WO2001088898A1

WO2001088898A1 - Ergonomic computer mouse with adjustable geometry and satellite arrangement of buttons

Info

Publication number: WO2001088898A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/015295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raghuram Reddy Talasani
Original assignee: Raghuram Reddy Talasani
Priority date: 2000-05-12
Filing date: 2001-05-11
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: AU2001261458A1

Abstract

The present invention provides an ergonomic mouse design with adjustable geometry and a satellite arrangement of buttons. The design separates the base component of the mouse (base, as shown in Fig. 11) from the button component (buttons, as shown in Fig. 11) and permits these two components to be connected to each other in an array of different configurations. In addition, the button component is ergonomically shaped so as to receive and cradle the hand of the user in a more comfortable fashion (buttons, as shown in Fig. 2). Likewise, the base portion of the mouse is designed to cradle the hand of the user in a manner that permits long term use of the mouse without detrimental muscle or tendon effects (base, as shown in Fig. 2).

Description

ERGONOMIC COMPUTER MOUSE-WITH ADJUSTABLE GEOMETRY AND SATELLITE ARRANGEMENT OF BUTTONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to personal computer systems and peripheral hardware devices for such computer systems. The present invention relates more specifically to a computer cursor tracking device such as a computer mouse or track ball that may be adjustably modified to fit the user. 2. Description of the Related Art

A common fixture with personal computer systems is the computer mouse that is utilized to move a cursor on the computer display screen, select objects, and control the opening and closing of various programs and inputs. The basic computer mouse comprises a palm sized object with two or three buttons and a trailing signal cord connected to the computer. A tracking device, such as a captive ball positioned below the mouse, permits movement of the device to be reflected on the computer screen. Various button configurations all of which are designed to be positioned under the fingers of the user when the user's hand is placed over the mouse, are used to select objects on the computer screen as the particular software requires.

Although there are a variety of sizes and shapes for computer mouse devices, most do not provide the ergonomic comfort required by a computer user who utilizes the mouse more than a few hours a day. It would be desirable if a mouse device could be devised that is readily adaptable to a number of different users and is flexible in its configuration such that a single user can vary its geometry depending upon his or her specific ergonomic needs at the time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an ergonomic mouse design with adjustable geometry and a satellite arrangement of buttons. The design separates the base component of the mouse from the button component and permits these two components to be connected to each other in an array of different configurations. In addition the button component is ergonomically shaped so as to receive and cradle the hand of the user in a more comfortable fashion. Likewise, the base portion of the mouse is designed to cradle the hand of the user in a manner that permits long term use of the mouse without detrimental muscle or tendon effects.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a computer user input device (a mouse) that allows the palm, fingers, wrist and the forearm of the computer user to be in a posture that is very close to the natural, reposed state while the user is operating the mouse. In addition, it is an objective to provide a computer mouse that offers multiple configurations to the user in order to reduce the stress and increase the comfort of the user. It is an objective to provide a mouse that is adjustable in size and shape in order to accommodate different sized hands and also to accommodate left hand or right hand users. It is also an objective to provide a mouse that is usable partly by the left hand and partly by the right hand at the same time by a single user in order to distribute the stress between the two hands. It is an objective to provide a mouse that has a low profile and lowered buttons in order to significantly reduce the raising of the fingers and the palm, thus reducing the twisting at the wrist and in turn reducing the user stress on muscles, nerves and tendons. It is an objective to provide a mouse that is versatile enough to accommodate each of the above objectives in one version to achieve lower cost design that may be easily and quickly altered from one configuration to another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention may be operated in a number of configurations. In Configuration No. 1, the base of the mouse and the satellite button component of the mouse are attached to each other by rigid connectors without a flexible cable.

In Configuration No. 2, the base of the mouse and the satellite buttons are connected through an extension arm and a flexible cable connector. The extension arm is used to extend the button component outward in steps depending upon the size of the hand or user comfort. The extension arm (along with the buttons) can also be turned to the right or to the left in steps to adjust to the comfort level of the user or simply to turn the mouse into a left-handed mouse.

In Configuration No. 3, the base of the mouse and the satellite buttons are detached from each other entirely and are connected through a long flexible cable. In this third configuration, the user can operate the mouse partly by the left hand and partly by the right hand at the same time. That is, the buttons may be operated by the left hand and the cursor movement may be operated through the base component with the right hand or vice versa.

The advantages of the present invention include increased comfort to the user, reduced stress on muscles, nerves and tendons, and a reduced risk of injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive motion syndrome. The present invention provides a one- sized mouse that can be adjusted to fit any size of hand thus eliminating the need to make various models of the same device. It can be turned into a left hand mouse instantly and may provide a means for dividing the operational functions between the right hand and the left hand of the user. Overall, the mouse provides an increase in productivity by establishing greater comfort to the user.

Figure 1 discloses a perspective view of the first configuration described above wherein the base component of the mouse is connected to the button component of the mouse through a direct semi-rigid connector.

Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 disclosing in profile the ergonomic contours of the surface of the base component of the mouse and the button component of the mouse. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first configuration mentioned above taken from an opposite side of the mouse to that shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the first combination described above seen in a view from behind the base component of the mouse. Figure 5 is a top view of the second combination described above wherein the base component of the mouse is connected to the button component of the mouse through an extension arm and a flexible cable connector. Figure 6 discloses the configuration shown in Figure 5 (with the flexible cable connected removed for clarity) showing the extension arm between the base component and the button component extended so as to permit use of the combination by a person with a longer hand or the need to extend the fingers away from the base portion of the mouse.

