|Publication number||US7233318 B1|
|Application number||US 10/209,537|
|Publication date||19 Jun 2007|
|Filing date||30 Jul 2002|
|Priority date||13 Mar 2002|
|Also published as||US7535458, US8243018, US8665217, US9261984, US20070211033, US20090207136, US20130063354, US20140176443|
|Publication number||10209537, 209537, US 7233318 B1, US 7233318B1, US-B1-7233318, US7233318 B1, US7233318B1|
|Inventors||Abraham Farag, Brian Huppi|
|Original Assignee||Apple Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (103), Non-Patent Citations (14), Referenced by (75), Classifications (5), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application claims the priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/364,400, filed on Mar. 13, 2002 and entitled “MULTI-BUTTON MOUSE,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to input devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to mice having multiple button functionality.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most computer systems, as for example general purpose computers such as portable computers and desktop computers, receive input from a user via an input device such as a mouse. As is generally well known, the mouse allows a user to move an input pointer (e.g., cursor) and to make selections with respect to a graphical user interface (GUI). The mouse generally includes a trackball, which is located on the underside of the mouse and which rolls when the mouse moves thus translating the motion of the users hand into signals that the computer system can use. The movement of the trackball generally corresponds to the movement of the input pointer. That is, by positioning the mouse on a desktop and moving it thereon, the user can move the input pointer in similar directions with respect to the GUI. An optical sensor may alternatively be used to track the movement of the mouse. The mouse also conventionally includes one or more buttons, which are located on the top side of the mouse housing. These one or more buttons, when selected, can initiate a GUI action such as menu or object selections. The one or more buttons are typically provided by on or more button caps that move relative to the mouse housing.
Although mice designs such as these work well, there are continuing efforts to improve their form, feel and functionality.
The invention, in one embodiment, relates to a user operated input device having one or more button zones for performing one or more button functions, where at least one of the button zones is integrated with a housing of said user operated input device.
The invention, in another embodiment, relates to a mouse having multiple button functionalities, wherein at least one of the multiple button functionalities is incorporated into a housing of the mouse.
The invention, in another embodiment, relates to a unibody mouse including a housing having degrees of freedom to allow at least two button functionality.
The invention, in another embodiment, relates to a computer system The computer system includes a general purpose computer for performing computer operations. The computer system further includes a display monitor for displaying at least a portion of the computer operations on a graphical user interface. The computer system also includes a unibody mouse for moving an input pointer and for performing an on screen action with respect to the graphical user interface. The unibody mouse has at least a first button function and a second button function corresponding to separate on screen actions, wherein at least the first button function is incorporated into a housing of the unibody mouse.
The invention, in another embodiment, relates to a mouse. The mouse includes a housing for enclosing internal components of the mouse. The internal components include a plurality of movement indicators. The housing includes a base for movably supporting the mouse on a surface. The housing further includes a button body coupled to the base via a pivot and flexure joint that allows the body to move to multiple positions relative to the base. In one implementation, at least a first movement indicator is activated when the body is moved to a first position, at least a second movement indicator is activated when the body is moved to a second position, and at least a third movement indicator is activated when the body is moved to a third position.
The invention, in another embodiment, relates to a unibody mouse. The unibody mouse includes a base. The unibody mouse further includes a mouse body movably coupled to the base. The mouse body pivoting about at least a first axis and a second axis. The unibody mouse also includes a plurality of movement indicators housed within the mouse body and the base for sensing movement of the mouse body with respect to the base.
The invention, in another embodiment, relates to a unibody mouse. The unibody mouse includes a base. The unibody mouse further includes a mouse body movably attached to the base via a pivot joint and a flexure joint. The pivot joint and the flexure joint facilitating pivot movements of the mouse body relative to the base. The unibody mouse also includes a plurality of switches housed within the mouse body and the base for sensing movement of the mouse body with respect to the base.
The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to
The input device 20 generally includes a device housing 22 that provides a structure for moving the device 20 along a surface and for gripping the device 20 for movement thereof. The device housing 22 also helps to define the shape or form of the device 20. That is, the contour of the device housing 22 embodies the outward physical appearance of the device 20. The device housing 22 also provides a structure for enclosing, containing and/or supporting the internal components of the device 20. Although not shown, the internal components may correspond to electrical and/or mechanical components for operating the device 20. For example, the internal components may include a track ball or optical assembly for monitoring the movement of the input device 20 along a surface and for sending signals corresponding to the movements to the electronic system. In most cases, the signals produced by these components direct the input pointer to move on the display screen in a direction similar to the direction of the device as it is moved across a surface. For example, when the input device is moved forward or backwards, the input pointer is moved vertically up or down, respectively, on the display screen. In addition, when the input device is moved from side to side, the input pointer is moved from side to side on the display screen.
In one embodiment, the user operated input device includes one or more button zones 24. The button zones 24 represent regions of the device 20 that may be actuated by a user to implement one or more button functions associated with performing actions on a display screen. By way of example, the button functions may include selecting an item on the screen, opening a file or document, executing instructions, starting a program, viewing a menu, and/or the like. The button functions may also include functions that make it easier to navigate through the electronic system, as for example, zoom, scroll, open different menus, home the input pointer, perform keyboard related actions such as enter, delete, insert, page up/down, and the like.
The manner in which the button zones 24 may be implemented can be widely varied. For example, the button zones 24 may be provided by a mechanical button (or buttons) that each provide a clicking action for implementing an on-screen action. In most cases, the mechanical button includes a button cap or scroll wheel that works independent of or moves relative to the input device housing 22. For example, the button cap may pivot relative to the housing. The button zones may also be provided by a unified button/housing that incorporates the functionality of a button (or buttons) directly into the input device housing 22, i.e., the button functionality and a substantial portion of the housing are combined (as opposed to attaching separate button caps to or through the device housing). In a unified button housing, the button zones may be provided by different portions of the device housing that each provide a clicking action for implementing an on-screen action. In essence, the device housing serves as a button (or buttons) of the input device 20. The button zones may also be provided by a combination of the above (e.g., button caps and unified button housing).
In any of the examples above, the clicking actions are generally arranged to actuate one or more movement indicators (not shown) contained inside the device housing 22. The movement indicators are configured to sense movements of the button zones during the clicking action and to send signals corresponding to the movements to the electronic system. By way of example, the movement indicators may be switches, sensors and/or the like.
The clicking action(s) may, for example, be used to implement a single click, a double click and/or a dragging and dropping function. As is generally well known, a single click often selects an item on the screen, a double click often opens a document or launches a program, and dragging and dropping generally makes it easy to move an item on the screen. In order to perform a single click using the device 20, the user presses and releases at least one of the button zones 24. In order to perform a double click using the device 20, the user quickly presses and releases at least one of the button zones 24 twice. In order to perform a drag and drop function, the user first positions the pointer or cursor over an item on the screen (by moving the mouse along the flat surface) and presses and holds down at least one of the button zones 24 so as to select the item. Thereafter, the user, while still holding down the at least one of the button zones 24, moves the pointer to a desired position on the screen (by moving the mouse along the flat surface) and subsequently releases the at least one of the button zones 24.
In order to implement multiple button functionalities, the input device 20 is generally divided into several independent and spatially distinct button zones, as for example, button zones 24A and 24B. Each of these button zones may correspond to a distinct button function. For example, the first button zone 24A may correspond to selecting an item on the display screen (e.g., standard left click) and the second button zone 24B may correspond to showing a menu on the display screen (e.g., standard right click).
In one embodiment, the input device 20 integrates at least one of the button zones 24A or 24B directly into a portion of the device housing 22. That is, the device housing 22 acts like a button such that at least one of the multiple button functionalities may be implemented by pressing on the device housing 22 rather than on a separate mechanical button. The other button zone 24A or 24B may correspond to another portion of the device housing 22 as above, or to a mechanical button such as button caps, scroll wheels and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the button zones 24 correspond to different portions of the device housing 22 and thus the device housing itself is used to implement all of the multiple button functions of the input device. Although only two button zones are shown in
The mouse housing 51 may be widely varied. In the illustrated embodiment, the mouse housing 51 includes a movable base 52 and a button body 54. The movable base 52 is configured to moveably support the mouse 50 during use thereof, i.e., the base 52 makes moving contact with a surface such as a desktop or mouse pad. In most cases, the movable base 52 supports a position detecting mechanism so as to track the position of the mouse 50 as it is moved along the surface. By way of example the position detecting mechanism may be a trackball mechanism or an optical sensor. The position detecting mechanism is generally configured to provide information to a computer so that the movement of the pointer on the screen corresponds to the movement of the mouse on the surface.
The button body 54, on the other hand, is configured to move relative to the base 52 so as to provide a clicking action that implements the button functionality of the mouse 50. The entire surface of the body 54 above the base 52 acts as a single or multiple button. The clicking action (e.g., the movement of the body 54 relative to the base 52) may be provided through one or more degrees of freedom (DOF). The degrees of freedom may be implemented through one or more rotations, pivots, translations, flexes (and/or the like) relative to the base 52. By way of example, the button body 54 may be coupled to the base 52 via one or more pin joints, slider joints, ball and socket joints, flexure joints and the like.
In one embodiment, a single DOF is used to implement a single clicking action. For example, as shown in
In another embodiment, a single DOF is used to implement multiple clicking actions. For example, as shown in
In yet another embodiment, multiple DOF's are used to implement multiple clicking actions. For example, a multiple clicking action may be implemented by a combination of pivots, as for example the pivots shown in
It should be noted that pivots are not a limitation and that other types of DOF, as well as other types of joints may be used. For example, the mouse may include a pivot/translating joint, pivot/flexure joint, pivot/ball and socket joint, translating/flexure joint, a flexure joint, a ball and socket joint, and the like so as to provide two or more degrees of freedom.
Multiple clicking actions may be arranged in a variety of ways to produce one or more button zones corresponding to one or more button functions. Button zones, as used in conjunction with a unibody design, refers to a region of the housing that represents a particular button function. The multiple clicking actions may or may not represent multiple button zones. That is, although the body moves to more than one position, the mouse may be configured to have only one button zone or it may be configured to have two or more button zones.
In one embodiment, the number of clicking actions corresponds to the number of button zones. That is, each independent movement of the body relative to the base implements a distinct button function. In a specific example, the mouse shown in
In another embodiment, the number of clicking actions corresponds to a different number of button zones. For example, a single button zone may be arranged to encompass two or more clicking actions so that each of the clicking actions implements the same button function. In a specific example, the mouse shown in
The distribution of the button zones may be widely varied. For example, the button zones may be positioned almost anywhere on the mouse (e.g., front, back, sides or the like). Further, the button zones may be formed from almost any shape whether simple (e.g., squares, circles, ovals, triangles, rectangles, polygons, and the like) or complex (e.g., random shapes). The shape of multiple button zones may have identical shapes or they may have different shapes. In addition, the size of the button zones may vary according to the specific needs of each device. In most cases, the size of the button zones corresponds to a size that allows them to be easily manipulated by a user (e.g., the size of a finger tip or larger). Moreover, any number of button zones may be used. In most cases, the number of button zones correspond to the number of button functionalities offered by the mouse 50.
Still referring to
In one embodiment, the button functions of the button zones are implemented via movement indicators located inside the mouse housing and underneath the button zones. The movement indicators may be any combination of switches and sensors. Switches are generally configured to provide pulsed or binary data such as activate (on) or deactivate (off). By way of example, an underside portion of the body may be configured to contact or engage (and thus activate) a switch when the user presses on the button zone. The sensors, on the other hand, are generally configured to provide continuous or analog data. By way of example, the sensor may be configured to measure the position or the amount of tilt of the body relative to the base when a user presses on the button zone.
The arrangement of movement indicators may be widely varied. In one embodiment, the mouse 50 may include a movement indicator for each button zone. That is, there may be a movement indicator corresponding to every button zone. For example, if there are two button zones, then there will be two movement indicators. In another embodiment, the movement indicators may be arranged in a manner that simulates the existence of a movement indicator for each button zone. For example, two movement indicators may be used to form three button zones. In another embodiment, the movement indicators may be configured to form larger or smaller button zones. By way of example, this may be accomplished by careful positioning of the movement indicators or by using more than one movement indicator for each button zone. It should be noted that the above embodiments are not a limitation and that the arrangement of movement indicators may vary according to the specific needs of each device.
It should be noted that the button zone distributions shown in
The base 102 provides a platform for sliding the mouse 100 along a surface and for supporting different components of the mouse 100, as for example, the internal components 106 and the body 104. In order to provide a clicking action, the body 104 is configured to move relative to the base 102. The clicking action (e.g., the movement of the body 104 relative to the base 102) may be provided through one or more degrees of freedom (DOF). The degrees of freedom may be implemented through one or more rotations, pivots, translations, flexes (and/or the like) relative to the base 102. By way of example, the button body 104 may be coupled to the base 102 via one or more pin joints, slider joints, ball and socket joints, flexure joints and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the body has at least two degrees of freedom relative to the base so as to allow the body to move in multiple directions. The components used to implement the at least two degrees of freedom DOF may be widely varied.
To elaborate, the body 104 is coupled to the base 102 via a two axis joint 113. The two axis joint 113 is configured to allow the body 104 to move about a longitudinal axis 118 and a latitudinal axis 120. The position of the two axes 118, 120 may be widely varied. For example, the latitudinal axis 120 may be positioned towards the back of the mouse 100 (as shown), in the middle of the mouse 100, or towards the front of the mouse 100. In addition, the longitudinal axis 118 may be positioned in the center of the mouse 100 (as shown), towards the left side of the mouse 100 or towards the right side of the mouse 100. The position of the two axis 118, 120 generally determines the type of clicking actions. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis arrangement produces at least three clicking actions—a right click, a middle click and a left click. With regards to the right click, if the user presses on the right front portion of the body 104, the body 104 tilts forward and to the right. With regards to the left click, if the user presses on the left front portion of the body 104, the body 104 tilts forward and to the left. With regards to the middle click, if the user presses on the middle front portion of the body 104, the body 104 tilts forward.
In one embodiment, the two axis joint 113 is a pivot/flexure joint that includes a pivot and a bendable flexure (e.g., spring). The pivot generally includes a pivot pin that is rotatable within a pivot support. In one example, the pivot pin is coupled to the body 104 and the pivot support 116 is coupled to the base 102 through the bendable flexure. In this example, the pivot allows the body 104 to rotate about the latitudinal axis 120, and the bendable flexure allows the body 104 to pivot about the longitudinal axis 118 (thereby giving the mouse two degrees of freedom).
The moving body 104 provides a platform for actuating the movement indicators 110 disposed underneath the body 104. That is, if a user implements a click, the body tilts forward and to the right, middle or left thereby actuating one or more of the movement indicators 110. When activated, the movement indicators send signals to the controller 112. The controller may process the signals directly or it may pass the signals onto a host device for processing. The processing step is generally configured to produce a control signal corresponding to a right button click when the user presses on the right front portion of the mouse body 104, a left button click when the user presses on the left front portion of the mouse body 104 and a middle button click when the user presses on the middle front portion of the mouse body 104.
It should be noted that the joints shown in
It should be noted that using three switches is not a limitation and that the number of switches may vary according to the specific needs of each device. For example, two or more switches may be used. The number of switches generally depends on the number of button functionalities available by the mouse.
Moreover, it should be noted that sensors may be used in place of switches. Unlike switches, which provide binary data (e.g., activate and deactivate), sensors generally provide continuous data (e.g., they measure a continuous analog value). As such, they may produce uniform force and travel profiles with respect to the clicking actions. Furthermore, they may be used to calibrate out manufacturing discrepancies.
