U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Numeric mouse one hand controllable computer peripheral pointing device

Patent 5063376 Issued on November 5, 1991. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject May 5, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Patent References

Pressure sensitive switch structure
Patent #: 4296406
Issued on: 10/20/1981
Inventor: Pearson

Cursor control
Patent #: 4313113
Issued on: 01/26/1982
Inventor: Thornburg

Graphics pen for soft displays
Patent #: 4318096
Issued on: 03/02/1982
Inventor: Thornburg ,   et al.

Cursor position controller for a display device
Patent #: 4369439
Issued on: 01/18/1983
Inventor: Broos

Hand movement controller
Patent #: 4650934
Issued on: 03/17/1987
Inventor: Burke

Cursor control system
Patent #: 4835528
Issued on: 05/30/1989
Inventor: Flinchbaugh

System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host processor Patent #: 4961138
Issued on: 10/02/1990
Inventor: Gorniak

Inventor

Application

No. 348062 filed on 05/05/1989

US Classes:

345/163, Mouse341/34, Pressure sensitive actuation345/169, Portable (i.e., handheld, calculator, remote controller)345/180Light pen for CRT display

Examiners

Primary: Oberley, Alvin E.
Assistant: Hjerpe, Richard

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

  • 59-90136 JP 05/13/1984
  • 0139437 JP 10/13/1984
  • 2161755A GB 01/13/1986

International Class

G09G 005/00

Abstract

A hand controlled peripheral pointing device having an optional analog switch to permit the user to dynamically and continuously change the value of an attribute, for example, the width of a line or color saturation value, when the device is moved. Activation of the analog button or key permits the user to change an attribute value of graphical data input as desired depending on the depth of depression of the key. In the preferred embodiment, the device is a mouse having a numeric keypad placed thereon. This numeric key pad allows the user to directly enter data without moving the hand back and forth between the mouse and a computer key board. The numeric mouse is able to operate in two modes, including a conventional point and click mode and an analog mode. An alternate embodiment comprises a light pen having a finger actuated analog button disposed adjacent the writing tip of the pen. One manner of switching between modes (analog to click and vice versa) is program driven, i.e. depending on what item the mouse or light pen is pointing to, the activation of the key varies an attribute value or functions in the conventional "click" or keystroke manner.

Other References

  • Rosch, Winn L., "Digitizing Tablets, Pointing the Way to Easier Input", PC Magazine, Nov. 28, 1989, pp. 227-281
  • IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, "Mouse/Keyboard Concept Incorporating Unique Devices for Controlling CRT Display Cursors", vol. 27, No. 10B, Mar. 1985, pp. 6299-630
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