Patent US5977952A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5977952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for an ambidextrous mouse
Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1997-10-29
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Granted: 1999-11-02
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Expires: 2017-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and system in a computer system having a display and a keyboard for automatically adjusting a pointing device to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed users, wherein the pointing device is utilized in association with a graphical user interface displayed within the computer system. Initially, the location of the pointing device with respect to a central location is electronically determined. The graphical user interface is subsequently automatically altered to indicate a left-handed pointing device preference, if the pointing device is located to the left of the central location. Likewise, the graphical user interface is automatically altered to indicate a right-handed pointing device preference, if the pointing device is located to the right of the central location. The pointing device can comprise a mouse, and the central location can be identified as the keyboard or the display. In addition, the location of the mouse with respect to the central location can be electronically determined via microwave, infrared, optical, radio frequency or magnetic techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry Douglas Francis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0332; G06F2203/038; G06F2203/0384
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method in a computer system having a display and a keyboard for automatically adjusting a pointing device to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed users, wherein said pointing device is utilized in association with a graphical user interface displayed within said computer system, said method comprising the steps of: electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location; automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a left-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the left of said central location; and automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a right-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the right of said central location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method in a computer system having a display and a keyboard for automatically adjusting a pointing device to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed users, wherein said pointing device is utilized in association with a graphical user interface displayed within said computer system, said method comprising the steps of: electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location; automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a left-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the left of said central location; and automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a right-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the right of said central location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location such that said pointing device comprises a mouse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, such that said central location comprises said display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, such that said central location comprises said keyboard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: electronically determining via electronic sensors the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: electronically determining via electronic sensors comprising infrared sensors, the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for automatically adjusting a pointing device to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed users, such that said pointing device is utilized in association with a graphical user interface displayed within a computer system having a display and keyboard, said method comprising the steps of: means for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location; means for automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a left-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the left of said central location; and means for automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a right-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the right of said central location.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for automatically adjusting a pointing device to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed users, such that said pointing device is utilized in association with a graphical user interface displayed within a computer system having a display and keyboard, said method comprising the steps of: means for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location; means for automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a left-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the left of said central location; and means for automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a right-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the right of said central location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: means for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location such that said pointing device comprises a mouse.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: means for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, such that said central location comprises said display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: means for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, such that said central location comprises said keyboard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: means for electronically determining via electronic sensors the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the step of electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises the step of: means for electronically determining via electronic sensors comprising infrared sensors, the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A program product residing in computer memory in a computer system for automatically adjusting a pointing device to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed users, wherein said computer system includes a display and a keyboard such that said pointing device is utilized in association with a graphical user interface displayed within said computer system, said program product comprising: instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location; instruction means residing within a computer system for automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a left-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the left of said central location; and instruction means residing within a computer system for automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a right-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the right of said central location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
148 words
A program product residing in computer memory in a computer system for automatically adjusting a pointing device to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed users, wherein said computer system includes a display and a keyboard such that said pointing device is utilized in association with a graphical user interface displayed within said computer system, said program product comprising: instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location; instruction means residing within a computer system for automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a left-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the left of said central location; and instruction means residing within a computer system for automatically altering said graphical user interface to indicate a right-handed pointing device preference, if said pointing device is located to the right of said central location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
The program product of claim 13 wherein said instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises: instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location such that said pointing device comprises a mouse.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The program product of claim 14 wherein said instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises: instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, such that said central location comprises said display.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The program product of claim 14 wherein said instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises: instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, such that said central location comprises said keyboard.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The program product of claim 14 wherein said instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises: instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining via electronic sensors the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
The program product of claim 17 wherein said instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location, further comprises: instruction means residing within a computer system for electronically determining via electronic sensors comprising infrared sensors, the location of said pointing device with respect to a central location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The program product of claim 14 wherein each of said instruction means further comprises signal bearing media.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The program product of claim 19 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The program product of claim 19 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.
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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) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-05-03 | 2003-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-01 | 2007-05-03 | 2007-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-01 | 2011-05-03 | 2011-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |