Microsoft Awarded Patent for Mouse
 
Microbytes Daily News Service
Copyright (c) 1989, McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Microsoft has been awarded a patent for a mouse that connects
directly to a computer's serial port. US Patent No. 4,866,602,
entitled "Power Supply for a Computer Peripheral Device Which
Positions a Cursor on a Computer Display," was issued on
September 12, 1989. Rumors have circulated for weeks that
Microsoft was awarded the patent, but the company refused to
comment until now.
 
The patent covers the technique of powering a mouse through the
RS-232 serial port. Prior to 1982, most mice were sold with an
external power supply for the signal encoder inside the mouse. In
1982 Microsoft designed a low-power signal encoder that drew its
power from data and control lines of the serial port; in the
years since, many other mouse makers have followed suit.
 
Microsoft stressed that the patent does not affect every computer
mouse. PC-compatible bus mice, PS/2 mice, and Macintosh ADB mice
are not covered by the patent. However, other serial pointing
devices, such as trackballs, might be covered.
 
Microsoft president Jon Shirley said his company hopes to "reach
reasonable licensing arrangements" with other mouse makers. One
of those mouse manufacturers, Logitech, has already confirmed
that Microsoft has contacted it about licensing the patent.
 
                              --- Frank Hayes
 
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