NL1015696C1 - Computer mouse for analogue search, reading and operation of software parameters and switches. - Google Patents

Description

Computer mouse for analogue search, reading and operation of software parameters and switches.

The working environment is the computer program for editing audio material such as hard disk recording, virtual synthesizers, samplers, effects and mixers.

These programs - distributed over several pages - entail a multitude of software parameters and software switches which are displayed virtually on a monitor screen and must be processed with the mouse, which is very inconvenient and inaccurate.

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To do this, the cursor must, with the help of the conventional mouse with push buttons at the top and a tracking element under the housing in contact with the work table, look up the desired page, select a virtual rotary switch and circle around it.

Turning this virtual rotary knob by circling the mouse with a depressed push button is very irritating and difficult to control, so that many musicians prefer to go back to the older analogue equipment with the tangible tangible rotary knob *.

Another method for operating the software parameters and switches is the so-called midi controller which is equipped with a number of hardware turning, sliding and push buttons and an LED circuit to be able to read the value of a parameter in analog.

However, the disadvantage of this controller is their limited range.

For example, only a small number of software parameters and switches can be assigned to the hardware switch, slider and push buttons per memory bank.

25 If one has to change the memory bank several times for the entire program and thus the destination of the hardware buttons, it becomes unclear what new function each button has at that moment.

Moreover, these midi controllers are rather expensive compared to the standard computer mouse.

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With the invention, a computer mouse is created with which it is possible to operate all accessible virtual turning parameters in an analogous manner.

The standard mouse, with a standard tracking element below it, serves as the basis for contacting the work table to move the virtual cursor across the screen.

Added to this mouse is a handle to be enclosed with a few fingers and a rotary knob with an incremental parameter to be enclosed with the remaining fingers of the same hand.

The mouse can be held securely by means of the little finger, ring and possibly middle finger 10 which encloses the handle on the mouse so as to be able to move the mouse as a whole, stably over a work table or lifted through the room.

The muscle tension with the bent posture of the fingers around the handle is of a natural nature and can therefore easily be sustained with long-term activity. Simultaneously with this holding of the handle, the rotary knob on the mouse can be held and rotated with the 15 inch, index and possibly middle finger.

An incremental parameter, also called pulse generator, is connected to the rotary knob. When turning, this gives impulse signals with which a software parameter or software switch can be adjusted to its value position. One could call the new mouse a kind of universal midi controller, since the mouse cursor can directly reach and virtually adjust any virtually displayed software parameter or software switch, while the conventional midi controller only a certain number of software parameters and switches per memory bank can reach and adjust.

The free-standing rotary knob can be engaged on both sides and turned by the thumb and index finger. This is more stable and accurate to rotate than the operation of a scroll wheel with one finger on the conventional mouse.

Since the thumb and index finger can remain on the button while looking up a displayed software parameter or switch, one can work even faster than with analogue equipment where one must always grasp and release each new button.

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The pulse generator itself is available as standard with a built-in axial momentary pressure switch with which commands can be relieved by pressing the button. Furthermore, the handle is provided with set screws which connect the handle to the mouse chassis with which the handle can be adjusted and locked in distance to the rotary knob, to adapt to the size of the user's hand. Working on a horizontal table, the hand lies on the mouse at an oblique angle to the table, so that a minimal or no rotation of the hand relative to the arm is required.

With a further extension of the invention, the new computer mouse has an LED chain on the side of its chassis, which will light up in whole or in part if the value of a selected software parameter is higher or lower, or if a software switch is open or closed. This information is sent by the computer to the computer mouse so that it can be read there in a well-arranged and analogous manner.

Now the monitor is no longer needed for reading these values and since the virtually projected parameters and switches on the screen maintain a fixed position and function, one can also read a graphic print of the pages with parameters and switches and with the traverse an analog mouse.

The correct moving speed of the cursor is set here to compensate for any scaling difference between the monitor projection and the graphic projection. The position of the mouse with the graphically displayed parameters and switches then corresponds to the position of the cursor with the virtually displayed software parameters and switches.

The computer registers the movement and position of the mouse and therefore "knows" which graphic parameter or switch the mouse is on and which corresponding software parameter or switch is selected.

It is now possible to look up a software parameter or switch on a graphic image entirely analogously, to read its value position by means of the LED circuit and to accurately adjust it on the mouse by means of the pulse generator.

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This also offers the possibility to display the entire program on one large map in order to be able to read the entire program directly.

For this purpose, the virtual image of each page is reduced in order to be able to place all these pages open side by side, while also opening all menus in a free location. The total virtual image is then enlarged and readable, printed graphically.

The mouse can now directly reach every parameter or switch of the total program, read the value and adjust it if necessary.

Furthermore, any part of the virtual projection of the program can be zoomed in again on the screen in order to be able to work on it with a slower set moving speed of the virtual cursor.

With the invention one has the possibility of direct analog operation of a software studio that can be as large as the computer is capable.

The drawings show the components and the method of use of the computer mouse.

Figure 1 shows the top view of the computer mouse.

Figure 2 shows the section A-A of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the perspective during the operation of the mouse.

Figure 1 shows the plan view of the computer mouse with a handle 1 and a rotary knob 2 placed in the gripping direction for the handle and connected to a pulse generator. The handle 1 is attached to the computer mouse chassis 6 and an LED chain 7 on the side 5.

Figure 2 shows that the handle 1 together with two adjusting screws 4 can be adjusted and locked in distance to the rotary knob 2.

Also shown is the rotary knob 2 which is connected to the pulse generator 3.

Figure 3 shows the position of the hand on the handle 1 and the thumb and index finger on the rotary knob 2. Furthermore, the side of the chassis 5 and the LED chain 7 can be seen.

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Claims (3)

A computer mouse, connected to a computer configuration, for displacing the virtual cursor over the monitor image shadow by moving the mouse over a surface is characterized by a handle (1) to be enclosed with a few fingers and a the turning direction (2) of an incremental parameter (3) placed in front of the handle (1) to be enclosed with the other fingers of the same hand for analogue adjustment of a virtual projected software parameter or software switch selected by the cursor. 10 Computer mouse as in claim 1, characterized in that the handle (1) together with at least one adjusting log (4) is adjustable and lockable in distance from the rotary knob (2). 3. Computer mouse as in claim 1. or 2. which is characterized by an LED chain (7) on at least one side of the computer mouse chassis (6). V O v "" / r