Patent Application
20240045512
A computer mouse is generally a hand-held device that detects two-dimensional (2D) motion relative to a surface. A computer mouse is an input device for a computer and the 2D motion detected by the mouse is input into the computer and used to control a pointer of a graphical user interface associated with the computer. There have been variations upon the original wired computer mouse including: wireless computer mice that transmit data to a computer via infrared radiation or radio; foldable computer mice; and ergonomic computer mice that are designed to increase comfort and avoid injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive strain injuries.
The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present a selection of concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
According to a first aspect there is a computer mouse module that includes a body having a front face, a lower side, and a lower front edge portion that extends between the lower side and the front face. The lower front edge portion includes a slope between the front face and the lower side. The computer mouse module includes a movement sensor held along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body. The movement sensor is configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along a tracking surface at at least two angular positions of a longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface.
The slope of the lower front edge portion may include a curvature.
The slope of the lower front edge portion may include a convexly curved path between the front face and the lower side of the body.
The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along the tracking surface: at a first angular position of the body relative to the tracking surface wherein the longitudinal axis of the body extends approximately parallel to the tracking surface; and at a second angular position of the body relative to the tracking surface wherein the longitudinal axis of the body extends at an approximate oblique angle relative to the tracking surface.
The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along the tracking surface over a range of approximately oblique angles of the longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface.
The body may include a foot extending along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body.
The body may include a foot extending along a convexly curved path along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body.
The body may include a physical connector for detachably attaching a handle portion to the body of the computer mouse module.
According to a second aspect there is a computer mouse module that includes a body extending a length from a rear to a front. The front of the body includes a front face. The front face is angled backwardly toward the rear of the body. The computer mouse module also includes at least one of a cable or a cable connector extending at the front face of the body.
The body may extend a height along a central height axis from a lower side of the body to an upper side of the body. The front face may extend from a lower edge of the front face toward an upper edge of the front face in a direction generally toward the central height axis of the body.
The body may extend a height along a central height axis from a lower side of the body to an upper side of the body. The front face may be angled between approximately 5° and approximately 20° relative to the central height axis.
The at least one of a cable or a cable connector may include a universal serial bus (USB) receptacle connector.
According to a third aspect there is a computer mouse module that includes a body extending a length from a rear to a front. The body includes a front face, a lower side, and a lower front edge portion that extends between the lower side and the front face. The lower front edge portion includes a slope between the front face and the lower side. The front face is angled backwardly toward the rear of the body. The computer mouse module includes a movement sensor held along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body. The movement sensor is configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along a tracking surface at at least two angular positions of a longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface. The computer mouse module includes at least one of a cable or a cable connector extending at the front face of the body.
The slope of the lower front edge portion may include a convexly curved path between the front face and the lower side of the body.
The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along the tracking surface: at a first angular position of the body relative to the tracking surface wherein the longitudinal axis of the body extends approximately parallel to the tracking surface; and at a second angular position of the body relative to the tracking surface wherein the longitudinal axis of the body extends at an approximate oblique angle relative to the tracking surface.
The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along the tracking surface over a range of approximately oblique angles of the longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface.
The body may include a foot extending along a convexly curved path along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body.
The body may extend a height along a central height axis from the lower side of the body to an upper side of the body. The front face may be angled between approximately 5° and approximately 20° relative to the central height axis.
The at least one of a cable or a cable connector may include a universal serial bus (USB) receptacle connector.
The body may include a physical connector for detachably attaching a handle portion to the body of the computer mouse module.
Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.
The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present examples are constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the examples and the sequence of operations for constructing and operating the examples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and/or the like are used to describe implementations of the present application, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper side becomes a lower side if the structure is flipped 180°, becomes a left side or a right side if the structure is pivoted 90°, etc.
Ergonomic mice are designed to avoid injuries but may not provide an accessible design suitable for use by someone who has a limitation in their motor skills which may occur for a wide variety of reasons, such as neurological disorders like Cerebral Palsy and Parkinson's disease. The examples described below are not limited to implementations which solve any or all of the disadvantages of known mice.
Certain implementations provide a computer mouse module that includes a body having a front face, a lower side, and a lower front edge portion that extends between the lower side and the front face. The lower front edge portion includes a slope between the front face and the lower side. The computer mouse module includes a movement sensor held along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body. The movement sensor is configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along a tracking surface at at least two angular positions of a longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface.
Certain implementations provide a mouse module that is adaptable to a user's particular needs. For example, by providing a mouse module that is functional to detect movement along a tracking surface at at least two longitudinal angular positions of a body of the mouse module relative to the tracking surface, the user can select an angular position that suits the user from among different functional angular positions provided by the mouse module. For example, a user may select an angular position of the mouse module that is adapted for the user's needs, hand-size, hand strength, hand shape, finger strength, finger shape, and/or the like. Moreover, and for example, a user may select an angular position of the mouse module that provides an ergonomic benefit to the user, increases the user's comfort while using the mouse module, and/or decreases the likelihood of injury (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, other repetitive strain injuries, etc.) resulting from use of the mouse module. In another example, an angular position of the mouse module may be selected to increase accessibility, for example: to accommodate a particular (e.g., custom, bespoke, specialized, etc.) handle portion; for a user who has a motor skill limitation (e.g., neurological disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson's disease, etc.); to enable the mouse module to be controlled with a foot, elbow, head, chin, residual limb, and/or the like; to accommodate user's having relatively less strength, movement, and/or dexterity in their arms, hands, fingers, and/or the like; etc.
Certain implementations provide a computer mouse module that includes a body extending a length from a rear to a front. The front of the body includes a front face. The front face is angled backwardly toward the rear of the body. The computer mouse module also includes at least one of a cable or a cable connector extending at the front face of the body.
Certain implementations increase the flexibility of a mouse module. For example, the backward angle of the front face toward the rear of the body of the mouse module enables the mouse module to be used at oblique longitudinal angular positions while a cable extends from the front face of the mouse module. At least some known mice are not functional at longitudinal angles that are non-parallel to the tracking surface when a cable is connected or hardwired to the mouse. For example, the end of the cable that is connected or hardwired to at least some known mice will engage in physical contact with (e.g., abut, bump, push, contact, etc.) the tracking surface, and thereby inhibit movement and/or function of the mouse, when the mouse is tilted forward into an oblique longitudinal angular position relative to the tracking surface. However, the backward angle of the front face disclosed herein enables a mouse module to function with a cable extending from the front face even when a longitudinal axis of the mouse module is angled approximately obliquely relative to the tracking surface. For example, the backward angle of the front face prevents the cable from engaging in physical contact with the tracking surface when the body of the mouse module is tilted forward into an oblique longitudinal angular position.
In the exemplary implementation shown in
The mouse module 10 may be powered by any suitable power source(s) that enables the mouse module 10 to function as described and/or illustrated herein, such as, but not limited to, one or more batteries (e.g., rechargeable batteries, disposable batteries, permanent batteries, removable batteries, etc.), a wired connection (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) connection, a cable that is hard-wired to the mouse module 10, an electrical connector for removable connection to a cable, etc.) for receiving power from a power supply (e.g., a computer, a tablet, a phone, a portable electronic device, a wall outlet, etc.), one or more capacitors and/or one or more super capacitors that use motion of the mouse module 10 to generate a charge that is stored in the capacitor(s) and/or super capacitor(s) to power the mouse module 10. In some implementations, in addition or alternatively to a wired connection that provides power to the mouse module 10, the mouse module 10 includes a wired connection (e.g., a USB connection, a cable that is hard-wired to the mouse module 10, an electrical and/or optical connector for removable connection to a cable, etc.) for transmitting data between the mouse module 10 and the connected device. In one example, the wired connection is a USB connection and the mouse module 10 includes a USB transceiver and/or the like. In addition or alternatively to a wired connection, the mouse module 10 may wirelessly communicate data with the connected device, such as, but not limited to, using Bluetooth®, WiFi®, a cellular network, infrared radiation, radio signals, and/or the like.
As will be described below, the body 12 and the movement sensor 14 of the mouse module 10 are configured such that the mouse module 10 is functional to detect movement along the tracking surface 20 at at least two longitudinal angular positions of the body 12 relative to the tracking surface 20. The body 12 extends a length along a longitudinal axis 26 from a rear 28 of the body 12 to a front 30 of the body 12. The body 12 extends a height along a central height axis 32 from a lower side 34 of the body 12 to an upper side 36 of the body 12. The front 30 of the body 12 includes a front face 38 of the body 12. The front of the body 12 also includes a lower front edge portion 40 that extends between the lower side 34 and the front face 38 of the body 12. For example, as shown in
As shown in
Although the exemplary implementation shown in
Optionally, the body 12 of the mouse module 10 includes one or more feet 44 that extend along the slope 40a of the lower front edge portion 40. Each foot 44 provides a contact point at which the body 12 of the mouse module 10 engages in physical contact with (e.g., rests on, pressed against, held over, held on, etc.) the tracking surface 20. In addition to extending along the slope 40a as described above, one or more of the feet 44 optionally extend along a portion of the lower side 34. The body 12 optionally includes one or more feet 46 that extend more rearward along the body 12 as compared to the feet 44. In some implementations (e.g., implementations that do not include any feet 44, the implementations shown in
Each foot 44 extends along a complementary path with the segment of the slope along which the foot 44 extends. In other words, the path of each foot 44 follows the profile of the path of the corresponding segment of the slope 40a. In the exemplary implementation shown in
As can be seen in
As described above, the mouse module 10 is functional to detect movement thereof along the tracking surface 20 in the approximately parallel angular position shown in
As shown in
In the exemplary implementation of the mouse module 10, the movement sensor 14 is also configured to detect movement of the mouse module 10 along the tracking surface in the longitudinal angular position of the mouse module 10 shown in
The slope 40a of the lower front edge portion 40 and the position of the movement sensor 14 therealong thus enable the mouse module 10 as functional to detect movement along the tracking surface 20 at at least two longitudinal angular positions of the body 12 relative to the tracking surface 20 (e.g., the longitudinal angular positions shown in
Although only two approximately obliquely angled positions are shown herein (i.e., the positions shown in
The mouse module 10 is adaptable to a user's particular needs. For example, because the mouse module 10 is functional to detect movement along the tracking surface 20 at at least two longitudinal angular positions of the body 12 relative to the tracking surface 20, the user can select an angular position that suits the user from among the different angular positions provided by the slope 40a. For example, a user may select an angular position of the mouse module 10 that is adapted for the user's needs, hand-size, hand strength, hand shape, finger strength, finger shape, and/or the like. Moreover, and for example, a user may select an angular position of the mouse module 10 that provides an ergonomic benefit to the user, increases the user's comfort while using the mouse module 10, and/or decreases the likelihood of injury (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, other repetitive strain injuries, etc.) resulting from use of the mouse module 10. In another example, an angular position of the mouse module 10 may be selected to increase accessibility, for example: to accommodate a particular (e.g., custom, bespoke, specialized, etc.) handle portion; for a user who has a motor skill limitation (e.g., neurological disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson's disease, etc.); to enable the mouse module to be controlled with a foot, elbow, head, chin, residual limb, and/or the like; to accommodate user's having relatively less strength, movement, and/or dexterity in their arms, hands, fingers, and/or the like; etc.
