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Felix Hoffmann, a German chemist, was searching for something to relieve his father's arthritis. In doing so, he "rediscovered" acetylsalicylic acid and in 1900, patented a stable process for developing it. Hence, we have aspirin.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7626573 | Trackball for a mobile device A computer-implemented system and method for navigating through a plurality of graphical elements with a trackball. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: detecting a substantially vertical motion on the trackball when a first ... | 12/01/2009 |
| 7598944 | System and method for measuring operational life of a computer mouse wheel An exemplary system for measuring operational life of a computer mouse wheel is disclosed. The system includes a computer (10), a control card (11), a stepper motor servo controller (12), a stepper motor (13), a vertical servo axle (14... | 10/06/2009 |
| 7570250 | Control device including a ball that stores data A device for controlling movement of an object relative to an environment is disclosed. The device may include a ball configured to store data for determining at least an orientation of the object relative to the environment. The data may pertain to a plurality of p... | 08/04/2009 |
| 7522155 | Trackball device and vehicle incorporating the same A trackball device including (i) a sphere, (ii) a support for rotatably supporting the sphere, (iii) a rotation detector for detecting rotation of the sphere, and (iv) a controller. The controller generates a specific output signal responsive to a signal from the ro... | 04/21/2009 |
| RE40698 | Hand-held trackball computer pointing device There is provided a hand-held pointing device which fits readily and comfortably in the hand of a user. The pointing device case shape is a pistol grip style designed to be ergonomically correct so that the device may be used for extended periods of time without use... | 04/14/2009 |
| 7477237 | Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum Systems and methods for providing a haptic manipulandum are described. In one described system, a lever arm is pivotably coupled to a housing, and configured to apply a processor-controlled force to a substantially-spherical manipulandum to provide a haptic effect. ... | 01/13/2009 |
| 7439952 | Pointing device An electronic pointing cursor control device such as a trackball or mouse, comprising a first chamber adjoined to a second chamber, the chambers being separated by a fluid-tight wall comprising an optically permeable region; wherein the first chamber contains electr... | 10/21/2008 |
| 7423631 | Low-cost haptic mouse implementations Low-cost haptic interface device implementations for interfacing a user with a host computer. A haptic feedback device, such as a mouse or other device, includes a housing physically contacted by a user, and an actuator for providing motion that causes haptic sensat... | 09/09/2008 |
| 7405727 | Lift detection mechanism for optical mouse sensor A method for detecting a lift condition from an illuminated surface portion of an optical motion sensing device. According to a first embodiment, two different “loss-of-focus” thresholds are used. A first threshold is used when the optical pointing device is not... | 07/29/2008 |
| 7391409 | Method and system for applying gearing effects to multi-channel mixed input A method and system for interactive interfacing with a computer gaming system is provided. The method includes providing an input device, where the input device is configured to convey mutlti-channel mixed input data that is to be interpreted by the computer gaming ... | 06/24/2008 |
| 7388575 | Mechanical wheel instruction apparatus A mechanical wheel instruction apparatus to replace the conventional wheel structure that uses a grating switch to output signal. The invention has a mechanical conductive terminal set to output instruction signals when become conductive. The apparatus of the invent... | 06/17/2008 |
| 7389454 | Error detection in user input device using general purpose input-output A method and apparatus are disclosed for using a general purpose input-output (GPIO) interface to test a user input device such as a wireless keyboard or mouse. Operation of key-scan logic can be tested by the GPIO interface by temporarily disconnecting the outputs ... | 06/17/2008 |
| 7385587 | Asymmetrical computer mouse design with extended thumb button An ergonomic computer mouse has an arcuate top surface, a front end, a rear end, and left and right sidewalls. The top surface has a circular side view profile that extends from the front end to the rear end and is contiguous with finger buttons on the mouse. The su... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7378990 | Laser locus ball apparatus for a wireless keyboard A laser locus ball apparatus for a wireless keyboard includes a base, a laser source generator, a locus ball, a light sensing element and a key cover. The base provides a lateral plate with a locating hole to locate the laser source generator and has another two opp... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7379052 | Hand-held computer control device A hand-held control device which fits interchangeably into a user's right or left hand. An ergonomically correct housing allows the device to fit snuggly into the grasp of the users hand and be used without creating user fatigue. The operative element in the control... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7372453 | Foot operated computer mouse A computer cursor control system (10) including a foot operated cursor control device (16) connected to a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (12). The cursor (20) is positioned by the operator (18) by depressing a left pedal (24)... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7372452 | Portable terminal capable of displaying data in an upright direction regardless of rotation of screen and method therefore A portable terminal displays data received from the exterior or internally generated on its screen in an upright direction. The portable terminal includes a video processor, a display with the screen, a sensor, and a controller. The video processor converts data int... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7369116 | Foot-operated key pad A foot operated data entry pad has a plurality of foot buttons. The foot buttons are used to enter data values—e.g., numbers or symbols separately or in combination. Each button is capable of entering different data values, preferably depending on the length of ti... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7362308 | Modular scroll wheel with integral detent-engaging spring tab A single-piece component rotatably supports a scroll wheel and includes an integral follower arm extending into a well within which the scroll wheel rotates. Formed on a circumferential surface of the scroll wheel are regularly spaced detents or other structures for... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7358956 | Method for providing feedback responsive to sensing a physical presence proximate to a control of an electronic device In a computer system, a touch sensitive input device having touch sensitive auxiliary controls can be used to provide a user with information regarding the functionality of an auxiliary control. When a user's hand approaches a touch sensitive input device, feedback ... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7358958 | Method for locating a light source relative to optics in an optical mouse An optical tracking assembly for an optical mouse includes a light source, an optical sensor chip, and an integral optics assembly. The integral optics assembly includes lenses and alignment features receiving the light source. The alignment features center the ligh... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7355585 | Input device and information processing apparatus with such input device and cursor display control method An input device may be used with the information processing apparatus and the like, and provides an improved ease of operation in moving the cursor on the display screen. The input device includes a set of cursor keys 1 that, when activated, cause the ... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7352358 | Method and system for applying gearing effects to acoustical tracking A method and system for enabling dynamic user interactivity between user actions and actions to be performed by a computer program is provided. The system includes a computing system and an acoustic detection analyzer that is coupled to or executed by the computing ... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7352359 | Method and system for applying gearing effects to inertial tracking Methods and systems for interactive interfacing with a computer gaming system are provided. A method includes providing an input device, where the input device is configured to convey inertial data that is to be interpreted by the computer gaming system. The method ... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7345674 | Computer input device with digit support and natural position actuators A mouse has sufficient width to support the distal phalanges of a user's ring finger and little finger while the user's middle finger is positioned over a secondary button of the mouse. The mouse also provides at least one side button positioned so that it is not co... | 03/18/2008 |
| 7345670 | Image controller An image controller structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with at least a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensio... | 03/18/2008 |
| 7341521 | Limited placement joystick control system A joystick control system includes a first pair and a second pair of fluid enclosed resilient tubes with each pair of tubes having generally parallel spaced pressure sensing portions confined within a support housing with one pair of sensing portions disposed perpen... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7336266 | Haptic pads for use with user-interface devices Embodiments of the invention relate to haptic devices for use with a variety of computer/video interface devices. Such haptic devices can work in conjunction with and thereby provide “haptic augmentations” to otherwise conventional user-interface devices, includ... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7333083 | Optical based performance improvement for an optical illumination configuration A system, method, and method of manufacturing directed to an optical device with an efficient optical illumination. The optical illumination can be provided by tilting a light source and using a refractive lens to direct the light onto a surface. Alternatively, the ... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7330923 | Input devices and methods of operating same Input devices and methods of operating the same are described. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a housing, a display screen, a main input device, a wireless receiver, a carrier bay, and an auxiliary input device. The main input device translates user manipulatio... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7326913 | Ball-based device for controlling the movement of a cursor, and optical unit for such a device The invention proposes a device (20) comprising an actuation ball (30, FIG. 13), a casing (22) that surrounds the ball, elements (56) for guiding the ball in rotation, a first detection light source (LS1) for emitting at lea... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7323959 | Trackball device A trackball device of the present invention includes an operating ball, multiple rollers which rotate by contacting the ball while it is rotated, multipole permanent magnets which co-rotate with these rollers, and a reed switch disposed in a position where it turns ... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7324085 | Techniques for pointing to locations within a volumetric display The present invention is a system that creates a volumetric display and a user controllable volumetric pointer within the volumetric display. The user can point by aiming a beam which is vector, planar or tangent based, positioning a device in three-dimensions in as... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7324090 | Modular scroll wheel with integral detent-engaging sprint tab A single-piece component rotatably supports a scroll wheel and includes an integral follower arm extending into a well within which the scroll wheel rotates. Formed on a circumferential surface of the scroll wheel are regularly spaced detents or other structures for... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7324089 | Optical device for optical mouse The present invention relates to an improved optical device for optical mouse, being installed inside the case body of the optical mouse, comprising: a LED, a lens mount, a sensor and a digital signal processor. That is, instead of using the LED, the LED assembly cl... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7324667 | Data converter A data converter is provided, which data converter includes a data conversion unit, a timer unit which counts time, and a lock system which locks a data conversion function of the data conversion unit in a disabled state based on the time counted by the timer unit. | 01/29/2008 |
| 7324346 | Plug-in module for portable computing device A plug-in module adds functionality to a portable electronic device. The module includes a housing that is accepted by a housing port of the portable electronic device. The module includes at least one latch to secure the module to the electronic device. Each latch ... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7322011 | System and method of adjusting display characteristics of a displayable data file using an ergonomic computer input device An ergonomic pointing device, such as a mouse, is coupled to a computer having a visual display device. As a user rotates a roller associated with the mouse, the mouse generates computer signals that are interpreted by an operating system and software applications r... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7321361 | Coordinate input device having non-flat operation surface and electronic apparatus A coordinate input device includes a coordinate input unit which performs a coordinate input operation by sliding an operating member on an operation surface which is formed in a convex shape, a concave shape, or the shape of a polyhedron. More specifically, the coo... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7320112 | Information processing apparatus and method, and information processing program Executing a desired processing immediately by a simple operation using a jog dial for example. The display unit (3) has a jog dial (4) (a first operating means) and a back button (5) (second operating means) provided vertically at the right uppe... | 01/15/2008 |