Abstract:
A mouse assembly includes a modular auxiliary unit that is operable in complement with a floor or pedal assembly. The modular auxiliary unit includes structure for conveniently securing the unit as well as a mouse functionality section, such as a track ball or the like. The floor or pedal assembly includes one or more clicking pedals and a scrolling wheel for foot-operated mouse manipulations. The assembly facilitates mouse-type operations while reducing risks of injury associated with repetitive motions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/139,792, filed Jun. 21, 1999, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/139,793, filed Jun. 21, 1999, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a computer mouse apparatus and, more particularly, to a computer mouse apparatus that is adapted for use by a user&#39;s feet and including a modular auxiliary unit for additional functionality. 
     Conventional hand mouse operation can be uncomfortable particularly over extended periods of time and has been known to be the cause of stress injuries or repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis. It is desirable to perform computer mouse manipulations with a user&#39;s feet to reduce such stress injuries and increase the user&#39;s comfort. 
     A number of existing foot pedal mouse devices have appreciated the desirability of performing mouse operations with the user&#39;s feet. These devices, however, are typically multi-pedal systems that are bulky and uncomfortable to use as well as being expensive. The existing foot mouse pedals are also limited in mouse operation functionality. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a computer mouse assembly includes a foot pedal with at least one contact switch and a scrolling wheel. The foot pedal has an output device for communication with a computer. The computer mouse assembly also includes a modular auxiliary unit cooperating with the foot pedal for merged communication with the computer, wherein the modular auxiliary unit provides added mouse functionality to the foot pedal. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the modular auxiliary unit includes a track ball. In this context, the scrolling wheel translates linear motion by rotation about a central axis, and the track ball translates multi-directional motion by rotation about a central point. In one embodiment, the modular auxiliary unit includes a clip having cooperating surfaces that is configured to attach the modular auxiliary unit to a user&#39;s article of clothing. Alternatively, the modular auxiliary unit may include a strap for securing the unit in a convenient location. 
     The foot pedal preferably includes two contact switches operable with a left click pedal and a right click pedal, respectively. The foot pedal may additionally include a third contact switch that is operable with the scrolling wheel. The left click pedal and the right click pedal are positioned adjacent each other in a side-to-side relationship, and the scrolling wheel is disposed above the left and right click pedals. 
     With this construction, computer screen operations such as pointing, clicking, holding, scrolling, highlighting, dragging and the like can be performed using two compact apparatuses, wherein, for example, pointing operations can be performed by hand using a track ball on the modular auxiliary unit while clicking, holding and scrolling operations can be performed with a user&#39;s right and/or left foot with a pedal that includes one or two switches and a scroll wheel. The specific parameters and mouse functionality performed by the components can be customized to a user&#39;s particular needs, and the invention is not meant to be limited to the described examples. For example, in one arrangement, highlighting and dragging operations can be performed by using the track ball or other device such as a touch pad and pedal simultaneously. 
     With this system, stress injuries from repetitive motion can be reduced, and operator comfort can be increased. In this context, it is more comfortable to operate the clip-on track ball of the auxiliary unit because the user&#39;s arm is not extended, and it is also more comfortable to operate a single pedal with one foot while resting the user&#39;s other foot on the floor. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular auxiliary unit of the mouse assembly according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the modular auxiliary unit shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foot pedal according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the foot pedal shown in FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In preferred forms, the computer mouse assembly according to the present invention is formed of two parts, a modular auxiliary unit  12  and a floor assembly or foot pedal  14 . Since the devices may be operable independently, the invention is not meant to be necessarily limited to a computer mouse assembly incorporating both devices. Moreover, the detailed circuit components effecting operation of the devices  12 ,  14  and interfacing with a computer via the described cables is generally known, and those of ordinary skill in the art could contemplate alternative configurations for the electronics to achieve the functionality described herein. The electronic circuitry of the assembly thus does not form part of the present invention, and the details thereof will not be further described. Examples of such circuitry can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,305,449, 5,463,388 and 5,633,658, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the modular auxiliary unit  12  is constructed of a housing  16  including a clip section  18  and a mouse functionality section  20  such as where a track ball is shown in FIG. 1. A base pad  22  is secured to an underside of the housing  16  to provide a firm contact with a supporting surface or a user&#39;s body. The base pad  22  may also incorporate a second clip  23  for a pocket attachment or the like (FIG.  2 ). 
     The clip section  18 , as shown in FIG. 2, includes a clip having opposing cooperating gripping surfaces  24  formed with, for example, rubber or like construction to attach the unit  12  to a user&#39;s article of clothing. In an alternative arrangement shown in phantom in FIG. 2, the clipping section  18  can include a strap  26  with a suitable fastening means such as a hook and loop fastener or the like. With the strap arrangement, the unit  12  can be secured to any location that is convenient to the user&#39;s operating hand when the user&#39;s hand is in a relaxed and resting state. For example, using the strap  26 , the unit  12  can be secured to the arm of the user&#39;s chair. 
     The mouse functionality section  20  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a track ball, which operation is conventional. Generally, the track ball is rotatable in multiple directions about a single point at the center of the ball. The ball, which is typically a rubber or other gripping-type surface ball, engages a plurality of linear motion sensors that translate motion of the track ball into multi-directional control of a cursor on the computer screen or the like. For ease of use, the track ball may be coupled with a two-dimensional linear motion encoder that translates rotation of the track ball into linear two-direction motion only, such as side to side on a computer screen, for example. 
     A shielded cable extension  28  is coupled with the unit circuitry and terminates in a single plug  30  that is coupleable with a complementary plug in the pedal assembly  14  or alternatively directly with the computer. The single plug  30  may be provided with an optional breakaway connection safety feature. As an alternative to the cable extension  28  and plug  30 , the modular auxiliary unit may be wireless. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the floor or pedal assembly  14  includes a pedal housing  31  supporting a left click pedal  32  and a right click pedal  34  separated by a tactile blade  36  such as a hard plastic strip or the like. A base pad  41  is secured to an underside of the housing  31  to provide a firm contact with a supporting surface. 
     The left click pedal  32  and right click pedal  34  are coupled with corresponding momentary contact switches (not shown) in the housing  31  that effect mouse functionality according to preestablished operating parameters. That is, typically, one button of a conventional mouse is used as a click switch or selecting switch while the other button is an option click switch or the like. These functions can be reversed or altered according to user preferences. As noted, the circuitry effecting computer control by operation of the pedals is known and the details thereof will not be further described. 
     Positioned above the left click pedal  32  and right click pedal  34  is a scroll wheel  37  with a textured surface that is rotatable about a central axis. The scroll wheel  37  engages at least one linear motion sensor or the like that is coupled with appropriate circuitry. Signals from the pedal assembly  14  are communicated to the computer via a shielded cable  38  terminating in a dual plug  40 . As an alternative to the cable  38  and plug  40 , the foot pedal component may be wireless. 
     The scroll wheel  37  is operated by forward or backward motion of a user&#39;s foot. Forward motion of the foot against the roller causes, for example, the computer screen display to scroll upward (toward the top of the display), and backward motion of the foot against the roller, for example, causes the display to scroll downward (toward the bottom of the display). The scrolling rate is controlled by the speed of the foot motion. Of course, the functionality of the scroll wheel operation may also be configured according to user preferences. The scroll wheel  37  may additionally include “clicking” functionality by incorporating a contact switch adjacent the scroll wheel  37  and configuring the scroll wheel  37  for deflection in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to activate the contact switch. Such a contact switch would preferably require a firmer activation to prevent accidental activation during regular use. 
     The left and right click pedals  32 ,  34  are used for single- and double-clicking and for holding, highlighting and dragging in conjunction with the modular auxiliary unit  12  to perform computer operations. As shown, one end of the dual plug  40  receives the cable from the modular auxiliary unit  12 , and the other end communicates with the computer. Dual plugs serve to merge the data stream from the modular auxiliary unit  12  with the signals from the pedal assembly  14 , providing an output that is electrically and data compatible with the mouse port on a computer. 
     With the construction of the computer mouse assembly according to the present invention, computer mouse manipulations are facilitated while reducing discomfort to the user as well as the susceptibility to stress and repetitive motion related injuries. The assembly is lightweight, compact and easy to use while being inexpensive to manufacture. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.