Point and click device for a computer workstation

Abstract

An ambidextrous point and click device for a computer work station comprising; a body 1 having an inclined back surface 2 configured for supporting the palm of a user's hand and an upright front surface accessible by the fingers of a user's hand when gripping the device, right click 3 and left click 4 buttons arranged one above the other centrally of the upright front surface, a scroll dial 5 arranged above and in alignment with the right click and left click buttons and a select button encircling the scroll dial.

Claims

1. A point and click device for a computer work station, which provides for ambidextrous operation, comprising: a body having a forwardly-inclined back surface configured for supporting the palm of a user's hand, wherein the back surface is curved from a lower, rear end to an upper, forward end, a front surface accessible by the fingers of a user's hand when gripping the device, and a base which, in use, contacts a fixed horizontal surface and includes a horizontally-extending surface on which the heel of a user's hand may be rested; right-click and left-click buttons which are arranged one above the other centrally of the front surface; a scroll dial arranged on the front surface in alignment with the right-click and left-click buttons and rotatable in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis; and a select button associated with the scroll dial.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the select button is integral with the scroll dial.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a rocker switch in vertical alignment with the right-click and left-click buttons and being operable as a power switch.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a rocker switch in vertical alignment with the right-click and left-click buttons and being for use in panning horizontally across an on-screen image.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the scroll dial is disposed in vertical alignment with the right-click and left-click buttons.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the body has symmetrical sides.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the body has a lateral width and the scroll dial extends across the lateral width of the body.

Description

(1) An embodiment of the invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a point and click device in accordance with the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in rear view;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 from the top.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of a point and click device in accordance with the invention

(6) As can be seen from FIG. 1 an embodiment of a point and click device in accordance with the invention comprises a body 1 having an inclined back surface 2 configured for supporting the palm of a user's hand and an upright (though slightly inclined) front surface accessible by the fingers of a user's hand when gripping the device, right click 3 and left click 4 buttons arranged one above the other centrally of the upright front surface. A scroll dial 5 is arranged centrally of the right click button in alignment with the right click and left click buttons. The scroll dial 5 might be configured to depress into the right click button so that items can be selected with the scroll button, alternatively, the right click button 3 itself may also serve as a select button for the scroll dial 5.

(7) Extending rearwardly from the base of the body 1 is a horizontally extending surface 6 on which, in use, the heel of a users hand can be rested. Incorporated on the under-surface of the base is a tracking ball, optical sensor or other device for locating the position of and any motion of the point and click device.

(8) Optionally, an additional rocker switch 7 is positioned in vertical alignment with the right click, left click and scroll dial buttons for other functions. For example, the rocker switch may operate as a power switch or for panning horizontally across an on screen image.

(9) The embodiment of FIG. 4 incorporates the same functional buttons as FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 but having slightly different shapes and configuration. The same reference numerals have been used for corresponding elements but prefixed with the number 4.

(10) As can be seen from the figures, the symmetrical layout of buttons not only provides for ambidextrous use of the point and click device but also facilitates aesthetic design, for example mimicking an animal, in this case a penguin.