Method and apparatus for moving a cursor on a computer screen
US5565887A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04892
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A routine allows a user to move a cursor in only mutually perpendicular, horizontal or vertical directions on a computer screen, despite erratic or wavy movement of a pointing device. The routine, once enabled, receives mouse movement signals produced when the user moves the pointing device, the mouse movement signals having x and y position components. The routine uses the greater of the change in the x and y components to initially move the cursor in either horizontal or vertical directions, respectively. The routine continues to move the cursor along the initially established direction, even if the change in mouse movement signals in the other perpendicular direction become greater during continued mouse movement. Only when the change in mouse movement signals in the perpendicular direction become much greater (e.g., ten times greater) will the routine switch to moving the cursor along the perpendicular direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.