Mouse-based user interface device employing user-removable modules

• US 20050179652A1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chemtron Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bioram Tech LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ludwig, Lester F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,816,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• 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 2203/04104 Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04106 Multi-sensing digitiser, i.e. digitiser using at least two different sensing technologies simultaneously or alternatively, e.g. for detecting pen and finger, for saving power or for improving position detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04144 using an array of force sensing means position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells G06F3/0447
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Claims

1. A user interface for controlling an external device, comprising:

a housing;

a first user interface sensor configured with said housing and generating a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of said housing relative to two orthogonal axes;

a compartment configured with said housing and sized to receive a user-removable module containing a second user interface sensor, said second user interface sensor generating a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation; and

an output providing an output signal responsive to signals generated by said first and second user interface sensors.

2. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein said second user interface sensor comprises a trackball.

3. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein said second user interface sensor comprises a touchpad.

4. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein said external device comprises a computer.

5. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein said external device comprises a null-contact touchpad.

6. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein said external device comprises a pressure sensor array touchpad.

7. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein said compartment is sized to receive any of a number of different user-removable modules, each containing a different type of user interface sensor

8. A user interface for controlling an external device, comprising:

a user-removable module containing first and second user interface sensors, said module sized to be received within a compartment configured with said external device,

said first user interface sensor configured with said user-removable module and generating, only when said user-removable module is removed from said compartment, a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of said user-removable module relative to two orthogonal axes; and

said second user interface sensor configured with said user-removable module and generating, regardless of whether or not said user-removable module is contained within said compartment, a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation; and

an output providing an output signal responsive to signals generated by said first and second user interface sensors, wherein each of said first and second user interface sensors permit control of separate aspects of said external device.

9. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein said user interface comprises two modes of operation, in a first mode which occurs whenever said user-removable module is secured within said compartment,

said second plurality of signals generated by said second user interface sensor are assigned to first user interface parameters, and in a second mode, which occurs whenever said user-removable module is removed from said compartment,

said second plurality of signals generated by said second user interface sensor are assigned to second user interface parameters which are different than said first user interface parameters.

10. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein said external device comprises a control panel.

11. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein said external device comprises a service panel.

12. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein said second user interface sensor comprises a touchpad.

13. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein said second user interface sensor comprises a trackball.

14. The user interface according to claim 8, further comprising:

a mouse button configured with said user-removable module and generating a third plurality of signals responsive to user contact.

15. The user interface according to claim 8, further comprising:

an electrical cable coupling said user-removable module with said external device.

16. The user interface according to claim 15, wherein said electrical cable supplies electrical power to said user-removable module.

17. The user interface according to claim 8, further comprising:

an wireless data link coupling said user-removable module with said external device.

18. The user interface according to claim 17, wherein said wireless data link is a RF link.

19. The user interface according to claim 17, wherein said wireless data link is an optical link.

20. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein said first user interface sensor comprises an optical sensor sensitive to said movement of said user-removable module.

21. The user interface according to claim 8, further comprising:

a rechargeable power source configured with said user-removable module and supplying electrical power to said first and second user interface sensors.

22. The user interface according to claim 21, wherein said rechargeable power source comprises a battery.

23. The user interface according to claim 21, wherein said rechargeable power source comprises a high-capacitance capacitor.

24. The user interface according to claim 21, wherein said rechargeable power source is automatically recharged whenever said user-removable module is contained within said compartment.

25. The user interface according to claim 8, further comprising:

a photoelectric cell configured with said user-removable module and supplying electrical power to said first and second user interface sensors.

26. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein said user-removable module is controllably secured within said compartment, and wherein said user-removable module is releasable from said compartment in response to a control signal.

27. The user interface according to claim 26, wherein said control signal comprises an electrical signal.

28. The user interface according to claim 26, wherein said control signal comprises an optical signal.

29. The user interface according to claim 26, wherein a numerical combination lock provides said control signal upon entry of a proper lock code.

30. The user interface according to claim 26, wherein a software application provides said control signal.

31. The user interface according to claim 26, wherein a software application provides said control signal upon entry of an authenticated user-entered password.

32. The user interface according to claim 26, wherein a software application provides said control signal in response to commands received by a remote control.

33. The user interface according to claim 26, wherein a software application provides said control signal in response to commands received by a keycard reader.

34. The user interface according to claim 8, further comprising:

an electromechanical element controllably securing said user-removable module within said compartment, wherein said user-removable module is releasable from said compartment in response to a control signal.

35. The user interface according to claim 34, wherein said electromechanical element is electromagnetic.

36. The user interface according to claim 34, wherein said electromechanical element is piezo.

37. The user interface according to claim 34, wherein a software application provides said control signal.

38. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein said user-removable module is structured with electrical connections which permit said user-removable module to be received within said compartment and interface with electrical connections designed to communicated with legacy fixed-installation touchpads.