WO2000011598A1 - Computer mouse - Google Patents

Computer mouse Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000011598A1
WO2000011598A1 PCT/IB1999/001453 IB9901453W WO0011598A1 WO 2000011598 A1 WO2000011598 A1 WO 2000011598A1 IB 9901453 W IB9901453 W IB 9901453W WO 0011598 A1 WO0011598 A1 WO 0011598A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computer mouse
ball
magnets
use according
magnet
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB1999/001453
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christiaan Jacobs
Jurie Arnoldus Taljaard
Original Assignee
Leopont 275 Properties (Pty) Ltd
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 Leopont 275 Properties (Pty) Ltd filed Critical Leopont 275 Properties (Pty) Ltd
Priority to AU51885/99A priority Critical patent/AU5188599A/en
Publication of WO2000011598A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000011598A1/en

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
    • G06F3/039—Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
    • G06F3/0395—Mouse pads
    • 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

Definitions

  • THIS invention relates to a computer mouse.
  • a computer mouse is a device used to control a cursor on a computer screen, for the purpose of operating the computer or entering information into the computer.
  • a computer mouse comprises a housing which houses a computer mouse ball. When the computer mouse is pushed over a surface, the ball comes into contact with the surface and is caused to rotate within the housing. Sensors (which are usually rollers) within the housing monitor the rotation of the ball and send information on the movement of the ball, via a cable, to the computer. The relative movement of the ball to the sensors is then used to control the movement of the cursor on the computer screen.
  • a problem with the computer mouse is that the ball sometimes loses traction on the surface and "slips". This slipping is conveyed to the cursor on the screen and makes movement of the cursor sluggish or erratic and it is difficult to position the cursor correctly. This problem is exacerbated when the sensors and ball pick up dirt during use.
  • a first aspect of the invention covers the use of magnetic attraction between the ball of a computer mouse and the surface on which the computer mouse is used, to improve the stability and traction of the ball on the surface.
  • the ball contains a magnet or magnets and the surface contains magnetic material.
  • the surface may contain a magnet or magnets and the ball may contain magnetic material.
  • the ball is covered with a plastics casing.
  • the surface on which the computer mouse is used is a computer mouse pad.
  • the computer mouse pad includes a sheet of magnetic material, such as a steel sheet.
  • the operatively upper surface of the magnetic sheet is covered with a protective cover.
  • the outer surface of the protective cover is roughened.
  • the operatively lower surface of the metal sheet may be covered with a layer of sponge material, such as compressed foam rubber.
  • the invention relates particularly to a computer mouse having a high resolution of more that 400dpi, typically more than 800 dpi.
  • a computer mouse ball containing a spherical magnet.
  • a computer mouse ball containing three or more magnets, preferably four or more bar magnets.
  • the bar magnets are arranged in opposed pairs within the computer mouse ball with opposed magnets being arranged to lie on a common axis which runs through the centre of the ball, with like poles of the opposed pairs of magnets facing each other.
  • a kit comprising a computer mouse ball containing a magnet or magnets as described above and a computer mouse pad containing magnetic material, as described above.
  • Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a computer mouse on a computer mouse pad
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through a first computer mouse ball
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through a second computer mouse ball
  • Figure 4 is a three dimensional view of a third computer mouse ball, in ghosted outline; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the computer mouse ball of
  • magnet refers any substance which is attracted by or to a magnet.
  • the magnets mentioned in the specification are permanent magnets.
  • a computer mouse 10 which houses a computer mouse ball 12 and which is connectable to a computer (not shown) via a cable 14.
  • a computer not shown
  • the computer mouse 10 is pushed over a surface in the form of a computer mouse pad 16.
  • the ball 12 comes into contact with the pad 16 and movement of the computer mouse 10 over the pad 16 causes the ball 12 to rotate within the computer mouse 10.
  • the ball 12 has a core 18 which is in the form of a spherical magnet.
  • the core 18 is covered by a thin plastics casing 20 which is made from epoxy or silicon.
