Patent Publication Number: US-2012032883-A1

Title: Computer mouse

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to an information-inputting device for an electronic product, and particularly to a computer mouse. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Most computer systems, for example general purpose computers, including portable computers and desktop computers, receive inputs from a user via an input device, such as a mouse. 
     However, mice that are available in the current market provide limited functionalities and show no wide range of applications. When a user wishes to handle an image by processing both the whole image and details of specific parts of the image at the same time with a single display device, the user must repeat the operations of zoom in and zoom out frequently, and this is cumbersome and time consuming 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To solve the above-mentioned problem, an objective of the present invention is to provide a computer mouse, which is capable of touch-controlling functionality. 
     To achieve the above objective, the invention provides a computer mouse that is connectable to a host system and includes a mouse body, and a connecting unit, a function-key-inputting unit, a touch-screen module, and a control module assembled on the mouse body. The connecting unit connects the mouse body with a host system for signal communication. The function-key-inputting unit transmits function-key-inputting instructions to the host system via the connecting unit. The touch-screen module is provided for displaying graphical information and detecting input instructions. The control module receives the function-key-inputting instructions and signals output by the touch-screen module and transmits the instructions and signals to the connecting unit. 
     The mouse of present invention can provide both regular functionality of a typical mouse and touch-controlling functionality via the touch-screen module. Incorporating with a host system, the present invention provides a keyboard function, a hand-writing function, and a search function for convenience of operating and using. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may best be understood through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer mouse according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a structure of the computer mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a structure of the computer mouse shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a cover is open. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a computer mouse constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally designated at  100 , is connectable to a host system, such as a computer system, and comprises a mouse body  1 , and a control module  10 , a connecting unit  20 , a function-key-inputting unit  30 , and a touch-screen module  40  assembled on the mouse body  1 . The connecting unit  20  is connected to the control module  10 . The control module  10  is coupled to the host system via the connecting unit  20  for signal communication. According to the present invention, the connecting unit  20  may be of wired or wireless connection. The touch-screen module  40  is assembled on the mouse body  1  and is connected to the control module  10  for displaying graphical information and detecting input instructions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the function-key-inputting unit  30  comprises a left button  32 , a right button  33 , and a scroll wheel  34 . The left button  32  and the right button  33  are respectively mounted on the left and right sides of an end of the mouse body  1 . The scroll wheel  34  is arranged on the mouse body  1  and is positioned between the left button  32  and the right button  33 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the mouse body  1  carries a lid  35  thereon and a control switch (not shown) for turning on/off the touch-screen module  40 . The lid  35  removably covers the touch-screen module  40  and controls activation and de-activation of the control switch. The lid  35  defines an opening  351 . When the lid  35  is set to cover the touch-screen module  40 , the scroll wheel  34  protrudes through the opening  351 . 
     When the present invention is put into use, with the lid  35  of the computer mouse  100  closed, the computer mouse  100  of the present invention provides the same functionality as a typical mouse. When the lid  35  is open, the control module  10  detects if an angle formed between the lid  35  and mouse body  1  is wide enough. If the angle is not wide enough, then the control module  10  will detect whether the lid  35  is closed back. If it is closed, then the computer mouse  100  only will provide the same functionality as a typical mouse; otherwise, the control module  10  will re-detect the angle. If the angle is wide enough, such as an angle of 120 degrees or more in the preferred embodiment, then the touch-screen module  40  will be turned on for displaying a function selection menu of the computer mouse  100  and a plurality of shortcuts to programs for operating the host system. During turning on the touch-screen module  40 , the left button  32 , the right button  33 , and the scroll wheel  34  of the computer mouse  100  are still in active status. That is, the computer mouse  100  provides both typical mouse functionality and functionality of the touch-screen module  40 . 
     In the embodiment, the function selection menu of the touch-screen module  40  comprises multiple functions, such as a keyboard function, a hand-writing function, and a search function. 
     During turning on the touch-screen module  40 , if the keyboard function is selected, the touch-screen module  40  will display a virtual keyboard for providing an input environment for users, whereby the users can input text to the host system. Input of text via the virtual keyboard is displayed on a primary displaying device of the host computer system. 
     If the hand-writing function is selected, the touch-screen module  40  will display a writing zone, and once hand writing is performed in the zone to input a character or word, the control module  10  determines if handwritten strokes of the input character or word are complete. If the handwritten strokes are complete, then the input result will be shown on the primary displaying device of the host computer system; otherwise, re-input is required. 
     If the search function is selected, the touch-screen module  40  will display a graphics originally displayed on the primary displaying device of the host system at a viewable field close to the computer mouse  100  to allow the touch-screen module  40  to carry out selection and edition of the graphics. 
     As described above, the present invention can provide both regular functionality of a typical mouse and touch-controlling functionality via the touch-screen module  40 . Incorporating with a host system, the present invention can provide a keyboard function, a hand-writing function, and a search function for convenience of operating and using. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.