Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-26
2004-03-30
Awad, Amr (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S161000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06714188
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of ergonomics in the computer industry, and more specifically to a device that aids in reducing user strain, fatigue, discomfort, and pain when operating a computer mouse.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Since the advent of the computer, the interface between the user and the computer has remained essentially stable. A typical computer comes equipped with a keyboard and a mouse as a means of controlling the computer and entering data. The prevalence of computers and the amount of usage have led to repetitive strain injuries (RSI).
The cursor control and selection of data and objects by a pointer is accomplished through a mouse, trackball, touch pad, and digitizing tablet, however the mouse is the most common. The computer mouse is used to move a cursor on the monitor and has one or more operational buttons for other functionality. The typical mouse has two or three buttons. The mouse housing rests on a horizontal surface and sensors in the mouse detect the movement of the mouse across the surface. Various mouse designs are being manufactured with varying shapes and configurations.
These buttons perform various functions, such as grabbing data or objects and dragging them to another location, manipulating menu driven applications, and invoking new applications. The buttons may pull down menus for additional commands. The operator control of the buttons usually requires the user to leave a finger on at least one button, maintain pressure on a button for drag operations, and multiple fast clicking. Graphic design and computer artwork requires precision mouse control. The Internet has increased the applicability of mouse operations, and more mouse click manipulations are required for ‘point and click’ websites.
Repetitive strain injury refers to the many ailments associated with repetitive motions and static pressure, and excessive wear and tear on the soft tissues on the body, namely tendons and nerves. Other terms related to RSI include Cumulative Trauma Disorder, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Occupational Overuse Syndrome, Repetitive Motion Injury, Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorder, and Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders.
Persons that work with computers for extended periods of time can develop inflammations, such as Tenosynovitis (an inflammation of the tendon sheath), Tendonitis (an inflammation of a tendon), Epicondylitis (an inflammation of the tendons where they attach to the elbow bone), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (a condition where the median nerve does not function properly), Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (compression of the ulnar nerve where it passes the elbow), and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (affects the neck and shoulders).
Those that do experience RSI are likely to have symptoms such as tightness, soreness, aching, throbbing, sharp pain, numbness, tingling, burning, swelling, and loss of strength in the upper extremities. Once inflicted, the user can resort to braces, splints and repositioning devices to ease the pain. Surgery has been tried with varying results. However, none of the prior devices attempts to address the problem itself-repetition.
Businesses and the economy suffer from RSI due to the loss or lessening of work caused by RSI as well as the expenses associated with equipping employees with ergonomic options. The medical expenses for surgery and therapy is very costly, and is a burden to businesses, medical plans, and individuals. There have even been lawsuits against employers and manufacturers of devices that induced or caused RSI.
The computer mouse is particularly troublesome because the user usually needs to press the same button numerous times while the hand remains in the same position. For some operations, the user must keep a particular button pressed for a varying lengths of time, requiring static pressure. The functionality and usage of the computer mouse has increased dramatically as society has adopted more click intensive applications. Most mice allow single and double clicks to invoke different activities. Most times the clicks have to be in a rapid succession within a small time interval. Users can also manipulate webpages on the Internet, drastically elevating the usage and frequency of mouse operations.
Drafting and drawing applications are another area where mouse operations require mouse intensive manipulations. The mouse buttons are used to draw lines and the user typically depresses and holds buttons while drawing. Precise control of the cursor is important for computer graphics.
There have been a variety of ergonomic keyboards and mice that are designed to lessen RSI. These devices are additional accessories or new designs that must replace the existing units and generally are more expensive than the standard devices. These units have not had much commercial success.
There have been various attempts to relieve the repetition and fatigue associated with computer mouse usage. The implementation of speech recognition in computers, foot-operated mouse designs, and ergonomically designed mice have met with limited success and/or commercial appeal.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,733, a vertically oriented mouse is disclosed, with control buttons located on the slope of the mouse. This design is intended to provide a more natural position to lessen fatigue.
Another ergonomic mouse design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,165, having a rounded arched design that is meant to reduce fatigue. There are support pads for the thumb and forefinger, and control buttons can be implemented in addition to or in place of the support pads. Yet another ergonomic mouse design is portrayed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,715. This pyramid shape mouse with four triangle-shaped inclined faces has control buttons on the faces. In all these designs the user is still required to perform repetitive motions and static pressure with the same fingers and in the same position.
The invention discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,143 is for a mouse that has a stylus removably secured to the mouse and which allows the user to operate the mouse in a more artistic fashion. The stylus provides a mechanism to operate the control buttons in a more precise fashion, which is specially tailored to drawing and graphic design. The stylus mount clips-on to the mouse and the stylus is inserted into the mount. The user holds the stylus like a pen or paint brush, and operates the control buttons of the mouse using the stylus. This design is not practical for normal operations, and the user has to maintain static pressure on the stylus during all mouse operations.
An early mouse design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,707 that discloses a mouse base that has an opening on the top surface that engages a stylus. The stylus contains the electronics to operate as a mouse independently or in combination with the mouse base. The pen shape device must be held statically during all operations and the control buttons on the stem of the pen unit would still require repetitive motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,690 is for a removable joystick adapter. The invention uses clips to attach a base piece onto a directional keypad of a video game controller. A joystick is integrated with the base so as to allow the joystick to manipulate the buttons of the keypad. This invention is intended to manipulate keypads via a joystick, which would not be practical for the mouse operations.
Other commercial products have tried to alleviate RSI and related injuries, and there are numerous wrist braces and support structures to maintain ergonomic positioning of the hand. These devices are somewhat cumbersome to use and have not been generally accepted in the software community. Improved commercial mice are continuously entering the market, but all have control buttons as a user interface.
According to recent legislative actions, employers are being pressed to aid in reducing the costly problems associated with repetitive motion injuries. Each year it is estimated that over 1.8 million workers have some form of musculoskeletal injuries related to ergonomics. And, over 600,000 pe
Shattuck Wesley Edwin
Zebuhr William
An Ounce of Invention, INC
Awad Amr
Maine & Asmus
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