Computer mouse with bottom surface resistance point for precision movements.

Abstract

A computer mouse including a base with bottom surface for sliding across a work surface, with a retrievable tip for providing a resistance point for precision movements. At retrieved position, the tip is not touching the work surface, proving regular mouse movement. At working position, the tip is touching the work surface and creating resistance for precise movement of the mouse over the work surface.

In some embodiments, computer mouse operated with tip in braked position allows the user to make rotational movements/gestures that can be registered by computer program to invoke actions, this new type of gesture is especially important for people with disabilities that have difficulties with existing gesture like clicking button.

In some embodiments, computer mouse operated with tip in braked position allows users with hand tremor to improve cursor positioning by stopping cursor in vicinity of target, then reaching target by rotational movement.

Claims

1. A computer mouse having: a base with bottom surface for sliding across a work surface, a retrievable tip mechanism for providing a resistance point for precision movements, a sensor for movement detection, where at retrieved position of tip mechanism, the tip is not touching the work surface, proving regular mouse movement, while at working position, the tip is touching the work surface and creating resistance for precise movement of the mouse over the work surface.

2. A mouse as defined in claim 1 wherein the tip mechanism is also moving the movement detection sensor to keep constant distance between work surface and sensor, while tip is moved to working position.

3. The computer mouse of claim 1 further comprising: Button for switching between retrieved and working positions, where the user may use the button to switch between retrieved and working positions preemptively or during mouse movement.

4. A mouse as defined in claim 3 wherein the button including locking mechanism.

5. A mouse as defined in claim 1 wherein the tip mechanism including rod shaft, penetrating the base while the tip is moved to working position.

6. A mouse as defined in claim 1 wherein the tip mechanism including rotating wheel, fixed at certain positions, with one or more tips.

7. A mouse as defined in claim 5 wherein the tip mechanism has braking position, creating braking effect to mouse movement.

8. A mouse as defined in claim 5 wherein the tip mechanism including electrical actuator for moving the rod.

9. A mouse as defined in claim 8 wherein the electrical actuator is activated or deactivated by computer program, receiving signals from movement detection sensor, identifying when mouse is moved forward, backward, sideward or to other direction according to user pre-selection.

10. A mouse as defined in claim 8 wherein the electrical actuator is activated or deactivated by computer program, receiving signals from movement detection sensor, identifying when mouse is decelerating or accelerating or moving with constant speed.

11. A mouse as defined in claim 8 wherein the electrical actuator is activated or deactivated by computer program, based on position and/or distance of virtual objects in computer software relative to mouse cursor.

12. The computer mouse of claim 1 further comprising: a mouse pad having set of cavities forming a pattern, providing together with tip the ability to locate cursor to certain positions on computer screen with greater precision and/or speed based on the forming pattern.

13. The computer mouse and pad of claim 12 wherein depth, form and dimensions of cavities is correspondent to form and dimensions of tip and angle between tip and mouse base.

14. The computer mouse and pad of claim 12 wherein cavities depth is changing from maximum to zero in certain direction creating minimum resistance for computer mouse with tip in working position in this direction.

15. The computer mouse of claim 1 further comprising: a mouse pad having set of projections forming a pattern, providing together with tip increased resistance in certain directions on given pattern.

16. The computer mouse and pad of claim 15 wherein projections height is changing from maximum to zero in certain direction creating different resistance for computer mouse with tip in working position in this direction.

17. A method for increasing movement precision of a computer mouse having a base with bottom surface for sliding across a work surface, comprising the steps of: a) providing a retrievable tip mechanism for providing a bottom resistance point; and b) using the tip mechanism to increase/decrease resistance for precise movement and/or creating braking effect of the mouse over the work surface.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising additional step c) using rotational movement around axis provided by tip for increasing precision and/or registering rotational gesture by computer program.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising additional steps c) providing a pressure detection sensor for detecting pressure on mouse tip; and d) using hand pressure on mouse body to create pressure on mouse while pressure detection sensor detects such pressure for registering pressure gesture by computer program.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of using tip mechanism includes placing computer mouse on the sloped surface, where tip resistance and/or braking effect prevents sliding.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments disclosed herein, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.

