U.S. patent application number 09/738642 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-20 for computer mouse.
Invention is credited to Anastas, George V., Giles, Susan L., Mavrakis, Patrick A..
Application Number | 20010022578 09/738642 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24968856 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010022578 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giles, Susan L. ; et
al. |
September 20, 2001 |
Computer mouse
Abstract
An improved mouse computer input device is provided which can
easily be controlled by both the small hands of children and the
larger hands of adults. The mouse is substantially hemispherical in
shape and the buttons of the mouse curve in a continuous arc from
substantially horizontal at the top area to substantially vertical
at the front area. The buttons of the mouse are activated by either
squeezing the front vertical surfaces of the buttons or pressing
downward on the top horizontal surfaces of the buttons.
Inventors: |
Giles, Susan L.; (San Mateo,
CA) ; Mavrakis, Patrick A.; (Newark, CA) ;
Anastas, George V.; (San Carlos, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DERGOSITS & NOAH
FOUR EMBARCADERO CENTER
SUITE 1150
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
24968856 |
Appl. No.: |
09/738642 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09738642 |
Feb 20, 2001 |
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09113035 |
Jul 9, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/03543 20130101;
G06F 2203/0333 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/163 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mouse input device comprising: a body having a bottom surface,
a front surface, a top surface and a back surface, the back surface
being substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface; a hinge
mounted within the body proximate to the top surface of the body; a
button connected to the hinge which curves along a continuous arc
that transitions from substantially horizontal at the top surface
to substantially vertical at the front surface of the body; an
electrical switch mechanically coupled to the button, wherein the
electric switch is actuated by applying either a substantially
horizontal compressive force on the substantially vertical portion
of the button or by applying a substantially downward force on the
substantially horizontal portion of the button.
2. The mouse input device of claim 1, wherein the hinge is located
higher within the body than the substantially vertical portion of
the button.
3. The mouse input device of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a
tapered section of a single planar piece of plastic that
elastically deflects when the button is actuated.
4. The mouse input device of claim 1 further comprising: a button
rib mounted within the button that engages the electrical
switch.
5. The mouse input device of claim 4, wherein the button, the hinge
and the button rib are molded from a single piece of plastic.
6. The mouse input device of claim 5, further comprising: a planar
tab and a hook that are attached to a side of the hinge opposite
the button; a cross bar which defines a horizontal surface within
the body; and a plurality of body ribs which define a plurality of
horizontal surfaces within the body; wherein the cross bar and the
plurality of body ribs contact opposite sides of the planar tab and
the hook engages an internal edge of one of the plurality of body
ribs to prevent removal of the button from the body.
7. The mouse input device of claim 6, wherein the button, the
hinge, the rib, the tab and the hook are molded from a single piece
of plastic.
8. A mouse input device comprising: a body having a bottom surface,
a front surface, a top surface and a back surface, the back surface
being substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface; a left
hinge mounted within the body proximate the upper left surface of
the body; a left button connected to the left hinge which curves
along a continuous arc that transitions from substantially
horizontal at the top surface to substantially vertical at the
front surface of the body; a left electrical switch mechanically
coupled to the left button which is actuated by applying either a
substantially horizontal compressive force on the substantially
vertical portion of the left button or by applying a substantially
downward force on the substantially horizontal portion of the left
button; a right hinge mounted within the body proximate the upper
right surface of the body; a right button connected to the right
hinge which curves along a continuous arc that transitions from
substantially horizontal at the top surface to substantially
vertical at the front surface of the body; and a right electrical
switch mechanically coupled to the right button which is actuated
by applying either a substantially horizontal compressive force on
the substantially vertical portion of the right button or by
applying a substantially downward force on the substantially
horizontal portion of the right button.
9. The mouse input device of claim 8, wherein the left hinge is
located higher in the mouse than the substantially vertical portion
of the left button and the right hinge is located higher in the
mouse than the substantially vertical portion of the right
button.
10. The mouse input device of claim 8, wherein the left hinge is a
first tapered section of a single planar piece of plastic that
elastically deflects when the left button is actuated.
11. The mouse input device of claim 8 further comprising: a left
button rib mounted within the button that engages the left
electrical switch.
12. The mouse input device of claim 8, wherein the left button, the
left hinge and the left button rib are molded from a single piece
of plastic.
13. The mouse input device of claim 12, further comprising: a left
planar tab and a left hook that are attached to a side of the hinge
opposite the left button; a cross bar mounted which defines a
horizontal surface within the left side of the body; and a
plurality of body ribs which define a plurality of horizontal
surfaces within the left side of the body; wherein the cross bar
and the plurality of body ribs contact on opposite sides of the
left planar tab and the left hook engages an internal edge of one
of the plurality of body ribs to prevent removal of the left button
from the body.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of pending prior U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/113,035 filed Jul. 9, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is related to an electromechanical mouse
input device for a computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Mouse input devices for computers are well known in the art.
The movement of the mouse in an X-Y plane typically actuates a
mechanical, optical or electrical device within the mouse which
produces X and Y position signals which are conveyed to the
computer. The computer typically uses the mouse X and Y position
signals to manipulate the display of the computer screen, allowing
a user to control a program. Computer mice also typically have one
or more buttons which allow the user to further control a computer
program. The mouse and mouse button allow the user to move a cursor
or other pointing device to a specific area of the computer screen
and depress the one or more buttons to activate specific computer
program functions. In general, the mouse buttons are actuated by
pressing the button downward.
[0004] With the proliferation of home and school computers, people
are becoming computer literate at earlier ages. Software companies
are developing educational programs for use by young children.
These programs require children to operate a computer mouse.
[0005] One of the problems associated with computer mice is that
children have great difficulty with the combined action of
positioning the mouse in the required x-y coordinate while at the
same time operating the one or more buttons. Computer mice are
typically designed for adult hands with buttons designed for adult
fingers. When the adult mouse is used by small children, the
movement and button activation can be very difficult.
[0006] The prior art has attempted to make mice more user friendly,
however these designs are generally designed to reduce hand
injuries including carpal tunnel syndrome. Examples of Ergonomic
mice include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,726,683 and 5,576,733 which both
provide mouse bodies shaped for a more natural user hand position.
Although these inventions address the problem of repetitive stress
for adult hands, they do not aid children with the use of mice.
Specifically, the prior art has not designed a mouse specifically
sized for children's hands and which minimizes the coordination
requirements of positioning the mouse while at the same time
activating the button. In particular, children have problems
actuating the buttons of an adult computer mouse.
[0007] In view of the foregoing, what is needed is a computer mouse
that allows small hands to easily actuate the buttons and that can
also be easily used by larger adult hands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a child's computer mouse for
controlling a cursor and inputting information into a computer. The
inventive computer mouse includes an internal position detection
mechanism and one or two buttons that electrically actuate features
of a computer program. The mouse body is substantially
hemispherical in shape and the buttons are mounted adjacent to each
other on a front portion of the mouse. The buttons are curved
downward from the top to the front. The buttons are attached to
hinges that are close to the top of the buttons. The curved shape
allows the buttons to be actuated by either squeezing the mouse or
by applying a downward force on the buttons.
[0009] Because the inventive mouse is smaller in size and
substantially hemispheric shape that is more easily controlled by a
child. The small hemispheric shape of the inventive mouse allows
the child to manipulate the mouse position by gripping it and the
curved shape of the button allows the button to be actuated by
squeezing the mouse.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cutaway left side view of an embodiment of the
inventive mouse;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a top view of an embodiment of the inventive
mouse;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a cutaway top view of an embodiment of the
inventive mouse;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cutaway left side view of an embodiment of the
inventive mouse;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cutaway left side view of an embodiment of the
inventive mouse;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a view of a hand; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of a single button embodiment of the
inventive mouse.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The following is a detailed description of the presently
preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the
present invention is in no way intended to be limited to the
embodiments discussed below or shown in the drawings. Rather, the
description and the drawings are merely illustrative of the
presently preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0018] The mouse produces X and Y position signals that are related
to the movement of the mouse as well as signals indicating that
either of two switches are activated. A cut away left side view of
the exemplary inventive mouse 101 is shown in FIG. 1. The 10
exemplary mouse 101 comprises: a body 103, a left button 105, a
base 107, a left switch 109, a roller ball 111 and a circuit board
131. The left button 105 has a left hinge 117 which is attached to
the body 103 and allows the left button 105 to rotate. A rib 153 is
mounted under the left button 105 and contacts the left internal
switch 109. The left internal switch 109 is mounted on the internal
circuit board 131 which is attached to the 15. base 107. The roller
ball 111, the left switch 109 and the circuit board 131 are
accessible by removing the base 107 from the body 103. The
inventive mouse has both a left and a right button which
individually rotate about left and right hinges to actuate left and
right switches. For simplicity, only the left side button, hinge
and switch components are described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0019] When the mouse 101 is moved across a surface, the roller
ball 111 rotates and position transducers (not shown) mounted
proximate to the roller ball 111 convert the x and Y movements of
the mouse 101 into electrical signals that are electrically
transmitted to a computer through a flexible wire connection. These
transducers are conventional and well known to those skilled in the
art. In the preferred embodiment, the roller ball 111 is in contact
with an X-axis rotational transducer and a Y-axis rotational
transducer which are substantially perpendicular to each other.
