Mouse user interface with configurable components

• US 9,389,705 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2014
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fast Track Global Limited
• Original Assignee: Mad Catz Interactive Incorporated
• Inventors: Young, Andrew Brian, Hall, Robert Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): CERULLO, LILIANA P
• Application Number:
  US14/546,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0332 Ergonomic shaped mouse adjustable to suit one of both hands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

Features of a mouse configured to be used as an user interface with a computing device are described. The mouse may include an arm component, a body component coupled to a first part of the arm component, and a wheel component coupled to a second part of the arm component.

Claims

1. A mouse configured to be used as a user interface with a computing device, the mouse comprising:

an arm component having a first part coupled to a body component, and further having a second part coupled to a wheel component,

wherein the arm component rotates about an axis located where the first part of the arm component is coupled to the body component,

wherein the arm component rotates about an axis between a first position and a second position,

wherein the wheel component is partially covered when the arm component is at the first position, and

wherein the wheel component is fully uncovered when the arm component is at the second position.

2. The mouse of claim 1, wherein the wheel component rotates about an axis located where wheel component is coupled to the first part of the arm component.

3. The mouse of claim 2, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis.

4. The mouse of claim 1, wherein the wheel component or the arm component includes a height adjustment sub-component that adjusts the height of the wheel component relative to a bottom of the mouse from a first height to a second height.

5. The mouse of claim 1, wherein the wheel component includes a barrel and a force adjustment component that adjusts an amount of force required to rotate the barrel.

6. The mouse of claim 1, wherein the wheel component includes an optical encoder.

7. The mouse of claim 1, wherein the wheel component includes:

a detachable wheel cover with a first type of outer surface texture; and

a barrel of a diameter that is compatible with the detachable wheel cover and at least one wheel cover with a second type of outer surface texture.

8. The mouse of claim 1, wherein the wheel component moves down from a center position when a downward pressure is applied by a user, moves left from the center position when a leftward pressure is applied by the user, and moves right from the center position when a rightward pressure is applied by the user.

9. The mouse of claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are at opposite ends of the arm component.

10. The mouse of claim 1, wherein the mouse further comprises:

a docking cavity sized to receive different sensor sub-assemblies with different types of sensors.

11. The mouse of claim 10, wherein the mouse further comprises:

a sensor sub-assembly that includes a first type of sensor,

wherein the sensor sub-assembly also includes a top component and a bottom component, wherein the first type of sensor is disposed between the top component and the bottom component.

12. The mouse of claim 10, wherein the docking cavity is sized to receive at least two sensor sub-assemblies, each with a different type of sensor.

13. The mouse of claim 10, wherein the mouse further comprises:

at least two sensor sub-assemblies, each with a different type of sensor.

14. The mouse of claim 13, wherein a first sensor sub-assembly of the at least two sensor sub-assemblies includes a laser sensor, and a second sensor sub-assembly of the at least two sensor sub-assemblies includes an optical sensor.

15. The mouse of claim 13, wherein the at least two sensor sub-assemblies have different sensors of different sizes.

16. The mouse of claim 10, wherein the mouse further comprises:

a docking pin connector disposed to connect with a corresponding sub-assembly pin connector of a detachable sensor sub-assembly that is sized to be inserted into the docking cavity.

17. The mouse of claim 10, wherein the docking cavity includes a docking pin connector disposed to connect with two or more pin connectors of two or more corresponding sensor sub-assembly at different times.