Mouse operable in narrow space without lifting

• US 6,128,005 A
• Filed: 02/12/1998
• Issued: 10/03/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edikun Giken Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Edikun Giken Company Limited
• Inventors: Kato, Isamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kevin M.
• Application Number:
  US09/022,633
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/157, 345/158, 345/166
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A mouse operable in a narrow space on a desk or the like without interposing an operation of lifting the mouse off a mouse pad, moving it in the air and putting it down on the mouse pad. The mouse comprises a moving amount sensor for detecting moving amounts of the mouse in a first area set on a mouse pad, and a second area outside the first area, a button arranged on the mouse, an area sensor for detecting whether the mouse is located in the first or second area, and a signal generator for, when the mouse is located in the first area, generating a signal that moves the pointer by a distance corresponding to a moving amount of the mouse and, when the mouse is located in the second area, generating a signal that moves the pointer at a predetermined speed.

Claims

1. A mouse used for operating a pointer displayed on a display of a computer to give a control signal to said computer, comprising:

a moving amount sensor for detecting moving amounts of said mouse in a first area of a mouse pad, a desk, or the like, and a second area outside said first area;

a button arranged on a surface of said mouse;

an area sensor for detecting whether said mouse is located in said first or second area; and

a signal generator for, when said area sensor detects that said mouse is located in said first area, generating a signal that moves said pointer on said display by a distance corresponding to a moving amount detected by said moving amount sensor and, when said area sensor detects that said mouse is located in said second area, generating a signal that moves said pointer on said display at a predetermined speed, said generated signal being transmitted to said computer.

2. A mouse according to claim 1, wherein

when said mouse moves out of said first area to reach said second area, said area sensor detects whether said mouse moves in a forward, backward, right or left direction, and

said signal generator generates a signal that moves said pointer upward on said display when said mouse moves out to reach said second area forward, moves said pointer downward on said display when said mouse moves out to said second area backward, moves said pointer to the right on said display when said mouse moves out to the right to reach said second area, and moves said pointer to the left on said display when said mouse moves out to the left to reach said second area.

3. A mouse according to claim 2, wherein said area sensor comprises a sensor for detecting that said mouse moves out forward, a sensor for detecting that said mouse moves out backward, a sensor for detecting that said mouse moves out to the right, and a sensor for detecting that said mouse moves out to the left.

4. A mouse according to claim 1 wherein, when said button is depressed or released, said signal generator generates a signal indicating depression or release, and said generated signal is transmitted to said computer.

5. A mouse according to claim 1, wherein said area sensor detects whether said mouse is located in said first or second area by detecting an edge of a mouse pad on which said mouse is operated.

6. A mouse according to claim 5, wherein said area sensor comprises a switch having a mechanical contact.

7. A mouse according to claim 6, wherein said switch comprises a pipe attached to a body of said mouse, a rod which slides in said pipe when one end thereof comes into contact with or separates from said mouse pad, a first contact attached to said pipe, and a second contact attached to said rod to come into contact with and separate from said first contact.

8. A mouse according to claim 7, wherein said first and second contacts separate from each other when said rod is located on said mouse pad.

9. A mouse according to claim 7, wherein said first and second contacts come into contact with each other when said rod is located on said mouse pad.

10. A mouse according to claim 7, wherein said switch further comprises a third contact attached to said pipe and a fourth contact attached to said rod to come into contact with and separate from said third contact, and said second and fourth contacts are electrically connected to each other.

11. A mouse according to claim 1, wherein said area sensor comprises an optical sensor.

12. A mouse according to claim 11, wherein said area sensor comprises a plurality of optical sensors, and it is detected whether said mouse is located in said first or second area by detecting that an output signal from one of said optical sensors is different from an output signal from remaining one of said optical sensors.

13. A mouse according to claim 1, wherein said signal generator generates a signal for moving said pointer gradually faster when said area sensor detects that said mouse is located in said second area.

14. A computer system comprising a display and a mouse used for operating a pointer displayed on said display, wherein said mouse comprises:

a moving amount sensor for detecting moving amounts of said mouse in a first area of a mouse pad, a desk, or the like, and a second area outside said first area;

a button arranged on a surface of said mouse;

an area sensor for detecting whether said mouse is located in said first or second area; and

a signal generator for, when said area sensor detects that said mouse is located in said first area, generating a signal that moves said pointer on said display by a distance corresponding to a moving amount detected by said moving amount sensor and, when said area sensor detects that said mouse is located in said second area, generating a signal that moves said pointer on said display at a predetermined speed, said generated signal being transmitted to said computer.