EP1004091A1 - Dispositif de pointage ergonomique - Google Patents

Dispositif de pointage ergonomique

Info

Publication number
EP1004091A1
EP1004091A1 EP98938829A EP98938829A EP1004091A1 EP 1004091 A1 EP1004091 A1 EP 1004091A1 EP 98938829 A EP98938829 A EP 98938829A EP 98938829 A EP98938829 A EP 98938829A EP 1004091 A1 EP1004091 A1 EP 1004091A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hand
base
held
user
manipulation device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98938829A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Smart Technologies Uk Limited Health
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1004091A1 publication Critical patent/EP1004091A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03543—Mice or pucks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/033—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/033
    • G06F2203/0333—Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/033—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/033
    • G06F2203/0334—Ergonomic shaped mouse for vertical grip, whereby the hand controlling the mouse is resting or gripping it with an attitude almost vertical with respect of the working surface

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns improved hand-held control devices such as a mouse for a computer, together with systems for effecting fatigue relief of users of same.
  • Mouse devices are widely used in conjunction with computers to provide input means, controlling for example an on-screen cursor.
  • Mouse devices are typically provided with at least one button.
  • Conventional mouse devices comprise a housing having a flat underside which rests on e.g. a desk, and a rounded upper portion.
  • the rounded upper portion is typically arcuate such that in use, a user's hand is placed with the palm facing downwards and contacting the rounded upper portion. This results in the user's hand and forearm being held in a prone position whereby the user's wrist is forced out of alignment with the rest of the arm, causing muscular and nervous tension.
  • Manipulation of the mouse particularly over a prolonged period of time, causes the wrist and forearm to work at an extreme range and can result in serve muscular and nervous fatigue.
  • the conventional mouse provides no support for the part of the hand which is adjacent wrist.
  • the weight of the arm results in the muscle work required to maintain the position of the hand and arm being increased, and simultaneously the ligaments are put on maximum stretch.
  • Using the mouse for extended periods of time can therefore cause pain, and inflammation in the supporting structures of the arm, for example, the wrist, elbow, forearm and neck.
  • Similar problems are encountered with other hand-held manipulation devices such as "joysticks" which are also held with the hand and forearm in a prone position.
  • a hand-held manipulation device comprising a base and a generally rounded mound portion rising from said base, said base and mound portion being arranged such that in use the palm of the hand and wrist of a user are held at a mid-position between pronation (i.e. palm of the hand facing downwards) and supination (i.e. palm of the hand facing upwards).
  • This position is considered a "natural" position.
  • the hand of the user may be outstretched (i.e. not clenched) when using the device.
  • the base and mound portion may be arranged such that the little finger of the user rests on the base and the thumb and other fingers rest on and around the mound portion.
  • the device may be arranged such that the lateral aspect of the hyperthena eminence of the user's hand (the pad of flesh extending at the side of the hand from the bottom of the little finger towards the wrist) rests on the base.
  • the devices of the present invention cause the hand and wrist, and therefore the forearm, to be aligned in a natural, comfortable position, which does not result in the excessive fatigue and possible pain and injury encountered when using prior art devices, and which allows an increase in the length of time for which the devices may be used when compared to e.g. conventional "mouse" devices.
  • the devices also provide the additional advantage of allowing the most comfortable position to be attained by the user in a minimal work space.
  • the device may have at least one input means positioned on the mound portion. Such input means may be positioned such that in use the fingers or thumb of the user would rest over them.
  • the manipulation device may comprise a "mouse" for use with a computer and may for example have a set of three switches positioned on the mound portion such that each of the user's fingers (other than the little finger) is positioned over a switch.
  • Alternative input means such as a rotating wheel may be used in the device, for example by the thumb, or a mini-joystick type device may be positioned for manipulation by the thumb.
