Method and apparatus for configuring and selectively sensing use of a device
First Claim
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1. A computer mouse, comprising:
- an adjustable, touch-sensitive interface;
a memory to store instructions; and
a processor coupled to the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface and the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the processor performs operations comprising;
receiving, from a computing device communicatively coupled to the computer mouse, user input to identify a plurality of virtual regions of the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface to define a plurality of mouse buttons, wherein the user input is received via a graphical user interface provided at the computing device, and wherein the graphical user interface provides an illustration of the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface and the plurality of virtual regions, wherein the graphical user interface provides a selection of a plurality of software applications to associate the plurality of virtual regions with a plurality of commands for each software application of the plurality of software applications;
configuring the computer mouse with the user input received through the graphical user interface;
receiving a first signal from the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface, wherein the first signal comprises a coordinate signal;
receiving a second signal from adjustable, touch-sensitive interface indicating that the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface has been depressed, wherein the second signal is provided to a current software application of the plurality of software applications;
detecting a selection of a sector of the plurality of virtual regions from the first signal upon receiving the second signal, wherein the selection of the sector indicates a distinct mouse button associated with the sector based on a location of a physical contact applied to the touch-sensitive interface; and
transmitting a selection signal indicating the selection of the sector that corresponds to the distinct mouse button to the computing device.
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Abstract
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for subdividing a touch-sensitive interface of a mouse accessory into a first plurality of sectors for defining a first plurality of mouse buttons, where each sector of the first plurality of sectors corresponds to a distinct mouse button. The method can further include receiving a first signal from the touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory, detecting, from the first signal a selection of a sector of the first plurality of sectors, and generating a second signal indicating the selection of the sector. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer mouse, comprising:
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an adjustable, touch-sensitive interface; a memory to store instructions; and a processor coupled to the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface and the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the processor performs operations comprising; receiving, from a computing device communicatively coupled to the computer mouse, user input to identify a plurality of virtual regions of the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface to define a plurality of mouse buttons, wherein the user input is received via a graphical user interface provided at the computing device, and wherein the graphical user interface provides an illustration of the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface and the plurality of virtual regions, wherein the graphical user interface provides a selection of a plurality of software applications to associate the plurality of virtual regions with a plurality of commands for each software application of the plurality of software applications; configuring the computer mouse with the user input received through the graphical user interface; receiving a first signal from the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface, wherein the first signal comprises a coordinate signal; receiving a second signal from adjustable, touch-sensitive interface indicating that the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface has been depressed, wherein the second signal is provided to a current software application of the plurality of software applications; detecting a selection of a sector of the plurality of virtual regions from the first signal upon receiving the second signal, wherein the selection of the sector indicates a distinct mouse button associated with the sector based on a location of a physical contact applied to the touch-sensitive interface; and transmitting a selection signal indicating the selection of the sector that corresponds to the distinct mouse button to the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform operations, comprising:
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presenting an interface to identify a plurality of virtual regions of a mouse accessory according to a user input to define configuration data, wherein the interface comprises a graphical user interface to receive the user input to define the plurality of virtual regions according to the configuration data, wherein the graphical user interface presents an illustration of an adjustable, touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory to receive the user input to define the plurality of virtual regions, wherein the graphical user interface provides a selection of a plurality of software applications to associate the plurality of virtual regions with a plurality of commands for each software application of the plurality of software applications; receiving the user input to subdivide the touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory into a plurality of sectors for defining a plurality of mouse buttons according to the plurality of virtual regions, wherein each sector of the plurality of sectors corresponds to a distinct mouse button; receiving a first signal from the touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory, wherein the first signal comprises an indication of a touching of a sector of the plurality of sectors, and wherein the touching of the sector identifies a distinct mouse button associated with the sector; receiving a second signal from a second sensor indicating an activation of the distinct mouse button, wherein the second signal is provided to a current software application of the plurality of software applications; and detecting, responsive to receiving the first signal and the second signal, a selection of the distinct mouse button. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method, comprising:
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presenting, by a computing system comprising a processor, a graphical user interface to identify a plurality of virtual regions of a mouse accessory according to user input, wherein the graphical user interface presents an illustration of an adjustable, touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory to receive the user input to define the plurality of virtual regions, wherein the graphical user interface provides a selection of a plurality of software applications to associate the plurality of virtual regions with a plurality of commands for each software application of the plurality of software applications; subdividing, by the computing system, the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory into a plurality of sectors for defining a plurality of mouse buttons according to the plurality of virtual regions, wherein each sector of the plurality of sectors corresponds to a distinct mouse button of the plurality of mouse buttons; receiving, by the computing system, a first signal from the adjustable, touch-sensitive interface of the mouse accessory, wherein the first signal comprises a coordinate signal; receiving, by the computing system, an actuation signal indicating an acceptance of the first signal; detecting, by the computing system, responsive to receiving both the coordinate signal and the actuation signal, a selection of a sector of the plurality of sectors; and generating, by the computing system, a second signal indicating a selection of the distinct mouse button associated with the selection of the sector, wherein the second signal is provided to a current software application of the plurality of software applications. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification