MOUSE DEVICE OPERABLE IN SOUND MODE OR SILENT MODE

A mouse device is operable in a sound mode or a silent mode. The mouse device includes a casing, a tactile-feel wheel module, a sound button module, a third-axis control module, and a silent button module. The tactile-feel wheel module and the sound button module are disposed on the casing, and located near a first end of the casing. In a case that the mouse device is in the sound mode, the tactile-feel wheel module and the sound button module are enabled. The third-axis control module and the silent button module are disposed on the casing, and located near a second end of the casing. In a case that the mouse device is in the silent mode, the third-axis control module and the silent button module are enabled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For eliminating the drawbacks encountered from the prior art, the present invention provides a mouse device operable in a sound mode or a silent mode.

Please refer toFIG. 3andFIG. 4.FIG. 3schematically illustrates the connection between a computer system and a mouse device operable in a sound mode or a silent mode according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4is a schematic exploded view illustrating the mouse device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The mouse device3is operable in either the sound mode or the silent mode. InFIG. 3, the mouse device3and the computer system4are shown. The computer system4comprises a computer host41and a display screen42. The computer host41is in communication with the mouse device3and the display screen42. The computer host41has a connecting port411. A graphic-based window421and a cursor422are shown on the display screen42. The mouse device3is in communication with the computer host41of the computer system4. The mouse device3is used for controlling the computer system4, thereby moving the cursor422and scrolling the graphic-based window421.

The mouse device3comprises a casing30, a tactile-feel wheel module31, a sound button module32, a third-axis control module33, a silent button module34, an upper cover35, a displacement sensing module36(seeFIG. 8), a circuit board37, a controlling unit38(seeFIG. 8), a wireless signal transmitter39, and a wireless signal receiver40. The wireless signal transmitter39is disposed within the casing30and electrically connected with the circuit board37for outputting plural signals to the wireless signal receiver40. The wireless signal receiver40is plugged into the connecting port411of the computer host41for receiving the plural signals from the wireless signal transmitter39and transmitting the plural signals to the computer host41. In other words, the mouse device3is communication with the computer host41through the wireless signal transmitter39and the wireless signal receiver40.

The components of the mouse device3will be illustrated as follows. The casing30comprises an opening304. The tactile-feel wheel module31is disposed on the casing30, and located near a first end301of the casing30. By rotating the tactile-feel wheel module31, the scroll of the graphic-based window421of the computer system4is correspondingly controlled. The sound button module32is located near the tactile-feel wheel module31for issuing at least one sound button signal to the computer system4. Similar to the tactile-feel wheel module31, the third-axis control module33is disposed on the casing30and located near a second end302of the casing30for controlling the scroll of the graphic-based window421of the computer system4. Similar to the sound button module32, the silent button module34is located near the third-axis control module33for issuing at least one silent button signal to the computer system4.

FIG. 5is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of the mouse device ofFIG. 4and taken along another viewpoint. Please refer toFIGS. 4 and 5. The casing30is covered by the upper cover35. Moreover, the upper cover35comprises a perforation351, a first triggering part352, a second triggering part353, and a covering part354. The perforation351is located near a first end356of the upper cover35. When the casing30is covered by the upper cover35, the tactile-feel wheel module31or the third-axis control module33is exposed outside the upper cover35. The first triggering part352is disposed on a bottom surface355of the upper cover35and located at a first side of the perforation351for triggering the sound button module32or the silent button module34. The second triggering part353is disposed on the bottom surface355of the upper cover35and located at a second side of the perforation351for triggering the sound button module32or the silent button module34. The covering part354is located near a second end357of the upper cover35. When the casing30is covered by the upper cover35, the tactile-feel wheel module31or the third-axis control module33is covered by the covering part354. In this embodiment, the covering part354is a concave structure. Moreover, the first triggering part352, the second triggering part353and the covering part354are integrally formed with the upper cover35. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the first triggering part and the second triggering part are disposed on the bottom surface of the upper cover, but are not integrally formed with the upper cover.

Next, please refer toFIG. 4andFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a schematic side view illustrating a portion of the mouse device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 6, the mouse device3is placed on a working plane T. The displacement sensing module36is disposed within the casing30, and partially exposed outside a bottom part303of the casing30. According to the movement of the casing30on the working plane T, the displacement sensing module36generates a cursor displacement signal. According to the cursor displacement signal, the cursor422of the computer system4is correspondingly moved. The displacement sensing module36comprises a light source361, a reflective mirror362, a focusing lens363, and an optical sensor364. The light source361is used for emitting a light beam B. The light beam B is projected onto the working plane T. The reflective mirror362is used for reflecting the light beam B. The light beam B reflected from the working plane T is further focused by the focusing lens363. The optical sensor364is used for receiving the light beam B and generating a cursor displacement signal according to the light beam B. In this embodiment, the light source361is a light emitting diode (LED).

