U.S. Patent number: 4,543,571
Filed: Aug Nov. 5, 1982
Issued: Sep. 24, 1985
Inventor: Bilbrey et al.
Assignees: Universal Supply, Inc. and Edward F. Towers
In 1985, Inventors Robert A. Bilbrey and Bruce R. Koball were granted a patent for a mouse that combined both optical and mechanical means for measuring the device's movement. According to their patent:
"The optical system is limited to detecting the distance traveled by the mouse across the pattern, a mechanical displacement device within the mouse being utilized to detect the direction of the movement. Signals from the optical distance detector and the mechanical direction detector are combined to drive the cursor in a controlled direction across a cathode ray tube or other display device."
Image taken from U.S. Patent 4,543,571 - Digitized by Google
Computer mouse evolution: Patent designs from the 1970s and 1980s
by Bill Detwiler | June 18, 2010, 10:43am PDT | Image 17 of 31
Opto-Mechanical Cursor Positioning Device
Opto-Mechanical Cursor Positioning Device - Image 17 of 31
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About Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is Head Technology Editor of TechRepublic. Previously, he worked as a Support Tech and IT Manager in the social research and energy industries.
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