, tpd_s 20 c; connection if you are on panel

; -

REPORT A BRIEF

  pass here in sequence if not on panel ==> signal a 'short cut' reporttap: mov b, n xytap; indicate a short cut 'mov a, n touchkey; the genre is a call to 8088 key; transmit mov psw, n rbl; restore block of registers 1; Have a 'click' produced by the buzzer

  call click; to make a click by the warning

  sound weaver to signal a; 'short shot' tpd S 2 Ob: mov padcount, n release count; prepare for releasing state xy; or short shot mov tpd state, n O tpdstate 50; return to the state of relaxation for a brief blow Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad 51 Page 6 jmp tpd_exit go out and come back later; To achieve here if one is not sure of a 'short blow' or a movement xy and to make another reading tpd S 20 c: jb status adcactive, adcbusy_exit l O; connect if A / D converter is busy and return state 20 tpd S 20 d: mov tpdret state, n O tpd__state 2 l; return to state 21 jmp startxy_conv; start a conversion to I

STATE 21

to to

  g control if not on panel; if not on a sign, report a brief blow; otherwise, check displacement or expiration delay tpd_s 21: jnb status onpad, reporttap; branch if it is NOT on panel call calc deltas calculate deltas and shift in channels control displacement x mov a, latest_x clr c subb a, first_x jnc tpd_s 2 Ib move x the most recent in 'a'

  put report for arith to complete

  to 2 read 81 delta 'branch if delta is positive

2544 1 03

  Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 7 tpd_s 21 a: cpl inc cl tpd_s 21 b: subb jnc aac complement 'a' (complement & 1) complement to 2 clear report an min_dx tpds 21 g compare 1 st dx to dx min branch if 1st dx≥dx min (this means a move) Skip here in sequence to control the movement yo tpd_s 21 c: mov a, latest y clr c subbhh a, first y jnc tpd_s 2 the tpd S 21 d: cpl a inc a clr c tpd_s 21 e: subb jnc a, n min dy tpd_s 21 g move y the most recent in 'a' put report for arith to complement to read 2, delta 'branch if delta is positive complement 'a' (complement 1) complement 2 delete the report compare er_dy to dymin: branch if 1 dy≥dy_ min (this means a move) go in sequence and check to determine if it's time to; consider that it can not be a short shot tpds 21 f: djnz pad_counttpd_silc branch if we have not stayed here too long

  RETURN TO STATE 20 AND MAKE A

NEW READING

go to tpd output

2 44 103

  Mar 31 13:11 tpad has 51 Pge 8 Go here if moving or if time too long for a short shot

* REPORT FINGERED FINGER

  tpd S 21 g: clr a mov b, a mov a, n delta call to 8088 mov psw, n rbl

: _ __________________-

  O loaded in 'b' ==> finger pressed on panel 'indicate delta x report 8088 finger pressed restore block of registers 1

SIGNAL DELTAS

  It is necessary to establish the average of deltas before transmitting them I to signal deltas:

AVERAGE DELTAS

at _

  This routine averages 3 deltas x and 3 deltas y.

  The respective remainders are also propagated avgdeltas: mov average dx, n O mov r O, n dxl avgxl: mov a, & r O add a, n excess_ 128 mov b, n 3 start with average O address of dxl in r O 1 er delta in 'a' create excess of 128 prepare for division

2544 103

  Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad has 51 Page 9 div ab add a, averagedx mov average Adxa mov a, b add a, remainder x mov remainderx, inc r O cjne r O, n dx 3 + 1, avgxl divide == > a / b accumulate average accumulate average remains in 'a' accumulate remainder (always positive) save accumulated accumulate prepare for delta following branch if not yet 3 deltas Pass in sequence when the average of deltas x has been carried out

  and average the remnants of adding it to the delta.

  NOTE: 'a' already contains the remainder x; avg_x 2: mov b, n 3 div ab mov remainder x, b add a, average dx clr c subb an excess 128 mov averagedx, to prepare for dividion divide ==> a / b save new remain add to the remainder whose average has already been established prepare for arith to complement to 2

  to delta a number in addition to

  to 2 save the new average I 1 now is the time to average the deltas y ====> NOTE: r O contains the dyl address following the above routine avg yl: mov averagedy, ##########################################################################################################################################################################- b Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 10 add a, average dy mov average_dy, a mov ab add a, remainder y mov remainder y, a inc r O cjne r O, n dy 3 + 1, avg_y 2 accumulate average accumulate average remains loaded in 'a' accumulate rest (always positive) save accumulated rest prepare for delta next branch if not yet 3 deltas

;at ____

  to pass in sequence when the average of the deltas was carried out there and to average the remains and to add it to the delta NOTE: 'a' already contains the remainsyavgy 3: -

  mov b, no3 div abm v remainderyb add a, averagedy clr c subb a, n excess_ 128 prepare for division divide ==> a / b save the new remain add the average of the remainder prepare for arithm in addition to 2

  to delta a number in addition to

at 2

SIGNAL DELTA Y IF NO = O

  NOTE: 'a' already contains the averennedy tpd_s 21 h: jz tpds 21 i mov b, a mov a, n delta y call to 8088 mov psw, n rbl branch if delta is O (no: signaling) given in 'b 'indicate value deltay transmit the delta mean to restore block of registers 1

REPORT DELTA X IF NO = O

;

2544 1 03

  Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 11 tpd_s 21 i: 510 V jm mov "ov call mov tpds 21 j:" o V tpd S 21 k: jmp a, averagedx tpd_s 21 jb, yy, n delta x to_ 8088 psw, n rbl mean of the value x in 'a' branch if delta is 0 (no signaling) given in 'b' indicate delta x transmit the average of delta x restore block of registers 1 tpd, state, n tpd_state 40; return to the signaling state of the movement-xy tpd exit $ W $; Richard B Ravel go out and come back later

GAVILAN

03/21/83

ETNT 30

: _ _ _ _ _ __-_ _

  tpds 30: jnb status onpad, tpds 30 a; connection if ON is not on panel jmp tpd exit; go out and come back later come here if not on peanneau I 1 is time to start all over again in state 10; tpd_s 30 a: mov tpdstate, n tpd_statel O; prepare back to state 10 Mar 31 13:11 tpad a 51 Page 12 mov pad count, n 2 l tpda 30 b: jmp tpexit

  2 values must be detected on

  water before treating the value of the 1 touch panel exit and return later W Richard B Ravel $

GAVILAN

2 I / 3/83

STATE 40

  If not on panel, signal raised finger (not on panel) go to state 50 and wait for the release time to expire If on panel perform another reading and transmit deltas tpd_s 40: jb status onpad, tpds 4 Cb; connect if on panel and check if conv A / N (adc) is busy

SIGNAL UP FINGER

W

2544 103-

  Mar 31 13:11 tpad a 51 Page 13 a ba a, n deltay to_ 8088 psw, n rbl tpd _s 20 b O loaded in 'b' ==> finger raised <no on panel) indicate deltay inform 8088 finger raised restore block of registers 1 load releasing account then

GO TO STATE 50

  status adc active, tpd _s 40 c branch if conv A / N (adc) is busy jmp adc busy_exit: return soon (lms) tpd _ 40c: mov tpd ret state, ntpd _state 41 return to state 41 after reading xy jmp start_xy conv; return run an xy conversion

STATE 41

_ _ _

  ; If on panel calculate the deltas, establish their averages and the -

  If not on the panel, report the raised finger (not on

  water) and go to state 50 tpd S 41: jnb status onpad, tpds 40 a; connect if not on panel and report raised finger then

GO TO STATE 50

  tpd S 40 a: clr mov mov call mov jmp tpd _s 4 b: jnb

2544 103

  Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 14 Proceed in sequence here if still on panel, calculate the deltas, establish their averages and transmit them if they are not null and

; RETURN TO STATE 40

  tpd_s 41 a: call calc delta jmp reportdeltas calculate the deltas and shift in channels to establish the averages of deltas and transmit them BACK TO STATE 40 Richard B Ravel

GAVILAN -

03/21/83

; STATE 50

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

  State of release of movement_xy and short stroke; A 'release count' of consecutive non-panel values must be detected before returning to state 10 If there is a return to the panel, then it must be determined whether it is on the panel or on a S 'key. it is on a key, report it and go to state 30 If it is on the panely, erase the deltas, report

  ; finger pressed and go to state 40 to transmit new deltas.

