Integrated cordless mouse and laser pointer
First Claim
1. A computer communication device, comprising:
- a communicating mechanism having a light transmission port;
a signal generator configured to transmit operational and motion signals through the transmission port to control a computer;
a light beam generator configured to transmit a narrow beam of light at a frequency different than a frequency of the operational and motion signals through the same transmission port to form a visible image on a reflective surface; and
a transmission device operatively coupled among the signal generator, the light beam generator, and the transmission port, the transmission device having a first branch to transmit operational signals from the signal generator to the transmission port, the transmission device further having a second branch to transmit light from the light beam generator to the transmission port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication device capable of selectively communicating control signals to a computer and transmitting a narrow beam of light. A cordless communication device is provided having operational buttons and a port. The communication device may function as a computer mouse, a trackball apparatus, or a touch pad apparatus. Operational signals are generated by a signal generator in response to activation of the operational buttons or movement of a mouse ball. The communication device further includes a light generating apparatus in communication with the port which generates the narrow beam of light. A selectively operable switch is provided for selectively transmitting the operational signals or the beam of light. The communication device includes an independent power supply as well as a power level monitor and switching apparatus. Preferably, the beam of light is a laser beam or other focused beam of light.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A computer communication device, comprising:
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a communicating mechanism having a light transmission port;
a signal generator configured to transmit operational and motion signals through the transmission port to control a computer;
a light beam generator configured to transmit a narrow beam of light at a frequency different than a frequency of the operational and motion signals through the same transmission port to form a visible image on a reflective surface; and
a transmission device operatively coupled among the signal generator, the light beam generator, and the transmission port, the transmission device having a first branch to transmit operational signals from the signal generator to the transmission port, the transmission device further having a second branch to transmit light from the light beam generator to the transmission port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer communication device, comprising:
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a communicating mechanism having at least one light transmission port;
a signal generator for transmitting operational signals through one of the at least one transmission ports to control a computer;
a light beam generator configured to transmit a narrow beam of light through one of the at least one transmission ports to form a visible image on a reflective surface;
a selectively operable switch for selectively transmitting (a) the operational signals to the computer and (b) the light beam;
a first battery circuit coupled to the signal generator to power the signal generator, and a second battery circuit coupled to the light beam generator to power the light beam generator; and
a battery monitoring and switching circuit coupled to the first and second battery circuits and configured to automatically switch a connection to the light beam generator or the signal generator from one of the first and second battery circuits to the other of the first and second battery circuits when a voltage level of the one battery circuit falls below a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of operating a communication device for selectively communicating with a computer and directing a beam of light, the method comprising:
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placing the communication device in communication with the computer; and
alternately transmitting through the same transmission port and in response to activation of a selectively operable switch one of (a) operational signals from an operational signal generator to the computer and (b) a beam of light from a light beam generator to a reflective surface to form a visible image on the reflective surface wherein the operational signals and the beam of light have different frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification