PEN/TOUCH TABLET COMPUTER HAVING MULTIPLE OPERATION MODES AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING OPERATION MODES

摘要

A tablet computer is provided, which includes a sensor section operable to detect positional input by a human operator and output a positional input signal; a display, laid over the sensor section, operable to receive and display a video signal; and a processor, coupled to a memory storing programs for running an operating system (OS) and executing software loaded to the memory, the processor being operable to receive and process the positional input signal from the sensor section and to output a video signal of the OS and the software to the display. The tablet computer further includes a sensor signal filter capable of selectively communicating the positional input signal from the sensor section to the processor, to a separate external processor, or to neither the processor nor the separate external processor; and a display switch capable of coupling the display to the processor or to the separate external processor.

主权项

1. A tablet computer system, which is coupleable to an external computer having a first interface and a second interface, the tablet computer system comprising:
(a) a stylus; (b) a sensor operable to detect positional input by the stylus and to output a positional input signal to the first interface of the external computer when the sensor is coupled to the external computer; (c) a display, laid over the sensor and coupled to a video signal sensor, operable to display a video signal when the video signal from the second interface of the external computer is detected by the video signal sensor; and (d) a combined cable coupleable at one end to the sensor and the display and coupleable at another end to the external computer, the another end including: (i) a first branch coupleable to the first interface of the external computer to transmit the positional input signal from the sensor to the external computer, and (ii) a second branch coupleable to the second interface of the external computer to receive the video signal from the external computer.