DE202019103171U1 - Computer Input Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer input device (10) comprising a motion sensor for detecting the direction and velocity of axial and lateral movements of the computer input device (10), a set of information input controls, an interface for transmitting input information to a computer, and a housing the bottom of which is adapted to slide over a guide surface, the housing having a head portion (12) and a support portion (14) adapted to support at least a portion of a user's hand extending from a portion at the apex of the head portion (12). extends arcuately, so that the foot (141) of the support region (14), when the computer input device (10) is used correctly, faces the guide surface, characterized in that the apex of the head region (12) has a first burr extending from distal to proximal (FIG. 16), the first flank (161) has a horizontally extending, recessed thumb rest surface (20) and its second flank (162) have two horizontally extending, vertically adjacent and by a smaller, second ridge (18) separated, recessed pointing (22) and middle finger support surfaces (24), at the distal ends one each Button (221, 241) is arranged, has.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a computer input device comprising a motion sensor for detecting the direction and speed of axial and lateral movements of the computer input device, a set of control elements for inputting information, an interface for transmitting input information to a computer and a housing, the Bottom is adapted to slide over a guide surface, wherein the housing has a head portion and a support for supporting at least a part of a user's suitable support portion which extends arcuately starting from a portion at the apex of the head portion, so that the foot of the support portion when used as intended of the computer input device to the guide surface points.

State of the art

Such computer input devices are known from the US 6,921,054 B2 ,

Many computer programs are operated via point-and-click control. To do this, the user points to specific areas of a graphical user interface using a computer-generated mouse pointer, typically a computer mouse, and then presses a button on the computer's input device, triggering a predefined action. To move the pointer, the user guides the computer input device over a guide surface, and a motion sensor of the computer input device detects the direction and speed of axial and lateral movements of the device. The information about the movements of the computer input device is communicated to a computer and converted there into corresponding movements of the pointer displayed on the computer screen.

When operating a conventional computer mouse, the user's hand lies on the housing of the computer mouse with the palm of the hand facing upwards. In a natural hand position, however, the little finger and hand edge are on the guide surface of the computer mouse, while the thumb and forefinger are pointing upwards.

To make the operation of a computer more user-friendly, various types of computer mice have been developed, in particular ergonomic computer mice. In these, the outer surface of the housing is contoured to bring the user's hand when operating the computer mouse in an ergonomic position. Because the continued use of a computer mouse can trigger user pain in the wrist, fingers, elbow and / or shoulder due to a prolonged posture of the hand in an unnatural position. These forms of stress are called Repetitive Strain Injury Syndrome. The aim of the development of ergonomic computer mice is to allow a relieving, natural hand position when using a computer mouse.

From the aforementioned generic document, for example, a computer mouse with a palm rest is known, which comprises a head portion which is formed like a conventional computer mouse, and a support area for a user's palm of a hand, which, starting from a portion at the apex of the head area, arcuate extends so that the foot of the support area rests on the guide surface when the computer mouse is used as intended. When operating the computer mouse, the user can place his hand on the computer mouse so that the palm is positioned above the guide surface on which the computer mouse moves. This is to relieve the wrist of the user, as it must be less angled upwards than when using a standard computer mouse. The disadvantage here is that the back of the user's hand when using the mouse shows up, which corresponds to an unnatural hand position must be rotated in the hand and forearm of the user to the body.

From the US 5,355,147 For example, an ergonomic computer mouse with an elliptical housing that extends substantially orthogonally is known. The elliptical housing has a central, elliptical opening for reaching through the four fingers of a user's hand. Laterally of the elliptical housing, a support leg is arranged, which creates a concave surface for supporting the wrist of the user. The disadvantage of such a housing shape is that the wrist of the user does not rest together with the forearm on the guide surface, but is supported on the support leg in an elevated position. As a result, the wrist experiences a higher load and it can lead to pressure points.

Another alternative form for a computer mouse is the vertical mouse, in which the keys are arranged vertically. This allows a natural arm posture in the operation of the computer mouse, in which the user's hand rests with the hand edge on the guide surface, so that the user's hand and forearm must not be twisted towards the body. The disadvantage is that the vertical mouse is clamped between thumb and finger of the user's hand. The thumb serves as an abutment, which makes it more heavily loaded.

task

It is therefore the object of the present invention to design a computer input device of the type described in such a way that it allows handling with a natural hand position.

