MXPA00004618A - A system and method of providing restrained, streamlined access to a computerized information source - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a system for providing restrained, streamlined access to a computerized information source. The system, which works in association with a multipurpose computer, includes a discrete article, such as an advertising speciality like a mouse pad (100), having facilities to receive a users input (500), and, in turn, generate a unique predetermined signal based on the input. The system further includes software for configuring the computer to respond to each unique predetermined signal by executing one or more commands (103ag), as selected and stored within the software. Each configuration can be dynamically locked such that the commands to be executed upon the unique input are not alterable without an authorization mechanism, such as a password. The software also responds to receipt to one of the unique predetermined signals by executing the commands associated with the received signal. A method for performing the same is also disclosed. This system and method face particular application in advertising a business on the Internet, facilitating access to various locations within the domain of an Internet content provider and in managing a computer network.

Description

A SYSTEM AND A METHOD TO PROVIDE SIMPLIFIED AND RESTRICTED ACCESS TO A SOURCE OF COMPUTED INFORMATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a device for the user to enter information and to be used in association with a computer and, in particular, with a system to provide simplified and restricted access to a source of computerized information, for example, an Internet website, a software application, a data file or a similar source of information. 2. Previous Technique Computers have become common everywhere. Computer systems in general are comprised of hardware and software. The hardware in general includes a processor (which actually includes a central processing unit, other processing units, memory and storage devices), peripheral devices (modems, printers), a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse (or any other pointing device).

The general operation and function of a mouse are well known. Most software requires the end user to manipulate a cursor within a graphical user interface ("GUI" -graphical user interface) to select different segments of the interface, resulting in the execution of a particular command. To achieve this result, the mouse moves along a surface producing friction which causes a rolling sphere inside the mouse to rotate in a flat direction. This movement is translated into a series of directional signals that are fed to the computer, causing the cursor to move in relation to the movement of the mouse on the physical surface. Once the cursor has reached a desired location in the GUI, the end user presses the mouse button to activate an object associated with the cursor. Normally, end users have a mouse pad in order to facilitate these "mouse movement" operations, thus providing a free surface that has more friction and improves the rolling effect of the mouse. In addition to the basic computer hardware and the mouse pad, the end user can have additional hardware such as a joystick, optical scanners and other computer accessories, for example wrist supports, cases for flexible discs. In particular, computer accessories (including mouse pads) have become a frequent marketing tool, so that software developers, computer manufacturers and other business accessory distributors print their company or similar brands. in these articles. However, like any advertising specialty, simply putting the company's brand in front of a potential customer or even an existing customer does not ensure that a business is done with the recipient of that advertising item. Accordingly, an object of this invention is to increase the connection between the end user / recipient of an advertising article and the company that distributes that advertising article. Returning to the computer system itself, the software is the code that controls or manipulates the different elements of the hardware to produce the desired results. The most basic element of the software in a computer system is the operating system. The operating system is a program that controls a computer and that makes it possible for end users to enter their own programs and run them.

Other software, typically called applications, defines the particular uses of a computer system. The applications (and their libraries and media files) reside within the storage devices and the memories of the computer system. Some applications facilitate word processing, drawing, accounting and communication with other computers. The types of applications are almost unlimited. As a result, most computers have dozens of applications available to an end user through the computer's operating system, at any time. As a result, it is required that users usually perform several steps to activate a desired application. Once an end user has activated a desired application, within that application there are several commands that help the end user to perform the various tasks within the particular application. These commands are normally activated by the selection of the elements within a graphical user interface from drop-down menus, toolbars and other graphic keys, using the mouse. Sometimes commands are activated by pressing one or more keys on the keyboard. Other times, the keys selected for the activation of the command are the function keys "F keys" (normally located in the upper transverse part of the standard keyboard and designated "Fl" to "F12") alone or in combination with one or more additional keys, easy to reach, for example Ctrl, Alt and / or Shift. Activation of these function keys (or any of the keyboard keys) generates a code that is unique to each key, along with an indication of the binary state of the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys (ie, active / inactive). A particular application that has become very popular recently are Internet browsers. ... The Internet is a network of computers, each computer has a specific and unique address. These computers are linked by communication lines. The information passes from computer to computer until the data reaches its destination or is returned to its source. An Internet browser is an application that facilitates a communication of the end user with a particular address on the Internet, particularly allowing the end user to link to certain files and, in turn, download them to your computer, when these files appear in graphic pages of the user's computer, allowing the user to observe them and perform various tasks within that file, creating the appearance that the user is performing tasks on the World Wide Web. In general, a modem is connected to a telephone line under the control of an application called a "dialer", which allows the browser to make a connection to the Internet through an Internet service provider. As its name suggests, the "dialer" dials a telephone number and supports the continued connection of the modem with the telephone network. Alternatively, an end user can connect to the Internet through an ISDN line, another direct Internet connection, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAD). The prevalence of the Internet, modems, browsers and bookmarks has led to a commercial revolution on the Internet. Many businesses have developed websites (or websites) that provide potential and current customers with information regarding businesses, products and / or services, and regarding other materials. Some websites even provide the end user with the opportunity to purchase products or at least determine the availability of products from the owners of the websites. In fact, as a conservative estimate, tens of thousands of businesses have developed websites on the Internet to compete for the money and time of end users. Each website is designed by an Internet address; a long series of numbers that are hard to remember, for example "194.56.82.7." Consequently, domain names, for example "XYZ.COM." They have been developed as a substitute for the address of the Internet site that is easier to remember. However, even these domain names are not always easy to remember. In addition, some domain names are very long and, therefore, difficult to type on the keyboard. Even more, within the explosion of sites and businesses on the Internet web, competition in this area has become fierce. Consequently, any innovation that "attracts" the user to a website in a preferred way with another is significant. Accordingly, another objective of this invention is to provide businesses with a fixed mechanism to facilitate simplified access for the user to a business website, and not to a different site. An associated object of this invention is to provide a discrete object separate from the normal keys of a computer keyboard, so that the setting or blocking of the switch does not diminish the full functionality of these normal keys. ',' -. . ? In the workplace, in addition to public networks such as the Internet, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), intranets, extranets and other privately owned networks have also become popular. In effect, LANs and WANs provide the company with its own internal Internet. In fact, when the computers of a LAN or WAN are connected using protocols similar to those of the Internet, this configuration is called "Intranet". Regardless of whether a LAN or WAN is an intranet or it is not, these private networks provide a group of users with improved communication and access to the group's accumulated knowledge, making the group more productive. This productivity is directly related to the ability of users to find information and obtain assistance to use this relatively new technology. Unfortunately, as LANs and WANs develop within a business, the files must move and the hardware has to be reconfigured. In this way, frequent changes are required in the commands used to access any particular set of information and, consequently, the utility of the network and productivity for users is diminished. As a consequence, another objective of this invention is to avoid the need for users to "know" the location of information within this network. Another object of the present invention will become obvious in light of the following specifications, drawings and claims.

EXHIBITION SUMMARY This presentation is aimed at a system to provide simplified and restricted access to a computerized information source. This system is used in association with a multipurpose computer. The system influences a discrete article operatively connected to the computer for multiple purposes. This discrete article, which may comprise an advertising article, for example a mouse pad or a wrist rest, includes means for receiving an entry from a user. This user input means may comprise one or more switches placed on the surface of the discrete article. It is also contemplated that the discrete article may comprise a microphone. In any case, the discrete article comprises means for generating one or more unique and predetermined signals based on the user's input. These unique and predetermined signals are entered into the multipurpose computer. The system also resides in configuring the computer for multiple purposes in order to respond to each of the plurality of unique and predetermined signals, by executing one or more commands. This configuration means includes a means for selecting the commands to be executed upon receipt of one of the respective signals of the various unique and predetermined signals. Also included is a means for storing each of the selected commands in association with the respective signals of the single and predetermined signals, as a portion of a data set of the switch. The configuration means further includes a means for dynamically locking at least one of the pieces of the switch data, so that the commands stored therein can be configured by a user in association with a lock or padlock mechanism, for example. "t /, ..." -example a key.The system additionally includes a means for the multipurpose computer to respond to the reception of one of the unique and predetermined signals.This means executes the commands stored in the switch data, in association with one of the unique and predetermined signals received, the system may also include a means, to encourage a user to connect the discrete article to the computer, In one modality, this way of fostering the connection resides in ensuring that one of the the switches or any other means of the user's input devices are not blocked, so that the user can configure at least some of the answers. The system is particularly useful when the multi-purpose computer is operatively connected to the Internet. In this case, the switch data includes at least one set of commands that link to the multipurpose computer with a predefined address on the Internet. In a preferred embodiment, this link to the Internet is blocked by a blocking means, so that the user can not alter one or more of the commands and the predefined address. Thus, when the discrete article is an advertising article that includes trademarks associated with a business and that business has an address on the Internet, the user input of the associated unique and predetermined signal will cause the multipurpose computer to respond by linking to the Internet site of the business. The system may also include a means for overwriting the switch data with new switch data. When the multipurpose computer is operatively connected to a computer network, these new switch data can be located elsewhere in the computer network and lead to consistent operations through the computer network.This disclosure also discloses a method for providing simplified and restricted access to a computerized information source, the method comprising: connecting a discrete article to a multipurpose computer in an operational manner; configure the multipurpose computer to respond to one or more unique and predetermined signals; block one or more of the responses configured to the one or more unique and predetermined signals; generating a signal from the one or more predetermined unique signals using the discrete article; and responding to the receipt of that unique and predetermined signal based on the configuration of the multipurpose computer associated with the unique and predetermined signal between the one or more unique and predetermined signals. The method may also comprise the step of printing marks on the discrete article, the marks include information associated with a business; and provide the discrete article to the user. The method may also additionally include configuring the multipurpose computer to respond to one or more of the unique and predetermined signals, which comprises configuring the multipurpose computer to be linked to the Internet address associated with the business.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 of the drawings is a plan view of a computer system including the present system and a method for providing simplified and restricted access to a source of information; Figure 1 of the drawings is a schematic block diagram of a computer used within the present system and of the method for providing simplified and restricted access to a source of information; Figure 2 of the drawings is a schematic block diagram of the circuitry within the mouse pad portion of the access system simplified and restricted to a source of information, which is described in the present invention; Figure 3 of the drawings is a schematic block diagram of the software and hardware portion of the computer of the present system for simplified and restricted access to a source of information; Figure 4 of the drawings is a flow chart of the method for installing the present system for simplified and restricted access to a source of information within an existing computer; Figure 5 of the drawings is a flowchart of the procedure for configuring the system operations of the present for simplified and restricted access to a source of information; Figure 6 of the drawings is a top plan view of the mouse pad portion of the present system for simplified and restricted access to a source of information; Figure 6a of the drawings is a top plan view of an optional template that is used in combination with the mouse pad of the present system for simplified and restricted access to a source of information; Figure 6b of the drawings is a top plan view of the top of a mouse pad with a display that matches the integrated switches that are used in a system mode of the present for simplified and restricted access to a source of information; and Figure 7 of the drawings is a flow chart of the procedure for the standard operation of the present system for simplified access' and restricted to a source of information.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION While this invention is susceptible to modalities in many different forms, various embodiments are shown and described in detail in the drawings, it being understood that this disclosure can be considered as an exemplary form of the principles of the invention and in no way tries to limit it to the illustrated modalities. Figure 1 shows the computer system 10 which includes a standard 11 multipurpose computer and a monitor 12, a keyboard 13, a mouse 14 and a modem 15, each of which is operatively connecto the multipurpose computer 11 in a well-known manner. The multipurpose computer 11 may be a PENTIUMMR based computer or any other multipurpose computer operating under an operating system such as WINDOWS "1 * 95, WINDOWS ™ * NT, System 7 of Apple Computer Corporation of Cupertino, California or UNIX , just to mention a few, the monitor 12 can be a standard SVGA monitor or any other display unit .. The keyboard 13 can be a standard 101-key keyboard that has a numeric keypad and several function keys or F keys. The modem 15 is connecto the Internet via a telephone jack 16. Although modem 15 is shown as external, it is contemplathat modem 15 may also be an internal modem or that the connection to the Internet may be made by an exclusive connection. in some configurations, the multipurpose computer 11 may contain a network interface card that connects the computer 11 to a LAN or WAN in a manner well known in the art. technique through the network connection 17. As is known, the connection to the Internet can also be achieved through a LAN or WAN (through the network interface card) without the use of modem 15. As shown in Figure la, the Multipurpose computer 11 contains a CPU, ALU, memory, storage devices and other hardware disk drives. As is well known in the art, these components cooperate with the execution of the instructions, the manipulation of the data and run several sets of computer codes, including the operating system and one or more applications. Figure 1 also shows a mouse pad 100 which is a portion of the present system for simplified access and restricted to a source of information. Other discrete items such as wrist pads, paperweights, cup holders and other objects may be used in place of the mouse pad 100, as understood by those who read this specification. The other elements of this system are the software 101 that is contained within the memory and / or storage devices of the multipurpose computer 11. The procedure for installing this system for simplified and restricted access to a source of information is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. First, the mouse pad 100 is connected to a multipurpose computer 11, step 200. As shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, the mouse pad 100 includes a platform 101, a communication line 102, switches 103a-h and a friction pad 104. As shown in Figure 2, the platform 101 has contained within it circuitry for scanning and operating the switches 103a-h (designated only as switch arrangement 103). Of course, it is within the scope of the present invention to construct a mouse pad 100 with several of the switches. In a preferred eiment, these switches are momentary mechanical contact switches, however, the use of other types of switches, mention only but not limited to, membrane switches, capacitive switches, LCD touch switches and all types of mechanical rocker switches , may be used .. As in the case of the prior art, the friction pad 104 of the mouse pad 100 may be printed with a 500 mark using conventionally known printing techniques. 500 brands can be the logo or brand of a particular company that in turn distributes the mouse tape to consumers and prospective customers. In addition to the mark 500, the mouse pad 100 also has printed marks 501 on it which correspond to the marks 500 in a certain logical way. The marks 501 may be printed adjacent to one of the switches 103a-h, for example a switch 103g, as shown in Figure 6. The other switches may be identified by the user writing on the surface adjacent to each switch. This surface can be comprised of dry erase material to facilitate the relabeling of the switches as the user's needs change, which will be done by the user writing with a dry erase marker. The mouse pad 100 is electrically connected to the multipurpose computer 11 via the communication line 102. As shown in Figures 1 and 1, the multipurpose computer 11 contains a plurality of communication ports through the which the computer is connected to its peripheral devices, for example to a modem, keyboard, mouse to a printer (not shown). In a preferred eiment, shown in Figure la, the mouse pad 100 is connected to a communication port 50 (to avoid complications the other ports are not shown). , * The communication port 50 may be bidirectional or may simply be a port of entry to the multipurpose computer 11. In a preferred eiment of the invention, the communication port 50 is the standard keyboard port, however other standard mouse ports, a parallel port, an infrared (IR) port or other wireless or serial ports may be used. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the communication port 50 may be placed on a privately owned expansion card, exclusive for the purposes of the present system, for simplified and restricted access to a source of information. The function and structure of this exclusive or dedicated card will be easily understood by experts in this field, when you read this specification. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic connection to the multipurpose computer 11 via the communication lines 102 also provides power to the mouse pad 100 in order to energize the switch array 103 and the encoder / disk drive 105. Alternatively it is contemplated that the mouse pad 100 has a separate connection to the main alternating current source, which will also require the addition of a transformer and a TTL or ECL level voltage regulator in association with the mouse pad 100.

Depending on which port of the computer 11 is used to connect the mouse pad 100, one of the keyboard 13, the printer or the mouse 14 will have to reconnect to the communication port 50, steps 201a, 201b, 201c, respectively. As the picture shows I, when the mouse pad 100 is connected to the keyboard port of the multipurpose computer 11, as in the case of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the keypad 13 must be reconnected to the port via a communication line 102 of the tapetillo 100 for mouse. In a preferred embodiment, the signals of the keypad 13 are put into "Gate O" type connection with the signals of the plug 100. Other means for connecting two signal sources to a single input, for example by multiplexing, may be used in place of the configuration between "gate O" with some additional complexity. Therefore, the signals coming from the array of switches 103 of the tape 100 and the keyboard 13 are intermixed in the same input to the computer II. To facilitate this configuration, the switch arrangement 103 is preferably configured in an easy-to-scan column-row matrix to determine the actuation of the switch. As is known, the encoder / unit 105 that uses time division multiplexing sequentially activates the rows and columns and detects the resulting signal in order to detect a single actuation of the switch. Upon detecting a switch operation the encoder / actuator sends an encoded signal to the computer 11 via the communication line 102. In a preferred embodiment, this code comprises the state shift + alt + ctrl and the code: These scan codes are the standard ASCII scan codes for the F keys of the keyboard 13. However, the accompanying state was particularly selected since it is very unlikely that an end user could ever inadvertently and simultaneously operate those keys . Similarly, it is very unlikely that any other application could include a command that required the user to activate this key combination. Therefore, this encoding format can be easily identified as generated by a mouse pad 100 and not from the keyboard 13 and is still within the "range" of a standard keyboard encoding scheme. The particular values set forth provide only one of several possible switch coder schemes that will avoid interference by the switch arrangement 103 with the proper operation of the keypad 13 and will provide a unique code for the switches 103a-h. Other equally effective coding schemes may be adopted without departing from the scope of the present invention. After the physical connection of the mouse pad 100 to the computer 11, the end user installs the software portion 101 of the present system for simplified and restricted access to an information source, step 202. In a preferred embodiment of the system, the software installation will not be fully executed unless the tape 100 is electrically connected to the computer 11, as determined by requesting the end user to press one or more switches 103a-h and wait for the code assigned to that switch to be received. The installation may involve inserting one or more flexible disks or a CD-ROM into the computer 11 and executing a command that initiates an installation program. This installation program is specific to the installation of this system. As in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the installation program can be developed with the INSTALLSHIELD program available from InstallShield Corporation of Schaumburga, Illinois. It is also contemplated that the software portion 101 may be recorded in the memory of the computer 11 via a communication line 102 from the mouse pad (in the form that it is loaded in an EEPROM or a similar device within the tapetillo), through a network connection 17 from a computer network or even from a website on the Internet. In any case, in one embodiment of the present invention this download of information to the computer will be prompted by the physical connection of the tape-top 100 to the computer 11. In such case, the tape-top 100 would include an executable file that gives notices to be made the download. In yet another mode, the software download can be prompted by a network administrator through a network connection. Figure 3 of the drawings shows a schematic block diagram of the software and the hardware portion of the computer of the present system for simplified and restricted access to a source of information. In particular, the software 101 includes an auxiliary keyboard actuator 110, a run-time DLL 111, a pop-up monitor 112, an application 113, several data files 114a, 114b and 114c and a control panel 115. In In the present system installations using a modem connection, the configuration routine installs a marked program within the storage devices of the computer 11 to be used by the software 101, step 203. A "dialer program" is a code that controls the modem 15 with a specified set of parameters and telephone numbers. In one embodiment of the present invention, a simplified marker is included with the software portion 101 installed. Alternatively, the software 101 may copy a pre-existing marker program (such as the MICROSOFT DIALER from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington) from the storage devices of the multipurpose computer 11 and integrate that copy for use by the software 101 Similarly, in facilities associated with the Internet, an intranet or extranet, the configuration routine locates a pre-existing browser program within the storage devices of the computer 11 in order to integrate them with the software 101. Most programs of navigation operate identically to accept Internet addresses from external sources, thus facilitating this integration. The final result of this integration will be to facilitate Internet access for the end user of the device, as will be analyzed in more detail below. After the software 101 is loaded into the computer 11, it must be configured to operate within a computer, step 204. As this novel system is intended to be activated during each of the assignments of a computer 11 and during all of them, for all of them, this configuration should include a link to the software 101 that loads the software 101 at each power on of the computer 11, after the operating system loads all the hardware actuating devices required for the operation of the computer 11 The configuration routine additionally loads a set of domestic definitions for the operation of the switches 103a-h in the tapetillo 100 for the mouse, together with the multipurpose computer 11. This domestic set of switch definitions is configured by the manufacturer or any other entity. As will be discussed more fully below, this domestic set of switch definitions can include one or more "blocked" definitions that serve to direct the end user to particular information set up either on a computer network or the Internet. The software configuration 101 may also involve the identification of a route for the location of the set of switch definitions. This will be particularly true for computer network installations (such as LAN and WAN) where the network administrator may wish to control the action of 1 or more switches through a whole group of LAN or WAN users. In particular, by directing each WAN or LAN user to a single file path and a single set of switch definitions, the software 101 facilitates the management by the network administrator of the users of the LAN or WAN to a file server, to the service of communications, text files or executable files or other information that could be redirected or redefined within the LAN or WAN. This functionality will simplify the tasks involved with network administration, allowing the modification of a single switch setting definition file that affects all users in a network through a mouse pad 100 and a software 101. A reseller or manufacturer of this system can also take advantage of this functionality by remotely reconfiguring various switch definitions, by sending by email or some other form of distribution an updated set of interfusion definitions. In one embodiment, this functionality can be further facilitated if the system identifies itself by linking to the reseller or manufacturer's website, noting that it is equipped with the present system of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the configuration routine will also create various icons, program groups, an uninstaller, a readme file and the user interface. In addition, in some embodiments, the configuration routine may also load optional animation graphics to improve the graphic features associated with the operation of the system of the invention. At some point during the installation and / or reconfiguration of software 101, the end user may be asked to provide serial numbers and demographic information when registering their system installation. The information requested may include system configuration information (including marker type, modem type, browser type, type of program installed on the multipurpose computer 11, etc.), which may also be obtained directly from the operating system to facilitate Technical support by the system manufacturer. The obtained registration information can be transmitted electronically to the manufacturer of the apparatus as an email or a direct link to the manufacturer's computer system via modem 15 or network connection 17. In one embodiment of the present invention, this information can be additionally provided to a distributor or any other entity associated with the distribution, configuration and / or manufacture of the mouse pad 100 and the software 101 to provide information regarding the end user and installation of the product. The registration information may be added or alternatively printed for transmission in a hard copy and sent to the manufacturer and / or kept in the record file within the storage devices of the computer 11. After the registration information has been Once completed, the user will receive a notice to authorize the download of the registration information, step 205. In some modalities, this information is sent by email through the Internet. In other modalities, the information is sent directly to a specific telephone number. In modalities that directly download the registration information, once the marker is installed and the navigator is placed, the predefined number for direct registration will have been previously loaded to the marker. As mentioned before, this number can be for the system manufacturer or another company involved in the distribution of equipment and software. Once the installation has been completed, the end user will receive a warning to restart the computer 11 to ensure that the code residing in the memory required for the operation of this system has been properly invoked. Computer 11 will reboot in the same way it did before the software 101 installation, by configuring the computer system and verifying its operations. Subsequently, the operating system will be loaded into memory. After loading the operating system, the software 101 is loaded and begins its operation. As shown in Figure 7, the software 101 is started by initializing the system, step 300. This initialization step includes invoking the software 101 and energizing the mouse pad 100. Figure 3 shows the interrelation of the software 101 with other software and drive circuits running on the computer 11. As shown in Figure 3, the software 101 receives data related to the event via the monitor 110 of the event. In one embodiment, the event monitor 110 may be interposed between port 50 communications and the keyboard actuator 51 breaking the standard connection (shown in dotted lines 52). In a preferred embodiment, the event monitor 110 registers a predetermined set of "event" codes with the operation system using a pre-existing command that directs any example of the predetermined "event" codes to the monitor 110. In any mode, to ensure correct operation it is critical that the software 101 be loaded before any other software that could cause a conflict within the multipurpose computer system 11. In a preferred embodiment, the data of the mouse pad 100 received via the communication line 102 has the state encoded by the encoder / driver circuit 105 on the mouse pad 100, with the "mouse pad status code" (ie shift + alt + ctrl). When detecting the mouse pad status code, the operating system redirects the associated data (or the event monitor will intercept the data) to the run time DLL 111, which causes the software to call monitor 112 pop-up (jump) and software code 113, as necessary to facilitate the operation of the particularly depressed switch from the array of switches 103 of the tape 100. The standard operation will be discussed below. As a result, during the initialization step, these pieces of code can also be loaded and activated. After the initialization step, the software code 113 checks the configuration updates, step 301. As noted above, a network administrator can configure the software 101 with a file location within the storage device of the computer 11 or about an associated LAN or WAN. If the local end user configuration file 114b is not current for the global file, the global file is downloaded to the local configuration file and an update record is updated with the date of the update, step 302. It is also contemplated that desire a similar function by the manufacturer or system integrator. At this point, the software 101 fades to the bottom of the screen and continuously monitors the actuation of one of the switches of the switch arrangement 103, step 303. This step is facilitated by the event monitor 110, which will pass to the data associated with this actuation of the switch on the pad 100 to the run time DLL 111 for further processing. As is known in this technique, by pressing the switches of the switchboard 100 this will be observed as an "event" by the operating system of the computer 11. It is contemplated that other events than the event of pressing the switch may be used in this system. One of these events can be an indication by voice recognition software together with a microphone. The speech recognition software could be configured to output codes similar to those of the switches 103a-hu or other codes that are programmed in the event monitor 110. Another event could be to indicate, within the execution of another file or generating program , other predetermined codes that would result in an action by the software 101. The particular switch operated or other single event receives a service according to its configuration, step 304. Each switch 103a-h on the mouse pad 100 is configured to provide simplified access to a particular set of information or to an operation. For example, operating a switch can consistently launch an application, launch a shortcut or similar, launch a document (with associated application), execute a macro or series of clicks, visit a website on the Internet or access a network server, among other possible operations. The manner of configuring each of these switches can be understood in relation to Figure 5. First, one of the switches 103a-h must be selected for its configuration, step 400. This selection can be achieved by pressing an undefined prior switch between the switches 103a-h on the tab 100 or selecting a graphic representation of one of the switches 103a-h, as shown in the control panel 115, using the mouse 14 in a well-known manner. Of course, other methods for selecting a particular switch, for example by typing in a unique identifier associated with a switch and other well-known user input operations, are also within the scope of the present invention, it being understood that the methods discussed herein have only one illustrative purpose. With a switch selected, the software 101 determines whether that switch is protected with a key, step 401. If it is protected with a key, only a user with the appropriate key will be able to configure the switch, steps 401a and 401b. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is a hierarchy of keys that have the following descending order: manufacturer, OEM, system integrator, system administrator and end user. In other words, the manufacturer's key exceeds all other system keys and so on. If the switch is not protected with a key or the user has the key, then the user is instructed to select a function for the switch, step 402. These functions may include, among other options, consistently running an application, triggering a document (with an associated application), activate a shortcut or similar, run a macro or a series of clicks or visit a website on the Internet. The user can be provided with several dialog boxes to assist in the configuration of the switch in order to perform the desired function. In a preferred embodiment, where the end user instructs the software 101 to configure a particular switch to launch an application, the user will be prompted with a list of available applications that are located within the computer 11. In another example, when the user instructs the software 101 to configure another switch in order to direct the computer 11 to the visit of a website on the Internet, the user will be indicated with a list of sites found in the "bookmark" section of the Browser from Internet. Of course, any of the examples, the end user will also have the option of typing on the keyboard 13 the name of the executable file or URL, as the case may be. In a preferred embodiment of the software 101, assigning a function to a switch will result in a predetermined number of characters of the name of the executable file, the title of the icon and / or the URL that is being assigned to a text identifier for that switch. In some embodiments it will be possible for the end user to change the switch identifier by selecting the automatically generated identifier and typing a replacement title by means of the keypad 13, normally performed within the software programs. In a mode that allows the end user to have this control, after assigning a function (and an identifier) to the selected switches, the end user may receive the option of adding key protection to the switch configuration, step 403. If the user indicates his desire for this protection, the software 101 requests a key, verifies the key and saves the new key in order to protect the configuration of the particularly selected switch, steps 403a-c. Then the configuration routine ends. Of course, the user can configure all the keys to which the user has access, simply starting the configuration process again. The results of this configuration routine are written to a switch object, for example a switch object 500 (shown in Figure 3). Various switch objects are grouped and organized in a specifically addressable manner. Eight switch objects (ie, 500 - 507) are grouped in a switch assembly. The number of switch objects grouped in a switch assembly should be equal to the number of switches in a switch array 103 in the mouse pad 100. As shown in Figure 3, in a preferred embodiment, there may also be two or more switch assemblies supported by the software 101. In this embodiment, one of the switches 103a-h in each set of switches will be used exclusively for tilting from a set to the next set in a circular form, through each and every set and back to the initial set (that is, the original set from the initialization of the software 101). The set of switches that has been currently focused will determine the functionality of the switches 103a-h in the tapetillo 100. It should be noted that even in a configuration that has multiple sets of switches, it is possible to unite the end user with one or more sets of switches, avoiding access to the others without requiring a key. In a preferred embodiment of the software, the end user has the ability to configure other aspects associated with the operation of a switch / for