MANUALLY OPERATED COMPUTER TRACKING DEVICE

Abstract: Hand operating computer input device (1), composed of at least one input control which is characterized by a base portion (2), one to the base portion (2) fixed attached and from said base portion upright handgrip (3), which is arranged at an angle to the base portion. The aim is to place the input device within the width of the shoulder also enabling the hand, arm and shoulder to work in a more natural physiologically correct position.

Description: Manually operated computer tracking device The present invention relates to manually operated computer tracking device which will make it possible for the computer user to work with the hand, arm and shoulder in a natural position. The problem to be solved by the invention On the market today there are a number of different computer tracking devices available. Besides a keyboard, a mouse, ball, pen and pointing plate are used for the input of the information. Generally speaking computer screenwork requires precision and strenuous demands are placed on the user with relation to fine motor co-ordination, as well as stabilising the hand, arm and shoulder. Work is accomplished in a relatively fixed position with many monotonous and repetitive movements of the overarm, elbow, wrist and fingers; the result is static straining of the hand, shoulder including the underarm muscles. Computer tracking devices all have in common that the use of them leads to stress damage of the hand, arm and neck. It has been demonstrated that the positioning of the computer tracking device is of utmost importance. It is to be noted, if not placed in a favourable position relative to the area of movement; it can cause severe outward rotation and abduction of the shoulder. The arm and hand are working in an extreme position; the underarm and hand work in a strained condition. Conventional computer mice have the disadvantage that they do not give sufficient support to the entire hand and that the fingers move in a lesser natural way to handle the different function control means. While working with a conventional computer mouse the underarm, together with the hand, is in a flat position (pronation), the fingers are forcibly extended and are moved in a less natural manner. The conventional computer mouse is used in a position, which is often unnatural to the ergonomic desired position; this because a thoroughly inwardly rotated underarm becomes somewhat relaxed when also at the same time the shoulder is moderately rotated outwards and also at the same time extended. During precision work undesirable movements and strain in the extremities become present which can lead to overstraining and its forthcoming effects. Documents US 5 648 798 shows an ergonomic computer mouse/steerball with a base and a top portion which can be rotated. By making the upper portion rotatable the computer mouse can be used by either right or left handed users. The upper portion is arranged at a right angle to the base which gives a twisting and outward rotation of the underarm from its natural position. The idea is to make it possible for the hand to be placed in a neutral position, rest on the support base while using the fingers in a natural manner. Document WO 98/06025 shows a type of mouse which consists of a base section with an upright handle. The idea is that the hand should work in a natural position without static straining of the fingers because the wrist and arm are not being twisted into an unnatural position. The object of the present invention is to minimise the before mentioned problems and to make it possible for the hand, over and underarm as well as the shoulder to work nearer their natural position. The invention makes it also possible for the entire hand and wrist to be supported. Furthermore, the underlying idea behind the invention is that the user can work with a grip of the hand where the five fingers in their whole length have complete support and are relaxed. If the tracking device is equipped with function control means they are placed in a favourable position for the fingers and thumb. This makes it possible for the user to press the function keys with very small movements, known as micromovements. When a conventional computer mouse is moved there are significant movements required by the hand and wrist. When the tracking device according to the invention has a ball in the base and functions as a computer mouse, the majority of the movements appear in the elbow and shoulder whereby the hand and wrist are relieved. Furthermore, the invention allows that the rotation of the underarm is neutral, this makes it easier for the shoulder to assume its natural inwardly rotated position. The idea is to place the computor mouse within the width of the shoulders and work with the arm and hand in natural positions. The object of the computer tracking devices of said type is then the need of a device which makes it possible for the hand, underarm and overarm as well as the shoulder to work from a more natural position. This need means that the device shall provide support for the wrist as well as the entire hand. As well, the device shall ensure that the wrist, the entire palm and the five fingers in their entire length, are supported in a relaxed position. Further, the device will assure that the underarm rotation is neutral, making it easier for the shoulder to place itself in its naturally inwardly rotated position. Further the device makes it possible for the hand to locate the proper working position quickly and maintain this position during the work period. The above requirements are not met by the computer tracking devices as described by the above mentioned documents. THE INVENTION The computer tracking device according to the invention shows a base portion provided with a fixed and at an angle upward directed handgrip portion. The object of the invention is to make a computer tracking device which makes it possible for the hand, under- and overarm, including the shoulder to work in a natural position. The solution according to the invention is characterized by the base and the upwards directed handgrip portion defined in claim 1. The base is provided so that it is a form fitted support for the wrist and the entire hand. The upward directed handgrip portion is provided so that it is support for the wrist, palm and the five fingers in their entire length. The handgrip portion is angled in relation to the base and has a positioning support which fixes the hand in position so that the rotation of the underarm is neutral and the shoulder places itself in its natural inwardly rotated position. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described more in detail in the following figures where: Fig. 1 shows a computer tracking device, as seen from the backside which is turned toward the users arm. Fig. 2 shows a computer tracking device from the front, i.e. the side on which the fingers rest. Fig. 3 shows a computer tracking device in a lateral view. Fig. 4 shows a computer tracking device in a lateral view opposite the view shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows a computer tracking device as seen diagonally from above. Fig. 6 shows a computer tracking device as seen diagonally from behind. Fig. 7 shows a computer tracking device with a operating control in the form of a ball, as seen from above. Fig. 8 shows how the users hand is gripping a computer tracking device; seen from one side. Fig. 9 shows how the users hand is gripping a computer tracking device; seen from the opposite side shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 shows a computer tracking device according to fig 9 with a second ball arranged at the bottom of the base. In the following, the invention is described with reference to the figures. Figures 1- 10 show an ergonomic manually operated computer tracking device in different views. The input device 1 includes a base 2 and a handgrip portion 3. The handgrip portion 3 is arranged fixed to the base 2. The base 2 is ergonomically designed and provides, when the hand is in working position, support for the ulnar side of the hand together with the little finger, by being equipped with a form fitted support 2a, which has a to the hand complementary form. An indentation 2b is provided in the base portion 2, at its backside, in order to relieve pressure from the pisiformal- and triquetrum bones. The handgrip portion 3 is ergonomically designed and gives with the hand in working position support for the wrist, palm and all five fingers. This is accomplished by the handgrip portion 3 beeing provided upward directed from the base 2 like a club formed outgrowth 3 a. The circumference of the handgrip portion 3 increases with increasing distance from the base 2 and is all over larger than the grip of the hand. The handgrip portion 3 is ended at the top by a rounded part. The hand grabs hold of handgrip portion 3 with all five fingers so that the wrist the palm and the fingers rest against the club like protrusion 3 a. To achieve the ideal position where the arm and hand are in a natural position the handgrip portion 3 is angled in relation to base 2. The longitudinal axis A of the handgrip portion 3 makes an angle α to the perpendicular of a plane C through the base part (see Fig. 4), where α is less than 90°. To ensure that the users hand quickly and easily finds its working position and remains in this position, the handgrip portion 3 is provided with a positioning support 4. The positioning support 4 is preferably designed as an protrusion 4a which is running like an linear ridge extending longitudinally on the mantle area of the handgrip portion. This ensures that there is no risk that the hand looses its orientation in relation to the tracking device while working. The protrusion 4a is designed in a manner so that it has a bulge formed support, the configuration and location of which fits the fingers proximal interphalanx joints when the hand grips the handgrip portion 3. The tracking device can be arranged in two fundamentally different manners. Firstly the tracking device can be firmly built in in a larger part of the computer such as the keyboard. Secondly the tracking device can be independently moveable and function principally like a computer mouse. In the first case the tracking device is fixed. On the handgrip portion there may be arranged a ball, wheel, keys, pointer or a combination thereof. In the second case the tracking device functions as a computer mouse and has at least a ball or pointer; whether in the base or handgrip portion. When arranged with a ball in the base portion the tracking device is designed so that friction against the underlying surface is minimal. The computer tracking device according to the invention includes a function control means in the form of at least one of each of the following; ball, roll, wheel, keys, pointer or a combination of the afore mentioned. When the hand grips the tracking device the function control means are so arranged that the fingers alternativ fmger tips come in position above the corresponding function control means. The functions keys can be accomplished by notching flaps in the base material where the flaps are flexible when touched. The flaps return to their initial position when the touch is finished. Of course, the tracking device may even include conventional function key, roll, wheel or ball. In the example Fig. 9 shows the tracking device provided with flaps 5, 6 and 7 and ball 8. One of the alternatives is shown in fig 10, where the function control means also includes a second ball 8a arranged at the bottom of the base 2. Generally speaking about the tracking device according to the invention, it has a thickness of material in the area of the flaps so selected, that these flaps yield as might be desired, when depressed. The tracking device can be made in different sizes to accommodate different size of hands. It is of importance to be able to offer the tracking device according to the invention to children of varying ages. The tracking device may even be produced in a mirror image variant for left handed persons. The tracking device may suitably be manufactured homogeneous with a continuous bridge between the base and the handgrip portion and being produced from a material that feels cool and nice to the skin, preferably plastic.

Claims: o Claims 1. Hand operated computer tracking device (1) including a base portion (2), an upward directed handgrip portion (3), and at least one function control means (5-8) , characterized in that the handgrip portion (3) is fixedly arranged upon and at an angle in relation to the base portion (2) and that the base portion (2) includes a form-fitted support (2a) for the ulnar portion of the hand as well as the little fmger. 2. The tracking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the handgrip portion (3) is directed upward and includes a positioning support (4) for the hand. 3. The tracking device according to patent claims 1-2 characterized in that the handgrip portion (3) has an overall circumference dimension exceeding that of the grip of the hand. 4. The tracking device according to patent claims 1-3, characterized in that the circumference dimension of the handgrip portion (3) increases as the distance from the base (2) increases. 5. The tracking device according to patent claims 1-4, characterized in that the function control means includes function key, flap, roll, wheel, pointer, ball or combination thereof. 6. The tracking device according to patent claims 1-5, characterized in that an function control means in the form of a bottom roller ball is arranged in the base portion (2). 7. The tracking device according to patent claims 1-6, characterized in that an function control means in the form of a ball or pointer is provided in the handgrip portion. 8. The tracking device according to patent claims 1-7 characterized in that an function control means is a key in the form of a tongue, formed in the basic material.

Inventors: TRULSSON CHRISTER, TRULSSON, CHRISTER
Applicants: TRULSSON CHRISTER, TRULSSON, CHRISTER
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G06K11
IPC codes: G06F3