Pointing device operation modification program
View Patent ↗An apparatus and method for modifying and improving pointing device operation. The apparatus comprises a signal detector, a signal modifier, and a signal transmitter. The apparatus intercepts pointing device signals before application programs receive them. The signal detector continuously listens for signals generated by a pointing device, or a pointing device program. Responsive to the signal detector detecting a pointing device signal, the signal modifier determines what type of GUI element is located at the current pointer location. Based upon the identified GUI element, the signal modifier modifies the pointing device signal appropriately. The signal transmitter then relays the modified signal to any other programs that would have received the original signal if not for the action of the apparatus.
1. A programmable apparatus for modifying pointing device use in a graphical user interface, comprising:
a signal detector to detect pointing device signals;
a signal modifier to modify pointing device signals, responsive to signals detected by the signal detector; and
a signal transmitter to send pointing device signals to other programs;
wherein responsive to detecting a signal from a pointing device, the signal detector determines a type of graphical user interface element located at a current pointer location, and based upon the type of graphical user interface element, modifies the pointing device signal in accordance with a user configuration for the type of graphical user interface element.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a mouse.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a trackball.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a stylus.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a touchpad.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a modification table.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signal modifier, responsive to a user moving a pointer over a command button, adds a press signal and a release signal.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signal modifier, responsive to a user moving a pointer over a scroll bar, adds a press signal.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signal modifier, responsive to a user moving a pointer over text, adds a press signal.
10. A computer readable memory for, causing a computer to modify pointing device use in a graphical user interface, comprising:
a computer readable storage medium;
a computer program stored in the storage medium, wherein the storage medium, so configured by the computer program, causes the computer to
detect a signal from a pointing device;
responsive to detecting the signal from the pointing device, determine a type of graphical user interface element located at a current pointer location, and based upon the type of graphical user interface element, modify the pointing device signal in accordance with a user configuration for the type of graphical user interface element; and
send pointing device signals to other programs.
11. The computer readable memory of claim 10 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a mouse.
12. The computer readable memory of claim 10 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a trackball.
13. The computer readable memory of claim 10 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a stylus.
14. The computer readable memory of claim 10 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a touchpad.
15. The computer readable memory of claim 10 further comprising a modification table.
16. The computer readable memory of claim 10 wherein the computer causes, responsive to a user moving a pointer over a command button, a press signal and a release signal to be added to the pointing device signal.
17. The computer readable memory of claim 10 wherein the computer causes, responsive to a user moving a pointer over a scroll bar, a press signal to be added to the pointing device signal.
18. The computer readable memory of claim 10 wherein the computer causes, responsive to a user moving a pointer over text, a press signal to be added to the pointing device signal.
19. A method of modifying pointing device use in a graphical user interface, comprising: detecting pointing device signals, modifying detected pointing device signals, and transmitting pointing device signals to other programs; wherein responsive to detecting a signal from a pointing device, determining a type of graphical user interface element located at a current pointer location, and based upon the type of graphical user interface element, modifying the pointing device signal in accordance with a user configuration for the type of graphical user interface element.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a mouse.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a trackball.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a stylus.
23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the pointing device signals are generated by a touchpad.
24. The method of claim 19 , wherein a modification table is used to determine how pointing device signals are modified.
25. The method of claim 19 , wherein a press signal and a release signal are added to the pointing device signal responsive to a user moving a pointer over a command button.
26. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein a press signal is added to the pointing device signal responsive to a user moving a pointer over a scroll bar, adds a press signal.
27. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein a press signal is added to the pointing device signal responsive to a user moving a pointer over text, adds a press signal.