  tpds 50: jnb status onpastpd_s 5 Oc, connection if not on panel; Skip in sequence here if on panel Prepare

performing a reading xy -

  $ W $ Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 15 tpd_s 50 a: jnb status active adc, tpd_s 50 b branch if conv A / N (adc) is

Claims (16)

busy and BACK TO STATE 50 jmp adcbusy_exit; return to Ims (conv A / N busy) tpd_s 5 Ob: mov tpd_retstate, n tpdstate 51; RETURN TO STATE 51 AFTER READING jmp startxy conv; start a conversion xy Come here if not on panel at the time of entry into this state tpd_s 5 Oc: djnz padcount, tpd_s 3 Ob; branch if NOT expired and return to state 50 (this is a normal exit); Proceed in sequence here if the time has expired and you are ready to go back to the beginning of the counting time so that you can detect a new short shot. tpd_s 50 d: jmp tpds 3 Oa GO BACK TO STATUS 10 STATUS 51 Check if on panel If still on panel determine if it is panely or a key. tpd_s 51: 'jb status onpad, tpd_s 5 lb connection if still on panel 2544 103   Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 16 Proceed in sequence here if not on panel and check if it is already time to return to state 10; tpd_s 51a: mov tpdstate, n tpd state 50; prepare return & state 50 jmp tpds 50 c; check expiration timeout tpd_s Slb: call where am i determine if it is a key or panely f If there is a return from that point, it should be; a movexy Otherwise wheream i reports a key and returns the key release status (30) and the determination of   THIS return address will have been made. tpd_s 51 c: call flush deltas on REPORT FINGERED FINGER   a mov b mov a, n O deltaz x call to 8088 mov psw, n rbl jmp tpds 21 j : _ ___ ___   ; $ W $ Richard B Ravel reset all deltas and initialize receivers of x and y 0 O loaded in 'b' ==> finger pressed (on panel) indicate delta x inform 8088 finger pressed restore block of registers 1 RETURN TO STATE 40 GAVILAN 03/21/83   Na 81 Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 17 -: : STATE 80 - _-__________   tpd S 80: mov r O, n start conuy; prepare beginning conversion x movx er O, a; start conversion (data are xxx) mov tpd _state, n tpd _state 81; return to state 81   ALL XY CONVERSIONS WAIT HERE   xy_conv_exit: mov tpd _timerrn xyconversion; back in approximately 0.5 ms hand imp; go out for a while e EILT 81   _-___; Go back here when x conversion was made read it and prepare the conversion there.   tpds 81: mov r O, n readconv movx a, er O mov latestx, prepare read value x read value x save this new value x Prepare conversion y tpd_s 81 the: clr p 2 4 mov r O, nychannel change panel to contact with axis y prepare recording channel y in conv A / N 2544 1 03   mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad has 51 Page 18 movx r O, save channel y in conv A / N (data is xxx) mov tpdstate, n "TPD state 90; return and start the conversion y jmp xysetup_exit; go out for some time; $ W $ Richard B Ravel; GAVILAN 03/21/83 STATE 90   Start the conversion y tpd S 90 mov r O, n startconv; prepare beginning conversion y movx er O, a; start converting y (data is xxx) mov tpd_state, n tpd_state 91; return to state 91 and read y jimp xy_conv _exit; go out for a brief moment ; STATE 91   Read the conversion y; Read the conversion y tpds 91: clr status upper key mov r 0, n readconv movx a, er Ojb acc 7, tpds 9 admit it lower key prepare read conversion y read value y branch if lower key prepare state upper key seth status upper key Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpada 51 Page 19 shift the y value raw by 2 bits (division by 4) to desensitize the direction y tpds 91 a: clr rrc clr rrc mov clr Mov c; delete the report a; divide by 2c; delete the report a; divide again by 2 (total 4) latest y, a; save new value y statusadcactive; end of the use of conv A / N tpd_state, tpd_ret_state; back to routine who asked the jmp dotouchpad Richard B Ravel conversion back to the routine having requested the conversion GAVILAN 03/21/83 -; SUBROUTINES O ED U_____________ o CONTROL OF THE PANEL   : __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __   ; This routine serves to check the existence of a 'on-panel' contact.   The 'on-panel' state is set accordingly This routine leaves the contact panel in an 'off' state This state is one; ; Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 20 state in which the x-axis is chosen and the control signal of the 'padon' panel is & a high level Before a conversion, the signal; 'padon' must be reduced to zero. padcheck: mev mev movx setb e clr mov padwaitl: djnz r O, n "padon loc a, n" padon-1 r 0, ap 2.4 status onpad b, n "080 hb, padwaitl prepare location'padon 'prepare condition'pad 'wear' padon 'high-level x-axis on touch panel admit no on panel prepare for a wait loop wait for about 275 lis jnb p 2 3, off pad onpad setb status onpad offpad ret jump if not on panel   indicate on panel for sample current flow CALC DELTAS & OFFSET IN CHANNEL   This routine calculates the deltas for x and y and shifts the deltas; in the channel one position each time and she adds the new   value The oldest delta is discarded at output.   