Adjustable computer pointing device

• US 20020118174A1
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce Rodgers
• Original Assignee: Bruce Rodgers
• Inventors: Rodgers, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 6,545,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0334 Ergonomic shaped mouse for vertical grip, whereby the hand controlling the mouse is resting or gripping it with an attitude almost vertical with respect of the working surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer pointing device consists of a adjustable hand support shape and adjustable controls that work together to conform to an individuals natural grip. This allows multiple individual users to shape the device body for their maximum comfort using a squeezing action. A targeted ergonomic configuration allows a user to configure the angle of the hand in the most natural way to minimize twist and strain on the wrist. The adjustable structure and button assembly are attached to a flat bottomed base that rests on an underlying flat surface. Attached to the base are the electronic and the mechanical component necessary to provide the required positional and event outputs to a computer.

Claims

1. A computer input device for interactive control of a user interface of a target computing device, comprising:

a base assembly having a rigid flat bottom supported on an underlying flat surface, said base assembly having a predetermined size with a perimeter formed by confluence of curvilinear shapes comprising a front, left side, right side, and back;

said base assembly having structural elements for accommodating components for generating and outputting positional and event signals to said computing device;

a separate moldable core having a loose sack containing an aggregate material and means for venting of air from said sack, said moldable core supported by said base assembly;

one or more control modules supported by said moldable core, said control modules having one or more switches, said control modules having one or more buttons where said buttons activate said switches;

said control modules having a flexible electronic connection to components outputting event signals initiated by actuation of said switches;

a structural flexible shell enclosing said base, said separate moldable core, and said control modules, said flexible shell being attached to said base assembly and said control modules forming a unified structure;

whereby said computer input device may be adjusted to the hands of a variety of users, by said flexible shell being reshaped at any time by user manipulation of said moldable core, and accordingly changing the position of the control module, thereby said computer input device being adjusted to an ergonomic configuration that accommodates the unique shape of the current user'"'"'s hand, including positioning the control module buttons so that activation requires a minimal of strain and effort by the fingers of the user'"'"'s hand, said shape remaining static unless further manipulated by a user;

2. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said base assembly includes a separate sensor housing that encloses the components that generate and output positional and event signals, said sensor housing providing support for said moldable core and preventing said moldable core from interfering with the function of the components.

3. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said base assembly includes a backing material preventing said moldable core from interfering with the function of the base electronics and said electronics from damaging said sack of said moldable core.

4. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said oversized core sacks are formed of a non-porous material selected from the group including polyethylene, rubber, latex, plastic, and fabric.

5. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said means for venting air consists of a tube assembly attached to a vent hole in said core sacks, said tube assembly have a filter, said tube assembly also being attached to a vent hole in said base.

6. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said moldable core includes a loose aggregate formed of a plurality of roughly cylindrical shaped objects of one or more materials selected from the group including Styrofoam, open cell foam rubber, closed cell poly foam, cotton, silicone, air filled plastic bubbles, and polypropylene beads, said loose aggregate being mixed with a lubricant formed of a material selected from the group including liquid soap, petroleum based liquid oils, gels, and graphite.

8. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said moldable core further includes a lubricant formed of a material selected from the group including liquid soap, petroleum based liquid oils, gels, and graphite.

9. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said flexible shell further encloses a padding, said padding being placed in a layer overlaying portions of said moldable core, the padding additionally being placed as shaping fill and to pad fixed shape structures, said soft padding thereby contributing to the surface regularity of said flexible shell by masking anomalies in said loose sack of said moldable core, by acting as fill to affect the general shape of the input device, and by padding fixed structures.

10. The computer input device of claim 9 wherein said padding is formed of one or more materials selected from the group including, loose polyester fill or batting, cotton fiber materials, open cell foam rubber, and open cell poly foam.

11. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said structural flexible shell is formed of stretch fabric of a predetermined weight and durability.

12. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said structural flexible shell is formed of a material selected from the group including leather, fabric, rubber, latex, plastic, simulated fur, or multi-layered material.

13. The computer input device of claim 1, further including a means of attachment of said structural flexible shell to said base and to said control modules.

14. The computer input device of claim 13 wherein said means of attachment to said based includes a retainer piece and said means of attachment to said control module includes a mounting member.

15. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said control modules are juxtaposed with said moldable core, with the core providing support to the controls, and said control modules having a backing where supported by the moldable core.

16. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said control modules further include an internal lever, said internal lever being actuated by said button, upon actuation said internal lever activates said switch, thereby providing a uniform actuation effort over the length of said button.

17. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein said control modules further include a button travel limit means.

18. The computer input device of claim 13, wherein said travel limit means is performed by said internal lever.

20. The computer input device of claim 19 wherein said body rises vertically to a predetermined height sufficient to accommodate the location of said button module on the general front and side area of the body in a more or less vertical alignment, with the individual buttons arranged in a generally vertical column, this configuration allowing the user to shape the computer input device for a supporting the hand at multiple points, where the small finger is supported in an open position, the ring finger supported by a more or less horizontal contour, the index and middle fingers resting above the ring finger where they are positioned for activation of the buttons, the user'"'"'s thumb cradled in a large indentation in the body, said indentation supporting the full thumb in straight and relax position, the palm area of the user'"'"'s hand supported by the back area of the body, with the side of the hand resting on the underlying surface, whereby providing support for the hand in a relaxed neutral unstrained alignment with the wrist and arm and enabling movement of said point device without the hand having to grip the device.

7. The computer input device of claim I wherein said moldable core includes a loose aggregate formed of a plurality of roughly cylindrical shaped objects of one or more materials selected from the group including Styrofoam, open cell foam rubber, closed cell poly foam, cotton, silicone, air filled plastic bubbles, and polypropylene beads.

19. A computer input device having a structure that conforms to a range of shapes according to intentional adjustment by a user, comprising:

a flat bottom of rigid material with a curved perimeter edge with a front area, a left side area, a right side area, and a back area, and said flat bottom providing a stable base for supporting a body which is attached along the perimeter edge of the flat bottom, so that said body has surfaces comprising a front area, a left side area, a right side area, and a back area, these areas corresponding to the matching areas of the flat bottom, and these areas of the body conjoin to a top area surface, and all surfaces of the body having curvatures forming a unified shape;

a button module conjoined with and supported by said body, said button assembly including a plurality of individual buttons, with the faces of the buttons meeting the adjacent surfaces of the body so that the buttons follow the shape of the body to form an generally uninterrupted and unitary shape, said button module having elongated buttons with means for uniform ease of actuation over the length of said buttons;

a set of structural elements for mounting the components required to communicate the movement of said computer input device over an underlying surface and to communicate activation events of said button module;

wherein when the user exerts a squeezing force on said body, the shape of the body changes within a certain possible range, and the position of said button assembly is changed within a certain possible, as influenced by the change in shape of the supporting portion of the body, or as directly acted on by the squeezing force;

wherein said computer input device, unless subject to specific intentional pressure or force sufficient to manipulate the shape of the body, or to change the position of the button controls, said computer input device retains a generally static shape under normal operation or when not in use.