PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10592008-B1
Application Number: US-201715837466-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Mouse having a shape-changing enclosure

Abstract:
Systems and methods for changing the shape of a mouse or other input device are described. In one embodiment, a mouse includes an articulating member that defines a curvature of an exterior surface of the mouse. The mouse may include one or more actuators for manipulating the articulating member to change the contour of the exterior surface of the mouse. The curvature may be changed to optimize the ergonomics of the mouse and/or deliver tactile feedback to users.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mouse comprising:
 an enclosure defining an exterior surface configured to receive a palm of a hand; 
 an articulating member positioned beneath the exterior surface and comprising a set of stacked layers; 
 an actuator disposed within the enclosure, coupled to the articulating member, and configured to move the articulating member from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration resulting in the exterior surface having a first curvature and the second configuration resulting in the exterior surface having a second curvature different from the first curvature; and 
 a jamming mechanism configured to, after the actuator has moved the articulating member to the second configuration resulting in the second curvature, cause a normal force to be exerted on adjacent layers of the set of stacked layers to increase a stiffness of the articulating member and maintain the second curvature. 
 
     
     
       2. The mouse of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the articulating member comprises an array of segments; 
 a first segment of the array of segments is pivotally coupled to a second segment of the array of segments; and 
 the first segment and the second segment are configured to pivot with respect to each other when the articulating member transitions between the first configuration and the second configuration. 
 
     
     
       3. The mouse of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the articulating member comprises an array of overlapping segments; and 
 segments of the array of overlapping segments are configured to slide relative to each other when the articulating member transitions between the first configuration and the second configuration. 
 
     
     
       4. The mouse of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the articulating member includes a magnetic element; and 
 the actuator includes an electromagnet that is configured to exert a magnetic force on the magnetic element of the articulating member to move the articulating member between the first configuration and the second configuration. 
 
     
     
       5. The mouse of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the jamming mechanism is a pump configured to apply a vacuum between the adjacent layers of the set of stacked layers; and 
 the normal force is not exerted while the actuator moves the articulating member from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
 
     
     
       6. The mouse of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first configuration results in the enclosure having a first thickness; and 
 the second configuration results in the enclosure having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. 
 
     
     
       7. The mouse of  claim 1 , wherein the first configuration results in at least a portion of the exterior surface being flat. 
     
     
       8. The mouse of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the enclosure further comprises a side articulating member; 
 the mouse further comprises a side actuator configured to move the side articulating member; and 
 a movement of the side articulating member changes a width of the mouse. 
 
     
     
       9. A mouse comprising:
 an enclosure defining a top surface of the mouse; 
 an articulating member disposed beneath the top surface of the mouse and comprising an array of segments, the array of segments comprising a first segment positioned between a second segment and a third segment, the first segment pivotally coupled to the second segment along a first side of the first segment and pivotally coupled to the third segment along a second side of the first segment, the second side opposite the first side; and 
 an actuator disposed within the enclosure and configured to cause the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment of the articulating member to move to change a profile of the top surface from a first profile shape to a second profile shape that is different than the first profile shape. 
 
     
     
       10. The mouse of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first profile shape has a first curvature and a first thickness; 
 the second profile shape has a second curvature and a second thickness; 
 the second curvature is greater than the first curvature; and 
 the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. 
 
     
     
       11. The mouse of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the actuator is a first actuator; 
 the enclosure further defines a side surface; and 
 the mouse further comprises a second actuator positioned within the enclosure and configured to move the side surface between a first position and a second position. 
 
     
     
       12. The mouse of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the side surface is a first side surface; 
 the enclosure further defines a second side surface; and 
 the second actuator is configured to change a width of the mouse extending between the first side surface and the second side surface. 
 
     
     
       13. The mouse of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the enclosure comprises a flexible membrane disposed over the array of segments; and 
 the flexible membrane defines the top surface. 
 
     
     
       14. A method for modifying a shape of a mouse comprising:
 sensing, using one or more sensors of the mouse, an amount of an exterior surface that is contacting a hand; 
 determining, using a processor operably coupled to an actuator within the mouse, whether the amount of the exterior surface that is contacting the hand is below a threshold; and 
 in response to determining that the amount of the exterior surface that is contacting the hand is below the threshold, moving, by the actuator, an articulating member from a first configuration to a second configuration; wherein:
 the first configuration results in the exterior surface of the mouse having a first curvature; and 
 the second configuration results in the exterior surface of the mouse having a second curvature that is different from the first curvature. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 prior to moving the articulating member from the first configuration to the second configuration, unjamming a set of stacked layers of the articulating member; and 
 after moving the articulating member from the first configuration to the second configuration, jamming the set of stacked layers of the articulating member. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein jamming the set of stacked layers of the articulating member comprises applying a vacuum between adjacent layers of the set of stacked layers. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein a jamming mechanism of the mouse is configured to jam the set of stacked layers of the articulating member. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the amount of the exterior surface is a first amount of the exterior surface; and 
 in response to the actuator moving the articulating member from the first configuration to the second configuration, the method further comprises:
 sensing, using the one or more sensors of the mouse, a second amount of the exterior surface that is contacting the hand; and 
 determining, using the processor, whether the second amount of the exterior surface that is contacting the hand is below the threshold. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, in response to determining that the second amount of the exterior surface that is contacting the hand is below the threshold, moving, by the actuator, the articulating member from the second configuration to a third configuration having a third curvature that is different from both the first curvature and the second curvature.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/554,148, filed on Sep. 5, 2017 and titled “Mouse Having A Shape-Changing Enclosure,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein are directed to input devices for computing systems and, more particularly, to systems and methods for changing the shape of a mouse. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices can receive user input from a mouse. Traditional computer mice have a static form, which is not suitable for all tasks. Furthermore, different users prefer or require different shapes of computer mice. The embodiments described herein may be used to improve the function of a computer mouse. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments described herein relate to, include, or take the form of a mouse having an enclosure, which includes an articulating member and defines an exterior surface configured to receive a palm of a hand. The mouse further includes an actuator disposed within the enclosure and coupled to the articulating member. The actuator is configured to move the articulating member between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration results in the exterior surface having a first curvature. The second configuration results in the exterior surface having a second curvature different from the first curvature. 
     Other embodiments described generally reference a mouse that includes an enclosure defining a top surface configured to interface with a palm of a hand and an actuator disposed within the enclosure and configured to change a curvature of the top surface. 
     Still further embodiments described herein generally reference a method that includes the steps of detecting a condition using a processor operably coupled to an actuator of a mouse, and responsive to detecting the condition, moving, by the actuator, an articulating member from a first configuration to a second configuration. The first configuration results in the exterior surface having a first curvature. The second configuration results in the exterior surface having a second curvature different from the first curvature. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit this disclosure to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, the disclosure provided herein is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments, and as defined by the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an example mouse that is configured to change shape. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate example curvatures of the mouse of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top-down views of an example mouse. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an example mouse that is configured to transition between different shapes. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, taken through section A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, taken through sections B-B and C-C of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, taken through sections D-D and E-E of  FIGS. 6A and 6B , respectively. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate example layers in different states corresponding to varying stiffness. 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an example mouse that includes sensors for detecting a hand, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 17A-C  are diagrams showing different amounts of a user&#39;s hand contacting an exterior surface of a mouse. 
         FIGS. 18A-18C  are diagrams showing a shape of a mouse changing responsive to detecting a user&#39;s digit at a position on the surface of the mouse. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an example change in a user interface that corresponds to a change in the shape of a mouse. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an example change in a user interface that results from an input received at a mouse. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an example change in a user interface that results from an input received at a mouse. 
         FIG. 22  is a flowchart of an example process for moving an articulating member of a mouse from a first configuration to a second configuration responsive to a detected condition. 
     