Presentation of the invention

This object is achieved in conjunction with the features of the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the apex of the head portion has a first ridge extending from distal to proximal, the first flank of which has a horizontally extending, recessed thumb rest surface and the second flank of which extends horizontally, vertically adjacent and separated by a smaller, second ridge, recessed index and middle finger support surfaces, at the distal ends of each key is arranged has.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

It is the basic idea of the present invention to adapt the housing of a computer input device according to the invention to the anatomy of a user's hand such that, when the computer input device is used as intended, the thumb of the user's hand penetrates the recess of the first flank and the index and middle fingers into the recesses nestle on the second flank, so that the keys with the fingertips of the index and / or middle finger are actuated and the computer input device between the thumb on the one hand and index and middle finger on the other hand in the axial and lateral direction is feasible while the hand on the guide surface for the computer input device is supported over the edge of the hand and the little finger which, together with the ring finger, bends towards the palm of the hand and pass under the support area of the housing while the part of the hand rests on the support area of the housing between thumb and forefinger. The ergonomic advantages result from the fact that the wrist when using the computer input device relaxed on the guide surface, preferably a tabletop, can remain lying while index and middle finger in a relaxed posture appropriately arranged keys can operate. In this way, fatigue of the hand and pain are avoided even with continued use of the computer input device according to the invention.

In a further development of the invention, a further finger control element is arranged on the second ridge. The arrangement of a further finger control element on the second ridge between the mutually vertically adjacent keys allows easy operation of the other finger control element with the index or middle finger, without the user having to change the attitude of his hand.

Preferably, the finger control element is designed as a mouse wheel. Particularly preferably, the mouse wheel is also designed as a button. The formation of the further finger control element as a mouse wheel, which is preferably also designed as a button, the user of a conventional three-button mouse is known, which facilitates the transition from a commercially available three-button mouse to a computer input device according to the invention.

Additionally or alternatively, a thumb control element can be arranged in the region of the thumb support surface. A user's thumb has sufficient freedom of movement on the thumb rest surface to operate a thumb control.

According to the invention, the thumb control element can be designed as a mouse wheel, a joystick, a touchpad or a trackball. The operation of a mouse wheel with the thumb is preferred by some users over the operation with the index or middle finger. If the thumb control element is designed as a joystick, a touchpad or a trackball, the user can decide himself whether he wants to move the mouse pointer with the thumb control while the wrist rests on the table top, or if he moves the mouse pointer between the thumb through the guidance of the device housing On the other hand, and the index and middle finger on the other hand wants to move over a guide surface.

In addition, the support region of the housing further depressions for supporting a ring finger and / or a small finger have. This has the advantage that these two fingers can ergonomically nestle against the housing.

It is preferably provided that the thumb rest surface has grooves. Alternatively or additionally, the index and middle finger support surfaces may have grooves. The grooves are intended to prevent the thumb and / or index and middle fingers from slipping off the corresponding bearing surfaces when using the computer input device.

Also, the support portion may have grooves to slippage of the part of the hand between thumb and forefinger, which rests on the support portion of the housing, and / or the ring finger and little finger, which bend together towards the palm of the hand and reach under the support area of the housing to prevent.

In a further development of the invention, the support region is pivotable in the vertical direction and can be locked in different adjustment positions. Alternatively, the support area can be pivotable and steplessly lockable in the vertical direction. The variable between the underside of the support area and the guide surface of the computer input device by the vertical pivotability and detectability of the support area allows comfortable handling of the computer input device especially for those users in which the ring finger and the little finger are too large to Attempt to grab a natural hand position under the support area when the foot of the support area rests on the guide surface. The detectability of the support area in different setting positions or, more preferably, the stepless lockability allows the user to adapt the support area to his own hand anatomy. The term "detectability" here does not imply the need for a special, active action necessary for detection. Embodiments in which the support area remains in its adjusted position in the absence of the usual actuating forces significantly superior restoring forces are to be understood as "detectable" in the local sense.

According to the invention, the computer input device may comprise a solid base body comprising the support area and the foot of the head area, as well as at least two interchangeable modules for the first flank with their respective functional elements on the one hand and the second flank with their respective functional elements on the other hand. On the one hand, the computer input device can be adapted to the handedness of the user by exchanging the positions of the first and second module. On the other hand, the modular design of the head area allows the replacement of a module against another module with other functional elements, such as the replacement of a module with a simple thumb pad against one with a trackball in the area of the thumb pad.

In addition, the computer input device may be provided with a slidable base surface which is fixed or fixable on the bottom surface of the head region and, when used as intended, extends over the guide surface in the direction of the foot of the support region. The footprint contributes to comfortable handling of the computer input device as it prevents direct contact of the user's hand and small finger with the guide surface so that they do not rub over the guide surface when using the computer input device. For users with different sized hands, the base can be made in different sizes.

Preferably, the orientation of the motion sensor of the computer input device is mechanically adjustable relative to the device housing. In a commercially available computer mouse, the motion sensor occupies a fixed position within the housing, with the movements of the computer mouse associated with those of the pointer on a computer screen so that axial and lateral movements of the computer mouse over the guide surface in vertical and horizontal movements of the pointer on the computer Computer screen result. Movements of the computer mouse in other directions are translated into corresponding, oblique movements of the pointer. In the computer input device according to the invention it is provided that the user can adjust this basic setting of the orientation of the motion sensor in relation to the housing before using the computer input device, if he prefers a different link between the movement of the computer input device and the pointer, for example Axial movement of the computer input device away from the user's body, with the computer input device rotated ten degrees counterclockwise, results in a vertical upward movement of the pointer on the computer screen.

The computer input device according to the invention can be designed either for right-handed or left-handed people.

The motion sensor of the computer input device is preferably designed as an optical, particularly preferably as a laser-optical sensor. Alternatively, the motion sensor may be formed opto-mechanically.

The transmission of the input information to a computer can be done either via a cable or wirelessly.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specific description and the drawings.

list of figures

• 1: eine perspektivische Darstellung des Computer-Eingabegeräts;
• 2: eine Seitenansicht des Computer-Eingabegeräts von 1 mit Blick auf die zweite Flanke des ersten Grats;
• 3: eine Seitenansicht des Computer-Eingabegeräts von 1 mit Blick auf die erste Flanke des ersten Grats;
• 4: eine perspektivische Darstellung des Basiskörpers mit einer gleitfähigen Grundfläche;
• 5: eine perspektivische Darstellung des Computer-Eingabegeräts mit Blick auf die Unterseite der gleitfähigen Grundfläche.

Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of the computer input device;
• 2 : A side view of the computer input device of 1 looking at the second flank of the first ridge;
• 3 : A side view of the computer input device of 1 looking at the first flank of the first ridge;
• 4 a perspective view of the base body with a slidable base surface;
• 5 : A perspective view of the computer input device looking at the bottom of the sliding base.

Description of preferred embodiments

Like reference numerals in the figures indicate like or analogous elements.

A synopsis of 1 to 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a computer input device according to the invention from different perspectives.

The case of the computer input device 10 includes a head area 12 and a curved support area 14 that extends from a section at the top of the head area 12 , extends arcuately, leaving the foot 141 of the support area 14 when using the computer input device as intended 10 points to an area on which the computer input device 10 is guided, or rests on it.
The apex of the head area 12 has a first ridge extending from distal to proximal 16 on, its first flank 161 a horizontally extending, recessed thumb rest area 20 and its second flank 162 two horizontally extending, vertically adjacent, recessed pointing 22 and middle finger pads 24 having. At the distal ends of the index 22 and middle finger pads 24 is ever a button 221 . 241 arranged. The pointing 22 and the middle finger pad 24 are by a smaller, second ridge 18 separated from each other. On the second ridge 18 is another finger control 222 , in particular a mouse wheel, arranged. It is preferably provided that the mouse wheel 222 at the same time designed as a button.

When used as intended by the computer input device 10 A user's hand is supported on the guide surface for the computer input device 10 over the hand edge and the little finger off. The thumb lies on the thumb rest area 20 on while the index finger on the index finger pad 22 and the middle finger on the middle finger pad 24 are positioned. The part of the hand between thumb and forefinger lies on the support area 14 of the housing. At the same time the ring finger bends together with the little finger in the direction of the palm and both grip under the support area 14 of the housing. Such a hand position allows a relaxed, comfortable operation of the computer input device 10 , The computer input device 10 can be performed between thumb on the one hand and index and middle finger on the other hand in the axial and lateral direction. The top, first button 221 can easily be reached by the index finger and operated with this. Analogously, the lower, second button 241 easily reached by the middle finger and served with this. That between the two buttons 221 . 241 on a second ridge 18 arranged mouse wheel 222 can be operated either by index or middle finger.

Optionally, in the area of the thumb rest area 20 a thumb control element may be arranged (not shown here). The thumb control element may be configured as a mouse wheel, a joystick, a touchpad or a trackball.

Also optional is the support area 14 have further depressions for supporting a ring finger and / or a small finger (not shown here).

