摘要 |
A system for using computer input devices with software applications is disclosed. The system includes an input device mapper, which uses a language of semantics as an interface between input devices and software applications. The input device mapper receives information about which semantics the devices connected to the computer are able to implement, and which semantics correspond to actions that a user can request the software to perform. The input device mapper maps controls on the available devices into user-requestable software actions by matching, as closely as possible, device controls and software actions that correspond to the same semantic. An input device manager employing the disclosed input device mapper translates device operation events into the software's input dialect to direct the software to perform the action into which an operated control has been mapped. The system thus makes input devices and software applications transparent to each other, and permits a software application to be designed to operate without regard to which input device is being used to control its actions. |