Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-26
2004-02-10
Saras, Steven (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
C345S163000, C345S167000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06690352
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an input control device, and more particularly to a multi-mode input control device for use with a computer via a graphic user interface (GUI).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
So far, a mouse device and a trackball device have been most common and popular input control devices for personal computers, especially for use with more and more complicated and diverse graphic user interfaces (GUIs).
FIG. 1
schematically shows a circuit block diagrams of a conventional input control device. The input control device includes an operation sensor
11
, a key switch
12
, a control unit
13
, an interface circuit
14
, and a signal channel
15
. The operation sensor
11
generates a cursor movement control signal in response to an operation of a user on the input control device. Then, the user presses the key switch
12
to generate an input signal corresponding to the cursor movement control signal or give a command. The cursor movement control signal and the input signal are transmitted to the control unit
13
to be processed, and further transmitted to the interface circuit
14
to be transformed into a designated format. Finally, the signals are transmitted to a computer (not shown) to complete cursor control or command input operations. The major difference between a mouse device and a trackball device lies in that while the user has to hold the mouse device with his palm to move in a plane, the user manipulates a ball structure of a fixed trackball device with his fingers. For different users and different graphic user interfaces, it is hard to say which one is more convenient and popular than the other. For example, for playing games or for a baby child, a large trackball device may be preferred. On the contrary, for editing documents or drawing pictures, a mouse device may be more convenient than a trackball device. If these two devices are provided at the same time for different requirements, they will occupy two ports of the computer and double space on the desk.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-mode input control device which allows the functions of a mouse device and a trackball device to be performed as desired.
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a multi-mode input control device for use with a computer via a graphic user interface. The multi-mode input control device includes a trackball for performing a rotating motion in response to a first external force; a trackball sensor for generating a first cursor movement control signal according to the rotating motion; a first signal connector electrically connected to the trackball sensor for transmitting the first cursor movement control signal; a base housing accommodated therein the trackball sensor and mounted thereon the trackball and the first signal connector; and a mouse device connected to the computer via a signal channel, performing a shift motion in response to a second external force, generating a second cursor movement control signal according to the shift motion, and including a second signal connector to be coupled to the first signal connector. In a first mode that input control is performed by the mouse device, the first and second signal connectors are disconnected, and the second cursor movement control device is transmitted to the computer via the signal channel. In a second mode that input control is performed by the trackball, the first and second signal connectors are connected, and the first cursor movement control signal is transmitted to the computer via the signal channel.
Preferably, the mouse device includes a mouse sensor for generating the second cursor movement control signal according to the shift motion; a switching device electrically connected to the mouse sensor and the second signal connector for allowing either of the first and second cursor movement control signals to pass through the signal channel; a key switch for entering a command to the computer by exerting thereon a third external force so as to generate an input signal; a control unit electrically connected to the switching device and the key switch for processing the first and second cursor movement control signals and the input signal; an interface circuit electrically connected to the control unit and the signal channel for transforming the first and second cursor movement control signals and the input signal into a designated format suitable for transmission to the computer; and a mouse housing accommodated therein the mouse sensor, the switching device, the control unit and the interface circuit, and mounted thereon the second signal connector and the key switch.
Preferably, the first signal connector is directly mounted on the base housing, and the second signal connector is directly mounted on the mouse housing so that the mouse housing is attached to the base housing when the first and second signal connectors are connected.
Preferably, the base housing includes a recess on a surface thereof for receiving the mouse device, the first signal connector is arranged in the recess, and electric connection between the first and second signal connectors are achieved once the mouse device is placed into the recess.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the multi-mode input control device includes a touch pad for generating a first cursor movement control signal according to a user's touch motion thereon; a first signal connector electrically connected to the touch pad for transmitting the first cursor movement control signal; a base housing mounted thereon the touch pad and the first signal connector; and a mouse device connected to the computer via a signal channel, performing a shift motion in response to a second external force, generating a second cursor movement control signal according to the shift motion, and including a second signal connector to be coupled to the first signal connector; wherein in a first mode that input control is performed by the mouse device, the first and second signal connectors are disconnected, and the second cursor movement control device is transmitted to the computer via the signal channel, and in a second mode that input control is performed by the touch pad, the first and second signal connectors are connected, and the first cursor movement control signal is transmitted to the computer via the signal channel.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the multi-mode input control device includes a first housing having a recess on a surface thereof, and keeping unmoved during the input control operation; a first input device accommodated in the first housing for generating a first cursor movement control signal in response to a first external force; a first signal connector mounted on the first housing in the recess and electrically connected to the first input device for transmitting the first cursor movement control signal to the computer; a second housing optionally received in the recess, and moved during the input control operation; a second input device accommodated in the second housing for generating a second cursor movement control signal in response to a second external force; a second signal connector mounted on the second housing at a specific position corresponding to a position of the first signal connector when the second housing is received into the recess of the first housing, and electrically connected to the second input device for transmitting the second cursor movement control signal to the computer in a first mode that the input control operation is performed by the second input device, and transmitting the first cursor movement control signal to the computer in a second mode that the input control operation is performed by the first input device; and a switching device electrically connected to the first and second input devices for determining either of the first and second modes is performed.
In an embodiment, the second device is a mouse device, and the first device is a trackball device or a touch pad device
Cheng Yu-Chih
Shih Tzu-Chiang
Alphonse Fritz
Corless Peter F.
Edwards & Angell LLP
Jensen Steven M.
Primax Electronics Ltd.
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