Family mouse

• US 6,348,912 B1
• Filed: 05/25/1999
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mei California, Inc. (Micron Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Dwayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIMNHUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/317,840
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/161-163
• 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 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A communication devise for a computer is disclosed. The device is a mouse including conventional operational buttons and supplemental buttons which function similarly to the conventional buttons. The supplemental buttons are positioned adjacent to and behind the conventional buttons, and are useful for operators having small hands, such as children. The supplemental buttons may be recessed as compared to the conventional buttons. Alternatively, a software program in the computer or electrical or mechanical switches may lock out one or more buttons which are not intended for use by the operator.

Claims

1. A computer input device for use by first and second users, the first user having first fingers of a first length, the second user having corresponding second fingers of a second length, the second length being less than the first length, the input device comprising:

a body having an upward facing surface with a first end and a second end, the upward facing surface further having a palm supporting portion toward the first end configured to support a first palm of the first user and a second palm of the second user;

a first pair of input buttons positioned toward the second end of the upward facing surface, the first pair of input buttons being accessible from the upward facing surface to transmit input signals to a computer when actuated, the first pair of input buttons being positioned a first distance away from the palm supporting portion to receive the first fingers of the first user; and

a second pair of input buttons positioned between the first pair of input buttons and the palm supporting portion of the upward facing surface, the second pair of input buttons being accessible from the upward facing surface to transmit input signals to a computer when actuated, the second pair of input buttons being positioned a second distance less than the first distance from the palm supporting surface to receive the second fingers of the second user.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the second pair of buttons are recessed from the upward facing surface relative to the first pair of buttons.

3. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a scroll wheel positioned between the first and second pair of buttons.

4. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a fifth input button accessible from the upward facing surface next to the first pair of buttons;

and

a sixth input button accessible from the upward facing surface next to the second pair of buttons, the fifth and sixth buttons each providing an additional operating command for a computer when actuated.

5. The input device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical lockout switch for selectively locking out one of the first pair of input buttons and the second pair of input buttons.

6. The input device of claim 3, further comprising an electrical lockout switch for selectively locking out the scroll wheel.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein the electrical lockout switch selectively locks out one of the first pair of input buttons and the second pair of input buttons.

8. The input device of claim 7, wherein the scroll wheel is locked out when the first pair of input buttons is locked out.

9. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical lockout switch for selectively locking out one of the first pair of input buttons and the second pair of input buttons.

10. The input device of claim 9, further comprising a scroll wheel positioned between the first and second pair of buttons, and a mechanical lockout switch for selectively locking out the scroll wheel.

11. The input device of claim 10, wherein each of the input buttons has an opening and the mechanical lockout switch includes:

a first rod coupled to a first pin and a second pin such that movement of the first rod causes movement of the first and second pins;

a second rod coupled to a third pin and a fourth pin such that movement of the second rod causes movement of the third and fourth pins; and

a switch button having a first side and connected to the first rod and a second side connected to the second rod; and

wherein when the first side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the first and second pins move into the openings of, respectively, the first pair of input buttons, thereby locking out the first pair of input buttons, and when the second side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the first and second pins move out of the openings of, respectively, the first pair of input buttons and the second rod moves and the third and fourth pins move into the openings of the second pair of input buttons, thereby locking out the second pair of input buttons.

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the scroll wheel has at least one opening, further comprising a fifth pin coupled to the first rod, wherein when the first side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the fifth pin moves into the opening of the scroll wheel, thereby locking out the scroll wheel, and when the second side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the fifth pin moves out of the opening of the scroll wheel.

13. The input device of claim 11, wherein the scroll wheel has a plurality of ridges, further comprising a fifth pin coupled to the first rod, wherein when the first side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the fifth pin moves in between two ridges of the scroll wheel, thereby locking out the scroll wheel, and when the second side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the fifth pin moves out from in between the two ridges of the scroll wheel.

14. A computer system for use by first and second users, the first user having first fingers of a first length, the second user having corresponding second fingers of a second length, the second length being less than the first length, the system comprising:

an input device having a body with an upward facing surface with a first end and a second end, the upward facing surface further having a palm supporting portion toward the first end configured to support a first palm of the first user and a second palm of the second user;

a first pair of input buttons positioned toward the second end of the upward facing surface, the first pair of input buttons being accessible from the upward facing surface to transmit input signals to a computer when actuated, the first pair of input buttons being positioned a first distance away from the palm supporting portion to receive the first fingers of the first user;

a second pair of input buttons positioned between the first pair of input buttons and the palm supporting portion of the upward facing surface, the second pair of input buttons being accessible from the upward facing surface to transmit input signals to a computer when actuated, the second pair of input buttons being positioned a second distance less than the first distance from the palm supporting surface to receive the second fingers of the second user; and

a computer configured to receive signals from the input device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second pair of buttons are recessed from the upward facing surface relative to the first pair of buttons.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a scroll wheel positioned between the first and second pair of buttons.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising a fifth input button accessible from the upward facing surface next to the first pair of buttons;

and

a sixth input button accessible from the upward facing surface next to the second pair of buttons, the fifth and sixth buttons each providing an additional operating command for the computer when actuated.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a mechanism for selectively locking out one of the pairs of input buttons.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the locking out mechanism includes a software program running on the computer.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the software program is capable of locking out the first pair of buttons.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the software program is further capable of locking out one of the second pair of buttons.

22. The system of claim 14, further comprising a scroll wheel positioned between the first and second pair of buttons.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a scroll wheel locking out mechanism.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the scroll wheel locking out mechanism includes a software program running on the computer.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the mechanism for selectively locking out one of the pairs of operating buttons includes an electrical lockout switch for selectively locking out the first pair of input buttons and the second pair of input buttons.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising a scroll wheel positioned between the first and second pair of buttons.

