CN101295221A - Mouse for switching windows and switching method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for switching multiple program windows displayed on an electronic device through a mouse. The mouse includes a function key and a scroll wheel. Once the function key is pressed, the method transmits a switching signal from the mouse to the electronic device. In response to the switching signal, the method causes the electronic device to enter a window switching mode. Next, the method detects a scroll vector of the scroll wheel and transmits the scroll vector from the mouse to the electronic device. In the window switching mode, the method generates a selection signal according to the scroll vector and switches the multiple program windows according to the selection signal.

Description

Mouse for switching windows and its switching method

technical field

The invention relates to a method for switching multiple program windows displayed on an electronic device, and in particular to a method for switching multiple program windows displayed on an electronic device through a mouse.

Background technique

For modern people, computers are almost an indispensable device in daily life and work. When using a computer, the most commonly used input devices are keyboard and mouse. Under the environment of the Microsoft Windows (Microsoft Windows) operating system, users often execute many programs at the same time, that is, open many windows at the same time. The Windows operating system provides some key combination settings to facilitate users to quickly switch windows using the keyboard.

Vista, a new generation of Windows operating system from Microsoft, supports a brand-new switching window function: Flip 3D function. Users can use this function to switch windows in a three-dimensional manner. However, when the user wants to find one of the windows from a large number of windows, if he forgets what these combination keys are, it is still quite troublesome to switch windows. Furthermore, when the user switches windows, in addition to holding the mouse with one hand, the other hand has to be busy pressing the combination keys of the keyboard, which is quite inconvenient. If the original steps of switching windows can be simplified so that the user can switch windows without pressing a combination key on the keyboard, a truly humanized operation interface can be provided for the user.

Therefore, the present invention provides a method for switching multiple program windows displayed on an electronic device through a mouse, so as to improve the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.

Contents of the invention

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method for switching multiple program windows displayed on an electronic device through a mouse. The mouse includes a function key and a scroll wheel. Once the function key is pressed, the method transmits a switching signal from the mouse to the electronic device. In response to the switching signal, the method causes the electronic device to enter a window switching mode. Next, the method detects a rolling vector of the scroll wheel, and transmits the rolling vector from the mouse to the electronic device. In the window switching mode, the method generates a selection signal according to the scroll vector, and switches the plurality of program windows according to the selection signal.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2-4 are flow charts showing the steps of the method further comprising making the electronic device leave the window switching mode according to the present invention, respectively.

Fig. 5 shows a functional block diagram of a mouse according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of the mouse shown in FIG. 5 further including a click key and a displacement detector.

Description of reference symbols

S11-S18: Process steps

10: Mouse 11: Function keys

12: Roller 13: Microprocessor

14: Scroll detector 15: Click key

16: Displacement detector 20: Electronic device

Detailed ways

The first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method for switching multiple program windows displayed on an electronic device through a mouse. The mouse includes a function key and a scroll wheel. Please refer to FIG. 1 , which shows a flowchart of the method. As shown in FIG. 1 , once the function key is pressed, the method first executes step S11 to transmit a switching signal from the mouse to the electronic device. Next, in response to the switching signal, the method executes step S12 to make the electronic device enter a window switching mode. Step S13 is for detecting a scrolling vector of the scroll wheel, and transmitting the scrolling vector from the mouse to the electronic device. In the window switching mode, the method executes step S14, generating a selection signal according to the scroll vector, and switching the plurality of program windows according to the selection signal.

Besides the mouse, the electronic device can also be connected to a keyboard. The switching signal in step S11 may be equivalent to a first signal generated by the keyboard. Taking the case where the electronic device adopts the Microsoft window operating system as an example, pressing the WINDOWS button and the TAB button on the keyboard and then releasing the TAB button can activate the window switching mode. The aforementioned first signal can be used to indicate that the WINDOWS key and the TAB key are pressed simultaneously, and the TAB key is then released. In other words, the function keys of the mouse can emulate a combination of keys on the keyboard: press the WINDOWS button and the TAB button at the same time, and then release the TAB button.

On the other hand, the selection signal in step S14 can be equal to a second signal that the keyboard can generate. Also taking the case where the electronic device adopts the Microsoft Windows operating system as an example, in the window switching mode, press the direction key or the TAB key on the keyboard to switch windows. The aforementioned second signal may correspond to at least one direction key or TAB key of the keyboard. In other words, the action of rolling the scroll wheel of the mouse can be equivalent to the action of pressing the direction key or the TAB key of the keyboard.

For example, when the user uses the computer under the Windows Vista operating system environment, if five program windows are opened at the same time and the user wants to switch from the first program window to the fourth program window. At this point, the user can press the function key of the mouse according to the present invention, and the computer will enter the Flip 3D window switching mode. Then, by properly rolling the scroll wheel, the user can make the corresponding selection signal generated by the computer switch the first program window originally located on the uppermost layer to the fourth program window.

Taking the case where the electronic device adopts the Microsoft Windows operating system as an example, the user needs to keep pressing the WINDOWS button in the window switching mode. Release the WINDOWS button after pressing the ENTER button on the keyboard in the window switching mode to select the window that is currently switched to the top layer, and make the electronic device leave the window switching mode.

The mouse according to the present invention provides multiple methods for the user to make the electronic device leave the window switching mode. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the user can release the function key after the electronic device enters the window switching mode. The electronic device is in the window switching mode until the user presses the function key again. Therefore, once the function key is pressed again, the method executes step S15 to transmit a confirmation signal from the mouse to the electronic device. After the electronic device receives the confirmation signal, the method executes step S16, selecting a target program window from the plurality of program windows according to the selection signal, and making the electronic device leave the window switching mode.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the user needs to keep pressing the function key in the window switching mode. Once the function key is released, the method executes step S15 to transmit a confirmation signal from the mouse to the electronic device. After the electronic device receives the confirmation signal, the method executes step S16, selecting a target program window from the plurality of program windows according to the selection signal, and making the electronic device leave the window switching mode.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the user can directly move the mouse in the window switching mode and click on the window to be selected. Therefore, in this embodiment, the method further executes step S17 to detect a displacement vector of the mouse and transmit the displacement vector to the electronic device. Once the one-click button of the mouse is pressed, the method executes step S15 to transmit a confirmation signal from the mouse to the electronic device. After the electronic device receives the confirmation signal, the method executes step S18, selecting a target program window from the plurality of program windows according to the displacement vector, and making the electronic device leave the window switching mode.

The confirmation signal in step S15 can be equivalent to a third signal that can be generated by a keyboard. The third signal can be used to indicate that the ENTER key of a keyboard is pressed, and the WINDOWS key of the keyboard is then released. In other words, pressing the function key of the mouse again in the window switching mode is equivalent to pressing the ENTER key of the keyboard and then releasing the WINDOWS key.

It can be known from the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2-4 that when the electronic device is in the window switching mode, there are at least three ways to complete the window switching and leave the window switching mode. The first method is to use the scroll wheel to switch to the desired window, and then press the function key of the mouse again. The second way is to use the scroll wheel to switch to the desired window, and then release the mouse function key that has been held down. The third method is to directly move the mouse to the window to be selected and press the mouse button. No matter which method is used, once the window switching action is completed, the electronic device will automatically leave the window switching mode.

The second preferred embodiment according to the present invention is a mouse for switching multiple program windows displayed on an electronic device. As shown in FIG. 5 , the mouse 10 includes function keys 11 , a scroll wheel 12 , a microprocessor 13 and a scroll detector 14 . When the function key 11 is pressed, the microprocessor 13 is used to transmit a switching signal to the electronic device 20, so that the electronic device 20 enters a window switching mode. The roll detector 14 is used to detect a roll vector of the scroll wheel 12 and transmit the roll vector to the electronic device 20 . In the window switching mode, the electronic device 20 generates a selection signal according to the scroll vector, and switches the plurality of program windows according to the selection signal. In practical application, the function key 11 can be arranged under the scroll wheel 12, so when the scroll wheel 12 is pressed down, the function key 11 is also pressed. Most of the mice currently on the market have a middle button function key, and the user can press the mouse wheel to touch the middle button of the mouse.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the mouse 10 of the second preferred embodiment may further include a click key 15 and a displacement detector 16 . Once the point key 15 is pressed, the microprocessor 12 sends a confirmation signal to the electronic device 20 . The displacement detector 16 is used to detect a displacement vector of the mouse 10 and transmit the displacement vector to the electronic device 20 . After receiving the confirmation signal, the electronic device 20 selects a target program window from the plurality of program windows according to the displacement vector, and then exits the window switching mode.

Compared with the prior art, the method according to the present invention can switch a plurality of program windows displayed on an electronic device through a mouse, and is applicable regardless of the Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system environment. This method can not only eliminate the inconvenience encountered by users in the prior art, but also simplify the complicated steps of switching multiple windows. It is not necessary to press any keyboard combination keys, but only through the operation of the mouse. Switch to any program window displayed on an electronic device at the user's will. And once the window switching action is completed, the electronic device will automatically leave the window switching mode. Thereby, the present invention can provide the user with a truly humanized input interface.

Through the above detailed description of the preferred embodiments, it is hoped that the characteristics and spirit of the present invention can be described more clearly, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments disclosed above. On the contrary, the intention is to cover various changes and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the scope of the claimed scope of the present invention should be interpreted in the broadest way based on the above description, so as to cover all possible changes and equivalent arrangements.

Claims (20)

1. one kind switches the method for a plurality of program windows be shown in an electronic installation by a mouse, and this mouse comprises a function key and a roller, and this method comprises the following step:

In case this function key is pressed, switches signal with one and be sent to this electronic installation by this mouse;

In response to this switching signal, make this electronic installation enter a window switch mode;

Detect a rolling vector of this roller, and the vector that should roll is sent to this electronic installation by this mouse; And

In this window switch mode, produce one according to this vector that rolls and select signal, and select signal to switch these a plurality of program windows according to this.

2. the method for claim 1, wherein, this switching signal is equal to one first signal that a keyboard can produce, this keyboard comprises a WINDOWS button and a TAB button, this first signal is used to represent that this WINDOWS button and this TAB button are pressed simultaneously, and this TAB button is then decontroled.

3. the method for claim 1, wherein this selection signal is equal to the secondary signal that a keyboard can produce, and this secondary signal is corresponding at least one directionkeys or a TAB button of this keyboard.

4. the method for claim 1 further comprises the following step:

In case this function key is again depressed, a confirmation signal is sent to this electronic installation by this mouse; And

After this electronic installation receives this confirmation signal, by selecting a target program window in these a plurality of program windows, and make this electronic installation leave this window switch mode according to this selection signal.

5. method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, this confirmation signal is equal to one the 3rd signal that a keyboard can produce, and this keyboard comprises an ENTER button and a WINDOWS button, the 3rd signal is used to represent that this ENTER button is pressed, and this WINDOWS button is then decontroled.

6. the method for claim 1 further comprises the following step:

In case this function key is decontroled, a confirmation signal is sent to this electronic installation by this mouse; And

After this electronic installation receives this confirmation signal, by selecting a target program window in these a plurality of program windows, and make this electronic installation leave this window switch mode according to this selection signal.

7. method as claimed in claim 6, wherein, this confirmation signal is equal to one the 3rd signal that a keyboard can produce, and this keyboard comprises an ENTER button and a WINDOWS button, the 3rd signal is used to represent that this ENTER button is pressed, and this WI NDOWS button is then decontroled.

8. the method for claim 1 further comprises the following step:

Detect a motion vector of this mouse, and this motion vector is sent to this electronic installation;

In case one of this mouse clicks key and is pressed, a confirmation signal is sent to this electronic installation by this mouse; And

After this electronic installation receives this confirmation signal, by selecting a target program window in these a plurality of program windows, and make this electronic installation leave this window switch mode according to this motion vector.

9. method as claimed in claim 8, wherein, this confirmation signal is equal to one the 3rd signal that a keyboard can produce, and this keyboard comprises an ENTER button and a WINDOWS button, the 3rd signal is used to represent that this ENTER button is pressed, and this WINDOWS button is then decontroled.

10. the method for claim 1, wherein this function key is arranged on this roller below, and when this roller was pressed, this function key was pressed.

11. a mouse that is used to switch a plurality of program windows that are shown in an electronic installation comprises:

One function key;

One roller;

One microprocessor, in case this function key is pressed, this microprocessor switches signal with one and is sent to this electronic installation, makes this electronic installation enter a window switch mode; And

One roll detection device is used to detect a rolling vector of this roller, and should be sent to this electronic installation by the rolling vector;

Wherein, in this window switch mode, this electronic installation produces one according to this vector that rolls and selects signal, and selects signal to switch these a plurality of program windows according to this.

12. mouse as claimed in claim 11, wherein, this switching signal is equal to one first signal that a keyboard can produce, this keyboard comprises a WINDOWS button and a TAB button, this first signal is used to represent that this WINDOWS button and this TAB button are pressed simultaneously, and this TAB button is then decontroled.

13. mouse as claimed in claim 11, wherein, this selection signal is equal to the secondary signal that a keyboard can produce, and this secondary signal is corresponding at least one directionkeys or a TAB button of this keyboard.

14. mouse as claimed in claim 11, wherein, in case this function key is again depressed, one confirmation signal will be sent to this electronic installation by this mouse, and this electronic installation is after receiving this confirmation signal, by selecting a target program window in these a plurality of program windows, then leave this window switch mode according to this selection signal.

15. mouse as claimed in claim 14, wherein, this confirmation signal is equal to one the 3rd signal that a keyboard can produce, and this keyboard comprises an ENTER button and a WINDOWS button, the 3rd signal is used to represent that this ENTER button is pressed, and this WINDOWS button is then decontroled.

16. mouse as claimed in claim 11, wherein, in case this function key is decontroled, one confirmation signal will be sent to this electronic installation by this mouse, and this electronic installation is connected on to be received after this confirmation signal, by selecting a target program window in these a plurality of program windows, then leave this window switch mode according to this selection signal.

17. mouse as claimed in claim 16, wherein, this confirmation signal is equal to one the 3rd signal that a keyboard can produce, and this keyboard comprises an ENTER button and a WINDOWS button, the 3rd signal is used to represent that this ENTER button is pressed, and this WINDOWS button is then decontroled.

18. mouse as claimed in claim 11 further comprises:

One clicks key, is pressed in case this clicks key, and this microprocessor is sent to this electronic installation with a confirmation signal; And

One displacement detector is used to detect a motion vector of this mouse, and this motion vector is sent to this electronic installation;

Wherein, this electronic installation by selecting a target program window in these a plurality of program windows, then leaves this window switch mode according to this motion vector after receiving this confirmation signal.

19. mouse as claimed in claim 18, wherein, this confirmation signal is equal to one the 3rd signal that a keyboard can produce, and this keyboard comprises an ENTER button and a WINDOWS button, the 3rd signal is used to represent that this ENTER button is pressed, and this WINDOWS button is then decontroled.

20. mouse as claimed in claim 11, wherein, this function key is arranged on this roller below, and when this roller was pressed, this function key was pressed.

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