Pointing device having selection buttons operable from movement of a palm portion of a person's hands

• US 6,181,322 B1
• Filed: 11/07/1997
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Netscape Communications Corporation (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nanavati, Amit
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Henry N.
• Application Number:
  US08/966,373
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156-158, 345/163, 345/167, 345/184
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A mouse for use with an automatic data processing system having a display device for displaying objects. The mouse is configured to be operated by movement of an operator'"'"'s hand and includes a positioning system for controlling a position of a pointer within the display device of the automatic data processing system. The mouse also includes a selection button for selecting an object displayed within the display device and which is pointed to by the pointer. The selection button is configured to generate a signal to be processed by the automatic data processing system. The selection button is operable in accordance with movement of a palm section of the operator'"'"'s hand.

Claims

1. A mouse for use with an automatic data processing system having a display device for displaying objects, said mouse configured to be operated by movement of an operator'"'"'s hand, comprising:

a positioning system for controlling a position of a pointer within said display device of said automatic data processing system;

a mouse body having a front and a rear; and

a selection button for selecting an object displayed within said display device and pointed to by said pointer, said selection button causing a selection signal to be produced and to be processed by said automatic data processing system, said selection button being disposed at said rear of said mouse body extending forward and being raised above said mouse body such as to match the contour of a palm section of said operator'"'"'s hand and be operable in accordance with movement of said palm section of said operator'"'"'s hand and when said palm section of said operator'"'"'s hand contacts said selection button.

2. A mouse for use with an automatic data processing system having a display device for displaying objects, said mouse configured to be operated by movement of an operator'"'"'s hand, comprising:

a positioning system for controlling a position of a pointer within said display device of said automatic data processing system;

a mouse body having a front and a rear; and

a first selection button and a second selection button for selecting an object displayed within said display device and pointed to by said pointer, said first and second selection buttons causing corresponding selection signals to be produced and to be processed by said automatic data processing system, said first selection button being contoured to match a first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm, said second selection button being contoured to match a second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm, said first and second selection buttons being operable in accordance with movement of said first and second portions of said operator'"'"'s palm, respectively, and when said first and second portions of said operator'"'"'s palm contact said first and second selection buttons respectively.

3. The mouse in claim 2, wherein said first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a left portion of said operator'"'"'s right palm and said second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a right portion of said operator'"'"'s right palm.

4. The mouse in claim 2, wherein said first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a left portion of said operator'"'"'s left hand and said second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a right portion of said operator'"'"'s left hand.

5. The mouse in claim 2, wherein said first and second selection buttons are disposed at the rear of said mouse body.

6. A pointing device for controlling an automatic data processing system having a display device for displaying objects, said pointing device to be operated by movement of an operator'"'"'s hand, comprising:

a positioning system for controlling a position of a pointer within said display device of said automatic data processing system;

a body having a front and a rear; and

a first selection button and a second selection button for selecting an object displayed within said display device and pointed to by said pointer, said first and second selection buttons causing corresponding selection signals to be produced and to be processed by said automatic data processing system, said first selection button being contoured to match a first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm, said second selection button being contoured to match a second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm, said first and second selection buttons being operable in accordance with movement of said first and second portions of said operator'"'"'s palm, respectively, and when said first and second portions of said operator'"'"'s palm contact said first and second selection buttons respectively.

7. The pointing device in claim 6, wherein said first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a left portion of said operator'"'"'s right palm and said second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a right portion of said operator'"'"'s right palm.

8. The pointing device in claim 6, wherein said first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a left portion of said operator'"'"'s left hand and said second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a right portion of said operator'"'"'s left hand.

9. The pointing device in claim 6, wherein said first and second selection buttons are disposed at the rear of said body.

10. A trackball pointing device for use with an automatic data processing system having a display device for displaying objects, said trackball pointing device configured to be operated by movement of an operator'"'"'s hand, comprising:

a trackball pointer positioning system for controlling a position of a pointer within said display device of said automatic data processing system;

a body having a front and a rear; and

a first selection button and a second selection button for selecting an object displayed within said display device and pointed to by said pointer, said first and second selection buttons causing corresponding selection signals to be produced and to be processed by said automatic data processing system, said first selection button being contoured to match a first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm, said second selection button being contoured to match a second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm, said first and second selection buttons being operable in accordance with movement of said first and second portions of said operator'"'"'s palm, respectively, and when said first and second portions of said operator'"'"'s palm contact said first and second selection buttons respectively.

11. The pointing device in claim 10, wherein said first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a left portion of said operator'"'"'s right palm and said second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a right portion of said operator'"'"'s right palm.

12. The pointing device in claim 10, wherein said first portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a left portion of said operator'"'"'s left hand and said second portion of said operator'"'"'s palm is a right portion of said operator'"'"'s left hand.

13. The pointing device in claim 10, wherein said first and second selection buttons are disposed at the rear of said body.