Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2001-11-27
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323842
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to computer system interfaces and particularly to computer mice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A computer mouse is used as a manual input device for generating signals corresponding to a position of a pointer/cursor on a screen enabling an operator to input a signal at any desired location. Many millions of such mice have been in widespread use worldwide for many years and numerous models of computer mice with enhanced operational abilities are currently available on the market.
All computer system interfaces are designed to be heavily protected from the interference of any undesired external signal; the only interface left exposed to such interference is the computer mouse interface when the mouse is idle on the usually crowded desk. In this situation, unless the interface is disabled, any unintended incorrect movement and unintentional click of the mouse can have dire consequences especially in business areas such as finance or stock trading. Furthermore, many on-line day traders and others work from home with young children around which can exacerbate the same problem on an everyday basis. Additionally, such unpredictable interactions often remain unnoticed when later resuming mouse operations, precluding timely correction with unexpected, later manifested affects on applications or settings.
At least, when returning to the computer, it is a common experience for a computer user to need to make a few additional corrective mouse movements to find or relocate the cursor/pointer to the correct location and to reverse unwanted computer inputs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,810 issued Mar. 28, 1989 to Robert F. Moor teaches the provision of a separate acceptance switch spaced apart from but electrically connected to the mouse to prevent any inadvertent movement of the mouse and thereby the mouse cursor as a direct result of pressing the mouse button. The mouse is used to draw fine details of a graphic display.
However, neither that patent nor any other known devices include a feature which can permit the operator to exclude or block any unintended, unpredictable input signal, which could otherwise result in such undesired actions as document delete, application close, document copy or move to an incorrect folder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a disabling device for the computer mouse, which can prevent unintended and unpredictable input signals from the idle computer mouse to the computer system causing undesirable interaction with the applications or settings of the computer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a disabling device for the computer mouse, which can obviate the need to return the pointer/cursor to the correct position on the screen before resuming mouse operation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide the computer mouse with a disabling device, which is protected from risk of unintended activation preventing accidental pointer lock during normal mouse operation.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a disabling device for the computer mouse, which could be universally utilized in any mouse of any computer system.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a disabling device for the computer mouse, which is inexpensive and easily incorporated in a computer mouse of conventional design with only minimal modification.
According to the present invention, there is provided a disabling device for a computer mouse allowing the operator to lock the pointer/cursor in the chosen spot on the screen and prevent any unintended and unpredictable input signals from an idle computer mouse to the computer system thereby ameliorating unnecessary movement of the mouse to reinstall the pointer/cursor in the proper position on the screen and to correct any possible wrong interaction with the computer before resuming the mouse operation again.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention an operating button of the disabling device can be located near the center of the upper surface of the mouse housing protected from inadvertent activation by recessing in a concavity formed in the housing thereby preventing accidental locking of the pointer/cursor during normal mouse operation.
The disabling device of the invention may be a simple miniature switch disabling only the part of the electrical circuitry of the mouse which generates X-Y positioning signals and acceptance signals. The switch is inexpensive and can be easily incorporated within a minimally modified conventional mouse housing as a small addition.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3541541 (1970-11-01), Engelbart
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patent: 4816810 (1989-03-01), Moore
patent: 5021771 (1991-06-01), Lachman
patent: 5256913 (1993-10-01), Sommer
patent: 5479192 (1995-12-01), Carroll, Jr. et al.
patent: 5585823 (1996-12-01), Duchon
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patent: 5692946 (1997-12-01), Rifkin
patent: 5838306 (1998-11-01), O'Connor
patent: 5847695 (1998-12-01), Duncan
patent: 5943625 (1999-08-01), Yeom
patent: 401253023 (1989-10-01), None
Osorio Ricardo
Shalwala Bipin
Usher Robert W. J.
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