WO2001059694A1 - Pointing means for a computer - Google Patents
Pointing means for a computer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001059694A1 WO2001059694A1 PCT/DK2001/000083 DK0100083W WO0159694A1 WO 2001059694 A1 WO2001059694 A1 WO 2001059694A1 DK 0100083 W DK0100083 W DK 0100083W WO 0159694 A1 WO0159694 A1 WO 0159694A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- pointing means
- hand
- thumb
- recess
- pointing
- Prior art date
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
- G06F3/0354—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
-
- 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
- G06F2203/0334—Ergonomic shaped mouse for vertical grip, whereby the hand controlling the mouse is resting or gripping it with an attitude almost vertical with respect of the working surface
Definitions
- the invention relates to a pointing means for a computer, said pointing means consisting of a movement sensor having at least one button, said pointing means being ergo- nomically shaped to fill a human hand, said pointing means having engagement means for the thumb on one side, said side forming at least one side face on a projection, said projection having on at least one opposite face engagement means for the other fingers of the hand.
- mice When using traditional mice, the hand is placed on top of the mouse, and movement of the mouse takes place by a lateral movement of the wrist and by movement of the forearm. Lateral movement of the wrist is an unnatural movement, which stresses joints, tendons and muscles. This causes mouse injuries in a large number of mouse users.
- US 5,576,733 discloses an upright ergonomic mouse having an engagement face for fingers on the side of the pointing means, the opposite side of the pointing means having an engagement face for the thumb so that the hand grasps the pointing means .
- the object of the invention is to avoid injuries when using a pointing means for a computer by ensuring that the joints, tendons and muscles of the hand and the arm are not strained unnecessarily in use.
- the object may be achieved with a pointing means like the one described above, if it is configured such that the thumb engages a lengthwise recess with a thumb supporting face having thumb support on a first side and a second opposite side where the recess can have an extension supporting the thumb as well as engagement means for the ball of the thumb.
- this line may advantageously form a first angle, relative to a horizontal face, which is between 60 and 105 degrees.
- the natural position of the hand may hereby be used in the operation of the pointing means.
- the angle between the opposite face with engagement means for the other fingers of the hand, relative to. a horizontal face may, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, be between 65.5 and 85.5 degrees. This results in a position of rest for the hand in which all muscles and tendons are relaxed, and in which the natural movement of the wrist is utilized when the pointing means is moved. Movement of the pointing means may then take place by means of the forearm and the wrist with minimum strain on muscles, tendons and joints.
- the recess in one area in at least one level of cut can have a shape approximately like a sector of a circle.
- This recess can have a depth of at least the same size as the radius of the sector of a circle, and said recess can have an access opening of at least the same size as the diameter of the sector of a circle.
- the hand can with a pointing means shaped like this, be supported and be in its natural position during operation.
- the recess of the thumb additionally has a recess which accommodates a scroll wheel which may be operated by the thumb, said scroll wheel simultaneously serving as a push-button.
- the thumb may hereby be used for two functions more, thereby reducing strain on muscles, tendons and joints .
- the pointing means may be formed with an anatomically correct engagement face for the thumb ball.
- the thumb ball may hereby be supported and the thumb ball may be used for moving the pointing means.
- the body of the pointing means may be formed with a projection which separates the thumb and the forefinger. It is hereby possible to avoid activating the gripping function of the hand, which will otherwise strain muscles, tendons and joints.
- the hand is fixed in the position of rest, whereby the hand remains in an energy-neutral angle.
- the pointing means may also be formed with a depression for receiving the little finger. Hereby also the little finger can assume a relaxed position, and when the pointing means is to be moved, the little finger can partici- pate in the work and thereby relieve the other fingers .
- the pointing means may be provided in a version for both the right hand and the left hand.
- the pointing means can hereby also be used by persons who prefer the left hand for mouse operation.
- the pointing means may be provided with means for wireless data transfer to a connected computer.
- the pointing means may hereby be employed without the use of a cable.
- the pointing means may be provided in various sizes adapted to the size of a user's hand.
- the pointing means may hereby be adapted optimally to the user.
- the invention may also be described as a method of achieving a position of rest for a hand of a person who operates a pointing means for a computer, wherein the hand is placed on the pointing means which is configured in consideration of the position of rest of the hand, wherein the pointing means is also formed with a recess for the engagement of the thumb, whereby the hand is placed in a neutral energy angle, and wherein movement of the pointing means takes place by movement of the forearm and by volar or dorsal flexion of the wrist.
- Fig. 1 shows the pointing means seen obliquely from above and from behind
- Fig. 2 shows the pointing means seen from the external side
- Fig. 3 shows the pointing means seen obliquely from above and from the front
- Fig. 4 shows the pointing means seen obliquely from above and from the internal side
- Fig. 5 shows a right hand seen in an outer position for optimum rest
- Fig. 6 shows a right hand seen in another outer position for optimum rest
- Fig. 7 shows, like fig. 3 the pointing means seen obliquely from above and from the front, but with a cut plane,
- Fig. 8 shows the pointing means from the back
- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through the body of the pointing means, in the cut plane in fig. 7, and shows recess and external thumb support.
- Fig. 1 shows the pointing means from the visual angle which is most common, viz. approximately the way it is positioned on the table relative to the user.
- the body 4 of the pointing means is formed by a plurality of faces.
- Fig. 1 shows a top face 2 which forms a high projection 18 ensuring that the necessary distance between thumb and forefinger is maintained so that these remain in a posi- tion of rest.
- the thumb ball rests on a supporting face 10, which is an essential factor for the achievement of an optimum position of rest .
- Fig. 2 shows the pointing means from the external side. It shows inter alia the top face 2, mouse buttons 14 and a depression 12 for the little finger.
- the mouse buttons 14 are supplemented by a scroll wheel 16, see figs. 3 and 4, which can also serve as a mouse button and is positioned in the recess 6 for the thumb.
- Figs. 5 and 6 show a right hand in outer positions for optimum rest. Within these positions no stationary energy is used for keeping the hand in a specific position. The hand is in a neutral energy position.
- Fig. 7 shows a mouse, held by a human hand, with a cut plane, 28 placed in an area 26, approximately in the middle of the thumb.
- Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the recess 6 and the ext'er- nal thumb support 8. The figure also shows the first thumb supporting side 22 as well as the second thumb supporting side 24 of the recess 6.
- the dot-dash line between the top face 2 and the external thumb support 8 indicates how the depth 34 of the recess 6 is defined.
- the recess 6 of the thumb has an entry opening 36 for the thumb with a opening of at least the same size as the diameter of the recess 6.
- the position of rest of the hand will be described on the assumption that a person's arms hang slack from the body, and the person's palms face toward the body, and the fingers hang slack, slightly flexed in all three joints. No opposition of the thumb is performed.
- forearm and hand are moved up on a horizontal plane. Lying on the horizontal plane, the hand is in a position of rest. In this position the hand may be moved within an angular range which may be described as a neutral energy angle where the hand may be moved without using stationary energy.
- the pointing means supports the position of rest and ensures that the hand works within the neutral. energy angle.
- the wrist When working with traditional mice, including several more recent types, the wrist is subjected to a constant dorsal flexion which contributes to causing known mouse injuries. Also, the wrist is subjected to radial flexion and ulnar flexion, respectively. These flexions are among the most important causes of mouse injuries.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2001231524A AU2001231524A1 (en) | 2000-02-10 | 2001-02-07 | Pointing means for a computer |
EP01903600A EP1275079A1 (en) | 2000-02-10 | 2001-02-07 | Pointing means for a computer |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DKPA200000210 | 2000-02-10 | ||
DKPA200000210 | 2000-02-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001059694A1 true WO2001059694A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
Family
ID=8159110
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/DK2001/000083 WO2001059694A1 (en) | 2000-02-10 | 2001-02-07 | Pointing means for a computer |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030098851A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1275079A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2001231524A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001059694A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (42)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7808479B1 (en) * | 2003-09-02 | 2010-10-05 | Apple Inc. | Ambidextrous mouse |
US7345671B2 (en) * | 2001-10-22 | 2008-03-18 | Apple Inc. | Method and apparatus for use of rotational user inputs |
US7046230B2 (en) * | 2001-10-22 | 2006-05-16 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Touch pad handheld device |
US7084856B2 (en) * | 2001-10-22 | 2006-08-01 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Mouse having a rotary dial |
US7312785B2 (en) | 2001-10-22 | 2007-12-25 | Apple Inc. | Method and apparatus for accelerated scrolling |
US7333092B2 (en) | 2002-02-25 | 2008-02-19 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Touch pad for handheld device |
US11275405B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2022-03-15 | Apple Inc. | Multi-functional hand-held device |
US7656393B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2010-02-02 | Apple Inc. | Electronic device having display and surrounding touch sensitive bezel for user interface and control |
CA2496463A1 (en) * | 2002-08-23 | 2004-03-04 | Pfizer Products Inc. | Apparatus for dispensing articles |
US7358963B2 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2008-04-15 | Apple Inc. | Mouse having an optically-based scrolling feature |
US20070152977A1 (en) | 2005-12-30 | 2007-07-05 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Illuminated touchpad |
US7499040B2 (en) | 2003-08-18 | 2009-03-03 | Apple Inc. | Movable touch pad with added functionality |
US7495659B2 (en) | 2003-11-25 | 2009-02-24 | Apple Inc. | Touch pad for handheld device |
US8059099B2 (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2011-11-15 | Apple Inc. | Techniques for interactive input to portable electronic devices |
US20060007149A1 (en) * | 2004-07-12 | 2006-01-12 | Miller Kimberly L | Ergonomic pointing device |
CN100555200C (en) | 2004-08-16 | 2009-10-28 | 苹果公司 | The method of the spatial resolution of touch sensitive devices and raising touch sensitive devices |
AT7780U1 (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2005-08-25 | Stefan Krichbaum | COMPUTER MOUSE |
WO2006080858A1 (en) * | 2005-01-30 | 2006-08-03 | Simtrix Limited | Computer mouse peripheral |
US7710397B2 (en) * | 2005-06-03 | 2010-05-04 | Apple Inc. | Mouse with improved input mechanisms using touch sensors |
US7671837B2 (en) | 2005-09-06 | 2010-03-02 | Apple Inc. | Scrolling input arrangements using capacitive sensors on a flexible membrane |
US7880729B2 (en) | 2005-10-11 | 2011-02-01 | Apple Inc. | Center button isolation ring |
US8077147B2 (en) | 2005-12-30 | 2011-12-13 | Apple Inc. | Mouse with optical sensing surface |
US20070152983A1 (en) | 2005-12-30 | 2007-07-05 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Touch pad with symbols based on mode |
US8743060B2 (en) | 2006-07-06 | 2014-06-03 | Apple Inc. | Mutual capacitance touch sensing device |
US8022935B2 (en) | 2006-07-06 | 2011-09-20 | Apple Inc. | Capacitance sensing electrode with integrated I/O mechanism |
US9360967B2 (en) | 2006-07-06 | 2016-06-07 | Apple Inc. | Mutual capacitance touch sensing device |
US7795553B2 (en) | 2006-09-11 | 2010-09-14 | Apple Inc. | Hybrid button |
US8274479B2 (en) | 2006-10-11 | 2012-09-25 | Apple Inc. | Gimballed scroll wheel |
US8482530B2 (en) | 2006-11-13 | 2013-07-09 | Apple Inc. | Method of capacitively sensing finger position |
US9654104B2 (en) | 2007-07-17 | 2017-05-16 | Apple Inc. | Resistive force sensor with capacitive discrimination |
US7910843B2 (en) | 2007-09-04 | 2011-03-22 | Apple Inc. | Compact input device |
US8683378B2 (en) | 2007-09-04 | 2014-03-25 | Apple Inc. | Scrolling techniques for user interfaces |
US8416198B2 (en) | 2007-12-03 | 2013-04-09 | Apple Inc. | Multi-dimensional scroll wheel |
US8125461B2 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2012-02-28 | Apple Inc. | Dynamic input graphic display |
US8820133B2 (en) | 2008-02-01 | 2014-09-02 | Apple Inc. | Co-extruded materials and methods |
US9454256B2 (en) | 2008-03-14 | 2016-09-27 | Apple Inc. | Sensor configurations of an input device that are switchable based on mode |
US8816967B2 (en) | 2008-09-25 | 2014-08-26 | Apple Inc. | Capacitive sensor having electrodes arranged on the substrate and the flex circuit |
US8395590B2 (en) | 2008-12-17 | 2013-03-12 | Apple Inc. | Integrated contact switch and touch sensor elements |
US9354751B2 (en) | 2009-05-15 | 2016-05-31 | Apple Inc. | Input device with optimized capacitive sensing |
US8872771B2 (en) | 2009-07-07 | 2014-10-28 | Apple Inc. | Touch sensing device having conductive nodes |
CN101840276A (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2010-09-22 | 英华达(上海)科技有限公司 | Mouse |
US9058065B2 (en) | 2010-10-22 | 2015-06-16 | Custom Device Technologies, Llc | Hand-held orthopedic electronic interface device and method of manufacture |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998059316A1 (en) * | 1997-06-23 | 1998-12-30 | Charlotte Bering | A pointing device for a computer |
WO2000023979A1 (en) * | 1998-10-16 | 2000-04-27 | Abadi, Jacques, Cobbeni | Orthopedic computer mouse |
WO2000029933A1 (en) * | 1998-11-17 | 2000-05-25 | Wild Frog Co., Ltd. | Ergonomic computer mouse |
DE19907040A1 (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-08-24 | Matthias Limburg | Personal computer mouse has shaped contour for receiving user's thumb positioned at more than 2 cm above support surface across which mouse is moved |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6362811B1 (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 2002-03-26 | George Neil Edwards | Ergonomic computer mouse |
AR009205A4 (en) * | 1998-10-16 | 2000-04-12 | Segalle Julio Abel | ERGONOMIC COMPUTER MOUSE |
US6664947B1 (en) * | 1999-02-24 | 2003-12-16 | Gueorgui K. Vinogradov | Safe and handy pointing device |
-
2001
- 2001-02-07 EP EP01903600A patent/EP1275079A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-02-07 AU AU2001231524A patent/AU2001231524A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-02-07 US US10/203,458 patent/US20030098851A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-02-07 WO PCT/DK2001/000083 patent/WO2001059694A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998059316A1 (en) * | 1997-06-23 | 1998-12-30 | Charlotte Bering | A pointing device for a computer |
WO2000023979A1 (en) * | 1998-10-16 | 2000-04-27 | Abadi, Jacques, Cobbeni | Orthopedic computer mouse |
WO2000029933A1 (en) * | 1998-11-17 | 2000-05-25 | Wild Frog Co., Ltd. | Ergonomic computer mouse |
DE19907040A1 (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-08-24 | Matthias Limburg | Personal computer mouse has shaped contour for receiving user's thumb positioned at more than 2 cm above support surface across which mouse is moved |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2001231524A1 (en) | 2001-08-20 |
US20030098851A1 (en) | 2003-05-29 |
EP1275079A1 (en) | 2003-01-15 |
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