AN APPARATUS FOR GUIDING A MARKER ON A COMPUTER SCREEN

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for guiding a marker over a computer screen. The apparatus includes a housing (102) that has two mutually opposing main surfaces (3, 4), two mutually opposite side surfaces that bridge the main surfaces, and two mutually opposite end parts (6, 7). The housing (102) is dimensioned and shaped to be accommodated in one hand of a user, wherewith the housing (102) is provided with two switches (106, 108) in positions in which the respective forefinger and middle finger of the hand will overlap a respective switch when the thumb on said hand lies closely to the one, first, side surface (1) and the little finger, or pinkie, and ring finger of the hand lie closely to the second side surface (2). The apparatus includes a first guide device (104) which, in response to two-dimensional actuation, generates a control (guide) signal which can cause the marker to move correspondingly on the screen.

Description: AN APPARATUS FOR GUIDING A MARKER ON A COMPUTER SCREEN FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for guiding a marker over a computer screen. DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART In computer work, commands and control information are normally entered into a computer with the aid of an electronic pointer located by the side of a conventional keyboard. The electronic pointer controls a cursor, normally in the form of a pointer or an arrow, across the computer screen, and the computer can be caused to execute a given command, by placing the marker in a chosen position on the screen in combination with entering a command. The so-called computer mouse is the most common form of electronic pointer at present. Movement of a computer mouse over a supporting surface, normally the surface of a table or some other flat surface, results in a control signal that is conformable to said signal. The mouse includes means for translating movement of the mouse into control signals that control movement of a marker on a computer screen. This translation can be effected in a number of different ways, for instance with the aid of a roller ball or by optical reading. Frequent use of the mouse results in damage due to the loads exerted thereon. These loads are caused by the monotonous pattern in which the mouse is moved and also the length of time involved in this respect. Thus, there is at present a significant need for an arrangement for controlling a marker on a computer screen, such as a computer mouse, that can be used in a way which will prevent such load damage. Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for guiding a marker across a computer screen that will eliminate the occurrence of such load damage either completely or partially. Another object of the invention is to provide a scrolling-facilitating apparatus. Another object of the invention is to provide a marker guiding apparatus which enables the marker to be guided two-dimensionally with a comfortable single-hand manoeuvre, regardless of whether guiding of the marker is effected by moving the apparatus over a surface or by finger-actuation of a marker guiding device on the apparatus, wherewith the apparatus is freely movable and thus independent of a reference surface for marker guidance. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a marker guiding apparatus which enables one and the same finger placement to be used on the apparatus, regardless of whether the marker is controlled by moving the apparatus relative to said surface or by finger-actuation of the marker guiding device carried by the apparatus. One or more of these objects is/are achieved either entirely or partially with the inventive apparatus. The invention is defined in the accompanying independent Claims. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the accompanying dependent Claims. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus housing is designed to be held and gripped constantly with one hand and, at the same time, to guide the marker on the screen two-dimensionally, either with the aid of a first guide device carried by the apparatus for comfortable two-dimensional movement with the aid of the thumb of the hand gripping the apparatus, or with the aid of a second more conventional guide device on the apparatus that senses movement of the apparatus relative to a surface for guiding the marker two-dimensionally on the screen. This enables the user to readily change his/her working attitude so as to avoid load damage on the apparatus while still continuing to guide/control the apparatus with the same hand and with the same finger placement on said apparatus. A sensor is preferably arranged to detect whether the apparatus is moved along a surface so as to cause one or the other of said guide devices to guide the marker on the basis of this information. The apparatus is preferably constructed so that the first guide device will provide a scrolling function in the X and Y directions in response to corresponding actuation with the thumb of said one hand, while guiding of the marker is effected by the second guide device. As the first guide device enables the marker to be guided by a thumb manoeuvre, a scrolling function can be obtained via the first guide device by virtue of a special design and particular manoeuvring of said device. The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing. Fig. 1 shows an inventive apparatus from above. Fig. 2 shows the inventive apparatus from beneath. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line III-III in Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are respective perspective views of mutually opposite sides of a further embodiment of an inventive apparatus. Fig. 6 is an explanatory sketch of a guide device included in the apparatus. The apparatus shown in Figs. 1-3 includes an apparatus housing 102, which is generally mirror-symmetrical in relation to a symmetry plane 7. The housing includes two mutually opposite side surfaces 1, 2, two mutually opposite end surfaces 6, 7, an upper arched main surface 3 which is intended to lie proximal to the palm of the manoeuvring hand in use, and an opposing underside 4. Two click keys 106, 108 are provided on respective sides of the symmetry plane 5, at the front end 6 of the upper housing side 3. Each side surface 1, 2 has a longitudinally extending recess or groove 11, 21. The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-3 is intended for manoeuvring with the right hand and accordingly has a first guide device 104 on the left side 1 of the housing. The apparatus housing 102 is shaped and dimensioned to enable the housing 102 to be gripped and firmly held by one hand at the same time as the index finger and middle finger of the hand in which the housing is gripped extend naturally over the click keys 106 108 so that said keys can be manoeuvred by depression of the fingers. The recesses 11 , 21 in the side surfaces 1, 2 function to provide a positive grip for the root of the thumb of the gripping hand (in other words at the inner part of the thumb metacarpal) and the small finger and ring finger of the gripping hand. The housing is also shaped and dimensioned so that the pad on the outermost joint of the thumb on the hand with which the housing 102 is firmly and comfortably gripped will be positioned over a part of the side surface 1 that lies in the proximity of the front 6 of said housing. The first guide device 104 is positioned in alignment with said pad on the user's thumb. The guide device 104 can be actuated two-dimensionally in the plane of the side surface 1, so as to be able to provide corresponding two-dimensional guidance of a marker over a computer screen (not shown). The apparatus is in communication with an associated computer with the aid of conventional means, for instance a cable, or (as shown) a radio communication according to Blue Tooth, for instance. A piece of equipment 20 pertinent to radio communication is shown integrated in the housing 102. Fig. 3 illustrates a sensor 116 which detects whether or not the underside 4 is positioned adjacent a reference surface (not shown). When the sensor 1 16 detects such a reference surface, a second guide device 114 that detects movement of the apparatus relative to said surface guides the marker over the computer screen in a conventional fashion. The marker is otherwise guided by the first guide device 104. When the marker is guided by the second guide device 114, the first guide device 104 can be used for scrolling purposes,. In one particular embodiment of this device, scrolling can be effected by actuation of the guide device 104 when the marker is guided by the first guide device 104, as shown schematically in Fig. 5. As will be seen from Fig. 6, the first guide device 104 may, for instance, have the form of a mini joystick that is spring-biased towards an outer position by means of a spring 130. The guide device 104 can be pressed down into contact with a switch 120 against the action of the spring 130, said switch leading the output signal from the guide device 104 to a marker guiding function when the guide device 104 has no influence on the switch 120, and leads the guide signals from the guide device 104 to other functions, for instance a scrolling function, when the guide device 104 influences the switch 120. The resistance exerted by the spring 130 against depression of the guide device 104 is sufficiently great to enable the guide device 104 to be influenced two-dimensionally in the plane of the side surface 1 by means of the thumb without being pressed into contact with the switch 120. However, the spring will allow the guide device 104 to be pressed by the thumb into contact with the switch 120, wherewith the user can, at the same time, actuate the switch 104 with his/her thumb to effect two-dimensional guidance in the plane of the side surface. The guide device 104 may, alternatively, have other known designs, for instance the form of a roller ball unit or a touch sensitive control plate which delivers signals in response to the distance of the touch position from a central neutral position. When the guide device 104 is not used to guide the marker, it may function to deliver control signals for other functions in accordance with the direction in which it is actuated from a neutral position and in accordance with the distance through which it is moved or the force with which it is moved, or in accordance with the direction of the touch point and its distance from a centre position. The apparatus shown in Figs. 1-3 can readily be modified to a left-hand design, by moving the guide device 104 to a mirror-symmetrical position on side 2 of the housing. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate an apparatus design which is not mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central symmetry plane. The function keys or buttons 106, 108 (which constitute left and right "click keys") are also shown to extend in over the side 2 of said housing. The sides 1, 2 lack longitudinally extending recesses. Fig. 4 shows a switch 1 10 which allows manual adjustment of marker guidance by means of the guide device 104 or the guide device 114. The switch 110 may have three or more positions for setting different working modes of the apparatus. In a first switch position, the sensor 1 16 controls engagement of one of said guide devices. In a second switch position, the marker is guided by the guide device 1 14. In a third switch position, the marker is guided by the guide device 104. In a fourth switch position, the guide devices and/or the click keys 106, 108 can be assigned new functions which may be predefined or programmable. For example, when using a CAD program, it may be desired to assign to the guide device 104 and the click keys functions that are used in this program. The apparatus may be provided with means that enable the apparatus housing to be constantly affixed to the hand in the relative fixation between apparatus and hand. For example, the apparatus may comprise two straps that are fastened to the apparatus and that can be detachably connected to each other by means of a touch-and-close fastener device. The apparatus may include a chargeable power source for powering the apparatus. Alternatively, electric current can be supplied to the apparatus when in use, via a power cable. In both instances, power can be supplied to the apparatus via a cable that is connected to a USB port on an associated computer. The computer hardware may be programmed to ensure that the USB port will deliver current at a voltage, amperage and/or frequency that is suitable for powering the apparatus and for charging the apparatus power source respectively, for instance during a pause in normal use of said apparatus. Charging of the power source may be effected by providing the apparatus with a connector to which the charge cable can be connected. Alternatively, the chargeable power source of the apparatus can be removed from the apparatus and then charged via the cable connected to the USB port.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for guiding a marker over a computer screen, comprising a housing (102) that has two mutually opposite main surfaces (3, 4), two mutually opposite side surfaces which bridge the main surfaces, and two mutually opposite end parts (6, 7), wherein the housing (102) is dimensioned and shaped to be accommodated in one hand of a user, wherein the housing (102) includes two switches (106, 108) in positions in which the index finger and middle finger of said hand each overlap a respective switch, wherein the thumb on said hand lies in the close proximity of one, first, side surface (1) and the small finger and ring finger on said hand lie in the close proximity of the second side surface (2), and wherein the apparatus includes a first guide device (104) which in response to two-dimensional actuation generates guide signals which can cause the marker to move correspondingly on the screen, characterised in that the side surfaces (1, 2) are shaped to be gripped by the root of the thumb and the little finger or pinkie and ring finger of said hand respectively for supporting the apparatus housing, while the index finger, or forefinger, and middle finger of said hand each overlap a respective switch (106, 108), the thumb being free for two-dimensional movement; and in that the first guide device (104) is positioned to be overlapped by the thumb of the hand gripping the apparatus housing. 2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the switches (106, 108) are situated on one end part (6) of the housing (102), and in that the first guide device (104) is situated on said one, first side surface (1) that is gripped by the root of the thumb for supporting the housing in said hand. 3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the one, first main surface (4) of the housing is intended to lie against an underlying support surface and is provided with a second guide device (1 14) for detecting two-dimensional movement of the apparatus housing over an underlying support surface and for delivering control signals which allow corresponding guidance of the marker on the computer screen, while the user maintains his/her index finger and middle finger placement relative to the switches (106, 108) and generally retains the position of the thumb relative to the first guide device (104). 4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised by means (1 16) for automatically engaging the first guide device (104) for guiding the marker when the apparatus housing (102) is raised from said underlying support surface, and engaging the second guide device (1 14) for guiding the marker when said apparatus housing (102) rests on said underlying support surface. 5. An apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised by a switch (1 10) for selective engagement of one of the marker guiding devices (104, 114). 6. An apparatus according to Claim 5, characterised by software which is associated with a computer connected to said apparatus and which functions to interpret a signal sequence executed by the user of the apparatus via the first guide device or one of said switches, and therewith engage a corresponding guide device in response to said interpretation. 7. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 3-5, which includes switch means (120) that enable those output signals of the first guide device (104) that do not guide the marker at that time to be used for other control functions, for instance for a scrolling function. 8. An apparatus according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first guide device (104) has an associated switch (120) which can be reset by depressing the first guide device (104) with the thumb of said hand; and in that the switch of the first guide device is adapted to cause the output signals of the first guide device (104) to guide the marker in a non-depressed state of said first device and to cause the output signals of the guide device to control other functions, such as scrolling for example, in the depressed state of the first guide device. 9. An apparatus according to Claim 8, characterised in that the first guide device (104) is spring-biased to a non-depressed position. 10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the first guide device includes an actuator plate exposed to the thumb of the user. 11. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 1-10, characterised in that the apparatus communicates with a computer that has an USB port; and in that the computer can be adjusted to deliver current via the USB port and a cable for supplying current to the apparatus or for charging a chargeable power source in said apparatus.

Inventors: GRAFFMAN ANDERS, WIKSTROEM JONAS, GRAFFMAN, ANDERS, WIKSTROEM, JONAS
Applicants: GRAFFMAN ANDERS, TWO SPEED INNOVATIONS AB, WIKSTROEM JONAS, GRAFFMAN, ANDERS, WIKSTROEM, JONAS
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G06K11
IPC codes: G06F3