Method and/or apparatus for user selection of signals to be sent to a computer
The present invention is a method and/or apparatus for user selection of signals to be sent to a computer for the purpose of initiating functioning macros, inputting specified user data, or launching user pre-selected commands, and are associated with electronic switches that allow for at least three input stages; depressing and holding, pressing at least once, and pressing at least twice. In one embodiment, the present invention is a pointing device including a housing, electronic circuitry within the housing, means for pointing control, and a plurality of externally mounted buttons that are in addition to the standard depressible buttons currently available on a pointing device, which are exposed on the housing and are electronically connected with circuitry.
This application claims priority to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/604,718 filed Aug. 13, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONThe present invention is a method and/or apparatus for user selection of signals to be sent to a computer for the purpose of initiating functioning macros, inputting specified user data, or launching user preselected commands, and are associated with electronic switches that allow for at least three input stages; depressing and holding, pressing at least once, and pressing at least twice.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a pointing device including a housing, electronic circuitry within the housing, means for pointing control, and a plurality of externally mounted buttons that are in addition to the standard depressible buttons currently available on a pointing device, which are exposed on the housing and are electronically connected with circuitry.
There are a variety of known computer input devices. At one time, the most popular and commonly used computer input device was the keyboard. The recent development and increased use of graphical user interface products, however, have served to highlight the inherent limitations of the conventional computer keyboard as an input device. For example, the conventional keyboard is designed primarily for textual input and allows limited control of cursor movements and data input flexibility. Unfortunately, data input and cursor control of such a limited nature often fails to take full advantage of the wide range of graphical functions provided in current graphical user interface products and thus frustrates the efficient and effective use of such products.
The functional and operational limitations of a conventional keyboard as a computer input device led to the development of alternative, more graphically oriented and user friendly computer input devices such as the joystick, gaming device, mouse and trackball. Such alternative input devices require less direct attention (for example, eye contact) thus allowing the user to concentrate on the computer screen and the task at hand. These devices are specially designed to facilitate precision cursor movements, at varying speeds, and in virtually any desired direction, thus allowing the user to easily take full advantage of the enhanced graphical functions provided in current graphical user interface products.
However, common graphically oriented computer input devices typically retain an important limitation which is not present in the conventional computer keyboard: the inability to efficiently, and effectively, input the wide selection of user selected data that is many times requested and used in a repetitious manner in the data input fields of many graphical user interface products without depending on a secondary data input device, such as the conventional keyboard. For example, most current mouse devices, trackballs, joysticks, gaming devices or remote controls are not large enough to have defined keys used for typing said data; and if did, would make the device too large and impractical.
One disadvantage to this limitation is that the operator has to move his fingers from the input device to the keyboard in order to complete the data input fields of many displayed documents on a screen, which is inefficient, time consuming, and can break the user's flow and concentration if done on a repetitive basis.
Another disadvantage is that using two computer input devices simultaneously requires more direct attention (for example, eye contact) which distracts the user from concentrating on the computer screen and the task at hand. This can be aggravating when dealing with repetitive data such as personal data, credit card information and usernames.
Kensington has a product called the “Expert Mouse Pro Trackball” that has a text store & paste feature, but it is for one field of general text only and is not specified data. It also does not allow for a quick and efficient method of pasting multiple different fields of specified user data that are often requested by many graphical user interface products today. It also does not allow for data to be stored for multiple users simultaneously. This limits its usefulness.
In these respects, an apparatus and/or method that specifically addresses the use of front mounted buttons for initiating functioning macros, inputting specified user data, or launching user pre-selected commands substantially departs itself from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus and/or method developed for the purpose of effectively and efficiently inputting user selected data that is many times requested and used in a repetitious manner in the fields of many displayed documents on a display device without depending on a secondary data input device, such as the conventional keyboard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSVarious other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the improved method and apparatus for user selection of signals to be sent to a computer for the purpose of initiating functioning macros, inputting specified user data, or launching user pre-selected commands as taught herein can be shaped into different appearances including different buttons, different number of buttons, and different button locations. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The present invention, in one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the plurality of front mounted buttons 8-11 on the present improved mouse 1 are associated with electronic switches that allow for at least three input stages; depressing and holding, pressing at least once, and pressing at least twice.
The circuitry is structured to read an immediate, instant or current state or value of the electronic switches and to communicate representative control signals to the associated specialized computer software 16 developed for this purpose.
In one embodiment, the pointing device would be ergonomically designed for left/right hand users.
After being saved, when the user intends to input this personal data into a displayed document 47, the user holds down frontal button 8 on the computer mouse device 1 for a period of time, to load the data from the personal data template 51 into the computer's resident memory 26. A period of time is within a range of 0.25 to 10 seconds.
In one embodiment, another way in which the personal data template 51 is loaded into the computer's resident memory 26 for use by the four frontal buttons 8-11 is to move (drag) the mouse pointer 50 over the FIRST NAME field label 56 in a displayed document 47 and let it hover for a period of time as seen in
Once the data from the personal information template 51 is loaded in the computer's resident memory 26, the eight fields of user personal data, as shown in
In one embodiment, the user inserts their personal data into a displayed document 47 after loading the data into the computer's resident memory 26 by the user simply placing the pointer 50 in the desired field 48 on the displayed document 47, and clicking or double clicking each of the four frontal buttons 8-11. In one embodiment, a user can move the cursor from one field 48 on a displayed document 47 to another field 49 by pressing and releasing one of the plurality of frontal buttons 8-11, traditional mouse buttons 4 or the wheel 6 by utilizing software 16 with options designed for this purpose.
After being saved, when the user intends to input this username data into a displayed document 47 on a displaying device 20, the user holds down frontal button 9 on the computer mouse for a period of time to load the saved data of the username template 52 into the computer's resident memory 26, which is then accessible by the user simply placing the cursor in the desired displayed document field 48 and dicking or double clicking each of the four frontal buttons 8-11. Another way in which the username template 52 is loaded into the computer's resident memory 26 for use by the pointing device's four buttons 8-11 is to move (drag) the mouse pointer 50 over the USERNAME field label 58 on a displayed document 47 and let it hover for a period of time as seen in
Once the data from the username template 52 is loaded in the computer's resident memory 26, the eight cells of username and password data, as shown in
After being saved, when the user intends to input this credit card data into a displayed document 47, the user holds down frontal button 10 on the computer mouse for a period of time to load the credit card data template 53 into the computer's resident memory 26, which is then accessible by the mouse's four frontal buttons 8-11. Another way in which the credit card data template 53 is loaded in the computers resident memory 26 for use by buttons 8-11 is to move the mouse pointer 50 over the CREDIT CARD label 63 on a displayed document 47 as seen in
Once the data from the credit card template 53 is loaded in the computer's resident memory 26, the eight cells of credit card number data and expiration date data, as shown in
In one embodiment, the software 16 will allow the user to customize and add any command, combination of commands, and combination of commands and data insertion that the user would want. In one embodiment, the drop down list commands 67 can be customized and used multiple times with similar or different settings on each. For example, the user may want to customize all eight commands on the custom settings template to open eight different websites. The number and format of fields and templates presented in
After being saved, when the user intends to initiate one of the said commands, the user simply holds down frontal button 11 on the mouse device 1 for a period of time to load the custom settings template 54 into the computer's resident memory 26, which is then accessible by the frontal buttons 8-11 of the pointing device.
Once the data from the custom settings template 54 is loaded in the computer's resident memory 26, the eight cells of commands, as shown in FIG. 9, can be initiated by the user simply clicking or double clicking each of the four frontal buttons 8-11 with the pointer 50 anywhere on a displayed document. For example, if the following commands were stored in the computer's resident memory 26, pressing button 8 once would automatically open the users chosen internet browser. Pressing button 8 twice would launch the user's chosen website. If any of the selected commands involve pasting or inputting information (such as general text, or signature) into the displayed document 47, the user would first place or drag the cursor to the desired field 48, and then click or double dick the corresponding frontal button 8-11. Then by pressing any of the other three frontal buttons, either single or double click, the software 16 will activate the corresponding information or command that was saved on the custom settings template 54 in the database 40.
In one embodiment, the software 16 is designed for multiple users each having their own interchangeable data in a template database 40 with password protection.
With regard to
Thus, in one embodiment an autofill template 55 is in the software 16, and contains four autofill sub-templates 74-77 for a user to program and store up to four different sets of autofill data (for example, home address, business address, vacation home address, parent's home address, children's home address, different credit cards, etc).
In each of the autofill sub-templates, the user has the option to store an alternate shipping address by clicking in the add/edit alternate address button 78. and filling in the alternate shipping address pop-up template 108 as seen in
In one embodiment, after being saved, when the user intends to input this autofill data into a displayed document 47, the user holds down frontal button 8 on the mouse device 1 for a period of time, to load the data from the autofill data template 55 into the computer's resident memory 26, which contains the data of the four different sub-templates, and is accessible by the user clicking or double clicking buttons 8-11 on the computer mouse 1. A period of time is within a range of 0.25 to 10 seconds.
Then, the field labels in the sub-templates 74-77 activated by the first, second, third and fourth frontal mouse buttons 8-11 are matched with the marked language or ECML like tags in the displayed document 47 to be filled in. When a match is made data from the sub-template that matches the field is automatically filled in (or inputted) into the corresponding input fields by the user single clicking or double clicking a selected one of the mouse frontal buttons 8-11. It is not necessary that all the field labels in a sub-template page of the database have a match with the marked language or ECML like tags. In that case the input field will stay blank and the user still has the opportunity to fill in with text via keyboard or activation of the macro buttons in the other methods discussed above.
If the user has decided they want to insert their credit card information, they simply double dick a selected one of the frontal buttons 8-11 to insert the corresponding credit card data 80. In addition, by separating the personal data 79 and credit card data 80 into different clicks, a user may choose to autofill the personal data of one sub-template 74 and the credit card of another sub-template 75. For example, once the autofill template 55 is loaded into the computer's resident memory 26, a user could insert the autofill personal information 79 of the button #1 autofill sub-template 74 by single clicking the frontal button 8 on the mouse device 1, and could insert the autofill credit card information 80 of the button #3 autofill sub-template 76 by double clicking the frontal button 10 on the mouse device 1.
The present invention, in one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the plurality of front mounted buttons 8-11 on the present remote control 92 are associated with electronic switches that allow for at least three input stages; pressing and holding, pressing at least once, and pressing at least twice. In one embodiment, the software 16 is designed whereby the buttons that are for user selection of signals to be sent to the computer 12 for the purpose of initiating functioning macros, inputting specified user data into a displayed document, or launching user pre-selected commands are the standard depressible buttons 95 already available on a remote control.
The circuitry is structured to read an immediate, instant or current state or value of the electronic switches and to communicate representative control signals to the associated specialized software 16 developed for this purpose.
In one embodiment of the current invention the database 40 of the software 16 is stored on a permanent storage system 24 or server 73 and would be accessible to all pointing devices connected to the network 14 or server 73 via usernames and passwords or other security related features. This will allow a user access to their database anywhere on the network 14 regardless of which pointing device they were using, providing the design of the device incorporated the present invention.
Once selected in the drop down box 96, when the user is logged in and presses a selected one of the frontal buttons 8-11 on the remote control, the associated MAC ID address of the remote control 92 is attached to the signaled command and once the software 16 recognizes and matches the attached MAC ID address or other identifier with the one of the device 92 chosen in the drop down box 96 of the software 16, it facilitates the desired command. In this embodiment, several remote controls 92 can be used by several users with different databases 40 simultaneously on the same network or server to program, access, load, and activate their databases of data without compromising security or usability. In one embodiment, a user can select more than one pointing device to access their information on simultaneously by pressing and holding the control key on the keyboard 23 while selecting the devices 92 from a list in the pointing device drop down box 96 and saving their selection by clicking on the save button 37 at the bottom of the screen of the software 16. This would allow a user the convenience to access, load, and activate their database of data from a computer mouse, trackball, remote control, gaming device, or any device with external buttons designed to work with the software 16 simultaneously, without the task of changing approved devices 92 in the drop down box 96 of the software 16.
In one embodiment, a user can log into the software 16 by pressing a sequence of buttons on the remote control 92 which represents a password. In one embodiment, the remote control 92 contains a biometric sensor that can be tied to trigger the immediate login of a particular user.
The present invention, in one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the software 16 is designed whereby the buttons that are for user selection of signals to be sent to the computer 12 for the purpose of initiating functioning macros, inputting specified user data or launching user pre-selected commands within interactive games on multimedia devices, video game machines, personal computers, and games played over a global computer network are the standard depressible buttons 95 already available on a gaming device. In one embodiment, the gaming device 98 contains the CPU 18, power source, permanent storage system 24, resident memory 26, software 16, and display device 20 and is a stand-alone, independent gaming device.
In one embodiment, the computer 12 is a multimedia device, or is designed primarily for the function of games and houses a CPU 18, and a permanent storage device 24 and is connected to a display device 20, such a Sony's Playstation and Microsoft's X-Box. In one embodiment, the software 16 is designed primarily for operating interactive games on multimedia devices, video game machines, personal computers, and games played over a global computer network. The gaming device 97 can be connected to the computer either through a multi-conductor cable 30 or through wireless means.
In one embodiment, the plurality of front mounted buttons 8-11 on the present gaming device 98 are associated with electronic switches that allow for at least three input stages; pressing and holding, pressing at least once, and pressing at least twice.
The circuitry is structured to read an immediate, instant or current state or value of the electronic switches and to communicate representative control signals to the associated specialized software 16 developed for this purpose.
In one embodiment, the software 16 is designed to provide all of the similar functionalities with the frontal buttons 8-11 of the gaming device 98 as with the frontal buttons 8-11 of the mouse device 1, as previously explained in the computer mouse embodiment of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the current invention the database 40 of the software 16 is stored on a permanent storage system 24 or server 73 and would be accessible to all pointing devices connected to the network 14 or server 73 via usernames and passwords or other security related features. This will allow a user access to their database anywhere on the network 14 regardless of which pointing device they were using, providing the design of the device incorporated the present invention.
In one embodiment, a user can select more than one gaming device to access their information on simultaneously by pressing and holding the control key on the keyboard 23 while selecting the devices 98 from a list in the device drop down box 96 and saving their selection by clicking on the save button 37 at the bottom of the screen of the software 16. This would allow a user the convenience to access, load, and activate their database of data from multiple devices with external buttons designed to work with the software 16 simultaneously, without the task of changing approved devices 98 in the drop down box 96 of the software 16.
In one embodiment, a user can log into the software 16 by pressing a sequence of buttons on the gaming device 98 which represents a password. In one embodiment, the gaming device 98 contains a biometric sensor that can be tied to trigger the immediate login of a particular user.
In one embodiment, a user is given the ability to customize, combine, mix, or create up to eight different characteristics, for example, customized weapons or super powers, that will be saved into a database, and accessible in the computer game through the use of the frontal buttons 8-11 of the gaming device 98.
In one embodiment, the choices of characteristics a user can choose from are in the form of text, graphics, music, sounds, video, animation, game or animation sequences, additional characters, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, The user is given the ability to modify the names of the templates 99-102, and field labels 106 of the templates for each of the buttons 8-11 on the gaming device 98.
In one embodiment, the templates 99-102, field options 105, and field definitions 106, can be customized to each computer game. For example, in one game the templates 99-102, field options 105, and field definitions 106 consist of characters and weapons abilities, and in another game the templates 99-102, field options 105, and field definitions 106 consist of sports cars and racing abilities. The number and format of fields and templates presented in
After being saved, when the user starts a computer game designed to work with the software 16 and frontal buttons 8-11 of the gaming device 98, logs in with a password, and desires to be loaded into the computer game as character 3 in the computer game, the user holds down frontal button 11 on the gaming device 98 for a period of time, to load the saved characteristics 105 from the character 3 template 101 into the computer's resident memory 26, which is then accessible by the user dicking or double clicking each of the four frontal buttons 8-11. A period of time is within a range of 0.25 to 10 seconds.
In one embodiment, another way in which the character templates 99-102 are loaded into the computer's resident memory 26 for use by the four frontal buttons 8-11 is to move (drag) the pointing device 50 (or a similar pointing indicator that determines where the control point of a user is on a display device 20) over a predetermined identifier or activation mark, such as a certain colored rock which will periodically appear in the screen of the computer game sequence, and let it hover over it for a period of time while software 16, matches the identifier or activation mark field label with a field label of the template 101. The same method of loading any of the other templates 99-102 into the computer's resident memory 26 for use by the frontal buttons 8-11 of the gaming device 98 applies; each template having it's own distinct identifier or activation mark.
In one embodiment, the user is given the option to choose from a list of identifiers or activation marks to match with the loading of the templates 99-102. In one embodiment, the identifier or activation mark is an event that occurs in the computer game. In one embodiment, the user can create their own customized identifier or activation mark or event through specialized buttons and templates on the preferences screen 107 designed for this purpose. In one embodiment, to avoid template loading conflicts, identical activation marks for the different templates 99-102 would not be permissible in the same computer game for a single username.
Once the data from the character 3 template 101 is loaded in the computer's resident memory 26, the eight fields of characteristics 105, as shown in
If the user desires to manually change characters during the process of the computer game (and not wait for an activation mark or event), the user would simply hold down a different frontal, for example button 9 on the gaming device 98 for a period of time, to load the saved characteristics 105 from the character 2 template 100 into the computer's resident memory 26, which is then accessible by the user clicking or double clicking each of the four frontal buttons 8-11. A period of time is within a range of 0.25 to 10 seconds.
The present invention, in one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the plurality of front mounted buttons 8-11 on the present improved PDA device 110 are associated with electronic switches that allow for at least three input stages; pressing and holding, pressing at least once, and pressing at least twice.
The circuitry is structured to read an immediate, instant or current state or value of the electronic switches and to communicate representative control signals to the associated specialized software 16 developed for this purpose.
In one embodiment, the software 16 is designed whereby the buttons that are for user selection of signals to be sent to the CPU 18 of the PDA device 110 for the purpose of initiating functioning macros, inputting specified user data into a displayed document, or launching user pre-selected commands are the standard depressible buttons 113 currently available on a PDA.
In one embodiment, the PDA device is a wireless phone, whereby the pressing and holding of select buttons loads different templates of data into the phone's resident memory 26 for use by the standard buttons 113 or by the frontal buttons 8-11 of the wireless phone device 110. For example, many wireless phones give the user an option to “speed-dial” a phone number by pressing and holding a selected one of the traditional number buttons 113 for a period of time. However, users are typically limited to only storing 9 speed-dial numbers (button 0-button 9), and have to use multiple “slots” to dial different numbers of the same person (work, home, cell etc.). In this embodiment of the present invention, a user can press and hold a selected frontal button 8-11 for a period of time to load a template, (for example, work numbers template, friends template, family template, etc.) upon when loaded into the phone's resident memory will activate the speed-dial data, for example, of 9 people. Once the data is loaded, the user can speed-dial the stored phone number of a chosen person (for example, home phone number) with at least a single dick on one of the traditional buttons (button 0-button 9) of the phone. A user can then speed-dial a second phone number of the same chosen person (for example, cellular phone number) with at least a double click on one of the traditional buttons (button 0-button 9) of the phone. A user can even speed-dial a third phone number of the same chosen person (for example, work phone number) with at least a triple click on one of the traditional buttons (button 0-button 9) of the phone through circuitry and software designed for this purpose.
In one embodiment of the current invention the database 40 of the software 16 is stored in a permanent storage system 24 within the PDA device. In one embodiment, the database 40 of the software 16 is stored on a network 14 or server 73, and would be accessible to all devices utilizing software 16 designed for this purpose which are connected to the network 14 or server 73 via usernames and passwords or other security related features. This will allow a user access to their database anywhere on the network 14 regardless of which PDA 110 or device they were using, providing the design of the device 110 incorporated the present invention.
The previously described version of the present invention has many advantages. A pointing device or PDA that specifically addresses the use of front mounted buttons for initiating functioning macros, inputting user data, or launching user pre-selected commands substantially departs itself from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus developed for the purpose of effectively and efficiently inputting user data that is many times requested and used in a repetitious manner in displayed documents without depending on a secondary data input device, such as the conventional keyboard.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.
The process of using the pointing device system to input data from a database to a displayed document through first loading the data into a computer's resident memory, is also presented for the purpose of the description and should not be viewed as fixed or limiting.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a computer pointing device having a plurality of buttons;
- a press and hold of a selected one of the buttons for a period of time loads a selected one of a plurality of templates;
- the selected one of the templates defines at least a single dick macro data for each one of the plurality of buttons;
- at least a single click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons sends macro data to an input on a displayed document controlled by an indicator moved by the computer pointing device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the period of time is in a range between 0.25 to 10 seconds.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a selected one of a pointer and a point of control on the displayed document by the pointing device.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pointing device is a selected one of a computer mouse, trackball, joystick, gaming device, PDA and remote control.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein pressing a selected one of the plurality of buttons moves the indicator of the computer pointing device from one field on the displayed document to another field.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the macro data is a selected one of text data, image data, audio data, video data, and programming code.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the displayed document is a selected one of a form, webpage, GUI, document, query, animated sequence, video sequence and interactive game.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a single click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons sends macro data to an input on a displayed document based on a position of an indicator moved by the computer pointing device.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each one of the templates defines the at least one single click and a at least one double click macro data for each one of the plurality of buttons;
- each one of the at least one single click and at least one double click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons sends macro data to the input on the displayed document controlled by the indicator moved by the computer pointing device.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of templates are programmed by storing macro data into data fields of a database having unique definitions for each data field and associated rows and columns for each of the number of clicks and number of the buttons.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a markup language is recognized in the displayed document and;
- the unique definitions in at least one of the plurality of templates are matched with tags in the markup language and the corresponding macro data of the template is sent to the input on the document associated with the tag with at least a single click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the unique definitions for each data field in the plurality of templates can be modified.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least one of the templates in a database is selected by logging in a user with a username and password.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein at least one of the templates in a database is selected by clicking on a sequence of buttons on a selected one of a keyboard and the pointing device representing the password.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least one of the templates in a database is selected by input to a biometric sensor.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least one database of templates is stored on a selected one of a permanent storage system, a removable storage system, and an online server with security features and is accessible by other devices on a network.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the pointing device is assigned a unique identity and signals sent from the pointing device are connected to the unique identity;
- at least a single click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons determines the macro data to input on a displayed document controlled by an indicator moved by the pointing device.
18. An apparatus comprising:
- a computer pointing device having a plurality of buttons;
- a movement of the indicator controlled by the pointing device over an identifier on a displayed document is recognized and matched with identifiers unique to one of a plurality of templates to select a template;
- the selected template defines at least a single click macro data for each one of the plurality of buttons;
- at least a single click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons sends macro data to an input on a displayed document controlled by an indicator moved by a computer pointing device.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the indicator is a selected one of a pointer and a point of control on the displayed document by the pointing device.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the identifier on the displayed document is a selected one of at least one word of text, an activation mark and a graphical image.
21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the occurrence of an event in a videogame sequence is recognized and matched with identifiers unique to one of a plurality of templates to select a template;
- the selected template defines at least a single click macro data for each one of the plurality of buttons;
- at least a single dick on a selected one of the plurality of buttons sends macro data to the input on the displayed document controlled by the indicator moved by the computer pointing device.
22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each one of the templates defines the at least one single and a at least one double dick macro data for each one of the plurality of buttons;
- each one of the at least one single click and at least one double click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons sends macro data to the input on the displayed document controlled by the indicator moved by the computer pointing device.
23. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the macro data is a selected one of text data, image data, audio data, video data, and programming code.
24. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the displayed document is a selected one of a form, webpage, GUI, document, query, animated sequence, video sequence and interactive game.
25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the pointing device is a selected one of a computer mouse, trackball, joystick, gaming device, PDA and remote control.
26. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein pressing a selected one of the plurality of buttons moves the indicator of the computer pointing device from one field on the displayed document to another field.
27. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the plurality of templates are programmed by storing macro data into data fields of a database having unique definitions for each data field and associated rows and columns for each of the number of clicks and number of the buttons; and
- wherein the identifiers unique to each one of the plurality of templates are data definitions of each field.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one of the templates in the database is selected by logging in a user with a username and password.
29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein at least one of the templates in the database is selected by clicking on a sequence of buttons on a selected one of a keyboard and the pointing device representing the password.
30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one of the templates in a database is selected by input to a biometric sensor.
31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein a markup language is recognized in the displayed document and;
- the unique definitions in the plurality of templates are matched with tags in the markup language and the corresponding macro data of the template is sent to the input on the document associated with the tag with at least a single click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons.
32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the unique definitions for each data field in the plurality of templates can be modified.
33. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one database of templates is stored on a selected one of a permanent storage system, a removable storage system, and an online server with security features and is accessible by other devices on a network.
34. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the pointing device is assigned a unique identity and signals sent from the pointing device are connected to the unique identity;
- at least a single dick on a selected one of the plurality of buttons determines the macro data to input on a displayed document controlled by an indicator moved by the pointing device.
35. A method for filling in a displayed document with a computer pointing device having a plurality of buttons comprising:
- assigning and storing a first unique macro data to each one of the plurality of buttons;
- assigning and storing a second unique macro data to each one of the plurality of buttons;
- clicking at least once on a selected one of the plurality of buttons sends a first unique macro data corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of buttons to an input in the displayed document controlled by an indicator moved by the computer pointing device and;
- clicking at least twice on a selected one of the plurality of buttons sends a second unique macro data corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of buttons to an input in the displayed document controlled by an indicator moved by the computer pointing device.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the indicator is a selected one of a pointer and a point of control on the displayed document by the pointing device.
37. The method of claim 35 wherein the pointing device is a selected one of a computer mouse, trackball, joystick, gaming device, PDA and remote control.
38. The method of claim 35 comprising:
- moving the indicator controlled by the computer pointing device from one field on the displayed document to another filed by pressing a selected one of the plurality of buttons.
39. The method of claim 35 wherein the steps of assigning and storing the first and the second unique macro data are repeated for a plurality of templates the number of which corresponds to the number of the plurality of buttons and comprising:
- a pressing and holding for a time and release of a selected one of the buttons loads an assigned one of the plurality of templates.
40. The method of claim 35 wherein the steps of assigning and storing the first and the second unique macro data are repeated for a plurality of templates the number of which corresponds to the number of the plurality of buttons and comprising:
- organizing the plurality of templates in a database;
- programming the plurality of templates by storing macro data into data fields of a database having unique definitions for each data field and having associated rows and columns for each of the number of clicks and number of buttons;
- recognizing an identifier in the displayed document under the pointing device indicator;
- matching the identifier with the unique definitions corresponding to one of the templates and;
- loading the matched template.
