GB2464925A

GB2464925A - Computer mouse that converts a motion signal for left and right hand orientation

Info

Publication number: GB2464925A
Application number: GB0819747A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Anthony Bowden; James Patrick Bowden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-28
Filing date: 2008-10-28
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Also published as: GB0819747D0

Abstract

A computer mouse that when held in a right hand of a user is held in a different orientation (e.g. by 90° or 180°) than when held in a left hand, has a circuit for converting a motion signal from the mouse to adjust for the change in orientation. The circuit may respond to a LH/RH switch (28, fig 2); a four position switch; which of a pair of sockets (38, fig 1) a cable is plugged into; or proximity detectors (40, fig 1; 42, fig 3) detecting a users palm. Alternatively the mouse can generate a signal indicating which hand it is in and a computer program can convert the motion signal. The mouse has and optical sensor, buttons 32, 34 operated by index and middle fingers, and a thumb operated joystick 30.

Description

I

TITLE: COMPUTER MOUSE AND PROGRAM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a computer mouse comprising a body having base, thumb and finger surfaces for orientation in use with the base surface resting on a work surface and the thumb and fmger surfaces gripped, respectively, between a thumb and an index finger and a middle finger of a user's hand, and to a computer program executable by a computer for use with such a computer mouse.

Background to the Invention

It has been found that use of a conventional computer mouse over an extended period can cause pain because of poor mouse design, positioning and/or grip.

It has therefore been proposed to provide a computer mouse comprising a body having base, thumb and finger surfaces for orientation in use with the base surface resting on a work surface and the thumb and finger surfaces gripped, respectively, between a thumb and an index finger and a middle finger of a user's hand, as this grip is able to avoid fully pronating the wrist, which is one of the potential causes of such pain.

US Patent No. 6,396,479 discloses such a computer mouse, which is provided with indentations in the gripping surfaces to help locate a user's finger tips.

The computer mouse of US Patent No. 6,396,479 is designed for right handed users and would have to be made in a left handed version for left handed users.

*...,. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a computer mouse comprising a body having base, thumb and finger surfaces for orientation in use with the base surface resting on a work surface and the thumb and finger surfaces gripped, *....S respectively, between a thumb and an index finger and a middle finger of a user's hand, the fmger surface being provided with first and second buttons arranged to be operated, respectively, by the index finger and the middle finger of a user's hand, the base surface being provided with a motion sensor operable in response to movement of the mouse across a work surface with the mouse in a first orientation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the base surface to generate signals suitable for use by a computer to cause a corresponding movement of a cursor on a display screen, wherein the finger and thumb surfaces and the first and second buttons are substantially symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the base surface and the mouse further comprises a circuit operable either to generate a signal suitable for use by a computer with the signals generated by the motion sensor, or to generate from the signals generated by the motion sensor signals suitable for use by a computer, to cause movement of a cursor on a display screen, which movement corresponds to movement of the mouse across a work surface with the mouse in a second orientation about the axis, thereby permitting use of the mouse by either a left hand or a right hand of a user.

The invention can provide a computer mouse that reduces the risk of injury associated with conventional computer mice, but is suitable for use by both left and right handed users.

In a first embodiment of the mouse the thumb surface extends between a first edge of the base surface and a first edge of a top surface of the mouse, is substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the base surface, and the finger surface extends between a second edge of the base surface and a second edge of the top surface, and has upper and lower portions, the lower portion being substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the base surface and the upper portion being substantially planar and inclined at an angle of approximately 45° to the base surface. * S. * S S * S.

In a second embodiment of the mouse the thumb and finger surfaces extend from respective first and second edges of the base surface to a common edge, the finger * S* surface is convex and inclined at an angle to the base surface that decreases from * SS approximately 900 at the first edge of the base surface to approximately 60° at the * ** conmion edge, and the thumb surface has upper and lower portions, the upper portion being substantially planar and extending away from the common edge inclined at an angle of approximately 45° to the base surface, and the lower portion being convex and extending between the upper portion and the second edge of the base surface.

The shapes of the first and second embodiments tend to ensure that in use of the mice the hand of the user is in a so-called "biomechanically neutral position" with the wrist turned inwards but not pronated, and the muscles of the ann relaxed.

The circuit may advantageously be operable by means of a mechanical switch movable between first and second positions. The switch may advantageously be located in the base surface of the mouse and the first and second positions of the switch may advantageously be provided with indications representative, respectively, of right handed and left handed use of the mouse.

With the switch in the first position the circuit is inoperative and the operation of the mouse is the same as that of a conventional mouse. That is to say, with the thumb surface of the mouse gripped by a thumb of a user's right hand, and with the finger surface of the mouse gripped by an index finger and a middle finger of a user's right hand, the mouse is in a first orientation about an axis perpendicular to the base surface, and movement of the base surface of the mouse across a work surface causes the motion sensor to generate signals suitable for use by a computer to cause a corresponding movement of a cursor on a display screen.

It will be appreciated that with the thumb surface of the mouse gripped by a thumb of a user's left hand, and with the finger surface of the mouse gripped by an index finger and a middle finger of a user's left hand, the mouse is in a second orientation about the axis perpendicular to the base surface, and movement of the base surface of the *: * mouse across a work surface causes the motion sensor to generate signals that, if used by a computer, would not cause a corresponding movement of a cursor on a display * *** screen. S. * * S. * *.

* : With the switch in the second position the circuit is operative and either generates a * *. signal indicating that the mouse is in the second orientation about the axis perpendicular to the base surface, or converts the signals generated by the motion sensor to signals suitable for use by a computer to cause a movement of a cursor on a display screen corresponding to movement of the base surface of the mouse across a work surface with the mouse in the second orientation about the axis perpendicular to the base surface.

Where the circuit generates the signal indicating that the mouse is in the second orientation about the axis perpendicular to the base surface, a program executable by a computer is required to cause the computer in response to the signal to convert the signals generated by the motion sensor to signals suitable for use by the computer to cause movement of a cursor on a display screen corresponding to movement of the base surface of the mouse across the work surface with the mouse in the second orientation about the axis perpendicular to the base surface.

The circuit is preferably operable by means of a sensor operable to determine whether the mouse is gripped by a user's left or right hand.

Where the mouse includes a cable for connection to a computer, the mouse may advantageously comprise first and second sockets for receiving a plug of the cable when the mouse is in the first or second orientation, respectively, about the axis perpendicular to the base surface, and the sensor be operable to determine whether the mouse is gripped by a user's left or right hand by determining whether the plug of the cable is received in the first or second socket.

The mouse is preferably adapted for wireless communication with a computer.

Where the mouse is so adapted, the sensor may conveniently comprise first and * second sensors in first and second locations on the body of the mouse, and be *. operable to determine whether the mouse is gripped by a user's left or right hand by *:*. comparing outputs of the first and second sensors.

* For example, the mouse may be provided with first and second proximity sensors, the *: ::. first proximity sensor being located so that it is adjacent to a palm of a user's right hand when the thumb surface is gripped by a thumb, and the finger surface is gripped by an index finger and a middle finger, of a user's right hand, and the second proximity sensor being located so that it is adjacent to a palm of a users's left hand when the thumb surface is gripped by a thumb, and the finger surface is gripped by an index finger and a middle finger, of a user's left hand.

The thumb surface may advantageously be provided with a button or other controller arranged for operation by a thumb of a user's hand.

Where the thumb surface is provided with the other controller, the other controller may advantageously comprise a thumbwheel.

The thumbwheel is preferably rotatable about an axis either substantially perpendicular to, or substantially parallel to, the base surface.

Alternatively, the other controller may advantageously comprise a joystick.

Preferably the joystick is constrained to move in a single plane substantially perpendicular to the base surface.

Constraining the joystick to move in the single plane results in a controller that can be operated by a thumb gripping the mouse without unwanted movement of the mouse across a work surface.

It will be appreciated that a computer mouse is often used at one side of a computer keyboard.

In that case, the first orientation of the mouse differs from the second orientation by between 900 and 180°. * *.S

*: * However, it is envisaged that the mouse could be used on the centre line of the body * of a user, i.e. directly in front of the user, in order to improve the delicacy of control *: *: :* of movement of the mouse across a work surface.

In that case, the first orientation of the mouse differs from the second orientation by 900 or less, and differs from the first orientation of the mouse when the mouse is used at one side of a computer keyboard.

Preferably, therefore, the circuit is further operable either to generate signals suitable for use by a computer with the signals generated by the motion sensor, or to generate from the signals generated by the motion sensor signals suitable for use by a computer, to cause movement of a cursor on a display screen, which movement corresponds to movement of the mouse across a work surface with the mouse in a third or a fourth orientation about the axis, thereby permitting use of the mouse by either a left hand or a right hand of a user with the mouse on the centre line of a body of the user.

