System and method of providing universal support for multiple pointing devices

• US 5,732,283 A
• Filed: 10/24/1995
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Rose, Robert A., Celi, Joseph Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shin, Christopher B.
• Application Number:
  US08/547,355
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 395/821, 395/836, 395/893, 395/653, 395/178, 395/112, 395/882, 395/683, 395/175, 348/156-184
• US Class Current: 710/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0382 Plural input, i.e. interface arrangements in which a plurality of input device of the same type are in communication with a PC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A system and means for selecting a proper protocol for a pointing device used in a computer system having a data store, a main processing unit, data input and output means, is disclosed. The selecting means includes means, coupled to the pointing device, for analyzing a data stream from the pointing device; means, coupled to the analyzing means, for determing a protocol based on the analyzed data stream; and means, coupled to the determing means, for selecting a device state from a plurality of device states for enabling the pointing device to operate in the computer system.

Claims

1. In a computer system having a data store, a main processing unit, data input and output means, and a pointing device, means for selecting a proper protocol for said pointing device, comprising:

means, coupled to said pointing device, for analyzing a data stream from said pointing device, said data stream resulting from actuation of said pointing device;

means, coupled to said analyzing means, for determining a protocol based on said analyzed data stream;

means, coupled to said determining means, for selecting a device state from a plurality of device states for enabling said pointing device to operate in said computer system.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 3 state for a two-button pointing device.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 4 state for a three-button pointing device.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said point 4 state is determined by the action of a third button on said pointing device.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 5 state.

6. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said analyzing means further includes:

means for determining a probation state to prevent a protocol change in the event of detected errors that do not require a protocol change for said pointing device.

7. A computer program product for use in a computer system having a data store, a main processing unit, data input and output means, and a pointing device, said computer program product having computer usable code means for selecting a proper protocol for said pointing device, comprising:

computer usable code means for analyzing a data stream from said pointing device, said data stream resulting from actuation of said pointing device;

computer usable code means for determining a protocol based on said analyzed data stream;

computer usable code means for selecting a device state based on said protocol from a plurality of device states for enabling said pointing device to operate in said computer system.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 3 state for a two-button pointing device.

9. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 4 state for a three-button pointing device.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said point 4 state is determined by the action of a third button on said pointing device.

11. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 5 state.

12. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said analyzing code means further includes:

computer code means for determining a probation state to prevent a protocol change in the event of detected errors that do not require a protocol change for said pointing device.

13. A method for selecting a proper protocol for a pointing device within a computer system having a data store, a main processing unit, data input and output means, comprising:

analyzing a data stream from said pointing device, said data stream resulting from actuation of said pointing device;

determining a protocol based on said analyzed data stream;

selecting a device state based on said protocol from a plurality of device states for enabling said pointing device to operate in said computer system.

14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 3 state for a two-button pointing device.

15. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 4 state for a three-button pointing device.

16. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said point 4 state is determined by the action of a third button on said pointing device.

17. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of device states includes a point 5 state.

18. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said analyzing step further comprises:

determining a probation state to prevent a protocol change in the event of detected errors that do not require a protocol change for said pointing device.