Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-27
2002-05-21
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06392671
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to computer peripheral devices such as computer input and output devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a computer pointing device and the like that includes a unique identifier that identifies the pointing device and the particular “owner” or “owners” of the pointing device to the computer and that corresponds to, or causes, a particular theme to be displayed by the graphical user interface of the computer. The displayed theme may correspond to an overall motif of the pointing device itself.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The graphical user interface of a conventional computer system typically offers to a user a selection of different display options which allow that user to personalize the computer system according to his or her tastes. For example, Microsoft Windows 95™ and 98™ both offer a “desktop theme” feature whereby, upon selection of a particular theme, the graphical user interface displays background colors, wallpaper, “buttons,” cursor shape and the like, in accordance with a specific motif. Each theme is typically stored in the computer system as a separate file. A theme might be based, for example, on classic cars with a user's favorite automobiles shown on the so-called desktop. Further in accordance with such a theme, the buttons displayed on the display might resemble wheels, steering wheels or dashboard gauges. Other themes might be based on music groups, nature scenes, science or any arbitrary collection of colors, shapes and designs. Indeed, the number of possible themes is almost boundless.
Furthermore, it well known that the desktop of many modem computer systems can be customized by a user to alter the appearance and method of access of various applications programs on the computer system. For example, a user can reconfigure the program icons that are displayed on the computer system's desktop in a given order, to suit the preferences of the user. Similarly, some applications programs may not have any desktop icon associated therewith and thus the user must access these programs by selecting them from a menu system, such as the “start” menu commonly used in Windows 95™.
Thus, the general notion of implementing themes with a computer system's graphical user interface is known and typically is carried out by having any number of theme files preloaded in a memory storage unit of the computer system, or possibly, by downloading themes via the Internet or other network, local or wide, including perhaps a wireless network. Such themes are, by appropriately controlling the overall environment settings, then launched and displayed.
Also known are pointing devices, such as mice, that have unique designs. For example, computer mice are known that are formed in the shape of an animal or a vehicle. An example of one such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,956, which discloses a computer mouse having a body configured to replicate a miniature automotive vehicle.
While desktop themes and uniquely designed mice are known, heretofore it has not been recognized that a desktop theme should automatically match the motif or appearance of the pointing device or mouse. That is, no one has to date suggested correlating the desktop theme of the graphical user interface of a computer with a uniquely-designed pointing device associated with that computer. Moreover, no one has to date suggested automatic correlation between, for example, a mouse and a graphical user interface of a computer system as a real time event associated with the live connection of said device.
Furthermore, it has previously been unknown that a computer peripheral, including a mouse, keyboard, printer, or other input/output device, should include an unique identifier sufficient to allow a computer system to which it is connected to modify its display or operation in accordance therewith. The unique identifier should also be sufficiently large that it can be identified from any and all other devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a computer peripheral device having a unique identifier stored therein, which is used to automatically control one or more features of an operating system of a computer system to which the peripheral is connected.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a computer peripheral in which access to applications programs is controlled in response to the unique identifier contained within the peripheral.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel and unique method to identify a user to be granted access to a computer system wherein a computer peripheral containing an identifier unique to that user is connected to the computer system and is used to identify the user. That is, by associating a unique identifier with a user, it is possible to control access to a computer system. In other words, the present invention is also applicable to adding a level of security to the accessibility of a computer system.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unique system and method for controlling access to a computer system wherein a combination of a peripheral device and password are needed to achieve access to the system.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method of easily and automatically transporting user preferences from one computer system to another computer system wherein a peripheral containing a unique identifier is detected, and such unique identifier is used to access information about the user's preferences and to modify the operation of a computer system in response thereto.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of computer peripherals, such as a pointing devices, that are marketed as collectibles, with each such peripheral having a unique identifier to facilitate identification of the peripheral to a computer system to which it is attached.
Another object of the present invention is to enhance the entertainment value received by a user from the use of a computer system by providing a computer peripheral that includes, or identifies, information associated with a specific user of the peripheral, such as that user's high game scores, game configuration information, operating system preferences and settings, etc.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a data processing system wherein the appearance of a graphical user interface of the system is manually or automatically varied in response to a pointing device connected to the system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mouse driver program that reads a unique identifier stored in a mouse when connected to a live system and automatically effects an appearance change to the graphical user interface of a data processing system environment, or desktop.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mouse driver that can detect a live mouse exchanging event without requiring re-booting of a computer system, i.e. the mouse of the present invention is “hot-swappable.”
Still another object of the present invention is to initiate a desktop theme change based on an exchanging event of any peripheral, e.g. printer, scanner, and to resolve any conflicts among desktop themes initiated by other peripherals previously connected or subsequently connected. Conflict resolution can also be in the context of harmonization, wherein the computer system controls the desktop to accommodate a newly-connected peripheral and further modify the desktop theme in accordance therewith.
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein a computer peripheral, such as a computer pointing device, is connected with a data processing system and includes a unique identifier that is processed by the data processing system and used to vary at least one of a background image, color scheme, cursor shape, wall paper design, sound association of the system, button shape
Bayerl Raymond J.
Luu Sy D.
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Robinson Eric J.
LandOfFree
Computer pointing device having theme identification means does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Computer pointing device having theme identification means, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computer pointing device having theme identification means will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2880569