It should be noted that a pair of detectors is not a limitation and that one or more detectors may be used. In one implementation, two pairs of detectors, which are positioned orthogonal to each other are used to determine tilt in multiple directions.
More specifically, the body 252 is pivotally coupled to the base 254 via a pair of pivot pins 264, which extend from the body 252 and which are located towards the rear of the body 252. The pivot pins 264 are configured to be coupled to a pair of flexure supports 266 which are flexibly attached to the base 254, and which are located towards the rear of the base 254. The pivot pins 264 are adapted to be inserted into openings 268 in the flexure support 266 thereby allowing the body 252 to pivot relative to the base 254. The flexure support 266 is formed from a bendable or deformable material that allows the body 252 to move in multiple directions (e.g., side to side). For example, the flexure support may be formed from plastic, metal and the like. The flexure support may be mounted on the base 254 or it may be part of the base 254. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexure support 266 and base 254 are integrated into one unit (e.g., the flexure support is formed into the base).
As should be appreciated, the pivot allows the body 252 to swing between an unclicked position, placing the body 252 in an upright position, and a front clicked position, tilting the body 252 towards the front of the mouse 250. In addition, the flexure allows the body to swing between an unclicked position, placing the body 252 in an upright position, and a left or right clicked position, tilting the body 252 to the right and left sides of the mouse 250. In one embodiment, a spring mechanism is used to bias the body 252 in a direction away from the base 254, i.e., in the un-clicked positions. By way of example, the spring mechanism may be part of the switches 260, i.e., the actuators may be biased in the upright position, or it may be a separate spring pad connected to the base 254. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring mechanism is part of the middle switch 260C, and thus the actuator 261 of the switch 260C is configured to push against an inner surface of the body 254 so as to bias the body in the unclicked position.
In the right clicked position (e.g., when a downward force is applied to the right front side of the body 252), the body 252 is configured to engage the right switch 260A. That is, during the clicking action, a bottom portion of the body is pushed against the actuator 263A of the sensor 260A thereby activating the switch 260A. In the left clicked position (e.g., when a downward force is applied to the left front side of the body 252), the body 252 is configured to engage the left sensor 260B. That is, during the clicking action, a bottom portion of the body is pushed against the actuator 263B of the switch 260B thereby activating the sensor 263B. In the middle clicked position (e.g., when a downward force is applied to the middle front side of the body 252), the body 252 is configured to engage the switch 260C. That is, during the clicking action, a bottom portion of the body is pushed against the actuator 261 of the switch 260C thereby activating the switch 260C. Although
When the switches are activated, one or more signals are provided to a host device such as a computer. In one implementation, the signals are first processed by a processor chip 270, which is positioned on the PCB 258. The processor chip 270 is typically configured to turn the signals into data, which can be used by a computer. The data signals may be sent through a cable 272 that is connected to the processor chip 270. One end of the cable 272 typically includes a connector 278 for temporarily coupling the mouse 250 to the computer. By way of example, the connector 278 may be a PS/2 connector, a serial connector, a USB connector and the like.
Although the switches are configured to report three states: right click, left click, and middle click, the mouse itself may be configured to provide one or more button functions. For example, the mouse may be configured to provide a single button function, two button functions, three button functions and the like. In the case of single button functionality, the three states may all correspond to the same button function. That is, no matter which click is used: right click, left click and middle click, the mouse implements a single button function. In the case of dual button functionality, a portion of the three states may correspond to the same button function and a portion may correspond to a different button function. For example, a right click and a middle click may correspond to a first button function, and the left click may correspond to a second button function. In addition, a left click and a middle click may correspond to a first button function, and the right click may correspond to a second button function. Moreover, a right click and a left click may correspond to a first button function, and the middle click may correspond to a second button function. In the case of three button functionality, the three states may correspond to different button functions. For example, a right click may correspond to a first button function, a middle click may correspond to a second button function and a left click may correspond to a third button function.
