Computer input device with digit support and natural position actuators

• US 7,345,674 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ledbetter, Carl J., McLoone, Hugh E., Fisher, Steven W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang; Regina
• Application Number:
  US11/134,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20050206619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-167, 345/184, D14/402, D14/417
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A mouse has sufficient width to support the distal phalanges of a user'"'"'s ring finger and little finger while the user'"'"'s middle finger is positioned over a secondary button of the mouse. The mouse also provides at least one side button positioned so that it is not contacted by the user'"'"'s thumb during “pinching” of the mouse but is easily accessible by the user'"'"'s thumb. In addition, the mouse provides a wheel with a large number of ribs that increase friction between the user'"'"'s finger and the wheel.

Claims

1. A mouse input device for a computer system, the mouse capable of being moved across a working surface to move a displayed object on a computer display, the mouse comprising:

an upper casing having a highpoint;

a bottom surface designed to face the working surface;

a thumb pinching area located on a side of the mouse proximate the bottom surface;

a primary button;

a secondary button; and

at least two side buttons located above the thumb pinching area on the side of the mouse in a direction away from the bottom surface such that the distance from the bottom surface to a position on the buttons closest to the bottom surface is at least thirty-six percent of the height of the mouse at the highpoint of the upper casing;

wherein the at least two side buttons comprise two outer surfaces and the upper casing comprises an outer surface, the outer surfaces of the at least two side buttons being substantially level with the outer surface of the upper casing at all points along a boundary between the at least two side buttons and the casing; and

wherein the at least two side buttons together form a shaped button assembly that substantially conforms to a shape of a space between a user'"'"'s thumb and a user'"'"'s index finger when the user'"'"'s thumb is positioned on the thumb pinching area and the user'"'"'s index finger is positioned on the primary button.

2. The mouse of claim 1 wherein a user'"'"'s thumb avoids contacting the at least two side buttons when the user'"'"'s thumb rests in the thumb pinching area.

3. A mouse f or a computer system, the mouse comprising:

a thumb gripping area located on a side of the mouse;

a primary button defining a portion of a top surface of the mouse; and

at least two side buttons positioned on a side of the mouse between the top surface of the mouse and a bottom surface of the mouse, wherein the distance from the bottom surface of the mouse to a point on at least two side buttons that is closest to the bottom surface is greater than thirty-six percent the height of the mouse from the bottom surface to a highpoint on the top surface and wherein the thumb gripping area comprises a surface that is substantially level with a surface of the at least two side buttons along a boundary between the gripping area and the at least two side buttons, wherein the two side buttons together form a shaped button assembly that substantially conforms to the shape of a gap between a user'"'"'s thumb and index finger when the user'"'"'s thumb is located on the thumb gripping area and the user'"'"'s index finger is positioned on the primary button.

4. The mouse of claim 3 wherein the user'"'"'s thumb registers with a working surface over which the mouse moves when the user'"'"'s thumb is located at the thumb gripping area.

5. The mouse of claim 4 wherein a space exists between the user'"'"'s thumb and the at least two side buttons when the user'"'"'s thumb is located at the thumb gripping area.

6. The mouse of claim 3 wherein the two side buttons comprise a forward button and a rear button, a majority of the forward button being closer to the front of the mouse than a majority of the rear button.