Multipurpose computer mouse

• US 9,798,387 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2017
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magnima LLC
• Original Assignee: Anoop Molly Joseph
• Inventors: Joseph, Anoop Molly, Mouli, Chaithanya
• Primary Examiner(s): Li, Lin
• Application Number:
  US15/409,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20170205879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03544 having dual sensing arrangement, e.g. two balls or two coils used to track rotation of the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/039 Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

A computer input device system that includes a finger-wearable input unit that is capable of providing inputs in a two-dimensional plane or in three-dimensional space. The inventive subject matter also includes a mouse frame that receives the finger-wearable unit, allowing a user to quickly transition from the finger-wearable unit to the mouse frame for traditional table-top mouse operation and back. The mouse frame includes features that allow for simple, easy and precise docking and undocking of the finger-wearable unit. The finger-wearable unit can be made up of separable modules and links that allow for reconfiguration of the finger-wearable unit according to a user'"'"'s needs.

Claims

1. A computer input system, comprising:

a finger-wearable input unit, comprising;

a sensor module comprising;

a two-dimensional navigation sensor configured to detect movement relative to a surface along a first and second axis of movement;

a three-dimensional navigation sensor configured to detect movement along the first and second axis of movement and along a third axis of movement; and

at least one unit input detection component;

a microcontroller programmed to;

process signals from the two-dimensional navigation sensor according to a first mode of operation; and

process signals from the three-dimensional navigation sensor according to a second mode of operation;

a wireless communication interface; and

a unit data connector;

wherein the finger-wearable unit is configured to wrap at least partially around a user'"'"'s finger such that the sensor module rests under the user'"'"'s finger while worn; and

a mouse frame, comprising;

a cavity extending into the mouse frame from an upper or upper-rear surface of the mouse frame;

a docking slot disposed within the cavity, the docking slot comprising a depression dimensioned to receive a corresponding portion of the finger-wearable input unit;

a plurality of elastic flaps extending inward from edges of the cavity at the upper surface of the mouse frame towards the docking slot;

wherein the docking slot is centrally disposed between the plurality of elastic flaps;

wherein the plurality of elastic flaps are biased to contract such that the docking slot is at a raised position when the elastic flaps are unstretched and configured to stretch to lower the docking slot to a lowered position into the cavity when a downward force is applied;

a frame data connector disposed within the docking slot and exposed via a front end of the depression, the frame data connector aligned to connect with the unit data connector when the finger-wearable input unit is docked within the docking slot;

at least one frame input component, the at least one frame input component communicatively coupled to the frame data connector;

a releasable latch mechanism configured to engage at least one of the docking slot and one of the plurality of elastic flaps when the docking slot is at the lowered position; and

a release mechanism configured to disengage the latch mechanism from the at least one of the docking slot and plurality of elastic flaps when actuated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger-wearable input unit further comprises:

at least one additional module, the at least one secondary module housing the microcontroller and the wireless communication interface; and

at least one link, the at least one link physically connecting the sensor module and the at least one secondary module such that the finger-wearable unit wraps at least partially around the user'"'"'s finger, wherein the at least one link communicatively couples the sensor module and the at least one additional module.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensor module and the at least one secondary module are physically connected with the at least one link via separable connections, and wherein each of the sensor module and the at least one secondary module each include a plurality of connectors configured to separably connect with the at least one link.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to:

determine, based on signals from the two-dimensional navigation sensor, whether the two-dimensional navigation sensor is proximate to a surface;

in response to determining the proximity to a surface, operate according to the first mode of operation, whereby the microcontroller is programmed to process signals from the two-dimensional navigation sensor to determine movement along a first axis and second axis;

in response to a the two-dimensional navigation sensor not detecting the proximity to a surface, operate according to the second mode of operation, whereby the microcontroller is programmed to process signals from the three-dimensional sensor to determine movement along the first axis, the second axis, and along a third axis.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further programmed to:

detect whether the finger-wearable input unit is docked with the mouse frame;

in response to detecting that the finger-wearable input unit is docked with the mouse frame, process signals from the at least one mouse frame input component in a third mode of operation;

in response to detecting that the finger-wearable input unit is not docked with the mouse frame;

operate according to one of the first and second modes of operation; and

process signals from the at least one unit input detection component.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the mouse frame further comprises a frame two-dimensional navigation component communicatively coupled to the frame data connector, and the microcontroller operating in the third mode of operation is further programmed to process signals from the frame two-dimensional navigation component.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

wherein the docking slot is dimensioned to receive the sensor module of the finger-wearable input unit, the docking slot further comprising an opening extending through the underside of the mouse frame and is disposed within the cavity such that the sensor module of the finger-wearable input unit is capable of sensing a surface upon which the mouse frame is placed when the finger-wearable input unit is docked within the mouse frame; and

the microcontroller programmed to operate in the third mode of operation is further programmed to process signals from the two-dimensional navigation sensor of the finger-wearable unit.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the cavity is partly defined by a bottom surface extending inward from a surface of the mouse frame, and wherein the docking slot further comprises a channel along the bottom surface, extending inward from the surface of the mouse frame towards a docking position.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the cavity is defined by a plurality of sloping surfaces sloped inward into the cavity toward the docking slot.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional navigation sensor comprises an optical navigation sensor and the three-dimensional navigation sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one input detection component comprises at least one of a micro-switch and a touch sensor and wherein the at least on mouse frame input component comprises at least one of a left mouse button, a right mouse button, a scroll wheel, and a scroll wheel button.

12. The system of claim 1, the mouse frame further comprising a cover door pivotably coupled to the mouse frame, the cover door dimensioned to cover the cavity and continue the shape of the mouse frame when closed and allow access to the cavity when opened.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising an external cover, the external cover comprising:

an open end dimensioned to receive the cross-sectional area of the finger-wearable input unit and the user'"'"'s finger;

a cavity extending into the external cover from the open end;

an external cover connector disposed within the cavity, the external cover connector aligned to connect with the unit data connector when the finger-wearable input unit is inserted into the external cover;

an opening along a bottom side surface of the external cover, such that the opening is aligned with the two-dimensional navigation sensor of the finger-wearable input unit when the finger-wearable input unit is inserted into the external cover; and

an external cover control input interface disposed on the outer surface of the external cover, communicatively coupled with the external cover connector.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the external cover control input interface comprises a control input interface different from the at least one input detection component.