Computer operating pointer devices and computer operating processes
First Claim
1. Method of controlling the operation of a computer from a pointer with the computer having a pointer index (cursor) responsive to the movement of the pointer, which comprises the following steps:
- A--choosing one of two modes of operation for said pointer inclusive of, the R/M (REGISTER/MEMORY) mode and the A/P (ACTIVE/PLAY) mode;
B--when the pointer is in the R/M mode;
(I) selecting at least one operation unit, and moving the pointer to bring the pointer index to a reference position corresponding to the selected operation unit; and
(ii) counting the pointer index coordinate displacements relative to said reference position and a first, selected base point and storing in memory the counted displacements as differential coordinate displacements; and
C--when the pointer is in the A/P mode;
(I) selecting an operation unit from one previously selected in the R/M mode;
(ii) determining the corresponding counter coordinates of the reference position by applying the differential coordinate displacements, with the appropriate sign, to the counter coordinates of a second base point; and
(iii) carrying out the operation unit corresponding to said reference counter coordinates.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating a computer by means of a pointer comprises providing counters for memorizing coordinate displacements of the pointer index; choosing one of two modes, the REGISTER OR MEMORY (R/M) mode or the ACTIVE OR PLAY (A/P) mode; when in the R/M mode, moving the pointer index from a selected base point to a reference position corresponding to a computer operation, and memorizing the resulting pointer index displacements; and when the pointer in the A/P mode, bringing the pointer index to the base point, applying to it the memorized displacements, thus moving it from the base point to the reference position, and carrying out the operation corresponding to this latter. A computer apparatus comprises, in addition to the conventional elements of a pointer operated computer, counters for registering differential displacements and means for retrieving from the counters the registered differential displacements and applying them to a base position of the pointer. The nonconventional elements of the apparatus are preferably included in the pointer or part of an Asynchronous Interface.
17 Citations
32 Claims
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1. Method of controlling the operation of a computer from a pointer with the computer having a pointer index (cursor) responsive to the movement of the pointer, which comprises the following steps:
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A--choosing one of two modes of operation for said pointer inclusive of, the R/M (REGISTER/MEMORY) mode and the A/P (ACTIVE/PLAY) mode; B--when the pointer is in the R/M mode;
(I) selecting at least one operation unit, and moving the pointer to bring the pointer index to a reference position corresponding to the selected operation unit; and
(ii) counting the pointer index coordinate displacements relative to said reference position and a first, selected base point and storing in memory the counted displacements as differential coordinate displacements; andC--when the pointer is in the A/P mode;
(I) selecting an operation unit from one previously selected in the R/M mode;
(ii) determining the corresponding counter coordinates of the reference position by applying the differential coordinate displacements, with the appropriate sign, to the counter coordinates of a second base point; and
(iii) carrying out the operation unit corresponding to said reference counter coordinates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Pointer controlled computer apparatus, which comprises:
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I--a pointer device, comprising means for producing and transmitting to a computer signals corresponding to pointer index displacements; II--a computer having means for receiving and means for processing signals from said pointer device, said processing means comprising means for causing said pointer index displacements to be performed; III--means for identifying signals corresponding to differential displacements; IV--counter means for registering differential displacements; V--means for reading and/or retrieving said differential displacements and determining from them reference counter coordinates; and VI--means for performing the operations corresponding to said reference counter coordinates. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification