Hand un-inhibiting cursor control device

• US 6,462,732 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Mehr
• Original Assignee: Michael Mehr
• Inventors: Mehr, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Monestime, Mackly
• Application Number:
  US09/899,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20010040552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/169
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• 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 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A cursor control device is provided which allows the user to have almost full use of the fingers of the hand for a wide range of tasks while the thumb is used to operate the cursor control device. The control body housing houses the cursor control means and could be secured anywhere on a hand by utilization of securing means. The cursor control device does not require any planar surfaces such as a table and can be operated in any orientation. In a preferred embodiment, the securing means is accomplished by utilization of securing body housing and the device has a capability to switch between two alternative configurations, the closed and open configurations. In the closed configuration the control body housing is placed on the securing body housing and could be held in a grip while thumb is free to operate the cursor control means. In the open configuration, the securing body housing is worn over the hand while the control body housing is placed in a region between the base of the thumb and the tip of the index finger. The open configuration allows for use of the cursor control means by a thumb while the fingers are free to engage in other tasks such as typing.

Claims

1. A hand-held cursor control device comprising:

a control body housing having an upper end and a lower end, as well as at least two surface areas, a proximal area and a distal area;

a securing body housing having an upper end, an intermediate portion, and a lower end, wherein the upper end has an upper extension and the lower end has a lower extension, as well as surface areas, a proximal area and a distal area which areas extend over the intermediate portion, the upper extension, and the lower extension, and a receiving area;

at least one connecting means having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the upper extension of the securing body housing and the second end is coupled to the upper end of the control body housing;

at least one cursor movement means located on the distal area of the control body housing, wherein the cursor movement means provides a signal responsive to manipulation of the cursor movement means by thumb or finger.

2. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the cursor movement means is capable of wireless transmission of signals from the hand-held cursor control device to a device interfaced with the hand-held control device.

3. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 further comprising:

a communication means coupled to the lower end of the securing body housing for transmission of the signal provided by the cursor movement means to a device interfaced with the hand-held control device.

4. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the intermediate portion of the securing body housing has a shape that allows for comfortable grip of the securing body housing.

5. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the securing body housing has a shape that allows for comfortable and secure positioning of the securing body housing across the hand, wherein the proximal area of the intermediate portion of the securing body housing is positioned over the back-side of the hand and the upper and lower extensions of the securing body housing extend under the under-side of the hand.

6. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the hand-held cursor control device is capable of having a closed configuration wherein the proximal area of the control body housing is positioned directly against the receiving area of the securing body housing.

7. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the hand-held cursor control device is capable of having an open configuration wherein the control body housing is positioned apart from the securing body housing and the proximal area of the control body housing is positioned against the side of a hand located between the base of the thumb and the tip of the index finger.

8. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the proximal area of the control body housing device has a surface shape which is complimentary to the corresponding surface shape of the receiving area of the securing body housing.

9. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 further comprising:

the locking means for securing of the control body housing onto the receiving area of the securing body housing.

10. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the control body housing has a shape that allows for a comfortable positioning of the proximal area of the control body housing against the side of a hand located between the base of the thumb and the tip of the index finger.

11. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the receiving area of the securing body housing is located in proximity of the upper end of the securing body housing.

12. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 wherein:

the upper extension of the securing body housing and the lower extension of the securing body housing are joined to form a single bridging extension wherein the hand can be placed between the intermediate portion of the securing body housing and the bridging extension and wherein the first end of the connecting means is affixed to the bridging extension.

13. The hand-held cursor control device of claim 1 further comprising:

a base unit, wherein the base unit is capable of receiving the lower end of the securing body housing and capable of securely holding in place the securing body housing.