Further preferred may be on the dark gray illustrated housing surfaces, ie on the thumb rest surface 20 , at the index 22 and middle finger pads 24 and / or at the support area 14 , Grooves are provided, which prevent the user's hand from slipping when operating the computer input device 10 should prevent.

In addition, the support area 14 be pivoted in the vertical direction and in different adjustment positions or, preferably, be continuously adjustable (not shown here).

At an in 4 illustrated embodiment of the invention includes the computer input device 10 a solid base body 26 which in turn is the support area 14 and the foot 121 of the head area 12 includes. The base body 26 In addition, more parts of the header area 12 include, for example, the support area 14 facing side wall of the head area, the first ridge 16 and a central pier. Interchangeable modules for the first 161 and second flank 162 with various functional elements complete the base body 26 to a fully functional computer input device 10 , By positioning the modules, the computer input device can 10 adapted to the handedness of the user and the user can choose from a set of different functional elements matching him.

Furthermore, the computer input device 10 , as in 4 shown a slippery base 28 that are on the bottom surface of the head area 12 fixed or fixable and when used properly on the guide surface in the direction of the foot 141 of the support area 14 extends. The base area 28 , which can be made in various sizes, prevents the direct contact of the user's hand and small finger with the guide surface, thus facilitating the sliding over the guide surface.

5 shows the mechanical adjustability of the motion sensor 30 relative to the housing of the computer input device 10 , The motion sensor may, for example, on a rotatable disc in the bottom surface of the head area 12 be stored so that a simple rotation of the disc is sufficient to the position of the motion sensor 30 to adjust in relation to the housing.

Of course, the embodiments discussed in the specific description and shown in the figures represent only illustrative embodiments of the present invention. A broad range of possible variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Computer Input Device

12

head area

121

Foot of 12

14

support area

141

Foot of 14

16

first ridge

161

first flank of 16

162

second flank of 16

18

second ridge

20

Thumb rest area

22

Finger contact surface

221

first key

222

Finger control / mouse wheel

24

Middle finger contact surface

241

second button

26

base body

28

Floor space

30

motion sensor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 6921054 B2 [0002]
• US 5355147 [0007]

Claims (15)

A computer input device (10) comprising a motion sensor for detecting the direction and velocity of axial and lateral movements of the computer input device (10), a set of information input controls, an interface for transmitting input information to a computer, and a housing the bottom of which is adapted to slide over a guide surface, the housing having a head portion (12) and a support portion (14) adapted to support at least a portion of a user's hand extending from a portion at the apex of the head portion (12). extends arcuately, so that the foot (141) of the support region (14), when the computer input device (10) is used correctly, faces the guide surface, characterized in that the apex of the head region (12) has a first burr extending from distal to proximal (FIG. 16), the first flank (161) has a horizontally extending, recessed thumb rest surface (20) and its second flank (162) have two horizontally extending, vertically adjacent and by a smaller, second ridge (18) separated, recessed pointing (22) and middle finger support surfaces (24), at the distal ends one each Button (221, 241) is arranged, has. Computer input device after Claim 1 , characterized in that on the second ridge (18), a further finger control element (222) is arranged. Computer input device after Claim 2 , characterized in that the further finger control element (222) is designed as a mouse wheel. Computer input device after Claim 3 , characterized in that the mouse wheel (222) is also designed as a button. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that in the region of the thumb support surface (20) a thumb control element is arranged. Computer input device after Claim 5 , characterized in that the thumb control element is designed as a mouse wheel, a joystick, a touchpad or a trackball. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the support region (14) has further depressions for supporting a ring finger and / or a small finger. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the thumb rest surface (20) has grooves. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 8th characterized in that the pointing (22) and middle finger support surfaces (24) have grooves. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the support region (14) has grooves. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that the support region (14) is pivotable in the vertical direction and lockable in different adjustment positions. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that the support region (14) is pivotable and steplessly lockable in the vertical direction. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 12 characterized in that the computer input device (10) comprises a solid base body (26) comprising the support portion (14) and the foot (121) of the head portion (12) and at least two replaceable modules for the first edge (161). with their respective functional elements on the one hand and the second flank (162) with their respective functional elements on the other hand. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that the computer input device (10) has a sliding base (28) which is fixed or fixable to the bottom surface of the head portion (12) and, when used as intended, over the guide surface in the direction of the foot (141) of the support portion (14) extends. Computer input device according to one of Claims 1 to 14 , characterized in that the orientation of the motion sensor (30) relative to the housing of the computer input device (10) is mechanically adjustable.

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