WO2001024148A1

WO2001024148A1 - Computer pointing device

Info

Publication number: WO2001024148A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/026397
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald G. Varga; Debra M. Reich; Mark A. Edwards
Original assignee: Acco Brands, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-09-27
Filing date: 2000-09-26
Publication date: 2001-04-05
Also published as: WO2001024148A9; AU7615400A

Abstract

A new and improved pointing device (100) having a symmetrical design thereby permitting ambidextrous use and equally benefiting both left- and right-handed users. Such device further permits the user's palm and wrist to rest at a neutral angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal surface during operation of the device thereby reducing pronation of the hand and wrist.

Description

COMPUTER POINTING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cursor-controlling or pointing devices used in conjunction with a personal computer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved pointing device for ambidextrous use. Computers are usually equipped to use a pointing device for controlling the movement of the cursor on the computer screen. One of the more widely used pointing devices is the computer mouse. In general, the mouse employs a mechanical, optical or other means to detect user-initiated motion. The detected motion is then converted into electrical signals to be used for controlling the movement of the cursor on the computer screen. The mechanical means most often used is the roller ball mechanism which protrudes from the base of the housing. A user grasps the housing of the mouse to roll the ball over a flat surface, thereby creating changes in positional data which are then used to determine the movement of the cursor. The mouse also includes at least one button on the top of the housing which the user can depress to activate various functions. In addition to the mouse, there are other pointing devices, such as trackballs, that utilize rotary motion to control the movement of the cursor on the computer screen. These devices employ a mechanism similar to that used by the mouse to detect user-initiated motion. Such mechanism includes a roller control, such as a spherical object, which a user is permitted to rotate with respect to a stationary reference position, thereby similarly creating rotary motion which is then used to control the movement of the cursor.

There are many types of computer pointing devices existing on the market today. A number of the prior art pointing device designs seek to reduce pronation of the hand. Full pronation occurs when the palm of the hand is pressed downward against a flat surface in a horizontal manner. When a hand is in the pronated position, considerable strain is exerted on various parts of the hand, the wrist and the forearm, which, in turn, may cause discomfort. The significant majority of the prior art pointing device designs which aim to reduce the effects of pronation, however, share a common characteristic — which is that they all employ an asymmetrical structure. Apparently, these designs were created primarily with only one type of user in mind, namely, a right-handed user. For example, some housings were specifically molded to match the shape of the right hand; and buttons are strategically placed to facilitate control and/or reach by fingers on the right hand. Due to the nature of the asymmetry, asymmetrical designs generally create inherent tradeoffs. The advantages offered by such designs are often realized at the expense or sacrifice of some other utility. In the case of a computer pointing device, the convenience of use by left-handed users is compromised. Since the left hand and the right hand are substantially mirror images of each other, it is often not feasible for an asymmetrical design to benefit both equally. This is especially true of pointing devices with more than two buttons. In almost all cases, what is structurally convenient for a right-handed user tends to have a proportionally opposite, adverse effect on a left-handed user. An estimated twelve percent (12%) of the population is left-handed. It would be safe to assume that a comparable percentage of computer users are also left- handed. Therefore, there is a substantial need to improve the design of computer pointing devices to provide equal benefits in a single device to both left- and right-handed users.

In addition, many of the prior art input device designs also do not take into consideration the discomfort of the user while operating the pointing device. Such discomfort, if left unalleviated over an extended period of time, may contribute to or aggravate an existing condition, which may then possibly lead to one of many injuries collectively known as repetitive stress injury (RSI). RSI has become a major medical concern in recent years due to the rapidly growing number of computer users. In fact, RSI has become so prevalent amongst certain types of computer users that it has prompted the filing of a number of lawsuits alleging design defect in some equipment. Consequently, ergonomically sound designs have been developed in an attempt to improve user comfort. However, despite the recognition of a need to have better designs, much of the innovation and advances made in the area may be only provided to right- handed users. Therefore, there remains a need to create designs that take into consideration the needs of both right- and left-handed users.

