MOUSE WITH ROTATABLE OPERATION MODULE

• US 20120081284A1
• Filed: 11/02/2010
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Primax Electronics Limited
• Original Assignee: Primax Electronics Limited
• Inventors: Wu, Chun-Che
• Granted Patent: US 8,614,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

A mouse with a rotatable operation module is provided. The mouse includes a mouse housing and the operation module. The mouse housing has a sidewall. A hollow portion is formed in the sidewall for installing the operation module. The operation module includes a positioning member, a rotary member and a signal generating module. By rotating the rotary member, the operation module is rotated accordingly.

Claims

1. A mouse with a rotatable operation module, said mouse comprising:

a mouse housing having a sidewall, wherein a hollow portion is formed in said sidewall, and said sidewall includes an inner surface and an outer surface; and

said operation module disposed on said sidewall and penetrated through said hollow portion, wherein said operation module comprises;

a positioning member fixed on said inner surface of said sidewall;

a rotary member disposed within said hollow portion and exposed to said outer surface of said sidewall, so that said rotary member is rotatable with respect to said sidewall; and

a signal generating module fixed on said rotary member for generating a control signal.

2. The mouse according to claim 1 wherein said positioning member and said inner surface of said sidewall collectively define a receptacle, and said rotary member further comprises a ring-shaped part, wherein said ring-shaped part is accommodated within said receptacle.

3. The mouse according to claim 1 wherein a retaining post is formed on said inner surface of said sidewall, and said rotary member comprises an arc-shaped slot, wherein said retaining post is penetrated through said arc-shaped slot for confining a rotating angle of said rotary member.

4. The mouse according to claim 1 wherein a convex structure is formed on a radial periphery of said rotary member, a ring-shaped engaging part is formed on said inner surface of said sidewall, and said ring-shaped engaging part has plural concave structures corresponding to said convex structure, wherein by rotating said rotary member to render engagement between said convex structure and one of said concave structures, said rotary member is stayed at a specified position.

5. The mouse according to claim 1 wherein said rotary member further comprises a perforation, wherein said signal generating module is exposed to said perforation, so that said signal generating module is operable by a user.

6. The mouse according to claim 1 wherein said signal generating module comprises:

a soft key to be pressed by a user;

a pressure sensitive element for generating a pressing signal in response to a pressing action of said user; and

a circuit board for receiving said pressing signal, and generating a control signal in response to said pressing signal, wherein said pressure sensitive element is mounted on said circuit board.

7. The mouse according to claim 6 wherein said rotary member further comprises a protrusion for fixing said soft key on said rotary member, so that said soft key is rotatable with said rotary member.

8. The mouse according to claim 6 wherein said rotary member further comprises a stud bolt hole, and said circuit board has an opening corresponding to said stud bolt hole, wherein by penetrating a fastening element through said opening of said circuit board and tightening said fastening element in said stud bolt hole, said circuit board is fixed on said rotary member, so that said circuit board is rotatable with said rotary member.

9. The mouse according to claim 1 wherein said signal generating module comprises:

a roller to be rotated by a user'"'"'s finger;

a rotation sensitive element for generating a rotating signal in response to a rotating g action of said user'"'"'s finger; and

a circuit board for receiving said rotating signal, and generating a control signal in response to said rotating signal, wherein said roller and said rotation sensitive element are mounted on said circuit board.

10. The mouse according to claim 9 wherein said rotary member further comprises a stud bolt hole, and said circuit board has an opening corresponding to said stud bolt hole, wherein by penetrating a fastening element through said opening of said circuit board and tightening said fastening element in said stud bolt hole, said circuit board is fixed on said rotary member, so that said circuit board is rotatable with said rotary member.