Michael R Sassman

US Patent:

59908726, Nov 23, 1999

Filed:

Oct 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/740652

Inventors:

Rodney W. Jorgenson - Sioux City IA
Anthony M. Grasso - North Sioux City SD
Michael J. Ritter - Sioux City IA
Michael R. Sassman - Sioux City IA

Assignee:

Gateway 2000, Inc. - North Sioux City SD

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345168

Abstract:

A computerized system for keyboard control of a pointing device of a computer. The computer has a computer keyboard, a controller and a basic input/output system (BIOS). The keyboard has a plurality of keys for entry of one or more predetermined sequences of one or more keystrokes by a user of the computer, each sequence corresponding to a control instruction of the pointing device. The controller detects entry of the sequences by the user on the keyboard, and furthermore processes signals received from the pointing device. The BIOS is operatively coupled to the controller, and in response to the controller detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard operating sends the controller a corresponding instruction as to whether the controller should listen to or ignore signals received from the pointing device. Alternatively, the functionality of the BIOS as to the pointing device is incorporated within the keyboard. Alternatively still, the BIOS acts on the instructions, instead of the controller acting on the instructions.