WO2001045076A1 - Appareil permettant de couvrir un dispositif peripherique de commande manuelle d'ordinateur - Google Patents

Appareil permettant de couvrir un dispositif peripherique de commande manuelle d'ordinateur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001045076A1
WO2001045076A1 PCT/US2000/032190 US0032190W WO0145076A1 WO 2001045076 A1 WO2001045076 A1 WO 2001045076A1 US 0032190 W US0032190 W US 0032190W WO 0145076 A1 WO0145076 A1 WO 0145076A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cover
mouse
hand
control device
window
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/032190
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Charles E. Downs
Original Assignee
Right Brain Ideas, Inc.
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 Right Brain Ideas, Inc. filed Critical Right Brain Ideas, Inc.
Priority to CA002394314A priority Critical patent/CA2394314A1/fr
Priority to AU17953/01A priority patent/AU1795301A/en
Priority to EP00980731A priority patent/EP1240641A1/fr
Publication of WO2001045076A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001045076A1/fr

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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/033—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/033
    • G06F2203/0333—Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an accessory for a hand- operated peripheral computer control device, sucn as a mouse.
  • Mouse covers have been known, but they either (a) must be removed before use, or (b) involve some variation on a lever mechanism m order to activate the underlying buttons.
  • a cover with a lever mechanism requires that the user have a mouse with a button configuration to which a lever mecnanism can conform.
  • Such covers are known, they cannot address all possible joutton configurations, and none allow the user to use a scrolling wheel mechanism. Furthermore, none permit the user to directly access the button configuration or the scrolling wheel mecnanism.
  • the present invention relates to a cover configured to receive a hand-operated peripheral computer control device, such as a mouse .
  • the cover may preferably include a window.
  • the window of the cover can be configured to allow a user to directly access control mechanisms of the hand-operated peripheral computer control device, such as a mouse button or scrolling mechanism.
  • a mouse button or scrolling mechanism such as a mouse button or scrolling mechanism.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that the window can Joe configured to allow the user to access a wide range of button configurations, as well as scrolling wheels which are now included on many new computer mice.
  • the cover may have an ergonomic shape to adjust the shape of a traditional computer mouse to a more pleasing ergonomic shape.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that the ergonomic shaped cover provides an element of comfort to an otherwise hard-shell computer mouse.
  • the cover may be configured to not affect the functionality of the mouse by nor contacting the surface upon which the mouse rests.
  • the cover may also nave a window no allow tne user to directly access control mechanisms of the mouse.
  • the cover may be made with a flexible material, such as a material from the elastomer group.
  • the flexible material enables the cover to be adaptable to virtually any computer mouse shape.
  • Figure 1 shows a first view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover according to the present invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a third view of the exemplary embodiment of the cover of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 shows a fourth view of the exemplary embodiment of the cover of Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 shows a fifth view of the exemplary embodiment of the cover of Figure 1.
  • a cover configured to receive a hand-operated peripheral computer control device can be illustrated by Figures 1-5, which depict an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cover 1 may be configured to receive a computer mouse 2.
  • the cover 1 may be configured to cover a surface 9 on the mouse 2.
  • the cover 1 preferably has a window 12 that is configured to reveal a surface 10 on the mouse 2.
  • the surface 10 revealed can include control mechanisms 6 on the mouse 2, which can include any number of button configurations 13, a scrolling wheel 14, or other mechanisms or means (not shown) by which the user sends an electrical impulse to the computer (not shown) m order to activate a function or respond to an event.
  • An advantage of the window 12 is that the cover 1 can cover a top surface 15 on the mouse 2 while exposing the control mechanisms 6 to provide a user with direct access to and use of the control mechanisms 6. For example, the scrolling wheel 14, would not be accessible to a user if covered.
  • the cover 1 may have an ergonomic shape 16 to adjust the shape 17 of the mouse 2 ' to a more pleasing ergonomic shape.
  • the cover 1' may preferably also have a window 12 ' to allow a user to directly access control mechanisms 6' of the mouse 2'.
  • the mouse 2 may have an elliptical shape 18.
  • the cover 1 may have a cavity 3 of an approximately convex shape 19 with an elliptical perimeter 20.
  • One advantage of the present invention is that the cavity 3 may receive the mouse 2 even if the mouse 2 has an interior curvature 4 m its footprint 21.
  • the elliptical perimeter 20 can secure the cover 1 to the mouse 2 by engaging a perimeter 22 of the mouse 2 when the cover 1 is placed on the mouse 2.
  • an edge 23 of a wall 5 of cover 1 can be varied to include a recess 8 m order to accommodate an outer surface 24 of a mouse cord 7 connecting the mouse 2 to a computer system (not shown) .
  • the walls 5 of cover 1 can have a thickness 25 of approximately one-quarter of an inch.
  • the thickness 25 and size 26 of cover 1 can be set to ensure that the cover 1 does not contact the resting or operating surface 11 used by the mouse 2.
  • the cover 1 can be free of contact from the resting or operating surface 11 if a bottom surface 27 of the mouse 2 does not contact the cover 1.
  • the cover 1 can be designed to not contact the bottom surface 2 "7 by ensuring that a height 28 at any point along a contour 29 of the cavity 3, such as point 30, is less than a height 31 at a corresponding point 32 of the mouse 2.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that the cover 1 does not affect the functionality of the mouse 2 by not contacting the resting or operating surface 11.
  • the cover 1 may rest atop the mouse 2 such that there is relatively consistent contact between the top surface 15 of the mouse 2 and a roof 33 of the cavity 3.
  • the degree of contact between the cover i and mouse 2 may vary depending on a contour 34 of the mouse 2 and a contour 35 of the cover 1.
  • the degree of contact may be impacted by the material used to construct the cover i .
  • the cover I may be flexible and may be made from an elastomer material from the group including, but not limited to, rubber, latex, and polyurethane .
  • the inherent elastic and frictional nature cf elastomer material increases the degree of contact between the cover 1 and the mouse 2, and creates a friction which secures the cover 1 to the mouse 2 where the material contacts the mouse 2, without requiring any additional securement means.
  • cover 1 may be secured to the mouse 2 by a tension created m the edge 23 when the cover 1 is stretched to be placed on the mouse 2.
  • the cover 1 may also be made with an elastomer skin from the group including, but not limited to, rubber, latex, and nylon.
  • the elastomer skin can be on an outer surface 36 of the cover 1, or otherwise surround and enclose the cover 1.
  • An advantage cf the present invention is that the cover 1 can be easily molded into any desired shape if made cf an elastomer material.
  • the outer surface 36 of the cover 1 may also be decorated or otherwise altered in shape or size as desired without impacting the functionality of the mouse 2.

