Patent US5760764A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5760764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Computer display cursor controller with serial interface
Assignee: Altera Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-13
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Granted: 1998-06-02
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Expires: 2015-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A controller for controlling a computer display cursor includes an arena having a predefined optical grid. A puck handle is configured to move a puck on the optical grid and to reflect optical signals to the grid regarding the position of the puck on optical grid. The optical grid defines the resolution of the puck movements and positions that can be ascertained. Gratings formed by undulations in transparent walls provide an optical puck position signal in response to the puck position. A processor is coupled to the optical grid and is configured to receive the puck position signal and to generate a cursor position signal. To generate the cursor position signal, the processor may perform a conversion function based on predetermined criteria. The processor transmits the cursor position signal to a computer having a predefined display size, which displays the cursor at a respective position. Moreover, the processor may maintain puck movement parameters including puck velocity to generate a continuous movement signal when the puck is moved into an edge position. The processor may also identify if the puck is positioned in a number of macro locations that are associated with user-selectable tasks.
Inventors
- 👤 John K. Martinelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03548; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0421; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/04714; G05G2009/0474; G05G2009/04751
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A cursor controller for controlling a computer display cursor and for use with a computer system having a processor, a memory and a display, said cursor controller comprising: a controller structure for manipulation by a user and configured to generate cursor position information in response to said manipulation; a cable coupled to said controller structure and configured to couple to said computer system and to communicate said cursor position information to said computer system; said cursor controller having a plurality of modes for selection by the user, said modes influencing said cursor position information and said modes including: a first mode where a manipulation of said controller structure by the user produces relative cursor position information, said first mode including a PS/2-type protocol that sets a first information bit to 0; and a second mode where a manipulation of said controller structure by the user produces absolute cursor position information, said second mode including a PS/2-type protocol that sets a first information bit to 1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A cursor controller for controlling a computer display cursor and for use with a computer system having a processor, a memory and a display, said cursor controller comprising: a controller structure for manipulation by a user and configured to generate cursor position information in response to said manipulation; a cable coupled to said controller structure and configured to couple to said computer system and to communicate said cursor position information to said computer system; said cursor controller having a plurality of modes for selection by the user, said modes influencing said cursor position information and said modes including: a first mode where a manipulation of said controller structure by the user produces relative cursor position information, said first mode including a PS/2-type protocol that sets a first information bit to 0; and a second mode where a manipulation of said controller structure by the user produces absolute cursor position information, said second mode including a PS/2-type protocol that sets a first information bit to 1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein: said cursor controller has a third mode where a manipulation of said controller structure by the user produces hybrid cursor position information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein: said second mode for absolute position information includes a 3 byte PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits to 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein: said second mode for absolute position information includes a 6 byte PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits of the first byte and the fourth byte to 1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The controller of claim 4, wherein: the first, second and third bytes contain horizontal position information and the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes contain vertical position information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The controller of claim 4, wherein: the first, second and third bytes contain vertical position information and the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes contain horizontal position information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The controller of claim 1, further comprising: an accumulator configured to store said cursor position information; and a virtual screen facility configured to determine said cursor position with respect to an absolute cursor position reference.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The controller of claim 1, further comprising: a switch structure that when configured in a first position configures said controller into said first mode and when placed in a second position configures said controller into said second mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein: said cursor controller is configured to generate a demand position in the range of approximately 0-1280 based on a physical position in the range of approximately 0-320.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
A cursor controller for controlling a computer display cursor and for use with a computer system having a processor, a memory and a display, said cursor controller comprising: a controller structure for manipulation by a user and configured to generate cursor position information in response to said manipulation; a cable coupled to said controller structure and configured to couple to said computer system and to communicate said cursor position information to said computer system; and said cursor controller having a mode where a manipulation of said controller structure by the user produces absolute cursor position information including a PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits to 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A cursor controller for controlling a computer display cursor and for use with a computer system having a processor, a memory and a display, said cursor controller comprising: a controller structure for manipulation by a user and configured to generate cursor position information in response to said manipulation; a cable coupled to said controller structure and configured to couple to said computer system and to communicate said cursor position information to said computer system; and said cursor controller having a mode where a manipulation of said controller structure by the user produces absolute cursor position information including a PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits to 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The controller of claim 10, wherein: said absolute position information includes a 3 byte PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits to 1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The controller of claim 10, wherein: said second mode for absolute position information includes a 6 byte PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits of the first byte and the fourth byte to 1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The controller of claim 12, wherein: the first, second and third bytes contain horizontal position information and the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes contain vertical position information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The controller of claim 12, wherein: the first, second and third bytes contain vertical position information and the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes contain horizontal position information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The controller of claim 10, further comprising: an accumulator configured to store said cursor position information; and a virtual screen facility configured to determine said cursor position with respect to an absolute cursor position reference.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of controlling a cursor on a computer display, comprising the steps of: (a) generating cursor position information in response to manipulation of a controller structure by a user, said generating step including the steps of: (b) when in a first mode, producing relative cursor position information in response to a manipulation of said controller structure by the user, including a PS/2-type protocol that sets a first information bit to 0; and (c) when in a second mode, producing absolute cursor position information in response to a manipulation of said controller structure by the user, including a PS/2-type protocol that sets a first information bit to 1; and (d) communicating said cursor position information to said computer system.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of controlling a cursor on a computer display, comprising the steps of: (a) generating cursor position information in response to manipulation of a controller structure by a user, said generating step including the steps of: (b) when in a first mode, producing relative cursor position information in response to a manipulation of said controller structure by the user, including a PS/2-type protocol that sets a first information bit to 0; and (c) when in a second mode, producing absolute cursor position information in response to a manipulation of said controller structure by the user, including a PS/2-type protocol that sets a first information bit to 1; and (d) communicating said cursor position information to said computer system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 16, wherein step (a) further includes the step of: when in a third mode, producing hybrid cursor position information in response to a manipulation of said controller structure by the user.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16, wherein: step (c) includes a 3 byte PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits to 1.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 16, wherein: step (c) includes a 6 byte PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits of the first byte and the fourth byte to 1.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 19, wherein: in step (c), the first, second and third bytes contain horizontal position information and the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes contain vertical position information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 19, wherein: in step (c), the first, second and third bytes contain vertical position information and the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes contain horizontal position information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: (e) accumulating said cursor position information; and (f) determining said cursor position with respect to an absolute cursor position reference.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: (e) switching between said first mode and said second mode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16, wherein: step (c) includes the step of generating a demand position in the range of approximately 0-1280 based on a physical position in the range of approximately 0-320.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of controlling a cursor on a computer display, comprising the steps of: (a) generating cursor position information in response to manipulation of a controller structure by a user, said generating step including the step of: producing absolute cursor position information including a PS/2-type protocol that sets the first two information bits to 1 in response to a manipulation of said controller structure by the user; and (b) communicating said cursor position information to said computer system.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of controlling a cursor on a computer display, comprising the steps of: (a) generating cursor position information in response to manipulation of a controller structure by a user, said generating step including the step of: producing absolute cursor position information including a PS/2-type protocol that sets the first two information bits to 1 in response to a manipulation of said controller structure by the user; and (b) communicating said cursor position information to said computer system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: step (a) includes a 3 byte PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits to 1.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: step (a) includes a 6 byte PS/2-type protocol that sets two first information bits of the first byte and the fourth byte to 1.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 27, wherein: in step (a), the first, second and third bytes contain horizontal position information and the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes contain vertical position information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 27, wherein: in step (a), the first, second and third bytes contain vertical position information and the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes contain horizontal position information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of: (c) accumulating said cursor position information; and (d) determining said cursor position with respect to an absolute cursor position reference.
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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) | 2001-06-01 | 2001-12-01 | 2002-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | 2006-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-01 | 2009-12-01 | 2010-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |