Optical projection system for computer input devices
First Claim
1. A cursor control device configured to rest on a supporting surface, comprising:
- a housing having a lower periphery;
a communication interface configured to connect the cursor control device to a computer system and to receive a signal from the computer system corresponding to an event occurring in a computer application running on the computer system; and
an image projection system configured to display an image on the supporting surface adjacent to, outside of, and away from the lower periphery of the cursor control device when the cursor control device is resting on the supporting surface, wherein the image is displayed by the image projection system in response to the signal received from the computer system and is based on the computer application and the event.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer input device, such as an electronic mouse, having an optical projection system. The optical projection system is configured to project an image onto a supporting surface upon which the device rests. In one arrangement the optical projection system includes a light source, an image forming light blocker and optics. The optics may be collimating or non-collimating. In another arrangement the optical projection system may include an active LED matrix display. This system enables a use to personalize and/or customize his or her computer input device. Additionally, it permits the device to serve desirable notification functions if one or more of various events have occurred in a computer application being run on the computer. An example of event for notification includes the receipt of a message in a communications program such as an e-mail message.
-
Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A cursor control device configured to rest on a supporting surface, comprising:
-
a housing having a lower periphery; a communication interface configured to connect the cursor control device to a computer system and to receive a signal from the computer system corresponding to an event occurring in a computer application running on the computer system; and an image projection system configured to display an image on the supporting surface adjacent to, outside of, and away from the lower periphery of the cursor control device when the cursor control device is resting on the supporting surface, wherein the image is displayed by the image projection system in response to the signal received from the computer system and is based on the computer application and the event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A computer mouse comprising:
-
a housing; a plurality of actuators; a communication interface configured to connect the mouse to a computer system and to receive a signal from the computer system corresponding to an event occurring in a computer application running on the computer system; a motion detecting system for determining relative movement of the mouse; an optical projection system including a light source and a movable image forming element located within the housing, wherein in response to the signal received from the computer system the optical projection system is configured to project an image based on the computer application and the event; and wherein the mouse is configured to rest on a supporting surface and the optical projection system is configured to project an image onto the supporting surface. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A method of notifying a user of an occurrence via a cursor control device configured to project images, the method including the steps of:
-
projecting a first image onto a display region via a cursor control device in communication with a computer system; receiving a signal form the computer system corresponding to an event occurring in a computer application running on the computer system; in response to the signal received from the computer system, projecting a second image, different from the first image, onto the display region via the cursor control device wherein the second image is based on the computer application and the even; and wherein the display region is an area adjacent a housing periphery of the cursor control device such that the projecting steps include projecting the first and second images onto a supporting surface adjacent the housing periphery. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
-
Specification