Mar 31 13:11 1983 pad a 51 Page 21 last and last are updated with the values the   more recent The deltas are 8-bit integers signed in comn-   ; pldment & 2. cal deltas: calcdeltas: mov a, latesty clr c subb a, lasty calc deltl: mov a, mov lasty, latest y   get value y most recently de-   set of conv A / N prepare for arithm & complement to 2 compute new deltay leave delta Ly in 'b' for offset update last _Calculate my nex delta x Calculate now delta x calcdelt 2: mov a, latest x -   clr c subb a, lastx get the most recent raw x value: conv A / N prepare for arithm complement 2 compute new delta x leave deltax in 'a' for offset calc delt 3: nov lastx, latest xa must contn the new a 'must contain the new b' must contain the new update last x delta x delta y Offset values delta x shiftpipe: mov dxl, dx 2 mov dx 2, dx 3 mov dx 3, shifting the oldest out and the intermediate in the oldest shift first delta in delta interm 4 diary shift new delta in entree 2544 1 03   Mar 31 13:11 1983 pad a 51 Page 22 shift values delta y mov dyl, dy 2 mov dy 2, dy 3 mov ret shift the most intermediate shift first intermediate shift new dy 3, b old output and in the oldest delta in Delta delta as input DELETE DELTAS   ; This routine blanks delta buffers and initializes the last x and y values and the current x and y values (which are the same for the first read) flush-deltas: m Ov r O, n dxl-1 flush 1: inc "ov cjne mov mov mov mov mov mov ret r Oer O, n OO r 0, n dy 3, flush 1 firstx, latest x firsty, latest_y last x, newest lasty, latesty remainder x, 80 remainder y, 80 prepare first delta-1 O loaded in delta branch if not executed maintain lenvalue xi era maintain era valuey this is the first value taken this is the first value taken no remains x still for the average no remains there for the mean return after execution % OERE ADI I   44 Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 23 Tue 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 5 l Page 23 This routine determines whether a finger is pressed on a key or on; If it is on a key, it signals the key, retrieves the return value out of the stack and goes to the 30 If   the finger is not on a key, it returns to the routine called   lante via the 'tpd ret state' variable.   ; key designation 0 2 panel-xy 1 3 panel-xy 4 6 8 (far right) 7 9 ==> NOTE: the keys in the row; the keys of the upper row are PAIRS lower are IMPAIRE Start control on the right edge of the column O where am i: r O, n OO b, latestx a, n tpd pass O max xca, b where 6 admit as being in column O control coordinate x to the left of max collar O? prepare for subtraction max col-x the most recent branch if in column O report is set if x the most recent> max col; Skip in sequence if not b still contains x the most recent wherel: in column O up: down: mov mov mov clr subb jnc o b 2544 1 03   Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 24 inc r O mov a, n tpdcol 1 max x clr c subb a, b jnc where 6 to admit as being in column 1 & left of max col 1? prepare for subtraction max col-x the most recent branch if in column 1 report is set if x the most recent> max col; Proceed in sequence if is 'b' still contains x the + where 2: where 2: m "va, n tpd_maxxy clr c subb a, b jc where 3 ret not in column 1 recent left of max panel-xy? prepare for subtraction max_panel-xy-x_the + recent branch if NOT in panel-xy report is set if x the most recent> max pass back to calling routine if one is on panel-xy Skip in sequence if not in panel -xy 'b' still contains x the most recent; where 3: inc mov clr subb jnc r Oa, n tpdco 12 max xca, b where 6 admit as being in column 2 to the left of maxcol 2? prepare for subtraction max col -x the most recent branch if in column 2 report is set if x the most recent> max pass; Skip in sequence if is not in column 2 'b' still contains x the most recent 2544 1 03   Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad a 51 Page 25 where 4: r O, n tpd_co 13 max x c a, b where 6 to admit as being in column 3 & left of maxcol 3? prepare for subtraction max col-x the most recent branch if in column 3 report is set if x the most recent> max pass pass in sequence if is not in column 3 'b' still contains x the most recent where 5: where 5: inc r YO MUST be in column 4 Since we know that the finger is in a key zone,   it must be in one of these columns Double the number -   ; column to get even numbers.   where 6: mov a, ro; column O to 4 ri a; multiply by 2 (we admit that the bits, the highest are 0)   jb status upper key, where? connection if a higher key   (PAIRE) Skip in sequence here if lower key and; increment to get IMPAIRE value lower keys are odd Inc a p lower keys are odd REPORT A KEY : where 7: inc mov clr subb inc 25441 03   L 7 Mar 31 13:11 1983 tpad has 51 Page 26 mov b, has mov a, n "touchkey it's the key data it's the key state at; ___   return the return address of the stack as we return the key release state (30) and not the calling routine this address must be raised out of the stack before calling the   ; '8088' since only one level of sub-call is used.   routine (for storing the battery).   