Multi-button mouse

• US 8,243,018 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2009
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Farag, Abraham, Huppi, Brian Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lao, Lun-Yi
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHENG, TOM V
• Application Number:
  US12/429,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20090207136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, D14402-410, 463/37, 463/38
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A mouse with multi button functionality is disclosed. The mouse includes a housing that surrounds the internal components of the mouse. The housing includes at least a first member and a second member, each of which forms a substantial portion of the housing. The first member moves relative to the second member so as to implement at least one of the multiple button functions of the mouse.

Claims

1. A method of configuring a uni-body multi-function mouse by a user, the uni-body mouse having a single housing component, the method comprising:

selecting a location from any portion of a surface of the single housing component;

assigning a distinct button zone to the selected location of the surface of the single housing component;

generating a signal from an assigned button zone by actuating an associated indicator configured to sense a user input event at the associated assigned button zone;

interpreting the signal received from the associated assigned button zone as a corresponding button function; and

performing the button function corresponding to the signal received from the mouse.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the multi-function mouse to a computer having a display screen arranged to display an image and a processor unit operatively coupled to the display screen, wherein the processor unit receives and interprets the signal received from the multi-function mouse.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the button function is selected from a group comprising:

a single click function, a double click function, and/or a dragging and dropping function.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user input event sensed by the indicator is a user applying pressure to the single housing component at the assigned button zone.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein button function corresponding to user applied pressure to the single housing component is a clicking action.

6. A unibody mouse, comprising:

a single housing component enclosing all the electrical components of the unibody mouse, wherein when a user selects any location on a surface of the single housing component as an assignable button zone, the assignable button zone is configured to incorporate user programmable multiple button functionalities, wherein a user implements a selected button functionality by providing a user input event at the corresponding button zone; and

a sensor arranged to sense the user input event at the single housing component, and based upon the location of the user event generate a signal corresponding to the button functionality associated with the activated button zone.

7. The unibody mouse as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

an interface arranged to provide a communication channel between at least the sensor and a computing device other than the unibody mouse, wherein the computing device receives and interprets the signal received from the sensor.

8. The unibody mouse as recited in claim 7, wherein when the unibody mouse is user programmable, then the interpreting the signal received from the sensor updated to correspond to an updated user provided function.

9. The unibody mouse as recited in claim 8, wherein the button function is selected from a group comprising:

a single click function, a double click function, and/or a dragging and dropping function.

10. The unibody mouse as recited in claim 6, wherein the user input event is sensed by the sensor is the user applying pressure to the single housing component at the assigned button zone.

11. The unibody mouse as recited in claim 10, wherein button function corresponding to user applied pressure to the single housing component is a clicking action.

12. Non-transient computer readable medium for storing program code executable by a processor for configuring a uni-body multi-function mouse by a user, the uni-body mouse having a single housing component, the method comprising:

Computer code for selecting a location from any portion of a surface of the single housing component;

Computer code for assigning a distinct button zone to the selected location of the surface of the single housing component;

Computer code for generating a signal from an assigned button zone by actuating an associated indicator configured to sense a user input event at the associated assigned button zone;

Computer code for interpreting the signal received from the associated assigned button zone as a corresponding button function; and

Computer code for performing the button function corresponding to the signal received from the mouse.

13. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

Computer code for connecting the multi-function mouse to a computer having a display screen arranged to display an image and a processor unit operatively coupled to the display screen, wherein the processor unit receives and interprets the signal received from the multi-function mouse.

14. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the button function is selected from a group comprising:

a single click function, a double click function, and/or a dragging and dropping function.

15. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein button function corresponding to user applied pressure to the single housing component is a clicking action.

16. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the user input event sensed by the indicator is a user applying pressure to the single housing component at the assigned button zone.