SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR EXTENDING A STROKE OF A COMPUTER POINTING DEVICE

US 20080189642A1
Filed: 02/06/2007
Published: 08/07/2008
Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

Patent Images

1. A computer input device, comprising:

a sensor configured to sense movement of the device and generate a first signal indicating the sensed movement; and

an input element configured to generate a second signal when operated;

wherein;

the computer input device is adapted for transmitting to a processor at least the first signal for instructing the processor to move a graphical object in a direction corresponding to a direction of the movement indicated by the first signal; and

in response to the generation of the second signal, one of (a) responsiveness to the first signal by the processor is inhibited, and (b) correspondence of movement of the graphical object to the movement indicated by the first signal is reversed.

View all claims

2 Assignments

Timeline View

Assignment View

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

With respect to a system, device, and method for moving a graphical object, a computer system may include a display device, a processor configured to control movement of a graphical object in the display device, and an input device that includes a sensor for sensing movement of the input device and generating a first signal indicating the sensed movement and an input element for generating a second signal when operated. The input device may be configured to transmit to the processor at least the first signal for instructing the processor to move the graphical object in a direction corresponding to a direction of the movement indicated by the first signal. In response to the generation of the second signal, either responsiveness to the first signal by the processor may be inhibited or correspondence of movement of the graphical object to the movement indicated by the first signal may be reversed.

11 Citations

20 Claims

1. A computer input device, comprising:
- a sensor configured to sense movement of the device and generate a first signal indicating the sensed movement; and
  
  an input element configured to generate a second signal when operated;
  
  wherein;
  
  the computer input device is adapted for transmitting to a processor at least the first signal for instructing the processor to move a graphical object in a direction corresponding to a direction of the movement indicated by the first signal; and
  
  in response to the generation of the second signal, one of (a) responsiveness to the first signal by the processor is inhibited, and (b) correspondence of movement of the graphical object to the movement indicated by the first signal is reversed.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- - 2. The computer input device of claim 1, further comprising:
    - a memory device configured to store a status flag; and
      
      a communication element configured to transmit signals generated by the computer input device to the processor;
      
      wherein;
      
      in response to the generation of the second signal, the computer input device is configured to change a status indicated by the status flag between at least a first status and a second status; and
      
      the communication element is configured to transmit the first signal to the processor conditional upon the status flag indicating the first status.
  - 3. The computer input device of claim 2, wherein the communication element is configured to transmit to the processor, conditional upon the status flag indicating the second status, a third signal in response to the generation of the first signal for instructing the processor to move the graphical object in a direction corresponding to a reverse direction of the movement indicated by the first signal.
  - 4. The computer input device of claim 3, wherein the computer input device is configured to toggle the status indicated by the status flag between the first status and the second status in response to each generation of the second signal.
  - 5. The computer input device of claim 2, wherein the communication device does not transmit any signal to the processor in response to generation of the first signal conditional upon the status flag indicating the second status.
  - 6. The computer input device of claim 5, wherein the computer input device is configured to toggle the status indicated by the status flag between the first status and the second status in response to each generation of the second signal.
  - 7. The computer input device of claim 2, wherein:
    - in response to the generation of the second signal, the computer input device is configured to change the status indicated by the status flag between the first status, the second status, and a third status;
      
      the communication element is configured to transmit to the processor, conditional upon the status flag indicating the second status, a third signal in response to the generation of the first signal for instructing the processor to move the graphical object in a direction corresponding to a reverse direction of the movement indicated by the first signal; and
      
      the communication element does not transmit any signal to the processor in response to generation of the first signal conditional upon the status flag indicating the third status.
  - 8. The computer input device of claim 1, further comprising:
    - a communication element configured to;
      
      transmit the first signal to the processor in response to the generation of the first signal; and
      
      transmit the second signal to the processor in response to generation of the second signal for instructing the processor to change a status indicated by a status flag with which the processor is in communication and according to which the processor interprets the first signal.
  - 9. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein the computer input device is a computer mouse.