example the assignment of a sound or animation. Additionally, software 101 can also facilitate the end user to copy the configuration from one switch to another, move a switch configuration from one switch to another, cancel the configuration of a switch and / or modify the configuration of a switch. These operations can be performed through the graphical user interface or monitor 12 using the keyboard 13 and / or the mouse 14. As already said, if a switch configuration were to be modified by the operation and that switch is protected with a key, the Software 101 will indicate to the end user that he must provide the key before finishing the operation. Figure 6a of the drawings shows an optional template for use in combination with the switches 103a-h of the tapeget 100. In particular, this template can be made of transparent material with which it is dry-cleaned, to facilitate the end user to write the assignments of switch in each set of switches. The template can be removed and replaced with another template each time the focus of the switch set is changed during the course of the assignment. Alternatively, Figure 6 of the drawings shows an exhibit in coincidence with switches 103a-h. In one embodiment, the display is a liquid crystal display and is operated by a screen actuator within the computer 11 via the communications port 50, which for this mode will necessarily have to be bidirectional. Screen 502 shows the switch identifier or another graphic that is identified during the switch configuration process. In a modality that allows multiple switch assemblies, the identifiers and graphics associated with the "focus" are displayed. In this way, the use of this system is further improved and simplified. A very important application of the previous system consists of the most effective commercialization and / or advertising of a business or any other entity. Very often these entities and businesses acquire advertising items, for example mouse taps, doll rests, paperweights, portable calculators, watches that are printed with different brands, for example the company's brand, the logo and / or any other information regarding business and its products / services, so that they are distributed to potential customers and current customers. In the case of the mouse pads 100, the friction pad 104 can be printed with several marks, for example the 500 marks. While these mouse pads effectively put an advertising message before the consumer in a prominent location, there is really nothing that directs the consumer to carry out some business with the entity that makes the publicity. The connection of the end user / potential client with the entity that owns the ad in an active link would increase the likelihood that the consumer will make a purchase to the owner of this advertisement. When using the above system, in addition to the printed marks 500 on the mouse pad 100, an entity that puts an advertisement would define a set of switches that would include at least one switch defined to visit the website of the owner of the advertising in the Internet (launch a bookmark, browser and load a domain name (or URL) selected by the business). This switch object definition would then be blocked with a key, thus ensuring continuous access to the company's website. A 501 mark, which corresponds in some way to the advertiser's trademarks and / or drawings 500, would be printed in coincidence with the switch that has been defined to visit the business on the Internet. As is known, this website on the Internet may contain other advertising and even a system for placing orders directly with the advertiser. Even if the Internet website does not provide a means to make purchases, the added advertising dimension may nevertheless make the marketing effect more productive for the business. It is believed that as a result of the user always having simplified access to the business website (a source of information), the consumer is more likely not only to think about the advertiser, but also to purchase items or services from that advertiser. In a preferred embodiment, the number of switches that would have an associated key by the annunciator is limited. In this way, the programmable additional switches are available for the end user to program, so that the user receives a personal benefit by connecting the mouse pad 100 and installing the software 101. This added value for the consumer almost assures the announcer that the end user will connect to the system in a functional way. The parallel effect of this connection is to provide a quick link to the business website. Another main application of the previous system is to facilitate access to several locations of a LAN and / or WAN. In particular, using the system's switch lockout abilities in combination with the update function, a network administrator can define several switches on the mouse pad 100 to launch various company applications (eg scheduling, email , group applications), documents and logos for several servers. Through the abilities of the system of the present invention, any configuration change in the network can be placed in a general file of the network in the known path to the software 101 to contain data of the switch assembly. During the initialization of a computer of a user of the network, the software 101 checks the predesignated route to determine recent updates of the set of switches, which are reloaded to the data 114a of the switch object for the user to install them in the system of the I presented. In this way, changes in the network can be essentially transparent, providing simplified access to various sources of information. The network administrator can select to lock certain switches with a key or on all switches to facilitate this scheme. Another potential application of the previous system is to facilitate access to several locations within the domain of an Internet content provider, for example MICROSOFT NETWORK, AOL 0 PRODIGY. In particular, by using the dynamic switch configuration and system blocking abilities, in combination with the update function, this content provider can define several switches in the tapetillo 100 in order to open several groups, locations, trade offers and other content areas within the domain of the content provider. In this case, the Internet content provider may choose to have brands 500 and 501 that consist of a man or another symbol associated with that company. Similarly, an Internet service provider may use the previous system to help users access the Internet through their service instead of using a service from a competitor.