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

L'invention concerne un couvercle (10) conçu pour recevoir un dispositif périphérique de commande d'ordinateur, tel qu'une souris (12). Dans un mode de réalisation, le couvercle (10) recouvre une face supérieure de la souris, à l'exception d'une fenêtre qui dévoile les mécanismes de commande sur la souris (12) de sorte que l'utilisateur puisse accéder directement auxdits dispositifs de commande qu'il puisse les activer. Dans un mode de réalisation différent, le couvercle peut présenter une forme ergonomique s'adaptant à la forme de la souris afin d'obtenir une forme ergonomique plus agréable.
PCT/US2000/032190 1999-12-14 2000-11-22 Appareil permettant de couvrir un dispositif peripherique de commande manuelle d'ordinateur WO2001045076A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002394314A CA2394314A1 (fr) 1999-12-14 2000-11-22 Appareil permettant de couvrir un dispositif peripherique de commande manuelle d'ordinateur
AU17953/01A AU1795301A (en) 1999-12-14 2000-11-22 Apparatus for covering a hand-operated peripheral computer control device
EP00980731A EP1240641A1 (fr) 1999-12-14 2000-11-22 Appareil permettant de couvrir un dispositif peripherique de commande manuelle d'ordinateur

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US46046199A 1999-12-14 1999-12-14
US09/460,461 1999-12-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001045076A1 true WO2001045076A1 (fr) 2001-06-21

Family

ID=23828802

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/032190 WO2001045076A1 (fr) 1999-12-14 2000-11-22 Appareil permettant de couvrir un dispositif peripherique de commande manuelle d'ordinateur

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1240641A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU1795301A (fr)
CA (1) CA2394314A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001045076A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6896948B1 (en) * 2002-07-30 2005-05-24 Matthew L. Griswold Computer mouse cover
AT525385A1 (de) * 2021-09-13 2023-03-15 Solumics Gmbh Maus-Cover

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5473344A (en) * 1994-01-06 1995-12-05 Microsoft Corporation 3-D cursor positioning device
US5851623A (en) * 1996-10-03 1998-12-22 Tarulli; Daniel J. Protective cover for a hand operated computer control device

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5473344A (en) * 1994-01-06 1995-12-05 Microsoft Corporation 3-D cursor positioning device
US5851623A (en) * 1996-10-03 1998-12-22 Tarulli; Daniel J. Protective cover for a hand operated computer control device

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6896948B1 (en) * 2002-07-30 2005-05-24 Matthew L. Griswold Computer mouse cover
AT525385A1 (de) * 2021-09-13 2023-03-15 Solumics Gmbh Maus-Cover
WO2023036941A1 (fr) 2021-09-13 2023-03-16 Solumics Gmbh Couvercle de souris d'ordinateur
AT525385B1 (de) * 2021-09-13 2023-05-15 Solumics Gmbh Maus-Cover

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2394314A1 (fr) 2001-06-21
AU1795301A (en) 2001-06-25
EP1240641A1 (fr) 2002-09-18

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