The circuit may advantageously be operable by means of a mechanical switch movable between first, second, third and fourth positions. The switch may advantageously be located in the base surface of the mouse and the first, second, third and fourth positions of the switch may advantageously be provided with indications representative, respectively, of right handed use of the mouse to one side of a keyboard, left handed use of the mouse to one side of a keyboard, right handed use of the mouse on the centre line of a body of a user, and left handed use of the mouse on the centre line of a body of a user.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program executable by a computer to cause the computer to receive signals generated by a computer mouse in response to movement of the mouse across a work surface, and to cause a corresponding movement of a cursor on a display screen, wherein the program * : :* is further executable by a computer to cause the computer, in response to a command entered by a user, to receive signals generated by a computer mouse in response to * *s movement of the mouse across a work surface, and to cause a movement of a cursor * : * on a display screen, a magnitude of the movement of the cursor being proportional to * a magnitude of the movement of the mouse, but a direction of the movement of the *:*::* cursor differing by a predetermined angle from a direction of the movement of the mouse.

It will be appreciated that the computer program of the invention performs the same function as the circuit of the mouse and therefore enables the invention to be put into effect using a mouse that does not include the circuit.

The computer program allows a user to cause a movement of a cursor on a display screen by making a corresponding movement of a mouse across a work surface with the mouse in a first orientation about an axis perpendicular to the work surface, to enter a command into the computer, rotate the mouse to a second orientation about the axis, for example by changing the hand gripping the mouse, and to cause a movement of a cursor on a display screen by making a corresponding movement of the mouse across the work surface with the mouse in the second orientation.

The predetermined angle is preferably selectable by a user of the computer.

In this way the program can allow left and right handed use of a mouse both to one side of a computer keyboard and on the centre line of the body of the user of the mouse.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mouse in accordance with the invention; *.. Figure 2 is a plan view of the mouse of Figure 1 from below; S... * * * *..

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the mouse of Figures 1 and 2 gripped in a left hand; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mouse of Figures 1 and 2 gripped in a right hand; * *. and * . S S *S Figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of a mouse in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

The mouse 10 of Figure 1 comprises a body having a base surface 12 (not visible in Figure 1), a thumb surface 14, a finger surface 16, a top surface 18 and first and second side surfaces 20 and 22 respectively (side surface 22 is not visible in Figure 1).

As can be seen from Figure 2, the base surface 12 is rectangular, with long sides measuring 42 mm and short sides measuring 35 mm. The base surface is provided with a low friction pad at each corner, one of the pads being denoted by reference numeral 24, to facilitate sliding of the mouse on the base surface across a work surface. An optical motion sensor 26 is set in the base surface to measure movement of the mouse across the work surface. The optical motion sensor 26 is preferable to the type of motion sensor employing a rubber coated steel ball and rollers with which the ball engages, because of the relatively small dimensions of the base surface. A switch 28 is provided in the base surface, the switch having two positions marked "LH" and "RH" for left handed and right handed use of the mouse.

The thumb surface 14 is rectangular with long sides measuring 52 mm and short sides measuring 42 mm. A short side of the thumb surface 14 is joined to a long side of the base surface 12. The thumb surface 14 is perpendicular to the base surface 12 and is provided with a controller 30 in the form of a joystick that is constrained to move in a plane perpendicular to the base surface 12.

The finger surface 16 has an upper portion constituted by a first button 32 and a *: second button 34, and a lower portion denoted generally by reference numeral 36.

*: :: :* The lower portion 36 is rectangular with long sides measuring 42 mm and short sides measuring 35 mm. A long side of the lower portion 36 is joined to the other long side of the base surface 12. The lower portion 36 is perpendicular to the base surface 12.

The buttons 32 and 34 are rectangular with long sides measuring 42 mm and short *: : :* sides measuring 15 mm. A long side of the second button 34 abuts the other long side of the lower portion 36 and a long side of the first button 32 abuts the other long side of the second button 34. The upper portion of the finger surface 16 constituted by the buttons 32 and 34 is inclined at approximately 45° to the base surface 12. The other long side of the first button 32 abuts the top surface 18, which is convex and extends between the other long side of the first button 32 and the other short side of the thumb surface 14.

The side surfaces 20 and 22 join the long sides of the thumb surface 14, short sides of the base surface 12 and short sides of the lower portion 36 of the finger surface 16.

The body of the mouse 10 is symmetrical about a plane that is parallel to the side surfaces 20 and 22 and bisects the base surface 12, thumb surface 14, finger surface 16 and top surface 18.

