Multiple signaling mouse with faceted surfaces

• US 5,260,696 A
• Filed: 02/19/1991
• Issued: 11/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stuart T. Maynard Jr
• Original Assignee: Stuart T. Maynard Jr
• Inventors: Maynard, Stuart T. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOON, GIN F
• Application Number:
  US07/657,118
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 340/710, 340/709, 340/706, 400/484, 400/715, 74/471 XY, 200/5 R
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/039 Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

A conventional monoplane mouse is constructed to move on a flat surface upon a single plane within which a contained sphere may rotate tangential with the single plane contacting the flat surface. Signals for XY cursor movement are derived from two or more counting sensors positioned at an equator of the rotatable sphere parallel with the single plane. The mouse invention defines two or more facets in the underside housing. The facet mouse can be tilted to one of the exclusive facets and moved on a flat surface to generate XY signals. The facet plane selected by tilt is identified by triggered pressure sensitive switches at each facet plane. The switches also function as undercarriage feet to define the virtual plane of contact to the flat surface. The facet planes in two and four facet embodiments are oriented with the orthogonally placed sphere counting sensors so that the intersect of any two opposing facets is parallel with the plane of rotation of one of the counting wheels. A single sphere and counter apparatus can serve all facets, being placed at the intersect of all facets. To aid the hand in applying continuous downward pressure to the mouse onto a preferred facet, a hinged and elevatable palm hood is attached to the top of the mouse. The mouse enables a new user interface beyond the traditional ones of: 1. clicking keys by a finger and 2. whole arm movement of a mouse on an XY surface. By a tilting wrist motion, the user may instantly and continuously toggle 2,4, or more selections assigned to the facets provided.

Claims

1. A mouse with adjustable surfaces to be engaged by the grasping hand of an operator as a hand rest and engaging the relaxed concavity of the palm of the operating hand leaving the fingers free comprising:

a hood provided with a top portion, having a substantially convex upper surface, joining two side portions,

said hood configured to surround a portion of said mouse and wherein said side portions are engaged against side surfaces of said mouse,

wherein said hood has a first end which is pivotally attached to the body of said mouse and second end which is upwardly movable away from said mouse.

2. A mouse as claimed in claim 1 providing adjustable secure positioning of said hood upward from said mouse body comprising:

wherein said side portion of said hood contains a first friction means positioned toward said second end and positioned in an arc,

wherein said arc is concentric to an axis of rotation which is defined by said pivotally attached first end of said hood,

wherein said mouse body carries a second friction means at a position which engages said first friction means at any point of movement along said arc.

3. A mouse as claimed in claim 2 wherein

said first friction means is provided as curved edges positioned on said side portions and matched to curved faces on said sides of said mouse body

said curved edges and curved faces having intermeshing projections.

4. A mouse as claimed in claim 3 wherein

said pivotal attachment of said hood is provided by an axle passing through openings in said sides of said mouse body and joined at the ends of said axle to said side portions of said hood.

5. A mouse as claimed in claim 4 where in said openings are positioned in said sides of body generally rearward.

6. A mouse as claimed in claim 4 wherein said openings are slot like and inclined such that downward force forces on said hood are translated into horizontal movement of said axle forcing said hoop against said curved faces at its curved edges.

7. A mouse as claimed in claim 4 wherein said openings for said axle are slots, and said axle is joined to a pin which passes through the rear of said mouse body, said pin enabling said top and said axle to be pulled back and disengaged or forward and locked at said intermeshing projections.

8. A mouse as claimed in claim 7 wherein said pin passes through a keyhole shaped opening allowing a larger diameter of said pin nearer to said axle to pass through the largest keyhole opening and a smaller neck diameter of said pin further from said axle to enter into a slot which locks said pin and said intermeshing projections when axle is at one position of said slot.