    
    
     The use of the same or similar reference numerals in different figures indicates similar, related, or identical items. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     Embodiments described herein are directed to systems and techniques for changing the shape of a mouse or other input device. In particular, the embodiments are directed to a mouse having an articulating member that defines a profile shape having a curvature along an exterior surface of the mouse. The mouse may include one or more actuators for manipulating the articulating member to change the curvature of the exterior surface of the mouse. The curvature may be changed to optimize the ergonomics of the mouse and/or deliver tactile feedback to users. 
     In one embodiment, the profile shape or curvature of the mouse is optimized to fit a user&#39;s hand. The mouse may include various sensors for determining if the curvature matches a contour of the user&#39;s hand, and the shape of the mouse may be changed accordingly. 
     In another embodiment, the profile shape or curvature of the mouse is optimized for a particular function or activity being performed at an associated computing device. For example, a relatively flat curvature may be chosen for tasks that are typically performed on a trackpad and a curved surface may be chosen for tasks that are typically performed using a traditional mouse. 
     In another embodiment, the shape of the mouse may be changed to provide feedback to a user of the mouse and/or an associated computing device. The shape of the mouse may be changed in response to a change at a user interface of a computing device associated with the mouse. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-22 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example mouse  100  that is configured to change shape. The mouse  100  includes an enclosure  101  that defines an exterior surface configured to interface with a palm and/or fingers of a hand of a user. In various embodiments, the shape of the mouse  100  is defined by one or more articulating members configured to move and/or change curvature. As the articulating member(s) transition between various configurations, the shape of the exterior surface of the mouse  100  changes. 
     In one embodiment, the enclosure  101  includes an articulating member configured to change a profile shape or curvature of a top surface  102  of the exterior surface. Additionally or alternatively, the articulating member may be configured to change a thickness (e.g., height) of the mouse. The mouse  100  may include an actuator disposed within the enclosure. The actuator may be configured to move the articulating member between different configurations, thereby changing the profile shape or curvature of the exterior surface, as discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
     In one embodiment, the enclosure  101  includes one or more side articulating members configured to change a shape of the mouse. Side articulating members may be configured to interface with digits of a hand of a user, such as fingers or thumbs. The side articulating members may be configured to move and/or change shape to change a curvature or position of a side surface  104  of the exterior surface. The mouse  100  may include one or more actuators configured to transition the side articulating members between various configurations (e.g., to move and/or change the curvature of the side articulating members). In one embodiment, the enclosure  101  includes two side articulating members disposed on opposing sides of the mouse  100 . Movement of one or more of the side articulating members may change a width of the mouse  100 . Side articulating members are discussed in more detail below, for example with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3B . 
     The shape of the exterior surface of the enclosure  101  may be changed to improve ergonomics, to facilitate particular functions of an associated computing device, and/or to provide feedback to users. 
     In one embodiment, the contour of the exterior surface of the enclosure  101  is optimized to fit a user&#39;s hand. The mouse  100  may include various sensors for determining if the shape of the exterior surface matches a shape of the user&#39;s hand, and the shape of the mouse  100  may be changed accordingly. For example, one or more sensors may be used to determine whether the surface area of the enclosure  101  that a user&#39;s hand is in contact with exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the surface area that the user&#39;s hand is in contact with exceeds the threshold, the mouse or a connected computing device may determine that the shape of the enclosure  101  is optimized. If the surface area that the user&#39;s hand is in contact with does not exceed the threshold, the mouse or a connected computing device may determine that the shape of the enclosure  101  needs to be adjusted. A mouse with sensors for detecting a user&#39;s hand is discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 16-18C . 
     In another embodiment, the shape of the exterior surface is optimized for a particular function or activity being performed at an associated computing device. For example, a relatively flat shape may be chosen for tasks that are typically performed on a trackpad and a curved shape may be chosen for tasks that are typically performed using a traditional mouse. 
     In another embodiment, the shape of the mouse  100  may be changed to provide feedback to a user of the mouse and/or an associated computing device. The shape of the mouse  100  may be changed in response to a change at a user interface of a computing device associated with the mouse  100 . For example, the mouse may become larger as a user zooms in or enlarges an object and smaller when a user zooms out or reduces the size of an object. Examples of this functionality are provided in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 19-21 . 
     In one embodiment, the articulating member forms at least a portion of the exterior surface (e.g., the top surface  102 , the side surface  104 , and so on). In another embodiment, a flexible membrane is disposed over the articulating member and forms at least a portion of the exterior surface. In one embodiment, the flexible membrane is disposed over the articulating member and one or more side articulating members to form a continuous surface across the enclosure  101 . The flexible membrane may be formed of a flexible sheet, film, or other pliable or flexible material. Examples include fabric, polymer, leather, rubber, and so on. The top surface  102  and the side surfaces  104  may form distinct surfaces or they may form a continuous smooth surface. In another embodiment, the enclosure  101  forms a single continuous exterior surface. 
     The mouse  100  may be a device that can be manipulated by hand. Movement of the mouse can be interpreted as a command or input to the device. For example, the mouse may be translatable along a surface and include a sensor that tracks the movement. In one embodiment, the mouse  100  may be configured to detect motion along two axes, for example across a flat surface such as a desk, table or the like. In other embodiments, the mouse  100  may be configured to detect motion along three axes, for example using an accelerometer. Movement tracked by the sensor may be used to control a cursor or position of a graphical element on a computer display. 
     In various embodiments, the mouse  100  is configured to receive inputs from a user. Inputs may include touch inputs, force inputs, clicks, gestures, movements, and so on. The mouse  100  includes one or more input devices (e.g., buttons, sensors, switches, accelerometers, click wheels, and the like) to detect and/or process inputs. In some cases, the mouse  100  includes a touch and/or force sensitive surface that is configured to receive touch and/or force inputs from the user. 
     The mouse  100  may be connected to one or more computing devices, including smart phones, tablets, laptops, personal computers, virtual reality equipment, and so on. The mouse  100  may include various components for facilitating wired and/or wireless communication with computing devices. In one embodiment, the mouse  100  includes a processor for detecting and processing inputs and facilitating shape changes of the mouse. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate example different profile shapes of a top surface  202  of an enclosure  201  of a mouse  200 , each profile shape having a different curvature. The mouse  200  is similar to the mouse described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , and may include similar components and/or features. One or more exterior surfaces (e.g., the top surface  202 ) of the enclosure  201  are configured to receive a hand  210  of a user, and may have a variable curvature. In one embodiment, the curvature of the exterior surface is based on a configuration of the articulating member. As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , the articulating member is configurable to transition between different configurations that correspond to different curvatures. For example, the articulating member may be configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a first example curvature of the top surface  202  of the mouse  200  corresponding to a first configuration of the articulating member. In the example of  FIG. 2A , the top surface  202  has a profile shape that is substantially flat.  FIG. 2B  illustrates a second example curvature of the top surface  202  of the mouse  200  corresponding to a second configuration of the articulating member. In the example of  FIG. 2B , the top surface  202  has a profile shape that is curved, and has a greater radius of curvature than the top surface  202  in the example of  FIG. 2A . As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , the curvature of the enclosure  201  may be changed to improve ergonomics, to facilitate particular functions of an associated computing device, and/or to provide feedback to users. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top-down views of an example mouse  300 . The example mouse  300  is similar to the mice  100 ,  200  described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-2B , and may include similar components and/or features. As discussed above, the mouse may include one or more side articulating members (e.g., side articulating members  324 A and  324 B) that are configured to change a shape of the mouse. Side articulating members may be configured to interface with digits of a hand of a user, such as fingers or thumbs. For example, the first side articulating member  324 A may be configured to receive a thumb of a user&#39;s hand and the second side articulating member  324 B may be configured to receive a pinky or other finger of the user&#39;s hand. In some implementations, the side articulating members  324 A and  324 B are configured to receive touch and/or force input using a touch and/or force sensitive surface, one or more buttons, or other type of input device. 
     The side articulating members may be configured to move and/or change shape to change a shape of the enclosure of the mouse  300 , for example by moving and/or changing a curvature of a side surface (e.g., side surfaces  304 A and  304 B) of the exterior surface of the mouse  300 . The mouse  300  may include one or more actuators configured to transition the side articulating members between various configurations (e.g., to move and/or change the curvature of the side articulating members).  FIG. 3A  shows the mouse  300  in a first configuration having a first width (left to right with respect to  FIG. 3A ).  FIG. 3B  shows the mouse  300  in a second configuration having a second width that is greater than the first width. In this example, the width corresponds to a dimension that extends between the side surfaces defined by the side articulating members  324 A and  324 B. In various embodiments, the side articulating members may move separately from one another or together, and in the same or different directions. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the mouse  300  includes two side articulating members  324 A and  324 B disposed on opposing sides of the mouse and an actuator  326  disposed within the mouse configured to move the side articulating members. Movement of one or more of the side articulating members may change a width of the mouse  300  or otherwise change the shape of the mouse  300 . Links  327 A and  327 B (also referred to herein as arms or connecting elements) may couple the side articulating members  324 A and  324 B to the actuator  326 . In one embodiment the actuator  326  is a stepper motor, as described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
     In the various embodiments described herein, the described mouse components (e.g., the articulating members, the actuators, the top portions, and the like) are interchangeable with other described components and their equivalents. For example, a particular embodiment of an articulating member that is shown in a first figure is envisioned to function with an embodiment of an actuator shown in a second figure, and so on.  FIGS. 4-15B  illustrate examples of different mouse components, the particular combinations of which are examples only and are not meant to be limiting. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an example mouse  400  that is configured to transition between different shapes. The example mouse  400  is similar to the mice (e.g., mice  100 ,  200 ,  300 ) described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-3B , and may include similar components and/or features. The mouse  400  includes an enclosure  401  that includes a top portion  401 A and a base portion  401 B. The enclosure  401  defines an exterior surface that includes a top surface  402  and one or more side surfaces (e.g., side surfaces  404 A and  404 B). In one embodiment, an articulating member  412  is disposed below the top surface  402 . The articulating member  412  is configured to move and/or change shape such that the profile shape or curvature of the top surface  402  changes. In one embodiment, an actuator  420  is configured to exert force on the articulating member  412 , causing the articulating member to transition between various configurations. 
     The mouse  400  further includes side articulating members  424 A and  424 B that are configured to move and/or change shape. The side articulating members  424  are positioned within the enclosure such that they define a shape of the side surfaces  404 . Similar to the articulating member  412 , the movement of the side articulating members  424  changes the shape of the top portion  401 A of the enclosure, for example by changing a position and/or curvature of the side surfaces  404 . For example, the side articulating members  424  may be configured to move inward and outward as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     As noted above, the shape of the top portion  401 A of the enclosure may vary based on the configurations of the articulating member  412  and/or the side articulating members  424 . The articulating members  412 ,  424  are configured to transition between different configurations, thereby changing the shape or contour of the top portion  401 A. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the articulating member  412  is a segmented array that includes segments  414 . The segments  414  may be coupled by connectors  416 . In one embodiment, the segments  414  are pivotally or hingedly coupled by the connectors  416  such that adjacent segments may move (e.g., pivot, rotate) relative to one another and change a curvature of the articulating member  412  and alter the profile shape of the mouse. In another embodiment, the segments  414  may be flexible such that the segments  414  may bend to change the curvature of the articulating member  412  to alter the profile shape of the mouse. The articulating member  412  may be configured to couple to the base portion  401 B of the enclosure by coupling elements  418 . In one embodiment, the coupling elements  418  interface with receptacles  438  of the base portion  401 B. 
     Although the articulating member  412  is shown as an array of segments  414  in  FIG. 4 , in various embodiments, the articulating member may take a variety of forms. In one embodiment, the articulating member may include an array of overlapping segments configured to slide relative to each other as shown and described below with respect to  FIGS. 8A and 8B . In another embodiment, the articulating member may be a flexible membrane that defines an exterior surface (e.g., a top surface and/or a side surface) of the enclosure as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 9A and 9B . In still another embodiment, the articulating member may include multiple layered members. The layered members may have a tunable stiffness, for example using layer jamming, as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 10A-B  and  11 A-B. In another embodiment, the articulating member may be a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible member, for example as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 13A-B  and  14 A-B. In another embodiment, the articulating member may include segments connected by actuators, for example as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 15A and 15B . 
     Returning now to  FIG. 4 , the actuator  420  is disposed within the enclosure and configured to move (e.g., change a shape and/or a position of) the articulating member  412 . The actuator  420  may be disposed on and/or coupled to the base portion  401 B of the enclosure. In one embodiment, the actuator  420  is an actuator that includes a shaft  421  that interfaces with the articulating member  412 , as shown and described in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 5A and 5B . In another embodiment, the actuator is a spring as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 12A and 12B . In still another embodiment, the actuator includes an electromagnet, as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 13A-13B and 14A-14B . The mouse  400  may include multiple actuators for moving the articulating member, for example as described below with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9B and 15A-15B . 
     Returning now to  FIG. 4 , the side articulating members are configured to move and/or change shape. The side articulating members  424  may be formed of any rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible material and may have a variety of shapes. The side articulating members  424  may include multiple components and may take similar forms to the articulating member  412 . 
     The mouse  400  may include one or more side actuators  426  configured to move the side articulating members  424 . The side actuators  426  may be disposed on and/or coupled to the base portion  401 B of the enclosure. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the side actuators  426  are linear actuators with shafts  427  that interface with receptacles  428  of the side actuating members  424 . In various embodiments, the side actuators may take a different form from what is shown in  FIG. 4 . For example, the side actuators may take a similar form to the actuator, including springs, magnets, and the like. In one embodiment, a single side actuator controls the movement of both side articulating members. For example, the side actuator may be a stepper motor, as shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the mouse  400  includes three actuators  420 ,  426 . In various embodiments, more or fewer actuators may be used. In one embodiment, a single actuator is configured to move the articulating member  412  and the side articulating members  424 . In another embodiment, one actuator is configured to move the articulating member  412 , and another actuator is configured to move the side articulating members  424 . 
     The mouse  400  may include various input mechanisms for receiving inputs from users. For example, the mouse  400  may include buttons, click wheels, sensors, and the like. In one embodiment, the articulating member  412  and/or the side articulating members  424  are configured to receive inputs, for example as touch inputs or force inputs. In various embodiments, the articulating members  412 ,  424  may be configured to provide tactile feedback in response to receiving user inputs. For example, a side articulating member  424  may be configured to move in response to an input. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  500 , taken through section A-A of  FIG. 1 . The mouse  500  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components and/or features. For example, the mouse  500  includes an enclosure comprising a top portion  501 A and a base portion  501 B. The mouse  500  includes an actuator  520  configured to move an articulating member  512 . The articulating member  512  may include segments  514  coupled by connectors  516  similar to those described above with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
     In one embodiment, the actuator  520  is a telescopic cylinder linear actuator, and the shaft  521  is a telescoping shaft. The shaft  521  is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position.  FIG. 5A  shows the telescoping shaft in the retracted position. The articulating member  512  is in a first configuration, resulting in at least a portion of the top surface  502  of the top portion  501 A of the enclosure being substantially flat.  FIG. 5B  shows the telescoping shaft in the extended position. The articulating member  512  is in a second configuration, resulting in at least a portion of the top surface  502  being curved. The shafts may also be positioned in various positions between the retracted position and the extended position, corresponding to additional configurations of the articulating member and profile shapes or curvatures of the top surface. 
     Telescoping actuators provide various advantages. The extended length of the actuator may be much greater than the un-extended length of the actuator. This allows the mouse to maintain a relatively slim thickness when the actuator is retracted compared to the thickness when the actuator is extended. 
     Although a telescopic cylinder linear actuator is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the actuator  520  may take a variety of forms. For example, the actuator  520  may be a helical band actuator, a rigid belt actuator, a rigid chain actuator, a segmented spindle, a mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, an electromechanical actuator, a spring, and so on. In various embodiments, the mouse may include multiple actuators. 
     The actuator  520  includes a drive mechanism  523  for controlling the actuator  520 . The drive mechanism  523  may be a rotary motor, a linear motor, a stepper motor, a hydraulic pump, an air compressor, a manual drive, or the like. The actuator  520  further includes an actuator housing  522  that contains actuator components. In various embodiments, the actuator housing  522  is configured to be coupled or otherwise attached to the base portion or other components of the mouse  500 . 
     The mouse  500  may further include one or more side articulating members  524  and one or more side actuators  526  configured to move the side articulating members  524  as discussed above. The top portion  501 A of the enclosure may include a flexible membrane disposed over the articulating member  512  and/or the side articulating members  524 . In one embodiment, the flexible membrane is disposed over the articulating member and one or more side articulating members to form a continuous surface across the top portion  501 A. The flexible membrane may be formed of a flexible sheet, film, or other pliable or flexible material. Examples include fabric, polymer, leather, rubber, and so on. The top surface  502  and the side surfaces may form distinct surfaces or they may form a continuous smooth surface. In another embodiment, the top portion  501 A forms a single continuous exterior surface. 
     A mouse may further include one or more side actuators that are configured to move one or more side articulating members.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  600 , taken through sections B-B and C-C of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively. The example mouse  600  is similar to the mice (e.g., mice  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ) described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-5B , and may include similar components and/or features. For example,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show an articulating member  612 , an actuator  620 , actuators  626 , and an enclosure including a top portion  601 A and a base portion  601 B, which are similar to others described herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , in one embodiment, actuators  626  are linear actuators that are configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, thereby moving one or more side articulating members  624 . In one embodiment, the linear actuators include links  627  (also referred to herein as shafts or connecting elements) at least partially disposed in actuator housings  631 . The links  627  may be configured to interface with receptacles  628  of the side articulating members  624 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows the links  627  in the retracted position. In  FIG. 6A , the articulating members  624  are in a first configuration, and the mouse  600  has a first width (e.g., as measured from top to bottom with respect to  FIG. 6A ).  FIG. 6B  shows the links  627  in the extended position. In  FIG. 6B , the articulating members  624  are in a second configuration, and the mouse  600  has a second width that is greater than the first width. The links may also be positioned in various positions between the retracted position and the extended position. Further, movement of the side articulating members  624  may change a shape of the mouse in other ways. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6B , the second configuration of the side articulating member  624  causes the top portion  601 A of the enclosure to change shape. 
     The side articulating members  624  are shown as rigid members in the example of  FIGS. 6A-6B . However, in various embodiments, the side articulating members  624  may take a variety of forms. For example, the side articulating members  624  may be flexible such that they are curved when the actuators are extended. As another example, the side articulating members  624  may include multiple segments similar to the articulating member  612 . 
     In various embodiments, the actuators  620 ,  626  are configured to be controlled separately from one another. For example, the actuators  626  may both be extended while the actuator  620  remains un-extended to create a wide, flat surface on the top portion  601 A. As another example, the actuators  626  may move independently of one another to make just one side of the mouse change shape. In various embodiments, the actuator housings  631  are configured to be coupled or otherwise attached to the base portion  601 B or other components of the mouse  600 . The actuators  626  further include drive mechanisms  630  for controlling the actuators. The drive mechanisms  630  may be rotary motors, linear motors, stepper motors, hydraulic pumps, air compressors, manual drives, or the like. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  700 , taken through sections D-D and E-E of  FIGS. 6A and 6B , respectively depicting an alternative drive mechanism. The example mouse  700  is similar to the mice (e.g., mice  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ) described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-6B , and may include similar components and/or features. For example, the mouse  700  includes an enclosure with a top portion  701 A and a base portion  701 B, side articulating members  724 , and additional components that are not shown, which are similar to others described herein. 
     The mouse  700  further includes an actuator  726  disposed in the enclosure and configured to move the side articulating members  724 . The actuator  726  includes a drive mechanism  730  configured to move arms  727  (also referred to herein as links or connecting elements). The arms  727  are configured to interface with the side articulating members  724 . In one embodiment, the drive mechanism  730  is a rotary motor, such as a stepper motor. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the arms  727  are coupled to the motor such that rotation of the motor causes the arms to extend and retract, thereby moving the side articulating members  724 . In  FIG. 7A , the side articulating members  724  are shown in a first configuration that corresponds to a first shape of the enclosure of the mouse  700 . In  FIG. 7B , the side articulating members  724  are shown in a second configuration that corresponds to a second shape of the enclosure of the mouse  700 . The actuator  726  further includes an actuator housing  731  that is configured to be coupled with or otherwise disposed in the enclosure. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  800 . The mouse  800  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components. For example, the mouse  800  includes an enclosure comprising a top portion  801 A and a base portion  801 B similar to those described herein. The mouse  800  includes an articulating member  812  that includes overlapping segments  814 . The segments  814  are configured to slide or otherwise move relative to one another as the articulating member  812  moves and/or changes shape. 
     The mouse  800  further includes an actuator  820  that is configured to move the articulating member  812 . The actuator  820  includes scissored arms  821  that are configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position.  FIG. 8A  shows the scissored arms in the retracted position, and  FIG. 8B  shows the scissored arms in the extended position. The actuator  820  may include one or more drive mechanisms  830  as discussed above for moving the scissored arms between positions. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  900 . The mouse  900  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components. For example, the mouse  900  includes an enclosure comprising a top portion  901 A and a base portion  901 B similar to those described herein. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the articulating member is integrated with the top portion  901 A. The mouse  900  includes multiple actuators  920  for changing the shape of the top portion  901 A. In the example of  FIG. 9 , the actuators  920  are telescopic actuators that are disposed on the base portion  906 . The actuators  920  include telescoping shafts  921  that are configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. 
       FIG. 9A  shows the telescoping shafts in the retracted position, and  FIG. 9B  shows the telescoping shafts in the extended position. The actuators  920  may include one or more drive mechanisms as discussed above for moving the telescoping shafts between positions. In various embodiments the actuators  920  may be positioned at various locations on the base portion  906  such that the actuator shafts form a structure and define a contour of the top portion  901 A. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  1000 . The mouse  1000  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components. For example, the mouse  1000  includes an actuator  1020 , an enclosure comprising a top portion  1001 A and a base portion  1001 B similar to those described herein. The top portion  1001 A of the mouse  1000  includes an articulating member  1012  formed of stacked layers  1091 A,  1091 B, and  1091 C. In one embodiment, the articulating member  1012  has a variable or tunable stiffness. 
     In one embodiment, the tunable stiffness is achieved using layer jamming, in which the layers  1091  form a tunable articulating member  1012  with multiple states corresponding to varying stiffness. In one embodiment, the tunable articulating member has a free state and a jammed state. In some cases, a jammed state or jamming the stack of layers refers to a state in which a normal force is applied between two or more adjacent stacked layers to increase the friction or resistance to shear between the two layers.  FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate example layers  1190  in different states corresponding to varying stiffness.  FIG. 11A  corresponds to a free state, and  FIG. 11B  corresponds to a jammed state. 
     In the free state shown in  FIG. 11A , the layers  1190  may move in shear relative to one another (e.g., slide relative to one another) responsive to a force  1170  being applied to the layers. In the jammed state shown in  FIG. 11B , a jamming mechanism prevents the layers from moving in shear in response to the force. For example, the jamming mechanism may result in a normal force  1180  that compresses the layers together, thereby increasing the friction between the layers and not allowing the layers to move in shear relative to one another. As a result, the bending stiffness of the tunable articulating member formed by the layers is greater in the jammed state than in the free state. 
     In one embodiment, the bending stiffness in the jammed state is proportional to the square of the number of layers of the tunable articulating member. For example, if the tunable articulating member has three layers, it is nine times stiffer in the jammed state than in the free state. If the tunable articulating member has ten layers, it is one hundred times stiffer in the jammed state than in the free state. 
     The jamming mechanism may be a vacuum pump, piston, or other mechanism capable of applying a vacuum between the layers. In the current example, the jamming mechanism includes a pump  1050  operably coupled to the tunable articulating member (for example by a connector  1051 ). In another embodiment, the jamming mechanism is integrated with the layers themselves. For example, in some cases, the jamming is performed using electroactive layers such as electroactive polymer layers. The size and/or shape of the layers may be adjusted based on the introduction of electrical current and/or an electric field, resulting in the layers transitioning between states. In one embodiment, the tunable articulating member is in the jammed state when no electrical field and/or current are present, and in the free state when an electrical field and/or current are present. In another embodiment, the tunable articulating member is in the free state when no electrical field and/or current are present, and in the jammed state when an electrical field and/or current are present. 
     The layers  1091  may be formed of a flexible material, such as fabric, polymer, leather, rubber, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), silicone, aluminum, steel, and so on. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , three layers  1091  are shown. In various embodiments, the top portion  1001 A may include more or fewer layers  1091 . 
     The state of the tunable articulating member  1012  may be changed to facilitate moving the articulating member between different configurations that correspond to a desired profile shape or curvature of the exterior surface of the mouse  1000 . For example, the tunable articulating member  1012  may be in a jammed state during normal use of the mouse  100  to provide a stiff exterior surface similar to that of traditional mice. In one embodiment, when the tunable articulating member  1012  is moved from a first configuration (e.g., the configuration shown in  FIG. 10A ) to a second configuration (e.g., the configuration shown in  FIG. 10B ), the layers transition to the free state (e.g., the layers are “unjammed”). As a result, the tunable articulating member  1012  is more flexible and may be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration, for example by the actuator  1020 . Once the articulating member  1012  is in the second configuration, the layers transition to the jammed state (e.g., the layers are jammed), thereby increasing the stiffness of the exterior surface of the mouse  1000 , for example to prepare the mouse for normal use. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  1200 . The mouse  1200  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components. For example, the mouse includes an enclosure comprising a top portion  1201 A and a base portion  1201 B similar to those described herein. The top portion  1201 A of the mouse  1200  includes an articulating member  1212 . In one embodiment, the articulating member  1212  has a variable or tunable stiffness as described above with respect to  FIGS. 10A-11B . Returning to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the mouse  1200  includes a pump  1250  operably connected to the articulating member  1212  (for example by a connector  1251 ). The mouse  1200  further includes a spring  1260  configured to move the articulating member  1212 . In one example embodiment, the spring is configured to move the articulating member from a first configuration (e.g., the configuration of  FIG. 12A ) to a second configuration (e.g., the configuration of  FIG. 12B ). In one embodiment, the mouse  1200  is capable of maintaining the configuration shown in  FIG. 12A  when the articulating member is in a jammed state. To initiate the movement of the articulating member to the configuration of  FIG. 12B , the layers transition to the free state (e.g., the layers are “unjammed”). As a result, the tunable articulating member  1212  is more flexible and may be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration, by the spring  1260 . Once the articulating member  1212  is in the second configuration, the layers transition to the jammed state (e.g., the layers are jammed), thereby increasing the stiffness of the exterior surface of the mouse  1200 , for example to prepare the mouse for normal use. In one embodiment, the layers may be unjammed, and a downward force applied to the top portion of the mouse (e.g., by a user pressing on the mouse) to restore the mouse to the first configuration shown in  FIG. 12A . 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  1300 . The mouse  1300  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components. The mouse includes an enclosure with a top portion  1301 A and a base portion  1301 B similar to those described herein. The mouse  1300  includes an articulating member  1312 . The articulating member  1312  is a single rigid or semi-rigid member. The mouse  1300  further includes a magnetic element  1332  coupled to the articulating member  1312  and an electromagnet  1330  disposed on a base portion  1306 . 
     In various embodiments, the magnetic element  1332  includes a magnetized or ferromagnetic material capable of experiencing a magnetic force in a magnetic field. Example materials that may be included in the magnetic element are iron, nickel, cobalt, their alloys (including steel), and the like. 
     The electromagnet  1330  includes a coil  1331  that is configured to generate a magnetic field when current flows through it. In a first configuration shown in  FIG. 13A , there is no current, and therefore no magnetic force generated by the electromagnet  1330 . Accordingly, the magnetic element  1332  rests on the electromagnet  1330 . In a second configuration shown in  FIG. 10B , a current is applied to the coil  1331 , which generates a magnetic field. The magnetic field acts on the magnetic element  1332  and creates a repulsive force between the magnetic element  1332  and the electromagnet  1330 . As a result, the magnetic element  1332  moves away from the electromagnet  1330 . This causes the articulating member  1312  to move and changes the profile shape or curvature of the top surface of the mouse  1300 . 
     In various embodiments, multiple magnets and electromagnets may be used.  FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  1400 . The mouse  1400  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components. The mouse includes an enclosure with a top portion  1401 A and a base portion  1401 B similar to those described herein. The mouse  1400  includes two magnetic elements  1432 A and  1432 B and two electromagnets  1430 A and  1430 B. 
     As discussed above, in various embodiments, the magnetic elements  1432  include a magnetized or ferromagnetic material capable of experiencing a magnetic force in a magnetic field. Example materials that may be included in the magnetic element are iron, nickel, cobalt, their alloys (including steel), and the like. 
     Each electromagnet includes a coil  1431  that is configured to generate a magnetic field when current flows through it. In various embodiments, different magnetic fields can be generated by each electromagnet  1430  to exert different forces on the articulating member  1412 . For example, in  FIG. 14B , more current is applied to the coil  1431 A than the coil  1431 B, which results in a stronger magnetic field generated by the electromagnet  1430 A. As a result, the left side (with respect to  FIG. 14B ) of the articulating member  1412  is higher than the right side. 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate cross-section views of an example mouse  1500 . The mouse  1500  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components. The mouse includes an enclosure with a top portion  1501 A and a base portion  1501 B similar to those described herein. The top portion  1501 A includes a segmented articulating member  1512  that includes drive members  1520  and rigid segments  1514 . The drive members  1520  are configured to couple the segments  1514  and to change an angle between the segments  1514 , thereby changing a curvature of the articulating member  1512 . In one embodiment the drive members are motors. In another embodiment, the drive members are coupled to a motor and configured to change the curvature of the articulating member  1512 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an example mouse  1600  that includes sensors for detecting a hand, according to an embodiment. The mouse  1600  is similar to other embodiments described herein, and may include similar components. The mouse includes an enclosure with a top portion  1601 . The top portion  1601  includes one or more sensors  1690  disposed beneath a top surface  1602  and one or more sensors  1692  disposed beneath a side surface  1604 . 
     In one embodiment, the sensors  1690 ,  1692  are configured to detect whether a hand is contacting the associated surface. The sensors may be capacitive sensors that detect changes in capacitance when a hand is in contact with an area of the surface near the sensor. The sensors may be arranged in an array such that outputs of the sensors can be used to determine how much of the surface is being contacted by a hand. In various embodiments, the sensor data is used to determine whether to change the shape of the mouse  1600  as discussed herein, for example to increase the amount of the surface that is being contacted by a hand and/or optimize the ergonomics of the mouse. In various embodiments, the sensors  1690 ,  1692  may be used to receive inputs (e.g., touch inputs). 
       FIGS. 17A-C  are diagrams showing different amounts of a user&#39;s hand contacting an exterior surface of the mouse  1600 .  FIG. 17A  shows an example position of a user&#39;s hand  1710  relative to the mouse  1600 .  FIG. 17B  illustrates a first detected condition showing sensed regions  1720  that correspond to areas of the surface of the mouse  1600  that is being contacted by the hand.  FIG. 17C  illustrates a second detected condition showing sensed region  1730  that corresponds to an area of the surface of the mouse  1600  that is being contacted by the hand. As shown in  FIGS. 17B and 17C , the second detected condition indicates that more of the surface of the mouse  1600  is being contacted by the hand than the first detected condition. 
     In one embodiment, the sensors  1690 ,  1692  may be used to determine whether the surface area of the mouse (e.g., the top surface  1602 ) that a user&#39;s hand is in contact with exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the surface area that the user&#39;s hand is in contact with exceeds the threshold, the mouse or a connected computing device may determine that the contour of the top portion  1601  is optimized. For example, the second detected condition of  FIG. 17C  may indicate that the area exceeds the threshold. If the surface area that the user&#39;s hand is in contact with does not meet or exceed the threshold, the mouse or a connected computing device may determine that the contour of the top portion  1601  needs to be adjusted. For example, the second detected condition of  FIG. 17C  may indicate that the area does not meet or exceed the threshold. 
     In various embodiments, the shape of the mouse may be changed to fit a hand in a variety of ways. For example, sensors (e.g., sensors  1690 ,  1692 ) may detect contact at certain locations on the surface of the mouse and, in response, the shape of the mouse may be changed to a predetermined shape. As another example, the shape of the mouse may be set by a user or chosen from a predetermined set of mouse shapes, for example using an associated computing device. 
       FIGS. 18A-18C  are diagrams showing a shape of the mouse  1600  changing responsive to detecting a user&#39;s digit (e.g., thumb or finger) at a position on the surface of the mouse. In one embodiment, the sensors discussed with respect to  FIG. 16  may be used to determine where a part of a user&#39;s hand (e.g., a digit) is on the exterior surface of the mouse. In response to detecting the position, the shape of the mouse  1600  may be changed.  FIG. 18A  illustrates a hand  1810  positioned on the mouse  1600 . The sensors may detect the position of the user&#39;s thumb  1811  and adjust the shape of the mouse  1600  to accommodate the thumb as shown in  FIG. 18B .  FIG. 18C  illustrates the mouse  1600  in the configuration of  FIG. 18B  without the hand  1810 , and illustrates a contour  1850  configured to interface with the user&#39;s thumb. 
     In one embodiment, the shape of the mouse may be changed to provide feedback to a user of the mouse and/or an associated computing device. The shape of the mouse may be changed in response to a change at a user interface of a computing device associated with the mouse.  FIG. 19  illustrates an example change in a user interface that corresponds to a change in the shape of a mouse  1900 . The mouse  1900  includes an articulating member  1912  and side articulating members  1924 A and  1924 B. The example user interface element  1950  may be displayed as part of a graphical output of a display of a computing device that is in communication with the mouse  1900 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the user interface element  1950  changes from a first size  1952  to a second size  1954 . The shape of the mouse  1900  changes in a manner that corresponds to the change in size of the user interface element. For example, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the articulating member  1912  and the side articulating members  1924  move outward from the center of the mouse  1900 , thereby increasing the overall size of the mouse. In another embodiment, the mouse  1900  may change shape in other ways, for example, reducing in size in response to a user interface element being reduced in size. 
     As discussed above, in one embodiment, the articulating member(s) and/or the side articulating member(s) are configured to receive inputs, for example as touch inputs or force inputs. In various embodiments, the articulating members may be configured to provide tactile feedback in response to receiving user inputs. For example, a side articulating member may be configured to move in response to an input.  FIG. 20  illustrates an example change in a user interface that results from an input received at a side articulating member  2024  of a mouse  2000 . In the example of  FIG. 20 , a digit  2010  (e.g., a thumb or finger) provides an input at the side articulating member  2024 , for example by pressing on the side of the mouse  2000 . The example user interface element  2050  may be displayed as part of a graphical output of a display of a computing device that is in communication with the mouse  2000 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , the user interface element  2050  moves from a first position  2052  to a second position  2054  in response to the input received at the side articulating member  2024 . The movement of the user interface element  1950  may be related to the input. For example in  FIG. 20 , the input is a result of a force applied in a particular direction (from left to right with respect to  FIG. 20 ), and the user interface element moves in the same direction. 
     In various embodiments, particular inputs received at a mouse may correspond to particular actions or commands in a user interface of a connected computing device.  FIG. 21  illustrates an example change in a user interface that results from an input received at side articulating members  2124  of a mouse  2100 . In the example of  FIG. 21 , an input is received in the form of inward forces applied to the side articulating members  2124 , for example by a user squeezing the mouse  2100 . The input corresponds to a command to move an object (e.g., object  2150 ) within a user interface  2140  of a connected computing device. As the mouse moves (e.g., downward and leftward with respect to  FIG. 21 ), the object  2150  moves within the user interface, for example in the same direction as the movement of the mouse. 
       FIG. 22  is a flowchart of an example process  2200  for moving an articulating member of a mouse from a first configuration to a second configuration responsive to a detected condition. The example process  2200  may be used to modify a shape of an enclosure of a mouse. 
     At operation  2210 , a processor detects a condition associated with the mouse. The processor may be a processor of a computing device that is connected to the mouse. Detecting the condition may include sensing an amount of an exterior surface of the mouse that is contacting a user&#39;s hand as described above with respect to  FIGS. 16-18C . The sensors may be capacitive sensors that detect changes in capacitance when a hand is in contact with an area of the surface near the sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors are arranged in an array such that outputs of the sensors may be used to determine how much of the surface is being contacted by a hand. Detecting the condition may include receiving an input at the mouse, as described above with respect to  FIGS. 20-21 . Detecting the condition may include detecting a change in a user interface of an associated computing device as described above with respect to  FIG. 19 . 
     At operation  2220 , the processor sends an instruction to move the articulating member from a first configuration to a second configuration as discussed above. For example, if detecting the condition includes determining that the amount of a user&#39;s hand that is contacting the exterior surface of the mouse is below a predetermined threshold, the articulating member may be moved to increase the amount of the user&#39;s hand that is contacting the exterior surface, for example as described with respect to  FIGS. 16-17C . Similarly, if detecting the condition includes detecting an input, the movement of the articulating member may deliver tactile feedback to the user. If detecting the condition includes detecting a change in a user interface, the movement of the articulating member may correspond to the change in the user interface, for example as described with respect to  FIG. 19 . 
     It may be appreciated that the devices described herein (e.g., mouse  101 ) can include one or more components, which, for simplicity of illustration are not depicted herein. For example, the mouse may include a processor coupled to or in communication with a memory, a power supply, one or more sensors, one or more communication interfaces, and one or more input/output devices such as a display, a speaker, a rotary input device, a microphone, an on/off button, a mute button, a biometric sensor, a camera, a force and/or touch sensitive trackpad, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, the communication interfaces provide electronic communications between the electronic device and an external communication network, device or platform. The communication interfaces can be implemented as wireless interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, universal serial bus interfaces, Wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, network communications interfaces, or any conventional communication interfaces. The electronic device may provide information related to externally connected or communicating devices and/or software executing on such devices, messages, video, operating commands, and so forth (and may receive any of the foregoing from an external device), in addition to communications. As noted above, for simplicity of illustration, the electronic devices herein are illustrated without many of these elements, each of which may be included, partially, optionally, or entirely, within a housing. 
     In some embodiments, the housing can be configured to, at least partially, surround a display. In many examples, the display may incorporate an input device configured to receive touch input, force input, and the like and/or may be configured to output information to a user. The display can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to, a multi-touch or multi-force sensing touchscreen that uses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light-emitting diode (LED) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of display technology. 
     The housing can form an outer surface or partial outer surface and protective case for the internal components of the electronic device. The housing can be formed of one or more components that are operably connected, such as a front piece and a back piece or a top portion and a bottom portion. Alternatively, the housing can be formed of a single piece (e.g., uniform body or unibody). 
     Furthermore, one may appreciate that although many embodiments are disclosed above, that the operations and steps presented with respect to methods and techniques described herein are meant as exemplary and accordingly are not exhaustive. One may further appreciate that an alternate step order or fewer or additional steps may be implemented in particular embodiments. 
     Although the disclosure above is described in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the some embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but is instead defined by the claims herein presented.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20171211
Publication Date: 20200317
Grant Date: 20200317
Priority Date: 20170905
Inventors: WANG, PAUL X.
SUN, Hongcheng
LEHMANN, Alex J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F2203/0333", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03543", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0346", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03543", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03543", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69778962