Pointing device for interface with a graphical display

• US 8,363,012 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chatterjee, Monique, Becker, Jonah A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H
• Application Number:
  US11/888,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20090033625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,009 Days
• Field of Search: 345163-166, 463 37- 39, D14/402, 163/03, 163/08, 163/12
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

The application discloses a pointing device to interface with a graphical user interface of a computer or other electronic device. As disclosed the pointing device includes a contoured body profile having a forward portion and an aft or tail portion. In embodiments disclosed, the body of the pointing device includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first and second body portions are rotationally connected via a hinge assembly to fold the device for transport and unfold the device for use. The application also discloses a pointing device having a pocket for removably holding a dongle or other device for transport or storage.

Claims

1. A pointing device comprising:

a first body portion;

a second body portion;

a hinge assembly rotationally connecting the first body portion and the second body portion, the first and second body portions being rotatable about a hinge axis to form an extended profile having a head portion and a tail portion and a collapsed profile where the first and second body portions are folded relative to the hinge axis;

a spring assembly configured to bias the hinge assembly towards a folded position, the spring assembly configured to provide a first rotational force at a first rotational position of the second body portion that is greater than a second rotational force at a second rotational position of the second body portion; and

a tracking assembly including at least one sensor to detect movement and output a control signal responsive to the detected movement.

2. The pointing device of claim 1 wherein tracking assembly detects movement of the pointing device with respect to a surface on which the pointing device is positioned and outputs the control signal based on the movement.

3. The pointing device of claim 1 wherein the spring assembly includes a camming surface to bias the hinge assembly towards the folded position.

4. The pointing device of claim 3 wherein the spring assembly includes a plurality of camming surfaces including a first camming surface providing the first rotation force and a second camming surface providing the second rotation force to snap shut the first and second body portions in a shut position.

5. The pointing device of claim 1 wherein the second body portion includes a plurality of spaced ribs.

6. The pointing device of claim 5 wherein the plurality of ribs are formed of an elastomeric material.

7. The pointing device of claim 1 wherein the first body portion forms a head or forward portion and the second body portion forms a tail portion and the tracking assembly is disposed on the forward portion.

8. The pointing device of claim 1 and further comprising at least one button or scroll wheel.

9. A pointing device comprising:

a body comprising;

first and second body portions configured to be positioned on and movable relative to a surface, the first body portion having a forward contact surface and the second body portion having a rear contact surface, the forward and rear contact surfaces configured to contact the surface and define a bottom surface plane of the body;

an arched contour formed on the first body portion between the forward and rear contact surfaces forming a void region or area between the bottom surface plane of the body and the arched contour; and

a hinge assembly rotationally connecting the first body portion and the second body portion, the first and second body portions being rotatable about a hinge axis to form an extended profile where the forward and rear contact surfaces are configured to contact the surface and a collapsed profile where the second body portion is at least partially received within the void region formed by the arched contour of the first body portion; and

a tracking assembly including at least one sensor configured to detect movement of the body relative to the surface and output a control signal responsive to the detected movement.

10. The pointing device of claim 9 wherein the body includes a first body portion and a second body portion and a hinge assembly pivotally connecting the first and second body portions.

11. The pointing device of claim 9 wherein body of the device includes a sloped or angled surface proximate to a forward region and the device includes an opening proximate to the sloped or angled surface for the tracking assembly.

12. The pointing device of claim 9 and further comprising at least one button or scroll wheel.

13. A pointing device comprising:

a body comprising;

a first body portion;

a second body portion;

a hinge assembly rotationally connecting the first body portion and the second body portion; and

a bottom surface configured to be positioned on and movable relative to a surface, the body having a pocket accessible through an opening formed on the bottom surface, the pocket sized to removably hold a dongle or other device inserted into the pocket through the opening; and

a tracking assembly including at least one sensor configured to detect movement of the body relative to the surface and output a control signal responsive to the detected movement.

14. The pointing device of claim 13 wherein the first body portion forms a head or forward portion and the second body portion forms a tail portion and the pocket is formed in the tail portion.

15. The pointing device of claim 13 wherein the dongle comprises a wireless communication device and a connector plug.

16. The pointing device of claim 15 wherein the connector plug is insertable into a universal serial bus (USB) port of a computing device.

17. The pointing device of claim 13 and further comprising a spring assembly coupled to the hinge assembly to bias the first and second body portions in a folded position.

18. The pointing device of claim 13, wherein the opening is formed in the first body portion, and wherein the first and second body portions are rotatable about a hinge axis to form an extended profile and a collapsed profile in which the second body portion covers the opening formed on the bottom surface of the first body portion.

19. The pointing device of claim 18, wherein the extended profile permits removal of the dongle or other device through the opening and the collapsed profile prevents removal of the dongle or other device through the opening.