Computer mouse on a glove

• US 20030137489A1
• Filed: 03/07/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deanmark Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Mikamed Health Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Bajramovic, Mark B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,057,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves

Abstract

A computer input device on a glove includes fittings for a user'"'"'s fingers and adjustable straps for fastening to a user'"'"'s wrist. A tracking device for controlling cursor movement on a video display is affixed to the glove for positioning next to the end of one of the user'"'"'s fingers. Pressure plates for controlling the various right and left mouse “clicking” functions are affixed to the glove for positioning next to the ends of the other of the user'"'"'s fingers. Scrolling/paging buttons are located on the side of the fitting fitted to the index finger for pressing by the thumb. A transmitter is affixed to the glove for receiving signals from the tracking device, the pressure plates and the scrolling/paging buttons, and transmitting those signals to a computer for controlling cursor movement in the x-y plane on a video display and for controlling the various mouse “clicking” controls, which implement the “select” function, the “drag” function, the “scroll” function, the “page” function, and so forth.

Claims

1. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel;

a tracking device attached to said glove-like apparel to generate a movement signal in accordance with movement of said tracking device across a surface;

a first pressure plate attached to said glove-like apparel to provide first switching signals; and

a transmitter means attached to said glove-like apparel for transmitting said movement signals from said tracking device and said first switching signals, wherein said transmitted movement signals from said tracking device being adapted to control movement of a cursor in a video display of a computer and said transmitted first switching signals being adapted to initiate clicking functions.

2. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel has fittings for at least two digits and wherein said tracking device is attached to a first one of said digit fittings and said first pressure plate is attached to a second one of said digit fittings.

3. The computer input device of claim 2, wherein said glove-like apparel includes a third digit fitting having a second pressure plate attached thereto to provide second switching signals, and wherein said transmitter means also transmits said second switching signals from said second pressure plate to said computer for controlling mouse clicking functions.

4. The computer input device of claim 1, further including scroll/page buttons on said glove-like apparel for generating scroll/page signals, wherein said transmitter means also transmits said scroll/page signals to said computer for controlling up and down scrolling and paging functions.

5. The computer input device of claim 4, wherein said scroll/page buttons comprise:

a scroll/page switch button for switching between said scrolling and paging functions;

a scroll/page up button; and

a scroll/page down button.

6. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said tracking device is an optical tracking device.

7. The computer input device of claim 1, including on/off switch means for automatically disengaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and for automatically engaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is in contact with said surface.

8. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said tracking device is a micro roller-ball.

9. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said tracking device includes a base plate, which provides for smooth and consistent motion of said tracking device over said surface, and maintains a consistent distance and an even contact between said tracking device and said surface.

10. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.

11. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is an infrared transmitter.

12. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes a rechargeable power supply for supplying power to said transmitter.

13. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel is adjustable to the size of a users hand.

14. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel includes a padded palm to minimize user strain and to maximize user performance and comfort.

15. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel has an exterior surface, and wherein portions of said exterior surface of said glove-like apparel are comprised of a low-friction material permitting said glove-like apparel to slide easily over said surface.

16. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel has an interior surface, and wherein portions of said interior surface of said glove-like apparel are comprised of a high-friction material for generating friction between said glove-like apparel and a user'"'"'s hand for permitting accurate positioning of said tracking device and said pressure plate and to prevent said tracking device and said pressure plate from shifting during use.

17. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said tracking device and said pressure plate are positioned so as to permit a user to type with all digits on a keyboard when said glove-like apparel is worn on the user'"'"'s hand.

18. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel having fittings for at least three digits to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand;

a tracking device attached to a first one of said digit fittings to generate a movement signal in accordance with movement of said tracking device along a surface;

a first pressure plate switch attached to a second one of said digit fittings to provide first switching signals;

a second pressure plate switch attached to a third one of said digit fittings to provide second switching signals;

a transmitter means to transmit said movement signals from said tracking device and said first and second switching signals, wherein said movement signals from said tracking device are adapted to control the movement of a cursor in a video display of a computer, and said first and second switching signals are used to control clicking functions.

19. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel having fittings for at least three digits to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand;

an optical tracking device enclosed in a base plate attached to a first one of said digit fittings, said tracking device generating movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device along a surface;

a first pressure switch plate attached to a second one of said digit fittings to provide first switching signals;

a second pressure switch plate attached to a second one of said digit fittings to provide second switching signals;

an on/off switch means to automatically disengage said tracking device and said pressure switch plates whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and to automatically engage said tracking device and said pressure switch plates when ever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface; and

a transmitter means to transmit said movement signals from said tracking device and said switching signals from said first and second pressure plates,

wherein said tracking device and said pressure plates are positioned on said glove-like apparel so as to permit said user to type with all digits on a keyboard when said glove-like apparel is worn on said user'"'"'s hand, and

wherein said movement signals from said tracking device are adapted to control the movement of a cursor in a video display of an associated computer, and said first and second switching signals are used to control clicking functions.