When the roller ball 111 rotates in the X direction, the X-axis
rotational transducer transmits an X-axis positional signal to the
computer and similarly when the roller ball 111 rotates in the Y
direction, the Y-axis rotational transducer transmits a Y-axis
positional signal. In alternate embodiments, the roller ball
mechanism may be replaced by optical transducers or any similar
mechanism which sense the movement of the mouse and convert the
movement into electrical signals representing the X and Y
position.
[0020] An advantage of the inventive mouse is that the small size
and hemispherical shape of the mouse allow small hands to cup the
mouse and coordinate the mouse movement more easily than a larger
conventional mice. The small size also allows the buttons to be
activated with a squeezing motion between the user's fingers on the
buttons and the palm positioned on the back of the mouse body.
[0021] The buttons of the inventive mouse are large and curved
downward along the front of the mouse. The left button 105 are
attached to the mouse body 103 at a hinge 117 located just below
the intersection of the body 103 and button 105 at the top of the
mouse 101. The curved shape of the button 105 and the position of
the hinge 117 allows the switch 109 to be activated with either a
direct downward, a horizontal compressive or a rotational force
applied by the user to button 105. As discussed, small hands of
children can more easily activate the switch by squeezing the
button 105 of the mouse 101 and the button 105 can also be actuated
with a downward force like other computer mice designed for
adults.
[0022] The curved shape of the button 105 and the position of the
hinge 115 allow the switches 109 to be activated as described
above. The button 105 is mounted on the front of the mouse 101 and
is curve downward from the top of mouse 101 about the front and
sides. The front portion 104 of the button 105 and the back portion
106 of the body 103 are substantially perpendicular to the base
107. The size of the mouse allows a small hand to be placed over
the mouse such that finger tips can rest on the front portion 104
of the buttons 105 and the palm can rest on the back portion 106 of
the body 103. With the mouse 101 between the small hand's palm and
fingers, a compressive force can be applied to actuate the buttons
105 and switches 109 (not shown). The sides of the mouse 101 are
also curved and intersect the base 107 at substantially
perpendicular angles. These vertical side surfaces allow a small
hand's thumb and fingers to grasp the sides of the mouse 101 which
improves the positioning accurately.
[0023] The inventive mouse 101 can also be easily used by larger
hands. The sides of the mouse body 103 can be grasped between the
thumb and the third finger or the little finger and by resting the
palm can rest on a planar surface the position of the mouse 101 can
be precisely controlled. By holding the mouse 101 as described, the
index and middle fingers can rest on the tops of the left button
105 and the right button (not shown). The index and middle fingers
can easily actuate the left button 105 and right button by applying
downward forces to the horizontal top sections of the buttons 105.
By depressing the top surfaces of the buttons 105, the operation of
the inventive mouse 101 is similar to that of a normal adult sized
mouse. Because the inventive mouse 101 can be easily used by both
adults with normal adult sized hands and children with small hands,
the mouse 101 does not have to be changed depending upon the user
of the computer.
[0024] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the
inventive two button computer mouse 201. A right hinge 127 is
mounted close to the intersection of the right button 105 and the
mouse body 103. The left hinge 117 is similarly mounted close to
the intersection of the left button 105 and the mouse body 103. The
right button 125 and right hinge 127 are functionally the same as
the left button 105 and left hinge 117 but operate
independently.
