Patent US5748181A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5748181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cursor controlling apparatus and its direction detection method
Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
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Filing: 1994-07-01
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2014-07-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is related to a method used in a cursor controlling apparatus for detecting a direction a cursor should move on a monitor which comprises steps of: intermittently receiving a light to obtain a series of different optical quantities; generating a series of voltage signals respectively responsive to the series of optical quantities; and determining a direction by detecting a sequence of the voltage signals. The present invention can reduce manufacturing cost, economize assembling time, and obtain a more accurate direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Alex Fu
- 👤 David Wang
- 👤 Chris Wu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method used in a cursor controlling apparatus for detecting a direction that a cursor should move on a monitor, comprising steps of: converting movement of the cursor controlling apparatus into rotational movement of a grid wheel in each of an X- and a Y-direction, wherein each grid wheel has at least three holes with three different sizes for transmitting light emitting from a respective light source to a respective photo detector; intermittently receiving light passing through the grid wheels to obtain a single series of light with at least three different light intensity levels in each of the X- and the Y-direction; generating a series of voltage signals having at least three different voltage waveforms respectively responsive to said series of light; and determining a cursor moving direction by comparing the different voltage waveforms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method used in a cursor controlling apparatus for detecting a direction that a cursor should move on a monitor, comprising steps of: converting movement of the cursor controlling apparatus into rotational movement of a grid wheel in each of an X- and a Y-direction, wherein each grid wheel has at least three holes with three different sizes for transmitting light emitting from a respective light source to a respective photo detector; intermittently receiving light passing through the grid wheels to obtain a single series of light with at least three different light intensity levels in each of the X- and the Y-direction; generating a series of voltage signals having at least three different voltage waveforms respectively responsive to said series of light; and determining a cursor moving direction by comparing the different voltage waveforms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said light is provided by a photo diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
A cursor controlling apparatus for implementing said method according to claim 1, comprising: a shell; a driving device mounted in and protruding from said shell for moving said cursor on said monitor; a single light source installed in said shell in each of said X- and Y-directions and emitting said light; and a single detection device installed in said shell in each of said X- and said Y-directions, engaging with said driving device, intermittently receiving said light to obtain said series of light with at least three different light intensity levels, converting said series of light into said series of different voltage waveforms, detecting said sequence of said voltage waveforms, and determining said direction said cursor should move on said monitor according to said sequence of said different voltage waveforms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said light source is a photo diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said driving device is a rolling ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said processing device is a microprocessor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said detection device includes: a sensitizing device intermittently receiving said light to obtain said series of light with at least three different light intensity levels and converting said light into said series of different voltage waveforms; and a processing device detecting said sequence of said voltage waveforms, and determining said direction said cursor should move on said monitor according to said sequence of said voltage waveforms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a mask installed on said grid wheel for light dispersion prevention.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said sensitizing device is a photo transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said processing device is an application specific integrated circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said application specific integrated circuit includes: a sampling circuit for generating a clock according to said series of voltage waveforms; a comparing circuit for respectively comparing voltages of said voltage waveforms with a voltage reference whenever a cycle of said clock begins, and converting said voltage waveforms into digital signals according to compared results; and a controller triggered by said clock to obtain a digital combination state of said digital signals for determining said direction of said cursor according to said combination state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said voltage reference includes at least three different voltages.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |