Mouse with slider control for computer scrolling

Claim 2

A computer mouse comprising: a body having a movement detector, said movement detector generating mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, said selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on said mouse body, said slider being moveable relative to said body and having an associated signal generator which generates signals representing the sliding movement of said slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member coupled for movement with said slider, the moveable member including the other of said light source and said light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of said moveable member relative to said stationary member.

Claim 3

A mouse as in claim 1 , wherein said slider is provided on an upper surface of said body.

Claim 4

A mouse as in claim 1 , wherein said slider is provided on a side surface of said body.

Claim 5

A mouse as in claim 1 , wherein said slider is provided on one side of said selection switch.

Claim 6

A mouse as in claim 4 , wherein said mouse comprises two selection switches and said slider is provided between them.

Claim 7

A mouse as in claim 1 , wherein said light detector comprises a plurality of light sensors and said light source comprises a device for emitting a light beam, said plurality of light sensors being arranged relative to said light source such that different ones of said light sensors receive said light beam depending upon the amount of movement of said slider.

Claim 8

A mouse as in claim 1 , further comprising a biasing structure which biases said slider toward a rest position on said mouse body.

Claim 9

A mouse as in claim 7 , wherein said biasing structure includes biasing springs which bias said slider toward said rest position.

Claim 10

A mouse as in claim 7 , wherein said slider is moveable from said rest position along said body in two opposing directions.

Claim 11

A mouse as in claim 9 , wherein said signal generator generates signals which represent the amount of movement of said slider from said rest position and the direction of movement of said slider.

Claim 12

A mouse as in claim 10 , wherein said mouse comprises two selection switches and said slider is provided between them.

Claim 13

A mouse as in claim 1 , wherein said signal generator produces an analog signal.

Claim 14

A mouse as in claim 1 , wherein said signal generator produces a digital signal.

Claim 15

A mouse as in claim 1 , further comprising a computer connector having electrical terminals, said connector providing said mouse movement signals, said selection signal, and said slider movement signals at said terminals.

Claim 18

A method as in claim 15 , including slidably moving said slider from a rest position relative to said mouse body in one of two different directions and scrolling said computer screen in one of two different directions in accordance with the direction of movement of said slider.

Claim 19

A computer system comprising: a computer having a mouse input port, and a mouse connectable to said input port, said mouse comprising: a body having a movement detector, said movement detector generating mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, said selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on said mouse body, said slider being moveable relative to said body and having an associated signal generator which generates signals representing the sliding movement of said slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member coupled for movement with said slider, the moveable member including the other of said light source and said light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of said moveable member relative to said stationary member.

Claim 20

A computer system comprising: a computer having a mouse input port, and a mouse connectable to said input port, said mouse comprising: a body having a movement detector, said movement detector generating mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, said selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on said mouse body, said slider being moveable relative to said body and having an associated signal generator which generates signals representing the sliding movement of said slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member coupled for movement with said slider, the moveable member including the other of said light source and said light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of said moveable member relative to said stationary member.

Claim 21

A computer system as in claim 17 , wherein said slider is provided on an upper surface of said body.

Claim 22

A computer system as in claim 17 , wherein said slider is provided on a side surface of said body.

Claim 23

A computer system as in claim 17 , wherein said slider is provided on one side of said selection switch.

Claim 24

A computer system as in claim 20 , wherein said mouse comprises two selection switches and said slider is provided between them.

Claim 25

A computer system as in claim 17 , wherein said light detector comprises a plurality of light sensors and said light source comprises a device for emitting a light beam, said plurality of light sensors being arranged relative to said light source such that different ones of said light sensors received said light beam depending upon the amount of movement of said slider.

Claim 26

A computer system as in claim 17 , further comprising a biasing structure which biases said slider toward a rest position on said mouse body.

Claim 27

A computer system of claim 23 , wherein said biasing structure includes biasing springs which bias said slider toward said rest position.

Claim 28

A computer system as in claim 23 , wherein said slider is moveable from said rest position along said body in two opposing directions.

Claim 29

A computer system as in claim 25 , wherein said signal generator generates signals which represent the amount of movement of said slider from said rest position and the direction of movement of said slider.

Claim 30

A computer system as in claim 26 , wherein said mouse comprises two selection switches and said slider is provided between them.

Claim 31

A computer system as in claim 17 , wherein said signal generator produces an analog signal.

Claim 32

A computer system as in claim 17 , wherein said signal generator produces a digital signal.

Claim 33

A computer system as in claim 17 , further comprising a computer connector having electrical terminals, said connector providing said mouse movement signals, said selection signal, and said slider movement signals at said terminals.

Claim 34

The computer system of claim 17 , further comprising: a storage medium storing a program for operating the computer, said program comprising: an input section for receiving input data representing the movement of the slider on the mouse; and a section for translating said input data into control data for controlling the scrolling of a computer display image.

Claim 35

The storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said storage medium is a RAM.

Claim 36

The storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said storage medium is a ROM.

Claim 37

The storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said storage medium is a hard drive.

Claim 38

The storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said storage medium is a floppy disk.

Claim 39

The storage medium as in claim 31 , wherein said input section receives input data representing the direction of movement of said slider and said translation section provides corresponding control data which controls the scrolling of said computer display image in an associated direction.

Claim 40

The storage medium as in claim 36 , wherein said input section receives input data representing the direction of movement of said slider and said translation section provides corresponding control data which controls the scrolling of said computer display image in an associated direction.

Claim 41

The storage medium as in claim 31 , wherein said input section receives input data representing the amount of movement of said slider from a rest position and said translation section translates said input data into control signals for controlling the rate of scrolling of a computer display image, such that the rate of scrolling corresponds to the amount of movement of said slider from a rest position.

