Patent ID: 6756965
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: A63F,G06F

Abstract:
A computer system comprising:(a) a central processing unit (CPU); (b) a memory circuit in circuit communication with said CPU; (c) a video circuit in circuit communication with said CPU and said memory for generating an electrical signal corresponding to a visual image to be displayed on a video display device; (d) a peripheral interface circuit in circuit communication with said CPU for interfacing signals from external 110 devices to said CPU wherein said peripheral interface circuit includes a data port for receiving device authorization data and device identification data from said 110 devices which together define a device authorization function; (e) a pad surface exposed to allow contact by a finger, stylus, or the like; (f) a retainer for removably securing a template overly proximate to said pad surface; (g) a coordinate sensor proximate to said pad surface for generating at least one electrical signal responsive to a stylus, finger, or the like touching said pad surface or touching a template overlay proximate to said pad surface and said coordinate sensor configured such that said at least one electrical signal corresponds to the coordinates of the location touched; (h) a rigid base proximate to said pad surface; (i) coordinate determining circuitry in circuit communication with said coordinate sensor for determining the coordinates of the stylus, finger, or the like touching said pad surface or touching a template overlay proximate to said pad surface; and (j) interface circuitry in circuit communication with said coordinate determining circuitry and said peripheral interface circuit for communicating the determined coordinates thereto; wherein the device identification data further comprises device symbol data, and the interface circuit is configured to change a first device symbol received from an external I/O device in circuit communication with the interface circuitry to a second device symbol and pass the second device symbol to the peripheral interface circuit; and wherein said pad surface has an inscribed default template graphic image associated therewith.