Abstract:
A cursor control device is disclosed to include a hollow elongated circuit module holder having a top opening, a sleeve sleeved onto the circuit module holder and movable leftwards and rightwards and rotatable forwards and backwards relative to the circuit module without friction and a circuit module accommodated in the circuit module holder and adapted for sensing the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve relative to the circuit module holder and producing a signal indicative of the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve relative to the circuit module holder for controlling a cursor on a display screen of an electronic device.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the priority of Taiwan patent application number 098207649 filed on May 5, 2009. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to cursor control technology and more particularly, to a cursor control device formed of a hollow elongated circular module holder, a sleeve sleeved onto the circular module holder and axially slidable and transversely rotatable by the user and a circuit module mounted in the circular module holder for sensing the direction and movement of the sleeve and outputting a control signal to control a cursor on a display screen of an external electronic device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Following fast development of modern technology and the electronic industry, many kinds of consumer electronics, such as computer, mobile telephone, digital camera, personal digital assistant and etc., have entered into our daily life. Further, following popularization of network, people may use the internet to search for information on the World Wide Web. Through the internet, people can watch online favorite movies, TV shows, cartoons, music videos and much more. Through the internet, people can also play web games and online games, send e-mails, go online shopping, make a subscription or online payment, or transfer money. 
         [0006]    Further, a computer has multiple functions, bringing convenience to the user. Further, a computer may be equipped with a keyboard and/or mouse for controlling a cursor on a display screen. When operating a computer mouse, a user may rest the wrist of the hand on the desk or a mouse pad and then move the computer mouse or click the button of the computer mouse with the fingers. However, when going to move the computer mouse over a big area, the user must lift the wrist from the desk or mouse pad. Excessive or improper use of a computer may cause pain in the wrist (the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome). In order to eliminate this problem, wrist rests are created. A wrist rest is a device used to support the wrist while typing or when using a computer mouse. However, leaning the wrists on a wrist rest for long periods can put a lot of pressure on the undersides of the wrists. This may cause carpal tunnel syndrome to develop. Actually, a wrist rest does help align the user&#39;s hands and wrists while mousing. Further, an improperly used wrist rest may actually cause more repetitive stress injuries for those who mouse for extended periods of time. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide an orthopedically engineered cursor control device that eliminates the aforesaid problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a cursor control device, which is orthopedically engineered for comfortable use to control a cursor on a display screen of an electronic device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a cursor control device, which produces less friction during operation, assuring operating stability. 
         [0009]    To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, a cursor control device comprises a hollow elongated circuit module holder having a top opening, a sleeve sleeved onto the circuit module holder and movable leftwards and rightwards and rotatable forwards and backwards relative to the circuit module without friction and a circuit module accommodated in the circuit module holder and adapted for sensing the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve relative to the circuit module holder and producing a signal indicative of the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve relative to the circuit module holder for controlling a cursor on a display screen of an electronic device to grab a web page and to scroll up or down the web page or to click a menu selection. Further, the circuit module comprises a control switch, which produces a triggering signal when the user presses the sleeve. 
         [0010]    Further, the circuit module holder is made from a self-lubricating material, facilitating movement of the sleeve. Therefore, the sleeve can be moved smoothly relative to the circular module holder without causing much friction resistance. 
         [0011]    Further, the circuit module holder is formed of a first holder shell and a second holder shell. Further, the circuit module is accommodated in the second holder shell and affixed to the second holder shell. Because the circuit module is protected inside the circular module holder and does not requires any extra installation space in the electronic device, the cursor control device has an integrated outer appearance and a small-size characteristic. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cursor control device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a part of the cursor control device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the cursor control device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing showing a status of use of the cursor control device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a sectional side view of the cursor control device in accordance with the present invention, showing movement of the sleeve in X-axis direction relative to the circuit module holder. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a sectional side view of the cursor control device in accordance with the present invention, showing axial movement of the sleeve in Y-axis direction relative to the circuit module holder. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of the cursor control device in accordance with the present invention, showing the sleeve pressed downwards relative to the circuit module holder. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a schematic sectional view of an alternate form of the cursor control device in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a cursor control device in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a circuit module holder  1 , a circuit module  2 , a sleeve  3  and a housing  4 . 
         [0021]    The circuit module holder  1  comprises a first holder shell  11  and a second holder shell  12 . The first holder shell  11  and the second holder shell  12  define therebetween an accommodation space  10 . The first holder shell  11  has a plurality of limiters  111  symmetrically disposed, for example, near two distal ends thereof at two opposite lateral sides relative to the accommodation space  10  and a plurality of locating members  112  symmetrically located on the two distal ends. The second holder shell  12  has an opening  121  cut through the top and bottom walls thereof in communication with the accommodation space  10 , a plurality of mounting portions  122  protruded from the bottom wall and a plurality of stop members  123  corresponding to the limiters  111  of the first holder shell  11 . Further, elastic members  124  are respectively fastened to the bottom wall of the second holder shell  12  and stopped against the first holder shell  11  to support the second holder shell  12  above the first holder shell  11 . 
         [0022]    The circuit module  2  is accommodated in the accommodation space  10  in the circuit module holder  1 , comprising a circuit board  20  carrying a microprocessor  21 , a sensor module  22 , a control switch  23  and a transmission interface  24 . The circuit board  20  has a plurality of mounting portions  25  respectively fixedly fastened to the mounting portions  122  of the second holder shell  12  of the circuit module holder  1 . The sensor module  22 , the control switch  23  and the transmission interface  24  are respectively electrically connected to the microprocessor  21 . The sensor module  22  is disposed corresponding to the opening  121  of the second holder shell  12  of the circuit module holder  1  for detecting the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve  3  relative to the circuit module holder  1 . The transmission interface  24  is adapted for communication with communication interface means of an external computer (not shown). Further, the sensor module  22  comprises a substrate  222 , a light source  223  mounted in the substrate  222 , a lens  224  molded on the substrate  222  over the light source  223  and inserted into the opening  121  of the second holder shell  12  of the circuit module holder  1  in flush with the top wall of the second holder shell  12  (see  FIG. 6 ) and a sensor  221  installed in the substrate  222  for sensing reflected light from the sleeve  3  upon radiation of the light emitted by the light source  223  through the lens  224 . 
         [0023]    The sleeve  3  defines an axial hole  31 . By means of the axial hole  31 , the sleeve  3  is mounted around the circuit module holder  1  and can be moved axially back and forth relative to the circuit module holder  1  and rotated around the circuit module holder  1 . 
         [0024]    The housing  4  comprises a bottom shell  41  and at least one, for example, two top cover shells  42 . The two top cover shells  42  are covered on the top side of the bottom shell  41  such that an accommodation chamber  40  is defined in between the bottom shell  41  and the top cover shells  42  for accommodating the assembly of the sleeve  3 , the circuit module holder  1  and the circuit module  2 . The bottom shell  41  has a plurality of male hook members (or female hook members)  411  symmetrically disposed at two opposite lateral sides, a plurality of locating members  412  symmetrically disposed near two distal ends thereof and respectively fastened to the locating members  112  of the first holder shell  11  by fastening members  413 , two protruding blocks  414  respectively located on the two distal ends. Further, an open space  421  is defined between the two top cover shells  42  corresponding to the opening  121  of the second holder shell  12  of the circuit module holder  1 . Further, the two top cover shells  42  have a substantially          -shaped cross section. Further, each top cover shell  42  has a plurality of female hook members (or male hook members)  422  respectively fastened to the male hook members (or female hook members)  411  of the bottom shell  41  and a locating groove  423  coupled to one of the two protruding blocks  414  of the bottom shell  41 . 
         [0025]    According to the present preferred embodiment, the circuit module holder  1  is formed of the first holder shell  11  and the second holder shell  12 . Alternatively, the circuit module holder  1  can be a single-piece hollow bar having a circular or oval cross section allowing rotation and reciprocating displacement of the sleeve  3  therein. Further, the circuit module holder  1  can be made from polyoxymetylene (POM), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or any of a variety of other suitable self-lubricating materials. Further, the sensor module  22  of the circuit module  2  detects the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve  3  in such a manner that the light source  223  emits light through the lens  224  onto the sleeve  3 . When the light emitted by the light source  223  falls upon a part of the sleeve  3 , the surface characteristic (such as color, raised portions, recessed portions, smoothness) of the radiated part of the sleeve  3  interferes with light, causing a reflected light having a different characteristic to be produced. The sensor  221  senses the reflected light from the sleeve  3  and provides a corresponding signal to the microprocessor  21  for enabling the microprocessor  21  to calculate the direction (in X-axis and Y-axis) and amount of movement of the sleeve  3  relative to the circuit module holder  1  and to produce an output signal indicative of the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve  3  relative to the circuit module holder  1  for transmission through a transmission line  241  of the transmission interface  24  that extends through a hole  4141  on one protruding block  414  of the bottom shell  41  to the communication interface means of the external computer to control movement of a cursor on a display screen (not shown) that is electrically connected to the external computer. The technique how the sensor module  22  of the circuit module  2  emits light and detest reflected light for enabling the microprocessor  21  to calculate the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve  3  is of the known art and not within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and therefore no further detailed description in this regard is necessary. Further, the transmission interface  24  can be a USB, PS2 or any of a variety of other wired communication interfaces. Alternatively, the transmission interface  24  can be infrared, Bluetooth, radio frequency, or any other wireless communication interface. Further, the sleeve  3  can be made from mesh fabric, nonwoven fabric, plastics, rubber or leather, having transversely and longitudinally aligned recessed portions, raised portions or dots and coated with a layer of silver powder or silver paint for enabling the sensor motor  22  to sense the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve  3  relative to the circuit module holder  1  accurately. 
         [0026]    During assembly of the cursor control device, the circuit module  2  is accommodated in the accommodation space  10  in the circuit module holder  1 , and then the mounting portions  25  of the circuit board  20  are respectively fixedly fastened to the mounting portions  122  of the second holder shell  12  of the circuit module holder  1  to have the light source  223  be inserted into the opening  121  of the second holder shell  12  of the circuit module holder  1  and kept in flush with the top wall of the second holder shell  12 . At this time, the stop members  123  of the second holder shell  12  are respectively aimed at the limiters  111  of the first holder shell  11 , and the elastic members  124  of the second holder shell  12  are supported on the first holder shell  11 . Thereafter, the sleeve  3  is sleeved onto the circuit module holder  1  over the opening  121  to have the circuit module holder  1  be received in the axial hole  31  of the sleeve  3 . Thereafter, the sleeve  3  with the circuit module holder  1  are put in the accommodation chamber  40  inside the housing  4 , and then the locating members  412  of the bottom shell  41  are respectively fastened to the locating members  112  of the first holder shell  11  by respective fastening members  413  to have the female hook members (or male hook members)  422  and locating groove  423  of the top cover shell  42  be respectively fastened to the male hook members (or female hook members)  411  and protruding blocks  414  of the bottom shell  41 . Thus, the cursor control device is well assembled. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 4˜7 , the cursor control device can be used in a personal computer, notebook computer, mobile telephone or any of a variety of personal electronic devices. In case of a wired design, the transmission line  241  of the transmission interface  24  of the cursor control device is connected to the communication interface means of the personal electronic device, for example, personal computer. When the user rests the wrist of the hand on a pad that is disposed adjacent to the cursor control device, the user can move the sleeve  3  in X-axis direction or Y-axis direction relative to the circuit module holder  1  and the housing  4  with the fingers. At this time, the microprocessor  21  outputs an output signal indicative of the direction and amount of movement of the sleeve  3  relative to the circuit module holder  1  through the transmission line  241  of the transmission interface  24  to the communication interface means of the computer to control movement of the cursor on the display screen. Because the circuit module holder  1  is made from a self-lubricating material, it facilitates movement of the sleeve  3 , and therefore the sleeve  3  can be moved smoothly in the accommodation chamber  40  inside the housing  4  without causing much friction resistance between the sleeve  3  and the circuit module holder  1 . 
         [0028]    Further, when the user applies a downward pressure to the sleeve  3 , the stop members  123  of the second holder shell  12  are lowered toward the limiters  111  of the first holder shell  11  and the elastic members  124  of the second holder shell  12  are compressed by the first holder shell  11 , and at the same time the control switch  23  that is located on the bottom wall of the circuit board  20  is triggered by the first holder shell  11  to produce a triggering signal for controlling the cursor to grab a web page and to scroll up or down the web page or to click a menu selection. When the user stops from moving the sleeve  3 , the elastic members  124  immediately lift the second holder shell  12  from the first holder shell  11 , returning the second holder shell  12  to its former position. 
         [0029]    Further, because the circuit module  2  is accommodated in the accommodation space  10  in the circuit module holder  1  and affixed to the second holder shell  12 , the circuit module  2  is protected inside the housing  4  and does not requires an extra installation space in the personal electronic device. Therefore, the cursor control device has an integrated outer appearance and a small-size characteristic. 
         [0030]    As stated above, the invention provides a cursor control device applicable for use in a personal computer, notebook computer, mobile telephone or any of a variety of electronic devices for moving a cursor displayed on a display screen or controlling the cursor to grab a web page and to scroll up or down the web page or to click a menu selection. The circuit module holder  1  of the cursor control device accommodates the circuit module  2  on the inside and is received in the sleeve  3  inside the housing  4 . Further, two support members  5  may be used to substitute for the aforesaid housing  4  and affixed to the bottom wall of the first holder shell  11  for supporting the circuit module holder  1  on a flat wall, allowing movement of the sleeve  3  relative to the circuit module holder  1  and the circuit module  2  in X-axis and Y-axis directions. This mounting arrangement facilitates cleaning and replacement of the sleeve  3 , enhancing the functioning of the cursor control device. 
         [0031]    A prototype of cursor control device has been constructed with the features of  FIGS. 1-8 . The control device functions smoothly to provide all of the features disclosed earlier. 
         [0032]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.