pop first x pop first x this mas location is not used at this time in the machine in tpd state this mas location is not u-   used at this moment in the machine in the tpd state call to 8088 mov psw, n rbl; generate a 'click' for call click transmit key to 8088 restore block of registers 1 the buzzer   have a click produced by the warning   soneur for a shortcut 'mov tpd_state, n tpd_state 30; RETURN TO A DETACHMENT STATUS TOCK (30)   jmp -tpd exit; go out, return later CLICK This routine is only used to prepare the buzzer for a 'click' This key is meant to indicate a 'short shot' or the actuation ; a click: click: mov cycle_lsb, n O Od Oh mov tonelenght, n 2 mov scount, n 20 mov cyclemsb, n 20 mov spkr_state, n 2 setb etl interrupt value for timer 'progressive counting' a very short duration of its a reasonably low sound hold reasonably low sound prepare speaker task for it to work till completion turn on the 'timer 1' interrupt back to the calling routine and the buzzer must now emit a click ret: -; g-   An input and control device adapted for use with a digital computer system (11) having a view (17) and a system capable of generating a slider (19) and moving it on the display screen. the visu in response to   input signals, this device constituting a device   tif auxiliary to any keyboard (13) and being   characterized in that it comprises: a contact-sensitive surface (21) which produces a single electrical signal indicating the two-dimensional position of a contact applied to that surface; means (63-79) provided in combination with said surface for defining a plurality of spatially separated regions on said surface; means (151) receiving this contact position signal for generating a signal   specific to each zone of a series of different zones   trimmed (65-79) when a contact is applied to any location in the area, so that each of the various   zones plays the role of a unipolar switch with   push and generates a single signal on / off   which is used to control the computer system; and means (91) receiving this contact position signal for   generate chronologically position signals repre-   of a change resulting from the displacement of a con-   touching the surface within another (63) of said spatially separated regions so as to produce a signal that can be used by the moving system   the cursor on the computer system to cause the   slider for a distance proportional to the movement   contacting said other area (63) of the surface.   2 input and auxiliary control device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises   means (91) which receives the position signal of con-   tact when it is generated by a contact within   said other area (63) of said separate areas in the   pace to generate yet another particular signal when   that contact is applied to that other area during a   shorter time than a given time, the general means   Furthermore, the chronological position signal units are arranged so as not to respond to a contact applied to this zone unless it remains applied to this other zone for a time greater than said given time, so that this other zone is used to generate two different types of signals depending on the duration of contact with the said other area.   Auxiliary input and control device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the generating means   time signals include means for generating   derive incremental displacement distance signals per unit of time for application to the system   cursor control of the computer system.   Auxiliary input and control device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the generating means   of incremental displacement distance signals com-   take means (135-145) to establish the average of several   sieurs incremental displacement distance readings -   before applying an incremental signal to the system.   control of the cursor so that the movement can   erratic contact on this other area (63) of the surface is regularized before the motion is communicated to the cursor.   Auxiliary input and control device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the generating means   of incremental displacement distance signals com-   take means to square each incremental value   before it is applied to the cursor control system, so that the distance the cursor moves on the screen of the visu (17) for a given travel distance of the contact on said other surface (63) depends on the speed of this-displacement.   