  • the ball 12 has a diameter of 20mm and the cover 20 has a thickness of lmm.
  • the size of the ball will depend on the size required for a particular computer mouse.
  • the computer mouse pad 16 (which in this embodiment is rectangular, having a length of 24cm and a breadth of 20cm) contains a sheet of magnetic material 22.
  • the magnetic sheet 22 is in the form of a steel plate having a thickness of about 0.5mm.
  • the operatively upper surface of the sheet 22 is covered with a layer of protective material 24 which in this case is a sheet of plastics material which is roughened.
  • the operatively lower surface of the sheet 22 is covered with a layer of foam rubber 26.
  • the computer mouse 10 is pushed over the pad 16 and magnetic attraction between the magnet core 18 of the ball 12 and the magnetic sheet 22 of the pad 16 improves the stability and traction of the ball 12 on the pad 16.
  • the plastics casing 20 of the ball 12 and the roughened upper surface 22 of the pad further increases the traction of the ball 12 on the pad.
  • the magnetic attraction between the ball 12 and pad 16 also increases resistance to movement of the ball making it easier to control the computer mouse 10.
  • the magnetic strength of the magnet core 18 of the tracking ball 12 is selected as required, depending on the degree of stability, traction and/or resistance to movement needed.
  • kits comprising a computer mouse ball containing a magnet (as described herein) and a computer mouse pad containing magnetic material, or a sheet of magnetic material (as described herein).
  • each kit will indicate the type of computer mouse that the tracking ball contained within the kit is for use with and the upper surface of the pad will display an aesthetically pleasing picture or advertising.
  • the computer mouse pad may comprise the magnet (eg. a sheet magnet) which is used in conjunction with a normal computer mouse ball having a magnetic core, for example a steel core.
  • the pad provides a relatively large magnet area on a desk which will cause a relatively large magnetic field which is potentially dangerous to computer equipment sensitive to a magnetic field, such as computer disks.
  • a first computer mouse ball 12 contains a single bar magnet 30 which is surrounded by a plastics casing 20. This is the most simple version of a computer mouse containing a magnet.
  • the bar magnet 30 has a North Pole 32 and a South Pole 34 which generate a magnetic field (shown by the dotted lines). The magnetic field creates the magnetic attraction between the tracking ball 12 and a computer mouse pad (containing magnetic material), as described above.
  • Figure 3 shows a second computer mouse ball 12 containing a spherical magnet 33 which is formed from two hemispherical magnets that are bonded together.
  • the hemispherical magnets are formed from bonded neodymium iron boron (sold under the trade name BREMAG ) which is pressed, or pressed and machined, into the hemispherical shape.
  • the magnet 33 has a North Pole 36 and a South Pole 38 which generate a magnetic field shown by the dotted lines.
  • the magnet 33 is also surrounded by a plastics casing 20.
  • the computer mouse ball illustrated in Figure 3 has proven to be particularly useful for operating a high-resolution computer mouse (ie. a computer mouse having a resolution of greater than 400dpi (dots per inch), typically greater than 800dpi.
  • a high-resolution computer mouse ie. a computer mouse having a resolution of greater than 400dpi (dots per inch), typically greater than 800dpi.
  • small movements of the mouse on a surface introduce large movements of the cursor on a computer screen.
  • movements of a high resolution computer mouse are less than 1cm.
  • the magnetic attraction between the ball and a magnetic surface stabilizes the ball, gives the ball better traction on the surface and assists movement of the ball, making control of the cursor on the screen easier and more accurate.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show a third computer mouse ball, with a plurality of magnets that are arranged to provide a more uniform magnetic field around the ball to alleviate "wobbling" of the ball.
  • a computer mouse ball 12 comprises six bar magnets 40 surrounded by a cover 42.
  • the magnets 40 are arranged on X, Y and Z axes which bisect each other at right angles at the centre of the ball 12 at point C.
  • the bar magnets 40 are arranged in pairs on each of the axis X, Y and Z, with the like poles of the pairs facing each other. It is believed that this orientation of bar magnets within the ball 12 will create a more uniform magnet field around the sphere to alleviate the problem of "wobbling" of the ball during use.
  • Figure 5 shows a top cross-sectional view of Figure 4 along the X axis with the more uniform magnetic field (ie. compared to the balls in Figures 2 and 3) shown by the dotted lines.

