Abstract:
A computer cursor control which includes a base having two side ends, a bottom surface and a top surface is disclosed. The bottom surface of the base has a concave side-to-side cross section. This concave cross section is ergonomically shaped to conform to and engagingly rest upon the thigh of a user in a variety of sitting positions with the two side ends extending downward below the top of the thigh-engaging contour. The top surface carries a palmer dome upon which the user&#39;s hand rests in its most natural condition and the cursor control and other controls are positioned around and upon surfaces of the palmer dome in locations which enable the most used controls to be accessed by the most dexterous digits.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/813,906, filed Jun. 14, 2006, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a computer cursor control/input device. More particularly it concerns such a device that is ergonomically adroit. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of computers, whether they be configured as personal computers or as electronic games or as personal assistance devices, all involve inputting information. This is most commonly carried out by inputting information with a keyboard. It is also commonly carried out by positioning a movable cursor such as with keyboard keys, a computer “mouse”, a joystick, a track pad or a track ball. These types of cursor-positioning input devices rely upon the user&#39;s physical dexterity to manipulate the cursor into various positions. It has been well recognized that repetitive use of conventional input devices can lead to fatigue and even to injury to the user. Carpal tunnel syndrome (“CTS”), cumulative trauma disorder (“CTD”) and repetitive stress syndrome (“RSS”) are just three conditions attributed to the use of computer input equipment. 
         [0004]    A number of devices addressing these problems have been described heretofore. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,260 points out that there are ergonomic advantages to having a keyboard which can be positioned on the user&#39;s lap, as opposed to being located on a desk top. It discloses a keyboard suitable for locating on the user&#39;s lap which has a lower surface which is recessed to allow the keyboard to conform to the user&#39;s thighs and having a top (keyboard) surface that is curved outward toward the user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,228 shows a computer game that can be located in the user&#39;s lap. This game has side extensions which can be positioned to press in upon the user&#39;s legs to help hold the game in position on the user&#39;s lap. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,353,530 and 6,529,369 show laptop computer keyboards having concave depressions in their lower surfaces to engage their user&#39;s lap. U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,338 describes how positioning a computer or a computer keyboard on the operator&#39;s lap can relieve overuse stress and injury and provides a divided keyboard which positions the keys in two groups across the user&#39;s lap. However, this patent does not appear to contain disclosure concerning features to make its keyboards more lap-compatible. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,806,865 and related published United States Patent Application Serial Number 2002/0105503 each concern an integrated joy pad for a handheld personal digital assistant (“PDA”) or handheld computing device. Such devices have a number of input functionalities including an attachable writing stylus/joystick, various keys, a joy pad and a touch screen. Lap compatibility is not stressed in this patent and application. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,288,709 concerns a computer input device which the user grasps in both hands so as to actuate switches on its top and bottom surfaces with the fingers and thumbs. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,426,449 and 6,381,128 describe ergonomic improvements to computers and computer keyboards but describe these improvements in the context of desktop-positioned units. 
       STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An improved computer input device has now been discovered. This device is characterized as being more ergonomically adroit than similar devices described in the art and thus usable with less fatigue and reduced likelihood of injury to the user. 
         [0009]    This device is further characterized as facilitating a neutral position of its user&#39;s shoulder as well as the user&#39;s entire upper arm through wrist, hand and fingers when in use. 
         [0010]    This invention provides a computer cursor control/input device which includes a base having a front, a back, two side ends, a bottom surface and an upper surface. This device is ergonomically adroit. It has a “palmer dome” located on and extending upwards from the upper surface of the device with the “dome” being of a size and shape which ergonomically fits the palm of the user. The device&#39;s input functionalities are placed relative to the dome so that the most commonly-used controls, such as a cursor control and “right click” control are located in positions to be manipulated by the user&#39;s most dexterous digit (the index finger.) A portion of the input functionalities are located on the side of the dome to position them adjacent to the second most dexterous digit (the thumb) of the user. This placement of certain functions near the thumb and index finger of the user leads to the input device being “handed”, that is being adapted to conform to either the right or left hand of the user but typically not to both. 
         [0011]    One or more cursor control and data input functionalities are mounted on the upper and side surfaces of the base in locations corresponding to the locations of the user&#39;s fingers when the user&#39;s hand is resting on the device with the more commonly-used input functionalities located adjacent to the most dexterous fingers, the thumb and index fingers. The bottom surface of the base has a concave side-to-side cross-section. This concave cross-section is ergonomically shaped to conform to and engagingly rest upon the thigh of a user in a variety of sitting positions with the two side ends extending downward below the top of the thigh-engaging contour. Both of the two side ends can be weighted to supply position-stabilizing mass to the device when it is in use. Similarly, the input device can include extendable springy side grips which, when extended, can position the device to the user&#39;s thigh and cause it to grip the thigh. 
         [0012]    The device additionally may include a layer of nonslip material such as the nonslip flexible plastic material marketed by Dycem Limited affixed to the concave lower surface to further stabilize the support on the user&#39;s thigh in various straight-leg and crossed-leg sitting positions. By permitting placement in a variety of sitting positions, it is possible for the user to assume a variety of natural neutral positions and move from one position to another which will assure less fatigue and reduced likelihood of repetitive-use-induced injury to the user. 
         [0013]    The input device is connected to a computer either by hard wire or, more commonly, by wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, the stabilizing masses in the ends of the device may conveniently be the batteries powering the device. 
         [0014]    The input device may be provided in a variety of sizes to accommodate various body types. It may also be adjustable with downward-extending side ends moving inwardly and outwardly, relative to one another, to fit smaller and larger users respectively. 
         [0015]    The entire input device in its various embodiments can be sewn into, attached, or by various means wholly contained within a fabric sleeve suitable for fastening around the user&#39;s thigh. This fabric sleeve can be made from ballistic nylon, stretch fabric or similar material and extends from either side of the device and wraps around the user&#39;s thigh and fastens to itself by means of Velcro® strips or tabs or buckles. 
         [0016]    It will be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art that the advantages of this input device will be realized in a wide range of computer and game settings and that the controls of this device can be configured to interface with MS/DOS, UNIX and Apple® operating systems. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    This invention will be further described with reference being made to the accompanying drawings. When appropriate, the same reference number is used to refer to the same part appearing in multiple drawings. In these drawings 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the input device of this invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the input device of this invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the input device of this invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the input device of this invention having the capability of being adjusted to fit a variety of size of users. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are partially cut away front and side elevational views of the device of the invention showing the possibility of placing weights such as batteries low on the sides of the device to assist in stabilizing the device on the user&#39;s thigh. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a partially phantom view of the underside of the device of this invention showing an alternative location for the batteries. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are front and side elevational views of another embodiment of the device of the invention having extendable side grips which can be extended out of the body of the device and fit around and affix the device to the user&#39;s thigh. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are front and side elevational views of another embodiment of the device of the invention having a track ball as its cursor control. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective sketch showing the input device of this invention in use on a user&#39;s thigh. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show a variation of the device mounted within a ballistic nylon or similar cloth wrap which can be affixed around the thigh of the user by means of Velcro® strips or tabs. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Turning first to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , an embodiment  100  of the computer cursor control/input device is shown. Device  100  includes a base  10  having an upper surface  12  and a bottom surface  14 . Device  100  has opposed sides  16  and  18  and a front  20  and a rear  22 . Bottom surface  14  is concave in side-to side section, when viewed from the front  20  or the rear  22 . That is, its center  24  is higher by a distance “D” than edges  16  and  18 . This concave shape extends along the entire length of support  10  from its front  20  to its rear  22  and generally approximates a section of a cylinder. This concave shape mates with (or corresponds to) the curvature of he user&#39;s thigh such that the base can rest securely there. This is commonly accomplished when “D” is in the range of from about ¼ inch to about 1 inch. 
         [0029]    A nonslip surface  26  is usually present on bottom surface  14 . This nonslip surface can be of any material which facilitates the stable placement of the device  100  on the user&#39;s thigh. Such materials can include, for example, a rough pattern molded into surface  14 , a layer of fabric, a smooth consistent thickness layer of foam such as foam rubber, a layer of natural or synthetic suede, or the like. This layer typically covers essentially all of surface  14 . The nonslip sheet goods manufactured and marketed by Dycem Limited of Bristol, England under the trademark “Dycem” is a preferred nonslip surface. It can be affixed to the underside of the device with contact cement or the like. 
         [0030]    The upper surface of device  100  includes computer cursor control  38  as well as other computer controls. The upper surface presents an ergonomically shaped “dome”  28  which is a “palmer dome”, that is a dome sized and shaped to fit into the user&#39;s palm when the user&#39;s hand is placed upon it, palm down. This dome, viewed from above is generally conical in shape tapering downward toward the ulnar side (little finger side) and being more pronounced on the radial side (thumb and index finger side). 
