Patent Abstract:
An computer input device with context-awareness functionality generates a lighting pattern in response to a context of data inputting, audio, new message receiving, arranged event or system information in a computer system.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 96118241, filed May 22, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a computer input device and operation method thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Conventional computer input devices (such as a keyboard or computer mouse) are only equipped with basic input function, i.e. symbol inputting or cursor position moving). 
         [0006]    However, computer input devices as human interface devices have quite a lot to improve so as to achieve to a friendly computer command-input device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In a first embodiment described herein, an operation method is provided for an input device with a context-awareness functionality. A sound source data output from a sound source module of a computer system is monitored. The computer input device is driven to generate a lighting pattern in response to the sound source data. 
         [0008]    In a second embodiment described herein, an operation method is provided for an input device with a context-awareness functionality. Serial-input characters from a computer input device are monitored. When a time interval between adjacent serial-input characters is less than a predetermined time or the serial-input characters form a predetermined word or phrase, the computer input device is driven to generate a lighting pattern in response to the serial-input characters. 
         [0009]    In a third embodiment described herein, an operation method is provided for an input device with a context-awareness functionality. A signal output from an e-mail application, a web instant messaging program or a web-based e-mail is monitored. When the signal belongs to a predetermined category, the computer input device is driven to generate a lighting pattern in response to the signal. 
         [0010]    In a fourth embodiment described herein, an operation method is provided for an input device with a context-awareness functionality. Activities of an operation system schedule module or a schedule program application are monitored. When an predetermined event arranged by the operation system schedule module or the schedule program application is being performed, the computer input device is driven to generate a lighting pattern. 
         [0011]    In a fifth embodiment described herein, an operation method is provided for an input device with a context-awareness functionality. A system information status within a computer system is monitored. The computer input device is driven to generate a lighting pattern in response to a predetermined system information status within a computer system. 
         [0012]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a first embodiment described herein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a second embodiment described herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a third embodiment described herein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a fourth embodiment described herein; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a fifth embodiment described herein. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a first embodiment described herein. In this embodiment, every sound source within a computer system can trigger a responsive lighting pattern of a computer input device  114 , i.e. a keyboard, mouse, game stick or remote control device. Within an operation system  101 , a sound source control module  104  receives signals, which is sent from a sound mixer  102  and contains a sound mixed data produced by the sound mixer  102 , and transforms the signals into sound source data. A driver module  106  (such as a driver program) can drive the computer input device  114  to generate a lighting pattern in response to the sound source data of the sound source control module  104 . In this embodiment, all sound source, whatever from microphone, CD Rom, line In or Aux In or other media play programs, are mixed by the sound mixer  102 , amplified by a sound amplifier  110  and finally output by a speaker  112 . What is sent or transported from the sound mixer  102  to the sound source control module  104  (i.e. sound mixed data) may contain part or all of the signals. The input device  114 , which is driven by the driver module  106 , can produce a corresponding lighting pattern. The lighting pattern can be bright-dark alternating, gradually-increasing bright, gradually-increasing dark, or multiple-color alternating pattern. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a second embodiment described herein. In this embodiment, a driver module  202  within a computer system  200  detects serial-input characters from a computer input device  204  (such as a keyboard, mouse, game stick or remote control device). When a time interval (such as t 1  or t 2 ) between adjacent serial-input characters is less than a predetermined time period (such as 0.3 sec) or the serial-input characters form a predetermined word or phase (during spell checking or password confirming), the driver module  202  enables the computer input device  204  to generate a corresponding lighting pattern. Serially inputting characters rapidly can often be found in playing a computer game. The corresponding lighting pattern can be bright-dark alternating, gradually-increasing bright, gradually-increasing dark, or multiple-color alternating pattern. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a third embodiment described herein. In this embodiment, a driver module  310  detects a signal (such as an email, a text message or a phone ring) output from an e-mail application  302  (such as Outlook express, Outlook or Windows Mail), a web instant messaging program  304  (MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk or Skype) or web-based e-mail (such as Gmail, Yahoo mail or Hotmail) within a computer system  300 . When the signal belongs to a specified category (such as high-priority email, text message or phone ring), the driver module  310  enables the computer input device  312  (such as a keyboard, mouse, game stick or remote control device) to generate a corresponding lighting pattern. The corresponding lighting pattern can be bright-dark alternating, gradually-increasing bright, gradually-increasing dark, or multiple-color alternating pattern. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a fourth embodiment described herein. In this embodiment, a driver module  412  detects activities of an operation system schedule module  402  (such as Task Scheduler of Windows) or a schedule program application  404  (such as Outlook calendar or Windows calendar). When events arranged by the operation system schedule module  402  or the schedule program application  404  are performed, the driver module  412  enables the computer input device  414  (such as a keyboard, mouse, game stick or remote control device) to generate a corresponding lighting pattern. The corresponding lighting pattern can be bright-dark alternating, gradually-increasing bright, gradually-increasing dark, or multiple-color alternating pattern. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a computer input device with context-awareness functionality according to a fifth embodiment described herein. In this embodiment, a driver module  510  detects a system information status (Internet connection status, Internet access speed, memory using status, hard disc using status or processor workload) of a computer system  500 . When a specified system information status occurs (such as Internet connection break, insufficient memory, insufficient hard disc storage or processor overload), the driver module  510  enables the computer input device  512  (such as a keyboard, mouse, game stick or remote control device) to generate a corresponding lighting pattern. The corresponding lighting pattern can be bright-dark alternating, gradually-increasing bright, gradually-increasing dark, or multiple-color alternating pattern. 
         [0025]    According to discussed embodiments, a computer input device with a context-awareness functionality is able to provide more interactions between the computer input device and a user so as to enhance friendliness and entertainment thereof. 
         [0026]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6