US5900875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for interacting with a portable computer system
Assignee: Access Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-01-29
•
Granted: 1999-05-04
•
Expires: 2017-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A palmtop computer system that incorporates mechanical buttons that combine the task of turning the palmtop computer system on and starting a particular application program. Furthermore, the same mechanical button can be used to navigate the application program to find the information that is most likely needed by the user. Additionally, external devices can be coupled to the palmtop computer system in a manner that allows the external hardware device to initiate specific application programs that cooperate with the external hardware device.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Yuji Haitani
- 👤 Jeffrey C. Hawkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1632
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A computer implemented method of quickly preparing a computer system for use, said method comprising the steps of: providing a set of more than one external application buttons on said computer system, said external application buttons for selecting a particular application; accepting an external application button press from a user that requests an associated particular application program; waking a processor in response to said external application button press; and executing said associated particular application program.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A computer implemented method of quickly preparing a computer system for use, said method comprising the steps of: providing a set of more than one external application buttons on said computer system, said external application buttons for selecting a particular application; accepting an external application button press from a user that requests an associated particular application program; waking a processor in response to said external application button press; and executing said associated particular application program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: bringing said associated particular application program into a state that has been chosen to best supply information that said user may be seeking.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of waking a processor in response to said external application button press comprises interrupting said processor such that said processor enters an interrupt service routine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said interrupt service routine tests a register to determine which application button from said set of more than one external application buttons has been pressed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: accepting a second external application button press from a user after having begun execution of said associated particular application program; changing a state of said associated particular application program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of changing a state of said associated particular application program comprises accessing a different set of data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: executing a program that reconfigures a new associated particular application program to be associated with one of said application buttons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer apparatus, said computer apparatus comprising: a processor, said processor having a low power consumption sleep mode, said processor having hardware interrupt line that awakes said processor from said sleep mode; a set of more than one external application buttons, each said external application button associated with an associated particular application program, said external application button asserting said hardware interrupt line; and an interrupt service routine for handling processor interrupts caused by said hardware interrupt line being asserted, said interrupt service routine executing said associated particular application program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer apparatus, said computer apparatus comprising: a processor, said processor having a low power consumption sleep mode, said processor having hardware interrupt line that awakes said processor from said sleep mode; a set of more than one external application buttons, each said external application button associated with an associated particular application program, said external application button asserting said hardware interrupt line; and an interrupt service routine for handling processor interrupts caused by said hardware interrupt line being asserted, said interrupt service routine executing said associated particular application program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer apparatus of claim 8 wherein said associated particular application program enters a state that has been chosen to best supply information that said user may be seeking when entered from said interrupt service routine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: a program, said program reassigning a new application program to a first application button such that said new application program is executed when said first application button is pressed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer implemented method of allowing external devices to control a portable computer system for use, said method comprising the steps of: providing a port for external hardware devices, said port having access to a hardware interrupt line on said processor; asserting said hardware interrupt line on processor in said portable computer system from an external device coupled to said port; entering an interrupt service routine in response to said hardware interrupt line assertion; and determining that said external device is the source of said hardware interrupt assertion and executing an application program associated with said external device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer implemented method of allowing external devices to control a portable computer system for use, said method comprising the steps of: providing a port for external hardware devices, said port having access to a hardware interrupt line on said processor; asserting said hardware interrupt line on processor in said portable computer system from an external device coupled to said port; entering an interrupt service routine in response to said hardware interrupt line assertion; and determining that said external device is the source of said hardware interrupt assertion and executing an application program associated with said external device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of: waking said processor in response to said hardware interrupt line assertion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step of determining that said external device is the source of said hardware interrupt assertion comprises testing a register to determine the source of the hardware interrupt assertion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
98 words
A portable computer apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a processor, said processor having a low power consumption sleep mode, said processor having hardware interrupt line that awakes said processor from said sleep mode; an external interface, said external interface including access to said hardware interrupt line; an external device, said external device coupled to said external interface of portable computer system, said external device asserting said hardware interrupt line; and an interrupt service routine for handling processor interrupts caused by said hardware interrupt line being asserted, said interrupt service routine executing an application program associated with said external device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
98 words
A portable computer apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a processor, said processor having a low power consumption sleep mode, said processor having hardware interrupt line that awakes said processor from said sleep mode; an external interface, said external interface including access to said hardware interrupt line; an external device, said external device coupled to said external interface of portable computer system, said external device asserting said hardware interrupt line; and an interrupt service routine for handling processor interrupts caused by said hardware interrupt line being asserted, said interrupt service routine executing an application program associated with said external device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The portable computer apparatus as claimed in claim 14 further comprising: a data input line on said external interface; a register coupled to said data input line on said external device; such that said interrupt service routine can test said register to determine if said data input line was asserted when said hardware interrupt line was asserted.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-11-02 | 2003-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-11-02 | 2007-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-11-02 | 2011-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |