Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-07
2001-01-30
Hjerpe, Richard A. (Department: 2774)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
C345S163000, C345S167000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181322
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pointing devices that are used to control automatic data processing systems such as personal computers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pointing devices such as mice and trackball units are well known. In fact, sold with many new personal computing devices is a mouse that may be used to control operating system and application program functions and, in particular, the operations of a graphical user interface. Moreover, many operating systems and application programs cannot be effectively operated without the use of a mouse or other pointing device to control and select screen objects that may be displayed within a graphical user interface. For example, navigating through hyper-text documents via the Internet and the world wide web would be difficult and less effective if one were not able to select screen objects and control system operations through use of a pointing device such as a mouse.
Despite their wide spread use and acceptance, use of pointing devices such as mice are not without their problems. Generally, it has long been recognized that any type of repetitive physical activity may lead to stress related injuries which, in turn, can lead to chronic pain, fatigue, and even disability. In particular, it is well known that constant and prolonged use of a pointing device such as a mouse may lead to physical problems of the hand and wrist known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
To attempt to solve certain problems associated with repetitive motion realized in connection with pointing device use, various devices have been proposed. Such devices generally can be classified into two distinct groups. A first group consists of improved pointing devices. A second group consists of alternative pointing devices.
The group of improved pointing devices is exemplified by the CONTOUR MOUSE™ which is manufactured and marketed by CONTOUR DESIGNS, INC. The CONTOUR MOUSE™ is available in multiple sizes for both right-handed and left-handed individuals. The principle features of the CONTOUR MOUSE™ that are used to combat the effects of repetitive motion injuries include a contoured casing and contoured mouse selection buttons which may be operated by the fingers of an operator in a conventional way. Unfortunately, however, although more “ergonomic” in terms of its structure than conventional mouse pointing devices, the CONTOUR MOUSE™ and other similar devices still require constant and repetitive finger motion to control computer program execution and the like. As such, devices like the CONTOUR MOUSE™ do not prevent injury to the delicate structures of an operator's hand that can result from repetitive motions or operations.
The group of alternative pointing devices is exemplified by the NO HANDS MOUSE™ manufactured and marketed by Hunter Digital Corporation. The NO HANDS MOUSE™ attempts to prevent the effects of repetitive mouse-related operations such as carpal tunnel syndrome by completely removing the mouse from an operator's hand and placing cursor control and object selection structures within a foot-operated device. Unfortunately, foot-operated cursor control devices like the NO HANDS MOUSE™ have not realized the popularity that hand-operated devices have in recent years. Such a lack of popularity may be the result of the fact that people tend to have less dexterity in their feet than in their hands. As such, foot-operated pointing devices do not provide the accuracy that hand-operated cursor control devices have realized.
Thus, there exists a need to provide an improved pointing device which will allow cursor control via hand-based operation and which will alleviate the risks of injury associated with repetitive physical movement. Such a device will need to alleviate the stress and strain on the delicate structures of a person's hand while still allowing effective and accurate cursor control and screen object selection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing comments regarding the related art, the principal object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pointing device that alleviates problems associated with repetitive hand movement and that allows effective and accurate cursor control.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a hand-operated pointing device that has screen object selection buttons that are arranged at the base of the hand-operated pointing device and which may cause “mouse click” signals to be generated as a result of movement of a person's palm.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a hand-operated pointing device that has screen object selection buttons that are operable from a bottom surface of the hand-operated pointing device.
By achieving such objects, the present invention provides certain benefits including the alleviation of risks of injury as a result of repetitive hand movement often realized from pointing device operation. And, at the same time, the present invention will allow effective and accurate cursor control. Accordingly, the present invention will enrich the computing experience and promote healthier living without pain that has heretofore often been realized from repetitive hand movement associated with computer and pointing device operation.
The present invention achieves its objects to realize the aforementioned benefits by providing a mouse for use with an automatic data processing system having a display device for displaying objects. The mouse is configured to be operated by movement of an operator's hand and includes a positioning system for controlling a position of a pointer within the display device of the automatic data processing system. The mouse also includes one or more selection buttons which can be used to select an object displayed within the display device and which is pointed to by the pointer. The selection buttons are configured to generate signals to be processed by the automatic data processing system. The buttons are operable in accordance with movement of a palm section of the operator's hand.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a mouse is provided that includes a case having bottom side, a positioning system for controlling a position of a pointer within the display device of the automatic data processing system. The positioning system is operable from the bottom side of said case. Additionally, the mouse includes a selection button for selecting an object displayed within the display device and which is pointed to by the pointer. The selection button is configured to cause a signal to be produced which may be communicated to and processed by the automatic data processing system. The selection button is operable from the bottom side of the case.
Finally, according to another aspect of the present invention, a pointing device is provided that may be used to control an automatic data processing system. The pointing device is configured to be operated by the movement of a palm portion of an operator's hand and includes one or more buttons for controlling the operation of the automatic data processing system. The button(s) will cause corresponding signal(s) to be produced within the pointing device and communicated to and processed by the automatic data processing system after the palm section of said operator's hand operates the button(s).
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Erik B. Cherdak & Associates LLC
Hjerpe Richard A.
Netscape Communications Corp.
Tran Henry N.
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