Computer Mouse Grip Detection for Left- and Right-Handed Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer mice do not efficiently accommodate left and right-handed users, leading to increased risk of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) due to prolonged use in a single mode.
Innovation Solution
A computer mouse with integrated sensors that automatically detect the user's mode of operation, adjusting the input signals to match the detected grip, ensuring seamless operation whether left or right-handed, and incorporating a flexible hinge area to maintain a seamless touchpad surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mouse is designed for single-handed use (left or right), then the button arrangement can be optimized for that specific hand, but the user cannot easily switch between hands, increasing RSI risk
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse employs asymmetric button arrangements on each side of the device. The left side has buttons configured for left-handed operation, while the right side has buttons configured for right-handed operation. This asymmetric design allows the mouse to be optimally adapted to either hand while maintaining the ability to switch between handedness modes, resolving the contradiction between operation optimization and handedness flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mouse uses a pivotable cable attachment to switch between left and right handed modes, then handedness flexibility is improved, but the mechanical complexity and potential points of failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pivotable cable attachment system with an optical sensing system. Sensors detect the user's grip orientation (left or right hand) and automatically configure the button mappings accordingly. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts for mode switching, reducing device complexity and potential failure points while maintaining full handedness flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If the mouse provides separate button sets for left and right hands, then ease of operation for each hand is improved, but accidental activation of wrong buttons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse incorporates sensors that continuously monitor which hand is gripping the device and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically activates only the appropriate button set (left or right side buttons) and disables the other. This feedback mechanism ensures that only buttons relevant to the current user's hand are responsive, eliminating accidental activation of wrong buttons while maintaining hand-specific optimization.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A computer mouse has a mouse button face with at least one mouse button for operation by a finger of a user and a thumb face opposite of the mouse button face for engagement by a thumb of that user. At least one sensor is provided for detecting a mode of operation by a user. In a first detected mode of operation, a displacement operation by a user causes a user interface display of a computer system to show a movement in a direction in a displayed image. In a second detected mode of operation, the same displacement operation by a user causes the user interface display to show a different movement in a different direction in the displayed image. Also described is a mouse with a touchpad surface area partially located between mouse buttons, partially overlapping the buttons and partially in flexible hinge areas of caps of the buttons.