WO2002061673A1

WO2002061673A1 - A computer mouse, a method of monitoring usage of a computer mouse and a method for determining the status of a combined left- and right-handed computer mouse

Info

Publication number: WO2002061673A1
Application number: PCT/DK2002/000078
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ole NØRGÅRD; Sofia Maaloe; Carsten Sletten
Original assignee: Zygnoph Aps
Priority date: 2001-02-02
Filing date: 2002-02-01
Publication date: 2002-08-08

Abstract

A computer pointing device, such as an ambidextrous mouse, for controlling objects on a computer monitor comprises two sets of buttons and means for determining an orientation of the mouse, so as to determine whether the mouse is being operated in a left-hand mode or in a right-hand mode. The mouse is provided with two symmetrical sets of buttons and a geomagnetic sensor for determining the relative orientation of the mouse to the Earth's geomagnetic field. The two sets of buttons are arranged in an opposed fashion, so as to allow for both right-hand and left-hand operating modes. In order to improve ergonomic features, the mouse may provide an alert, e.g. by means of a audible, visible or mechanical alert indicator, such as a vibrator, when the accumulated usage of the mouse in one operating mode, which may be sampled, exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Description

A COMPUTER MOUSE, A METHOD OF MONITORING USAGE OF A COMPUTER MOUSE AND A METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE STATUS OF A COMBINED LEFT-AND RIGHT-HANDED COMPUTER MOUSE.

5 Technical field

The present invention relates to handheld input devices for use with computers, and more particularly to mouse-devices with ergonomic features and methods of utilization.

10 Mouse devices are handheld devices serving as physical input devices for controlling objects, such as pointers, in screen images provided by computer monitors. A typical mouse comprises a plurality of sensors for sensing longitudinal and latitudinal movement, a plurality of finger controlled buttons and a communication interface programmed to communicate with a computer. A sensor for detecting longitudinal or latitudinal movement

15 can be of a "rolling-baH"-type or it may comprise an optical sensor for sensing the movement of a mouse relative to a supporting surface. The buttons may comprise a button providing a so-called "scroll"-function. A communication interface between the mouse and a computer is typically a serial interface, a PS/2-interface, USB-interface, optionally with wireless data communication means.

20

Background of the invention

The use of handheld pointing devices in every-day work is steadily increasing. However, the increasing usage of pointing devices, such as computer mouse devices is also linked to

25 a growth of arm and shoulder damages. These damages are often referred to as Repetitive Strain Injuries (R.S.I.) and occur from repeated physical movements causing damage to tendons, nerves, muscles and other soft body tissues. Such damages result in anchylosis, discomfort, or pain in users' hands, wrists, fingers, forearms, or elbows. The utilization of computers and information technology has changed the nature of office work substantially

30 in the 1990s. Despite the great advances of high technology in the office, the physical working conditions have not changed essentially. Daily toil at a video display terminal is taking a toll on millions of clerical workers, but also intensive gamers and CAD/CAM engineers, causing constant tension in neck and shoulders, disturbing blood circulation in muscles. This results in muscular fatigue and pain. Some of these problems can be derived

35 from the repetitive use of a single hand, e.g. a user's right hand, controlling a computer mouse. Efforts have been made to create mouse devices that can be operated by both hands. The utilization of a computer mouse on both sides of a keyboard requires that a user reconfigures his or her computer system accordingly when a mouse i$ switched from a right-hand to a left-hand operating mode. US patent 5841425 describes an ambidextrous mouse with a set of mouse buttons and sensors for detecting the presence, or lack of presence, of a finger. The mouse is configured for left-handed or right-handed use by a set of instructions deriving from the signals received from the sensors. US patent 5977952 describes a mouse for use on both sides of a computer keyboard, wherein two wireless IR sensors are arranged on respective sides of a computer monitor, the IR sensors communicating with corresponding communication means in the computer mouse. It is thus possible to determine whether the mouse is being used on the right-hand or on the left-hand side of the computer monitor by determining which one of the IR sensors communicate with the mouse. Danish utility model 2000 00144 U3 discloses a pointing device with two sets of buttons arranged at opposite ends of the pointing device. The pointing device is asymmetrical around a longitudinal axis, so as to allow for an ergonomic design of the pointing device, whereas it is symmetrical around a transverse axis, so as to allow a user of the pointing device to switch between a right-hand and a left-hand operating mode by turning the mouse by 180° in a horizontal plane.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer mouse that can be efficiently and rapidly accessed by both left-handed and right-handed users. It is another object of the invention to provide a computer mouse which is easy to handle in the sense that a minimum effort is required by a user of the mouse when switching from a right-hand mode to a left-hand mode and wee versa. It is a further object of the invention to provide an ergonomically designed computer mouse which may be used as a right- and left-handed mouse.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a computer mouse comprising a housing and at least two sets of mouse buttons arranged at opposite ends of the housing, whereby one set of the mouse buttons is for right-handed use and another set of the mouse buttons is for left-handed use. The computer mouse further comprises, within the housing, a processing unit, and a signal generator for generating a signal representative of an orientation of the mouse in relation to its surroundings, whereby the processing unit is programmed to generate a signal from which the orientation of the mouse may be derived.

It should be understood that, in any aspect of the present invention, the mouse defines a length axis, also referred to herein as a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis extending transversely to the length axis. The length axis may be a straight line, or it may be a curved axis, e.g. an axis substantially following a relaxed palm of a user of the mouse. The mouse buttons are arranged at opposite ends of the length axis, so that the orientation of one set of buttons defines, with respect to the other set of buttons, an angle of 90 - 180°, such as 120 - 180°, such as 140 - 180°, such as 160 - 180°. When the mouse is switched from a right-hand mode to a left-hand mode, for example when it is moved from a right- hand side of a computer keyboard to a left-hand side of the keyboard, it is also turned in a horizontal plane, or in any other plane following a surface supporting the mouse, the turning being performed over an angle of 90 - 180°, such as 140 - 180°, such as 160 - 180°.

Thanks to the signal generator which may generate a signal representing the orientation of the mouse, external means which require special care to be taken by an operator of the mouse, e.g., differently colored mouse pads on the right- and left-hand side of a computer keyboard, may be avoided. In other words, the mouse may itself determine whether it is being used by a left-handed or a right-handed user, while an ergonomic design, which is typically non-symmetrical around a longitudinal axis of the mouse, may be provided, due to the fact that the mouse comprises two sets of buttons, which are preferably positioned at opposite ends of the housing.

In any aspect of the present invention, the computer mouse may be of a wireless type, i.e. a mouse which communicates with other hardware, such as a computer by means of wireless communication, such as infrared or radio frequency communication, or it may be a wired mouse which communicates with other hardware through an electrical or optical wire.

In order for the signal generator to produce a signal representative of the relative orientation of the mouse, means for determining the orientation are provided. In one embodiment of the mouse, the signal generator comprises a geomagnetic sensor for generating a signal which depends from the orientation of the mouse. The signal generator may alternatively comprise at least two receivers for receiving a wirelessly transmitted signal from an exterior transmitter, for example a transmitter which is integrated in the computer with which the mouse is being used. The receivers may be arranged at different locations on or in the mouse, whereby the receivers receive a wireless signal with a difference in time. The difference can be measured and used for determining the orientation of the mouse. The wirelessly transmitted signal may, for example, comprise a radio frequency signal and/or an infrared signal. The so-called BlueTooth communication technology may be employed for generating wirelessly transmitted signals.

A plurality of signal generators may be provided, e.g. in order to ensure proper functioning of the mouse if one of the signal generators fail or is disturbed by external impacts, such as local magnetism. A plurality of types of signal generators may be provided, so as to ensure, to the degree possible, that external impacts influencing one of the signal generators do no influence another one of the signal generators.

Alternatively, the signal generator may comprise at least one sensor for sensing when the mouse is engaged by a user's palm. The sensor can be any type of optical sensor, magnetic sensor, electrostatic sensor, thermal sensor, mechanical sensor or any combination of these sensors. An optical sensor can be any type of passive or active sensor. A passive sensor may be a light sensitive optical sensor that determines whether it is covered by a finger/palm or not. An active sensor can be a sensor that identifies the user by his or her fingerprint and configures the mouse accordingly.

The housing of the mouse preferably defines a first direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of an operator's fingers during normal use of the mouse, and a second direction which is transverse to the first direction, and wherein the housing defines a bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface defining an inclination in the second direction in relation to the bottom surface in such a way that the housing is asymmetrical around any axis extending in the first direction, so that an operator's palm follows the inclination during normal use of the computer mouse. The inclination around any axis extending in the first direction is aimed to give a user a natural, i.e. ergonomic, feel when operating the mouse. The inclination may be any inclination between a completely horizontal surface and a completely vertical surface. Any of these two extreme inclinations will cause the user unnecessary strain and weariness, and therefore the mouse is designed with a housing that corresponds to an ergonomic inclination of a users palm. The inclination may be formed as a straight-line inclination, or it may define a convex shape over at least a part of the surface of the housing. The average inclination of the surface is preferably 10 - 60°, such as 20 - 50°, such as 30 - 50°, such as 40 - 45°, such as approximately 45°.

The features and functionalities discussed above in connection with the computer mouse of the first aspect of the invention may also be comprised in and provided by the mouse of the second aspect of the invention.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a computer mouse comprising a housing and at least two sets of mouse buttons arranged at opposite ends of the housing, whereby one set of the mouse buttons is for right-handed use and another set of the mouse buttons is for left-handed use, the computer mouse further comprising a processing unit within the housing, whereby the housing comprises a signal indicator, and wherein the processing unit is programmed to activate the signal indicator when a predetermined condition is fulfilled. Thus, the signal indicator may indicate to a user of the mouse that he or she should switch from a left-hand operating mode to a right-hand operating mode or wee versa. Thereby, it may be ensured that a user is automatically reminded when he or she should change between right- and left-handed operating mode. The predetermined condition may for example be a reached time limit, whereby the signal indicator may provide a signal, e.g., when the mouse has been used in a left-hand operating mode for 1 hour. A predetermined timeframe can be set, prior to use of the mouse, e.g. in a computer program running on the computer with which the mouse is being used, and when the timeframe, or any other predetermined condition is reached, a signal is generated by the signal indicator. A timer may be included in the mouse, or alternatively a timer of the computer with which the mouse is being used may be utilized by a computer-program. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be fulfilled when the accumulated distance traveled by the mouse in a left- or right-hand operating mode since the last change of operating mode has reached a predetermined length, e.g. 10 - 100 m. In this embodiment, means for determining and accumulating the distance traveled by the mouse should be provided. In yet another alternative, a sensor for determining a temperature, e.g. in a surfaced area of the housing near a user's thumb, may be used for indicating when the predetermined condition has been fulfilled, in which case the predetermined condition may be a threshold temperature value. In this embodiment, means for sensing a temperature should be provided. Combinations of the alternative means and procedures for determining when a predetermined condition has been fulfilled may be provided, e.g. a combination of time and distance.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a computer mouse for use with a computer and comprising a housing, a processing unit and memory which is accessible by the processing unit, the processing unit being programmed to sample data representative of usage of the mouse and to store the data in the memory or to transmit the data to the computer. The sampled data can for example be usage time, distance traveled by the mouse, or temperature in a certain area of the housing, as discussed above in connection with the second aspect of the invention. The usage time can in one example be measured as the time, elapsed since the last change between right- and left-handed operating mode, that the mouse is in motion or the total time a set of buttons for right- or left-handed uses have been activated, elapsed since the last change of operating mode. The sampled data is recorded in the mouse or in the computer or in both.

The computer mouse may further comprise processing means, which are programmed to compare a stored set of data with a predetermined set of data, the processing means further being adapted to generate a signal based on a predetermined threshold. The data transmitted to the processing means can be data representing active usage time. When the active usage time corresponds to a predetermined threshold, a signal is generated which indicates to a user of the mouse to switch operating mode. The computer mouse of the third aspect of the invention may incorporate the features and functionalities of the mouse of the second aspect of the invention.

In any aspect of the present invention, the computer mouse may comprise at least one button with an upper surface for activation by finger pressure applied by an operator of the mouse, wherein the upper surface is at least partially recessed in relation to an outer surface of the housing. The upper surface may be at least partially concave. Due to the recessed mouse-buttons in the housing, unintended pressure upon a button may be avoided or at least decreased. Thus, when the mouse comprises two sets of buttons, one at each end of the housing, unintended pressure by a user's hand on that set of buttons which is not located near the user's fingertips, may be avoided. The concave form of the buttons may be adapted to fit a users fingertips, and further serves to avoid unintended pressure to the buttons.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of monitoring usage of a computer mouse, the computer mouse being adapted to co-operate with a computer with a processor and comprising a housing, a processing unit and memory which is accessible by the processing unit, the method comprising the steps of sampling data representative of usage of the mouse by means of the processing unit, transmitting said data to the computer, generating an accumulated usage signal, and generating an alert signal when a predetermined threshold usage has been reached. This method is typically performed during use of a computer mouse according to the third aspect of the invention. For example, when a user is operating the mouse with his right hand, the computer mouse samples data representing the accumulated time wherein the mouse is operated. Said data are transmitted to a receiving processor in the computer. The receiving processor continuously compares the data with a stored set of data. When the comparison between the two sets of data equals a predetermined condition, an alert signal is generated. The alert signal can be any signal that makes a user aware of an alert, as describe above in connection with the first and second aspects of the invention.

The step of generating the accumulated signal can be performed by the processing unit of the mouse, or by the processor of the computer.

The alert signal may be generated by the processing unit of the mouse and may be transmitted to trigger an alert indicator of the computer, the alert indicator comprising a visual alert on a monitor of the computer and/or an audible signal emitted from the computer. Such a visual alert can be a pop-up window alerting the user, or any other visual alert that prompts the user for attention. A visual alert can be enhanced with an audible signal, such as a tone, a melody or any other sound. The audible alert can also be a stand-alone alert indicator. The alert may originate from the computer, or from appropriate hardware provided in the housing of the mouse. In case the alert indicator is provided in the mouse, it may comprise a mechanical indicator, a visual indicator and/or an audible indicator. The mechanical indicator may be a vibrator of the type used in mobile telephones for generating a silent call indicator.

When the orientation of the mouse changes, e.g. when a user of the mouse switches between a left-hand and a right-hand operating mode, the processing unit of the mouse or the processing unit of the computer may register the change of orientation, and wherein the accumulated usage signal may be reset upon the change of orientation of the mouse.

In a fifth aspect the invention provides a method for determining the status of a combined left- and right-handed computer mouse, the computer mouse comprising a housing and at least two sets of mouse buttons arranged at opposite ends of the housing, whereby one set of the mouse buttons is for right-handed use and another set of the mouse buttons is for left-handed use, the computer mouse further comprising a processing unit within the housing, the method comprising the steps of: - generating a signal representative of an orientation of the mouse in relation to its surroundings, and in that - generating, by means of the processing unit, a signal from which the orientation of the mouse may be derived.

The signal representative of the orientation of the mouse may be processed in the processing unit of the mouse or in a processor of the computer with which the mouse is being used. It may for example originate from a geomagnetic sensor, or any other appropriate means as discussed above in connection with the first aspect of the invention.

This method is suitable to a mouse according to any of the above first, second and third aspects of the invention. In particular, the features and functionalities discussed in connection with the first aspect of the invention may be incorporated in the method of the fifth aspect of the invention.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a method for reminding a user of a left- and right- handed computer mouse to switch between a left- and a right-hand operating mode of the mouse, the mouse comprising a housing, a signal indicator, and at least two sets of mouse buttons arranged at opposite ends of the housing, whereby one set of the mouse buttons is for right-handed use and another set of the mouse buttons is for left-handed use, the computer mouse further comprising a processing unit within the housing, the method comprising the step of activating the signal indicator when a predetermined condition is fulfilled. The method may further comprise any feature or functionality described above in connection with the third and fourth aspects of the invention.

In independent aspects, the invention also provides computer program products for performing the steps of the methods of the present invention. The computer program products may be adapted to be executed in a processing unit of a mouse, or they may be adapted to be executed in a processor of a computer with which the mouse is to be used. A combination of execution in the processing unit of a mouse and in a processor of a computer is also possible. The invention also provides a computer readable data carrier loaded with such one or more computer program products. The data carrier may, e.g., comprise a memory, such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a CompactFlash Card, a MemoryStick Card, a floppy or a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a DVD, a data tape, or a DAT tape.

The invention also provides a system comprising a computer and a computer mouse according to any of the first, second and third aspects of the invention. The system may comprise a processor which is programmed to perform at least one of the following actions:

- communicate with the processing unit of the mouse, so as to receive a signal representative of the orientation of the mouse,

- register accumulated usage, and providing an alert when a predetermined threshold of the accumulated usage is reached.

The system may also incorporate a communication device with a communication signal processor, the communication device being connected to the computer and the computer mouse and being programmed to receive signals from the mouse and to forward said signals to the computer. The communication device may for example comprise a radio frequency (RF) box, such as a BlueTooth box, an optical infrared (IR) box, or any other suitable standard component.

The communication signal processor may be programmed to perform at least one of the following actions: - sampling data representative of usage of the mouse and optionally transmitting said data to the computer,

- generating an accumulated usage signal, and optionally generating an alert signal when a predetermined threshold usage has been reached, and optionally transmitting the accumulated usage signal to the computer, - communicate with the processing unit of the mouse, so as to receive a signal representative of the orientation of the mouse, as discussed in detail above in connection with the other aspects of the present invention.

The communication device may comprise a radio frequency transmitter or an optical signal transmitter for transmitting data to and/or from the computer and/or the computer mouse. The radio frequency transmitter may for example be based on BlueTooth technology.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG 1(a) and FIG 1(b) are diagrams illustrating the computer mouse with two sets of mouse buttons, placed on a mouse mat, to the left and right respectively of a typical computer system,

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the mouse with two sets of mouse buttons for left-hand and right-hand use respectively,

FIG. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the mouse in another design with two sets of multi-function mouse buttons and a visible electronic geomagnetic compass display,

FIG. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention using the same mouse design as FIG. 3(a) but without the visible geomagnetic compass display,

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the mouse with the two sets of mouse buttons combined visibly into one set of longitudinal mouse buttons,

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3(b) operated using the left hand,

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3(b) operated using the right hand,

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the principle of concave, recessed, finger shaped mouse buttons,

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a typical computer in conjunction with which a computer mouse according to the present invention is utilised,

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram illustrative of steps utilised to carry out the preferred embodiment of the methods of the present invention. Detailed description of the drawings

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are specific preferred embodiments in which the inventions may be practised. It should be understood that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is; therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to Fig.1(a), the computer mouse 1 is placed on a mouse mat 2 on a tabletop 3 of which only a part is shown. In Fig.1(a) the mouse is placed to the left of a typical computer system 4 for left-hand use. The computer 4 comprises a computer monitor 5, a cabinet 7 which contains the suitable computer hardware amongst other a motherboard, CPU and memory, as well as a suitable data storage device such as a hard-disk and a CD- ROM drive for loading software onto the computer hard-disk. A keyboard 8 is shown placed on the tabletop 3 in front of the computer. In Fig.1(b) the mouse 1 is placed to the right of the computer 4 for right-hand use.

Referring now to Fig.2, a diagram of one embodiment of a computer mouse according to the invention is shown. The mouse 1 has two sets of mouse buttons mounted on the mouse housing 14, one set for right-hand use 12 and one set for left-hand use 13. When using the mouse 1 with the left hand, the operator activates the mouse buttons 12a and 12b with left-hand fingers, and when operating the mouse 1 with the right hand, the operator activates the mouse buttons 13a and 13b using the right-hand fingers. The mouse 1 is not shown with further mouse buttons or mouse controls, such as a scroll button, to be operated using the index finger or any other preferred finger, but can within the scope of this invention comprise such further mouse buttons and mouse controls. Inside the mouse housing 14 the mouse comprises (not shown) digital components, mouse button mechanics, transmitter and receiver for wireless communication with the computer and a device for detecting the current orientation of the mouse 1. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a digital system, including an electronic compass, embedded within the housing of the mouse 1 is used to determine the orientation of the mouse 1 relative to the geomagnetic field of the Earth or relative to another magnetic field.

Referring now to Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b), diagrams of a mouse 15 showing another embodiment of the invention with two sets of three mouse buttons for right-hand use and left-hand use, 16 and 17, respectively. The right-hand button set comprises three mouse buttons, 16a, 16b and 16c, and the left-hand button set comprises three mouse buttons, 17a, 17b and 17c. Furthermore, a thumb mouse button 18 which is positioned on and extends along the side of the mouse, allowing both left-hand and right-hand use. Further mouse buttons and mouse controls (not shown) may be comprised in the mouse 15. In Fig. 3(a) the mouse 15 is shown with a visible geomagnetic compass display 19 indicating the relative orientation of the mouse 15 to the geomagnetic northpole. In Fig. 3(b), the same mouse 15 is shown without the visible geomagnetic compass display. In this embodiment the mouse 15 has an ergonomic shape that is shaped to allow a natural and relaxed grip on the mouse 1 whether operated by a left hand or a right hand. The surface of the mouse 1 housing is shaped to support the curves of a right-hand of a user for operation of the first set of buttons 16 and a left-hand for operation of the second set of buttons 17.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show diagrams of yet another embodiment of the invention. A mouse 25 can be operated using the left hand 26, as shown in Fig. 5, and the right hand 27, as shown in Fig. 6. The mouse 25 has four mouse buttons 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d of which one or more, for example one of the middle buttons 28b, is programmable. A thumb activated mouse button 28d may be a scroll button or a regular mouse button. Although only one set of mouse buttons 28 are visible on the mouse 25 in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the mouse 25 may be designed with two sets of mouse buttons as described in Fig. 2, Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b.

Fig. 7 shows a diagram illustrating the principle of mouse buttons 29 in a preferred embodiment, where the mouse buttons 29 are recessed relative to the mouse housing surface. The surface of the mouse buttons 29 are concave and shaped to accommodate the shape of an operators fingers and finger tips 30 in order to assist the operator in having a relaxed yet precise grip of the mouse and mouse buttons 29.

Fig. 8, shows a block diagram of a typical computer 31 in conjunction with which a mouse according to the invention may be utilised. The computer 31 includes a processor 32, which is operatively coupled to random-access memory (RAM) 33, read-only memory (ROM) 34, an internal storage device 35 such as a hard disk and one or more input-output devices 36 such as a floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM. In Fig. 8 the computer 31 is connected to a monitor such as a Cathode Ray Tube display 38, a keyboard 39 and a computer mouse 40. Other peripheral devices (not shown) such as printers and other input-output devices may be connected to the computer. The computer mouse 40 is connected to the computer 31 using a typical wireless connection system, such as the emerging international commercial standard BlueTooth or similar wireless systems, which comprise a radio transmitter and receiver 37 in the computer and a radio transmitter and receiver 46 in the mouse 40. The mouse 40 is a typical digital computer mouse, such as a so-called optical mouse, which consists of usual mechanical (not shown) and electronic digital mouse components such as a Computer Processor (CPU) 41, which is operatively couple to random-access memory (RAM) 42, programmable read-only memory (PROM) 43, e.g. an electrical erasable version of the PROM (EEPROM), a multi-function mouse function controller unit 44, for controlling the various mouse functions such as detecting mouse movement and mouse button activation and controlling the wireless communication system 46 for sending data to and receiving data from the computer.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the mouse 40 has been enhanced with several electronic components and modules, and the mouse ROM 43 has been loaded with computer algorithms defined by series of computer executable instructions, hereafter called software programs, for carrying out the functions and methods of the invention. One of these enhancements is the mouse orientation detector 45 module, which detects the orientation of the mouse. In the preferred embodiment, the orientation of the mouse is determined relative to a magnetic field (not shown), e.g. the Earth's geomagnetic field (not shown). The orientation detector may in a preferred embodiment of the invention be constructed using a system of electronic Wheatstone bridges such as described in Philips Semiconductors Application Note, AN00022 of 30 March 2000: "Electronic Compass Design Using KMZ51 and KMZ52" (38 pages, author Thomas Storck, Philips Semiconductors, Systems Laboratory Hamburg, Germany). The design described in said document enables the orientation of the mouse to be known in a digital form, which is directly available for computer manipulation. The KMZ51 and KMZ52 components from Philips Semiconductors are magnetic field sensors, dedicated to compass applications. Both sensors rely on the magnetoresistive effect and provide the required sensitivity and linearity to measure the weak magnetic field of the Earth. While the KMZ51 is a single axis field sensor, the KMZ52 comprises a two-dimensional field sensor, as it is required for a compass, within one package. Both devices are equipped with integrated set/reset and compensation coils. These coils allow applying the flipping technique for offset cancellation and the electromagnetic feedback technique for elimination of the sensitivity drift with temperature. Besides the sensor elements, a signal conditioning unit and an orientation determination unit are required to build up an electronic compass. The main functions of the signal-conditioning unit are amplification of the sensor signals and offset compensation. For high-resolution systems, also the temperature drift of sensitivity should be compensated. Both compensation techniques can be implemented simply by controlling the integrated set/reset and compensation coils of the KMZ51 and KMZ52. In the orientation determination unit, the azimuth is derived as the desired compass output quantity. The said paper shows how to realise signal conditioning and orientation determination in conjunction with KMZ51 or KMZ52. In addition, calibration techniques with respect to interference fields, declination and tilt are pointed out. Finally the said paper documents the required system accuracy and gives complete examples of electronic compass system designs.

Referring still to Fig. 8, the mouse signal emitter module 47 is used to alert the operator, when one or more pre-determined conditions apply, which initially triggers an alert status in the software, which then sets off the alert using the signal emitter module 47. The signal emitter itself is a light emitting diode (LED), a magnetic or piezo ceramic beeper, or in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a buzzer or a vibrator unit, e.g. of the kind also found in pagers and mobile telephones.

Referring now to Fig. 9, which depicts a flow diagram illustrative of steps that can be utilised to carry out the methods of the present invention. As illustrated at block 48, the process 64, illustrated in Fig. 9 is initiated at power-on of the computer and mouse system. As described at block 49 a test is performed to determine whether there is new information for the process 64 that requires the various parameters of the process to be updated. This could be the case after running and interacting with the e-learning software 60, which analyses the mouse usage and gives advice according to ergonomic research on repetitive work with tools such as a computer mouse. The new parameters are set, or the process continues directly to set the start time as described by block 51. In the present embodiment, the start time of mouse usage is an essential parameter for deciding when to change the hand that operates the mouse from left to right and wee versa. As described by block 52 the orientation of the mouse is determined in order to continuously monitor and evaluate whether the operator is using the mouse with the right hand or with the left hand. When the mouse is used for the first time at a given location, the right-hand and left-hand use is detected as described by block 53. Which hand is used could for example be determined by which set of the two sets of mouse buttons are being operated with the determined orientation of the mouse and the right-hand or left-hand usage state set accordingly as described at block 54. If this is not the first time that the mouse is being used at this location, then the orientation values associated with the right-hand or left- hand mode that was determined at the last usage will be used as default unless conflicting information is detected by the process at this stage. The process then enters the work loop of the mouse operation with the conditional branch described at block 55. This loop is carried out as part of the mouse driver loop and is thus carried out at least one time per mouse usage, where mouse usage is defined as a mouse button activation or moving of the mouse. The process performs a test 55 to determine whether the operator has been using e.g. the right hand so much that it is time to change to the left hand, or, if the mouse is in the left-hand usage mode, the left hand so much that it is time to change to the right hand. This test 55 is performed on several parameters representing the mouse usage as recorded by the process at block 63, such as data representing time, number of mouse button activations (mouse clicks), number of rapidly repeated double activations of the mouse (double clicks), the distance the mouse has travelled and other relevant usage data. If the test 55 determines that it is not time to change hands, the process continues normally as described at block 58. If the test 55 determines that it is time to change hands, an alert state is triggered, and an alert is emitted 56 to the operator. A test 57 is then performed to determine whether the mouse has been in use for a sufficiently long period of time in order to give more sophisticated advice on how to improve mouse usage based on the recorded mouse usage data 63. If the test determines that it is time to give further advice the process continues with initiating an e-learning software package as described by block 60. The e-learning software 60 will load the data recorded over time at 63 and analyse it in order to give personalised advice to the operator. If the test 57 determines that it is not time for giving further advice, and this will be true in most cases, the process continues with the conditional branch described by block 58, which performs a test to determine if a significant change of the mouse orientation has occurred. A significant change is defined in the process as a change of mouse orientation that indicates that the operator has turned the mouse from right-hand use to left-hand use or from left- hand use to right-hand use. Due to the mouse design with right-hand mouse buttons at one end of the mouse, and left-hand mouse buttons at the other end of the mouse, the mouse will be turned significantly and almost to the opposite direction when switching between right-hand and left-hand use, and wee versa. The test 58 therefore tests whether the mouse has changed orientation to the opposite direction plus/minus a margin angle which is determined as part of the initial set-up procedure 50. If the test 58 determines that the orientation has not changed, the process continues with normal use as described at block 61 and then records the present usage, e.g. a mouse button activation or movement with the mouse 63 before continuing in the loop to the conditional branch described at block 55. If the test 58 determines that a significant change in the orientation of the mouse has occurred indicating a change from left-hand usage to right-hand usage, or a change from right-hand usage to left-hand usage, the timer process that is timing same-hand usage is reset 59 and other parameters, as determined by the process, are also reset 59. The mouse status is then changed from left hand to right hand, or from right hand to left hand as appropriate 62 before the process continues with normal mouse use as described at block 61.

The software process 64 described as part of the preferred embodiment of the invention, in the processes depicted in Fig. 9, as well as other software that may be used to implement the methods and the system of the invention, may be executed fully or partly on the mouse hardware, and/or fully or partly on the computer hardware, or in any combination hereof. Likewise the data sampling, the data analysis, the alerts and the advice may be implemented to be given fully or partly implemented using the mouse hardware, and or fully or partly implemented using the computer hardware, and in any combination hereof.

The software process 64 may be stored in a computer readable form on a portable data media such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) for loading onto a computer system and, via the computer, to the memory of the computer mouse.

Claims

1. A computer mouse comprising a housing and at least two sets of mouse buttons arranged at opposite ends of the housing, whereby one set of the mouse buttons is for right-handed use and another set of the mouse buttons is for left-handed use, the computer mouse further comprising a processing unit within the housing, characterized in that the mouse further comprises, within the housing:

- a signal generator for generating a signal representative of an orientation of the mouse in relation to its surroundings, and in that - the processing unit is programmed to generate a signal from which the orientation of the mouse may be derived.

2. A computer mouse according to claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises a geomagnetic sensor for generating a signal which depends from the orientation of the mouse.

3. A computer mouse according to claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises at least two receivers for receiving a wirelessly transmitted signal from an exterior transmitter.

4. A computer mouse according to claim 3, wherein the wirelessly transmitted signal comprises at least one of:

- a radio frequency signal,

- an infrared signal.

5. A computer mouse according to claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises at least one sensor for sensing when the mouse is engaged by a users palm.

6. A computer mouse according to claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of:

- optical sensor, - magnetic sensor,

- electrostatic sensor,

- thermal sensor,

- mechanical sensor.

7. A computer mouse according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a first direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of an operator's fingers during normal use of the mouse, and a second direction which is transverse to the first direction, and wherein the housing defines a bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface defining an inclination in the second direction in relation to the bottom surface in such a way that the housing is asymmetrical around any axis extending in the first direction, so that an operator's palm follows the inclination during normal use of the computer mouse.

8. A computer mouse comprising a housing and at least two sets of mouse buttons arranged at opposite ends of the housing, whereby one set of the mouse buttons is for right-handed use and another set of the mouse buttons is for left-handed use, the computer mouse further comprising a processing unit within the housing, characterized in that the housing comprises a signal indicator, and that the processing unit is programmed to activate the signal indicator when a predetermined condition is fulfilled.