Figure 7 shows a further extension of the button component away from the base component by sliding the extension arm out from within the button component of the mouse. Figure 8 discloses the side-to-side rotational movement of the mouse wherein the button component may be angled from an axis of the base component, again to provide specific comfort to the user. Figure 9 shows a similar movement of the button component of the mouse to the right with respect to an axis of the base component.

Figure 10 discloses in greater detail the structure of the extension arm having a plurality of stops on its base into which project a snap-lock device positioned on the button component. A ridge positioned on the button component moves the snap-lock device in and out of the stops on the extension arm in a manner that permits the sliding of the extension arm into or out from the button component or rigidly holds the extension arm in a set configuration. Fig. 10 also discloses how the button component is configured to cradle the user's fingertips in a lower than normal position. The elevated portion of the button component beyond the fingertips position provides the interior space to enclose the switches and electronics for the buttons

Figure 11 shows the third configuration mentioned above wherein the satellite button component is completely detached from the base component with the exception of the flexible cable shown. In this configuration the user might manipulate the button component of the mouse with his or her left hand and the base component of the mouse with the right hand. Figure 12 discloses certain modifications to the design shown in Figure 5 wherein alternative left to right rotational stops are provided between the button component and the base component of the mouse. Figure 13 is a top view of the configuration shown in Figure 12 showing the electrical connector position between the button component and the base component. The buttons on the button component are removed for clarity and to show the internal framework structure of the button component.

Figure 14 discloses in greater detail one structure for a universal joint positioned at the base of the extension arm between the button component and the base component. Figure 15 is a view of the bottom of the combined structure shown in Figure 12 disclosing in greater detail the slots or stops on the extension arm and the manner in which rotational stops are positioned on the base component. Once again a snap

(detent) locking mechanism ^' is fixed on the button component that engages the slots on the extension arm. Figure 16 shows the embodiment shown in Figure 12 in an extended position again pointing out th,e location of the snap device for fixing the extension arm in a particular position. Figure 17 shows the snap device in position adjacent the extension arm for locking the two components in a fixed relation. Figure 18 is yet another underside view showing the embodiment in Figure 12 in an extended configuration. Not seen in this figure (or the other figures) is the tracking mechanism which is well known in the art.

Figure 19 is a simplified view of the components disclosed in Figure 12 shown in a fully extended position. Figure 20 shows this same configuration in a^' position wherein the button component is rotated to the left with respect to an axis of the base component. Figure 21 is a similar view but with the button component rotated to the right with respect to the base component. Figure 22 shows an extended configuration with rotation to the left. Figure 23 shows an extended configuration rotated to the right.

Figure 24 is a detailed view of the base component showing the extension arm and the universal joint with the button component removed for clarity. Figure 25 is a further detailed view of the extension arm component with the universal joint structure separated from the base component of the mouse. Figure 26 is a side prospective view of the structure shown in Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a top view of the palm surface for the base component of the mouse. Figure 28 is a partial sectional view of the base component of the mouse showing the point at which a connector to the mouse component would be attached. Figure 29 is a detailed view of the extension arm portion of the component shown in Figure 25. Figure 30 is a partial sectional view of the button component of the mouse shown with the buttons and connectors removed for clarity. A PC board would be positioned within the confines of the button component shown in Figure 30. Figure 30 also discloses the slot into which the extension arm extends and slides. Figure 31 is a top view of the button component shown in Figure 30.

Figure 32 is a detailed view of the universal coupling portion of the component shown generally in Figure 25. In this view, the rotational stops are shown in greater detail. Figure 33 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the button covers of the present invention. Figure 34 is a detailed view showing the flexible cable connection with the button component and the base component of the embodiment disclosed if Figure 12. Figure 35 is a detailed view showing the manner in which a rigid connection can be made between the button component and the base component of the embodiment shown in Figure 12. Figure 36 is a top view of the button component fully separated from the base component for the embodiment shown in Figure 12.

Figure 37 shows an alternative embodiment for the extension arm connecting the button component to the base component in a rigid configuration. Figure 38 is a top view of the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 37. Figure 39 is an underside view of the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 37. Figure 40 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of Figure 37 shown in an extended position. Figure 41 is the same configuration shown in Figure 40 seen from below. Figure 42 is the alternative embodiment of Figure 40 with the button component rotated to the right. Figure 43 is the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 40 with the button component rotated to the left. Figure 44 is a top view of the configuration shown m Figure 43.

Figure 45 is a detailed view of the alternative embodiment of the extension arm shown and utilized in Figures 37 through 44. Figure 46 is a detailed view of the extension arm shown in Figure 45.

Figure 47 is a top view of a typical base component cap well-known in the art to be utilized by users with larger hands. The cap is shown as it would be positioned on the base component of the present invention. Figure 48 discloses in detail a possible structure for the base component of the present invention showing the stops for left to right rotation of the extension. An optional metal insert may be put in place in order to reduce the chances of breakage or wear on the rotational stops.

Claims

1. The mouse consists of two major units, one is the base unit containing the tracking mechanisms and electronics, the other unit contains the mouse buttons, and associated mechanisms and electronics.