GB2260389A

GB2260389A - Device to assist graphic data input using computer mouse or scanner: general desktop equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2260389A
Application number: GB9105054A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Alexander Courtney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-01-23
Filing date: 1991-03-11
Publication date: 1993-04-14
Also published as: GB9101457D0; GB9105054D0

Abstract

This invention relates to an aid which assists in tracing and drawing when using a mouse to input drawing data into a computer. In addition the invention can be used to improve accuracy of data collection when using a hand held optical scanner, can be converted into a traditional drawing board, used as a copy holder for holding documents in a position convenient for use when manually transferring data into the computer, it can be used as paper trimmer, a paper folder and a storage device for holding floppy discs. A computer mouse (1) is attached to horizontal x and y axis rails (3, 4). This allows translational movement of the mouse but prevents rotational movement in the x-y plane making drawing and tracing accurate and easy. Independent x and y axis locks aid the drawing of lines in the x and y axis directions. The system can easily be adapted to trace diagrams from books of a range of thicknesses. Movement of the ball of the mouse and access to the tool box is possible without moving the mouse around the drawing surface. Hand held optical scanning is made more accurate by restricting the movement of the scanner to one dimension. The other uses of the device depend on the addition of inexpensive accessories. <IMAGE>

Description

COMPUTER GRAPHICS & GENERAL DESKTOP AID This invention relates to an aid which assists in tracing and drawing when using a mouse to input drawing data into a computer. In addition the invention can be used to improve accuracy of data collection when using a hand held optical scanner, can be converted into a traditional drawing board, used as a copy holder for holding documents in a position convenient for use when manually transferring data into the computer, it can be used as paper trimmer, a paper folder and a storage device for holding floppy discs.

The terms mouse, drawing, painting, pointer beam, tools, pencil tool, straight line tool and tool box refer to their usage in computer terminology. X and y directions are used as in Cartesian co-ordinate terminology.

The graphics features Drawing and painting tools for use as part of computer software programmes are commonly accessed and manipulated using a computer mouse. The tools respond to translational movement of the mouse, in a similar way to how a pencil responds to movements of the artists hand. The mouse however responds to an extra degree of freedom, the rotation of the body of the mouse.

This makes drawing more difficult than using a pencil and makes tracing extremely difficult. These difficulties are overcome if the mouse is restrained so that translational motion is permitted but rotational motion is eliminated.

The present invention allows the mouse to make x and y axis movements over a flat drawing surface or over an original drawing for tracing, but restrains rotational movement. The height of the y axis restraints may be adjusted to allow tracing from thick documents or books. Locks on the x and y axis restraints can be used to hold the mouse in position or restrict movement to one dimension. This can be useful for drawing straight lines in the x or y axis directions without having to change from the pencil to the line drawing tools. A thin transparent mouse mat allows access to the tool box by the technique of holding the mouse in a fixed position and moving the mat under the mouse. The invention could be sold with a software package that allows access to the tool box by means of the keyboard.

The constraint system and board can be made in a wide range of sizes to suite different needs. The maximum size of the board is limited by the length of the cable attached to the mouse. Using a cordless mouse there is no defined limit to the size of the board.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the following drawings in which Fig 1 shows in perspective a mouse in a cradle attached to x and y axis constraint rails, mounted on a board.

Fig 2 shows in plan view one design for holding the mouse in its cradle attached to the x axis constraint rail.

Referring to fig 1 and fig 2 , the mouse 1 is held in a cradle 2.

Low friction guides 5 link the cradle to a circular cross-section x axis rail 3. The x axis rail is free to rotate inside its end supports 8 so that the ball of the mouse can be lifted off the board even when the x axis quick release locking device 7 is tightened. The x rail can be removed by unscrewing the end cap 6.

The end supports 8 are free to move along low fiction y axis rails 4. Movement along the y axis rails can be prevented by a quick release locking device attached to end support 8.

The y axis rails 4 can be attached to the base board with bolts and wing nuts. Extra spacers 13 for increasing the height of the y axis rails above the base can be stored inside the base.

A pencil or tracing stylus can be attached to the edge of the cradle at 18 via a cradle arm 9. The x axis guides are screwed to the cradle. The cradle is made so that if the cradle arm is removed and the body is turned upside it has identical features to those shown on the diagram but laterally inverted. The cradle arm can then be attached for use by left handed people.

