Interchangeable Mouse Panels With Auto Button Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users need to purchase multiple computer mice to accommodate different applications, leading to high costs and the need for frequent re-programming when switching between devices.
Innovation Solution
A user input device with interchangeable panels that can be swapped to provide various button configurations, lighting layouts, and grip profiles, allowing the device to automatically detect and configure the new panel, linking functions to user-programmed settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user purchases multiple computer mice to accommodate different applications, then the adaptability to different usage scenarios is improved, but the cost increases and the device complexity for the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computer mouse is designed with interchangeable side panels that can be swapped to provide different button configurations, lighting layouts, and grip profiles. This allows a single mouse to perform multiple functions suitable for different applications such as word processing, gaming, and graphic design, eliminating the need for users to purchase multiple specialized mice for different tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The side panel assembly is segmented into separate interchangeable components that can be independently swapped. Each side panel contains specific buttons, lighting elements, and grip surfaces that can be customized by replacing just the panel rather than the entire mouse, allowing users to adapt the device to different usage scenarios without replacing the whole device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user switches between different computer mice, then the adaptability to different applications is improved, but the time required for re-programming increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different side panels are pre-configured with specific button functions, lighting layouts, and grip profiles optimized for different applications. When a user swaps to a particular side panel, the desired configuration is already in place, eliminating the need for re-programming. The system automatically detects the installed panel and loads the corresponding pre-programmed settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer mouse automatically detects which side panel is installed and self-configures by loading the appropriate button mappings and settings from its memory. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual re-programming when switching between different side panels, allowing users to quickly adapt to different applications without time-consuming configuration.
3Device complexity
If a single computer mouse is used for different applications, then the device complexity for the user is reduced, but the adaptability to different usage scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The computer mouse incorporates dynamically changeable side panels that can be swapped to alter the device's characteristics. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the mouse to adapt its button layout, lighting, and grip profile to match different usage scenarios, providing the versatility of multiple devices while maintaining a simple single-device approach for the user.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
According to various embodiments, there is provided a user input device including: a chassis including a socket configured to releasably receive a panel; a memory storing a plurality of button maps, wherein each button map of the plurality of button maps defines functions of at least one button of a respective panel of a plurality of panels, each of which being receivable in the socket; and a processor configured to read an identity code of the received panel, and further configured to identify a matching button map from the plurality of button maps based on the identity code, wherein the matching button map defines the functions of the at least one button of the received panel.