The arrangement of the base surface 12, thumb surface 14 and finger surface 16 is such that with the mouse resting on the base surface 12, the mouse may be gripped between the thumb, index finger and middle finger of a user's left or right hand, with the thumb engaged with the controller 30 of the thumb surface 14 and the index and middle fingers engaged with the first button 32 and second button 34, respectively.

This is shown in Figures 3 and 4, albeit with the thumb removed from the controller for the purpose of clarity.

The side surfaces 20 and 22 are each provided with a socket adjacent to the thumb surface 14 and base surface 12. One such socket is visible in Figure 1, denoted by reference numeral 38. The sockets are for receiving a plug of a cable to connect the mouse to a computer.

The socket used to connect the mouse to the computer depends on the hand in which * the mouse is gripped. The socket 38, for example, would be used to connect the *: .: : mouse to the computer when the mouse is gripped in a left hand, as shown in Figure * . ..

*:*. 3, so that the cable extends away from the user's hand.

As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, to change from left handed use to right handed * ,. use of the mouse, the mouse must be rotated through approximately 180° about an axis perpendicular to the base surface 12.

When the mouse is gripped in a user's right hand, as shown in Figure 4, movement of the mouse away from the user and to the user's right causes the motion sensor 26 to generate a signal that causes the computer to move a cursor up and right on a display screen. If the mouse is then rotated through 180° and gripped in the user's left hand, as shown in Figure 3, movement of the mouse away from the user and to the user's right causes the motion sensor to generate a signal that causes the computer to move the cursor down and left on the display screen.

The mouse includes a circuit (not shown) that can convert a signal generated by the motion sensor 26 that causes the computer to move the cursor up on a display screen to a signal that causes the computer to move the cursor down on the display screen, and vice versa. The circuit can also convert a signal generated by the motion sensor 26 that causes the computer to move the cursor right on the display screen to a signal that causes the computer to move the cursor left on the display screen, and vice versa.

The circuit is inoperative when the mouse is gripped in the user's right hand. When the mouse is gripped in the user's left hand, the circuit is operative. The operation of the circuit is controlled by the sockets in the side surfaces 20 and 22. When the mouse is gripped in the user's right hand, the plug of the mouse cable is plugged into the socket in the side surface 22. When the plug is in the socket in the side surface 22 the circuit is inoperative. When the mouse is gripped in the user's left hand, the plug of the mouse cable is plugged into the socket 38 in the side surface 20. When the plug is in the socket 38 the circuit is operative.

The switch 28 in the base surface 12 of the mouse is used as an alternative to the plug of the mouse cable to control the circuit. With the switch 28 in the "RH" position the * * circuit is inoperative, and with the switch in the "LH" position the circuit is operative. . .

*.. The switch 28 could be used in the case of a mouse adapted for wireless *: communication with the computer. * ** * J S S.

Also shown in Figure 1 is a proximity detector 40 in the side surface 20 adjacent to the buttons 32 and 34. Another proximity detector 42 (shown in Figure 3) is provided in the corresponding position in the side surface 22. The proximity detectors 40 and 42 are an alternative to the plug of the mouse cable and the switch 28. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, when the mouse is gripped in the user's left hand, the proximity detector 42 is partially covered by the palm of the user's left hand, and when the mouse is gripped in the user's right hand, the proximity detector 40 is partially covered by the palm of the user's right hand. The circuit is inoperative if the proximity detector 40 is triggered and is operative if the proximity detector 42 is triggered.

It is not essential that the conversion of the signals generated by the motion sensor when the mouse is gripped in a user's left hand be carried out by the mouse. The conversion could equally well be carried out by the computer if suitably programmed.

The switch 28, proximity detectors 40 and 42 or the plug of the mouse cable could be used to control a circuit that simply generates a signal indicating that the mouse is gripped in the user's left hand, which signal causes the computer to carry out the conversion of the signals generated by the motion sensor.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to conversion of signals that cause the computer to move the cursor up and right on the display screen to signals, respectively, that cause the computer to move the cursor down and left, and vice versa. The motion sensor resolves movements of the mouse into components in two perpendicular directions. It is a straightforward matter to determine the changes required in the magnitudes and/or signs of these components to convert a signal generated by the motion sensor that causes the computer to move the cursor in a first direction on the display screen to a signal that causes the computer to move the cursor in a second direction on the display screen, the first direction being at any chosen *...

angle to the second direction.

I * S I * S.

This is useful where the mouse is to be used on the centre line of the user's body, for example because the user desires more precise control of the movement of the mouse across the work surface. Where the mouse is used on the centre line of the user's body, the wrist is curled towards the user's body, as compared with when the mouse is used to one side of a computer keyboard. This means that to change from right to left handed use of the mouse, the mouse must be rotated through only approximately 90° about an axis perpendicular to the base surface 12, as opposed to approximately 1800 when the mouse is used to one side of the computer keyboard.

The orientations of the mouse for left and right handed use on the centre line of the user's body are likely to be different again from the orientations of the mouse for left and right handed use of the mouse at the side of a keyboard. These additional orientations can be accommodated by further selectable positions of the switch 28.

The mouse 50 of Figure 5 comprises a body having a base surface 52, a thumb surface 54, a finger surface 56, and first and second side surfaces, one of which is visible in Figure 5 denoted by reference numeral 58.

The base surface 52 has two straight edges measuring 45 mm, and has a narrow end with a distance between the first ends of the straight edges being 25 mm, and a wide end with a distance between the second ends of the straight edges being 35 mm. A first curved edge joins the first ends of the straight edges and a second curved edge joins the second ends of the straight edges. The first and second curved edges form convex curves.

The thumb surface 54 has an upper portion 60 and a lower portion 62. The lower portion 62 is convex and extends 20 mm from the narrow end of the base surface 52 with its edges substantially perpendicular to the base surface. The upper portion 62 is planar and extends 40 imn from an upper edge of the lower portion 62 at an angle of * *. approximately 45° to the base surface 52. The upper portion 62 is provided with a thumbwheel 64 and a button 66. The thumbwheel 64 is rotatable about an axis **** parallel to the base surface 52. ** * * * S * **

The finger surface 56 forms a convex curve and joins an upper edge of the upper * portion 60 and the wide end of the base surface 52. The finger surface 56 is provided * with first and second buttons 68 and 70 respectively.

The side surfaces join the base, thumb and finger surfaces 52, 54, and 56. The body of the mouse 50 is symmetrical about a plane that is parallel to the side surfaces and bisects the base surface 52, thumb surface 54 and finger surface 56.

The arrangement of the base surface 52, thumb surface 54 and finger surface 56 is such that with the mouse resting on the base surface 52, the mouse may be gripped between the thumb, index finger and middle finger of a user's left or right hand, with the thumb engaged with the thumbwheel 64 of the thumb surface 54 and the index and middle fingers engaged with the first button 68 and second button 70, respectively.

The button 66 is located so that it can be operated by the thumb of the hand gripping the mouse.

The operation of the mouse 50 is the same as that of the mouse 10.

The operation of a computer program that can be used to put the invention into effect will now be described.

The program prompts the user to grip a mouse in his right hand in the orientation in which he wishes to use the mouse and to move the mouse away from him across a work surface. The program receives signals from the mouse representative of the movement of the mouse across the work surface. The program determines what conversion, if any, is required of the signals received from the mouse to obtain signals that cause the computer to move a cursor upwards on a display screen. The conversion is stored as a right hand conversion.

* The program then prompts the user to grip the mouse in his left hand in the orientation in which he wishes to use the mouse and to move the mouse away from him across the work surface. The program receives signals from the mouse representative of the * . movement of the mouse across the work surface. The program determines what * * conversion, if any, is required of the signals received from the mouse to obtain signals * that cause the computer to move the cursor upwards on the display screen. The * conversion is stored as a left hand conversion.

The program enables the user to enter a command as to whether he wishes to use the mouse with his left hand or his right hand. When the command is entered the program applies the stored left hand or right hand conversion as appropriate to signals received from the mouse such that the user can use the mouse with his chosen hand in his chosen orientation and movement of the mouse across the work surface will cause a corresponding movement of the cursor across the display screen. * ** * S I * ** *S.. * I IS.. II * * . * * S. S.... * . * .. * S *

S SI

Claims

Claims 1. A computer mouse comprising a body having base, thumb and finger surfaces for orientation in use with the base surface resting on a work surface and the thumb and s finger surfaces gripped, respectively, between a thumb and an index finger and a middle finger of a user's hand, the finger surface being provided with first arid second buttons arranged to be operated, respectively, by the index finger and the middle finger of a user's hand, the base surface being provided with a motion sensor operable in response to movement of the mouse across a work surface with the mouse in a first orientation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the base surface to generate signals suitable for use by a computer to cause a corresponding movement of a cursor on a display screen, wherein the finger and thumb surfaces and the first and second buttons are substantially symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the base surface and the mouse further comprises a circuit operable either to generate a signal suitable for use by a computer with the signals generated by the motion sensor, or to generate from the signals generated by the motion sensor signals suitable for use by a computer, to cause movement of a cursor on a display screen, which movement corresponds to movement of the mouse across a work surface with the mouse in a second orientation about the axis, thereby permitting use of the mouse by either a left hand or a right hand of a user.
2. A mouse according to claim 1, wherein the thumb surface extends between a first edge of the base surface and a first edge of a top surface of the mouse, is substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the base surface, and the finger surface extends between a second edge of the base surface and a second edge of the top surface, and has upper and lower portions, the lower portion being substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the base surface and the upper portion being substantially planar and *:*::* inclined at an angle of approximately 450 to the base surface. *.e. * *
3. A mouse according to claim 1, wherem the thumb and finger surfaces extend from *:*.*3o respective first and second edges of the base surface to a common-edge, the finger surface is convex and inclined at an angle to the base surface that decreases from approximately 90° at the first edge of the base surface to approximately 60° at the *: :: * common edge, and the thumb surface has upper and lower portions, the upper portion being substantially planar and extending away from the common edge inclined at an angle of approximately 45° to the base surface, and the lower portion being convex and extending between the upper portion and the second edge of the base surface.
4. A mouse according to any preceding claim, wherein the circuit is operable by means of a mechanical switch movable between first and second positions.
5. A mouse according to claim 4, wherein the switch is located in the base surface of the mouse.
6. A mouse according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the circuit is operable by means of a sensor operable to determine whether the mouse is gripped by a user's left or right hand.
7. A mouse according to claim 6, wherein the mouse includes a cable for connection to a computer, and the mouse comprises first and second sockets for receiving a plug of the cable when the mouse is in the first or second orientation, respectively, about the axis perpendicular to the base surface, and the sensor is operable to determine whether the mouse is gripped by a user's left or right hand by determining whether the plug of the cable is received in the first or second socket.
8. A mouse according to claim 6, wherein the mouse is adapted for wireless communication with a computer, and the sensor comprises first and second sensors in first and second locations on the body of the mouse, the sensor being operable to determine whether the mouse is gripped by a user's left or right hand by comparing outputs of the first and second sensors. * ** * * *
9. A mouse according to claim 8, wherein the mouse is provided with first and second proximity sensors, the first proximity sensor being located so that it is adjacent to a *.,30 palm of a user's right hand when the thumb surface is gripped by a thumb, and the finger surface is gripped by an index finger and a middle finger, of a user's right hand, *: *::* and the second proximity sensor being located so that it is adjacent to a palm of a users's left hand when the thumb surface is gripped by a thumb, and the finger surface is gripped by an index finger and a middle finger, of a user's left hand.
10. A mouse according to any preceding claim, wherein the thumb surface is provided with a button or other controller arranged for operation by a thumb of a user's hand.
11. A mouse according to claim 10, wherein the thumb surface is provided with a thumbwheel.
12. A mouse according to claim 10, wherein the thumb surface is provided with a joystick.
13. A mouse according to claim 12, wherein the joystick is constrained to move in a single plane substantially perpendicular to the base surface.
14. A mouse according to any preceding claim, wherein the circuit is further operable either to generate signals suitable for use by a computer with the signals generated by the motion sensor, or to generate from the signals generated by the motion sensor signals suitable for use by a computer, to cause movement of a cursor on a display screen, which movement corresponds to movement of the mouse across a work surface with the mouse in a third or a fourth orientation about the axis, thereby permitting use of the mouse by either a left hand or a right hand of a user with the mouse on the centre line of a body of the user.
15. A mouse according to claim 14, wherein the circuit is operable by means of a mechanical switch movable between first, second, third and fourth positions.

*..
16. A computer program executable by a computer to cause the computer to receive signals generated by a computer mouse in response to movement of the mouse across a work * *** surface, and to cause a corresponding movement of a cursor on a display screen, wherein the program is further executable by a computer to cause the computer, in * ** . response to a command entered by a user, to receive signals generated by a computer * mouse in response to movement of the mouse across a work surface, and to cause a movement of a cursor on a display screen, a magnitude of the movement of the cursor being proportional to a magnitude of the movement of the mouse, but a direction of the movement of the cursor differing by a predetermined angle from a direction of the movement of the mouse.
17. A program according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined angle is selectable by a user of the computer.
18. A computer mouse substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * ** * * * * ** * * **** ** S * S S * S.S*5 S*SS * . * S* * S S S.