Input device with forward/backward control
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsManolito Adan, Todd Holmdahl, Michael Hooning, Steven Kaneko, Terry Lipscomb, Robert Plank
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mouse and a mouse driver are provided that are synchronized to each other through a process that includes the mouse driver receiving a mouse identifier from the mouse. Based on the mouse identifier, the driver determines if the mouse has a fourth button, a fifth button or a wheel that are not active. If so, the driver sends a command to activate the inactive button or wheel.
Claims14
A method in a computer system having a mouse and a mouse driver, the method comprising steps of:
- the mouse driver receiving a mouse identification from the mouse;
- the mouse driver determining if the mouse has at least four buttons based on the mouse identification;
- the mouse driver passing at least one command to the mouse to activate a fourth button of the four buttons;
- and
- the mouse activating the fourth button based on the at least one command.
A mouse having three active buttons and at least a fourth button that is not currently active, the mouse being capable of performing steps comprising:
- providing an identifier that identifies the mouse;
- receiving an instruction to activate the fourth button;
- and
- activating the fourth button based on the instruction.
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
- receiving an identifier from a mouse that identifies the mouse;
- determining that the mouse has a button that is not currently active based on the identifier;
- and
- sending instructions to the mouse to activate the button that is not currently active by sending a set of instructions to perform a different function.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.