Ambidextrous computer input device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer input device comprising:
- an output transmitter for communicating with a computer; and
a control circuit coupled to the output transmitter, the control circuit comprising;
at least a first sensor; and
a configuration circuit coupled to the first sensor to automatically determine the handedness of the computer input device independent of motion of any component of the computer input device, wherein the configuration circuit causes the computer input device to be in a first-handed mode when the first sensor is activated, and causes the computer input device to be in a second-handed mode when the first sensor is not activated.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ambidextrous computer input device having a control circuit and at least one sensor to detect the presence of a human digit, such as a thumb or a finger. The sensor is unobtrusively positioned on the input device, such as a mouse or a trackball or a keyboard point device. Upon detection or lack of detection of the thumb or finger, the control circuit automatically configures the buttons on the device to activate primary or secondary software functions either for a left-handed person or a right-handed person.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A computer input device comprising:
-
an output transmitter for communicating with a computer; and a control circuit coupled to the output transmitter, the control circuit comprising; at least a first sensor; and a configuration circuit coupled to the first sensor to automatically determine the handedness of the computer input device independent of motion of any component of the computer input device, wherein the configuration circuit causes the computer input device to be in a first-handed mode when the first sensor is activated, and causes the computer input device to be in a second-handed mode when the first sensor is not activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A computer input device comprising:
-
an output transmitter for communicating with a computer; and a control circuit coupled to the output transmitter, the control circuit comprising; at least a first sensor and a second sensor; and a configuration circuit coupled to the first sensor to automatically determine the handedness of the computer input device independent of motion of any component of the computer input device; and the configuration circuit causes the computer input device to be in first-handed mode when the first sensor is activated, or causes the computer input device to be in a second-handed mode when the second sensor is activated. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A computer input device comprising:
-
(a) an output transmitter for communicating with a computer; (b) a first location for receiving a first digit of a user'"'"'s first hand; (c) a second location for receiving a second digit of a user'"'"'s second hand; (d) a control circuit coupled to the output transmitter, wherein the control circuit comprises; (i) a plurality of selection actuators, including at least a right selection actuator and a left selection actuator, each selection actuator operatively connected to the computer; (ii) at least a first sensor located proximate to either of said locations; and (iii) a configuration circuit to automatically determine whether the user is operating the computer input device with the first hand or the second hand independent of motion of any component of the computer input device, wherein the configuration circuit causes the computer input device to be in a first-handed mode when the first sensor is activated, and causes the computer input device to be in a second-handed mode when the first sensor is not activated. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A computer input device comprising:
-
(a) an output transmitter for communicating with a computer; (b) a first location for receiving a first digit of a user'"'"'s first hand; (c) a second location for receiving a second digit of a user'"'"'s second hand; (d) a control circuit coupled to the output transmitter, wherein the control circuit comprises; (i) a plurality of selection actuators, including at least a right selection actuator and a left selection actuator, each selection actuator operatively connected to the computer; (ii) at least a first sensor located proximate to either of said locations and at least a second sensor located proximate the other of the first or second location; and (iii) a configuration circuit which automatically, independent of motion of any component of the computer input device, determines the computer input device to be in a first-handed mode when the first senor is activated, and in a second-handed mode when the second sensor is activated.
-
Specification