Input device with a rotational side button

A mouse with multiple side buttons may provide a user with ease of accessing buttons and assigning macro keys to each buttons. However, such a mouse may not take into account the comfort and feel of the user when engaging with the buttons, and manipulation of the side buttons can cause strain or fatigue to the hands. According to various embodiments, an input device comprises: a housing; a plurality of buttons; and an actuator configured to change a position of the plurality of buttons relative to the housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments generally relate to input devices.

BACKGROUND

A mouse with multiple side buttons may provide a user with ease of accessing buttons and assigning macro keys to each buttons. However, such a mouse may not take into account the comfort and feel of the user when engaging with the buttons. Typically, manipulation of the side buttons can cause strain or fatigue to the hands. Thus, there may be a need to provide comfort and ease of use to prevent thumb strain or fatigue from prolonged use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments, an input device comprising: a housing; a plurality of buttons; and an actuator configured to change a position of the plurality of buttons relative to the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the specification the term “comprising” shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term “comprising” such as “comprise” and “comprises”.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia (or any other country).

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, particular embodiments will now be described by way of examples and not limitations, and with reference to the figures.

Various embodiments are provided for devices, and various embodiments are provided for methods. It will be understood that basic properties of the devices also hold for the methods and vice versa. Therefore, for sake of brevity, duplicate description of such properties may be omitted.

It will be understood that any property described herein for a specific device may also hold for any device described herein. It will be understood that any property described herein for a specific method may also hold for any method described herein. Furthermore, it will be understood that for any device or method described herein, not necessarily all the components or steps described must be enclosed in the device or method, but only some (but not all) components or steps may be enclosed.

The term “coupled” (or “connected”) herein may be understood as electrically coupled or as mechanically coupled, for example attached or fixed or attached, or just in contact without any fixation, and it will be understood that both direct coupling or indirect coupling (in other words: coupling without direct contact) may be provided.

A mouse with multiple side buttons may provide a user with ease of accessing buttons and assigning macro keys to each buttons. However, such a mouse may not take into account the comfort and feel of the user when engaging with the buttons. However, manipulation of the side buttons can cause strain or fatigue to the hands.

According to various embodiments, the ergonomics of a mouse having multiple side buttons may be improved to provide additional comfort and ease of use to prevent thumb strain or fatigue from prolonged use.

According to various embodiments, rotational side button for an input device may be provided.

According to various embodiments, an input device with a rotating dial may be provided.

FIG. 1shows an input device100according to various embodiments. The input device100may include a housing102. The input device100may further include a plurality of buttons104. The input device100may further include an actuator106(for example a manual actuator) configured to change a position of the plurality of buttons104relative to the housing102. The housing102, the plurality of buttons104, and the actuator106may be connected, for example mechanically connected, like illustrated by lines108.

In other words, according to various embodiments, upon manual actuation of the actuator, a plurality of buttons may change their position (or orientation) relative to the housing of the input device.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of buttons104may be provided on a dial.

According to various embodiments, the actuator106may be configured to change the orientation of the dial with respect to an axis of the dial.

According to various embodiments, the actuator106may be connected to the axis of the dial.

According to various embodiments, the actuator106may be operable from outside of the housing.

According to various embodiments, the actuator106may include a rotational wheel.

According to various embodiments, the rotational wheel may be connected to the plurality of buttons104via an assembly holder.

According to various embodiments, the rotational wheel may be connected to the plurality of buttons104via a printed circuit board assembly.

According to various embodiments, the rotational wheel may be connected to the plurality of buttons104via a button shaft.

According to various embodiments, the input device100may include or may be or may be included in a mouse.

According to various embodiments, thumb strain or fatigue from prolonged use from a mouse with multiple side buttons may be prevented.

According to various embodiments, a solution to the above problem may be provided by having an actuator located on the bottom of the mouse for rotating the side buttons so that the side buttons can be adjusted to a desired and comfortable position for the user.

FIG. 2Ashows an illustration200of a side view of an input device (for example mouse) with a scroll wheel202, a top button204(or a plurality of top buttons), and a plurality of side buttons206according to various embodiments. InFIG. 2A, the original side button position is shown.

FIG. 2Bshows an illustration208of a bottom perspective view of the input device shown inFIG. 2A. A side button rotational actuation (in other words: actuator)210may be provided. In other words, by actuating the actuator210, the position of each of the side buttons206may be changed, for example rotated.

According to various embodiments, rotational side button may be provided. According to various embodiments, the input device may be called Winnie.

FIG. 3Ashows an illustration300of an input device (for example a mouse) according to various embodiments in a first position. The buttons may be rotated like indicated by arrow302to arrive at a second position.

FIG. 3Bshows an illustration304of the input device (for example a mouse) shown inFIG. 3A, but in a second position. The buttons may be rotated like indicated by arrow306to arrive at a third position.

FIG. 3Cshows an illustration308of the input device (for example a mouse) shown inFIG. 3A, but in a third position. The buttons may be rotated like indicated by arrow310to arrive at a further position (for example corresponding to the first position again). According to various embodiments, the function of each of the buttons may be adjusted by software binding. According to various embodiments, the button position may be rotated as per user preference.

FIG. 4shows an illustration400of an exploded view of a portion of an input device (for example mouse) according to various embodiments. A side cabinet402, a side button404, a side button shaft406, a side button PCBA (printed circuit board assembly)408, an assembly holder410, a rotational wheel412, and a screw414are shown. The screw414may fix together the entire construction along a rotational axis416.

Various embodiments may enable adjustment of the side buttons to a desired position on the input device (for example mouse). An actuator located on the bottom of the mouse may rotate the side buttons so that the side buttons maybe adjusted to a desired and comfortable position for the user.

According to various embodiments, an input device (for example mouse) may have a plurality of side buttons. The side buttons may be re-oriented and moved through a base actuator. The side buttons may chiefly be adjusted to minimize hand fatigue and/or thumb fatigue.

According to various embodiments, side buttons (for example on an input device, e.g. mouse) may be displaced or re-oriented through a switch directly on the input device.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 is an input device comprising: a housing; a plurality of buttons; and an actuator configured to change a position of the plurality of buttons relative to the housing.

In example 2, the subject-matter of example 1 can optionally include that the plurality of buttons are provided on a dial.

In example 3, the subject-matter of example 2 can optionally include that the actuator is configured to change the orientation of the dial with respect to an axis of the dial.

In example 4, the subject-matter of example 3 can optionally include that the actuator is connected to the axis of the dial.

In example 5, the subject-matter of any one of examples 1 to 4 can optionally include that the actuator is operable from outside of the housing.

In example 6, the subject-matter of any one of examples 1 to 5 can optionally include that the actuator comprises a rotational wheel.

In example 7, the subject-matter of any one of examples 1 to 6 can optionally include that the rotational wheel is connected to the plurality of buttons via an assembly holder.

In example 8, the subject-matter of any one of examples 1 to 7 can optionally include that the rotational wheel is connected to the plurality of buttons via a printed circuit board assembly.

In example 9, the subject-matter of any one of examples 1 to 8 can optionally include that the rotational wheel is connected to the plurality of buttons via a button shaft.

In example 10, the subject-matter of any one of examples 1 to 9 can optionally include that the input device is a mouse.