In one embodiment, the signal interpretation is implemented at the mouse. In another embodiment, the signal interpretation is implemented by the host device to which the mouse is connected. In this embodiment, the signal interpretation may be implemented via software, as for example, the operating system (OS) of the host device using the mouse. For example, with regards to a two button mouse, the OS may decide whether the middle click should be associated with a left or right click.
The manner in which the host device (computer) interprets the signals may be widely varied. In one embodiment, the host device is configured to interpret the signals so as to produce a single button mouse. For example, the host device may be configured to provide a single button function when any of the three states are activated (together or separately). In another embodiment, the host device is configured to interpret the signals so as to produce a dual button mouse. For example, the host device may be configured to provide two button functions when specific states are activated (together or separately). In yet another embodiment, the host device is configured to interpret the signals so as to produce a three button mouse. For example, the host device may be configured to provide three button functions when specific states are activated (separately).
In one implementation, the signal interpretation is programmable so as to allow a user to control the type and number of button functions implemented by the mouse. For example, if a user wants a two button mouse, the middle clicking actions can be reported as either right or left clicks. This allows the mouse clicking to be slightly customized by the user so as to better match the desires of the user. For example, a right handed user may want to configure the mouse differently than a left handed user. In addition, once a user increases their skills, they may want to add more functionality to the mouse. In one embodiment, a control panel may be used to allow a user to program the functionality of the mouse. For example, the control panel may include enable/disable selections, or specific configurations such as a two button mouse with right and left click selections or front and back click selections.
The mouse processing 300 generally begins at block 302 where inputs from a mouse are monitored. Here, one or more states associated with the mouse can be monitored. By way of example, the states being monitored can include clicking actions such as right click, left click and middle click. After block 302, the process proceeds to block 304 where status information associated with the states are obtained from the monitoring. By way of example, the status information may correspond to which of the states are activated (e.g., on or off).
After block 304, the process proceeds to block 306 where button functions of the mouse are determined. The button functionalities are generally based on the status information and predetermined configuration information. In one embodiment, the predetermined configuration information identifies a type and nature of button function that is to be provided for a specific status information. By way of example, an on screen action such as selecting an item on the screen may be identified when a left click status is activated, and a right and middle click status is not activated. In one embodiment, the predetermined configuration information is stored in memory. Thus, the computer consults the information held in memory in order to determine the on-screen action for a specific clicking action. The predetermined configuration information stored in the memory may be accessed by a user through a mouse control menu, which may be viewed on a display screen as part of a GUI interface. The mouse control menu may include control settings pertaining to one or more on screen actions. In fact, the mouse control menu may serve as a control panel for reviewing and/or customizing the mouse control settings, i.e., the user may quickly and conveniently review the mouse control settings and make changes thereto. Once the user saves the changes, the modified mouse control settings will be employed (e.g., as predetermined configuration information) to handle future events transmitted and/or received through the computer.
After the button functions have been determined, the process proceeds to block 310 where appropriate button functions are used to perform the on screen action. For example, the on screen actions may select an item on the screen, open a file or document, execute instructions, start a program, view a list of commands (or system properties), or the like. Thereafter, the process can proceed to back to block 302 where mouse inputs are monitored.
While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. For example, the mouse may include an adjustable tensioner to stiffen the ease of the clicking action, i.e., the tension may be lowered to accommodate smaller and lighter hands and increased to accommodate larger and heavier hands. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
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|U.S. Classification||345/163, D14/402|
|30 Jul 2002||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: APPLE COMPUTER, INC., CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FARAG, ABRAHAM;HUPPI, BRIAN;REEL/FRAME:013165/0375;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020725 TO 20020726
|13 Mar 2007||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: APPLE INC., CALIFORNIA
Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:APPLE COMPUTER, INC.;REEL/FRAME:019000/0383
Effective date: 20070109
Owner name: APPLE INC.,CALIFORNIA
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Effective date: 20070109
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