Device for controlling a computer having a hand and / or forearm support

Abstract

A device for controlling a computer via a user interface, wherein the device has the functions of a computer mouse, namely movement of a mouse pointer on the user interface, command input by calling up a button, and scrolling, wherein the scrolling and command input functions can be implemented using a touchscreen, and the device has a hand and / or forearm support, characterized in that a single runner (1) or two parallel connected runners (1) are each curved sinusoidally upwards in their end regions up to the region of the apex (2), and the lower curved region has a flat section (3), wherein the touchscreen (4) with scrolling and command input functions is arranged in one end region,the other end region has a support function for the forearm and in the flat section (3) there is an upwardly facing hand support (6) and a motion detection system (11) pointing downwards towards a support (9) for moving the runners (1) on the support (9) for controlling the mouse pointer.,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for controlling a computer via a graphical user interface, wherein the device has at least the functions of a computer mouse and has a hand and / or forearm support.

[0002] A computer mouse is essentially an input device for control commands on a graphical user interface.

[0003] The computer mouse is operated by placing one hand over the mouse and using the fingers to operate the corresponding buttons and / or a scroll wheel to trigger specific functions. At the same time, the computer mouse can be moved on a flat surface. This movement is recorded by a recognition system and transmitted to a user interface on a screen to move a mouse pointer. Commands in the operating system can thus be focused on a specific button on the screen's user interface.

[0004] The hand that is holding the computer mouse is in an ergometrically unfavorable position due to the height of the computer mouse, which can lead to muscle diseases.

[0005] For this reason, a number of developments have been made to provide additional vertical support for the hand or forearm.

[0006] Wrist rests are generally known as the bulge of a mouse pad and are also named as such in DE 101 12 140 A1, which further develops this bulge or elevation to provide forearm support.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 296 01 649 U1 discloses a wrist rest for a computer keyboard. It has rollers connected to the keyboard, on which the wrist or the ball of the hand can roll. Instead of being connected to the keyboard, it can also be connected to a mouse pad. In both cases, the rollers are mounted laterally in brackets and are elongated cylindrical in shape.

[0008] DE 20 2016 003 474 U1 describes a wrist rest for working with a computer mouse on a flat surface, which is formed by an elevation which compensates for the height difference between the computer mouse and the flat surface in an ergonomically favorable way for the wrist, wherein the elevation is arranged on a trolley whose rollers allow movement in all directions on the flat surface and wherein the rollers and / or the flat surface have a low-noise or noise-insulating coating or are made of such a material, or the elevation is arranged on a sliding carriage which has a sliding surface and / or sliding points which form a sliding pair with the flat surface, so that low-friction movement in all directions on the flat surface is possible.

[0009] US 2006 / 011 86 79 A1 describes a wrist rest for supporting the wrist of a person when working with a computer mouse on a flat surface, wherein the wrist rest is formed by an elevation which compensates for the height difference between the computer mouse and the flat surface in an ergonomically favorable manner for the wrist, wherein the elevation has an adjustable support surface for the wrist.

[0010] DE 10 2006 052 849 A1 proposes a semicircular bowl for resting the forearm when working with the computer mouse.

[0011] In WO 2017 / 202 402 A1, a device for supporting the wrist and / or forearm of a person while working with a computer mouse on a flat surface comprises a support frame having a height-adjustable support surface for the wrist and / or forearm and having sliding means or rollers for all-round movement on the flat surface. The support frame has legs arranged on both sides of the wrist and / or forearm. The legs on both sides are connected to one another at their upper ends by a textile fabric or leather to form the support surface. The sliding means or rollers are arranged on or in a lower connection of the legs. The lower connection of the legs can simultaneously be part of the support frame.

[0012] US 6 585 198 B2, US 6 932 304 B1 and WO 2007 / 067441 A2 describe hand and / or forearm rests that have receptacles for a computer mouse.

[0013] In US 2010 / 0090953 A1, a computer mouse can be coupled with a separate forearm rest.

[0014] The wrist rest according to DE 20 2016 005 317 U1 has a height adjustment.