27. The system of claim 26, further comprising an electrical lockout switch for selectively locking out the scroll wheel.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the scroll wheel is locked out when the first pair of input buttons is locked out.

29. The system of claim 14, wherein the mechanism for selectively locking out one of the pairs of input buttons includes a mechanical lockout switch for selectively locking out the first pair of input buttons and the second pair of input buttons.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein each of the input buttons has an opening and the mechanical lockout switch includes:

a first rod coupled to a first pin and a second pin such that movement of the first rod causes movement of the first and second pins;

a second rod coupled to a third pin and a fourth pin such that movement of the second rod causes movement of the third and fourth pins; and

a switch button having a first side and connected to the first rod and a second side connected to the second rod; and

wherein when the first side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the first and second pins move into the openings of, respectively, the first pair of input buttons, thereby locking out the first pair of input buttons, and when the second side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the first and second pins move out of the openings of, respectively, the first pair of input buttons and the second rod moves and the third and fourth pins move into the openings of the second pair of input buttons, thereby locking out the second pair of input buttons.

31. The system of claim 30, further comprising a scroll wheel positioned between the first and second pair of buttons.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising a mechanical lockout switch for selectively locking out the scroll wheel.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the scroll wheel has at least one opening, further comprising a fifth pin coupled to the first rod, wherein when the first side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the fifth pin moves into the opening of the scroll wheel, thereby locking out the scroll wheel, and when the second side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the fifth pin moves out of the opening of the scroll wheel.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the scroll wheel has a plurality of ridges, further comprising a fifth pin coupled to the first rod, wherein the first side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the fifth pin moves in between two the ridges of the scroll wheel, thereby locking out the scroll wheel, and when the second side of the switch button is depressed, the first rod moves and the fifth pin moves out from in between the two ridges of the scroll wheel.

35. A method for operating a computer input device by first and second users, comprising:

contacting a palm of the first user with a palm supporting surface of the input device;

transmitting input signals from the input device to a computer by contacting first input buttons positioned a first distance from the palm supporting surface with first fingers of the first user and activating the first input buttons, the first fingers having a first length; and

transmitting input signals from the input device to the computer by contacting second input buttons positioned a second distance from the palm supporting surface with corresponding second fingers of the second user and activating the second input buttons, the second fingers having a second length less than the first length and the second distance being less than the first distance.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising locking out one of the pairs of input buttons.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein locking out includes electrically locking out one of the pairs of input buttons.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein locking out includes mechanically locking out the one pair of input buttons.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein locking out is accomplished through a software program in the computer.

40. A computer mouse comprising:

a body having an upper surface extending between a pair of ends;

a first pair of operating buttons positioned on said upper surface adjacent one said end for providing respective operating commands for a computer when actuated;

a second pair of operating buttons positioned on said upper surface toward the other said end from said first pair of buttons, said second pair of buttons also providing said respective operating commands for a computer when actuated;

a mechanical lockout switch for selectively locking out one of the said first pair of operating buttons and said second pair of operating buttons;

a scroll wheel positioned between said first and second pairs of buttons, and a mechanical lockout switch selectively locking out said scroll wheel;

wherein each of said operating buttons comprises an opening and said mechanical lockout switch comprises;

a first rod coupled to a first pin and a second pin such that movement of said first rod causes movement of said first and second pins;

a second rod coupled to a third pin and a fourth pin such that movement of said second rod causes movement of said third and fourth pins; and

a switch button having a first side and connected to said first rod and a second side connected to said second rod; and

wherein when said first side of said switch button is depressed, said first rod moves and said first and second pins move into the openings of, respectively, said first pair of operating buttons, thereby locking out said first pair of operating buttons, and when said second side of said switch button is depressed, said first rod moves and said first and second pins move out of the openings of, respectively, said first pair of operating buttons and said second rod moves and said third and fourth pins move into the openings of said second pair of operating buttons, thereby locking out said second pair of operating buttons.

41. A computer mouse comprising:

a body having an upper surface extending between a pair of ends;

a first pair of operating buttons positioned on said upper surface adjacent one said end for providing respective operating commands for a computer when actuated;

a second pair of operating buttons positioned on said upper surface toward the other said end from said first pair of buttons, said second pair of buttons also providing said respective operating commands for a computer when actuated;

a mechanical lockout switch for selectively locking out one of the said first pair of operating buttons and said second pair of operating buttons;

a scroll wheel positioned between said first and second pairs of buttons, with said mechanical lockout switch selectively locking out said scroll wheel;

wherein each of said operating buttons comprises an opening and said mechanical lockout switch comprises;

a first rod coupled to a first pin and a second pin such that movement of said first rod causes movement of said first and second pins;

a second rod coupled to a third pin and a fourth pin such that movement of said second rod causes movement of said third and fourth pins; and

a switch button having a first side and connected to said first rod and a second side connected to said second rod; and

wherein when said first side of said switch button is depressed, said first rod moves and said first and second pins move into the openings of, respectively, said first pair of operating buttons, thereby locking out said first pair of operating buttons, and when said second side of said switch button is depressed, said first rod moves and said first and second pins move out of the openings of, respectively, said first pair of operating buttons and said second rod moves and said third and fourth pins move into the openings of said second pair of operating buttons, thereby locking out said second pair of operating buttons;

further wherein said scroll wheel comprises at least one opening, further comprising a fifth pin coupled to said first rod, wherein when said first side of said switch button is depressed, said first rod moves and said fifth pin moves into said opening of said scroll wheel, thereby locking out said scroll wheel, and when said second side of said switch button is depressed, said first rod moves and said fifth pin moves out of said opening of said scroll wheel.