Furthermore, while there exist a number of prior art symmetrical pointing devices, these devices do not provide sufficient relief to reduce pronation. More specifically, none of these devices allows a user's palm and wrist to rest at a neutral angle of approximately 45° with respect to the horizontal surface during operation. The neutral angle of approximately 45° is the angle which the palm and the wrist make with the horizontal surface when the hand is resting in its natural, relaxed cupping position on the surface. To be more specific, while the palm of the hand may pivot up and down relative to the wrist, it may not rotate independently. In other words, the palm and the wrist always rotate together. Therefore, at full pronation, both the palm and the wrist have a zero degree inclination with respect to the horizontal surface. Viewing from a frontal perspective, when the hand is resting in its natural, relaxed position on a horizontal surface, the palm, together with the wrist, are rotated and tilted at a neutral angle of approximately 45° with respect to the surface. At this neutral angle, the amount of strain exerted on the hand, the wrist and the forearm is at a minimum. Therefore, there exists a need to develop designs that will achieve the approximately 45° angle so as to maximize comfort for a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pointing device which offers improved user comfort by providing the user the opportunity to rest his palm and wrist in a neutral angle while operating the device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pointing device which permits ambidextrous use thereby equally benefiting both left- and right-handed users.

The new and improved pointing device includes a symmetrical housing and a planar bottom surface. The symmetrical housing includes a front portion having a number of openings to accommodate at least two user-actuable buttons and a rear portion having a hump.

The overall curvature of the front portion and the hump is designed such that the housing fits comfortably in the palm of the hand of the user in such a way that pronation of the hand/wrist is reduced while the pointing device is being used. Preferably, when a hand is placed on top of the housing to operate the pointing device, the palm of the hand, in particular, the area roughly defined by the proximal transverse palm crease, and the wrist should rest at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface. It is to be understood that in accomplishing the foregoing objective, the housing may be provided in different dimensions to accommodate the various hand sizes of the users. The pointing device further includes key caps for the user-actuable buttons. Some key caps are shaped in such a way that they each have a narrower midsection and are elongated such that they are reachable by all the fingers. The key caps are orientated with respect to each other so that packing is improved such that operating areas are large and a landing or resting area is provided. The resting area is sufficiently large to accommodate use by either the thumb or any of the other fingers. The resting area further reduces the amount of strain on the hand by allowing the fingers to rest completely rather than having the fingers stay gingerly on top of the key caps.

The pointing device further includes a recess. Located within the recess is a control device for controlling the selection of various functions displayed on the computer screen. The recess is located along the medial axis of the housing thereby allowing equal access to the control device by both left- and right-handed users. Similarly, user-actuable buttons are symmetrically aligned with respect to the medial axis of the housing to permit ambidextrous use. Preferably, the control device is located below the plane defined by the periphery of the recess.

Reference to the remaining portions of the specification, including the drawings and claims, will realize other features and advantages of the present invention. Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with respect to accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the pointing device having buttons shown in phantom for environmental purposes;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the first preferred embodiment having buttons shown in phantom for environmental purposes;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the first preferred embodiment; FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment having buttons shown in phantom for environmental purposes, the right side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment having buttons shown in phantom for environmental purposes;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the first preferred embodiment; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the pointing device having buttons shown in phantom for environmental purposes;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the alternate preferred embodiment having buttons, shown in phantom for environmental purposes; FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the alternate preferred embodiment having buttons shown in phantom for environmental purposes;

FIG. 10 is a left side elevational view of the alternate preferred embodiment having buttons shown in phantom for environmental purposes, the right side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the alternate preferred embodiment having buttons shown in phantom for environmental purposes; and

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the alternate preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

A new and improved pointing device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-12. In one preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the pointing device 10 is a mouse comprising a symmetrical housing 12 and a planar bottom surface 14 having a substantially oval or elliptical shape and appropriate openings (not shown) to accommodate the components of mechanical, optical or other means 16, as is commonly known in the art, for detecting user-initiated motion. The detected motion is then correspondingly converted into electrical signals thereby controlling the movement of the cursor on the computer screen. In another preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7-12, the pointing device 10 is a trackball. The planar bottom surface 14 includes a plurality of traction pads 18 to provide leverage and stabilize the pointing device 10. Traction and stability are necessary when using devices such as trackballs because the pointing device 10 itself needs to remain relatively stationary.

The symmetrical housing 12 is joined with the bottom surface 14 forming a peripheral edge 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 12 is generally divided into a front portion 22 and a rear portion 24 with respect to the reference line AA. The front portion 22 includes a number of openings to accommodate at least two user-actuable buttons 26, 28, 30, 32, and the rear portion 24 includes a hump 34 formed by a surface having a generally rounded contour symmetrically extending from one side of the bottom surface 14 to the other.

At least two to four user-actuable buttons (represented through key caps 26, 28, 30, 32) are substantially located in the front portion 22 of the housing 12. For ease of graphical illustration here, the same numerals are used interchangeably for the corresponding buttons and key caps. However, it is to be understood that the buttons and the key caps are two physically separate and different structures. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 2 and 5, four such buttons are used. Specifically, the four buttons are two sets of two buttons each - buttons 28, 30 constitute one set and buttons 26, 32 the other. Both constituent buttons in each set are symmetrically located with respect to the reference medial axis BB. With this balanced, symmetrical design, both left-handed and right-handed users can equally enjoy the advantages and benefits of the pointing device 10. As is known in the art, each of these buttons 26, 28, 30, 32 is joined to the housing 12 in a manner to allow each button 26, 28, 30, 32 to be retractably depressed a slight distance downward in response to pressure from a user's finger, permitting the initiation of an operation desired by the user.

As shown in FIGs. 2 and 5, the key caps 28, 30, 26, 32 for both constituent buttons in each set are mirror images of one another. For the first set of buttons 28, 30 located closer to the medial axis BB, the key cap 28, 30 has a first end 36, a second end 38 and a waist 40. The first end 36 and the second end 38 are connected to each other via the waist 40. The overall length of the key cap is elongated sufficiently to ensure that when a user places a hand on top of the housing 12, the tip of each finger may contact the surface of the key cap 28, 30. In addition, the surface of the key cap 28, 30 is angled upwardly matching the slope of the front portion 22.

Further, with respect to this first set of buttons 28, 30, the width of the first end 36 and the second end 38 are generally greater than that of the waist 40, resulting in a key cap 28, 30 having a narrower midsection. With the narrower midsection, a sufficiently large landing or resting area 42 is created for the fingers of a user to rest on the front portion 22 of the housing 12 without activating the user-actuable buttons. Furthermore, this design allows a button to be used either by the thumb or a longer finger, depending on the hand being used to operate the pointing device 10. For example, if the hand being used is a right hand, then the thumb is likely to make contact with the second end 38 of the button 30, while the index finger is likely to do the same with the first end 36 of the other button 28; the situation is vice versa if a left hand is being used.

For the second set of buttons 26, 32 located farther from the medial axis BB, the key cap 26, 32 also has a first end 44, a second end 48 and a waist 46. However, unlike the key cap for the first set of buttons 28, 30, the width of the waist 46 of the key cap for the second set of buttons 26, 32 does not have to be smaller than that of the first 44 and second end 48. Further, the first end 44 of the key cap 26, 32 is proximate to the waist 40 of the key cap 28, 30 of the first set of buttons, and one side of the key cap 26, 32 is shaped to match the contours of the key cap 28, 30 of the first set of buttons, as shown in FIG. 2.

The matching or dovetailing of the contours of the key caps 26, 28 and 30, 32 maximizes the use of space on the housing 12 thereby permitting more buttons to be included on the pointing device 10. Furthermore, such matching allows a landing or resting area 42 to be provided between the key caps 26, 28 and 30, 32. Such resting area 42 may be used by either the thumb or any of the other fingers. Such area 42 is positioned in such a way that when a user is operating the pointing device 10, his/her fingers naturally rest in the area 42 thereby reducing the likelihood of accidentally activating any of the buttons. Furthermore, the resting area 42 reduces the amount of strain on the hand by allowing the fingers to rest completely. Without the resting area 42, the fingers may only stay gingerly on top of the key caps 26, 28, 30, 32 for fear of activating some of the buttons by accident, thereby causing more strain and discomfort on the hand. The overall curvature of the housing 12 is such that the housing 12 fits comfortably in the palm of the hand of the user while the pointing device 10 is in its operational orientation and position. When using the pointing device 10, a user places his/her hand, either the left or the right, on top of the housing 12 in a cupping position with the palm of the hand, in particular, the area roughly defined by the proximal transverse palm crease, resting substantially on the rear portion 24 and the fingers making contact with the front portion 22. When viewed from a frontal perspective, the palm, in particular, the area roughly defined by the proximal transverse palm crease, and the wrist are tilted at a neutral angle of approximately 45 degrees when measured with respect to the horizontal surface on which the pointing device 10 is resting. Such an angle closely approximates the neutral angle formed by the palm of the hand and the wrist and the horizontal surface when the hand is resting in its natural, relaxed cupping position on such a surface. At this neutral angle, the pronation is reduced and consequently the amount of strain exerted on the hand, the wrist and the forearm is at a minimum. As a result, this approximate 45 degree inclination provides optimal flexibility and comfort for the user in manipulating the control device 46 and the user-actuable buttons 26, 28, 30, 32.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the front portion 22 of the housing 12 (to the left of the reference line AA) is generally longer lengthwise than the rear portion 24 (to the right of the reference line AA). As seen in the side view in FIG. 4, the slope of the rear portion 24 is generally steeper than that of the front portion 22. The slope of the front portion 22 is measured approximately from the peak 48 of the hump 34 to the tip 50 of the housing 12, while the slope of the rear portion 24 is measured approximately from the peak 48 of the hump 34 to the end 52 of the housing 12. The dimensions of the pointing device 10 are generally as follows: 124.5mm in length, 82mm in width, 46mm in height, and 5mm between the key caps 26, 28, 30, 32 of the first and the second sets of buttons. It should be noted that the foregoing measurements are based on a design created to conform to the hand size statistics collected from a sample of average adults and are provided for illustration purposes only. Such measurements may be varied depending on the hand sizes of the targeted users.

In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the front portion 22 is generally shorter lengthwise than the rear portion 24. When viewed from the side, the slope of the rear portion 24 is flatter than that of the front portion 22. The dimensions of this particular embodiment of the pointing device are generally as follows: 140mm in length, 95mm in width, 60mm in height, and 6mm between the key caps 26, 28, 30, 32 of the first and the second sets of buttons. As compared to the previous embodiment, the slope angles of the front 22 and the rear portions 24 are different. This difference is attributed to the physical operating characteristics of the pointing device 10. For example, if the pointing device 10 is a trackball , the slope of the front portion 22 has to be adjusted to a steeper angle to allow for easier manual control of the roller control 54 by the fingers. Hence, depending on the type of pointing device 10 used, the slope angles as well as the lengths of the front portion 22 and the rear portion 24 may be adjusted accordingly.

In another preferred embodiment, the pointing device 10 includes a recess 56. The recess 56 is situated centrally along the medial axis BB. This central location permits equal access by both left-handed and right-handed users. Located within the recess 56 can be any of a number of control devices 58 such as a scroll wheel, a finger- controlled pointer, etc., which are commonly known in the art. Such control devices 58 are readily accessible to the user. The user contact portion of such devices 58 may be situated either above or below the plane defined by the periphery of the recess 56. In a preferred embodiment (not graphically shown), the user contact portion of the control device 58 is preferably situated substantially below the plane defined by the periphery of the recess 56. By having the control device 58 embedded in a lower position, this particular configuration reduces the amount of accidental contact with the control device 58 and allows the user more flexibility and freedom in manipulating the user-actuable buttons 26, 28, 30, 32.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 1-3, the housing 12 further includes two protruding edges 60, 62 symmetrically extending along the lower portion thereof from the front portion 22 to the rear portion 24. The function of the two protruding edges 60, 62 is to provide a support area for a user to rest his/her thumb and minor finger respectively while the user is using the pointing device 10. Further, these protruding edges 60, 62 may be used to provide additional leverage when the user is physically moving the pointing device 10 on a mouse pad. It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes in their entirety.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

L A pointing device suitable for ambidextrous use, comprising:

a housing having at least two user-actuable buttons and a recess and containing motion detecting means to convert user initiated motion into electrical signals; and

a control device positioned within said recess such that said control device is substantially within said housing and a user contact portion of said control device is substantially beneath a plane defined by edges of said recess and readily accessible for direct operation by at least one digit of a user when the pointing device is in its operational orientation and position.

2. A pointing device according to Claim 1 wherein said housing is symmetrical along a medial axis thereof.

3. A pointing device according to Claim 2 wherein said control device positioned within said recess is located along said medial axis.

4. A pointing device according to Claim 1 wherein said control device positioned within said recess is a scroll wheel.

5. A key cap for a user-actuable button of a pointing device, comprising:

an elongated member having a first end and a second end communicated to said first end via a waist wherein a width of each of said ends is generally greater than a width of said waist, wherein at least one digit of a user may rest next to said waist to avoid activating said user-actuable button.

6. A first and a second key cap for a first and a second user-actuable button of a pointing device, comprising:

a first elongated member having a first end and a second end communicated to said first end via a first waist wherein a width of each of said ends of said first elongated member is generally greater than a width of said first waist; a second elongated member having a first end and a second end and interposed between said first elongated member and an edge of the pointing device and further from a medial axis of the pointing device than said first elongated member;

wherein said first end of said second elongated member is proximate said first waist of said first elongated member.

7. A pointing device, comprising:

a housing having a medial axis and at least a first and a second user- actuable button;

a first and a second key cap for said first and said second user actuable button, comprising:

a first elongated member having a first end and a second end communicated to said first end via a first waist wherein a width of each of said ends of said first elongated member is generally greater than a width of said first waist; and

a second elongated member having a first end and a second end and interposed between said first elongated member and an edge of the pointing device and further from said medial axis than said first elongated member;

wherein said first end of said second elongated member is proximate said first waist of said first elongated member and wherein said first and second elongated members are both positioned between said medial axis and said edge.

