Computer mouse peripheral

Abstract

A computer pointing device including: a base portion with a lower surface adapted for sliding across a work surface, a spine portion, projecting substantially upward from said base portion and having a thumb-engaging surface on a first lateral side of the spine and at least one index fingertip and / or middle fingertip-engaging surface on a second lateral side of the spine opposing said first lateral side. A keyboard with an altered arrangement of function of keys, such as an enlarged or truncated or no spacebar or capable of an altered appearance in accordance with keys being re-mapped to sensors on a pointing device. A keyboard with a virtual screen display, which may be made semi-transparent by activating a sensor on a pointing device. A computer with a recess capable of accommodating a mouse device. A locked scrolling or zooming means, using any pointing device, in which scrolling or zooming in a defined direction is proportional to the distance travelled by the device, irrespective of direction of movement of the device.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to a computer pointing device. Similar known representative devices are generally considered to be "mouse", trackballs, touch screens, touchpads and the like, and are collectively considered to be pointing devices. Background technique [0002] Although the ancestor of the modern mouse was invented by Doug Engelbart more than 40 years ago, the first major commercial application was delayed until 1983, when the Apple Macintosh TM The invention of the computer just started. After a few years, this was replaced by Windows TM Followed by the widespread use of computer interfaces, the computer mouse and the Windows TM The computer interface is combined into an integral peripheral device. Despite this protracted gestation period and subsequent widespread commercial adoption, the basic design of the mouse has remained relatively unchanged from its inception. [0003] This stagnation in design is all the more surpri...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the device cannot be controlled by the user's thumb for movement alone, and is also not suitable for movement within a limited working area due to its relatively large size and manipulation mode.