6 Auxiliary input and control device-according to the   Claim 1, characterized in that the surface (21)   the contact comprises first and second rectangular sheets (37, 41) arranged adjacent to one another,   each of these sheets having an electrical resistance giving L 544103   born in unit length on its surface that faces the other leaf; and non-conductive spacers (61) carried by the resistive surface of one of the sheets (41) in a configuration that normally holds the spaced resistive sheets but allows them to contact each other in response to a contact applied to the rear face of a first one of the sheets, at least one of the sheets being sufficiently flexible to be able to be   deformed in response to such contact to produce a   between the resistive surfaces; and in that the zone-defining means comprises an electrically nonconductive spacer sheet disposed between the first and second sheets, which sheet is provided with openings   through the locations of the various zones (63-   79) separated in space and a visible representation being formed on the opposite surface of said first   representative sheet showing the various zones separated in space.   7 Auxiliary input and control device according to   claim 6, characterized in that a pair of edges op-   45.47> of the re-active surface of one of the sheets (41) is electrically connected in a suitable manner to generate the contact position signal and the other pair of opposite edges (53, 55) of the another sheet (37) is   electrically connected in a manner suitable for   generating the contact position signal, so that the resistive surface of one of the sheets measures a contact position in the "X" direction and the resistive surface of the other sheet measures the contact position in the direction "Y".   8 An input and control device adapted for use with a digital computer system (11) having a view (17) and a system capable of generating a slider (19) and moving it on the display screen. the visu in response to   input signals, this device constituting a device   tif auxiliary to any keyboard (13) and being   characterized in that it comprises: a surface (21) sensitive to   contact which produces an electrical signal indicating the posi-   tion in two dimensions of a contact applied to this   face; means (91) receiving this position signal of con-   tact to generate chronological signals of posi-   representative of a change resulting from the displacement   contact on the surface when the contact remains   surface for a time greater than a predetermined time   completed; and means (91) receiving the position signal   to generate a short, independent strike signal.   chronological position signals only when the   contact is only applied to the surface for   less than the predetermined time so the hit signal   In short, it can be used by the computer system to execute   to cast a selected response by a previous move   the cursor on the screen of the display (17) without it being   to use a separate switch.   9 Auxiliary input and control device according to   claim 8, characterized in that the general means   time signals include means for   generating incremental motion distance signals   per unit of time to be applied to the system.   control system of the cursor of the computer system.   Auxiliary input and control device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the generating means   of incremental displacement distance signals com-   take means (135-145) to establish the average of several   sieurs incremental displacement distance readings   before applying an incremental signal to the system.   control of the cursor so that the movement can   erratic contact on the surface is regularly   before the motion is communicated to the cursor.   11 input and auxiliary control device according to claim 9, characterized in that the generating means   of incremental displacement distance signals com-   take means to square each incremental value   before applying it to the control system of the   the distance the cursor moves on   the screen of the visu (17) for a distance of   born of the contact on said surface depends on the speed of this displacement. An input and control device adapted for use with a digital computer system (11) having a view (17) and a system capable of generating a slider (19) and moving it on the display screen. the visu in response to   input signals, this device constituting a device   tif auxiliary to any keyboard (13) and being   terisd in that it comprises: a surface (21) sensitive to   contact which produces an electrical signal indicating the posi-   tion in two dimensions of a contact applied to this   face; means (91) receiving this position signal of con-   tact to generate chronological signals of posi-   representative of a change resulting from the displacement   contact on the surface when the contact remains   surface for a time greater than a predetermined time   finished or moves over a distance greater than one   some distance during this predetermined time; and means (91) receiving the contact position signal for generating a short shot signal independent of the chronological position means when said contact exists on the surface   for a time less than the predetermined time and   place on a distance less than the certain distance during this predetermined time so the hit signal   In short, it can be used by the computer system to execute   to cast a selected response by a previous move   cursor on the screen of the display (17) without being   use a separate switch.