MINATURE OPTICAL MOUSE AND STYLUS

• US 20060012567A1
• Filed: 07/13/2004
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Todd Sicklinger
• Original Assignee: Todd Sicklinger
• Inventors: Sicklinger, Todd
• Application Number:
  US10/710,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20060012567A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• 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 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/037 using the raster scan of a cathode-ray tube [CRT] for detecting the position of the member, e.g. light pens cooperating with CRT monitors

Abstract

A small optical mouse that is easy to use, that provides a standard mouse like user experience, that works efficiently in combination with a keyboard, that can be used as a stylus, and that can be used on the viewing surface of a computer monitor as well as related devices and methods.

Claims

1. A cursor control device comprising:

a motion detector, which can be pressed against a surface;

an optical sensor array; and

a light source;

wherein said light source is located remotely from said motion detector.

2. The cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

said optical detector array is located remotely from said motion detector.

3. The cursor control device of claim 1 further comprising:

a stylus.

4. The cursor control device of claim 3 further comprising:

a mouse body.

5. The cursor control device of claim 4 wherein:

said motion detector is mounted on said stylus;

said stylus is mounted in said mouse body; and

said stylus is extendable from said mouse body.

6. The cursor control device of claim 5 wherein

said stylus extends from said mouse body when said mouse body is rotated.

7. The cursor control device of claim 1 further comprising:

a means for mounting said motion detector on a user'"'"'s finger.

8. The cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

said light source is ambient light.

9. A cursor control device comprising:

an optical sensor array;

a light source; and

an optical fiber.

10. The cursor control device of claim 9 further comprising:

a plurality of motion detectors.

11. The cursor control device of claim 9 further comprising:

a glove having a plurality of finger coverings.

12. The cursor control device of claim 11 further comprising:

a plurality of switches mounted in said finger coverings.

13. A method of determining a position associated with an object placed over a viewing surface of a monitor comprising the step of:

detecting a time ordered signal, which is traversing the viewing surface of the monitor; and

determining the position of said object based upon when said time ordered signal was detected.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

positioning a pointer in the vicinity of said position.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

inserting said time ordered signal onto the viewing surface of said monitor.

16. A device for determining the position of an object on the viewing surface of a monitor comprising:

an optical sensor;

a horizontal timer; and

a vertical timer.

17. A device for detecting a position associated with an object placed in the vicinity of a monitor comprising:

a means for detecting a time ordered light signal.

18. The device of claim 17 further comprising:

a means for detecting motion across a surface.