Patent ID: 6489947
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An ergonomic computer-pointing device comprising:a cursor control section wherein a cursor is controlled by movement of said cursor control section; an ergonomic hand support section; and a coupler movably and fixedly interconnecting said cursor control section and said ergonomic hand support wherein said cursor control section is movable relative to said ergonomic hand support section so that said cursor control section can be moved to position said cursor while said ergonomic hand support remains stationary; said coupler limits a separation between said cursor control section and said ergonomic hand support section to a first distance in a first direction, and so motion of said cursor contol section relative to said ergonomic hand support in said first direction is limited to a maximum of said first distance that in turns limits a range of cursor motion obtained by motion of said cursor control section while said ergonomic hand support remains stationary and, a pressure timing circuit coupled to ergonomic hand support section wherein the pressure timing circuit measures an amount of time a user maintains pressure on the ergonomic hand support section and generates a time-out signal when the amount of time exceeds a predefined time and further wherein the pressure timing circuit generates a warning to the user, in respond to the time-out signal, to adjust a hand of the user with respect to the ergonomic hand support section and thereby relieves said pressure.