8. A pointing device according to Claim 7 further comprising a control device positioned within said housing; and wherein said housing is symmetrical along said medial axis and wherein said control device is located along said medial axis.

9. A pointing device according to Claim 8 wherein said housing is symmetrical along a medial axis thereof and further comprising:

at least a third and a fourth user-actuable button;

a third and a fourth key cap for said third and said fourth user-actuable button, comprising: a third elongated member having a first end and a second end communicated to said first end of said third elongated member via a second waist wherein a width of each of said ends of said third elongated member is generally greater than a width of said second waist, and

a fourth elongated member having a first end and a second end and interposed between said third elongated member and an opposite edge of the pointing device and further from said control device than said third elongated member, wherein said first end of said fourth elongated member is proximate said second waist of said third elongated member and wherein said third and fourth elongated members are both positioned between said control device and said opposite edge.

10. A pointing device according to Claim 9 wherein said first elongated member and said third elongated member are mirror images of each other and said second elongated member and said fourth elongated member are mirror images of each other, with respect to said medial axis.

11. A pointing device for both left and right hand use, comprising:

a symmetrical housing including a control device positioned centrally along a medial axis of said housing in which said housing has a height and width in relative ratio to each other so as to position a hand, either a left hand or a right hand, at an inclination of about a 45 degree angle when a user places said hand on said housing and an edge of said hand having a minor finger is placed at an edge of said housing with a thumb of said hand on an opposite side of said medial axis from said minor finger.

12. A pointing device according to Claim 1 1 further comprising:

a second elongated member having a first end and a second end communicated to said first end of said second elongated member via a second waist wherein a width of each of said ends of said second elongated member is generally greater than a width of said second waist;

wherein said first elongated member is positioned between said medial axis and a first edge of said housing and said second elongated member is positioned between said medial axis and a second edge of said housing opposite to said first edge of said housing.

13. A pointing device according to Claim 12 wherein said first elongated member and said second elongated member are symmetrically positioned with respect to said medial axis.

14. A pointing device according to Claim 11 wherein when said hand is a left hand and is in said 45 degree inclination, a thumb of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said first end of said first elongated member, and an index finger of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said second end of said second elongated member; and

wherein when said hand is a right hand and is in said 45 degree inclination, a thumb of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said first end of said second elongated member, and an index finger of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said second end of said first elongated member.

15. A pointing device for both left and right hand use, comprising:

a housing including a recess positioned centrally along a medial axis of said housing in which said housing is symmetrical with respect to said medial axis and has a height and width in relative ratio to each other so as to position a hand, either a left hand or a right hand, at an inclination of about a 45 degree angle when a user places such hand on said housing and an edge of said hand having a minor finger is placed at an edge of said housing with a thumb of said hand on an opposite side of said medial axis from said minor finger; a control device positioned within said recess such that said control device is substantially within said housing and a user contact portion of said control device is substantially beneath a plane defined by edges of said recess and readily accessible for direct operation by at least one digit of a user; a first elongated member having a first end and a second end communicated to said first end via a first waist wherein a width of each of said ends of said first elongated member is generally greater than a width of said first waist;

a second elongated member having a first end and a second end and interposed between said first elongated member and a first edge of the pointing device and further from a medial axis of the pointing device than said first elongated member,

a third elongated member having a first end and a second end communicated to said first end of said third elongated member via a second waist wherein a width of each of said ends of said third elongated member is generally greater than a width of said second waist; and

a fourth elongated member having a first end and a second end and interposed between said third elongated member and a second edge of the pointing device opposite across said medial axis from said first edge and further from said medial axis of the pointing device than said third elongated member;

wherein said second end of said second elongated member is proximate said first waist of said first elongated member and wherein said first and second elongated members are both positioned between said medial axis and said first edge;

wherein said second end of said fourth elongated member is proximate said second waist of said third elongated member and wherein said third and fourth elongated members are both positioned between said medial axis and said second edge; and

wherein when said hand is a left hand and is in said 45 degree inclination, a thumb of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said first end of said first elongated member or said first end of said second elongated member, and an index finger of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said second end of said third elongated member and a middle finger of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said second end of said fourth elongated member; and

wherein when said hand is a right hand and is in said 45 degree inclination, a thumb of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said first end of said third elongated member or said first end of said fourth elongated member, and an index finger of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said second end of said first elongated member and a middle finger of said hand of said user is positioned proximate said second end of said second elongated member.