EP1090340A1

EP1090340A1 - Computer having a built-in mouse rack

Info

Publication number: EP1090340A1
Application number: EP00915577A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Byeong-Jin Lim
Original assignee: Sungjin C and C Ltd
Current assignee: Sungjin C and C Ltd
Priority date: 1999-04-16
Filing date: 2000-04-04
Publication date: 2001-04-11
Also published as: WO2000063761A1; CA2317705A1; JP2002542534A; AU752258B2; AU3681800A; RU2193297C2; JP3619780B2; EP1090340A4

Abstract

A computer having a built-in mouse rack moving back and forth from the housing of the computer is provided. The built-in mouse rack can be implemented either by a drawer or by a motor-driven sliding rack. The invention makes it possible to use a mouse even for an industrial computer under the circumstances where the workspace for the mouse is not available.

Description

TTTT.F OF INVENTION COMPUTER HAVING A BUILT-IN MOUSE RACK

TECHNICAL FTFT.D The present invention relates to an input device for computers, more in particular, to a built-in mouse rack providing a working space for a mouse, allowing the computer user to manipulate a mouse as an input device.

BACKGROUND ART

For more than three decades, there has been continuous effort to develop various pointing devices for accessing program functions such as a mouse, a track ball, a touch pad, and a stylus pointer.

In particular, it becomes more essential to use a pointing device as well as a keyboard for an input device as the operating system relies on the mul ti - tasking under the graphic user interface (GUI) .

Among the variety of pointing devices, the mouse has proven to be the most popular pointing device for the personal computers due to its convenient and efficient handling capability. Thus, it has become quite natural for desktop computers to come equipped with a mouse. The mouse usually sits to the side of the desktop computer and typically resides on a flat surface .

Such a flat surface is usually provided with a mouse pad where the mouse moves m accordance with the user's movement to provide input to the computer. A few devices have been developed which allow the mouse to be positioned relative to the computer.

For instance, U. S. Patent Nos. 5,805,139 and 5,861,873 disclose techniques to implement a pointing device to the computers.

In the meanwhile, a rapidly growing segment of the PC market is an industrial PC for the control of the electronic system.

The industrial PC for the control of a system such as m a security system is often embodied m a rack to accommodate a small space In this case, a workspace is needed for a mouse m order to allow the industrial PC to use a standard mouse as a pointing device since desktop space is not available m a rack

Furthermore, since the industrial PC controlling the machinery system is usually operated m a dusty environment, the exposure to the dust can degrade the performance of the computer including a mouse to a critical degree DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In view of these problems, there is a need in the art for a computer, especially for an industrial computer employed for the control of the machinery system, which is not subject to these limitations.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a computer with a built-in mouse rack for providing a workspace of a mouse .

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a computer with a space to store the mouse during the time when the mouse is not used .

In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, provided is a computer with a built-in mouse rack and method of operation thereof .

The computer, including the built-in mouse rack of the present invention, comprises a mainframe having housing at the front for storing a mouse and a sliding rack for the accommodation of the mouse in the housing.

The computer in accordance with the present invention further comprises a cover with a hinge for the protection of the rack from the dust . The sliding mouse rack in accordance with the present invention can extend substantially out of the housing of the mainframe, and the planar surface of the rack can provide a workspace on which the mouse is free to move .

Furthermore, the sliding mouse rack in accordance with the present invention can be kept in a stowed position whereby the mouse rack is retracted within the housing when the mouse is not used and is to be protected from the dusty environment.

As a preferred embodiment for the built- in rack in accordance with the present invention, a drawer can be implemented to accommodate a mouse and providing a planar workspace for the movement of the mouse.

In this case, the vertical depth of the drawer should be carefully designed in such a manner that the mouse should not be kept away from the drawer.

As another preferred embodiment for the built-in rack in accordance with the present invention, the built-in mouse rack can move back and forth from the housing by a translation.

In this case, the driving force for the translation of the rack can be either a restoring force from a spring or an electric force from an electric motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from a description of the computer with a built-in mouse rack, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to be limitative to the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only.

In the drawings :

FIGS. 1A and IB are schematic views illustrating a first embodiment of the built-in mouse rack of a computer in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views illustrating a second embodiment of the built-in mouse rack of a computer in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3E are detailed diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the built-in mouse rack of a computer in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views illustrating a third embodiment of the built-in mouse rack of a computer in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic views illustrating preferred embodiments of the built rack for a track ball, touch pad, and track point, respectively, m accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be explained detail with reference to the accompanying drawings .

FIGS. 1A and IB are schematic views illustrating a first embodiment of a built-m mouse rack of a computer m accordance with the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1A, housing 10A is formed at the front of the computer mainframe 10.

The housing 10A is a separable room, which is isolated from the mam unit side the computer. Therefore, the housing 10A keeps the mam unit from the external environment such as dust s .

The geometry of the housing 10A snould be carefully designed m such a way that it should be adequate for the movement of the mouse simultaneously even within a minimum space. Further, a rack 12 for accommodating the mouse M in the housing 10A of the mainframe 10 should be built such that it can slide back and forth for allowing the user to access the mouse.

As a preferred embodiment for the material of the rack 12, a plastic can be employed. As another preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a guide rail can be used to protect the damage of the mainframe 10 due to the friction by the repetitive sliding movement of the rack 12.

Preferably, a handler can be installed at the front side of the rack 12. It is also preferable to make the vertical depth of the rack 12 lower than that of the entrance of the housing 10A.

In this case, the depth of the rack 12 should be optimized such that the mouse M should be kept in the rack even without the operational inconvenience. More preferably, the vertical depth of the rack should be chosen with consideration that a mouse pad would be placed on it .

The depth of the rack 12, however, should be less them 10 mm. The electrical connection of the mouse M to the mainframe is made internally through the space of the rack 12 is accordance with the present invention.

In this case, it is preferable to have the input port for the electric connection the mouse M just at the back of the housing 10A order to avoid any interference with other parts Preferably, a cover can be installed with a hinge m order to protect the rack 12 as well as the ma parts of the computer from the external environment like dusts.

The mam parts of the computer can comprise any I/O devices, including disc drives 11 As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover 13 should be large enough to cover the mam parts of the computer and should be implemented with a guide rail and a hinge .

FIG. IB is a magnified cross - sec t lonal view illustrating the hinge of the mouse rack m accordance with the present invention. The cover 13 m accordance with the present invention is opened under the guidance of the guide 15.

The guide 15 is implemented m such a way that the circled hinge 14 can be assembled to it A stopper 24 is set to one side of the hinge 24, while a latch 14A with a shape of a half-circle is formed at the other side of the hinge 24.

A sphere 25 and a spring 26 are assembled to the guide 15, and then encapsulated by a cap 27. The sphere 25 generates an appropriate restoring force to the hinge 14.

If the cap 27 is formed with a screw- type structure, it is possible to adjust the restoring force of the sphere 25.

Accordingly, the cover is maintained vertical when the sphere 25 is placed in the latch 14A for the closed condition. In the meanwhile, the cover is wide open to be horizontal because the stopper 24 is contacted to one side of the guide 15.

The computer user manipulates the mouse with making the cover 13 wide open and pulling the rack 12 out of the housing. Once the user finishes using the mouse in the rack, he can push the rack 12 into the housing and close the cover 13 vertically so that no dust can penetrate into the housing.

FIGS.2A and 2B are schematic views illustrating a second embodiment of a built-in mouse rack for a computer in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.2A is a schematic view illustrating the condition when the built-in rack 210 is completely pulled out open from the mainframe 10 of the computer.

The built-in rack 210 accommodating the mouse M can be pulled out open or pushed closed from the housing 200 by a translation.

FIG.2B is a schematic view illustrating the condition when the built-in rack with the mouse M is kept mside the housing 200. The driving force for the translation of the built- in rack 210 can be provided either by the restoring force of a spring or by the electric power from a motor.

FIGS.3A to 3D are schematic views illustrating a second embodiment of the built-in rack accordance with the present invention. Referring to FIGS.3A, which is a top view of the built-in rack 210 pulled out from the housing 200, the rack 210 and the housing 200 are connected by a spring 230.

As the backside of the rack 210 is formed a mail latch 221 for fixing the rack 210 to the housing when it is pushed back into the housing Additionally, a female latch 220 is formed at the vertical wall mside of the housing 200 to hold the rack 210 with the male latch 221

The restoring force, which tends to push the rack 210 out of the housing 200, is originated from the spring 230 connecting the rack 210 and the housing 200.

FIG.3B is a schematic bottom view of the rack illustrating the operation of the rack 210 in accordance with the present invention. As a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a guide rail 260 can be implemented to the bottom side of the rack 210.

The guide rail 260 works as a guide for a translation of the rack 210 with a circularly moving means 250 implemented in the housing 200. As a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the surface of the guide rail 260 installed in the housing 200 could be of the shape of saw tooth.

Further, as a preferred embodiment for the circularly moving means, a saw-tooth wheel can be employed. In addition, a spring 230, which is implemented to the side of a housing 200, is connected to the rack 210 through a pulley 240.

The restoring force of a spring 230 makes the rack 210 move back and forth in a translation mode.

FIG.3C is a side view illustrating the condition when the rack 210 is taken out from the housing 200. Referring to FIG.3C, the rack 210 is taken out from the housing 200 due to the restoring force of a spring 230, and is kept from being completely taken out of the housing 200 due to the resisting force of the pulley 240

Accordingly, a computer user can move and click the mouse (not shown) the rack with the rack 210 pulled out from the housing 200. As a preferred embodiment m accordance with the present invention, a damping means can be added to the guide rail 260 of the rack 210 m order to prevent the instantaneous movement of the rack due to the strong restoring force of a spring 230.

FIGS.3D and 3E are schematic top-view and side-view, respectively, when the rack is inserted into the housing 200. When the computer user finishes using the mouse and wants to keep the mouse in the housing 200, he is supposed to push the rack 210 to the direction

In this case, a certain level of force should be exerted against the restoring force of the spring 230 to the rack m order to push the rack back into the housing 200.

The computer user has to push the rack 210 back to the direction of B-B' until the male latch at the back of the rack is connected to the female latch 220 at the housing 200. In this case, the rack 210 is fixed closed into the housing 200 against the restoring force.

Preferably, the female latch 220 can comprise a biting pm and a spring wherein the bitmg pm bites the male latch firmly enough to hold the rack 210 against the restoring force of a spring .

In this case, a restoring force is generated due to the elongation of a spring 230, and the restoring force is balanced by the connection of the female latch 220 and the male latch 221.

In the meanwhile, if the computer user wants to use the mouse in the rack, he just exerts a force a little bit to push the rack to the direction of B-B' . Then the female latch 221 is detached from the male latch 220, and the rack 210 is taken out of the housing 200 due to the restoring force of a spring 230.

As a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a toggle switch can be employed for the latches 220 and 221.

FIGS.4A and 4B are schematic views illustrating a third embodiment of a built-in mouse rack in accordance with the present invention. While the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS.3A and 3B relies on the structure with a spring, the third embodiment has a feature of using an electric motor to move the rack in a translation.

Referring to FIG.4A, an electric motor 340 for moving the rack 310 in the direction of C-C¹ and a driving circuit 330 are depicted. The torque of the electric motor 340 is transferred to the saw-tooth wheel 350, which guides the translation of a rack 310 with being geared to the guide rail 360 installed at the side of the rack 310.

If the computer user pushes the switch button 325 at the front side of the rack 310, an electric signal turns on the driving circuit 330 through the rack driving bus 324 Then, the electric motor 340 exerts a torque to the sawtooth wheel 350 m such a way that the rack 310 is taken out of the housing 300.

Accordingly, the rack is taken out from the housing 300 under the guidance of the guide rail 360. In this case, it is preferable to implement a means turning off the power when the rack 310 reaches a certain point m order to prevent the rack 310 being completely removed from the housing 300

As a preferred embodiment m accordance with the present invention, a stopper switch 321 and a stopper 323 can be employed If the sliding rack 310 starts to move out and reaches at a certain point, the stopper switch 321 installed at the rack 310 is aligned with the stopper 323 implemented at the housing 300

Since the stopper switch 321 is implemented at the rack, which is moving out under the guidance of guide rail 360 by an electric motor 340, it also moves out in the direction of C-C' in accordance with the movement of the rack 310 out of the housing 300.

If the stopper switch 321 is aligned with the stopper 323, the stopper 323 functions as a means protecting an unnecessary translation of the rack to the right once the rack 310 is pulled out from the housing 300 to a certain level .

At this time, the reactive force due to the stopping power is exerted to a stopper switch 321 and then the electricity is toggled off. Accordingly, the torque is not supplied to the saw-tooth wheel 350 of the electric motor 340 any longer, and the rack 310 stops to move further out of housing 300.

With the same principle of the aforementioned toggle switch 321 and stopper 323, the supply of the electric power to the motor 340 can be halted once the rack move back into the housing 300.

Thereby, it is possible to prevent the motor from spindling even after the rack 310 is completely parked in the housing 310. If the computer user finishes using the computer and wants to keep the mouse in the rack 310, he just pushes the switch button 325 on the front of the r a c k 3 1 0 .

Accordingly, the electricity is supplied to the driving circuit 330 and the electric motor 340 supplies a torque for moving the rack 310 back to the left along the C-C¹ axis under the guidance of the guide rail 360.

If the rack reaches at a certain point, another stopper switch 320 meets with the stopper 322 and then the stopper switch 320 is toggled off.

Thereby the supply of the electricity to the electric circuit 330 and the motor 340 is stopped and the spindling of the motor for trying move further back forward can be avoided.

FIGS .5A to 5C are schematic views illustrating another embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Referring to FIG.5A, a track ball 410 is depicted on the surface or the mouse rack. Referring to FIG.5B, a touch pad 420 is depicted on the mouse rack. In addition, a track point 430 is shown in FIG.5C.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention should not be understood as limited to the specific embodiment set forth above but to include all possible embodiments which can be embodies within a scope encompassed and equivalents thereof with respect to the feature set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A computer, comprising: a main frame having housing and containing components of said computer; a mouse rack for accommodating a mouse connected internally to said components and moving back and forth out of the housing; and a cover at the front of said housing for protecting said rack and said components from the external environment .

2. The computer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said rack is of the type of a drawer whose vertical depth is chosen in such a way that said mouse is kept safely inside said drawer.

3. The computer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said cover opens and closes in a circular motion with a circular guide comprising a groove and a spring such that a restoring force of a spring is exerted, and maintains the closed state with a sphere in the groove .

4. The computer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said rack moves back and forth by a restoring force of a spring for a translation under the guide of a guide rail; being connected to the housing by said spring with a pulley; and comprising a stopping means for preventing a complete isolation from the housing when the rack is taken out.

5. The computer as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said rack moves back and forth in a translation under the guidance of a guide rail, said translation being driven by an electric motor, and being either in the completely pulled-out state or in the push-back state by a pair of stopper switch.

6. A computer, comprising: a rack for accommodating a mouse that is electrically connected to the internal components of said computer; a main frame having a housing where said rack moves back and forth by a translation; a spring connecting said housing and said rack, providing a driving force for said translation of said rack; a guide rail guiding said translation of said rack in the housing; a rotating means controlling said translation of said rack, rotating with being geared to said guide rail; a stopper preventing said rack from being completely removed from said housing when said rack is taken out from said housing; and a locking means maintaining the parking state of said rack in said housing.

7. The computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said guide rail has a shape of saw-tooth and said saw-tooth shaped guide rail is operated with being geared to said rotating means installed in said housing.

8. The computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said spring provides a restoring force for the translation of said rack through the wheel installed in said rack.

9. The computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said locking means comprises a latch fixing the rack to said housing when said rack is pushed back into said housing.

10. The computer as claimed m Claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises a latch releasing said rack to be pulled out by the restoring force of said spring when said rack is taken out by exerting a little force on said rack.

11. The computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said rotating means comprises: a latch installed at the back of said rack; and a latch installed at the housing.

12. The computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said rotating means further comprises a damping means preventing the instantaneous release of said rack from said latch when said rack is taken out of the housing.

13. A computer, comprising: a rack for accommodating a mouse that is electrically connected to the internal components of said computer; a main frame having a housing where said rack moves back and forth by a translation; a motor providing a driving forces for said translation; a guide rail guiding said translation of said rack in the housing; a rotating means being geared to said guide rail and receiving a rotating torque from said motor; a driving circuit driving said motor; a forward stopping means which controls said driving circuit such that said rack does not move further out from said housing beyond a predefined location; a backward stopping means which controls said driving circuit such that said rack does not move further back beyond a predefined location; and a switch for starting the movement of said rack .

14. The computer as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said guide rail has a shape of saw tooth.

15. The computer as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said rotating means has a shape of a wheel with a saw-tooth along the circumference and is operated with being geared to the guide rail.

16. The computer as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said forward stopping means comprises: a stopper installed in said housing; and a stopper switch installed in said rack, being off when said stopper touches said stopper switch, thereby disabling said driving circuit when said rack reaches a predefined location in said hous ing .

17. The computer as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said backward stopping means comprises: a stopper installed in said housing; and a stopper switch installed in said rack, being off when said stopper touches said stopper switch, thereby disabling said driving circuit when said rack reaches a predefined location in said housing .

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 11 September 2000 (11.09.00); original claims 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 15 cancelled; original claims 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14 amended; remaining claims unchanged (6 pages)]

1. An industrial computer which is installed in a rack together with multiple of units, comprising : a housing formed at the front of the mainframe of said computer for retaining a mouse ; a mouse rack in said housing for accommodating a mouse connected internally to said mainframe, and moving back and forth by a restoring force of a spring for translation under the guidance of a guide rail, being connected to said housing by said spring with a pulley, and comprising a stopping means for preventing a complete separation from the housing when said mouse rack is taken out; and a cover at the front of said housing for protecting said rack and internal components of the mainframe from the external environment, which opens and closes said mouse rack in a circular motion with a circular guide comprising a groove and a spring such that the restoring force of said spring is exerted, and maintains the closed state with a sphere in the groove.

2. The industrial computer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said rack is of the type of a drawer whose vertical depth is chosen in such a way that said mouse is kept safely inside said drawer .

5. An industrial computer which is installed in a rack together with multiple of units, compr is ing : a housing formed at the front of the mainframe of said computer for retaining a mouse ; a mouse rack in said housing for accommodating said mouse connected internally to said mainframe, and moving back and forth in a translation under the guidance of a guide rail, said translation being driven by an electric motor, and being either in the completely pulled-out state or in the push-back state by a pair of stopper; and a cover at the front of said housing for protecting said rack and said components from the external environment, which opens and closes said mouse rack in a circular motion with a circular guide comprising a groove and a spring such that the restoring force of said spring is exerted, and maintains the closed state with a sphere in the groove .

6. An industrial computer which is installed in a rack together with multiple of units including, compris ing : a housing formed at the front of the mainframe of said computer for retaining a mouse ; a mouse rack in said housing for accommodating said mouse connected internally to said mainframe, and moving back and forth in translation ; a spring connecting said housing and said rack, providing a driving force for the translation of said mouse rack; a guide rail guiding said translation of said rack in the housing; a rotating means controlling said translation of said rack, rotating with being geared to said guide rail; a stopper preventing said rack from being completely removed from said housing when said rack is taken out from said housing; and a locking means comprising a first latch for fixing the rack to said housing when said rack is pushed back into said housing, and a second for latch releasing said rack to be pulled out by the restoring force of said spring when said rack is taken out by exerting a little force on said rack .

7. The industrial computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said guide rail has a shape of sawtooth and said saw-tooth shaped guide rail is operated with being geared to said rotating means installed in said housing.

11. The industrial computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said locking means comprises: a latch installed at the back of said rack; and a latch installed at the housing.

12. The industrial computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said rotating means further comprises a damping means preventing the instantaneous release of said rack from said latch when said rack is taken out of the housing.

13. An industrial computer which is installed in a rack together with multiple of units, comprising : a housing formed in the front of the mainframe of said computer for retaining a mouse ; a mouse rack for accommodating a mouse connected internally to said mainframe, and moving back and forth in translation; a motor providing a driving forces for said trans lat ion ; a guide rail with a shape of saw tooth ar the front, guiding said translation of said rack in the housing; a rotating means being geared to said guide rail and receiving a rotating torque from said motor, which has a shape of a wheel with a sawtooth along the circumference; a driving circuit driving said motor; a forward stopping means for controlling said driving circuit such that said rack does not move further out from said housing beyond a predefined location, which includes stopper switch installed in said rack, being off when said stopper touches said stopper switch, thereby disabling said driving circuit when said rack reaches a predefined location in said housing ; a backward stopping means which controls said driving circuit such that said rack does not move further back beyond a predefined location, which includes a stopper installed in said housing and a stopper switch installed in said rack, being off when said stopper touches said stopper switch, thereby disabling said driving circuit when said rack reaches a predefined location in said housing; and a switch for starting the movement of said rac k

14. The industrial computer as set forth in Claim 13, wherein said industrial computer further include a cover at the front of said housing for protecting said mouse rack from the external environment, and said cover moves in a circular motion with a circular guide comprising a groove and a spring such that the restoring force of said spring is exerted, and maintains the closed state with a sphere in the groove.