Mouse having an optically-based scrolling feature
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mouse, comprising:
- a housing having a generally flat bottom surface and a generally curved top surface, the generally curved top surface having a contour that substantially conforms to the contour of the inside of a hand;
a finger actuated scrolling region integrated into the top surface of the housing; and
an optical system disposed inside the housing and configured to detect finger movement across the scrolling region, wherein the finger actuated scrolling region represents a working area of the optical system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A peripheral input device for controlling movements on a display screen. The peripheral input device includes a housing and an optical touch pad carried by the housing. The optical touch pad is configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen.
414 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A mouse, comprising:
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a housing having a generally flat bottom surface and a generally curved top surface, the generally curved top surface having a contour that substantially conforms to the contour of the inside of a hand; a finger actuated scrolling region integrated into the top surface of the housing; and an optical system disposed inside the housing and configured to detect finger movement across the scrolling region, wherein the finger actuated scrolling region represents a working area of the optical system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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2. A mouse, comprising:
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a housing; a finger actuated scrolling region integrated into the housing; and an optical system disposed inside the housing and configured to detect finger movement across the scrolling region, wherein the finger actuated scrolling region represents a working area of the optical system; wherein the scrolling region comprises an optically operable window carried by the housing of the mouse, such that the optical system is further configured to work through the optically operable window so as to detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window in order to detect the finger movement across the scrolling region, wherein the optical system further comprises one or more light sources and one or more optical sensors for detecting movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window by receiving light reflected directly from the finger through the optically operable window. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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23. A method comprising:
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detecting finger movement across a finger actuated scrolling region integrated into a housing of a mouse, wherein the finger actuated scrolling region represents a working area of an optical system disposed within the housing of the mouse, the optical system including at least one light source and at least one light detector; detecting movement of the mouse across a surface external to the mouse, the external surface being other than a surface immediately adjacent the finger actuated scrolling region, translating the detected finger movement into a first movement on a display; and translating the detected movement of the mouse across the external surface into a second movement on the display, the second movement being distinct from the first movement. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A mouse, comprising:
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a housing having a generally flat bottom surface and a top surface; a finger actuated scrolling region integrated into the top surface of the housing; an optical system disposed inside the housing and configured to detect finger movement across the scrolling region, wherein the finger actuated scrolling region represents a working area of the optical system, and means, at least partially distinct from the optical system to detect finger movement across the scrolling region, for detecting movement of the housing across a surface external to the housing while at least a portion of the bottom surface of the housing is in contact with the external surface and the external surface is other than a surface immediately adjacent the finger actuated scrolling region. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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31. The mouse as recited in 30, wherein the means for detecting comprises another optical system, the other optical system including at least some elements distinct from the optical system configured to detect finger movement across the scrolling region.
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32. The mouse as recited in 30, wherein the means for detecting comprises a mechanical mechanism.
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33. The mouse as recited in 32, wherein the means for detecting comprises a trackball.
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35. A mouse, comprising:
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a housing a finger actuated scrolling region integrated into the housing; and an optical system disposed inside the housing and configured to detect finger movement through the housing and in multiple directions across the scrolling region; wherein vertical scrolling is implemented when a finger is moved along a first direction and horizontal scrolling in implemented when the finger is moved along a second direction. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification