Computer input device with digit support and natural position actuators
First Claim
1. A mouse input device for a computer system, the mouse capable of being moved across a working surface to move a displayed object on a computer display, the mouse comprising:
- an upper casing;
a bottom surface designed to face the working surface;
a thumb pinching area located on a side of the mouse proximate the bottom surface;
a primary button;
a secondary button; and
at least two side buttons located above the thumb pinching area in a direction away from the bottom surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mouse has sufficient width to support the distal phalanges of a user'"'"'s ring finger and little finger while the user'"'"'s middle finger is positioned over a secondary button of the mouse. The mouse also provides at least one side button positioned so that it is not contacted by the user'"'"'s thumb during “pinching” of the mouse but is easily accessible by the user'"'"'s thumb. In addition, the mouse provides a wheel with a large number of ribs that increase friction between the user'"'"'s finger and the wheel.
56 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A mouse input device for a computer system, the mouse capable of being moved across a working surface to move a displayed object on a computer display, the mouse comprising:
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an upper casing;
a bottom surface designed to face the working surface;
a thumb pinching area located on a side of the mouse proximate the bottom surface;
a primary button;
a secondary button; and
at least two side buttons located above the thumb pinching area in a direction away from the bottom surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A mouse for a computer system, the mouse comprising:
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a thumb gripping position located on a side of the mouse;
a primary button positioned so as to be capable of being actuated by a user'"'"'s index finger when the user'"'"'s thumb is located on the thumb gripping position; and
at least two side buttons positioned so that a gap between the user'"'"'s thumb and the user'"'"'s index finger is reduced when the user'"'"'s thumb is moved from the gripping position to actuate a side button while the user'"'"'s index finger remains fixed on the primary button, wherein the thumb gripping position comprises a surface that is substantially level with a surface of the at least two side buttons along a boundary between the gripping position and the at least two side buttons. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A mouse for a computer system, the mouse capable of conveying signals to the computer indicative of movement of the mouse across a working surface, the mouse comprising:
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a metacarpophalangeal ridge support;
a secondary button; and
a ring finger and little finger convex support slope that is separate from the secondary button, each surface point of the support slope having a normal that at least partially points away from the working surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A mouse for a computer system comprising:
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a bottom surface designed to face a working surface over which the mouse is moved;
an upper housing; and
a wheel, located in the upper housing and comprising at least fifty ribs along its outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification