Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2003-06-17
Saras, Steven (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S157000, C345S164000, C345S167000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06580420
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to computer input devices. Particular embodiments provide pointing devices which can be used both as a mouse and as a trackball.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various known pointing devices allow a user to provide two-dimensional coordinate information to a computer. One such device is a mouse. A typical mouse has a spherical ball mounted in a housing. The ball projects slightly from a bottom side of the housing. A user can cause the ball to rotate by sliding the mouse over a flat surface. Sensors in the mouse sense rotation of the spherical ball about two orthogonal axes. Signals output by the sensors are delivered to a computer. The signals may be interpreted by software in the computer to determine a location of a cursor in two dimensions on a display of the computer. One or more function buttons are provided on the housing in position(s) where they can be easily actuated by a user grasping the mouse. By pushing the buttons a user can generate additional signals to be sent to the computer.
Mice are very popular because they provide users with an intuitive way to provide input to a computer. A mouse can provide fine control over cursor position in two dimensions. Some mice are equipped with wheels. The wheels are located on an upper surface of the mouse. A user can use a wheel equipped mouse (together with suitable software drivers) for scrolling through lists of items. One disadvantage of a mouse is that a mouse requires the availability of a flat surface for proper operation. This can be a problem, for example, when a mouse is used as a pointing device for a portable laptop computer and the computer is being used in a location where there is no convenient flat surface.
An alternative type of pointing device is a trackball. A trackball has a spherical ball mounted in and projecting upwardly from a housing. A user can roll the spherical ball by directly manipulating it. Trackballs have the advantages that they do not require a large flat surface for proper operation and the location of a trackball does not change as the trackball is used.
Over the past number of years considerable research has been conducted into the ergonomics of computer input devices. These enquiries have been prompted by the discovery that people who use computers for long periods of time can suffer various injuries including so-called “repetitive strain injuries”. Repetitive strain injuries can occur when users repetitively make thousands of very similar motions of the same muscles over a long period. Furthermore, even if a user does not suffer physical injury, the user can become fatigued after using a mouse or trackball to control a computer for extended periods. This can lead to reduced productivity.
The combinations of hand and arm muscles used to control a mouse are different from the combination of hand and finger muscles used to control a trackball. A computer user may reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and also reduce fatigue by periodically switching between a mouse and a trackball. When using a mouse the muscles used to control a trackball can rest and vice versa.
Various designs have been proposed for computer pointing devices which can be operated selectively either as mice or as trackballs. All of these prior devices have significant disadvantages. Jasinski et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,289 discloses a combined mouse and trackball. The grip portion of the device, which is gripped when the device is being used as a mouse, serves as a base when the device is being used as a trackball. The grip portion cannot therefore be ergonomically shaped. Further, the Janiski et al. design requires two separate sets of function buttons. When the Janiski et al. device is used as a trackball the function buttons are not ergonomically positioned. The way in which the device converts to a mouse prevents a more optimum location for the trackball function buttons. Overall, this design forces the user to adopt an awkward hand posture to operate the device.
Blankenship et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,684 shows another combination mouse and trackball device. The Blankenship device can be built into the keyboard of a laptop computer. The device can be used in place as a trackball. The device can be removed from the keyboard and turned upside down for use as a mouse. The Blankenship design also requires two different sets of function buttons and has the further disadvantages that the grip portion of the device is not ergonomically shaped. Further, the trackball function buttons are not optimally located.
Kwok, U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,726 shows a combination mouse and trackball. The ball can be moved between a lower position wherein the device functions as a mouse and an upper position wherein the ball can be manipulated as a trackball by an elevator mechanism. The Kwok device has the disadvantage that the buttons are located in a position which is convenient when the device is being used as a mouse but is awkward when the device is being used as a trackball.
Hovey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,347 shows another combination mouse and trackball device. The Hovey et al. device has a large ball which projects from both upper and lower faces of a housing. Because the ball projects upwardly from the housing, a user's hand could unintentionally interfere with rotation of the ball when the device is being used as a mouse. To use the device as a trackball a user must support the housing so that the ball is clear of any surfaces and can freely rotate. Furthermore, when this device is used as a trackball, the function buttons are located in positions which require a user to adopt an awkward hand posture when using the device.
Grant, U.S. design Pat. Nos. D361,991 and D346,373, both entitled “Combined Trackball and Mouse” show devices in which a trackball projects from a front surface of a housing and a mouse ball projects from a lower surface of the housing. It appears that the same ball serves as both as a mouse ball and a trackball.
There is a need for a computer pointing device which can be operated both as a mouse which has the ease of operation of a well designed mouse and as a trackball which has the ease of operation of a well designed trackball. There is a particular need for such a device which provides a mouse having an ergonomically shaped grip. There is also a particular need for computer input devices which can be adjusted to comfortably accommodate hands of different sizes. Especially in mobile computing there is a need for computer input devices which can be configured in a way which protects position sensors, such as balls, and other sensitive movable parts, from dirt and physical damage while they are not being used. In some computing environments, there is also a need for input devices which can be configured to allow a user to operate the devices with two hands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides computer input devices which can function as computer mice. A mouse has a position sensor, which typically comprises a rolling ball. When an operator moves the mouse relative to a flat surface the position sensor generates signals which can be used by a host computer. The host computer may, for example, use the signals to position a cursor on a screen. A mouse also has one or more function buttons which a user can press to send control signals to a host computer. The input devices of the invention have function buttons and position sensors which can be moved relative to one another. In various embodiments this permits an input device according to the invention to
be used selectively as a mouse or as a trackball;
be adjusted to fit different hand sizes;
be placed in a “storage” configuration wherein the position sensor is protected from damage and dirt; or,
be used for two-handed input control, with the function button located for convenient operation by one hand of a user and the position sensor operable by the other hand of the user.
Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a computer input device comprising a function-button-carrying member; a
Moyer Michael J
Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala
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