Abstract:
A customer user input device such as a computer mouse is disclosed. A core module can house the sensor, micro-controller and RF modules (if any). It may or may not also house the microswitches and scroll wheel. The core module can accept inserts having differing or variable button configurations so that the user can customize the location of the buttons in accordance with the user&#39;s intentions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of computer peripherals, and more particularly to user input devices such as the computer mouse. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Currently, most computer mice have optical/laser based sensors. Older or more conventional units feature mechanical type balls. All of these interpret a user&#39;s movement and send associated signals to a host device. Mice also comprise one or more buttons and potentially other input controls such as scroll wheels/tilt wheels and programmable buttons to accept user input. The mouse may be directly connected to the host computer via a wire or wirelessly through radio, I/R or some other method. 
     Typically, the most expensive components in a mouse are the microcontroller, the optical/laser sensor and the wireless transmission component (if any). 
     A user typically must select from several pre-determined shapes provided by the mouse manufacturer. 
     This necessitates most manufacturers making several mice to suit the requirements of various users, even though each mouse with different shapes may have common internal components (i.e., the microcontroller, sensor and wireless component). 
     In order to provide users with different ergonomic designs and functionality while sharing the common internal components, existing approaches include:
         1. “Mini mouse”—A very small mouse, which accepts larger cases on top. The limitation of this is that there is not much flexibility, the additional cases merely ride piggy back and the larger mouse buttons simply actuate the existing “Mini mouse” button. This tends to lead to mechanical inaccuracy and requires parts to be manufactured to extremely high tolerances, which may not be cost effective.   2. “Multi-case mouse”—This design has either multiple top covers meant to fit onto one existing bottom cover, or the internal PCB is designed to be unscrewed from one case and screwed into another case. The disadvantage here is that in a multiple top cover design, the range of possible top cover shapes is limited by the existing button and scroll wheel positions of the bottom cover. There is also some danger since the internal circuitry is not shielded from the lay user who may accidentally damage it when changing cases.       

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An improved user input device is disclosed having modular system wherein the most expensive components may be collected in a core module. 
     This core module can house the sensor, microcontroller and RF modules, if any. It may also house the microswitches and scroll wheel that can be actuated when using the external case. 
     A specially adapted connector is utilized to allow the core module to accept mouse button inputs from an interchangeable case, power from a battery pack (if required for wireless operation) and control lights or any other input/output features on the mouse itself. 
     The core module can also accept the connection to the host computer, either through the module connector or directly via USB or similar industry standard connector. 
     A person of skill in the art will appreciate that while the specification discusses the present invention in the context of the computer mouse, other computer input devices, including joysticks, game pads, and the like, can also benefit from the modular approach described herein. 
     The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. The detailed description and figures will describe many of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a detached core module and case module. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top-down view of a case module and a cutaway view of the case module showing switches and the core module connector. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a swapping of case modules in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an alternative embodiment of a computer mouse case having selectively detachable thumb grooves. 
         FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of selectively detachable thumb grooves with buttons of differing configurations. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an electrical connection for the thumb grooves with buttons as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As summarized above, embodiments of the invention provide a computer input device such as a mouse having a modular capability. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a “core module”  10  houses the sensor, microcontroller and RF modules, if any (interior circuitry not shown). It may or may not also house the microswitches and scroll wheel  15  that can be actuated upon assembly with a case module. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the unit comprises a case module connector  20  that will allow it to accept mouse button inputs from an interchangeable case (a “case module”)  25 , power from a battery pack (if required for wireless operation) and control lights or any other input/output features on the mouse itself. 
     The core module also  10  accepts the connection to the host computer, either through the case module connector  20  or directly via USB or similar industry standard connector  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the case module  25  share comprises a core module connector  23  that will allow them to interface with an appropriately designed core module having a corresponding case module connector. Case module  25  may have a differing number of buttons  37 ,  38 , and may include the microswitches  40 ,  41 ,  42  in the case itself. Case modules may also have battery packs in order to power wireless versions of core modules. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exchange of case modules  50 ,  51  for core module  10 . As the different case modules  50 ,  51  are mated with core module  10 , the user need not be exposed to the internal circuitry of the mouse. This modular system allows for great flexibility in the cases (e.g. batteries, lights, numbers of buttons, ergonomic shape) without exposing the lay end user to sensitive components in the mouse itself. 
     This invention enables thus users to use a single core module, and then mix and match with inexpensive case modules to suit their individual preferences, or for a user to use the same case module with a wired or wireless core module (e.g., keeping the same familiar shape and using one or the other depending on prevailing user requirements). 
     In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the case module  70  is modifiable to allow for left or right-handed use. An otherwise conventional case can be adapted to allow interchangeable thumb grooves  72 ,  73  and buttons on the right and left side of the mouse. Thumb grooves  72 ,  73  may be mechanically inserted into corresponding slots  75 ,  76 . 
     In this way, the mouse may be converted from a right handed to left handed mouse by changing the thumb groove. The thumb groove area may have buttons that are connected to the mouse (or case module) via a small cable  74 , so that when right or left thumb grooves are used, the corresponding buttons are also shifted from right to left. 
     An advantage of the preceding embodiment describing the thumb groove approach instead of swapping the entire mouse case is that if a modular system is not used, it is still possible for a user to customize a mouse from right handed to left handed versions easily at a relatively low cost. 
     In yet another embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , replaceable right or left handed thumb grooves may have built-in side buttons in various positions. For example, the user may be supplied with two or more side thumb grooves that have side button(s) in differing numbers and different positions (e.g., with buttons more forward or back, or differently spaced). Insert  80  may thus be configured with neutral position buttons  81 ,  82 , forward position buttons  83 ,  84  or buttons of other desired configurations The user may then select which side thumb groove to use, hence adjusting the mouse side buttons to best fit his needs. This addresses a long standing problem of users who find that the side buttons are either inadequate in number or not properly positioned for comfortable use. 
     A mouse according to this embodiment may have a left hand customizable side thumb groove so that only the side button numbers and position are changed depending on the user&#39;s needs, or it may be part of an entire system with complete modular changes on both right and left sides of the mouse. In the former case, the purpose of changing the thumb grooves is specifically to customize and adjust the side buttons, in which case it acts as a customizable side button system, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a preferred connection method via a standard electrical contact connector  85  for connecting the side buttons (although a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other connection methods may be used). Note that in this embodiment, the microswitches for the side buttons may be contained in the customizable insert rather than in the main body of the mouse. Alternatively, the microswitches may also be housed in the mouse instead and be actuated mechanically by the customizable insert instead. 
     Note that the above descriptions can be beneficially applied to other user input devices such as trackballs, game pads and the like. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.