Hand held computer cursor controller and command input device

• US 5,563,628 A
• Filed: 02/06/1995
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey A. Stroop
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey A. Stroop
• Inventors: Stroop, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHANH DUY
• Application Number:
  US08/385,061
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/161, 345/163, 345/173, 273/148 B, 273/434, 273/438, 273/DIG. 28, 200/6 R, 200/6 A, 341/20, 341/21, 400/482, D21/13, D21/18, 74/471 XT
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

A computer controller is described which can be held in and operated by one hand. A thumb operated cursor control is mounted at the top of a pedestal with a grip section extending laterally rearward. Point and click buttons, operated by the user'"'"'s index and middle fingers, are mounted forward of the pedestal and underneath the grip section. A stabilizing base is attached to the lower end of the pedestal.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a computer while the device is being held and operated by one hand of a user, the computer having a processor responsive to command signals and a video display with a visible cursor on the display which changes position in response to cursor position indicating signals, the user'"'"'s hand having a thumb and small, ring, middle and index fingers with each finger having a center portion, the device comprising:

a. grip means for receiving the center portions of the small, ring, and middle fingers of the user'"'"'s hand while the user'"'"'s hand is grasping the device, the grip means having a distal end and a proximal end;

b. pedestal means for receiving the index finger of the user'"'"'s hand and for separating the users'"'"'s middle and index fingers while the users'"'"'s hand is grasping the device, the pedestal means having an upper end and a lower end, the pedestal means not integral to the grip means;

c. thumb rest means for receiving the thumb of the user'"'"'s hand while the user'"'"'s hand is grasping the device, the thumb rest means attached to the upper end of the pedestal means;

d. base means for supporting the device in a free standing upright position when the device is placed on a flat surface, the base means attached to the lower end of the pedestal means;

e. the thumb rest means attached to the proximal end of the grip means, the thumb rest means having a generally circular upper surface which is angled downwardly away from the proximal end of the grip means;

f. the grip means being cylindrical in shape and extending away from the thumb rest means at a downward angle with respect to the pedestal means, the grip means and the pedestal means defining an angle of less than ninety degrees;

g. cursor control means for sending cursor position indicating signals to the computer, the cursor control means including button means located in the upper surface of the thumb rest means, the button means responsive to manipulation of the user'"'"'s thumb;

h. first command signalling means for sending command signals to the computer, the first command signalling means comprising a first command button located on a forward facing surface of the pedestal means which is proximate the index finger of the user'"'"'s hand when the device is being grasped; and

i. second command signalling means for sending command signals to the computer, the second command signalling means comprising a second command button located on a lower surface of the grip means proximate the middle finger of the user'"'"'s hand when the device is being grasped; and

j. the first and second command signalling means being physically separated by the pedestal means such that the index finger is in a forward position on the forward facing surface of the pedestal means and the middle finger is in a rearward position on the lower surface of the grip means while the users'"'"'s hand is grasping the device, and further such that the user'"'"'s thumb on the user'"'"'s hand can operate the cursor control means while the first and second command signalling means are operated by the index and middle fingers respectively of the user'"'"'s hand.