[0015] What these solutions have in common is that they propose additional support for the hand or forearm while maintaining the computer mouse in its basic form described above.

[0016] Finally, reference should be made to US 2017 / 0249026 A1, in which a touchscreen takes over computer mouse functions.

[0017] The object of the invention is to combine the functions of the computer mouse and those of the support.

[0018] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0019] The device according to the invention for controlling a computer via a user interface, wherein the device has the functions of a computer mouse, namely movement of a mouse pointer on the user interface, command input by calling up a button and scrolling and which has a hand and / or forearm support, provides that a simple runner or two parallel connected runners are each curved sinusoidally upwards in their end areas up to the area of the apex and the lower curved area has a flat section, with a touchscreen with scroll and command input function being arranged in one end area, the other end area having a support function for the forearm and in the flat section there is an upward-facing hand support and a downward-facing a motion detection system facing the support is arranged for movement of the runners on the support to control the mouse pointer.

[0020] The device described thus breaks away from the previous principle of supplementing a computer mouse with a hand or forearm support, but reorganizes the corresponding functions in a uniform device.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the end section with the forearm support function is detachably connected to the flat section with the upward-facing hand support. This allows for a choice between hand support or hand and forearm support. Furthermore, this allows the device to be reduced in size for transport.

[0022] The runner(s) and the forearm support rest on the support via rollers or sliding elements. These can be the runners themselves or rollers or sliding points on the runners or the forearm support.

[0023] An advantageous embodiment provides for the hand support to be clicked or plugged onto the runner(s). This connection should be detachable and / or height-adjustable. Furthermore, one embodiment provides for the hand support to be connectable to the runner(s) at various positions along the length of the flat section. These measures create the conditions for personal adjustments, for example, based on body size.

[0024] Another design provides for the curved end section with the touchscreen to have a hinge for adjusting the position of the touchscreen relative to the end section. This also creates scope for individual adjustments.

[0025] The curved end area with the support function for the forearm is preferably a clamp for forearm support, which is connected to the runner(s).

[0026] The clamp can have a flat damping element that acts in the direction of the support.

[0027] In an alternative design, the curved end section with the support function for the forearm is formed by an elongated ring with a support surface for the forearm. Such a forearm support can be connected to the runner(s) or connectable, or even be formed by the runners themselves.

[0028] The curved end section, which supports the forearm, is preferably padded. This provides a warming effect and ensures pressure-absorbing support.

[0029] Another design also allows the hand rest to fill the entire space between the touchscreen and the end section with the forearm support function. The forearm padding can thus also be part of the hand rest, creating a seamless transition.

[0030] The invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 the basic structure of the device, Fig. 2 the loose connection between the hand and forearm support, Fig. 3 the cushioned forearm support, Fig. 4 a ring-shaped forearm support detachable, Fig. 5 a special design of the hand support and Fig. 6 a common padding of the hand and forearm support.

[0031] The Fig. The device shown in Figure 1 for controlling a computer via a user interface consists of a runner 1 which is curved sinusoidally upwards in its end regions up to the region of the apex 2 and the lower curved region has a flat section 3.

[0032] In an end area that is easily accessible with the fingers of a hand resting on the device, a touchscreen 4 with scrolling and command input functions is arranged.

[0033] The other end section provides support for the forearm and the flat section 3 contains an upward-facing hand support 6.

[0034] The hand support 6 further comprises a movement detection system 11 pointing downwards towards a support 9 for movement of the runner 1 on the support 9 for controlling a mouse pointer.

[0035] The device thus has the functions of a computer mouse, namely movement of a mouse pointer on the user interface, command input by calling up a button and scrolling, and at the same time it provides hand and forearm support.

[0036] The runner 1 and the forearm support 7 are supported on the support 9 by means of rollers 10 or sliding means, which can also be arranged on the hand support 6.

[0037] It is further shown that the end region with the support function for the forearm can be detachably connected to the flat section 3, which has the upwardly facing hand support 6, by means of the connection 12.

[0038] The forearm support 7 is formed here by a claw which is connected to the runner 1.