10. A method for causing movement of graphical object in a single direction, comprising:
- moving a computer input device in a first direction with respect to a surface, the computer input device being in close enough proximity to the surface for generation of signals identifying a type of movement of the computer input device with respect to the surface and being in communication with a processor that controls movement of the graphical object on a display in response to the signals;
  
  after the moving of the computer input device in the first direction, operating an input element integrated with the computer input device; and
  
  after the operation of the input element and while maintaining the computer input device in the close enough proximity to the surface, moving the computer input device in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

11. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the movement of the computer input device in the first direction prior to the operation of the input element and the movement of the computer input device in the second direction after the operation of the input element causes the movement of the graphical object in the single direction on the display.

12. A computer system, comprising:
- a display device;
  
  a processor configured to control movement of a graphical object in the display device; and
  
  an input device comprising;
  
  a sensor configured to sense movement of the input device and generate a first signal indicating the sensed movement; and
  
  an input element configured to generate a second signal when operated;
  
  wherein;
  
  the input device is configured to transmit to the processor at least the first signal for instructing the processor to move the graphical object in a direction corresponding to a direction of the movement indicated by the first signal; and
  
  in response to the generation of the second signal, one of (a) responsiveness to the first signal by the processor is inhibited, and (b) correspondence of movement of the graphical object to the movement indicated by the first signal is reversed.
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- - 13. The computer system of claim 12, further comprising:
    - a memory device storing a first status flag;
      
      wherein the processor is configured to;
      
      receive user input indicating to provide functionality to the system for causing the one of (a) and (b) in response to the generation of the second signal;
      
      responsive to the user input, set a status indicated by the first status flag for indicating that the functionality is to be provided; and
      
      respond to the generation of the second signal in accordance with the first status flag.
  - 14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the user input identifies which of (a) and (b) is to be caused in response to the generation of the second signal.
  - 15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein:
    - the memory includes a second status flag; and
      
      the processor is configured to change a status of the second status flag between a first status and a second status in response to receipt of the second signal.
  - 16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to toggle the status of the second status flag between the first status and the second status in response to each receipt of the second signal.
  - 17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to identify the input device and determine whether the functionality for causing the one of (a) and (b) is applicable to the input device.
  - 18. The computer system of claim 12, wherein:
    - the processor is configured to;
      
      receive user input indicating to provide functionality to the system for causing the one of (a) and (b) in response to the generation of the second signal; and
      
      responsive to the user input, transmit a third signal to the input device; and
      
      the input device;
      
      includes a memory device storing a first status flag;
      
      is configured to, in response to the third signal, change a status indicated by the first status flag from a first status corresponding to a disablement of the functionality for causing the one of (a) and (b) to a second status corresponding to an enablement of the functionality for causing the one of (a) and (b); and
      
      is configured to, in response to the generation of the second signal and conditional upon the first status flag being set to the second status, one of omit transmitting the first signal to the processor and transmit a fourth signal to the processor, the fourth signal instructing the processor to move the graphical object in a direction corresponding to an opposite of the direction of the movement indicated by the first signal.
  - 19. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the input element is a toggle button.
  - 20. The computer system of claim 12, wherein:
    - the input device is configured for the input element to be moved into three positions;
      
      when the input element is in a first one of the positions, the processor responds to the movement of the input device by moving the graphical object in the direction corresponding to the direction of the movement indicated by the first signal;
      
      when the input element is in a second one of the positions, the processor does not move the graphical object in response to the movement of the input device; and
      
      when the input element is in a third of the positions, the processor responds to the movement of the input device by moving the graphical object in a direction that is opposite to the direction corresponding to the direction of the movement indicated by the first signal.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Current Assignee
Kevique Technology, LLC (IP Edge LLC)
Original Assignee
Aaron Grunberger
Inventors
Grunberger, Aaron

Granted Patent

US 7,808,483 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

715/772
CPC Class Codes

G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 t...

G06F 3/038 Control and interface arran...

SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR EXTENDING A STROKE OF A COMPUTER POINTING DEVICE

First Claim

2 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

11 Citations

20 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links

SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR EXTENDING A STROKE OF A COMPUTER POINTING DEVICE

First Claim

2 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

11 Citations

20 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links