Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-11
2001-01-30
Shankar, Vijay (Department: 2778)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S156000, C345S160000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181325
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to a portable computer system capable of locating the mouse pointer precisely on the monitor screen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, personal computers are equipped with pointing devices as peripheral device for enabling input of coordinate data, selection of a menu, moving of an object, and so forth. The typical pointing device may include a mouse, touch pad, track point, track ball, and pointing stick. The mouse is widely used in desktop computers for its fine sensitivity and resolution. Instead of the mouse, a track ball, track point, and touch pad have been used in portable computers such as a notebook computer for their compactness fit for the smaller size of the portable computer. The pointing devices are incorporated into the main body of the notebook computer to perform corresponding mouse function. Buttons are provided on the surface of the main body to be pressed or clicked manually and to control certain functions that may be customized to suit the user.
However, it is common to users of the notebook computers that the use of the track ball or touch pad is inconvenient and less precise compared with the mouse. Particularly, it is difficult for a novice to locate a pointer at fine position on screen, since movement of the pointer made by a finger is instable. To control movement of the mouse pointer precisely in the notebook computer, either changing the mouse resolution to higher one or adjusting the mouse pointer speed slowly is needed. The adjustment of the pointer speed should be performed through the corresponding control program each time it is required to fit for the use. Change of the mouse resolution as well as adjustment of the mouse operation is troublesome and time consuming.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,888 for a Method And Apparatus For Improving Visibility And Selectability Of Icons to Selker discloses a display enhancement scheme that expands the size and the selection zone of icons when a pointer falls within a vicinity of the icon. This arrangement for enlarging the size of the icons is automatic and does not require the user to press a button or use a complicated display menu to enlarge the size of the icons. The enlargement of the icons is out of the control of the user as the user is not required to press any buttons to cause the icon to become enlarged. U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,776 for an Image Editor Zoom Function to Yanker discloses a user controlled ZOOM function that enlarges the region of the screen surrounding the cursor. Yanker requires the user to depress CNTR-Z to activate the ZOOM function and the ESC key to deactivate the ZOOM function. Yanker uses an image editor to activate and deactivate the ZOOM function. What is needed is an arrangement where the user can enlarge the screen in the vacinity of the pointer. What is also needed is a single key that both activates and deactivates the ZOOM function. Finally, what is needed is the above to be carried out without the use of an image editor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement where images in the vicinity of the pointer become enlarged when a button is pushed.
It is also an object to provide a single button that both activates and deactivates the ZOOM function of the display image in the vicinity of the pointer.
It is yet another object to provide a computer system which is capable of controlling movement of the mouse pointer precisely without changing the mouse resolution or pointer speed.
It is still yet another object to provide a computer system that can enlarge the image in the vicinity of the pointer and reduce the image in the vicinity of the pointer without using an image editor.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided with a computer system which comprises a display apparatus for displaying graphic data in a predetermined graphic mode; a pointing device for moving the pointer that indicates a position on screen; a function key designated for selecting or deselecting a pointer fine adjustment mode; a microcontroller in response to key input signal fed from the function key to generate a signal notifying the pointer fine adjustment mode is being selected or deselected; and a central processing unit in response to the signal supplied from the microcontroller to issue a command that allows the display apparatus to display screen such that a predetermined area including current location of the pointer is enlarged.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pointing device is a touch pad. Further, the function key is mounted at left or right side of the mouse pad. Preferably, the size of the pointer in the enlarged screen remains unchanged.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided with a method for locating the mouse pointer precisely on a display screen, which method comprises determining whether a fine adjustment mode selection key is pressed; zooming in a predetermined screen area including current location of the pointer based on the corresponding video driver and operating system; locating the pointer at the desired position within the zoom in screen; checking if the fine adjustment mode has canceled; and restoring the zoom in screen to original picture if the fine adjustment mode is canceled. According to this invention, the inventive method provides for a precise and easy control of the mouse pointer in the high resolution graphic mode, without changing the mouse resolution or pointer speed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5187776 (1993-02-01), Yanker
patent: 5239665 (1993-08-01), Tsuchiya
patent: 5469194 (1995-11-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5508717 (1996-04-01), Miller
patent: 5565888 (1996-10-01), Selker
patent: 5661502 (1997-08-01), Cheng
patent: 5689284 (1997-11-01), Herget
patent: 5703620 (1997-12-01), Keyson
patent: 5710574 (1998-01-01), Jaaskelainen, Jr.
patent: 5726684 (1998-03-01), Blankenship et al.
patent: 5856821 (1999-01-01), Funahashi
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Shankar Vijay
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