The above drawings and description are solely for the purpose of explaining and illustrating the invention and the invention is not limited thereto, except as regards the appended claims, since those skilled in the art have considered the above discussion they may be able to make modifications and variations thereto without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. "'

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS t 1.
2. A system to provide simplified and restricted access to a computerized information source to be used in association with a multipurpose computer, the system comprises: a discrete article operatively connected to the multipurpose computer, the discrete article has a means to receive a user input; the discrete article contains means for generating one or more predetermined and unique signals based on user input; a means to configure the multipurpose computer to respond to each of the unique and predetermined signals, by executing one or more commands; the configuration means includes a means for selecting the command (s) to be executed upon receipt of a respective signal from the one or more predetermined signals; the configuration means includes a means for storing each command of the selected command (s) in association with the respective signal of the single and predetermined signals, in the form of a plurality of switch data; the configuration means further includes a means for dynamically locking at least a plurality of the plurality of switch data, so that one or more commands stored therein can be configured by a user in association with an authorization mechanism; a means to receive the unique and predetermined signals or signals; a means within the multipurpose computer to respond to the received signal of the predetermined and unique signals, by executing the command (s) stored in the switch data from the plurality of switch data associated with the received signal of the or the unique and predetermined signals.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the one or more predetermined signals based on a user input comprises one or more switches.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the system further comprises means for encouraging the user to operatively connect the discrete item to the multipurpose computer.
5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the means for promoting the connection includes one or more of the switch (s) having switch data not blocked, so that the user is allowed to configure the included switches of the switch (s) .
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the multipurpose computer is operatively connected to the Internet, the plurality of switch data includes at least one addressable switch data that links the multipurpose computer to a predefined address on the Internet The system according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the addressable switch data that links to the multipurpose computer with a predefined address on the Internet is blocked by a blocking means, so that the user does not You can alter one or more commands and the predefined address.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the discrete article is an advertising article that includes a brand associated with a business and the business is also associated with the predefined address on the Internet, so that the user input of the signal The respective one or the unique and predetermined signals will cause the multipurpose computer to respond by linking to the predefined address on the Internet.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the advertising article comprises a mouse pad.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the mouse pad includes one or more discrete switches placed on an external surface thereof.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the multipurpose computer is operatively connected to a computer network, the plurality of switch data includes at least one addressable switch data that links the multipurpose computer with a predefined resource in the computer network.
11. 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the addressable switch data or data that links to the multipurpose computer with the predefined resource in the computer network has a blocking, by means of a blocking means so that the user can not alter it. or the commands and the predefined resource.
12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the reconfiguration means further includes a means for overwriting the plurality of switch data with a new plurality of switch data.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the new plurality of switch data is located outside the multipurpose computer, in any other place of the computer network, the new plurality of switch data tends to provide consistent operations through the computer network.
14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the configuration means further includes a means for overwriting the plurality of switch data with a new plurality of switch data.
15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the discrete article comprises a microphone and the response means includes speech recognition software.
16. 16. A method to provide simplified and restricted access to a computerized information source, the method comprises: connecting a discrete article with a multipurpose computer in an operational way; configure the multipurpose computer to respond to one or more predetermined and unique signals; block in one or more of the configured responses to the one or the unique and predetermined signals; generate a signal of the unique and predetermined signals with the discrete article; and responding to the reception of one of the signals of the one or the predetermined and unique signals based on the configuration of the multipurpose computer associated with the signal generated from the one or the unique and predetermined signals.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: printing a mark on the discrete article, the mark includes information associated with a business; and provide the discrete article to the user.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of configuring the multipurpose computer to respond to the single or predetermined signals comprises configuring the multipurpose computer to link it to an Internet address associated with the business.
19. 19. A method for providing simplified and restricted access to a computerized information source, the method comprising: providing a user interface in association with a multipurpose computer; configure the multipurpose computer to respond to one or more unique and predetermined signals; block in one or more of the responses configured for the single or predetermined signals; generate a signal of the predetermined unique or signals with the discrete article; and responding to the reception of the signal of the single and predetermined signals based on the configuration of the multipurpose computer associated with the signal generated from the one or the unique and predetermined signals. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of providing a user interface comprises the additional step of displaying the user interface on a discrete article.