Mouse-based user interface device employing user-removable modules

• US 9,417,716 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chemtron Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Chemtron Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ludwig, Lester F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amadiz, Rodney
• Application Number:
  US14/469,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20150062014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 345157-167
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04104 Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04106 Multi-sensing digitiser, i.e. digitiser using at least two different sensing technologies simultaneously or alternatively, e.g. for detecting pen and finger, for saving power or for improving position detection
• 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 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs 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 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04144 using an array of force sensing means position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells G06F3/0447
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Claims

1. A user interface device for controlling an external device, the user interface device comprising:

a user-removable module containing first and second user interface sensors, the user-removable module sized to be received within a compartment configured with the external device, the first user interface sensor configured with the user-removable module and configured to generate, only if the user-removable module is removed from the compartment, a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the user-removable module relative to two orthogonal axes, and the second user interface sensor configured with the user-removable module and configured to generate, regardless of whether or not the user-removable module is contained within the compartment, a second plurality of signals individually representing one of a plurality of different values responsive to user manipulation relative to two orthogonal axes; and

a multiplex function providing an output signal responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors, wherein the first plurality of signals and the second plurality of signals permit control of respective first and second aspects of the external device, the first aspect being not controllable by any of the second plurality of signals, such that the output signal is received by a demultiplexer of the external device, the demultiplexer producing a plurality of first additional signals associated with the first plurality of signals, and a plurality of second additional signals corresponding to the second plurality of signals.

2. The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein the user interface device comprises two modes of operation, wherein:

in a first mode configured to occur whenever the user-removable module is secured within the compartment, the second plurality of signals are assigned to first user interface parameters, and

in a second mode configured to occur whenever the user-removable module is removed from the compartment, the second plurality of signals are assigned to second user interface parameters which are different than the first user interface parameters.

3. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a control panel.

4. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a service panel.

5. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a computer.

6. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the second user interface sensor comprises a touchpad.

7. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the second user interface sensor comprises a trackball.

8. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising a mouse button configured with the user-removable module and configured to generate a third plurality of signals responsive to user contact.

9. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless data link coupling the user-removable module with the external device.

10. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable power source configured to supply electrical power to the first and second user interface sensors.

11. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a control panel.

12. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a service panel.

13. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a computer.

14. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the second user interface sensor comprises a touchpad.

15. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the second user interface sensor comprises a trackball.

16. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising a mouse button configured with the user-removable module and configured to generate a third plurality of signals responsive to user contact.

17. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless data link coupling the user-removable module with the external device.

18. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable power source configured to supply electrical power to the first and second user interface sensors.

19. A user interface device for controlling an external device, the user interface device comprising:

a user-removable module containing first and second user interface sensors, the user-removable module sized to be received within a compartment configured with said external device, said first user interface sensor configured with the user-removable module and configured to generate, only if the user-removable module is removed from the compartment, a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the user-removable module relative to two orthogonal axes, and the second user interface sensor configured with the user-removable module and configured to generate, regardless of whether or not the user-removable module is contained within the compartment, a second plurality of signals individually representing one of a plurality of different values responsive to user manipulation relative to two orthogonal axes;

a multiplex function providing an output signal responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors, wherein the first plurality of signals and the second plurality of signals permit control of respective first and second aspects of the external device, the first aspect being not controllable by any of the second plurality of signals; and

a photoelectric cell configured with the user-removable module and configured to supply electrical power to the first and second user interface sensors.

20. The user interface device according to claim 19, wherein the user interface device comprises two modes of operation, wherein:

in a first mode configured to occur whenever the user-removable module is secured within the compartment, the second plurality of signals are assigned to first user interface parameters, and

in a second mode configured to occur whenever the user-removable module is removed from the compartment, the second plurality of signals are assigned to second user interface parameters which are different than the first user interface parameters.