Patent Abstract:
The instant invention is a mouse or a mouse pad having an integrated digital recorder which allows an individual to leave a brief message such as a website address location. The message can be recorded automatically, by voice activation, or manually by an on/off switch.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the field of computers, and more specifically, to a computer mouse pad or mouse incorporating a recorder upon wherein paperless notes can be temporarily stored.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The advent of desktop computers would appear to provide the ultimate in desktop organization. Desktop computers are capable of preparing simple letters or calculating complex algorithms making desktop computers an indispensable tools. The development of the mouse, which provides translational movement of a cursor in response to the rotational movement of a trackball, has further simplified computers making them usable by most any individual.  
           [0003]    One of the most common uses of computers today is for accessing the Internet. The Internet is a network of computers based on standard protocols that allow computers to communicate with each other even if using different software vendors, thus allowing anyone with a computer has accessibility to anything else connected to the Internet worldwide. Interconnected computers may exchange information using various services, for example, the worldwide web (WWW). The WWW is a structure which allows users seeking information on the Internet to switch from server to server. The WWW structure allows a server computer system (web server or web site) to send graphical web pages of information to a remote client computer system. A program known as a web browser running on a client computer allows the client computer to communicate with the WWW. The remote clients&#39; computer system can then display the web pages.  
           [0004]    A problem with computer usage, to which the invention addresses, is the need to remember items on a very temporary basis. For instance, Internet browsing may include the need for an individual to temporarily remember a website location or          address.          By way of example, an Internet search may reveal a number of addresses for locations that provide patent related items (e.g.          www.uspto.gov         ). An individual may wish to view the PTO site after checking out some other sites, however, the individual must remember the address or retrace their steps if a viewing of the site is to occur. So as not to lose the website address, the individual may make a note of the address on scrape paper or a note pad. In this scenario, the individual must pause during the search to write down the address and make note of reason for the address. This is a time consuming process and makes it a disadvantage for business people who need only make note of an address for a few minutes. Non-business people also find a lack of need to record every address. The use of paper for the temporary recording of such address adds to, if not creates, the clutter of a work space thereby defeating one of the objectives of a computer, that is, to achieve a paperless office.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,168 discloses a mouse pad that also operates as a note pad. While this patent discloses the basic need for temporary storage of matters in relation to a mouse pad, it is well known that an writing on a mouse pad can quickly cause problems with the operation of the mouse trackball.  
           [0006]    Thus, what is lacking in the art is a means for note taking particularly directed to the use of address note taking while browsing the Internet.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The instant invention is a mouse or a mouse pad having an integrated digital recorder which allows an individual to leave a brief message such as to the details of a website address. The recording mechanism has an audio controller with an audio data memory connected to and under the control of the audio controller. A speaker is connected to and coupled to the audio controller, a switch connected to the audio controller such that when an operation switch is activated the audio controller retrieves audio data from the audio data memory and outputs audio data to the speaker.  
           [0008]    Thus, an objective of an instant invention is to eliminate the need for hand written notes for the temporarily recording of Internet website addresses.  
           [0009]    Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide a recording device that allows an individual to record a message such as that found on a computer without taking the individuals eyes away from the computer during the recording of the message, thereby lessening the chance for inaccuracies.  
           [0010]    Yet still another objective of the instant invention is to eliminate the need for handwritten notes used for temporary storage.  
           [0011]    Still another objective of the invention is to integrate a recording device into a computer mouse pad that is further used as a platform for a computer mouse.  
           [0012]    Yet still another objective of the invention is to integrate a recording device into a computer mouse.  
           [0013]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a computer mouse pad with an integrated digital recorder;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a digital recorder; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a computer mouse having an integrated digital recorder. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    Although the invention will be described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.  
         [0018]    Referring now to FIG. 1, set forth is a computer mouse pad  10  formed from a sheet of material having a top face  12 , a bottom face, not shown, and opposing side edges  14 . Said top face  12  having a texture for engaging of a mouse  16  track ball. The mouse  16  is moveable along the top face  12  of the pad  10  wherein rotation of the track ball results provides the appropriate signal carried by coupling cord  18  for translation movement of a display cursor. The pad  10  may also include a wrist rest  20  that is raised a height above the top face  12 .  
         [0019]    Mounted or formed integral to the pad  10  is a recorder  22  having an on/off switch  24  for providing power to the recorder. A speaker grill  26  shields a speaker cone and a microphone grill  28  shields a microphone. A manual/voice activation switch  30  allows the recordation to be performed automatically upon receipt of voice commands or manually by depressing a record/playback face plate  32 . The face plate  32  further allows playback of a previously made recording by activation of a playback cycle. An optional display screen  34  provides visual indication of battery life, recording action, and audio data memory remaining.  
         [0020]    Referring to FIG. 2 the recorder  22  includes the power switch  24  which is coupled to the manual/voice activation switch  30  an audio controller  40 . Audio controller  40  controls data memory  42 , speaker  44  and microphone  46 . The audio controller  40  includes circuitry necessary to receive analog audio data from microphone  46 , an analog to digital (A/D) converter and associated circuitry to convert and store data into data memory  42 , a digital to analog (D/A) converter and associated circuitry to retrieve digital data and converter it to audio data, and an amplifier to amplify the audio data and play it on speaker  44  A/D converters, D/A converters, and amplifiers are well known in the art. Battery  50  is attached to audio controller  40  and provides power for operation of the device.  
         [0021]    Data memory  42  is a digital audio memory device. Digital audio memory is well known in the art and commercially available from numerous vendors. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative memory technologies, such as magnetic tape, can be implemented. However, these technologies have the disadvantages associated with any device that has moving parts.  
         [0022]    In the preferred embodiment, when an individual depresses switch  24 , audio controller  40  activates microphone  46 . Audio data from microphone  46  is input into audio controller  40  where it is converted to digital data and stored in data memory  42 , converts it to analog audio data and outputs it to speaker  44 . If the mouse pad is a disposable device, then battery  50  would not be replaceable. For reusable embodiments, battery  50  would be replaceable.  
         [0023]    Referring to FIG. 3, set forth is a second embodiment of the invention wherein a mouse  60  includes the recordation device. In this embodiment, the mouse has a speaker grill  62  and a microphone grill  64 . A manual/voice activation switch can be programmed into the toggle button  66  for left handed individuals, or into toggle button  68  for right handed individuals. In this manner, the mouse can be used in its typical manner with recordation can be performed automatically upon receipt of voice commands or manually by double clicking the same toggle button.  
         [0024]    As with the first embodiment, the recordation mouse will include an audio controller which controls data memory, speaker and a microphone. The audio controller includes circuitry necessary to receive analog audio data from microphone, an analog to digital (A/D) converter and associated circuitry to convert and store data into data memory, a digital to analog (D/A) converter and associated circuitry to retrieve digital data and converter it to audio data, and an amplifier to amplify the audio data and play it on the speaker, A/D converters, D/A converters, and amplifiers are well known in the art. Power is obtained from the power cord that controls the mouse.  
         [0025]    It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6