Claim 42

A computer mouse comprising: a body having a movement detector, said movement detector generating mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, said selection switch providing selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on said mouse body, said slider being moveable relative to said body and having an associated signal generator which generates signals representing the sliding movement of said slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member, the stationary member including one of a light source and light detector; and a moveable member coupled for movement with said slider, the moveable member including the other of said light source and said light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of said moveable member relative to said stationary member, further wherein said output signals scroll a display image on a computer screen in response to said slider movement.

Claim 43

A computer mouse comprising: a body having a movement detector, said movement detector generating mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, said selection switch providing selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on said mouse body, said slider being moveable relative to said body and having an associated signal generator which generates signals representing the sliding movement of said slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member, the stationary member including one of a light source and light detector; and a moveable member coupled for movement with said slider, the moveable member including the other of said light source and said light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of said moveable member relative to said stationary member, further wherein said output signals scroll a display image on a computer screen in response to said slider movement.

Claim 44

A computer system comprising: a computer having a mouse input port; and a mouse connectable to said input port, said mouse comprising: a body having a movement detector, said movement detector generating mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, said selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on said mouse body, said slider being moveable relative to said body and having an associated signal generator which generates signals representing the sliding movement of said slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member coupled for movement with said slider, the moveable member including the other of said light source and said light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of said moveable member relative to said stationary member, further wherein said output signals scroll a display image on a computer screen in response to said slider movement.

Claim 45

A computer system comprising: a computer having a mouse input port; and a mouse connectable to said input port, said mouse comprising: a body having a movement detector, said movement detector generating mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, said selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on said mouse body, said slider being moveable relative to said body and having an associated signal generator which generates signals representing the sliding movement of said slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member coupled for movement with said slider, the moveable member including the other of said light source and said light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of said moveable member relative to said stationary member, further wherein said output signals scroll a display image on a computer screen in response to said slider movement.

Claim 48

A computer mouse usable on a surface, the computer mouse comprising: a body slidable on the surface, the body having a movement detector that generates m use movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis in response to movement of the body on the surface; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, the selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on the mouse body, the slider being moveable relative to the body and having an associated signal generator that generates signals representing the sliding movement of the slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member within the body, the stationary member including on e of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member within the body, the moveable member coupled for movement with the slider and including the other of the light source and the light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals that change in response to movement of the moveable member relative to the stationary member.

Claim 49

A computer mouse usable on a surface, the computer mouse comprising: a body slidable on the surface, the body having a movement detector that generates m use movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis in response to movement of the body on the surface; at least one selection switch mounted on said body, the selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on the mouse body, the slider being moveable relative to the body and having an associated signal generator that generates signals representing the sliding movement of the slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member within the body, the stationary member including on e of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member within the body, the moveable member coupled for movement with the slider and including the other of the light source and the light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals that change in response to movement of the moveable member relative to the stationary member.

Claim 50

A computer mouse useable on a surface, the computer mouse comprising: a body slidable on the surface, the body having an undersurface; a movement detector adjacent to the undersurface of the body, the movement detector including a roller ball that generates mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis in response to movement of the body on the surface; at least one selection switch mounted on the body, the selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on the mouse body, the slider being moveable relative to the body and having an associated signal generator that generates signals representing the sliding movement of the slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member within the body, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member within the body, the moveable member coupled for movement with the slider and including the other of the light source and the light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals that change in response to movement f the moveable member relative to the stationary member.

Claim 51

A computer mouse useable on a surface, the computer mouse comprising: a body slidable on the surface, the body having an undersurface; a movement detector adjacent to the undersurface of the body, the movement detector including a roller ball that generates mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis in response to movement of the body on the surface; at least one selection switch mounted on the body, the selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on the mouse body, the slider being moveable relative to the body and having an associated signal generator that generates signals representing the sliding movement of the slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member within the body, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member within the body, the moveable member coupled for movement with the slider and including the other of the light source and the light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals that change in response to movement f the moveable member relative to the stationary member.

Claim 54

The method of claim 44 further comprising scrolling a display image on a computer screen in response to the second movement signals.

Claim 55

The method of claim 44 wherein moving a mouse body across a surface includes moving a mouse body having a movement detector, the movement detector including a roller ball that generates the first movement signals in response to movement of the mouse body across the surface.

Claim 56

A computer system comprising: a computer having a mouse input port; and a mouse connectable to the input port, the mouse comprising: a body slidable on a surface, the body including an undersurface; a movement detector adjacent to the undersurface of the body, the movement detector including a roller ball that generates mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis in response to movement of the body on the surface; at least one selection switch mounted on the body, the selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on the mouse body, the slider being moveable relative to the body and having an associated signal generator that generates signals representing the sliding movement of the slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member within the body, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member within the body, the moveable member coupled for movement with the slider and including the other of the light source and the light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of the moveable member relative to the stationary member.

Claim 57

A computer system comprising: a computer having a mouse input port; and a mouse connectable to the input port, the mouse comprising: a body slidable on a surface, the body including an undersurface; a movement detector adjacent to the undersurface of the body, the movement detector including a roller ball that generates mouse movement signals relative to a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis in response to movement of the body on the surface; at least one selection switch mounted on the body, the selection switch providing a selection signal upon actuation; and a slider provided on the mouse body, the slider being moveable relative to the body and having an associated signal generator that generates signals representing the sliding movement of the slider, the signal generator including: a stationary member within the body, the stationary member including one of a light source and a light detector; and a moveable member within the body, the moveable member coupled for movement with the slider and including the other of the light source and the light detector, wherein the signal generator produces output signals which change in response to movement of the moveable member relative to the stationary member.