EP0403782A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three dimensional mouse with cavity
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-05-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A cursor control/data input device for a computer display system which utilizes a conventional X-Y mouse provided with a third Z with axis data generating mechanism. The mouse may be used with any non-specific support surface and would have conventional X-Y data generating wheels or a rotating ball (3) with appropriate pick-up elements to generate the X-Y coordinate data. Third, or Z, coordinate data is produced by a third instrumentality (5 - 9) in the mouse body (1), preferably operable by the operator's thumb or index finger. Means comprising a pressure sensitive button mounted on the surface of the mouse, or alternatively means actuated by the insertion of the operator's finger into a hole provided in the mouse's body, generate said Z coordinate data. Movement of the finger in the hole is measurable by any of a number of different instrumentalities.
Inventors
- 👤 James Gordon Mclean
- 👤 Clifford Alan Pickover
- 👤 Alvin Roy Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
In a cursor control/data input mouse including a mouse body and first and second X-Y movement pick-up means providing data indicating the relative movement of the mouse in the X and Y directions, the improvement which comprises, third means in said mouse body responsive to generate a signal representing a third input parameter by the user, said third parameter being capable of representing a Z dimension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a cursor control/data input mouse including a mouse body and first and second X-Y movement pick-up means providing data indicating the relative movement of the mouse in the X and Y directions, the improvement which comprises, third means in said mouse body responsive to generate a signal representing a third input parameter by the user, said third parameter being capable of representing a Z dimension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cursor control/data input mouse as set forth in claim 1, wherein said third means comprises a pressure transducer within said mouse body actuable in response to said mouse being pressed against the surface over which it is being moved.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A cursor control/data input mouse as set forth in claim 1, wherein said third means comprises a pressure sensitive button on the surface of said mouse actuable to generate said third parameter, the magnitude of same being proportional to pressure applied by the thumb or finger of a user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A cursor control/data input mouse as set forth in claim 1, wherein said third means comprises a hole in said mouse body for receiving a user's finger and signal generating transducer means in said mouse body mounted in cooperative relationship with said hole for measuring the depth of penetration of a user's finger within said hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A cursor control/data input mouse as set forth in claim 4, wherein said signal generating transducer means comprises a pressure sensitive transducer located within said hole and resilient means operable in cooperation with a user's finger for proportionally increasing the pressure on the transducer as the user's finger is inserted further into said hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A cursor control/data input mouse as set forth in claim 4, wherein said signal generating transducer means comprises a series of light source/photo detector pairs located on opposite sides of said hole throughout the length thereof, and control means operative in conjunction therewith to measure the depth of penetration of a user's finger as a function of the number of photo detectors deactivated as the finger is inserted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cursor control/data input mouse as set forth in claim 4, wherein the signal generating means comprises a capacitive transducer system wherein the capacitance is increased proportionally as a user's finger is inserted into said hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
A cursor control/data input mouse as set forth in claim 1, wherein said third means comprises a ring, movably located at the top of said mouse body into which a user's finger may be inserted said ring being attached to and supported by means axially moveable into and out of said mouse body and means for generating a signal which is a function of the location of said ring support means with respect to said mouse body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A cursor control/data input mouse as set forth in claim 4, wherein said signal generating transducer means comprises a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device located at the bottom of said hole and resilient means associated therewith mounted so that as a user's finger presses on said resilient means the area of contact between said resilient member and said SAW device increases thereby changing an output signal produced by said SAW device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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