41. The method of claim 40 wherein the identifier on the displayed document is a selected one of at least one word of text, an activation mark and a graphical image.
42. The method of claim 40 comprising:
- recognizing the occurrence of an event in a videogame sequence;
- matching the event with the unique definitions corresponding to one of the templates and;
- loading the matched template.
43. The method of claim 35 comprising:
- organizing the plurality of templates in a database and;
- programming the plurality of templates by storing macro data into data fields of a database having unique definitions for each data field and having associated rows and columns for each of the number of clicks and number of buttons.
44. The method of claim 43 comprising:
- selecting at least one template from the database for a user by entering a username and password.
45. The method of claim 44 comprising a step of entering the password by pressing a sequence of buttons on a selected one of a keyboard and the pointing device representing the password.
46. The method of claim 43 comprising:
- selecting at least one template from the database for a user by entering his biometric data.
47. The method of claim 43 comprising:
- recognizing an identifier in the displayed document under the indicator moved by the pointing device and;
- matching the identifier with the unique data field definitions corresponding to one of the templates;
- loading the matched template.
48. The method of claim 43 comprising:
- recognizing a markup language in the displayed document;
- matching the unique data field definitions in at least one of the plurality of templates with tags in the markup language and;
- sending the corresponding macro data of the template to the input on the document associated with the tag with at least a single click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons.
49. The method of claim 43 comprising:
- modifying the unique definitions for each data field in the plurality of templates.
50. The method of claim 35 wherein the macro data is a selected one of text data, image data, audio data, video data, and programming code.
51. The method of claim 35 wherein the displayed document is a selected one of a form, webpage, document, GUI, query, animated sequence, video sequence and interactive game.
52. The method of claim 35 wherein the steps of assigning and storing the first and the second unique macro data are repeated for a first and second one of a plurality of templates and comprising:
- organizing the first and second plurality of templates in a database such that the number of the first and second plurality of templates correspond to the number of buttons;
- programming the first and second plurality of templates by storing macro data into data fields of a database having unique definitions for each data field and having associated rows and columns for each of the number of clicks and number of buttons;
- when a markup language is recognized in the displayed document;
- matching the unique definitions in the second plurality of templates with tags in the markup language;
- sending the corresponding macro data of the second plurality of template to the input on the displayed document associated with the tag with at least a single click on a selected one of the plurality of buttons;
- when a markup language is not recognized in the displayed document a pressing and holding for a period of time and release of a selected one of the buttons loading an assigned one of the first plurality of templates;
- recognizing an identifier in the displayed document under the pointing device indicator;
- matching the identifier with unique definitions corresponding one of the first plurality of templates and;
- loading the template in the first plurality that has the definition that matches.
53. The method of claim 40 wherein the unique definitions corresponding one of the first plurality of templates represent data definitions of each field.
54. The method of claim 40 wherein the period of time is in a range between 0.25 to 10 seconds.
55. The method of claim 40 comprising:
- storing at least one database of templates on a selected one of a permanent storage system, a removable storage system, and an online server with security features and is accessible by other devices on a network.
56. The method of claim 35 wherein the steps of assigning and storing the first and the second unique macro data are repeated for a plurality of templates the number of which corresponds to the number of the plurality of buttons comprising:
- organizing the plurality of templates in a database;
- programming the plurality of templates by storing macro data into data fields of a database having unique definitions for each data field and having associated rows and columns for each of the number of clicks and number of buttons;
- programming the plurality of templates by selecting at least one pointing device with a unique identity to receive commands from;
- receiving commands attached with the unique identifier from at least one pointing device to send macro data of the template to the input on the document;
- matching the attached unique identifier with one selected in the template programming step and;
- sending the corresponding macro data of the template to the input on the document.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 20, 2005
Publication Date: May 11, 2006
Inventor: Michael Hughes (Boca Raton, FL)
Application Number: 11/312,889
International Classification: G09G 5/00 (20060101);