         [0031]    The overall design of the dome  28  and the surface  12  upon which it is located exploits the biometric shape of the human hand. It facilitates the location of each of the fingers and the curve of the hand when the hand and fingers are in their most relaxed “open palm spread” position. The dome  28  provides a “rest” area for the user&#39;s palm and each of the digits which provide inert placement of the hand when it is not manipulating the various controls on the device. The long axis of device  100  and the palmer arch dome  28  (L-L′ in  FIG. 3 ) runs down the user&#39;s middle finger when the hand is at rest and thus the long axis of the hand and the long axis of the device are congruent when the hand is at rest. The dome  28  is shaped to slope downward from the middle finger toward the ring and little fingers and to slope upwardly slightly from the L-L′ axis and to then descend almost vertically between the thumb and the index finger when the user&#39;s hand is resting upon it. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , one of the advantages of this device is that when placed on the user&#39;s thigh  30 , device  100  can be positioned so as to be directly under the user&#39;s hand  32  when the user&#39;s arm  34  is in its most natural and most relaxed position. It will be appreciated that in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the user&#39;s wrist is bent back to show the device  100  or  1200  located beneath the user&#39;s hand  32  and that in use, the hand  32  would be set down upon the device with its fingers able to manipulate the controls on the upper surface in their most natural neutral position without undue movement or repositioning of the user&#39;s hand during use. 
         [0033]    It will also be appreciated that this upper surface  12  with dome  28  and the layout of the controls upon it is typically “handed”. That is it is configured to fit either a right or a left hand so as to take advantage of the user&#39;s preferences for using one&#39;s thumb and forefinger for the more commonly called for commands and the middle finger, ring finger and little finger for the less commonly accessed commands. 
         [0034]    The computer controls on the upper surface  12  include a computer cursor control  38 . In device  100 , this control is depicted as a track pad  38 . When the user&#39;s fingers move across the track pad  38 , a cursor control signal is generated which is sent to the computer via a wireless (“Bluetooth”) connection or by a “hard wire” connection such as through plug  39 . Control  38  is located on the left front end of dome  28  so that, in use, the right-handed user&#39;s right index finger falls readily upon it when the user&#39;s arm, wrist and fingers are in their most natural position. 
         [0035]    Control device  100  generally, but not necessarily, contains additional controls, all of which may be wireless or hardwired just as with control  38 . These include one or more (two are shown but one to five are typical) application launch touch buttons  40  (shown as  40 A and  40 B). These controls can be preprogrammed or custom programmed to actuate one or more specific computer functions. These can be mechanical switches, capacitance switches and the like. These controls are located on the relatively horizontal apron portion  42  of the top surface in front of or alongside the domed area  28 . These launch controls are generally less commonly used than certain other controls so it is appropriate to locate them in positions where they can be actuated by the user&#39;s middle, ring or little fingers, rather than by the more dexterous index finger and thumb. These launch controls should be in a position that is not so close as to lead to inadvertent touching and unwanted launchings of the various applications. Any and all of these controls can be preprogrammed or programmed by the user in real time. 
         [0036]    Device  100  can also include a scroll wheel  44  positioned on the top surface  12  in a location where it can me manipulated by the index finger. This scroll wheel can be a conventional two direction scroll wheel or it can be a multi-axis scroll wheel not only capable of scrolling forward and backwards but also side to side. 
         [0037]    Device  100  can include one (or more commonly two) mouse control buttons  46  and  48 . In a PC or MS/DOS environment, buttons  46  and  48  can correspond to the “left click” and “right click” buttons respectively on a conventional Microsoft® operating system control and can be programmed accordingly. Left click control  46  is placed on the left side of the dome where it can be easily accessed by the user&#39;s thumb. Right click control  48  is located on the more horizontal apron  42  of the top surface  12  immediately to the right of the touch pad  38  where it can be easily accessed by the user&#39;s index and middle fingers. Again, these locations are selected so that the right click function control is easily accessed by the user&#39;s index finger since the right click is the most commonly used “click” function and the user&#39;s index finger has the greatest dexterity. Similarly, the left click is the second most used “click” function and it is positioned for activation by the thumb, the second most dexterous digit. These controls are readily reached by the user&#39;s thumb and fingers respectively but not likely to be inadvertently accessed. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, when device  100  is being employed in an Apple® operating system environment, the two buttons  46  and  48  can be replaced by a single button or control which is programmed to convey the “click” commands within that environment. In an “Apple”® type environment it may be desirable to eliminate some or all of the launch buttons  40 A, etc as well as the scrolling control  44  and to program the functions of these controls into the track pad  38  or its equivalents as will be hereinafter described and as is commonly done with peripheral devices used within an Apple® operating environment. 
