Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2004-12-21
Wu, Xiao (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S156000, C345S157000, C345S159000, C345S165000, C345S166000, C345S173000, C358S003050, C341S025000, C341S031000, C178S019030, C379S093190, C348S734000, C200S510000, C200S511000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06833825
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1). Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for remotely controlling a digital processing system.
2). Discussion of Related Art
Apparatus for remotely controlling a digital processing system usually includes a housing and a cursor positioning detector which is actuable by hand to generate the position signal when transmitted to the digital processing system. The digital processing system then utilizes the signal to control a cursor on a screen.
Once such an apparatus for controlling a digital processing system is in the form of a mouse wherein the housing has an upper surface which is shaped to be held within a cup of a person's hand. A ball is located in a base of the housing and rolls over a working surface when the housing is moved over the working surface. A detector then detects rotational movement of the ball and generates a position signal.
More recently, apparatuses have been developed which, in addition to generating a position signal, generate a scrolling signal. The scrolling signal is usually generated by rotating a wheel which protrudes from an upper surface of a housing. A detector then detects rotational movement of the wheel and generates a scrolling signal which is transmitted to a digital processing system. A wheel has moving parts which can break. The wheel requires several parts which, once assembled, allow dirt and water to enter into the housing.
Another device may utilize a resistor pad which is mounted within an upper surface of a housing. Although the housing may have a concave, curved surface, the resistive pad would be flat. There would thus be a discontinuity in curvature from an upper surface of the housing to the pad. Such a discontinuity is ergonomically less desirable than a continuous curvature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention an apparatus is provided for remotely controlling a digital processing system, comprising a housing, a scrolling detector, a cursor positioning detector, and a transmitter. The housing has a wall having an outer scrolling surface over which a finger of a person's hand is movable in a scrolling movement. The scrolling detector is located within the housing. The scrolling detector detects the scrolling movement remotely through the wall and generates a scrolling signal. The cursor positioning detector is secured to the housing and is actuable by the hand to generate a position signal. The transmitter transmits the scrolling signal and the position signal to the digital processing system.
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Andre Bartley K.
Bull William H.
Doar Jeffrey B.
Farag Abraham S.
Lyon Benjamin B.
Abdulselam Abbas
Apple Computer Inc.
Wu Xiao
LandOfFree
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