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

This invention relates to the use of magnetic attraction between the ball (12) of a computer mouse (10) and a computer mouse pad (16) on which the computer mouse (10) is used, to improve the stability and traction of the ball (12) on the pad (16). The ball (12) contains a magnet and the computer mouse pad (16) contains a magnetic sheet (22). Magnetic attraction between the ball (12) and sheet (22) increases the stability and traction of the ball (12) on the pad (16) and also increases the resistance of the ball to movement, making the computer mouse (10) and thus a cursor on a computer screen to which the mouse (10) is attached, easier to control and more accurate.

Description

COMPUTER MOUSE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
THIS invention relates to a computer mouse.
A computer mouse is a device used to control a cursor on a computer screen, for the purpose of operating the computer or entering information into the computer. A computer mouse comprises a housing which houses a computer mouse ball. When the computer mouse is pushed over a surface, the ball comes into contact with the surface and is caused to rotate within the housing. Sensors (which are usually rollers) within the housing monitor the rotation of the ball and send information on the movement of the ball, via a cable, to the computer. The relative movement of the ball to the sensors is then used to control the movement of the cursor on the computer screen.
A problem with the computer mouse is that the ball sometimes loses traction on the surface and "slips". This slipping is conveyed to the cursor on the screen and makes movement of the cursor sluggish or erratic and it is difficult to position the cursor correctly. This problem is exacerbated when the sensors and ball pick up dirt during use.
It is an object of this invention to address this problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the invention covers the use of magnetic attraction between the ball of a computer mouse and the surface on which the computer mouse is used, to improve the stability and traction of the ball on the surface.
Typically, the ball contains a magnet or magnets and the surface contains magnetic material.
Alternatively, the surface may contain a magnet or magnets and the ball may contain magnetic material.
Preferably, the ball is covered with a plastics casing.
Advantageously, the surface on which the computer mouse is used is a computer mouse pad.
Preferably, the computer mouse pad includes a sheet of magnetic material, such as a steel sheet.
Advantageously, the operatively upper surface of the magnetic sheet is covered with a protective cover.
Preferably, the outer surface of the protective cover is roughened.
The operatively lower surface of the metal sheet may be covered with a layer of sponge material, such as compressed foam rubber.
The invention relates particularly to a computer mouse having a high resolution of more that 400dpi, typically more than 800 dpi. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a computer mouse ball containing a spherical magnet.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a computer mouse ball containing three or more magnets, preferably four or more bar magnets.
Advantageously, the bar magnets are arranged in opposed pairs within the computer mouse ball with opposed magnets being arranged to lie on a common axis which runs through the centre of the ball, with like poles of the opposed pairs of magnets facing each other.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a kit comprising a computer mouse ball containing a magnet or magnets as described above and a computer mouse pad containing magnetic material, as described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a computer mouse on a computer mouse pad;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through a first computer mouse ball;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through a second computer mouse ball;
Figure 4 is a three dimensional view of a third computer mouse ball, in ghosted outline; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the computer mouse ball of
Figure 4 along the X-axis.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In this specification, the term "magnetic" refers any substance which is attracted by or to a magnet. Generally speaking, the magnets mentioned in the specification are permanent magnets.
Referring to Figure 1, there is provided a computer mouse 10 which houses a computer mouse ball 12 and which is connectable to a computer (not shown) via a cable 14. In use the computer mouse 10 is pushed over a surface in the form of a computer mouse pad 16. The ball 12 comes into contact with the pad 16 and movement of the computer mouse 10 over the pad 16 causes the ball 12 to rotate within the computer mouse 10.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the ball 12 has a core 18 which is in the form of a spherical magnet. The core 18 is covered by a thin plastics casing 20 which is made from epoxy or silicon. In this embodiment the ball 12 has a diameter of 20mm and the cover 20 has a thickness of lmm. Of course, the size of the ball will depend on the size required for a particular computer mouse.
The computer mouse pad 16 (which in this embodiment is rectangular, having a length of 24cm and a breadth of 20cm) contains a sheet of magnetic material 22. The magnetic sheet 22 is in the form of a steel plate having a thickness of about 0.5mm. The operatively upper surface of the sheet 22 is covered with a layer of protective material 24 which in this case is a sheet of plastics material which is roughened. The operatively lower surface of the sheet 22 is covered with a layer of foam rubber 26. In use, the computer mouse 10 is pushed over the pad 16 and magnetic attraction between the magnet core 18 of the ball 12 and the magnetic sheet 22 of the pad 16 improves the stability and traction of the ball 12 on the pad 16. The plastics casing 20 of the ball 12 and the roughened upper surface 22 of the pad further increases the traction of the ball 12 on the pad. The magnetic attraction between the ball 12 and pad 16 also increases resistance to movement of the ball making it easier to control the computer mouse 10. The magnetic strength of the magnet core 18 of the tracking ball 12 is selected as required, depending on the degree of stability, traction and/or resistance to movement needed.
Since the ball 12 contains a magnet, care must be taken to keep the ball away from computer components that are sensitive magnetism, such as computer discs.
According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a kit comprising a computer mouse ball containing a magnet (as described herein) and a computer mouse pad containing magnetic material, or a sheet of magnetic material (as described herein). Typically, each kit will indicate the type of computer mouse that the tracking ball contained within the kit is for use with and the upper surface of the pad will display an aesthetically pleasing picture or advertising.
Alternatively, and although this embodiment is not specifically illustrated, the computer mouse pad may comprise the magnet (eg. a sheet magnet) which is used in conjunction with a normal computer mouse ball having a magnetic core, for example a steel core. The main disadvantage of this embodiment is that the pad provides a relatively large magnet area on a desk which will cause a relatively large magnetic field which is potentially dangerous to computer equipment sensitive to a magnetic field, such as computer disks.
Various computer mouse balls for use with the invention and according to the invention will now be described. Although the computer mouse balls are described having a core comprising a magnet or magnets, that the invention will also covers a ball wherein the outer surface or periphery of the ball forms the magnet.
Referring to Figure 2, a first computer mouse ball 12 contains a single bar magnet 30 which is surrounded by a plastics casing 20. This is the most simple version of a computer mouse containing a magnet. The bar magnet 30 has a North Pole 32 and a South Pole 34 which generate a magnetic field (shown by the dotted lines). The magnetic field creates the magnetic attraction between the tracking ball 12 and a computer mouse pad (containing magnetic material), as described above.
Figure 3 shows a second computer mouse ball 12 containing a spherical magnet 33 which is formed from two hemispherical magnets that are bonded together. The hemispherical magnets are formed from bonded neodymium iron boron (sold under the trade name BREMAG ) which is pressed, or pressed and machined, into the hemispherical shape. The magnet 33 has a North Pole 36 and a South Pole 38 which generate a magnetic field shown by the dotted lines. The magnet 33 is also surrounded by a plastics casing 20.
The computer mouse ball illustrated in Figure 3 has proven to be particularly useful for operating a high-resolution computer mouse (ie. a computer mouse having a resolution of greater than 400dpi (dots per inch), typically greater than 800dpi. When a high resolution computer mouse is used, small movements of the mouse on a surface introduce large movements of the cursor on a computer screen. Generally speaking, movements of a high resolution computer mouse are less than 1cm. The magnetic attraction between the ball and a magnetic surface stabilizes the ball, gives the ball better traction on the surface and assists movement of the ball, making control of the cursor on the screen easier and more accurate.
Although the computer mouse balls illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 are useful for high and low resolution computer mice, the balls tend to "wobble" when used with a low resolution mouse because the mouse is moved over greater distances and because the magnetic field is not distributed uniformly about the ball.
Figures 4 and 5 show a third computer mouse ball, with a plurality of magnets that are arranged to provide a more uniform magnetic field around the ball to alleviate "wobbling" of the ball.
Referring to Figure 4, a computer mouse ball 12 comprises six bar magnets 40 surrounded by a cover 42. The magnets 40 are arranged on X, Y and Z axes which bisect each other at right angles at the centre of the ball 12 at point C. The bar magnets 40 are arranged in pairs on each of the axis X, Y and Z, with the like poles of the pairs facing each other. It is believed that this orientation of bar magnets within the ball 12 will create a more uniform magnet field around the sphere to alleviate the problem of "wobbling" of the ball during use. Figure 5 shows a top cross-sectional view of Figure 4 along the X axis with the more uniform magnetic field (ie. compared to the balls in Figures 2 and 3) shown by the dotted lines.

Claims

1 Use of magnetic attraction between the computer mouse ball of a computer mouse and the surface on which the computer mouse is used, to improve the stability and traction of the ball on the surface
2 Use according to claim 1 wherein the ball contains a magnet or magnets and the surface contains magnetic material.
3 Use according to claim 1 wherein the surface contains a magnet or magnets and the ball contains magnetic material.
4 Use according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the ball is covered with a plastics casing.
5 Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the surface on which the computer mouse is used is a computer mouse pad
6 Use according to claim 5, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the computer mouse pad includes a sheet of magnetic material
7 Use according to claim 6 wherein the magnetic sheet material is a steel sheet
8 Use according to claim 7 wherein the operatively upper surface of the steel sheet is covered with a protective cover
9 Use according to claim 8 wherein the outer surface of the protective cover is roughened.
10. Use according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the operatively lower surface of the steel sheet is covered with a layer of sponge material.
11. Use according to claim 10 wherein the sponge material is compressed foam rubber.
12. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the computer mouse is a high resolution computer mouse, having a resolution greater than 400dpi.
13. A computer mouse ball containing a spherical magnet.
14. A computer mouse ball comprising three or more magnets.
15. A computer mouse ball according to claim 14 containing four or more bar magnets.
16. A computer mouse ball according to claim 15 wherein the bar magnets are arranged in opposed pairs within the computer mouse ball with opposed magnets being arranged to lie on a common axis which runs through the centre of the ball, with like poles of the opposed pairs of magnets of the opposed pairs of magnets facing each other.
17. A kit including a computer mouse ball containing a magnet or magnets and a computer mouse pad containing magnetic material.
PCT/IB1999/001453 1998-08-20 1999-08-20 Computer mouse WO2000011598A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU51885/99A AU5188599A (en) 1998-08-20 1999-08-20 Computer mouse

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA98/7508 1998-08-20
ZA987508 1998-08-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000011598A1 true WO2000011598A1 (en) 2000-03-02

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB1999/001453 WO2000011598A1 (en) 1998-08-20 1999-08-20 Computer mouse

Country Status (2)

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WO (1) WO2000011598A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10983614B2 (en) 2016-10-11 2021-04-20 Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. Computer mice, methods for controlling a computer mouse, mouse pads, methods for controlling a mouse pad, and computer-readable media

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5969880A (en) * 1982-10-15 1984-04-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Input device of positional information
DE3912354A1 (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-10-18 Michael Dettmer Distance measurement arrangement, similar to personal computer mouse - uses magnetic detection of roller ball rotation to allow absolute measurement
JPH05257596A (en) * 1992-03-11 1993-10-08 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Mouse device
US5380095A (en) * 1992-11-16 1995-01-10 Pryor; Paul L. Bearing arrangement having magnetic attraction between sliders and clearance mechanism
GB2286034A (en) * 1994-01-31 1995-08-02 Ibm Magnetic computer mouse
US5678800A (en) * 1995-10-16 1997-10-21 Markussen; Brad D. Computer mouse pad having inclined surfaces
US5765795A (en) * 1995-11-15 1998-06-16 Alex; Paul J. Deformable computer mouse pad

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5969880A (en) * 1982-10-15 1984-04-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Input device of positional information
DE3912354A1 (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-10-18 Michael Dettmer Distance measurement arrangement, similar to personal computer mouse - uses magnetic detection of roller ball rotation to allow absolute measurement
JPH05257596A (en) * 1992-03-11 1993-10-08 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Mouse device
US5380095A (en) * 1992-11-16 1995-01-10 Pryor; Paul L. Bearing arrangement having magnetic attraction between sliders and clearance mechanism
GB2286034A (en) * 1994-01-31 1995-08-02 Ibm Magnetic computer mouse
US5678800A (en) * 1995-10-16 1997-10-21 Markussen; Brad D. Computer mouse pad having inclined surfaces
US5765795A (en) * 1995-11-15 1998-06-16 Alex; Paul J. Deformable computer mouse pad

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 008, no. 175 (P - 294) 11 August 1984 (1984-08-11) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 018, no. 021 (P - 1674) 13 January 1994 (1994-01-13) *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10983614B2 (en) 2016-10-11 2021-04-20 Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. Computer mice, methods for controlling a computer mouse, mouse pads, methods for controlling a mouse pad, and computer-readable media

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