Abstract:
A device connectable to a computer is disclosed. The device comprises a selector defining a pathway and a plurality of positions along the pathway, the selector having a terminal displaceable along the pathway and positionable at one of the plurality of positions, the pathway being substantially straight, each of the plurality of positions having a process associated therewith. The device further comprises a sensor being operable for generating instruction signals. More specifically, the instruction signals are communicable to the computing device for executing thereon the process associated with one of the plurality of positions along the pathway whereat the terminal is positioned.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to interface devices. In particular, the invention relates to a peripheral device for controlling multiple processes executable on a computing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Pointing devices such as a computer mouse are typically used to manipulate the position of a cursor on a display screen of a computer. The pointing devices usually have buttons for activating processes that are executable on the computer. These processes include, for example, clicking on a search icon of an online search engine to initiate a search with respect to a search term. 
     A computer mouse typically consists of two buttons for activating the foregoing processes that are executable on the computer. In some processes involving online games, a separate peripheral device such as a keyboard is used together with the conventional computer mouse to activate the processes. Keys on the keyboard are used to select a desired process, such as choosing a weapon to be used for engaging an enemy troop in a gaming application. Once the desired process is selected, a button on the conventional computer mouse is actuated to activate the desired process. For instance, the button on the conventional computer mouse is actuated to open fire on the enemy troop using the chosen weapon. 
     However, it is desirable for many gamers of online games to select and activate the processes as quickly as possible, as well as avoiding accidental activation of the processes by the gamers during the online games. It is further desirable that the selection and activation of the processes are easily performed so that greater controllability is achieved. 
     Accordingly there is a need for improving the speed of selecting and activating processes and avoiding accidental activation of the processes that are executable on a computing device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein improve the speed of selecting and activating processes as well as avoiding accidental activation of the processes that are executable on a computing device. 
     In accordance to a first embodiment of the invention, a device is disclosed. The device comprises a transducer for generating displacement signals from displacement detected thereby and for communicating the displacement signals to a computing device for manipulating an object generated by the computing device. The device also comprises a selector defining a pathway and a plurality of positions along the pathway, the selector having a terminal displaceable along the pathway and positionable at one of the plurality of positions, the pathway being substantially straight, each of the plurality of positions having a process associated therewith. The device further comprises a sensor being operable for generating instruction signals. More specifically, instruction signals are communicable to the computing device for executing thereon the process associated with one of the plurality of positions along the pathway whereat the terminal is positioned. 
     In accordance to a second embodiment of the invention, a device is disclosed. The device comprises a selector defining a pathway and a plurality of positions along the pathway, the selector having a terminal displaceable along the pathway and positionable at one of the plurality of positions, the pathway being substantially straight, each of the plurality of positions having a process associated therewith. The device further comprises a sensor being operable for generating instruction signals, the sensor being integral with the terminal. More specifically, the instruction signals are communicable to the computing device for executing thereon the process associated with one of the plurality of positions along the pathway whereat the terminal is positioned. 
     In accordance to a third embodiment of the invention, a method for selecting processes executable on a computing device is disclosed. The method comprises generating displacement signals from displacement detected by a transducer. The method further comprises communicating the displacement signals to the computing device for manipulating an object generated by the computing device. The method yet further comprises defining a pathway and a plurality of positions along the pathway, the pathway being defined by a selector having a terminal displaceable along the pathway and positionable at one of the plurality of positions, the pathway being substantially straight, each of the plurality of positions having a process associated therewith. More specifically, instruction signals are communicable to the computing device for executing thereon the process associated with one of the plurality of positions along the pathway whereat the terminal is positioned. 
     In accordance to a fourth embodiment of the invention, a system for selecting processes executable on a computing device is disclosed. The system comprises a transducer for generating displacement signals from displacement detected thereby and for communicating the displacement signals to a computing device for manipulating an object generated by the computing device. The system also comprises a selector defining a pathway and a plurality of positions along the pathway, the selector having a terminal displaceable along the pathway and positionable at one of the plurality of positions, the pathway being substantially straight, each of the plurality of positions having a process associated therewith. The system further comprises a sensor being operable for generating instruction signals. More specifically, the instruction signals are communicable to the computing device for executing thereon the process associated with one of the plurality of positions along the pathway whereat the terminal is positioned. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a device for improving the speed of selecting and activating processes executable on a computing device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a plan view of an selector formed on a surface of the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 2   b  is a cross-sectional view of the selector of  FIG. 2   a  along an axis of a pathway. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the drawings, a device connectable to a computing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the invention improves the speed of selecting and activating processes executable on the computing device. 
