Input device with forward/backward control

• US 20060050057A1
• Filed: 10/25/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Plank, Robert Scott, Kaneko, Steven T., Adan, Manolito E., Holmdahl, Todd E., Lipscomb, Terry M., Hooning, Michael R.
• Application Number:
  US11/257,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20060050057A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A mouse is provided with a movement sensor in a casing. The mouse includes three depressible top surfaces and two thumb button actuators.

Claims

1. A mouse for a computer system comprising:

a movement sensor, capable of detecting movement of the mouse across a surface and of generating a signal based on the detected movement;

a casing, at least partially containing the movement sensor and providing a palm contact area;

three depressible top surfaces located along a top portion of the casing; and

at least two active thumb button actuators, at least partially contained by the casing and exposed along a side of the casing, each thumb button actuator capable of generating an electrical signal that exclusively indicates whether the actuator is being pressed.

2. The mouse of claim 1 wherein the two active thumb button actuators are at least partially aligned vertically in the mouse.

3. The mouse of claim 2 wherein the two active thumb button actuators are at least partially aligned horizontally in the mouse.

4. The mouse of claim 1 wherein the three depressible top surfaces comprise a primary button.

5. The mouse of claim 4 wherein the three depressible top surfaces further comprise a secondary button.

6. The mouse of claim 5 wherein the three depressible top surfaces further comprise a wheel capable of being rotated.

7. The mouse of claim 6 wherein the wheel is depressible and is capable of actuating a switch when depressed.

8. The mouse of claim 1 wherein the at least two thumb button actuators are positioned on a same side of the mouse.