Squeezable computer control device

• US 5,006,836 A
• Filed: 06/14/1988
• Issued: 04/09/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Wang Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Cooper, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HJERPE, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US07/206,549
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 340/709, 340/710, 340/721, 340/723, 200/6 R, 200/6 A, 273/148 B, 250/221, 74/471 XY
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A control mouse has two opposed outward facing digit-engaging portions on a flexible vertical wall and is sized and shaped to be grasped and moved by squeezing force applied by one hand of an operator with a digit engaging each of the digit-engaging portions. The mouse has a pressure operated switch installed so as to be switched to a first state by squeezing force below a threshold force applied between two digits positioned respectively at the digit-engaging portions and switched to a second state by squeezing force above the threshold force. The switch thus controlled by the operator is used to provide signals to the associated computer.

Claims

1. A control mouse for providing control signals to a computer comprising a motion transducer affixed in said mouse in a position to engage an engagement surface against which said mouse is positioned, said transducer generating a motion signal indicative of the motion of said mouse relative to said engagement surface, and a communications channel connected to communicate said motion signal to a computer,

said mouse having two opposed outward facing digit-engaging portions,

said mouse being sized and shaped to be grasped by squeezing force applied by one hand of an operator with a digit engaging each of said digit-engaging portions to effect movement relative to said surface,

said mouse including pressure operated switch means installed so as to be switched to a first state by squeezing force below a predetermined threshold force applied between two digits positioned respectively at said opposed digit-engaging portions and switched to a second state by squeezing force above said threshold force applied between two digits positioned respectively at said opposed digit engaging portions,

said mouse including means connected to said switch means for communicating a signal discriminating the states of said switch means to said computer.

2. A control mouse as claimed in claim 1, said mouse having a periphery cover including vertical wall, and said digit engaging portions being on said vertical wall.

3. A control mouse as claimed in claim 2, said vertical wall being flexible, said pressure operated switch means being operated by flexing and unflexing said wall.

4. A control mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined threshold force is set so that a squeeze force less than said predetermined threshold force applied to said digit-engaging portions is sufficient to grasp and control said mouse in motion relative to said surface.

5. A control mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure operated switch means includes a pair of series-connected switches, wherein each of said series-connected switches corresponds to an associated digit-engaging portion, and wherein the digit-engaging portions are located in opposed positions on a vertical wall of a periphery cover of the mouse, such that the squeezing force may be applied to the mouse in order to switch between first and second states.