9. A computer mouse for use with a computer and comprising a housing, a processing unit and memory which is accessible by the processing unit, characterized in that the processing unit is programmed to sample data representative of usage of the mouse and to store the data in the memory or to transmit the data to the computer.

10. A computer mouse according to claim 9, comprising processing means, wherein the processing means are programmed to compare a stored set of data with a predetermined set of data, the processing means further being adapted to generate a signal based on a predetermined threshold.

11. A computer mouse according to any of claims 1-10, comprising at least one button with an upper surface for activation by finger pressure applied by an operator of the mouse, wherein the upper surface is at least partially recessed in relation to an outer surface of the housing.

12. A computer mouse according to any of claims 1-10, comprising at least one button with an upper surface for activation by finger pressure applied by an operator of the mouse, wherein the upper surface is at least partially concave.

13. A method of monitoring usage of a computer mouse, the computer mouse being adapted to co-operate with a computer with a processor and comprising a housing, a processing unit and memory which is accessible by the processing unit, the method comprising the steps of: - sampling data representative of usage of the mouse by means of the processing unit,

- transmitting said data to the computer,

- generating an accumulated usage signal, and generating an alert signal when a predetermined threshold usage has been reached.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the step of generating the accumulated signal is performed by the processing unit of the mouse.

15. A method of monitoring usage of a computer mouse according to claim 13, wherein the 5 step of generating the accumulated signal is performed by the processor of the computer.

16. A method according to any of claims 13-15, wherein the alert signal is generated by the processing unit of the mouse and is transmitted to trigger an alert indicator of the computer, the alert indicator comprising at least one of:

10 - a visual alert on a monitor of the computer,

- an audible signal emitted from the computer.

17. A method according to any of claims 13-16, wherein the alert signal is generated by a processor of the computer and is transmitted to trigger an alert indicator comprised in the

15 mouse, the alert indicator comprising at least one of:

- a mechanical indicator,

- a visual indicator,

- an audible indicator.

20 18. A method according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the processing unit of the mouse registers a change of orientation of the mouse, and wherein the accumulated usage signal is reset upon the change of orientation of the mouse.

19. A method according to claim 13, wherein the processor of the computer registers a 25 change of orientation of the mouse and the accumulated usage signal is reset upon the change of orientation of the mouse.

20. A method for determining the status of a combined left- and right-handed computer mouse, the computer mouse comprising a housing and at least two sets of mouse buttons

30 arranged at opposite ends of the housing, whereby one set of the mouse buttons is for right-handed use and another set of the mouse buttons is for left-handed use, the computer mouse further comprising a processing unit within the housing, the method comprising the steps of:

- generating a signal representative of an orientation of the mouse in relation to its 35 surroundings, and in that

- generating, by means of the processing unit, a signal from which the orientation of the mouse may be derived.

21. A method for reminding a user of a left- and right-handed computer mouse to switch between a left- and a right-hand operating mode of the mouse, the mouse comprising a housing, a signal indicator, and at least two sets of mouse buttons arranged at opposite ends of the housing, whereby one set of the mouse buttons is for right-handed use and

5 another set of the mouse buttons is for left-handed use, the computer mouse further comprising a processing unit within the housing, the method comprising the step of activating the signal indicator when a predetermined condition is fulfilled.

22. A system comprising a computer and a computer mouse according to any of claims 1- 10 12.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the system comprises a processor which is programmed to perform at least one of the following actions:

- communicate with the processing unit of the mouse, so as to receive a signal 15 representative of the orientation of the mouse,

24. A system according to claim 22 or 23, further comprising a communication device with 20 a communication signal processor, the communication device being connected to the computer and the computer mouse and being programmed to receive signals from the mouse and to forward said signals to the computer.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein the communication signal processor is 25 programmed to perform at least one of the following actions:

- sampling data representative of usage of the mouse and optionally transmitting said data to the computer,

- generating an accumulated usage signal, and optionally generating an alert signal when a predetermined threshold usage has been reached, and optionally transmitting

30 the accumulated usage signal to the computer,

- communicate with the processing unit of the mouse, so as to receive a signal representative of the orientation of the mouse.

26. A system according to any of claims 24-25, wherein the communication device

35 comprises a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting data to and/or from the computer and/or the computer mouse.

27. A system according to any of claims 24-25, wherein the communication device comprises an optical signal transmitter for transmitting data to and/or from the computer and/or the computer mouse.

28. A computer program product comprising means for performing the steps of any of claims 13-21.

29. A computer readable data carrier loaded with a computer program product according to claim 28.