[0025] FIG. 2B illustrates a cutaway top view an embodiment of the
inventive computer mouse 201. Both the left switch 109 and the
right switch 129 may be mounted on a common circuit board 131. The
right switch 129 is functionally identical to the left switch 109
but produce independent signals that are distinct from each other.
The switches 109, 129 used in the mouse 201 are well known to those
skilled in the art.
[0026] As discussed, when the left button 105 is actuated the left
switch 109 transmits an electrical signal to a computer through a
flexible wire connection and when the right button 125 (shown in
FIG. 2A) is actuated the right switch 129 transmits an electrical
signal. When no force is applied to the button 105 (shown in FIG.
2A), the internal switches 109 resets and another signal is
electrically transmitted to the computer. In alternative
embodiments, the flexible wire transmission connection between the
mouse and computer may be replaced by a light wave
transmitter/receiver, radio frequency transmitter/receiver or any
similar mechanism which are well known to those of ordinary skill
in the electronics art.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional left side view of the
inventive mouse 101 and the forces that may be applied to the mouse
101 to actuate the buttons 105. For simplicity the left button 105,
left hinge 113 and left switch 109 will simply be referred to as
button 105, hinge 113 and switch 109. In order for the button 105
to rotate about the hinge 113 when the mouse 101 is squeezed, the
hinge 113 must be positioned higher within the mouse body 103 than
the front portion 104 of the button 105. When a horizontal force
F.sub.1A is applied to the front portion 104 of the button 105, an
equal and opposite horizontal force F.sub.1B exists at hinge 113.
Because the forces F.sub.1A and F.sub.1B are not on the same
vertical plane, a torque is generated that actuates the button 105.
The torque produced by squeezing the button 105 is equal to the
compressive force multiplied by the vertical distance between the
hinge and the horizontal force F.sub.1A. In the preferred
embodiment, the hinge 113 is mounted close to the top of the mouse
101, maximizing the front portion 104 of button 105 upon which a
compressive force will generate a clockwise torque about hinge 1
13.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, for a downward force F.sub.2A to rotate
button 105 clockwise, the hinge 113 must be mounted between the
button 105 and the back portion 106 of the mouse 101. Again, when a
downward force F.sub.2A is applied to the top portion 108 of button
105, an equal and opposite force F.sub.2B will exist at the hinge
113. Because the forces F.sub.2A and F.sub.2B are offset, a torque
is generated equal to the force F.sub.2A multiplied by the
horizontal offset between the hinge 113 and the downward force
F.sub.2A. Note that any force substantially normal to the surface
of button 105 will produce a similar torque about the hinge
113.
[0029] The relative positions of the hinge 113 about which button
105 rotates and the junction of the internal switch 109 and the
button 105 must be configured in such a way that either a downward
force or a compressive force applied to the button 105 activates
the internal switch 109. The curved surface of button 105 allows a
force to be exerted upon it at a range of angles. Thus, a downward
force at the upper horizontal portion of the button 105 will
actuate the internal switch 109 and a horizontal compressive force
against the front vertical portion of the button 105 will actuate
the internal switch. Similarly, a diagonal force applied to the
center sloped section of the button 105 will actuate the internal
switch 109. Any force exerted upon the button 105 that is roughly
perpendicular to the button 105 surface will actuate the switch
109.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the hinge 113 and rib 115 are
integral parts of the left and right button 105 and may be made out
of a single piece of molded plastic. The hinge 113 is a tapered
section of planar piece of plastic 361 which can elastically
deflects allowing the button 105 to rotate when a force is applied
to the button 105. As discussed, the rib 115 under the button 105
rests on switch 109. When the button 105 rotates about the hinge
115 by either the application of a downward or compressive force,
the rib 115 depresses the switch 109 and the hinge 113 elastically
deflects. When the force is released from the button 105 the hinge
113 assumes its normal straight position and the switch 109 is
deactuated. Because plastic elastically deflects, the hinge 113
acts as a reset spring which tends to return to its normal straight
position when no forces are acting on it. When button 105 is
released, the internal spring (not shown) of the switch 109 also
pushes rib 115 up and rotate button 105 counter-clockwise about the
hinge 113 into a normal position.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates another cross sectional view of the right
side of the inventive mouse 401 in another embodiment. Again for
simplicity, the left button 105, left hinge 113 and left switch 109
will simply be referred to as button 405, hinge 413 and switch 409.
To simplify assembly of the mouse 401, the button 405 may snap into
the final assembled engagement with the body 403 As discussed, the
hinge 413 may be an integral part of the button 405. In the
preferred embodiment, a tab 441 having a hook 445 is attached to
the distal end of the hinge 413 which is inserted into the mouse
body 403 during assembly. The mouse body 403 has an internal ribs
451 and a cross bar 453 that engage the tab 441. The hook 445
engages one of the internal ribs 451 and prevents the button 405
from being removed from the mouse body 403 after the mouse 401 is
assembled. The button 405 is attached to the mouse body 403 by
inserting the tab 441 horizontally into the mouse body 403. As tab
441 is inserted over the cross bar 453, the hook 445 contacts
internal rib 451 and is deflected downward. When the button 405 is
fully inserted and the hook 445 passes the internal rib 451, the
hook 445 engages an edge of the internal rib 451 when the
elasticity of the plastic material straightens the tab 441. The
button 405 butts up against one of the ribs 451 to keep the button
405 properly positioned on the mouse 401 and the engagement of the
hook 445 with the internal rib 451 prevents the button 405 from
being removed from the mouse 401 after assembly. The mouse 401
illustrated in FIG. 4 has the same external appearance as the prior
embodiments and utilizes the disclosed switch configuration. A top
view of mouse 401 would be the same as FIG. 2A and a cutaway top
view would be the same as FIG. 2B.
[0032] Although an elastic plastic hinge is part of the preferred
embodiment, any other hinge or deflection device can be used with
the inventive mouse. If a multiple piece hinge is used, it may not
act as a reset spring and only the internal spring (not shown) of
switch will rotate button into its normal position. In alternative
embodiments, an internal springs may be incorporated into the mouse
body which reset the buttons when an actuation forces is not
applied to the buttons.
[0033] As discussed, the inventive mouse is substantially
hemispherical in shape and small in size which allows children and
users with small hands to cup and more precisely position the
mouse. In the preferred embodiment, the overall inventive
dimensions of the mouse should be proportional to the average sized
child's hand. Table 1 lists average dimensions of various hand
parameters of children 4, 6 and 8 years of age. Table 1 also lists
the average dimensions of an adult hand for comparison. Note that
the dimensions of the adult male hand are approximately 68%, 48%
and 35% greater than average 4, 6 and 8 year old children's hands
respectively. The hand dimensions of Table 1 are inches. FIG. 5
illustrates where the listed dimensions are measured on a hand.
1 TABLE 1 4 year old 6 year old 8 year old child child child Adult
male Hand length 4.6 5.1 5.6 7.5 Hand Breadth 2.1 2.3 2.5 3.5 Index
finger length 2.6 2.9 3.2 4.5 Dorsum length 1.8 2.2 2.4 3.0 Thumb
length 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.7
[0034] In order to accommodate the smaller dimensions of children's
hands, the size of the inventive mouse must be proportionally
smaller than an adult mouse. The length of the inventive mouse is
approximately 3.5 inches and the width is approximately 2.3 inches.
In contrast, a typical adult mouse is approximately 4.8 inches in
length and approximately 2.7 inches in width. The inventive mouse
is easier for a child to precisely position because it is a better
fit with the child's hand.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a single button embodiment
of the inventive mouse 601. The mouse 601 has a body 603 and a
button 605. The button 605 has a continuous arc shape that curves
from a substantially horizontal surface at the top of the button
605 to a substantially vertical surface at the front of the button
605. The button 605 is mounted to a hinge (not shown) which is
attached to the mouse body 603. The button 605 can be actuated by
applying a downward force on the upper vertical surface of the
button 605 or by applying a compressive force to the front vertical
surface of the button 605. The button 605 rotates about the hinge
and engages an electrical switch within the body. The single button
mouse embodiment operates in the manner described with reference to
the two button embodiments.
[0036] While the present invention has been described in terms of a
preferred embodiment above, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that numerous modifications, substitutions and additions
may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, although
the mouse has been described above for use with a computer, those
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the inventive mouse
may be utilized in any similar electronic device and that the
present invention is in no way limited to mechanisms described
above. It is intended that all such modifications, substitutions
and additions fall within the scope of the present invention which
is best defined by the claims below.
* * * * *