Dual pointing device

• US 6,011,541 A
• Filed: 04/11/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micro Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Klein, Dean A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US08/843,289
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 345/145, 345/156, 345/157, 345/160, 345/161, 345/163, 345/164, 345/167, 345/168, 345/173, 345/179, 345/184
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for enabling a user to make a seamless transition between using a primary pointing device and a secondary pointing device on a computer to interact with the computer. The apparatus comprises a first microcontroller and a second microcontroller, wherein the first and second microcontrollers are electrically connected to each other. A primary pointing device input is connected to the first microcontroller, and a secondary pointing device input is connected to the second microcontroller. A system microcontroller is electrically connected to the first microcontroller. The first and second microcontrollers share a first and second switch. Computer software instructions operative by the first microcontroller determine which of the primary pointing device and the secondary pointing device is in use. If the primary pointing device is in use, then the first microcontroller process the switch actions (i.e., the data from the primary pointing device input element). The processed data output by the first microcontroller is transmitted by the first microcontroller to the system microcontroller.

If the secondary pointing device is in use, then the software operative by the first microcontroller causes the first microcontroller to ignore the switch actions. By ignoring the switch actions, the data processed by the second microcontroller, which is sent to the first microcontroller, is transmitted to the system microcontroller. Thus, this apparatus enables a use to make a seamless transition between the primary and secondary pointing device and use either pointing device at any time.

Claims

1. An apparatus for enabling a user to use either a primary or a secondary pointing device on a computer, comprising:

(a) means responsive to pointing device actuation for identifying which one of the primary and secondary pointing devices is in use, wherein the pointing device identifying means comprises means for setting a status identifier indicating which one of the primary pointing device and the secondary pointing device is in use; and

(b) means for responding to input data from the pointing device in use.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the primary pointing device is in use, the responding means comprises:

(a) a first means for processing input data from the primary pointing device, wherein the first processing means outputs mouse data; and

(b) means for transmitting the mouse data to a system microcontroller.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, when the secondary pointing device is in use, the responding means comprises:

(a) means for inhibiting in the first processing means any response to the status of switch means connected to the first and second pointing device; and

(b) means for transmitting input data from the secondary pointing device to the system microcontroller.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transmitting means transmits input data sent to the primary pointing device from the primary pointing device to the system microcontroller.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a primary pointing device input means and a secondary pointing device input means, wherein responsive to actuation of either the input means of the primary and secondary pointing device the setting means sets the status identifier.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a second means for processing data received from the secondary device input means in the secondary pointing device, wherein the second processing means outputs input data for the system microcontroller.

7. An apparatus for enabling a user to use either a primary or a secondary pointing device on a computer, comprising:

(a) computer instructions operative by a microcontroller responsive to pointing device actuation for identifying which one of the primary and secondary pointing devices is in use, wherein the pointing device identifying computer instructions comprises computer instructions to set a status identifier indicating which one of the primary pointing device and the secondary pointing device is in use; and

(b) computer instructions operative by a microcontroller for responding to input data from the pointing device in use.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, when the primary pointing device is in use, the computer instructions for responding to input data comprises:

(a) a first microcontroller for processing input data from the primary pointing device, wherein the first microcontroller outputs mouse data; and

(b) computer instructions operative on the first microcontroller to transmit the mouse data to a system microcontroller.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, when the secondary pointing device is in use, the computer instructions for responding to input data comprises:

(a) computer instructions operative by the first microcontroller to inhibit in the first microcontroller any response to the status of a switch connected to the first and second pointing device; and

(b) computer instructions operative by the first microcontroller to transmit input data from the secondary pointing device to the system microcontroller.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computer instructions for transmitting data transmits input data sent to the primary pointing device from the primary pointing device to the system microcontroller.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a primary pointing device input module and a secondary pointing device input module, wherein responsive to actuation of either input module of the primary and secondary pointing device the computer instructions for setting the status identifier sets the status identifier.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a second microcontroller for processing data received from the secondary device input module in the secondary pointing device, wherein the second microcontroller outputs input data for the system microcontroller.

13. A method for transitioning between using a primary pointing device and a secondary pointing device, comprising:

(a) identifying which of the primary or the secondary pointing device is being used, wherein the act of identifying the pointing device in use comprises the act of setting a status identifier indicating which of the primary pointing device and the secondary pointing device is in use;

(b) responding to input data from the pointing device being used.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the act of responding when the primary pointing device is in use comprises:

(a) processing input data via a first microcontroller, wherein the input data to be processed is provided by the first microcontroller primary pointing device input module and the first microcontroller outputs mouse data; and

(b) transmitting the mouse data to a system microcontroller.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the act of responding when the secondary pointing device is in use comprises:

(a) ignoring switch actions of switch connected to the first and second pointing device; and

(b) transmitting input data provided by the secondary pointing device to the system microcontroller.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the act of processing data to provide input data for the system microcontroller based on data provided by a secondary pointing device input module in the secondary pointing device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the act of outputting the input data for the system microcontroller to the first microcontroller.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the act of transmitting transmits input data from the secondary pointing device through the primary pointing device to the system microcontroller.

19. An apparatus for enabling a user to make a transition between using a primary pointing device and a secondary pointing device, comprising:

(a) a first microcontroller and a second microcontroller, wherein the first and second microcontrollers are electrically connected to each other;

(b) a primary pointing device input module connected to the first microcontroller;

(c) a secondary pointing device input module connected to the second microcontroller;

(d) a system microcontroller electrically connected to the first microcontroller;

(e) a first switch and a second switch electrically connected to the first and second microcontrollers;

(f) instructions operative by the first microcontroller to determine which of the primary pointing device and the secondary pointing device is in use; and

(g) instructions operative by the first microcontroller to inhibit in the first microcontroller any response to the status of one of the first and second switches, when the secondary pointing device is in use.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising instructions operative by the first microcontroller to transmit to the system microcontroller data received by the first microcontroller from the second microcontroller.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising instructions operative by the first microcontroller to transmit mouse data to the system microcontroller.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising instructions operative by the first microcontroller to cause the first microcontroller to respond to the status of the first and second switches when the primary pointing device is in use, wherein the first microcontroller outputs mouse data.

23. A computer, comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) an input device having a primary and a secondary pointing device;

(c) a system microcontroller connected to the display and the input device;

(d) a first microcontroller for processing data provided by a primary pointing device input module;

(e) computer software instructions operative by a first microcontroller to determine which of the primary pointing device and the secondary pointing device is in use; and

(f) computer software instructions operative by the first microcontroller to inhibit any response from the primary pointing device in the status of a switch, when the secondary pointing device is in use, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the first pointing device and the second pointing device.

24. The computer of claim 23, wherein the computer software instructions for determining which pointing device is in use, comprises:

(a) a status indicator;

(b) computer software instructions responsive to input from one of a primary pointing device input module and a secondary pointing device input module for setting a status of the status indicator to indicate which of the primary and the secondary pointing device is in use.

25. The computer of claim 23, wherein the secondary pointing device comprises:

(a) a secondary pointing device input module; and

(b) a second microcontroller connected to the secondary pointing device input module, wherein the second microcontroller processes data input via the secondary pointing device input module and outputs input data for the system microcontroller.

26. The computer of claim 25, wherein the second microcontroller is connected to the first microcontroller, and transmits to the first microcontroller the input data for the system microcontroller.

27. The computer of claim 26, wherein a first switch and a second switch are electrically connected to the first and second microcontroller.

28. The computer of claim 27, wherein responsive to the use of the secondary pointing device, the any response of the first microcontroller to actuation of the first switch or the second switch is inhibited.

29. The computer of claim 28, wherein the data transmitter transmits to the system microcontroller the input data from the second microcontroller.

30. A computer, comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) an input device;

(c) a system microcontroller connected to the video display and the keyboard;

(d) a primary pointing device comprising a primary pointing device input module and a first microcontroller, wherein the primary pointing device input module is connected to the first microcontroller and the first microcontroller is connected to the system microcontroller;

(e) a secondary pointing device comprising a secondary pointing device input module and a second microcontroller, wherein the secondary pointing device input module is connected to the second microcontroller and the second microcontroller is connected to the first microcontroller;

(f) at least one mouse switch is connected to both the first and second microcontrollers of the primary and secondary pointing devices;

(g) means responsive to pointing device actuation for identifying which one of the primary and secondary pointing devices is in use; and

(h) means for responding to input data from the pointing device in use.

31. The computer of claim 30, wherein, when the primary pointing device is in use, the responding means comprises:

(a) a first microcontroller for processing input data from the primary pointing device, wherein the first microcontroller outputs mouse data; and

(b) means for transmitting the mouse data to a system microcontroller.

32. The computer of claim 31, wherein, when the secondary pointing device is in use, the responding means comprises:

(a) means for inhibiting in the first microcontroller any response to the status of the at least one mouse switch connected to the first and second pointing device; and

(b) means for transmitting input data from the secondary pointing device to the system microcontroller.

33. The computer of claim 32 wherein the transmitting means comprises means for the second microcontroller to process and output input data received from the second pointing device input module to the first microcontroller.

34. The computer of claim 33, wherein the transmitting means comprises means for the first microcontroller to transmit data received from the second microcontroller to the system microcontroller.

35. The computer of claim 30, wherein the pointing device identifying means comprises means for setting a status identifier indicating which one of the primary pointing device and the secondary pointing device is in use.

36. The computer of claim 35 wherein responsive to actuation of one of the first pointing device input module and the second pointing device input module the setting means sets the status identifier.

37. An apparatus for enabling a user to use either a primary pointing device or a secondary pointing device, comprising:

(a) computer software instructions operative by a first microcontroller to determine which of the primary pointing device and the secondary pointing device is in use; and

(b) computer software instructions operative by the first microcontroller to inhibit any response from the primary pointing device to the status of a switch, when the secondary pointing device is in use, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the first pointing device and the second pointing device.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the computer software instructions for determining which pointing device is in use, comprises:

(a) a status indicator;

(b) computer software instructions responsive to input from one of a primary pointing device input module and a secondary pointing device input module for setting a status of the status indicator to indicate which of the primary and the secondary pointing device is in use.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the secondary pointing device comprises:

(a) a secondary pointing device input module; and

(b) a second microcontroller connected to a secondary pointing device input module, wherein the second microcontroller processes data input via the secondary pointing device input module and outputs input data for the system microcontroller.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second microcontroller is connected to the first microcontroller transmits to the first microcontroller the input data for the system microcontroller.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein a first switch and a second switch are electrically connected to the first and second microcontroller.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein responsive to the use of the secondary pointing device, any response of the first microcontroller to actuation of the first switch or the second switch is inhibited.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising computer software instructions operative by the first microcontroller to transmit to the system microcontroller the input data from the second microcontroller.

44. An apparatus for enabling a user to use either a primary or secondary pointing device on a computer, wherein the primary and secondary pointing device share at least one switch, the apparatus comprising:

(a) computer instructions operative by a microcontroller responsive to pointing device actuation by use of the at least one shared switch for identifying which one of the primary and secondary pointing devices is in use; and

(b) computer instructions operative by a microcontroller for responding to input data from the pointing device in use.