Abstract:
A hand-held control device which fits interchangeably into a user&#39;s right or left hand. An ergonomically correct housing allows the device to fit snuggly into the grasp of the users hand and be used without creating user fatigue. The operative element in the control device may be a trackball, joystick, touch pad, or other device that can be manipulated by the user&#39;s thumb and, in conjunction with one or more switches actuated by phalangeal regions of the fingers, provides functional equivalence to a standard computer mouse or trackball. An optional band or strap may be provided to secure the control device to the user&#39;s hand such that the fingers of the hand are available for other tasks without setting the control device down. The control device may communicate with a computer or similar apparatus by a wired cable or a wireless interconnection, typically an RF or IR connection.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of my U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/986,591 filed Nov. 9, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,151. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to remote control devices and, more particularly, to a palm size, symmetrical, hand-held, control device adapted for easy, interchangeable retention in the grasp of and adjacent the palm of a user&#39;s right or left hand. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Computers and other similar systems have now invaded virtually every area of human endeavor, most being equipped with a Graphic User Interface (GUI). GUI assumes that the user thereof is equipped with what is generically referred to as a remote control device. Pointing devices are a form of remote control device and are used, among many other uses, to move a cursor around on a computer screen. In addition to providing a cursor movement function, pointing devices are typically equipped with one or more switches, buttons or similar devices that allow signals to be sent to a processor for interpretation into a command or commands for positioning a computer cursor or other computer controlled functions. 
   The earliest and probably still the most widely used pointing device is the ubiquitous “mouse”. A mouse typically has a contoured housing that rests under the palm and fingers of the user&#39;s hand having a flat bottom surface equipped with a ball, a light or other mechanism which moves or interprets movement on a flat surface. A mechanism inside the mouse generates signals corresponding to the movement of the mouse in both the X and Y directions on the flat surface. It has been established by the medical research that the extended use of a mouse may lead to or aggravate carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS). The movement of such a mouse of the prior art requires a great deal of arm and hand motion, typically from the user&#39;s shoulder outward. This precludes the use of such a device by a person having a variety of physical disabilities where there is restricted movement of the arm, hand and fingers. 
   Another widely used class of pointing devices is called a trackball device. In operation, a trackball may be envisioned as an inverted mouse where the ball resides on the top surface of the device rather than on the bottom surface. A user directly manipulates the ball typically with finger, hand and wrist action to generate X and Y control signals similar to those generated by a mouse. Track ball devices typically require relatively less movement than do mice. And, because they do not rely on a flat surface nor do they require a surface area for movement for operation, track balls may be placed in a possibly more convenient location relative to their users. Trackball devices still require that users move their arm, hand and fingers repeatedly, although in a more fixed position than with a standard mouse. Even the reduced movement required to use a trackball may possibly, with constant repetition, cause or contribute to CTS. A track ball also restricts its user to the given area where the track ball sits or resides. 
   It would appear desirable to provide a control device which did not require that a user maintain a constant, fixed physical relationship to the fixed surface upon which the pointing device is manipulated or required to reside. The control device of the present invention allows the user substantially unrestricted flexibility in positioning himself or herself relative to the device being controlled. 
   DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,871 for THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOUSE WITH TACTILE FEEDBACK, issued Mar. 22, 1994 to W. Bradford Paley, teaches one implementation of a hand-held pointing device. PALEY teaches the use of deformable means acting as sensors to generate signals representatives of movement along not only in the X and Y axes but in the Z axis as well. There is no teaching of a trackball or similar device. 
   In contradistinction, the hand-held control device of the present invention provides a small trackball or other similar actuating device packaged in an ergonomically correct housing having a shape designed to rest comfortable within a cavity formed naturally as a user moves his or her fingers from an extended position into a clenched fist position. There are no deformable means necessary to sense pointing device motions. Rather, the necessary signals are generated by the trackball or other similar actuating itself. The control device of the invention is easily retained in an operative position a user&#39;s right or left hand by a single encircling finger or by thumb pressure against the device thereby allowing use of the finger tips for other activities without need to set the control device down. In alternate embodiments, an optional strap is provided to keep the inventive control device positioned in a user&#39;s hand without contact from any of the fingers or thumb of the hand in which the device is being retained. This would allow all the fingers and thumb of the user&#39;s hand to be free for use in other operations while the control device remains held by the strap in the palm of the hand. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,892 for HAND HELD CONTROL DEVICE, issued Apr. 30, 1996 to Liam P. Corballis, et al., teaches a controller having a number of switch type actuators. A pointing stick is also included but no trackball or similar actuating mechanism is present. 
   The inventive control device, on the other hand, features a small, ergonomically correct, “pistol grip” shaped hand-held control device which fits interchangeably into either the right or left hand of a user. The inventive control device is easily maintained in an operative position within the user&#39;s hand while freeing the distal ends of the user&#39;s fingers for task unrelated to operation of the control device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,574 for PALM-TOP WIRELESS TRACKBALL, issued Sep. 16, 1997 to Jarlance-Haung teaches a trackball type pointing device having a substantially rectangular cross section with a trackball element disposed on an upper surface thereof. A switch is disposed adjacent the trackball element for actuation by a user&#39;s thumb. At least one additional switch is located on a rear surface of the housing for actuation by the tip of a user&#39;s finger. The JARLANCE-HAUNG apparatus differs significantly from the control device of the invention in that the housing is not adapted for comfortable retention within a cavity formed by a user closing his or her fingers around the device. Neither is the JARLANCE-HAUNG device easily retained within the hand because the user&#39;s thumb must do double duty and actuate both the trackball element and the switch mounted adjacent thereto. The JARLANCE-HAUNG is not completely symmetrical making it difficult to comfortably, interchangeably use the device in either a right or left hand of a user. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,106 for HAND HELD REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE WITH TRIGGER BUTTON, issued Mar. 3, 1998 to Sidney David Autry, et al., discloses a flat remote control device in a similar form factor to a “TV” remote control. A trackball is located in a central region of the upper surface of the device. There is no teaching of a package having an ergonomically correct shape to be grasped and easily retained within a clenched hand of a user. Neither is there any provision for an optional band or other attachment means for securing the trackball unit to a user&#39;s hand. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,862 for APPARATUS FOR AUDIO DICTATION AND NAVIGATION OF ELECTRONIC IMAGES AND DOCUMENT, issued Feb. 6, 2001, to Thomas Leiper discloses a hand-gripped remote control. The primary function of the LEIPER apparatus is to scan through a series of MRI or similar diagnostic images while dictating notes regarding the images. No trackball or similar pointing device, per se, is provided. 
   The inventive apparatus, on the other hand, provides an easily gripped control device and features no other ancillary controls (e.g., controls for a dictating machine). The inventive device does allow incorporation of the traditional “clicker” button switches generally found on a mouse. 
   Published U.S. patent application No. 2001/0035856, for PALM-HELD COMPUTER POINTING DEVICE, SERIAL No. 09/850,437, filed May 7, 2001 by Christopher S. Myers, teaches a palm-help computer pointing device. The mouse buttons are disposed on the side of the housing, adapted for activation by the tips of a user&#39;s fingers. 
   In contradistinction, the mouse buttons on the inventive control device are located centrally on a forward region of the housing. This provides two distinct advantages over the MYERS device. First, the inventive control device of the present invention is symmetrical with the mouse buttons located along an edge, thereby allowing use by either a right-handed or left-handed person. MYERS would need to provide two different devices, the second being a mirror image of the first, to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed users. The second major difference between the MYERS device and the device of the present invention is that the mouse buttons of the inventive control device, because of their position along the edge seam of the device, are activated by a phalangeal region of a user&#39;s finger, not by the user&#39;s finger tips. This makes actuation much more convenient, especially while the tips of the user&#39;s fingers are involved in two-handed typing or another similar activity. To active the mouse buttons of the MYERS device, the user&#39;s finger tips must be removed from the keyboard and repositioned over the mouse buttons. 
   None of these patents or the published application, singly or in any combination, is seen to either teach or suggest the hand-held control device of the invention. 
   It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device which fits comfortably in a cavity of a user&#39;s hand formed by the natural movement of the user&#39;s fingers as in a grasping or clenching movement. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a hand-held trackball control device which is symmetrical and may be used comfortably and interchangeably in either the left or right hand of a user. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device which is easily retained in either the left or right hand of a user while freeing distal portions of a user&#39;s fingers for other tasks such as typing without relinquishing contact with the control device. 
   It is also an object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device which incorporates one or more switches corresponding to the buttons found on a classic mouse-type pointing device. 
   It is still further object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device which in an alternate embodiment, has no switches. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device wherein a switch or switches are actuated by a first, second, or third phalangeal region of a user&#39;s fingers. 
   It is an additional object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device which optionally incorporates a scrolling device. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device which may optionally be fastened by a strap or band to a user&#39;s hand for long term operation so that the hand or the fingers thereon may be used for other tasks without disengaging the control device. 
   It is an additional object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device which may be connected to a computer or other device using a wire or cable. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device system which may have a wireless interconnection between the control device and a computer or similar device. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device wherein the wireless interconnection is a radio frequency (RF) interconnection. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device wherein the wireless interconnection is an infrared (IR) interconnection. 
   t is yet another object of the invention to provide a hand-held control device wherein the communication method of transferring the signal from the control device to the receiving device has yet to be discovered but could be incorporated into the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention features a hand-held control device which fits snugly adjacent the palm of a user&#39;s hand in a cavity formed by the natural movement of a user&#39;s fingers from an open, extended position to a closed, encircling (i.e., clenched) position. Because the housing is completely symmetrical around its longitudinal axis, it is readily adaptable for use in either the right or left hand of a user. Because of its diameter, length, and weight, the control device of the present invention is easily supported and retained in a user&#39;s hand by as few as one encircling finger. A track ball or other actuating device is diametrically opposed to one or more switches, the trackball or other actuating device being disposed for actuation by the user&#39;s thumb. Each of the one or more switches may be selectively actuated by the one of the three phalangeal regions of respective, encircling fingers of the user&#39;s right or left hand. The actuating device (e.g., trackball) in conjunction with the one or more switches provides full functional compatibility with a traditional mouse or other similar pointing or control devices. The control device&#39;s case shape is a pistol grip style designed to be ergonomically correct so that the device may be used for extended periods of time without user fatigue. A band or strap may optionally be provided to secure the control device in the user&#39;s hand such that all the fingers of the hand are completely available for other tasks without needing to set the control device down. The control device of the invention may be attached to a computer or similar apparatus by a direct connect cable or through a wireless interconnection, typically an RF or IR connection. However, another technology either discovered or yet to be discovered may be used as appropriate to the operation of the current invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detail description thereof and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a palm-up human hand; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the control device of the invention; 
       FIGS. 2   b ,  2   c , and  2   d  are three different cross-sectional views of the control device of  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIG. 3  is a palm-side perspective view of the hand-held control device of  FIG. 2   a  with a user&#39;s hand closed around the control device; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the control device of  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are schematic block diagrams showing, respectively, hard-wired and wireless modes of operation of the control device of  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIG. 6   a  is a palm-side perspective view of the control device of  FIG. 2   a  in position in a user&#39;s open hand but unsecured; 
       FIG. 6   b  is a palm-side perspective view of the control device of  FIG. 2   a  in position in a user&#39;s open hand but secured by an elastic band; and 
       FIG. 6   c  is a back side perspective view of the control device of  FIG. 6   a.    
       FIG. 7  is a front side perspective view of the control device of  FIG. 2   a.    
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Generally speaking this invention relates to a small, substantially symmetrical, hand-held control device adapted for interchangeable use in either the right or left hand of a user. The control device may be provided in a number of different configurations. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a top plan schematic view  100  of the front side of a human hand identifying the jointed segments of the fingers including thumb  102 , index finger  104 , middle finger  106 , ring finger  108 , and little finger  110 . Each finger  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  has three bones (i.e., phalanges) defining first, second, and third phalangeal regions  112 ,  114 , and  116 , respectively. As used herein, first phalangeal region refers to the phalange closest to and interconnected to a respective metacarpal bone of the hand while the third phalangeal region  116  is that region at the tip of the finger  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and thumb  102 . Thumb  102  has only two phalanges thereby defining only phalangeal regions  114 ,  116  therein. Hand  100  has a palm region  118  which overlies the five metacarpal bines, not shown, of hand  100 . 
   Referring now also to  FIGS. 2   a  and  3 , there are shown side, elevational and an in situ, perspective view, respectively, of a first embodiment of the control device of the invention, generally at reference number  200  ( FIG. 2   a ). Unlike any control devices of the prior art, control device  200  is designed for placement adjacent the palm region  118  of a hand  100  where it may readily be held in place by at least one finger  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  encircling and thereby securing control device  200 . Alternately, control device  200  may be captured and secured by applying pressure between thumb  102  and at least one other finger  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  or palm region  118 . Unlike any prior art pointing devices, the unique shape of housing  202  of control device  200  allows the encirclement thereof by only one finger  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  to secure the control device  200  in an operable position. This unique shape and the position of control device  200  in the user&#39;s hand allows the user to utilize the tips of any or all fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  to perform tasks unrelated to the control device  200 , for example, typing. 
   Control device  200  has a substantially symmetrical shape on its vertical axis and may, therefore, be interchangeably used in either the right hand, (mirror of  FIG. 3 ), or the left hand, ( FIG. 3 ), of a user. 
   The shape of housing  202  of control device  200  may best be described as a shape conforming naturally, snuggly, and comfortably to a cavity created in a user&#39;s hand  100  by the natural and normal closing (i.e., curling the fingers of the hand so as to grip an object). Another way to describe the shape of housing  202  is an ergonomically contoured, “pistol grip”, housing. Referring now also to  FIGS. 2   b ,  2   c  and  2   d , there are shown three examples of possible cross-sectional views of housing  202  taken along line  210  indicated by arrows A-A. It may readily be seen that the sides  212  of housing  202  are generally curvilinear. Many variations of the cross-sectional shape of housing  202  as exemplified in  FIGS. 2   b ,  2   c , and  2   d  are possible. While in the preferred embodiment of the control device  200  of the invention sides  212  are symmetrical and convex, it is possible to create alternate embodiments having asymmetrical sides, concave sides, or other more complex curvilinear shapes. The invention is not, therefore, considered limited to one of the specific shapes chosen for purposes of disclosure. 
   Housing  202  has an upper region  204  and a actuation device  206  (i.e., a trackball, joystick, touch pad, or other device adapted to translate the movement of thumb  102  into an electrical signal representative of the movement of thumb  102 ). Such activation devices are known to those of skill in the art and are not further described herein. Actuation device  206  is shown, for purposes of disclosure, as a track ball in  FIGS. 2 and 3  but it will be recognized that other actuation devices, either known or yet to be invented, may readily be substituted therefore. As the actual actuation device forms no part of the instant invention, the invention is not considered limited to the particular activation devices chosen for purposes of disclosure but is seen to encompass any actuation device capable of translating either movement or position of a user&#39;s thumb  102  to an electrical signal. 
   Switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  and disposed on a front region (i.e., a region substantially diametrically opposed to the location of actuation device  206 ) of housing  202  and are adapted for actuation by a respective first, second, or third phalangeal region  112 ,  114 ,  116 , respectively, of a respective one of fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . It will re recognized that control device  200  may have no switches  208  or that one, two, three, or more switches  208   n  may be present. However, for typical computer mouse applications, a minimum of two switches are assumed to be present. Therefore, the inventive concept is not limited to a particular number of switches  208   n  but rather includes embodiments having no switches to embodiments having one or more switches  208   n.    
   Because of the unique shape of housing  202  and the variance of user&#39;s hands as well a personal preferences, housing  202  may occupy a wide variety of positions in a user&#39;s hand  100 . Depending upon where a user positions housing  202  in his or her hand  100 , switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  . . .  208   n  may be actuated by whichever of first, second or third phalangeal regions  112 ,  114 ,  116 , respectively, which happen to fall over respective ones of switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  in a particular position of housing  202  in the user&#39;s hand  100 . Regardless of which one of first, second, or third phalangeal regions  112 ,  114 ,  116  actually activate respective ones of switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c , activation is caused by the natural motion of fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  contracting from an extended position such as that shown in  FIG. 1  to a closed position such as shown in  FIG. 3 . The term “natural motion” of the fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  as used herein may be thought of as a squeezing or contracting motion as the fingers move from an extended to an encircling position. It will be recognized that depending upon the exact placement of housing  202  in palm region  118  of hand  100 , different ones of switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  may each be actuated by a different one of first, second, and third phalangeal regions  112 ,  114 ,  116  of corresponding ones of fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  are implemented as discrete switch devices enclosed in housing  202 . It will be recognized that switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  could alternately be implemented as a single switch device, not shown, having multiple switch elements, not shown, included as a part thereof. Such a switch assembly could be mounted either within housing  202  or on an outside surface thereof and could include any practical number of switch elements. While in the preferred embodiment, switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  are typically momentary contact switches, other switch types, for example, toggled on-off switches could also be used as required to meet a particular operating circumstance or environment. 
   In other embodiments of control device  200 , an actuation mechanism  206  may incorporate one or more switch functions. One or more of these switch functions may replace, parallel, or supplement one or more of the functions normally performed by switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c.    
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a rear elevational view of an alternate embodiment of control device  200 , generally at  200 ′. Housing  202  has a scroll wheel  218  disposed in an upper region thereof adjacent actuating device  206 . Scroll wheel  218  is representative of any device capable of controlling scrolling action in a manner consistent with a scroll wheel on a mouse, not shown, or any other pointing device of the prior art. Scroll wheel  218  may incorporate a switch, not shown, to replace, parallel, or supplement one of switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c , . . .  208   n  ( FIG. 2   a ). In still other embodiments, the scroll wheel switch may be disposed to perform a function not necessarily associated with one of switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c . The inclusion of scroll wheel  218  or the like provides additional functionality to control device  200 ′  FIG. 4  without limiting any of the functionality and ease of use of control device  200  ( FIG. 2   a ). Scroll wheel  218  is intended to represent any scroll control device and the invention is not considered limited to the scroll wheel chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is seen to cover any functionally equivalent replacement. 
   As described hereinabove, actuation device  206  is typically manipulated by the user&#39;s thumb  102 . Circuitry (not shown) within housing  202  is adapted to receive input signals from actuation device  206  and switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  . . .  208   n  and provide a standardized output signal compatible with the output signal of a standard mouse or other similar pointing device. 
   Communications between the circuitry and the computer or similar device to which control device  200  is providing signals may be by either a hard-wired connection or by a wireless interconnection. The preferred wireless interconnection is typically a radio frequency RF signal. However, infrared (IR) or other known wireless interconnection strategies could be substituted for an RF or IR link. Both types of electrical communications interfaces are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention. A “tail”  214  emerging from a lower distal point of housing  202  may be a hard wire cable leading to a remote computer (not shown), or, in alternate embodiments, may be an antenna for transmitting signals to a receiver. In the wireless embodiment of the control device, it will be recognized that power must be supplied for both the internal transmitter (not shown) and for the actuation device/switch interface circuitry as well. Power may be provided by a battery, not shown, which, of course, could be a disposable replacement battery, a removable rechargeable battery, or a rechargeable battery with a suitable connector, not shown, provided for applying recharging power to the internal, rechargeable battery. In hard wired embodiments, all necessary power may be supplied by the computer or other apparatus to which the control device  200  is attached. 
   The two possible communications strategies are illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , respectively. It will also be recognized that other wireless interconnection strategies are available and could be used instead of an RF communications. Infrared (IR) is one such alternate communications link. The advantage of a RF communications link over an IR link is that there is no need to maintain an unblocked line of sight to the receptor (i.e., antenna) such as is required when using an IR link. 
   In operation, the inventive control device  200  rests in a user&#39;s hand  100  with switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  positioned adjacent the index and subsequent fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . By positioning control device  200  in this way, relatively small movements of the fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  are required to activate their respective switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c . It will be noted that the tips of fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  remain relatively unencumbered if desired and, consequently, are available for other operations or functions in addition to actuating control device  200  switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c . In addition, housing  202  is sized and shaped so as to provide an ergonomically proper relationship between; actuating device  206  and the user&#39;s thumb  102 ; and the user&#39;s fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  and corresponding switches  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c , there are shown perspective front open with control device  200  unsecured ( FIG. 6   a ), perspective front open with control device  200  secured ( FIG. 6   b ), back perspective views with control device  200  secured ( FIG. 6   c ), respectively, of the control device  200  secured to the user&#39;s hand  100  using band  216 . By securing control device  200  to a user&#39;s hand  100  using band  216  or any other suitable method, the user may utilize thumb  102  and fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  for other operations such as typing on the computer keyboard (not shown) or other similar tasks. Band  216  may be a continuous elastic band or bands. In alternate embodiments, straps having hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) or other similar fasteners could also be used. 
     FIG. 7  shows a front view of the housing  202  with the three switches  208   a ,  208   b  and  208   c . In alternate embodiments, switches could range from none to any number controllable by the users fingers and hand. 
   Since other modifications and changes varied to fit a particular operating requirements and environment will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute a departure from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.