Method and apparatus for computer mouse with guide fin and remote switching means

• US 20020060666A1
• Filed: 10/27/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bob Dale Rufenacht, Close J. Garth
• Original Assignee: Bob Dale Rufenacht, Close J. Garth
• Inventors: Close, J. Garth, Rufenacht, Bob Dale
• Application Number:
  US10/035,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20020060666A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A Computer mouse with a non-clasping guide fin or guide pins in combination with a secondary switch. The secondary switch may be hard-wired or wireless. The mouse guide may be operated with one hand while the mouse “clicking” functions are performed by a second hand or other method including voice activation.

Claims

1. A computer system comprised of

at least one microprocessor;

a monitor;

a mouse having a guide fin such that the guide fin may be positioned between two fingers of a computer user'"'"'s first hand such that the first hand may move the mouse without clasping fingers around the mouse, and such that the movement of the mouse causes a corresponding movement of a cursor on the monitor, the mouse having at least one input switch for providing commands to the microprocessor; and

a secondary switching mechanism such that at least one secondary switch may be operated remote from the mouse.

2. The computer system of claim 1 wherein

the mouse has a left button and a right button;

the secondary switching mechanism has a first switch, such that activating the first switch has the same control result as depressing the left button on the mouse; and

the secondary switching mechanism has a second switch, such that activating the second switch has the same control result as depressing the right button on the mouse.

3. The computer system of claim 1 wherein

the secondary switching mechanism may be held in a computer user'"'"'s second hand.

4. The computer system of claim 1 wherein

the secondary switching mechanism is mounted in a bracket.

5. The computer system of claim 1 wherein

the secondary switching mechanism is in wireless communication with the computer.

6. An improved computer mouse, the improvement comprising

a guide fin such that the mouse may be moved by positioning the fin between two fingers of a computer users'"'"' first hand, and moving the first hand;

and

a secondary switch means remote to the mouse such that the functions of clicking a mouse button may be accomplished by activating, without using the first hand, at least one switch on the secondary switch means.

7. The computer mouse of claim 6 wherein the guide fin is formed integral to the housing.

8. The computer mouse of claim 6 wherein the guide fin is attached to an existing mouse.

9. The computer mouse of claim 6 wherein

the guide fin is detachable from the mouse such that it may be installed or removed as desired.

10. The computer mouse of claim 6 wherein

the guide fin is comprised of at least one peg.

11. The computer mouse of claim 10 wherein

the guide fin is comprised of a plurality of removable pegs positioned on the mouse.

13. The guide fin kit of claim 12 comprising

a first support flap, which may be positioned at an angle relative to the first surface of the guide fin;

a second support flap which may be positioned at an angle relative to the second surface of the guide fin; and

a pre-applied adhesive applied to the bottom surface of the first support flap and to the bottom surface of the second support flap

14. The guide fin kit of claim 12 further comprising

a secondary switching means such that the function of at least one mouse button may be performed by activating the secondary switching means.

15. The guide fin kit of claim 14 wherein

the secondary switching means communicates wirelessly to at least one control circuit between the mouse and a computer.

16. The guide fin kit of claim 12 wherein

Velcro™

is applied to a portion of the top of the mouse; and

Velcro™

is applied to the bottom of the support flap such that the guide fin may be removably attached to the mouse by attaching the support flap to the Velcro™

in the top of the mouse.

18. The selection and control method of claim 17 wherein,

causing a control signal to be issued is accomplished by activating a switch on a hand-held secondary switching device.

19. The selection and control method of claim 17 wherein,

causing a control signal to be issued is accomplished by activating a bracket-mount switch.

20. The selection and control method of claim 17 wherein,

causing a control signal to be issued is accomplished by voice command.

12. A guide fin kit, which may be attached to a computer mouse, the guide fin kit comprising

an essentially planar guide fin having a first surface and a second surface;

at least one support flap, such that the support flap may be positioned on the mouse at an angle with respect to the first surface of the guide fin; and

an adhesive to secure the support flap to the mouse such that the fin is positioned essentially vertical with respect to the top of the mouse.

17. A selection and control method for a computer system, the method comprising

placing a first hand upon a mouse such that a mouse guide fin is positioned between two fingers of the first hand;

guiding the position of a cursor on a computer monitor to a desired location on the monitor by moving the hand, thereby pushing the guide fin and moving the mouse; and

upon proper positioning of the cursor, causing a control signal to be issued to the computer by either activating a button on the mouse by clicking at least one time with a portion of the first hand, or by activating a switch means on a secondary switching device.