  • Mouse devices of the present invention which in use are translated across a surface whilst maintaining the positioning of the hand, wrist and forearm, contrast with e.g. computer joysticks which require a user's hand to be clenched and require wide- ranging movement of the wrist and hand.
  • the base may additionally be provided with a side wall or side walls which act to provide support for the little finger, wrist and/or thumb of the user, thereby preventing slippage from the device.
  • the side wall(s) also help to ensure that the device can only be held in a correct fashion.
  • the device may additionally comprise wrist or arm support means.
  • wrist support means may comprise an extension to the base of the device.
  • Arm support means may be separate from the main body (i.e. base) of the device but used simultaneously.
  • a mouse for use with a computer, it may additionally be provided with an underside for contacting a surface in use.
  • the underside may have an aperture through which protrudes a roller ball device for determining the movement of the device.
  • the mouse may comprise the circuitry necessary to translate the movement of the mouse and the operation of the input means into a signal suitable for a computer. Such circuitry is widely used and will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
  • a mouse may be connected to a computer by a wire or it may be a "wireless" device, communicating with the computer using radio waves.
  • the device may have a detachable portion containing data storage means, for example a flash-RAM memory device.
  • the detachable portion may for example comprise part of the upper mound portion.
  • the data storage means may, like any removable drive, store any desired data for example word processor documents.
  • Figure 1 shows a plan view of a mouse according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a side view of the mouse of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows a rear view of the mouse of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 shows a front view of the mouse of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 5 shows a side view of the mouse of Figure 1.
  • a manipulation device comprises mouse 10 having base 20 and mound portion 30 formed from a single piece plastic moulding. Side walls 40 and 50 provide support for the wrist, little finger and the lateral aspect of the hyperthena eminence of a user (not shown), ensuring that mouse 10 is correctly held and preventing slippage from it.
  • Mound 30 is generally teardrop shaped so that the hand of a user (not shown) will surround it, fingers (other than the little finger) contacting rotatable wheel 61 and switches 62, 63, the whole of the hand being outstretched and open, and the palm resting on mound 30 at a general angle of about 90° from horizontal.
  • Mouse 10 also has roller ball 70 which is used to determine its movements on the surface it is used on.
  • Mound position 30 contains the electronic circuitry necessary to detect rotation of roller ball 70, convert it and input from wheel 61 and switches 62, 63 into an electrical signal and transmit it as a radio signal to be received by a computer (not shown).
  • Low friction pads are provided on the underside of mouse 10 in order to assist in its movement across a surface.
  • the hand and wrist readily come to rest in a natural position on mouse 10 and the muscles of the arm are very relaxed when compared to holding a conventional mouse.
  • Mound portion 30 has a detachable section (not shown) containing flash- RAM memory and which is accessible to a computer (not shown) to which it is attached as a removable drive, allowing the storage of computer files on the detachable section.
  • Mouse 10 is arranged with base 20, mound 30, side walls 40 and 50, and input means 61-63 such that it is suitable for use in the right hand.
  • a device suitable for use in the left hand is simply provided by arranging those parts (above) in a mirror image to those shown in the Figures.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à des manipulateurs qui tiennent dans la main, constitués d'une base et d'une partie généralement arrondie en forme de monticule, qui s'élève de ladite base. La base et la partie en monticule sont disposées en sorte que la main et le poignet de l'utilisateur soient à mi-chemin entre la pronation et la supination. L'invention concerne plus particulièrement des souris d'ordinateur.
EP98938829A 1997-08-18 1998-08-17 Dispositif de pointage ergonomique Withdrawn EP1004091A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9717470 1997-08-18
GB9717470A GB9717470D0 (en) 1997-08-18 1997-08-18 A hand-held computer control device
PCT/GB1998/002456 WO1999009515A1 (fr) 1997-08-18 1998-08-17 Dispositif de pointage ergonomique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1004091A1 true EP1004091A1 (fr) 2000-05-31

Family

ID=10817646

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98938829A Withdrawn EP1004091A1 (fr) 1997-08-18 1998-08-17 Dispositif de pointage ergonomique

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1004091A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU8742698A (fr)
GB (2) GB9717470D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999009515A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19901861A1 (de) * 1999-01-19 2000-07-20 Ulrich Schmidt Computermouse
NL1015696C1 (nl) * 2000-07-13 2002-01-15 Marcel Petrus Simons Computermuis voor het analoog opzoeken, aflezen en bedienen van software parameters en schakelaars.
DE10127589C2 (de) * 2001-06-06 2003-09-11 Joerg Rehwald Bedienelement für Computer
GB2401418A (en) * 2002-10-22 2004-11-10 Christopher William Rickwood A pointer device presenting a hand in a vertical position
US7145548B2 (en) 2003-06-03 2006-12-05 Torbay Holdings Biomechanically low load computer mouse
US20050253805A1 (en) * 2004-05-14 2005-11-17 Kennedy Robert D Hand positioner for computer mouse
EP1869541B1 (fr) * 2005-01-30 2014-07-02 Swiftpoint Limited Peripherique de type souris pour ordinateur
EP1958045B1 (fr) 2005-12-09 2018-07-18 Thomson Licensing Système comprenant un dispositif d'entrée graphique sans fil portatif et un dispositif informatique.

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2244546A (en) * 1990-05-10 1991-12-04 Primax Electronics Ltd Computer input device
US5355147A (en) * 1993-10-04 1994-10-11 Donald Lear Ergonomic computer mouse
EP0674288A1 (fr) * 1994-03-24 1995-09-27 AT&T Corp. Souris multidimensionelle
US5576733A (en) * 1994-05-25 1996-11-19 Lo; Jack Ergonomic computer mouse
US5648798A (en) * 1995-02-13 1997-07-15 Hamling; Daniel T. Universal ergonomic computer mouse/trackball
US5726683A (en) * 1995-08-09 1998-03-10 Midas Mouse International Pty. Ergonomic computer mouse
DE29705812U1 (de) * 1997-04-02 1997-05-28 Laug Horst Ergonomische Oberfläche für Rollkugel-Eingabegerät (PC-Maus)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9909515A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2328496B (en) 2002-02-27
WO1999009515A1 (fr) 1999-02-25
GB9717470D0 (en) 1997-10-22
GB9817729D0 (en) 1998-10-14
GB2328496A (en) 1999-02-24
AU8742698A (en) 1999-03-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5433407A (en) Palm rest for use with computer pointing devices
US5576733A (en) Ergonomic computer mouse
EP1063608B1 (fr) Souris d'ordinateur ergonomique
US5490647A (en) Palm rest for use with computer data entry devices
US7768500B2 (en) Ergonomic pointing device
US5982356A (en) Ergonomic computer cursor control apparatus and mount
US6744421B2 (en) Apparatus for convenient and comfortable cursor control device
US20020175894A1 (en) Hand-supported mouse for computer input
US20010050673A1 (en) Ergonomic fingertip computer mouse
JP4414101B2 (ja) 整形コンピュータ・マウス
US20030230680A1 (en) Ergonomic mouse
US20090289896A1 (en) Input arrangement for electronic devices
US6377244B1 (en) Ergonomic computer mouse
US7006075B1 (en) Ergonomic computer mouse
US20060007152A1 (en) Computer finger mouse
US7705827B1 (en) Ergonomic computer mouse
EP1004091A1 (fr) Dispositif de pointage ergonomique
US20090213068A1 (en) Ergonomic Pointing Device
US20030206152A1 (en) Ergonomically shaped computer pointing device
US6402100B1 (en) Ergonomic lower arm support rest
US20070291003A1 (en) Lap positioned computer cursor control /input device
US20040008184A1 (en) Ergonomic electronic input device
WO2001088898A1 (fr) Souris ergonomique a geometrie reglable et agencement satellite de boutons
WO2004003835A2 (fr) Dispositif de pointage a support ergonomique
EP0923020A2 (fr) Dispositif ergonomique de commande d' ordinateur

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000309

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

18W Application withdrawn

Withdrawal date: 20001118