Input device with multiple controls having interchangeable functionality

• US 6,950,092 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Buss, Alan Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Jimmy H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro, Leonid
• Application Number:
  US09/794,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20020118164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-169, 345/173, 345/184, 345828-830, 345/856, 715/830, 341/26, 341/20
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A data processing system input device is described. The input device includes a first control device, a second control device, and a device driver. The first control device is capable of moving a cursor in accordance with a direction and magnitude of forces applied to the first control device. The second control device is capable of controlling scrolling in accordance with a direction and magnitude of forces applied to the second control device. The device driver is capable of switching functionality of the first control device with the functionality of the second control device. When the functionality of the first control devices is switched with the functionality of the second control device, the second control device moves the cursor and the first control device controls scrolling.

Claims

1. A data processing system input device comprising:

a first control device for moving a cursor in accordance with a direction and magnitude of forces applied to said first control device;

a second control device for controlling scrolling in accordance with a direction and magnitude of forces applied to said second control device; and

means, responsive to selection of a single control, for switching functionality of said first control device with said second control device, wherein said second control device moves said cursor and said first control device controls scrolling when said functionality is switched,

wherein the first control device and the second control device are integrated into a single input device, which is external to a housing of a data processing system and coupled to the data processing system.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said means for switching functionality comprises a device driver.

3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said single control is an icon displayed to a user for switching a function of said first control switch with a function of said second control switch.

4. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a delete key.

5. A keyboard for inputting data into a data processing system, wherein the keyboard includes a plurality of keys, said keyboard comprising:

a cursor control stick embedded within the plurality of keys for moving a cursor in accordance with a direction and magnitude of forces applied to said cursor control device;

a scroll control stick embedded within the plurality of keys for controlling scrolling in accordance with a direction and magnitude of forces applied to said scroll control device;

a device driver capable of switching functionality of said cursor control stick with said scroll control stick, responsive to selection of a single control, wherein said scroll control stick moves said cursor and said cursor control stick controls scrolling when said functionality is switched.

6. A mouse comprising:

a delete key;

a first control device for moving a cursor in accordance with a direction and magnitude of forces applied to said first control device;

a second control device for controlling scrolling in accordance with a direction and magnitude of forces applied to said second control device; and

means, responsive to selection of a single control, for switching functionality of said first control device with said second control device, wherein said second control device moves said cursor and said first control device controls scrolling when said functionality is switched.

7. A method in a data processing system including an input device, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing a first control device and a separate, second control device in said input device, wherein the first control device and the second control device are integrated into a single input device, which is external to a housing of the data processing system and coupled to the data processing system;

associating a first controller included within a device driver with said first control device, said device driver for permitting communication with said input device, wherein said first controller permits communication with said first control device;

associating a second controller included within said device driver with said second control device, wherein said second controller permits communication with said second control device;

receiving a selection of a single control; and

in response to said selection of a single control, associating said second controller with said first control device and associating said first controller with said second control device, wherein said second controller permits communication with said first control device and said first controller permits communication with said second control device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the single control is a switch icon displayed to a user for receiving said indication to switch functions.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of associating said first controller with said first control device further comprises the step of associating said first controller with said first control device, said first controller for controlling movement of a cursor.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of associating said second controller with said second control device further comprises the step of associating said second controller with said second control device, said second controller for controlling scrolling.