Patent Publication Number: US-2004054859-A1

Title: Mouse device capable of storing data

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to a mouse device and, more particularly, to a mouse device integrating the memory storage function.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Along with continual development of the information industry, desktop computers and notebook computers have penetrated into everyday lives of people for work or personal usage. Computer peripherals like mice and memory devices have also become inevitable products in use of computer.  
       [0003] When a user using a computer to perform data processing, a mouse plays an important role in the operational interface of windows. Through accurate cursor control provided by the mouse, the user can maneuver the picture on the screen at his own will to perform the actions of selection, drag, and execution, thereby performing editing of data, cutting or pasting of data, opening or closing of document, or download of document.  
       [0004] On the other hand, it is necessary to store various kinds of electronic data in computer products. Therefore, data storage devices like flash memories, electronic erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), or magnetic recording media also play very important roles. For example, various kinds of memory cards let users be able to freely exchange various kinds of files and documents between desktop computers or notebook computers and backup important files anytime anywhere to accomplish convenient use.  
       [0005] However, the cursor function of mouse and the data storage function of memory device belong to different devices. If a memory device can be built in a mouse or a memory card can be inserted into a mouse, the mouse can be used for access of data at the same time when being used as a regular mouse, hence expanding the application range of mouse. In other words, in addition to being used as a cursor device, the mouse can also be used as a data storage medium.  
       [0006] Accordingly, the present invention aims to propose a mouse device capable of storing data, which can be used for access of data in addition to providing the function of cursor control.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a mouse device capable of storing data, which can utilize an inbuilt storage medium to perform access and transmission of data at the same time when used to perform actions of windows like cursor control, click selection, and data editing, hence effectively integrating storage of memory peripheral and cursor control of mouse.  
       [0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mouse device capable of storing data, which has also a memory card slot in addition to an inbuilt storage medium, hence letting a user be able to flexibly expand the memory function according to necessity.  
       [0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mouse device capable of storing data, which has a universal serial bus (USB) transmission interface.  
       [0010] According to the present invention, a mouse device capable of storing data comprises a storage medium processor, a device function processor, a mouse function controller, and an interface controller. The storage medium processor has a data read control circuit therein to control access of data in a storage medium. The device function processor is connected with the storage medium processor, and is used to control and process actions between each component. The mouse function controller is connected with the device function processor, and is used to control and process actions of mouse. The interface controller is connected with the device function processor, and is used to process signal handshaking and data transmission of a connection interface.  
       [0011] The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which: 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a structure block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the system booting or the insertion process of the present invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the data read process of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the data writing-in process of the present invention; and  
     [0016]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the mouse function action process of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a mouse device  10  capable of storing data comprises a device function processor  12  for controlling and processing actions between each component and signal communication. The device function processor  12  is electrically connected to an interface controller  14 , a mouse function controller  16 , and a storage medium processor  18 . The interface controller  14  is usually a USB control interface, and is used to let the mouse device  10  capable of storing data connect a USB interface  26 . The interface controller  14  comprises a signal transmitter and a logic control unit (not shown), and is used to process signal handshaking and data transmission of the USB interface. The mouse controller  16  is used to control and process commands about mouse actions and signal transmission. The storage medium processor  18  has a data read control circuit therein, and is used to control access of data in a storage medium  20 . Besides, in order to increase stability of data read and ensure safety during data transmission process, an error correcting code (ECC) control circuit and a data encryption/decryption circuit can further be disposed in the storage medium processor  18 .  
     [0018] The storage medium  20  is the place for access and read of data, and is usually a flash memory, an EEPROM, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical storage medium. In addition to the above storage medium  20 , a memory card slot (not shown) can also be disposed in the mouse device  10  capable of storing data. The memory card slot is electrically connected to the storage medium processor  18  to be inserted by various kinds of memory cards, hence letting users be able to expand memory function according to necessity.  
     [0019] A buffer memory management unit  22  connected with a buffer memory  24  is also provided. The buffer memory management unit  22  is also connected to the storage medium processor  18  and the interface controller  14 , and is used to manage and access the buffer memory  24 , thereby enhancing the speed and stability of data transmission.  
     [0020]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of plugging the mouse device  10  capable of storing data for use when the system is being booted or the system is in use. First, when the system is being booted or the mouse device  10  is plugged, the system inquires about and makes sure the connection of the mouse device  10  capable of storing data (Step S 10 ). Next, the mouse device  10  capable of storing data responds to the system that there are two function devices of mouse and memory (Step S 12 ). The system then initializes (Step S 14 ). Finally, the mouse device  10  capable of storing data responds to the system that the installation is finished (Step S 16 ).  
     [0021]FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart of the mouse device  10  capable of storing data used for the mouse cursor and data read functions. First, the system issues a data read command (Step S 20 ). The system then performs parameter check (Step  22 ). Next, the device function processor  12  determines whether message read is correct (Step  24 ). If message read is incorrect, the device function processor  12  responds an erroneous message to the system (Step  26 ); otherwise, the storage medium processor  18  performs data read actions to start reading data in the storage medium  20  (Step  28 ). Meanwhile, the device function processor  12  will continuously check whether there is any request of mouse function to the system (Step  30 ). If there is a request of mouse function, Step  32  is performed. The device function processor  12  will drive the mouse function controller  16  to preemptively process the command of mouse actions and message transmission. After the mouse function controller  16  has finished processing the command of mouse actions, the device function processor  12  will drive the storage medium processor  18  to continue performing read actions. Next, the storage medium processor  18  will respond to the device function processor  12  whether the read actions are finished (Step  34 ). If the read actions have not been finished yet, the Steps S 28 , S 30 , S 32 , and S 34  are continued. Finally, during the Step S 34 , when the device function processor  12  makes sure that the read actions have been finished, the device function processor  12  will respond to the system that the command has been finished (Step S 36 ).  
     [0022]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of data writing-in actions of the mouse device  10  capable of storing data. The whole action process of data writing-in is similar to that of data read in FIG. 3. Step  20  (the system issues a read command) is replaced with Step  40  (the system issues a writing-in command), Step  28  (the storage medium processor performs data read action) is replaced with Step  42  (the storage medium processor performs data writing-in action), and Step  34  (the storage medium processor  18  responds to the device function processor  12  whether the read action is finished) is replaced with Step  44  (the storage medium processor  18  responds to the device function processor  12  whether the writing-in action is finished). The data writing-in process is the same as the data read process and thus will not be further described.  
     [0023] Additionally, when the system does not issue a read or writing-in command and only the simple mouse function is requested, the flowchart of the mouse device  10  capable of storing data is shown in FIG. 5. First, the system issues a request command of mouse function (Step  50 ). The device function processor  12  then informs the mouse function controller  16  to perform the command of mouse action (Step  52 ). After the mouse action has been finished, the device function processor  12  responds to the system the command has been finished (Step  54 ).  
     [0024] To sum up, the present invention makes use of a mouse device with at least an inbuilt storage medium and its processor so that the mouse device can also utilize the storage medium to perform read/write and transmission of data in addition to having the cursor function of mouse, thereby effectively integrating memory peripheral and mouse cursor control function. Moreover, a memory card slot can also be disposed for insertion of a memory card to let users be able to flexibly expand memory function according to necessity.  
     [0025] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.