Mouse with improved input mechanisms using touch sensors
First Claim
1. A mouse, comprising:
- a housing including a unibody top member covering substantially all of a top surface of the mouse and a bottom member, the unibody top member configured to move relative to the bottom member;
an internal switch configured to generate an activation signal when the unibody top member moves relative to the bottom member;
a first touch zone provided on a surface of the unibody top member and configured to generate a first touch signal if the top member is touched in the first touch zone;
a second touch zone provided on the surface of the unibody top member and configured to generate a second touch signal if the top member is touched in the second touch zone; and
a control circuit configured to report a first input event if the activation signal and the first touch signal are generated without the second touch signal, to report a second input event if the activation signal and the second touch signal are generated without the first touch signal, to ignore the first touch signal if the first touch signal is generated without the activation signal, and to ignore the second touch signal if the second touch signal is generated without the activation signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mouse having improved input methods and mechanisms is disclosed. The mouse is configured with touch sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The touch sensing areas may for example be used to differentiate between left and right clicks in a single button mouse. The mouse may further be configured with force sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The force sensing areas may for example be positioned on the sides of the mouse so that squeezing the mouse generates input signals. The mouse may further be configured with a jog ball capable of generating input signals. The mouse may additionally be configured with a speaker for providing audio feedback when the various input devices are activated by a user.
212 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A mouse, comprising:
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a housing including a unibody top member covering substantially all of a top surface of the mouse and a bottom member, the unibody top member configured to move relative to the bottom member; an internal switch configured to generate an activation signal when the unibody top member moves relative to the bottom member; a first touch zone provided on a surface of the unibody top member and configured to generate a first touch signal if the top member is touched in the first touch zone; a second touch zone provided on the surface of the unibody top member and configured to generate a second touch signal if the top member is touched in the second touch zone; and a control circuit configured to report a first input event if the activation signal and the first touch signal are generated without the second touch signal, to report a second input event if the activation signal and the second touch signal are generated without the first touch signal, to ignore the first touch signal if the first touch signal is generated without the activation signal, and to ignore the second touch signal if the second touch signal is generated without the activation signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for providing a mouse with touch sensitive input mechanisms, comprising:
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covering substantially all of a top surface of the mouse with a unibody top member configured for movement relative to a bottom member; generating an activation signal when the unibody top member moves relative to the bottom member; providing a first touch zone on a surface of the unibody top member, the first touch zone configured to generate a first touch signal if the top member is touched in the first touch zone; providing a second touch zone on the surface of the unibody top member, the second touch zone configured to generate a second touch signal if the top member is touched in the second touch zone; reporting a first input event if the activation signal and the first touch signal are generated without the second touch signal; reporting a second input event if the activation signal and the second touch signal are generated without the first touch signal; ignoring the first touch signal if the first touch signal is generated without the activation signal; and ignoring the second touch signal if the second touch signal is generated without the activation signal. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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Specification