EP0346859A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Squeezable computer control device
Assignee: Wang Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1989-06-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A control mouse (10) has two opposed outward facing digit-engaging portions (30, 31) on a flexible vertical wall (29) and is sized and shaped to be grasped and moved by squeezing force applied by one hand of an operator with a digit engaging each of the digit-engaging portions (30, 31). The mouse (10) has a pressure operated switch (21, 22) installed so as to be switched to a first state by squeezing force below a threshold force applied between two digits positioned respectively at the digit-engaging portions and switched to a second state by squeezing force above the threshold force. The switch (21, 22) thus controlled by the operator is used to provide signals to the associated computer (14).
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A control mouse (10) for providing control signals to a computer (12) comprising a motion transducer (20) affixed in said mouse in a position to engage an engagement surface (11) against which said device is positioned, said transducer (20) generating a motion signals indicative of the motion of said mouse (10) relative to said engagement surface (11), and a communications channel connected to communicate said motion signal to a computer (12), said mouse (10) having two opposed outward facing digit-engaging portions (30, 31), said mouse (10) being sized and shaped to be grasped by squeezing force applied by one hand of an operator with a digit engaging each of said digit engaging portions to (30, 31) effect movement relative to said surface, said mouse (10) including a pressure operated switch (21, 22) installed so as to be switched to a first state by squeezing force below a predetermined threshold force applied between two digits positioned respectively at said opposed digit-engaging portions and switched to a second state by squeezing force above said threshold force applied between two digits positioned respectively at said opposed digit-engaging portions, said mouse (10) including means (13) connected to said switch for communicating a signal discriminating the positions of said switch to said computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A control mouse (10) for providing control signals to a computer (12) comprising a motion transducer (20) affixed in said mouse in a position to engage an engagement surface (11) against which said device is positioned, said transducer (20) generating a motion signals indicative of the motion of said mouse (10) relative to said engagement surface (11), and a communications channel connected to communicate said motion signal to a computer (12), said mouse (10) having two opposed outward facing digit-engaging portions (30, 31), said mouse (10) being sized and shaped to be grasped by squeezing force applied by one hand of an operator with a digit engaging each of said digit engaging portions to (30, 31) effect movement relative to said surface, said mouse (10) including a pressure operated switch (21, 22) installed so as to be switched to a first state by squeezing force below a predetermined threshold force applied between two digits positioned respectively at said opposed digit-engaging portions and switched to a second state by squeezing force above said threshold force applied between two digits positioned respectively at said opposed digit-engaging portions, said mouse (10) including means (13) connected to said switch for communicating a signal discriminating the positions of said switch to said computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A control mouse (10) as claimed in claim 1, said mouse having a periphery cover including vertical wall (29), and said digit engaging portions being on said vertical wall (29).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A control mouse (10) as claimed in claim 2, said vertical wall (29) being flexible, said pressure operated switch (21, 22) being operated by flexing and unflexing said wall (29).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A control mouse (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined threshold force is set so that a squeeze force less than said predetermined threshold force applied to said digit-engaging portions (30, 31) is sufficient to grasp and control said mouse in motion relative to said surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mouse (10) for controlling a computer having a display (14), wherein the improvement comprises a pressure sensitive means (21, 22) responsive to a squeezing force applied by the user to provide control signals to said computer (14).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mouse (10) for controlling a computer having a display (14), wherein the improvement comprises a pressure sensitive means (21, 22) responsive to a squeezing force applied by the user to provide control signals to said computer (14).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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