         [0039]    Additionally, the device  100  can include an “up” and a “down” control for cursor movement or scrolling. These are exemplified as up button  49  and down button  51  located on the side of the device  100  alongside the dome where they can be facilely manipulated by the user&#39;s thumb. 
         [0040]    Device  100  is but one representative embodiment of the controller of this invention.  FIG. 4 . shows another embodiment  400 . Embodiment  400  is similar to device  100  as shown by a number of corresponding functions and features. Embodiment  400  adds the feature that it can be adjusted to change the shape of the cylindrical section of concave bottom surface  14  to conform to the thigh shapes of larger and smaller users. Embodiment  400  includes a pair of hinges  50  and  52  having axes parallel to the axis of the cylindrical section. This permits the sides  16  and  18  to bend inward (as shown in solid line) or outward (as shown in dashed line). In addition to adapting the device to fit different size users, these hinges can work to hold the device in place on the user&#39;s thigh by means of spring loading or by means of resistance built into the hinges to hold the device in a configuration that will grip the user&#39;s thigh to some extent. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIGS. 5 and 6  another embodiment  500  is shown. This embodiment includes a pair of weights  56  and  58  located in the outer lower side edges  16  and  18  of body  10 . These weights, are located low, relative to the top of the curvature of concave lower surface  14 . Batteries are typical weights which can be so placed. These weights provide a stabilizing effect and hold the device in place on the user&#39;s thigh. 
         [0042]    Alternatively, the weights in the form of batteries  58 A and  58 B can be positioned under the dome  28  of device  500  where they can be accessed by removing cover  59 . 
         [0043]    Embodiment  800 , depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , provides yet an additional structure for holding the device of the invention in place on the user&#39;s thigh. Device  800  is similar to device  100  and device  400  but includes a pair of retractable extendable side flaps or grips  70  and  72 . These grips  70  and  72  are shown in their extended positions in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Grip  70  includes a curved resilient arm  74  made of spring steel, titanium, hard molded ABS plastic, or the like which, when extended, runs from body  10  to gripper  76 . Grip  72  includes corresponding arm  78  and gripper  80 . Arms  74  and  78  have a built-in curvature which, in combination with the resiliency of the arms, causes the grips to be biased inward toward the user&#39;s thigh. This springy biasing provided by arms  74  and  80  provides additional gripping and stabilization of the device  800  on the user&#39;s thigh much in the way a hair band grips the head of a user. The extendable side grips  70  and  72  can be retracted into device  800  when not in use. Arm  74  can be retracted into channel  84  and arm  80  can be retracted into channel  86 . Although not a requirement, in device  800 , grippers  76  and  80  are shaped to conform in contour to the body  10  of device  800  when they are retracted. To that end, as shown in  FIG. 9 , body  10  includes a recess  88  into which gripper  80  can fit when side grip  72  is retracted. A corresponding recess is provided on the reverse side of device  800 , as well. to accommodate side grip  70  when it is retracted. 
         [0044]    Device  100  employs a touch pad cursor control. This is merely representative. Other cursor controls can be used, including joy sticks and the like. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , which illustrate device  1000 , a track ball  64  can be used in place of the track pad  28 . This track ball  64  is located on the front end of the device  1000  immediately in front of the dome  28  so as to fall conveniently to hand for easy operation by the user&#39;s index finger. The other features described with reference to devices  100 ,  400 ,  500  and  800  can, of course, be present in device  1000 , if desired. 
         [0045]    Embodiment  1300  depicted in  FIG. 13  provides yet an additional structure for holding the device and its variations to the thigh of the user. Device  1200  is similar to device  100  and  400  but it is built into a ballistic nylon, stretch nylon or similar cloth wrap  92  that is affixed to the user&#39;s thigh by wrapping straps  94 A and  94 B around the thigh  30  and attaching them together by means of Velcro® strips or tabs  96  and  98 . Any other devices, for affixing straps  94 A and  94 B to one another can be used as well such as adjustable buckles, snaps, clasps or clips which are easily integrated into the strapping material. This variation, can be employed alone or together with the variations of  FIGS. 1 through 11 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 12 and 14  illustrate embodiments  100  or  1300  of the device of this invention in use on the thigh of a user. In  FIG. 12  the device rests on the thigh  30  and is held in place by the shape of the lower surface  14  and by the anti-slip coating  26 . In the case shown in  FIG. 14  straps  94 A and  94 B are affixed together to assist in holding the device in place. 
         [0047]    While this invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention or the scope of protection afforded by this patent which are both defined by the following claims.