Interconnected computer mouse and pad

• US 8,212,771 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2009
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raul A. Sanchez-Garcia
• Original Assignee: Raul A. Sanchez-Garcia
• Inventors: Sanchez-Garcia, Raul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dharia, Prabodh M
• Application Number:
  US12/383,374
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-169, 345/173, 345/175, 345/179, 345/184, 382/115, 382/305, 463/30, 463/37, 463/38
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane

Abstract

A computer mouse with an integral attached mouse pad is herein disclosed. The top portion of the mouse moves conventionally while the base is equipped with sliding X-Y access plates having a protruding analog stick. The bottom surface of the base plate comprises a non-slip material. The top portion has both left and right mouse buttons as found on a conventional mouse. In use, the top portion of the device slides in relation to the base generating higher resolution computer cursor movements. This device is ideal for use on desktops with crowded spaces or for with notebook computers.

Claims

1. A computer pointing device comprising an integrated surface for improved operation in electronic communication with a computer further comprises:

a stationary lower plate;

a movable upper plate adjustably attached and movable relative to said stationary lower plate by an X-Y axis control assembly, said X-Y axis control assembly further comprising;

a track system attachable to an outer periphery of said stationary lower plate, comprising a pair of horizontal tracks and a pair of vertical tracks;

a horizontal rod pair comprising a pair of first wheel guides attached to each distal end of said horizontal rod pair and slidably engaging with said pair of horizontal tracks;

a vertical rod pair comprising a pair of second wheel guides attached to each distal end of said vertical rod pair and slidably engaging with said pair of vertical tracks;

a junction point, comprising a means of adjoining each proximal end of said horizontal rod pair and each proximal end of said vertical rod pair with a grippable protrusion;

said grippable protrusion centrally located of said movable upper plate for providing a gripping and directing means for said movable upper plate;

a pair of auxiliary controls located adjacent to said grippable protrusion on said movable upper plate for providing auxiliary control functions to said computer;

a central circuit board in electronic communication with said X-Y-axis control assembly and said pair of auxiliary controls; and

,

a connection cable in electronic communication with said computer;

wherein said computer pointing device provides a means of producing a desired cursor movement on a screen portion of said computer;

wherein said X-Y axis control assembly provides a means to separate, support, and control said movable upper plate relative to said stationary lower plate, thereby providing said cursor movement;

wherein said pair of first wheel guides and said second pair of wheel guides travel within said pair of horizontal tracks and said pair of vertical tracks, respectively, thereby providing a two-dimensional movement; and

,

wherein said central circuit board processes said desired cursor movement and said auxiliary control functions to said computer through said connection cable.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said stationary lower plate comprises a base plate which remains stationary when placed on a horizontal surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said computer pointing device comprises approximately two inches in length and four inches in width.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said computer pointing device comprises approximately one-quarter to one-half inch in thickness.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first movement encoder attached to one of said horizontal rod pair adjacent to one of said pair of first wheel guides and a second movement encoder attached to one of said vertical rod pair adjacent to one of said pair of second wheel guides and in electronic communication with said central circuit board;

wherein said first movement encoder and said second movement encoder each reads graduated radiating lines on a front surface of said one of said pair of first wheel guides and one of said pair of second wheel guides;

wherein said first movement encoder and said second movement encoder each relays positional information to said central circuit board, which provides a converting means of said two-dimensional movement to said desired cursor movement.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said first movement encoder and said second movement encoder are each laser diode-based to provide accurate resolution.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said grippable protrusion comprises a knob-shaped portion located at a top center portion of said movable upper plate and a bottom portion extending through said movable plate.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said junction point further comprises a circular receiver for said bottom portion of said grippable protrusion.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said pair of auxiliary controls comprises button-style switches providing said auxiliary control functions which comprise computing functions similar to a standard left control button and a standard right control button on a conventional computer pointing device.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said pair of auxiliary controls further comprise:

a primary auxiliary control located on an upper left side of said grippable protrusion, thereby simulating functions similar to said standard left control button; and

,

a secondary auxiliary control located on an upper right side of said grippable protrusion, thereby simulating functions similar to said standard right control button.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said central circuit board is located on a bottom surface of said stationary plate and providing a clearance for said means to separate, support, and control said movable upper plate relative to said stationary lower plate.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said connection cable is connected to an input port of said computer and transmits said desired cursor movement and said auxiliary control functions to said computer for processing.