[0039] The hand support 6 is detachably attached to the runner 1. This is done by clicking it on or plugging it in. This can be done in various positions along the longitudinal direction of the flat section 3 of the runner 1.

[0040] The runner 1 can also be firmly connected to the hand support 6. This makes it possible to fill the entire area between the vertices 2 with the hand support and to extend the padding 8 from the forearm support 7 beyond the hand support.

[0041] In any case, it is advantageous if the hand support 6 is height adjustable.

[0042] For an optimal adjustment position, the touchscreen 4 is connected to the corresponding end area via a joint 5.

[0043] Fig. 2 shows the released connection between the hand and forearm support, so that now only the hand support 6 is used.

[0044] Fig. Figure 3 shows a forearm support 7, which is formed by a claw and provided with a damping element 12. The damping element is inserted flatly into the cross-section and acts in the direction of the support 9.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows an annular forearm support that is detachably connected to the flat section 3. This is an elongated ring 14, as shown, which has a support surface with padding 8 for the forearm. Such a ring 14 can also be formed by the runner 1 or the runners 1. Preferably, a detachable connection 12 is also provided here to provide alternatives and to enable reduction in size for transport purposes.

[0046] Fig. Figure 5 shows a special design of the hand support, namely that the hand support 6 is formed by a branch of the runner 1 or runners 1 that is guided upwards and then into a horizontal position. A forearm support 7 with support on the support 9 has been omitted. Instead, the end regions of the runners 1 on the side opposite the touchscreen 4 end somewhat extended in free space and serve as a forearm support.

[0047] Fig. 6 shows the same design, but here with a padding 8 that covers the hand and forearm support. List of reference symbols 1 runner 2 vertex 3 Level section 4 touchscreen 5 joint 6 Hand support 7 Forearm support 8 Upholstery 9th edition 10 rolls / lubricant 11 Motion detection system 12 Detachable connection 13 Damping element 14 stretched ring

Claims

[1] Device for controlling a computer via a user interface, wherein the device has the functions of a computer mouse, namely movement of a mouse pointer on the user interface, command input by calling up a button and scrolling, wherein the scrolling and command input functions can be implemented using a touchscreen, and the device has a hand and / or forearm support, characterized byin that a simple runner (1) or two parallel connected runners (1) are each curved sinusoidally upwards in their end regions up to the region of the apex (2) and the lower curved region has a flat section (3), wherein the touchscreen (4) with scrolling and command input function is arranged in one end region, the other end region has a support function for the forearm and in the flat section (3) there is an upwardly pointing hand support (6) and a movement detection system (11) pointing downwards onto a support (9) for moving the runners (1) on the support (9) for controlling the mouse pointer. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the end region with the support function for the forearm is detachably connected to the flat section (3) which has the upwardly facing hand support (6). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the runner (1) or the runners (1) and the forearm support (7) are supported on the support (9) by means of rollers (10) or lubricants. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the hand support (6) is arranged so as to be clickable or pluggable onto the runner (1) or the runners (1). [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by that the hand support (6) can be connected to the runner(s) (1) at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the flat section (3). [6] Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the connection between the runner(s) (1) and the hand support (6) is detachable. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the hand support (6) is formed by a branch of the runner (1) or runners (1) which is guided upwards and then into a horizontal position. [8] Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the curved end area with the touchscreen (4) has a joint (5) for changing the position of the touchscreen (4) relative to the end area. [9] Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the curved end region with the support function for the forearm has a clamp as forearm support (7) which is connected to the runner(s) (1). [10] Device according to claim 8, characterized by that the clamp has a flat damping element (13) which acts in the direction of the support (9). [11] Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the curved end region with the support function for the forearm is formed by an elongated ring (14) having a support surface for the forearm. Forearm support (7) which is connected to the runner(s) (1). [12] Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized bythat the curved end area with the support function for the forearm has a padding (9) for the forearm. [13] Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the hand support (6) is height adjustable. [14] Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the hand support (6) fills the entire space between the touchscreen (4) and the end area with the support function for the forearm. [15] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the padding (8) for the forearm is part of the hand support (6).

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