Referring to fig 2 and fig 3, the horizontal arm which is the pencil holder is extended as a cantilever over the mouse button that initiates the electronic drawing. The cantilever is made of springy metal at 17, so that when the cantilever is depressed to operate the mouse button the pencil also makes contact with the paper. The pressure required to depress the arm can be varied by altering the compression of the spring 11 compressed by the parallel sided screws 12. The dimple 15 which presses down on the mouse button can be placed in a range of holes, this allows the cradle to be used with a range of mouse shapes. Self adhesive foam rubber pads 16 keep the dimple just clear of the mouse button when the cantilever is not depressed.

The mouse must be held securely in the cradle so that there is no unwanted movement relative to the walls of the cradle. The means of achieving this security can be based on existing technology. For example, using locking bars, clamps or Velcro. An example of a securing system will be described in order to illustrate that secure locking is possible.

Referring to fig 2, the clamp, 10 presses the mouse against the soft rubber buffer, 11.

The mouse mat 14 is made of thin transparent material and has a smooth lower surface. Access to the tool box without movement of the mouse is possible by moving the mat around, under the mouse.

The Hand Held Optical Scanner Attachment Hand held scanners often give poor performance because they are vulnerable to unsteady hand movement. By restricting the movement to the y direction the quality of the input data can be improved.

Referring to fig 4, the scanner 20 is attached to the rail using the scanner cradle 21. The clamp 22 prevents unwanted movement in the x plane.

Conversion to a Traditional Drawing Board.

Referring to fig 5, a graduated perspex rail 23 clips on to the y rails. A lock 24 increases friction and can be increased to clamp the rail in place. Spring loaded clips 25 hold the drawing paper in place. The operating levers for the clips are placed adjacent to each other so that both clips can be opened simultaneously with one hand.

Conversion to a Copy Holder Referring to fig 6, the spacers 13 can be spread out so that the plane of the board is 20 degrees to the vertical. Copy can be held in the clips and the perspex rail used as a cursor.

Referring to fig 7 and fig8. The top surface of the board 27 can be detachable and made of perspex with a matt surface. Charts, photos or any other thin material 28 can be placed behind. the perspex surface for protection. The top surface is cl as shown in fig 7 using the rail 4. A deformable rubber strip attached to the lower, inner edge of the rail 29 allows for any slight lifting due to the packing of items under the surface.

Conversion to a Paper Trimmer Referring to fig 9. A rotary trimmer 30 can be clamped to the board. The perspex rail 23 can be used as as end stop to aid accurate trimming. By sliding paper under the perspex rail and butting it up against the trimmer rail accurate paper folding is possible by folding over the perspex rail.

A Floppy Disc Storage System Elasticated pockets can be attached to the bottom surface of the board. These are easily accessed when the board is in the upright position...

Claims

1. A device that prevents rotation of the body of a computer mouse on a flat surface but allows translational movement of the mouse.

2. A system of locks that prevents translational movement of the mouse or allows movement in one dimension only.

3. A mechanism that allows the ball of the mouse to be lifted off the surface below while preventing motion in the x-y plane.

4. A design which allows a tracing stylus or pen/pencil to be attached close to the side of the mouse so that it is convenient for use by left handed or right handed people.

5. A variable height system that allows tracings to be made from documents and books of different thicknesses.

6. A system that allows movement of the ball of the mouse and gives access to the tool box without movement of the body of the mouse.

7. A system that simultaneously lowers a pen/pencil onto a drawing surface and clicks the mouse button so that the acts of mechanical and electronic drawing are synchronised.

8. A system which restricts movement of a scanner to one dimension in a plane.

9. A computer graphics board that can be converted into a conventional drawing board with a locking ruler.

10. A computer graphics board that can be converted into a copyholder.

11. A computer graphics board that can be converted into a diplay board with a protected front surface.

12. A computer graphics board that can be converted into a paper trimmer

13. A computer graphics board that can be converted into a paper folder.

14. A computer graphics board that can be converted into a floppy disc holder.

15. A general office tool that can be used to carry out at least any two of the following: act as a mechanical graphics board for use with computers, assist the tast of accurate optical scanning, act as a conventional drawing board, act as a copyholder, act as a flat object holder with a protected front surface, trim paper to size, fold paper, store floppy discs in a semi-vertical display board.