     Conventional devices lack the speed required for selecting and activating the processes as quickly as possible without accidental activation of the processes. Where it is desired that the selection and activation of the processes be performed without accidental activation of the processes, other conventional devices do not adequately prevent accidental activation of the processes. 
     For purposes of brevity and clarity, the description of the invention is limited hereinafter to a device connectable to the computing device for improving the speed of selecting and activating processes executable on the computing device. This however does not preclude embodiments of the invention from other applications that require improvement to the speed of selecting and activating processes executable on a computing device. The functional principles fundamental to the embodiments of the invention remain the same throughout the variations. 
     In the detailed description provided hereinafter and  FIGS. 1 to 2   b  of the drawings, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail hereinafter for a device for improving the speed of selecting and activating processes executable on a computing device. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a device  100 , such as a computer pointing device or mouse having a body  102  is shown. The body  102  is preferably ergonomically shaped and is used to provide ergonomic support for a palm of a user of the device  100 . The device  100  has a communication controller  105  such as PS2, USB or Bluetooth as known in the art for communicating with the computing device  104 . Examples of the computing device  104  are desktop and laptop computers. 
     The device  100  and the computing device  104  are capable of establishing data communication therebetween. The computing device  104  is capable of receiving instruction signals for executing a selected process that is executable by the computing device  104 . In particular, instruction signals are sent directly from the device  100  to the computing device  104  for executing the selected process executable in the computing device  104 . 
     The body  102  has a surface  106  and a plurality of sides on which a selector  108  having a terminal  110  are formed. The body  102  also contains a transducer  112  that senses movement of the device  100 . The controller  105  is coupled to the transducer  112  for communicating displacement signals to the computing device  104 .For example, when the device  100  is embodied as a computer mouse, the transducer  112  preferably adopts optical, photoelectric and electromechanical means for sensing the movement of a mouse ball, trackball or surface thereacross. The displacement signals contain positional information of the device  100  that is used to vary the position of a cursor that is displayed on the screen of the computing device  104 . 
     The selector  108  preferably senses position and/or displacement of the terminal  110 , such as a sliding piece. The selector  108  is functionally operable using at least one of a potentiometer, capacitor, resistor, and linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT) for sending a first instruction signal to the computing device  104 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2   a  and in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the selector  108  has a slider-based structure  200  that comprises a terminal  1   10 . The terminal  110  is slidably actuatable along a pathway  202  having an axis  204  and is preferably positionable at predetermined locations  206  along the axis  204 . The selector  108  is for one or more of selecting and activating one or more processes executable on the computing device  104 . 
     For example, in an online military game, there is typically a process which involves selection of an appropriate weapon from a range of disposable weapons for a gamer to engage an enemy troop. The selector  108  is then used to activate a controlling function of the process such as firing of bullets from the chosen weapon at the enemy troop. 
     Each of the predetermined locations  206  preferably corresponds to a different process executable on the computing device  104 . In this manner, the selector  108  is advantageously capable of selecting a desired process from a plurality of different processes by actuating the terminal  110  along the axis  204  to a desired position. 
       FIG. 2   b  shows a cross-sectional view of the selector  108  along the axis  204 . A sensor  210  is preferably integrally formed with the terminal  110  for generating a second instruction signals to the computing device  104  via the controller  105 . The sensor  210  is preferably one of a touch sensor and a switch for sending a second instruction signals when activated. In this way, the user may activate the sensor  210  and thereby send a second instruction signals to the controller  105 , independently of the first instruction signals sent by the selector  108 . Alternatively, the sensor  210  and the selector  108  are formed on different sides of the body  102  of the device  100 . 
     In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the device  100  is part of a system that includes other peripheral devices (not shown). More specifically, the selector  108  is formed on the device  100  while the sensor  210  is formed on another peripheral device, such as a keyboard or keypad, and is in signal communication with the selector  108 . 