The circuit board37is disposed on the casing30, and electrically connected with the tactile-feel wheel module31, the sound button module32, the third-axis control module33, the silent button module34, the displacement sensing module36, the controlling unit38and the wireless signal transmitter39. The tactile-feel wheel module31, the sound button module32, the silent button module34, the displacement sensing module36and the wireless signal transmitter39are also supported on the circuit board37. The controlling unit38is disposed on the circuit board37, and connected with the tactile-feel wheel module31, the sound button module32, the third-axis control module33, the silent button module34and the displacement sensing module36through the circuit board37. A first coordinate system C1(seeFIG. 8) and a second coordinate system C2(seeFIG. 9) have been previously set in the controlling unit38. If the controlling unit38detects that the tactile-feel wheel module31or the sound button module32is triggered, the controlling unit38will select the first coordinate system C1as a default coordinate system and issue a cursor displacement signal corresponding to the first coordinate system C1. If the controlling unit38detects that the third-axis control module33or the silent button module34is triggered, the controlling unit38will select the second coordinate system C2as the default coordinate system and issue a cursor displacement signal corresponding to the second coordinate system C2. In this embodiment, a rotating angle between the first coordinate system C1and the second coordinate system C2is 180 degrees. Moreover, in this embodiment, the controlling unit38is a firmware component, which is disposed on the circuit board37.

Next, please refer toFIG. 4andFIG. 7.FIG. 7is a schematic side view illustrating the tactile-feel wheel module of the mouse device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The tactile-feel wheel module31comprises a scroll wheel311, an encoder312, a graduation structure313, and a contacting element314. The scroll wheel311is disposed on the casing30. Moreover, the scroll wheel311is partially penetrated through the opening304of the casing30and exposed outside a top surface305of the casing30, so that the scroll wheel311is rotatable by the user. The encoder312is connected with the scroll wheel311. In response to the rotation of the scroll wheel311, the encoder312issues a window scrolling signal to the computer system4for controlling the scroll of the graphic-based window421. The graduation structure313is disposed within the scroll wheel311, and synchronously rotated with the scroll wheel311. The contacting element314is contacted with the graduation structure313. As the scroll wheel311is rotated, the contact between the contacting element314and the graduation structure313results in a tactile feel. In this embodiment, the contacting element314is a contacting rod.

Please refer toFIG. 4again. The third-axis control module33is disposed on the top surface305of the casing30, and electrically connected with the circuit board37and the controlling unit38. For clearly showing the components of the third-axis control module33, the electric connection relationships between the third-axis control module33, the circuit board37and the controlling unit38are not shown inFIG. 4. In a case that a finger of the user is placed on the third-axis control module33and moved on the third-axis control module33, a window scrolling signal corresponding to a moving direction of the user's finger is issued from the third-axis control module33to the computer system for controlling the scroll of the graphic-based window421. In this embodiment, the third-axis control module33is a capacitive touchpad. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the third-axis control module is a resistive touchpad, an optical finger navigation (OFN) module or a membrane switch circuit module. In a case that the third-axis control module is a membrane switch circuit module, the membrane switch circuit module comprises plural electrical contacts, which are arranged in a row. When the user's finger is moved on the membrane switch circuit module, the plural electrical contacts arranged in the row are sequentially triggered. Consequently, the controlling unit issues a corresponding window scrolling signal.

Please refer toFIG. 4andFIG. 5again. The sound button module32comprises a first micro switch321and a second micro switch322. The first micro switch321is located at a first side of the tactile-feel wheel module31. If the mouse device3is operated in the sound mode, when the first micro switch321is pressed by the first triggering part352of the upper cover35, the first micro switch321generates a first sound button signal. The second micro switch322is located at a second side of the tactile-feel wheel module31. If the mouse device3is operated in the sound mode, when the second micro switch322is pressed by the second triggering part353of the upper cover35, the second micro switch322generates a second sound button signal. During the first micro switch321or the second micro switch322is pressed, a clicking sound is generated.

The silent button module34comprises a first silent switch341and a second silent switch342. The first silent switch341is located at a first side of the third-axis control module33. If the mouse device3is operated in the silent mode, when the first silent switch341is pressed by the first triggering part352, the first silent switch341generates a first silent button signal. The second silent switch342is located at a second side of the third-axis control module33. If the mouse device3is operated in the silent mode, when the second silent switch342is pressed by the second triggering part353, the second silent switch342generates a second silent button signal. During the first silent switch341or the second silent switch342is pressed, no clicking sound is generated.

In this embodiment, both of the first silent switch341and the second silent switch342are Hall silent switches. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, each of the first silent switch341and the second silent switch342is a mechanical silent switch, a Hall silent switch or a photoelectric silent switch. The structures of the above silent switches are well known to those skilled in the art, and are not redundantly described herein.

Please refer toFIG. 4andFIG. 5again. The casing30further comprises a first hole306, a second hole307, a third hole308, and a fourth hole309. The first hole306is disposed over the first micro switch321. The second hole307is disposed over the second micro switch322. The third hole308is disposed over the first silent switch341. The fourth hole309is disposed over the second silent switch342.

For operating the mouse device3in the sound mode, the first end356of the upper cover35is firstly aligned with the first end301of the casing30while the perforation351of the upper cover35is aligned with the scroll wheel311. After the top surface305of the casing30is covered by the upper cover35, the scroll wheel311is exposed outside the upper cover35, so that the scroll wheel311is rotatable by the user. Under this circumstance, the third-axis control module33is simultaneously covered by the covering part354, and thus the third-axis control module33will not be erroneously touched. On the other hand, the first triggering part352is penetrated through the first hole306, and disposed over the first micro switch321. The second triggering part353is penetrated through the second hole307, and disposed over the second micro switch322. Similar to the third-axis control module33, the silent button module34is also covered by the upper cover35and unable to be triggered. The outer appearance of the mouse device3in the sound mode is shown inFIG. 8.

For switching the operating mode of the mouse device3from the sound mode to the silent mode, the upper cover35is firstly detached from the casing30, and the casing30is rotated by 180 degrees. Then, the first end356of the upper cover35is aligned with the second end302of the casing30while the perforation351of the upper cover35is aligned with the third-axis control module33. After the top surface305of the casing30is covered by the upper cover35, the third-axis control module33is exposed outside the upper cover35, so that the third-axis control module33is touchable by the user. Under this circumstance, the scroll wheel311is simultaneously covered by the covering part354, and thus the scroll wheel311will not be erroneously touched. On the other hand, the first triggering part352is penetrated through the third hole308, and disposed over the first silent switch341. The second triggering part353is penetrated through the fourth hole309, and disposed over the second silent switch342. Similar to the scroll wheel311, the sound button module32is also covered by the upper cover35and unable to be triggered. The outer appearance of the mouse device3in the silent mode is shown inFIG. 9.

If the mouse device3is operated in the sound mode, the user may firstly trigger the tactile-feel wheel module31or the sound button module32. According to the triggered state of the tactile-feel wheel module31or the sound button module32, the controlling unit38judges that the mouse device3is in the sound mode. As the casing30is moved in a specified direction (e.g. the right direction), the displacement sensing module36generates a cursor displacement signal according to the movement of the casing30, and the cursor displacement signal is issued to the controlling unit38. Since controlling unit38judges that the mouse device3is in the sound mode, the controlling unit38will select the first coordinate system C1as the default coordinate system and issue the cursor displacement signal corresponding to the first coordinate system C1to the computer system4. According to the cursor displacement signal, the cursor422is moved in the right direction by the computer host41.

Similarly, if the mouse device3is operated in the silent mode, the user may firstly trigger the third-axis control module33or the silent button module34. According to the triggered state of the third-axis control module33or the silent button module34, the controlling unit38judges that the mouse device3is in the silent mode. As the casing30is moved in the specified direction (e.g. the right direction), the displacement sensing module36generates a cursor displacement signal according to the movement of the casing30, and the cursor displacement signal is issued to the controlling unit38. Since controlling unit38judges that the mouse device3is in the silent mode, the controlling unit38will select the second coordinate system C2as the default coordinate system and issue the cursor displacement signal corresponding to the second coordinate system C2to the computer system4. The rotating angle between the first coordinate system C1and the second coordinate system C2is 180 degrees. According to the cursor displacement signal, the cursor422is moved in the right direction by the computer host41.

If the first coordinate system C1and the second coordinate system C2are not previously set by the controlling unit38, some problems may occur. For example, if the mouse device3is in the sound mode and the casing30is moved in the right direction, the cursor422is moved in the right direction by the computer host41. However, if the mouse device3is in the silent mode and the casing30is moved in the right direction, since the casing30is rotated by 180 degrees, the displacement sensing module36is also rotated by 180 degrees. Since the right-direction movement of the casing30is considered as a left-direction movement by the displacement sensing module36, the displacement sensing module36issues a cursor displacement signal corresponding to the left-direction movement. According to the cursor displacement signal, the cursor422is moved in the left direction by the computer host41. Under this circumstance, an erroneous action is generated. In other words, the way of previously setting the first coordinate system C1and the second coordinate system C2are beneficial to minimize the erroneous action.

Moreover, the present invention further comprises a mouse device operable in a sound mode or a silent mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10is a schematic exploded view illustrating a mouse device operable in a sound mode or a silent mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11is a schematic perspective view illustrating the outer appearance of the mouse device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the mouse device is operated in the silent mode.

Please refer toFIGS. 10 and 11. The mouse device5comprises a casing50, a tactile-feel wheel module51, a sound button module52, a third-axis control module53, a silent button module54, an upper cover55, a displacement sensing module (not shown), a circuit board57, a controlling unit (not shown), a wireless signal transmitter (not shown), a wireless signal receiver (not shown), and a mode-switching button56. Except for the following items, the components of the mouse device5of the second embodiment are substantially identical to those of the mouse device3of the first embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein.

The following three items of the mouse device5of this embodiment are distinguished from those of the mouse device3of the first embodiment.

Firstly, the tactile-feel wheel module51comprises a scroll wheel511, an encoder512, a rotating shaft513, and a contacting element (not shown). The scroll wheel511is disposed on the casing50. Moreover, the scroll wheel511may be penetrated through an opening504of the casing50and exposed outside a top surface505of the casing50to be rotated by the user. The rotating shaft513is penetrated through the scroll wheel511, and synchronously rotated with the scroll wheel511. The encoder512is disposed on the casing50, and located at a first side of the scroll wheel511. A first end of the rotating shaft513is inserted into the encoder512. As the scroll wheel511is rotated and the rotating shaft513is synchronously rotated with the scroll wheel511, the encoder512issues a window scrolling signal. The rotating shaft513comprises a graduation structure5131. The graduation structure5131is disposed on a second end of the rotating shaft513. In this embodiment, the graduation structure5131comprises plural saw-toothed structures. The contacting element is contacted with the graduation structure5131. As the scroll wheel511is rotated, the contact between the contacting element and the graduation structure5131results in a tactile feel.

Secondly, the third-axis control module53comprises an additional scroll wheel531and an additional encoder532. The additional scroll wheel531is disposed on the casing50. Moreover, the additional scroll wheel531may be penetrated through the opening504of the casing50and exposed outside the top surface505of the casing50to be rotated by the user. The additional encoder532is connected with the additional scroll wheel531. In response to the rotation of the additional scroll wheel531, the additional encoder532issues a window scrolling signal to the computer system (not shown) for controlling the scroll of the graphic-based window (not shown). Since the third-axis control module53has no contacting element to be contacted with the additional scroll wheel531, the rotation of the additional scroll wheel531does not result in the tactile feel.

Thirdly, the mouse device5further comprises the mode-switching button56. The mode-switching button56is disposed on the casing50, and electrically connected with the controlling unit. By pushing the mode-switching button56, the mode-switching button56issues a mode-switching signal to the controlling unit. According to the mode-switching signal, the controlling unit selects the first coordinate system C1or the second coordinate system C2as the default coordinate system. In this embodiment, the controlling unit does not need to be connected with the tactile-feel wheel module51, the sound button module52, the third-axis control module53and the silent button module54to judge whether the tactile-feel wheel module51, the sound button module52, the third-axis control module53or the silent button module54is triggered. Under this circumstance, the controlling unit can still realize whether the mouse device5is in the sound mode or the silent mode. That is, by pushing the mode-switching button56, the first coordinate system C1or the second coordinate system C2may be selected as the default coordinate system by the user.

From the above descriptions, the present invention provides a mouse device. The mouse device is selectively operated in a sound mode or a silent mode for making a clicking sound or not making the clicking sound. In the silent mode, since the mouse device does not make the clicking sound, the mouse device is suitably used in the quiet environment. In the sound mode, the mouse device of the present invention can meet the requirement of the users which are accustomed to the use of the tactile-feel scroll wheel. Under this circumstance, the function of resulting in the tactile feel of the scroll wheel can be maintained.