Computer mouse on a glove

• US 7,057,604 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2003
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deanmark Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Mikamed Health Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Bajramovic, Mark B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US10/382,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345/163, 345/166, 345/167, 345/169, 345/161
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves

Abstract

A computer input device on a glove includes fittings for a user'"'"'s fingers and adjustable straps for fastening to a user'"'"'s wrist. A tracking device for controlling cursor movement on a video display is affixed to the glove for positioning next to the end of one of the user'"'"'s fingers. Pressure plates for controlling the various right and left mouse “clicking” functions are affixed to the glove for positioning next to the ends of the other of the user'"'"'s fingers. Scrolling/paging buttons are located on the side of the fitting fitted to the index finger for pressing by the thumb. A transmitter is affixed to the glove for receiving signals from the tracking device, the pressure plates and the scrolling/paging buttons, and transmitting those signals to a computer for controlling cursor movement in the x-y plane on a video display and for controlling the various mouse “clicking” controls, which implement the “select” function, the “drag” function, the “scroll” function, the “page” function, and so forth.

Claims

1. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel having a fitting for at least one digit;

a tracking device attached to said at least one digit fitting to generate movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device across a surface;

a first pressure plate attached to said glove-like apparel to provide first switching signals;

a transmitter attached to said glove-like apparel for transmitting said movement signals from said tracking device and said first switching signals; and

an on/off switch for automatically disengaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and for automatically engaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is in contact with said surface,

wherein said transmitted movement signals from said tracking device being adapted to control movement of a cursor in a video display of a computer and said transmitted first switching signals being adapted to initiate clicking functions.

2. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel has a second digit fitting and wherein said first pressure plate is attached to said second digit fitting.

3. The computer input device of claim 2, wherein said glove-like apparel includes a third digit fitting having a second pressure plate attached thereto to provide second switching signals, and wherein said transmitter also transmits said second switching signals from said second pressure plate to said computer for controlling mouse clicking functions.

4. The computer input device of claim 2, wherein said tracking device and said first pressure plate are operably positioned so as to leave the tips of said digits exposed for typing.

5. The computer input device of claim 1, further including scroll/page buttons on said glove-like apparel for generating scroll/page signals, wherein said transmitter also transmits said scroll/page signals to said computer for controlling up and down scrolling and paging functions.

6. The computer input device of claim 5, wherein said scroll/page buttons comprise:

a scroll/page switch button for switching between said scrolling and paging functions;

a scroll/page up button; and

a scroll/page down button.

7. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said tracking device is an optical tracking device.

8. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said tracking device and said first pressure plate are positioned so as to permit a user to type with all digits when said glove-like apparel is worn on the user'"'"'s hand and said tracking device and said first pressure plate are in an operable position.

9. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said tracking device is a micro roller-ball.

10. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said tracking device includes a base plate, which provides for smooth and consistent motion of said tracking device over said surface, and maintains a consistent distance and an even contact between said tracking device and said surface.

11. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.

12. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is an infrared transmitter.

13. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes a rechargeable power supply for supplying power to said transmitter.

14. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel is adjustable to the size of the user'"'"'s hand.

15. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel includes a padded palm to minimize user strain and to maximize user performance and comfort.

16. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel has an exterior surface, and wherein portions of said exterior surface of said glove-like apparel are comprised of a low-friction material permitting said glove-like apparel to slide easily over said surface.

17. The computer input device of claim 1, wherein said glove-like apparel has an interior surface, and wherein portions of said interior surface of said glove-like apparel are comprised of a high-friction material for generating friction between said glove-like apparel and a user'"'"'s hand for permitting accurate positioning of said tracking device and said pressure plate and to prevent said tracking device and said pressure plate from shifting during use.

18. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel having fittings for at least two digits to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand;

a tracking device attached to a first one of said digit fittings to generate movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device along a surface;

a first pressure plate switch attached to a second one of said digit fittings to provide first switching signals;

a transmitter attached to said glove-like apparel to transmit said movement signals from said tracking device and said first switching signals; and

an on/off switch for automatically disengaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and for automatically engaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is in contact with said surface,

wherein said tracking device and said first pressure plate are operably positioned sufficiently back from the tips of said digits so as to permit a user to type with all digits when said glove-like apparel is worn on the user'"'"'s hand, and

wherein said transmitted movement signals from said tracking device are adapted to control movement of a cursor in a video display of a computer, and said first switching signals are used to control clicking functions.

19. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel having fittings for at least three digits to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand;

an optical tracking device enclosed in a base plate attached to a first one of said digit fittings, said tracking device generating movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device along a surface;

a first pressure switch plate attached to a second one of said digit fittings to provide first switching signals;

a second pressure switch plate attached to a third one of said digit fittings to provide second switching signals;

an on/off switch means to automatically disengage said tracking device and said pressure switch plates whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and to automatically engage said tracking device and said pressure switch plates when ever said tracking device is in contact with said surface; and

a transmitter means to transmit said movement signals from said tracking device and said switching signals from said first and second pressure plates,

wherein said tracking device and said pressure plates are positioned on said glove-like apparel so as to permit said user to type with all digits on a keyboard when said glove-like apparel is worn on said user'"'"'s hand, and

wherein said movement signals from said tracking device are adapted to control the movement of a cursor in a video display of an associated computer, and said first and second switching signals are used to control clicking functions.

20. The computer input device of claim 19, wherein said tracking device and said first and second pressure plates are operably positioned so as to leave the tips of said digits exposed for typing.

21. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel;

a tracking device attached to said glove-like apparel to generate movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device across a surface;

a first pressure plate attached to said glove-like apparel to provide first switching signals;

a transmitter means attached to said glove-like apparel for transmitting said movement signals from said tracking device and said first switching signals, and

an on/off switch for automatically disengaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and for automatically engaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is in contact with said surface,

wherein said transmitted movement signals from said tracking device being adapted to control movement of a cursor in a video display of a computer and said transmitted first switching signals being adapted to initiate clicking functions.

22. The computer input device of claim 21, wherein said glove-like apparel has fittings for at least two digits and wherein said tracking device is attached to a first one of said digit fittings and said first pressure plate is attached to a second one of said digit fittings.

23. The computer input device of claim 22, wherein said tracking device and said first pressure plate are positioned so as to leave the tips of said digits exposed for typing.

24. The computer input device of claim 23, wherein said glove-like apparel includes a third digit fitting having a second pressure plate attached thereto to provide second switching signals, and wherein said transmitter means also transmits said second switching signals from said second pressure plate to said computer for controlling mouse clicking functions, and wherein said second pressure plate is positioned so as to leave the tips of said digits exposed for typing.

25. The computer input device of claim 21, wherein said tracking device and said first pressure plate are positioned so as to permit a user to type with all digits when said glove-like apparel is worn on the user'"'"'s hand and said tracking device and said first pressure plate are in an operable position.

26. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel having a fitting for at least one digit;

a tracking device attached to said glove-like apparel to generate movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device across a surface;

a first pressure plate attached to said at least one digit fitting in a downward facing position, said first pressure plate designed to generate first switching signals when pressed against said surface;

a transmitter attached to said glove-like apparel for transmitting said movement signals and said first switching signals; and

an on/off switch for automatically disengaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and for automatically engaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is in contact with said surface,

wherein said tracking device and said first pressure plate are positioned so as to permit a user to type with all digits when said glove-like apparel is worn on the user'"'"'s hand and said tracking device and said first pressure plate are in an operable position, and

wherein said movement signals are for controlling movement of a cursor in a video display of a computer and said first switching signals are for controlling mouse clicking functions.

27. The computer input device of claim 26, wherein said glove-like apparel includes a second digit fitting having a second pressure plate attached thereto to provide second switching signals for controlling mouse clicking functions, and wherein said transmitter is for transmitting said second switching signals.

28. The computer input device of claim 27, wherein said glove-like apparel has a third digit fitting and wherein said tracking device is attached to said third digit fitting.

29. The computer input device of claim 26, wherein said glove-like apparel comprises a stretchable material.

30. The computer input device of claim 26, including straps for anchoring said glove-like apparel around the user'"'"'s wrist area.

31. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand, said glove-like apparel having a fitting for at least one digit;

a tracking device attached to said at least one digit fitting in a downward facing position to generate movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device across a surface, said surface being substantially parallel the palm of the user'"'"'s hand;

a first pressure plate attached to said glove-like apparel to provide first switching signals;

a transmitter attached to said glove-like apparel for transmitting said movement signals and said first switching signals; and

an on/off switch for automatically disengaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and for automatically engaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is in contact with surface,

wherein said tracking device and said first pressure plate are positioned so as to permit the user to type with all digits when said glove-like apparel is worn on the user'"'"'s hand and said tracking device and said first pressure plate are in an operable position, and

wherein said movement signals are for controlling movement of a cursor in a video display of a computer and said first switching signals are for controlling mouse clicking functions.

32. The computer input device of claim 31, wherein said glove-like apparel has a second digit fitting and wherein said first pressure plate is attached to said second digit fitting.

33. The computer input device of claim 32, wherein said glove-like apparel includes a third digit fitting having a second pressure plate attached thereto to provide second switching signals for controlling mouse clicking functions, and wherein said transmitter is for transmitting said second switching signals.

34. The computer input device of claim 31, wherein said glove-like apparel comprises a stretchable material.

35. The computer input device of claim 31, including straps for anchoring said glove-like apparel around the user'"'"'s wrist area.

36. A computer input device, comprising:

a glove-like apparel to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand, said glove-like apparel having a fitting for at least one digit;

a tracking device attached to said glove-like apparel to generate movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device across a surface, said surface being substantially parallel to the palm of the user'"'"'s hand;

a first pressure plate attached to said at least one digit fitting in a downward facing position, said first pressure plate designed to generate first switching signals when said first pressure plate is pressed against said surface;

a transmitter attached to said glove-like apparel for transmitting said movement signals and said first switching signals; and

an on/off switch for automatically disengaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracing device is not in contact with said surface and for automatically engaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is in contact with said surface,

wherein said tracking device and said first pressure plate are positioned so as to permit the user to type with all digits when said glove-like apparel is worn on the user'"'"'s hand and said tracking device and said first pressure plate are in an operable position, and

wherein said movement signals are for controlling movement of a cursor in a video display of a computer and said first switching signals are for controlling mouse clicking functions.

37. The computer input device of claim 36, wherein said glove-like apparel includes a second digit fitting having a second pressure plate attached thereto to provide second switching signals for controlling mouse clicking functions, and wherein said transmitter is for transmitting said second switching signals.

38. The computer input device of claim 37, wherein said glove-like apparel has a third digit fitting and wherein said tracking device is attached to said third digit fitting.

39. The computer input device of claim 36, wherein said glove-like apparel comprises a stretchable material.

40. The computer input device of claim 36, including straps for anchoring said glove-like apparel around the user'"'"'s wrist area.