US5436616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer screen cursor pointing device with cleaning alarm
Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1993-04-13
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Granted: 1995-07-25
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Expires: 2013-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A pointing device such as a mouse is provided with cleaning time determination circuitry 46, 48, 50 for determining whether the cleaning of its movable portions becomes necessary and the user is notified of the necessity of cleaning by visual indication at indicator 52 when an alarm signal is outputted from the determination circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinji Futatsugi
- 👤 Yoshimichi Shimo
- 👤 Masahiro Uemura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0312; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A computer system having a pointing device including movable portions requiring cleaning, and generating move signals for a pointer based on the quantity of motion of said movable portions, a system unit to which said pointing device is connected, and a display device for displaying said pointer on a screen, said computer system being characterized in that: said pointing device is provided with cleaning time determination means for determining whether cleaning of said movable portions becomes necessary, and visual indication is provided on the screen of said display device to prompt cleaning when said determination means has determined that the cleaning is necessary.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer system having a pointing device including movable portions requiring cleaning, and generating move signals for a pointer based on the quantity of motion of said movable portions, a system unit to which said pointing device is connected, and a display device for displaying said pointer on a screen, said computer system being characterized in that: said pointing device is provided with cleaning time determination means for determining whether cleaning of said movable portions becomes necessary, and visual indication is provided on the screen of said display device to prompt cleaning when said determination means has determined that the cleaning is necessary.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning time determination means includes detection means for detecting said quantity of motion and alarm means for generating an alarm signal when the quantities of motion detected by said detection means are accumulated and a result of accumulation reaches a predetermined threshold, and said display device provides visual indication in response to said alarm signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system according to claim 2, further including means for resetting said alarm means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4501005A
Cited
US4881065A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-24 | 1999-01-23 | 1999-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-24 | 2003-01-23 | 2003-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-24 | 2007-01-23 | 2007-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |