Multi-mode pointing device and systems and methods using the pointing device

Abstract

An article includes a pointing device having a stationary tracking component; a base; and a keyboard arrangement. The keyboard arrangement is coupled to the base and is configured and arranged to move between at least a first position and a second position. When the keyboard arrangement is in the second position, the keyboard arrangement is capable of holding the pointing device stationary and has an aperture to expose the stationary tracking component of the pointing device. The pointing device, in a first mode, provides pointer control by movement on a track surface of the base and, in a second mode, provides pointer control using the stationary tracking component.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The patent applications claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/569,187, filed on May. 7, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The inventions are directed to pointing devices, such as a mouse, and systems and methods using the pointing devices. In addition, the inventions are directed to multi-mode pointing devices and systems and methods using the pointing devices.

BACKGROUND

Pointing devices, such as a mouse, track ball, or joystick, have been used for many years as an input for computers, terminals, consoles (such as game consoles), and other devices. Pointing devices typically include a mechanism for controlling a pointer on a screen and allow the user to move the pointer around the screen. The pointer can be an arrow, a cursor, or any other object. Often pointing devices also include one or more click buttons or other mechanisms that cause certain actions to take place when the click button is actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description, which is to be read in association with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one arrangement of a system, according to the inventions;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of an icontroller in an open position, according to the inventions;

FIG. 2B is an isometric view of a portion of the icontroller of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the icontroller in a closed position holding a pointing device, according to the inventions;

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of a pointing device in one mode, according to the inventions; and

FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of the pointing device in another mode, according to the inventions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventions are directed to pointing devices, such as a mouse, and systems and methods using the pointing devices. In particular, the present inventions are directed to multi-mode pointing devices and systems and methods of using the pointing devices.

The pointing device is typically coupled to a controller such as a computer, terminal, console (e.g., a game console), or the like. The controller can execute programs or connect to a provider, such as a server, a network, or the Internet, that executes or provides programs to the controller. Connection to the provider can be accomplished using any connection technology including, for example, wired or wireless networks or combinations thereof. For example, the pointing device may be used in conjunction with a console that connects to a service on the Internet that allows a user to play games or execute other applications over the Internet; either by direct communication with the Internet or by downloading the game or application from the Internet. One example of such a system is described in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/569,187, incorporated herein by reference. As another alternative, the pointing device can be used with a controller that has the game or application stored locally, for example, on a hard drive, or on removable media, such as a CD-ROM, cartridge, DVD, magnetic storage media, or the like.

The pointing device has multi-mode operation. In one mode, the pointing device provides pointer control by movement of the pointing device over a surface. In another mode, the pointing device is held stationary in position and pointer control is provided by a stationary tracking component, such as a touch pad or the like, disposed on the pointing device.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an arrangement for using the pointing device. The arrangement includes a server 208 coupled to the Internet 210 or other network. A controller 200 (for example, a computer, console, or terminal) is coupled to the Internet 210 (or network) for receiving information from the server 208. In alternative arrangements, the information is stored on the controller or provided by removable media, such as a CD-ROM, cartridge, DVD, magnetic storage media, or the like. The controller 200 can be coupled by wire to the Internet 210 or a network via a modem or other device, can be coupled wirelessly to the Internet or a network, or any combination thereof. The arrangement also includes a display 202, a keyboard 206, and a pointing device 204 (for example, a mouse or other input device such as a track ball, a joystick, a wheel, a pedal, a biometric sensor, a tactile feedback device, or the like) that are connected to the controller 200. A mouse will be exemplified herein as the pointing device 204.

The keyboard 206 and the pointing device 204 can be coupled to the controller 200 in any wired or wireless manner using any local communication protocol. The display 202 can be a high definition television, standard definition television, computer monitor, or the like.

The pointing device can be used in conjunction with a keyboard where both the mouse and keyboard are associated together as an icontroller. FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of an icontroller 300 in its open position and FIG. 2B illustrates an isometric view of a portion of the icontroller 300. FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the icontroller 300 in a closed position. Icontroller 300 includes a base 310 that is movably coupled by a hinge 312 to a keyboard support 320 and keyboard support arm 326. The keyboard support 320 can be moved between at least a first position (an open position) and a second position (a closed position). The base 310 and the keyboard support 320 rotate relative to each other about hinge 312. When the keyboard support 320 is extended to an open position from the base 310, a track surface 342 on the base 310 is available for moving a mouse 340.

The keyboard support 320 is coupled to a keyboard 330. Optionally, the keyboard 330 is rotationally coupled to the keyboard support such that the keyboard 330 can rotate in a plane substantially parallel to the keyboard support 320. The keyboard 330 can be rotated to any position convenient for a user, including swiveling 180 degrees for left handed use. The ability to swivel the keyboard is also useful when placing the icontroller 300 in the user's lap while seated. The keyboard 330 can be allowed to rotate freely at all times or can be fixed in one or more positions with a detent, a pin, a rotational friction brake, and the like. In other embodiments, the keyboard and keyboard support form a unitary piece. The keyboard support arm may also be part of the unitary piece.

The icontroller 300 can optionally include a biosensor 334 for detecting a characteristic of a user, such as a finger print and the like. To provide status information, a visual indicator 336, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and the like, can be optionally included with the icontroller 300. Other visual effects can also be included, such as backlighting of the keyboard 330, a light over the base 310, and the like. The icontroller 300 can also optionally include a navigation control, such as a 5-way navigation control 338. The navigation control 338 can be, for example, a set of related buttons, rocker switches, or mini-joystick used to navigate the user through a user interface of a software program.

The keyboard support arm 326 is rotationally coupled to the base 310 via the hinge 312. When the icontroller 300 is fully assembled, the keyboard support arm 326 is attached to the keyboard support 320. In one embodiment, the keyboard support arm 326 forms a channel and includes a cutout 328 through which a kickstand 314 can travel as keyboard support arm 326 is rotated relative to the base 310. The kickstand 314 rotates about a kickstand hinge 316 that is coupled to the base 310. The kickstand 314 can be allowed to rotate to a position that is slightly beyond perpendicular to the base 310 to a locking position. As the kickstand 314 rotates, a kickstand pin 318 travels in the channel formed by the keyboard support arm 326. When the keyboard support 320 is attached to the keyboard support arm 326, the kickstand pin 318 supports the keyboard support 320. Other configurations can be used, such as a pin in a track on a bottom surface of the keyboard support 320, a rack and pinion, a spring, a support rod, and the like.

The keyboard support 320 (or, alternatively, the keyboard 330) includes one or more extensions 362a, 362b, 362c. The extensions 362a, 362b, 362c cooperate so that when the keyboard support 320 is in the closed position, the mouse 340 can be held in a docked position by the extensions with at least a portion (or portions) of the mouse accessible. For example, two or more mouse holding members 362a, 362b, 362c, such as small rubberized nubs, plastic pins, or the like, can be set on or near the edge of the base 310 and on the keyboard support 320. When the icontroller 300 is closed, these mouse holding members are positioned so that the base of the mouse 340 (which, optionally, has concave sides) is firmly held between the mouse holding members. Portions of the base, keyboard support, or keyboard can also be used to hold the mouse in place. One or more of the extensions can include a latch that latches onto the mouse when the mouse is placed in the docked position. The latch can be manually or automatically disengaged to allow the mouse to be removed from the docked position.

In another embodiment, a single extension can be used that extends from the keyboard support or the keyboard to hold the pointing device. This extension can have an aperture that allows a portion or portions of the mouse to be accessible through the aperture. The aperture can be, for example, an opening in the extension so that the mouse is positioned within the opening with an upper region of the mouse extending out of the opening and the mouse held in place by the sidewalls of the opening. As another example, the keyboard support can include a more elaborate enclosure with sidewalls, pins, or the like extending from the bottom of the keyboard support to hold the mouse in place when in the closed position. As yet another example, the mouse may be held in place simply by being firmly held between the bottom surface of the keyboard support and the top surface of the base.

The extensions 362a, 362b, 362c can be in a fixed position relative to the remainder of the keyboard support 320. Alternatively, one or more of the extension(s) can be movable so that it can be moved out of the way when not in use. For example, the extension(s) can be rotatably or slidably coupled to the remainder of the keyboard support 320 so that, for example, the extension(s) can be rotated or slid beneath another portion of keyboard support or keyboard 330.

The base 310, keyboard support 320, keyboard 330, mouse 340 or another portion of the icontroller 300 also includes a switch that is actuated when the keyboard support moves between the open and closed positions. Actuation of the switch mechanism also switches the mouse operation between mouse modes, as described below. Any switch mechanism can be used including, for example, contact switches and optical switches. The switch mechanism is typically actuated automatically as the keyboard support is moved between the open and closed positions. Alternatively or additionally, the switch mechanism can be actuated manually.

In one embodiment, the switch mechanism is only fully actuated when the icontroller is closed and the mouse is in the docked position. In this embodiment, a single switch mechanism can be positioned to identify both conditions or two cooperative switches can be used; one to determine when the icontroller is closed and the other to determine if the mouse is in the docked position. This arrangement can allow the mouse to be used, if it is not docked, when the icontroller is in the closed position.

Optionally, one or more additional switch mechanisms can be included on the base 310, keyboard support 320, keyboard 330, mouse 340 or another portion of the icontroller 300 and operated manually. For example, a second switch mechanism can be positioned on the mouse 340 or keyboard 330 to allow a user, if desired, to switch modes even when the keyboard support does not move between open and closed positions.

In an alternative arrangement, change between the modes of the pointing device (e.g., mouse) occurs as the keyboard 330 is rotated from an original position parallel to the base 310 to a swiveled position. The switch is actuated by rotation of the keyboard to the swiveled position or back to the original position.

Turning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the mouse 340 includes a body 400, an optional cord 410, a stationary tracking component such as a touchpad 420, an optional left click button 430, an optional right click button 432, and a mechanism (not shown) such as an optical sensor or a rolling ball on the bottom of the mouse to track movement of the mouse over a surface so that the movement can be transferred to the pointer on the display. The optional cord 410 can provide wired connection between the mouse 340 and the icontroller 300 or, if the mouse is wirelessly connected, the cord can be used to couple the mouse to the icontroller so that the mouse is not lost or misplaced.

Any stationary tracking component, which controls movement of the pointer on the display when the mouse or other pointing device is held stationary, can be used. The touchpad 420 can be any touchpad configuration or the like including, but not limited to, touchpads that operate with capacitive, resistive, or optical modes of detection. Other stationary tracking components can be used instead of the touchpad such as, for example, a trackball or a j-mouse (a device, which in one embodiment looks like a small eraser, that responds to pressure applied by a finger.)

The optional left and right click buttons 430, 432 can be any type of click button including, but not limited to, buttons that operate by mechanical, electrical, or optical actuation. The optional left and right click buttons 430, 432 can be any shape and can be positioned anywhere on the body 400. Additional click buttons (not shown) can also be used, such as, for example, a central click button or a thumb-button on the side of the mouse. Another optional component is a scroll wheel (not shown) that can be placed anywhere on the mouse, although it is often positioned between the right and left click buttons.

The mouse 340 is configured to operate in at least two modes depending upon whether the keyboard support 320 is in the open or closed position (alternatively, the mode can be changed using an optional manual switch.) When the mouse is in a first mode (FIG. 4A), typically corresponding to the keyboard support 320 in the open position, the mouse 340 can be moved around the track surface 342 of the base 310 to control the pointer on the display. The touchpad 420 on the mouse 340 can have one or more active regions. Embodiments of the invention have one or more of active regions 422, 424, 426, as desired. Region 422 can be used, for example, as a left click button region. Tapping or touching this region 422 with a finger, stylus, or other object results in the same response by the controller 200 as actuating a left click button. Region 424 can be used, for example, as a right click button region. Tapping or touching this region 424 with a finger, stylus, or other object results in the same response by the controller 200 as actuating a right click button. Region 426 can be used as a scrolling section with up and down motion by a finger, stylus, or other object along region 426 resulting in up or down scrolling of information on the display. Alternatively, region 426 can be used as a center click button. Optionally, one or more of the regions 422, 424, 426 can be textured or colored to indicate the extent of the region and facilitate use by an operator. For example, both regions 422 and 424 can be textured or colored so that the user can rapidly determine where to tap or touch to generate a desired effect associated with a left or right click button, respectively. In one embodiment, touchpad 420 includes a liquid crystal display or other display that is used to indicate one or more of the regions 422, 424, 426 by color or graphics.

The mouse has a second mode (FIG. 4B), typically corresponding to the keyboard support 320 in the closed position with the mouse 340 captured within the extensions 362a, 362b, 362c and held stationary. In this mode, the touchpad 420 of the mouse 340 becomes the mechanism for pointer control based on movement of a finger, stylus, or other object along the touchpad. One or more of the regions 422, 424, 426 may no longer have the same function that they did in the first mode so that those regions can become part of a pointer control region 440. In one embodiment, the pointed control region includes the entire touchpad 420. Alternatively, regions 422, 424, or smaller subsections of those regions (for example, regions 422a, 424a of FIG. 4B), may still act as left or right click buttons respectively. Optional left and right click buttons 430, 432 can, instead, provide the left click and right click features of the mouse 340. An optional scroll wheel (not shown) can provide the scrolling function. In the embodiment described above with an aperture in the extension to access the mouse, the aperture may be large enough to expose the touchpad 420 and optional left and right click buttons 430, 432 or the aperture can include separate openings for the touchpad and left and right click buttons.

The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention also resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. An article comprising:

a pointing device comprising a stationary tracking component;

a base; and

a keyboard arrangement coupled to the base and configured and arranged to move between at least a first position and a second position, wherein, when the keyboard arrangement is in the second position, the keyboard arrangement is capable of holding the pointing device stationary and has an aperture to expose the stationary tracking component of the pointing device;

wherein the pointing device, in a first mode, provides pointer control by movement on a track surface of the base and, in a second mode, provides pointer control using the stationary tracking component.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the pointing device is a mouse.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the stationary tracking component is a touchpad.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the keyboard arrangement comprises a keyboard.

5. The article of claim 4, wherein the keyboard arrangement further comprises a keyboard support coupled to the keyboard.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the keyboard support is movably coupled to the base and configured and arranged to move the keyboard arrangement between the first position and the second position

7. The article of claim 5, wherein the keyboard is rotatably coupled to the keyboard support.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the keyboard is configured and arranged to rotate about the keyboard support between the first position and the second position.

9. The article of claim 3, wherein, in the first mode, a region of the touchpad of the pointing device is configured and arranged to perform a left click button function.

10. The article of claim 3, wherein, in the first mode, a region of the touchpad of the pointing device is configured and arranged to perform a right click button function.

11. The article of claim 3, wherein, in the first mode, a region of the touchpad of the pointing device is configured and arranged to perform a scrolling function.

12. The article of claim 1, wherein the pointing device further comprises a left click button.

13. The article of claim 12, wherein the aperture of the keyboard arrangement is configured and arranged to expose the left click button when the keyboard arrangement is in the second position.

14. The article of claim 1, wherein the pointing device further comprises a right click button.

15. The article of claim 14, wherein the aperture of the keyboard arrangement is configured and arranged to expose the right click button when the keyboard arrangement is in the second position.

16. The article of claim 1, further comprising a switch mechanism that is actuated as the keyboard arrangement moves between the first and second positions, wherein actuation of the switch mechanism puts the pointing device in the first mode if the keyboard arrangement is moved to the first position and puts the pointing device in the second mode if the keyboard arrangement is moved to the second position.

17. The article of claim 1, further comprising a manual switch mechanism that when actuated changes the pointing device between the first and second modes.

18. A system comprising:

a controller;

a display coupled to the controller to display information from the controller; and

an input device coupled to the controller, the input device comprising; a pointing device comprising a stationary tracking component, a base, and a keyboard arrangement coupled to the base and configured and arranged to move between at least a first position and a second position, wherein, when the keyboard arrangement is in the second position, the keyboard arrangement is capable of holding the pointing device stationary and has an aperture to expose the stationary tracking component of the pointing device, wherein the pointing device, in a first mode, provides pointer control by movement on a track surface of the base and, in a second mode, provides pointer control using the stationary tracking component.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the stationary tracking component is a touchpad.

20. A method of operating a pointing device, the method comprising:

moving a pointing device on a track surface of a base to control a pointer when a keyboard arrangement, movably coupled to the base, is in a first position; and

using a stationary tracking component disposed on the pointing device to control a pointer when the keyboard arrangement is in a second position in which the keyboard arrangement holds the pointing device stationary.

21-27. (canceled)