     When operated, the selector  108  and sensor  210  signal communicate with each other via the controller  105  for generating instructions conveyable to the computing device  104 . The signals from each of the selector  108  and sensor  210  are preferably sent to the computing device  104  as separate instructions segments contained in the form of instruction signals or instruction segment packets. The instruction segments are sent to the computing device  104  whenever one or both of the selector  108  and sensor  210  are operated. The instruction segments collectively enable execution of the selected process of the computing device  104 . 
     Alternatively, the selector  108  and sensor  210  send an operate signal to the computing device  104  via the controller  105  to form a single instruction for the computing device  104  to execute the selected process. This means that the operate signal is preferably sent to the computing device  104  only when both of the selector  108  and sensor  210  are being operated. Preferably, the operate signal is generated by the controller  105  upon detecting signals from both the selector  108  and sensor  210 . 
     The user is therefore able to operate the sensor  210 , for example through movement of the user&#39;s finger on the sensor  210 , for activating the process executable on the computing device  104 . The use of the selector  108  and sensor  210  advantageously prevents accidental activation of the process by the user&#39;s finger during the game. 
     Alternatively, the selector  108  has a click button configuration (not shown). The terminal  110  comprises a click button that is actuatable along the axis  204  and depressible along the second axis  208 . The terminal  110  preferably produces a clicking sensation when being displaced from one to another of the predetermined locations  206 . This provides an indication to the user when the terminal  110  is positioned at one of the predetermined locations  206 . 
     In the foregoing online military game example, the chosen weapon begins firing when the gamer operate the sensor  210 . The chosen weapon cease firing when the gamer stops operating the sensor  210 . Firing of the chosen weapon resumes when the gamer operate the sensor  210 . 
     As the gamer progresses through the online military game, different weapons are preferably selectable for engaging different enemy components during a battle scene. The terminal  110  is displaceable to different positions  206  along the axis  204  so as to allow the gamer to select an appropriate weapon for engaging a particular enemy component during a battle scene. 
     For example, if a tank appears in the battle scene, an anti-tank gun is first selected by actuating the terminal  110  to a first position  206   a  along the axis  204  and then fired by depressing the terminal  110  along the second axis  208 . If a support weapon is required to suppress an enemy troop, a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) is preferably chosen by first actuating the terminal  110  to a second position  206   b  along the axis  204  and then fired by operate the sensor  210 . 
     The selector  108  therefore advantageously allows the user to select, activate and control a plurality of processes that are executable on the computing device  104 . Additionally, the selector  108  is preferably ergonomically shaped and positioned on the device  100  so that the user requires minimal effort in actuating the selector  108 . In this manner, the user is capable of improving the response time or speed for activating the plurality of processes that are executable on the computing device  104 . 
     Furthermore, the selector  108  is preferably adapted to complement or replace buttons of conventional peripheral devices such as a conventional computer mouse. The selector  108  is therefore capable of being used in other software applications, for example, for creating graphic designs. 
     In the graphic design application example and with reference to  FIG. 2   a , different geometrical shapes are selectable by actuating the terminal  110  along the axis  204  to a position that corresponds to a desired geometrical shape. The sensor  210  is then operated for varying the size of the geometrical shape. 
     An indicator (not shown) is preferably formed on the surface  106  of the body  102  for indicating the selection of the plurality of processes that are executable on the computing device  104 . Alternatively, the indicator is displayable on a display means, such as a monitor, of the computing device  104 . This provides a visual indication to the user during the selection of the plurality of processes. The clicking sensation sensed by a user during displacement of the actual member along the axis  204  also aids in indicating relative displacement of the terminal  110  to the user. 
     The function of the device  100  providing instruction specific signals should be differentiated from function of providing instruction toggling signals. The instruction specific signal is indicative of a specific instruction for selection and/or execution of a particular signal whereas the instruction toggling signal is for toggling between instructions and hence dependent on not only the current selected instruction but also on the ordering of the instructions. 
     However, this does not preclude use of the instruction toggling signals with the instruction specific signals where the terminal  110  of the device  100  is for indicating one of multiple signals corresponding to multiple buttons on conventional peripheral devices wherein operating of the sensor  210  will result in the toggling of the button indicated by the terminal  110 . 
     Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed, it becomes apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes or modification can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, although the terminal is actuatable along a longitudinal axis in the forgoing embodiment, the terminal may be formed on a curved surface and therefore actuated along an axis that is curved.