Palm-held computer pointing devices

• US 20010035856A1
• Filed: 05/07/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher S. Myers
• Original Assignee: Christopher S. Myers
• Inventors: Myers, Christopher S.
• Application Number:
  US09/850,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20010035856A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks

Abstract

A hand-held computer pointing device has a palm-sized, low profile device housing, which is contoured to fit naturally into the palm of a user'"'"'s hand and not interfere with the user'"'"'s ability to type with both hands; a strap that may be used to secure the hand-held computer pointing device to the user'"'"'s hand; a tracking mechanism positioned in the device housing such that it is located under the natural position of the user'"'"'s thumb; a plurality of button mechanisms positioned below the user'"'"'s fingers; a scrolling mechanism is generally positioned underneath the user'"'"'s index finger; and is compatible with standard pointing device software.

Claims

1. A hand-held computer pointing device, comprising:

a low profile device housing having a main bulbous portion and a neck portion;

a tracking mechanism located in the neck portion;

at least one button mechanism located in the low profile device housing; and

a connection for transmitting to a computer.

2. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the bulbous portion is capable of fitting in a cup of a user'"'"'s hand.

3. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the neck portion extends outwardly from the low profile device housing towards an area between a user'"'"'s thumb and forefinger.

4. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the tracking mechanism is oriented in a position capable of manipulation by a user'"'"'s thumb.

5. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the button mechanism is oriented in a position capable of adjustment by a user'"'"'s fingers when the low profile device housing is located in a user'"'"'s palm.

6. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, further including a scrolling mechanism located in the low profile device housing within reach of a user'"'"'s finger.

7. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the tracking mechanism is a trackball.

8. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the tracking mechanism is a track button.

9. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the tracking mechanism is a pressure sensitive pad or track pad.

10. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the connection is a mouse cable.

11. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein the connection includes a wireless transmitter communicating with a corresponding wireless receiver in the computer.

12. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 1

, further including a strap having a first end removeably connected with the neck portion and a second end removeably connected with the bulbous portion.

13. A hand-held computer pointing device, comprising:

a low profile device housing having a bulbous portion and neck portion, wherein the bulbous portion is palm sized, wherein the neck portion extends from the bulbous portion;

a tracking mechanism located in the neck portion;

at least one button mechanism located in the housing;

a scrolling mechanism located in the low profile device housing; and

a connection for transmitting to a computer.

14. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein the tracking mechanism is a trackball.

15. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein the tracking mechanism is a track button.

16. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein the tracking mechanism is a pressure sensitive pad or track pad.

17. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein the connection is a mouse cable.

18. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein the connection includes a wireless transmitter capable of communicating with a corresponding wireless receiver in the computer.

19. The hand-held computer pointing device as set forth in

claim 13

, further including a strap having a first end removeably connected with the neck portion and a second end removeably connected with the bulbous portion.

20. A method for operating a hand-held computer pointing device, comprising:

using a thumb to adjust a tracking mechanism located in a neck portion of a housing having a bulbous portion held in a palm of a user'"'"'s hand; and

using fingers to operate at least one button mechanism located in the housing.