A COMPUTER MOUSE
Background and Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a computer mouse.
A computer mouse is a common pointing device for generating movement commands to control a cursor position displayed on a computer screen. Size and shape of a conventional computer mouse are important design considerations in order for the mouse to provide ergonomic support for the hand of a user. In use, when the user's hand manoeuvres the mouse, the palm of the user rests on the highest point of the mouse's body which is typically gently curved to correspond to the user's palm. The width of the mouse's body is usually no less than 50mm so that user's fingers can grasp the sides of the mouse in a relatively relaxed position. Therefore, for ergonomic reasons a computer mouse needs to be of a certain size and shape and consequently such a mouse can be bulky for travellers to store in their bags.
Some manufacturers have overcome the above problem by introducing a mouse the size of a pen appropriately termed "l-Pen Mouse" from E-RON Technologies which can operate in a "mouse mode" for fast point-and-click action and also in a "pen mode" for writing and drawing actions. The pen mouse is popular among graphic designers who welcome both functions incorporated with the same device. Such a pen mouse is easier to control than a conventional mouse but it is expensive compared to a conventional mouse.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer mouse which alleviates the disadvantage of the prior art and/or to provide the public with a useful choice.
Summary of the Invention
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer mouse comprising a base which houses a tracking device for generating movement signals based on movement of the mouse on a surface, and an elongate handle connected to and which extends from the base, the handle having at least one button which is pressable and arranged to generate an input to a computer, wherein when the base is located on a surface it maintains the handle in an erect position.
An advantage of the described embodiments of the invention is that by providing an elongate support member which is used to manoeuvre the mouse similar to a pen mouse, this is easier to control than a conventional mouse. In addition, there is no need to use expensive miniature navigation technology to incorporate the navigation sensor at the tip of the pen mouse since a conventional optical sensor, such as the ADNS-2610 from Agilent Technologies, can be used and which is provided in the base of the mouse. This reduces the costs of producing the mouse at the same time improving on the controllability of the mouse, without compromising user comfort.
Preferably, the handle is fixedly connected to the base. Alternatively, the handle may be pivotally connected to the base. In this latter case, preferably, the handle is pivoted along one ore more axis and a hinge is used to provide the pivotal connection.
The base may comprise two locating holes for receiving respective ends of the hinge. The hinge may further comprise two opposing lugs connectable to the handle.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a computer mouse according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a computer mouse according to a second and preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of the different parts of the computer mouse of Figure 2. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Figure 1 shows a wireless computer mouse 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The mouse 100 comprises a base 102 and an elongate handle 104 fixedly connected to the base 102 in an upright position. The base 102 is substantially flat and is preferably moulded from plastic material. The base 102 houses a tracking device such as a normal optical sensor which generates movement signals based on movement of the base on a surface. The circuitry is conventional and will not be elaborated here.
The handle 104 is shaped like a pen for easier handling and is extruded from plastic material. In Figure 1, the handle 104 is slightly angled to form an acute angle with the length direction of the base 102. The handle 104 includes two buttons 106,108 and a navigation wheel 110 located between the two buttons 106,108 along a surface of the handle 104. The two buttons 106,108 are conventional in design and are pressable to generate inputs to a computer. The navigation wheel 110 provides the user with the convenience of scrolling through the display on a computer screen or as a third button to generate inputs to the computer. The buttons 106,108 are connected to tactile switches and the navigation wheel 110 is connected to a rotary encoder in a conventional manner. The handle 104 may house other circuitry needed for the wireless transmission of the movement signals to a computer (not shown).
By locating the buttons 106,108 and the navigation wheel 110 on the handle 104, this allows a user's hand to grip the handle in a pen-like manner whilst controlling the buttons 106,108 using preferably the index and middle fingers when operating the mouse 100. In this way, the base 102 no longer need to have the width, height or shape to support the palm of a user and thus the mouse 100 can be reduced in size compared with a conventional mouse. At the same time, the base 102 is adapted to lower the centre of gravity of the mouse 100, such that the base 102 supports the handle 104 in an erect and operable position, unlike the pen mouse in the prior art.
Figure 2 shows a second and preferred embodiment of a computer mouse 200 with a handle 204 pivotally connected to a base 202. The base 202 provides the same function as the first embodiment except that the base 202 further includes two spaced locating rings 214 arranged to receive a pivotal means and in this embodiment this is in the form of a hinge 216 shown in more detail in Figure 3, which is an exploded view of the computer mouse 200 of Figure 2.
The hinge 216 has two cylindrical ends 218,220 arranged to locate respectively inside the locating rings 212,214 so that each end 218,220 is a friction fit within each ring 212,214. The hinge 216 further includes two cylindrical opposing lugs 222,224 which are used to releasably connect the hinge 216 to the handle 204.
The handle 204 of the present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that the end connected to the base 202 has two lobes 226,228 and respective cylindrical holes 230,232 formed therein. The holes 230,232 are each adapted to receive respective lugs 222,224 so that the handle 204 is pivoted about the two lugs 222,224. In this way, the handle 204 is movable axially about the lugs 222,224 and this allows the user to adjust the angle of the handle 204 with respect to the base 202 along one axis (see Figure 2, arrow X).
For adjustment along another axis, this is provided by the pivot formed by the hinge's ends 218,220 and the locating rings 212,214 of the base 202 (see Figure 2, arrow Y). In combination, this allows the handle 204 to* traverse along two axes perpendicular to each other.
The use of the computer mouse 200 of the second embodiment is similar to the first with the added feature of being able to adjust the handle 204 with respect to the base 202. Thus, the handle 204 also has two buttons 206,208 and the navigation wheel 210. To facilitate electrical connection between the handle 204 and the base 202, the hinge 216 has a hollow body to allow wiring to run between the handle 204 and the base 202.
The described embodiments should not be construed as limitative. For example, the described embodiments use a wireless mouse, but the invention is similarly applicable for a wired computer mouse. In this case, the relevant circuitry will also be housed in the base 102,202 with a cable for connecting to a computer.
The handle 104,204 may have finger impressions for easier holding of the handle similar to a gaming joystick. There may be an additional base cover for housing the base and hinge assembly so that the overall mouse is more appealing aesthetically.