Finger-fitting pointing device

• US 20020186198A1
• Filed: 06/09/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Francis F. Iv Coghan
• Original Assignee: Francis F. Iv Coghan
• Inventors: Coghan, Francis F. IV
• Granted Patent: US 7,133,021 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• 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 finger-fitting pointing device is disclosed. There is at least one housing. Each housing can be fabricated from a flexible, glove-like material, and fits a finger of a user. A click sensor is disposed in the underside of each housing, and is actuated by the user pressing the underside of the housing with the inserted finger against an external surface. An optical sensor is also disposed within the surface of a housing, and detects relative movement of this surface against an external surface, as caused by relative movement of the user'"'"'s finger.

Claims

1. A pointing device comprising:

a housing substantially shaped to fit a finger of a user;

a click sensor disposed within an underside of the housing, the click sensor actuated by the user pressing the underside of the housing through the finger against a first external surface with sufficient force; and

,

an optical sensor disposed within a surface of the housing, the optical sensor detecting relative movement of the surface of the housing against a second external surface caused by relative movement of the finger of the user.

2. The pointing device of claim 1, further comprising a grip situated at an end of the housing, the grip promoting normal usage of a tip of the finger of the user.

3. The pointing device of claim 1, wherein the housing is fabricated from a flexible, glove-like material.

4. The pointing device of claim 1, wherein the finger of the user is an index finger of the user.

5. The pointing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second housing substantially shaped to fit a second finger of the user; and

,

a second click sensor disposed within an underside of the second housing, the second click sensor actuated by the user pressing the underside of the second housing through the second finger against the first external surface with sufficient force.

6. The pointing device of claim 5, further comprising a grip situated at an end of the second housing, the grip promoting normal usage of a tip of the second finger of the user.

7. The pointing device of claim 5, wherein the second housing is fabricated from a flexible, glove-like material.

8. The pointing device of claim 5, wherein the second finger of the user is a middle finger of the user.

9. The pointing device of claim 1, further comprising a cable ending in a connector for connection to a corresponding connector of a computing device, such that the actuation of the click sensor and the relative movement detected by the optical sensor are registered with the computing device through the cable.

10. The pointing device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transceiver for wireless communication with a corresponding wireless transceiver of a computing device, such that the actuation of the click sensor and the relative movement detected by the optical sensor are registered with the computing device through the wireless communication.

11. The pointing device of claim 10, further comprising:

a second housing attachable to a wrist of the user and in which the wireless transceiver is disposed; and

,

a cable connecting the second housing to the housing.

12. The pointing device of claim 11, further comprising an expansion slot disposed within the second housing and receptive to a corresponding expansion card, data stored on which is accessible to the computing device through the wireless communication.

13. The pointing device of claim 1, wherein the first external surface and the second external surface are a same surface.

15. The pointing device of claim 14, further comprising a grip situated at an end of each of the first and the second housings.

16. The pointing device of claim 14, further comprising a cable ending in a connector for connection to a corresponding connector of a computing device, such that the actuation of the first and the second click sensors and the relative movement detected by the optical sensor are registered with the computing device through the cable.

17. The pointing device of claim 14, further comprising a wireless transceiver for wireless communication with a corresponding wireless transceiver of a computing device, such that the actuation of the first and the second click sensors and the relative movement detected by the optical sensor are registered with the computing device through the wireless communication.

19. The pointing device of claim 18, further comprising:

a second finger glove; and

,

means for actuation by the user disposed within the second finger glove.

20. The pointing device of claim 18, further comprising means for registering the actuation by the user and the relative movement detected with a computing device.

14. A pointing device comprising:

a first and a second housing, each housing substantially shaped to fit a finger of a user;

a first and a second click sensor, each click sensor disposed within an underside of a corresponding one of the first and the second housing and actuated by the user pressing the underside of the corresponding one of the first and the second housing through the finger against a first external surface with sufficient force; and

,

an optical sensor disposed within a surface of the first housing, the optical sensor detecting relative movement of the surface of the housing against a second external surface caused by relative movement of the finger of the user that the first housing is substantially shaped to fit.

18. A pointing device comprising:

a finger glove;

means for actuation by the user disposed within the finger glove; and

,

means for detecting relative movement of the finger glove against an external surface.