Fingertip mouse and base

• US 8,648,805 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FTM Computer Products
• Original Assignee: FTM Computer Products
• Inventors: Bailen, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Quan-Zhen
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAVIS, TONY O
• Application Number:
  US11/754,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20090213077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,454 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0335 Finger operated miniaturized mouse
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0337 Status LEDs integrated in the mouse to provide visual feedback to the user about the status of the input device, the PC, or the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0383 Remote input, i.e. interface arrangements in which the signals generated by a pointing device are transmitted to a PC at a remote location, e.g. to a PC in a LAN
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/039 Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads

Abstract

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system that includes a tracking device to generate movement information for use in moving a user interface object on a graphical user interface. The tracking device is configured to receive at least a portion of a user'"'"'s finger. The system also includes a base device configured to receive the tracking device. The base device is configured to translate movement of the base device relative to an adjacent surface for use in moving the user interface object.

Claims

1. A computer peripheral system comprising:

a finger-worn tracking device adapted to be worn on a finger of a user, the finger-worn tracking device comprising a first tracking mechanism configured to generate movement information for use in controlling operation of a graphical user interface of a computing system, the operation of the graphical user interface including at least movement of a cursor on the graphical user interface based on the movement information, the finger-worn tracking device also comprising a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit the movement information via a radio frequency communication channel for receipt by the computing system, wherein the finger-worn tracking device includes a tracking device housing having a finger holding portion that is configured to receive and to be worn by at least a portion of a user'"'"'s finger; and

a base device that includes a docking station that is configured and sized to receive at least a portion of the finger-worn tracking device and temporarily secure the finger-worn tracking device to the base device when the finger-worn tracking device is not in use on a user'"'"'s finger, wherein the docking station is further configured to allow a user to remove the temporarily secured finger-worn tracking device from the base device to enable use of the finger-worn tracking device on a user'"'"'s finger in a stand-alone mode, wherein the base device is configured to be operated as a table-top mouse-type tracking device wherein, in response to movement in connection with the base device, movement information is generated and transmitted for use in controlling operation of the graphical user interface, the operation including at least movement of the cursor on the graphical user interface,

wherein the finger-worn tracking device is adapted to be operated in at least the stand-alone mode for controlling the operation of the graphical user interface, and wherein the finger-worn tracking device is adapted and configured such that, while operating in the stand-alone mode, the finger-worn tracking device generates and transmits the movement information independently of the base device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a selection mechanism configured to disable and enable the first tracking mechanism.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tracking mechanism comprises a roller ball, a trackball, an optical sensor, or a laser.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking mechanism comprises an optical sensor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the finger-worn tracking device further comprises a optical mount for mounting at least a portion of the optical sensor, wherein the optical mount is configured to tilt so that the portion of the optical sensor remains within an operative angle range relative to a surface used to determine the movement of the finger-worn tracking device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the base device comprises a second tracking mechanism for determining movement of the base device relative to an adjacent surface.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second tracking mechanism for the base device is disabled when the finger-worn tracking device is received.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the base device uses the first tracking mechanism to translate movement of the base device relative to an adjacent surface when the finger-worn tracking device is received.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-worn tracking device further comprises a scrolling mechanism to generate second movement information based on manipulation of the scrolling mechanism by a second finger of the user.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the scrolling mechanism has an adjustable orientation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-worn tracking device comprises a liner located within the finger-worn tracking device and configured to generate friction or pressure used to secure the finger-worn tracking device to the received portion of the user'"'"'s finger.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second tracking device to generate second movement information for use in moving a user interface object on the graphical user interface.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency communication channel is a Universal Serial Bus communication channel.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the transceiver is included in a Universal Serial Bus key component.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the base device further comprises a storage section for storing the key component.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the base device includes a Universal Serial Bus key component configured to communicate wirelessly with the transceiver, and wherein the Universal Serial Bus key component comprises a wired connector over which information from the base device to the display device is transmitted.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the key component has an interface to connect to the base device comprising a non-standard universal serial bus connection.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-worn tracking device further comprises rechargeable batteries configured to be charged when the finger-worn tracking device is inserted in the base device.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-worn tracking device further comprises a display screen or light emitting diodes configured to indicate a status.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-worn tracking device is configured to allow a tip of the received user'"'"'s finger to protrude from the tracking device.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-worn tracking device further comprises a mechanism configured to receive user input for generating the movement information for use in moving a user interface object and configured to make selections of other user interface objects on the graphical user interface.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the mechanism is located on the finger-worn tracking device so that when the finger-worn tracking device is placed on an index finger of the user, the mechanism being accessible to a thumb adjacent to the index finger.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-worn tracking device is adapted and configured to not be in physical contact with the base device while operating in the stand-alone mode.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-worn tracking device comprises a flexible clamping mechanism that is adapted to hold the finger-worn tracking device on the user'"'"'s finger.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency communication channel is a Bluetooth communication channel.