[0057] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of computer mouse with movable rod shaft.

[0058] FIG. 2 is bottom view of computer mouse with wheel contained different tips.

[0059] FIG. 3 is view of mouse pad for grid snap.

[0060] FIG. 4 is view of mouse pad with directional resistance in grid pattern.

[0061] FIG. 5 is view of mouse pad with directional resistance in circle pattern.

[0062] FIG. 6 is example of mouse rotational gesture.

[0063] FIG. 7 is example of mouse pressure gesture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] FIG. 1 shows the longitudinal sectional view of computer mouse with bottom surface resistance point. 101 is mouse base, lower part of it is sliding across work surface. 102 is an example of a ball tip that is located on the edge of movable rod shaft 103. Barrel 104 is cylinder ending up at front part of base lower part. It may have steps inside. Movable rod 103 is inside barrel, spring can be located between ball 102 and rod 103 or between rod 103 and barrel 104. Angle 105 between Steering axle of barrel 104 and base 101 can vary between 30 and 90 degrees. Button 106 is located on the side of mouse body in front of thumb or little finger, when hand is holding mouse. Side movement of those fingers are activating mechanism. Button mechanism may include locking mechanism by pressing or turning/sliding. Mechanical mechanism transmitting movement of rod button to movement of movable rod shaft 103 that cause ball tip 102 movement out of base 101 to work position. Releasing button 106 cause backward movement of 103 and movement of ball tip 102 back into the base 101 to retrieve position. Ball tip 102 in working position is creating working surface resistance, when mouse is sliding over work surface that enables user to make precise movement, fine tune positioning of mouse.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of computer mouse with bottom surface resistance point. Bottom wheel 201 located on front part of mouse bottom. Cavities 202 are located on side of wheel 201, used for fixing wheel 201 at specific position, using rod with spring that is sliding at side surface of wheel 201. Tips 203 of different size and shape are located on the bottom wheel. Tips are sticking out of mouse bottom by different height. Between tips 203 there are cavities 204 of different depth. At the opposite side to tip 203 on wheel 201, there are cavity 204 with depth correspondent to tip 203 height. Optical sensor 205 is located on its base plate 206, which is pressed (by springs) against wheel 201. Turning wheel 201 in certain position with one of tip 203 at the bottom, mouse is raised over bottom surface, optical sensor plate 206 and optical sensor 205 is lowered to keep same distance between optical sensor 205 and bottom surface. One or more positions of wheel 201 does not have nether tip 203 nor cavity 204 on opposite side.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows mouse pad 300. Cavities 301 in form of grid together with tip in working position-providing ability to locate cursor to certain positions on computer screen with greater precision and or speed. Set of cavities is forming grid. Form and dimensions of cavities is correspondent to form and dimensions of tip, so for ball tip cavities are in form of cone. If angle between rod and mouse base is less than 90 degrees, slope of cavity cone should be lower, than slope for 90-degree rod.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows mouse pad 400. Projections 401 are projections with triangular form. Set of projections are forming grid pattern, while projection height is changing from maximum to zero in certain direction (upwards in current example), proving together with tip located at computer mouse bottom maximum resistance for computer mouse moving in this direction. Moving computer mouse with tip in working position upwards will create maximum resistance, while moving downwards will create minimum resistance.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows mouse pad 500. Projections 501 are projections with triangular form. Set of projections are forming a circle pattern, while projection height is changing from maximum to zero in certain direction (outwards in current example). Moving computer mouse with tip in working position outwards from center (502) will create maximum resistance, while moving to the center will create minimum resistance.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows computer mouse 600. When tip 601 is moved to braked position, the user can perform rotational movements/gestures around axis 602. Rotational movements/gestures can be in the same direction or opposite direction or interchangeably.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows computer mouse 700. A hall effect pressure sensor 702, When tip 701 is moved to braked position, the user can perform pressure gestures by pressuring mouse body against the working surface. When tip 701 is pressed against the working surface, same pressure is applied to pressure sensor 702 on the other side of the rod shaft, while sensor 702 is sending signal proportional to the exposed pressure.