Coordinate input device convertible between right-handed and left-handed modes

• US 6,154,196 A
• Filed: 06/08/1998
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Original Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Inventors: Niwa, Masaki, Sayler, David, Rawlings, Scott, Sun, I-Chiang, Fleck, David C., Hippen, Jan, Pollmann, Konrad W., Fukushima, Yasuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US09/092,899
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 345/157, 345/163, 345/145, 345/156
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0332 Ergonomic shaped mouse adjustable to suit one of both hands
• 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

Abstract

A coordinate input device (e.g. mouse-like device or cursor-like device) includes an outer housing which is movable between a first position adapted for use by right-handed users, and a second position adapted for use by left-handed users. In such a manner, the coordinate input device is easily utilized by both right and left-handed users. In certain embodiments, a rotatable thumb or finger wheel may be provided in the coordinate input device for manipulation by the user in order to adjust a parameter of an image being written/drawn on a corresponding display screen by the coordinate input device.

Claims

1. A coordinate input device moveable along a generally horizontal surface in order to input coordinate information to a corresponding computer, the coordinate input device comprising:

a base for movement along the generally horizontal surface;

an inner shell affixed in a non-moving relation to said base, at least a portion of said inner shell generally shaped in an arc above a portion of said base; and

an outer shell moveable relative to said inner shell, along an arc, between a left-handed mode position adapted for use by left-handed users and a right-handed mode position adapted for use by right-handed users.

2. The coordinate input device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said outer shell is shaped in an arc above a portion of said inner shell so that most of said inner shell is disposed between said outer shell and said base.

3. The coordinate input device of claim 2, wherein said base includes a portion which is substantially planar and approximately parallel to the generally horizontal surface upon which the input device is moved.

4. The coordinate input device of claim 1, further including first and second latches connected to said inner shell, and corresponding first and second locking members connected to said outer shell, and wherein said first latch is operatively connected to said first locking member when the outer shell is in the left handed mode position, and the second latch is not operatively connected to said second locking member when the outer shell is in the left handed mode position;

and

wherein said second latch is operatively connected to said second locking member and said first latch is not operatively connected to said first locking member when the outer shell is in the right handed mode position.

5. The coordinate input device of claim 4, wherein each of said first and second latches includes a portion which extends generally upward through a corresponding aperture defined in said inner shell.

6. The coordinate input device of claim 1, further comprising first and second elongated tubular supports extending between and connected to said base and said inner shell so as to rigidly connect said inner shell to said base.

7. The coordinate input device of claim 1, further comprising at least one biasing spring for biasing said outer shell toward said inner shell.

8. The coordinate input device of claim 7, wherein said at least one spring is mounted on a support which is rigidly affixed to said outer shell, and wherein said at least one spring is positioned interior of an interior wall of said inner shell.

9. The coordinate input device of claim 1, further including a dial rotatable about a central axis wherein rotation of the dial varies a parameter of an image being written or drawn by the user on a corresponding display screen, said dial adapted to be rotated by a finger or thumb of a user.

10. The coordinate input device of claim 9, wherein said dial is substantially planar and is approximately parallel to a large portion of said base.

11. The coordinate input device of claim 10, wherein said dial is partially circular in shape about its said central axis, and includes an outer periphery coated with a tactile feel material such as rubber.

12. The coordinate input device of claim 9, wherein said dial is mounted on a fixed spindle which extends upwardly from said base.

13. A digitizer tablet upon which the input device of claim 1 is moveable, wherein said generally horizontal surface is part of said digitizer tablet.

14. The coordinate input device of claim 1, further including a tuning circuit for receiving and sending electromagnetic wave signals from and to a corresponding digitizer tablet system.

15. A coordinate input device for movement over a generally flat surface, the coordinate input device comprising:

a generally flat base portion for movement over the generally flat surface; and

an adjustable shell for movement relative to said base between a right-handed mode position and a left-handed mode position, wherein said right-handed mode position is adapted for use by right-handed users and said left-handed mode position is adapted for use by left-handed users.

16. The coordinate input device of claim 15, wherein said shell moves along an approximate arc between said right-handed mode position and said left-handed mode position.

17. The coordinate input device of claim 16, wherein said shell can be positioned in a neutral position at the top or peak of said arc when a lower continuous edge of said shell is approximately equally spaced from the generally flat surface around the periphery of the input device.

18. The coordinate input device of claim 15, wherein said input device is approximately mouse-like in shape.

19. A coordinate input device for movement over a generally flat surface, the coordinate input device comprising:

an inner housing which is stationary relative to a base portion of the device;

a finger/thumb wheel or dial rotatable about a central vertically aligned axis;

an outer housing that is moveable relative to said inner housing in order to selectively expose different portions of said wheel or dial so that a first portion of said wheel or dial is exposed for user manipulation when said outer housing is in a first location relative to said inner housing and a second portion of said wheel or dial is exposed for user manipulation when said outer housing is in a second location relative to said inner housing.