In some examples of the adaptability of the mouse module 10 to user needs, the slope 40a of the lower front edge portion 40 enables the attachment of a handle portion (not shown in
The handle portions 362 and 462 shown in
The physical connectors 358, 360, 458, and 460 respectively shown in
Referring again to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The backward angle 74 of the front face 38 of the mouse module 10 increases the flexibility of the mouse module 10. For example, the backward angle 74 of the front face 38 enables the mouse module 10 to be used at oblique longitudinal angular positions while the cable 66 is connected to the connector 64 of the mouse module 10. At least some known mice are not functional at longitudinal angles that are non-parallel to the tracking surface when a cable is connected or hardwired to the mouse. For example, the end of the cable that is connected or hardwired to at least some known mice will engage in physical contact with (e.g., abut, bump, push, contact, etc.) the tracking surface, and thereby inhibit movement and/or function of the mouse, when the mouse is tilted forward into an oblique longitudinal angular position relative to the tracking surface. However, the backward angle 74 of the front face 38 enables the mouse module 10 to function with the cable 66 connected to the connector 64 even when the longitudinal axis 26 is angled approximately obliquely relative to the tracking surface 20. For example, the backward angle 74 of the front face 38 changes the angle at which an end 76 of the cable 66 extends outward from the front face 38 (e.g., as compared to at least some known mice, etc.) such that the cable end 76 does not engage in physical contact with the tracking surface 20 when the body 12 of the mouse module 10 is tilted forward into an oblique longitudinal angular position.
For example,
The value of the backward angle 74 of the front face 38 of the body 12 may be selected, for example: to provide a predetermined range of oblique longitudinal angular positions within which the mouse module 10 is configured to function while a cable is removably connected and/or hardwired thereto; to provide a maximum angle of an oblique longitudinal angular position in which the mouse module 10 is capable of functioning while a cable is removably connected and/or hardwired thereto; etc.
Referring now to
The input device 610 may be powered by any suitable power source(s) that enables the input device 610 to function as described and/or illustrated herein, such as, but not limited to, one or more batteries (e.g., rechargeable batteries, disposable batteries, permanent batteries, removable batteries, etc.), a wired connection (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) connection, a cable that is hard-wired to the mouse module 10, an electrical connector for removable connection to a cable, etc.) for receiving power from a power supply (e.g., a computer, a tablet, a phone, a portable electronic device, a wall outlet, etc.), one or more capacitors and/or one or more super capacitors that use motion of the input device 610 to generate a charge that is stored in the capacitor(s) and/or super capacitor(s) to power the input device 610. In some implementations, in addition or alternatively to a wired connection that provides power to the input device 610, the input device 610 includes a wired connection (e.g., a USB connection, a cable that is hard-wired to the input device 610, an electrical and/or optical connector for removable connection to a cable, etc.) for transmitting data between the input device 610 and the connected device. In one example, the wired connection is a USB connection and the input device 610 includes a USB transceiver and/or the like. In addition or alternatively to a wired connection, the input device 610 may wirelessly communicate data with the connected device, such as, but not limited to, using Bluetooth®, WiFi®, a cellular network, infrared radiation, radio signals, and/or the like.
As best seen in
Referring now to
The input elements 680 may be installed to the input device 610 over the switch array 614 using any type of connection, such as, but not limited to, an interference fit, a snap fit, a latch, a clip, a pin, a threaded fastener, and/or the like.
The functions of the inputs 682 of each input element 680 are mapped to the corresponding switch(es) 678 that are activated by manipulation of the input 682 into physical contact with the corresponding switch(es) 678, for example using software (e.g., accessed via a graphical user interface (GUI) on the connected device, etc.) such as, but not limited to, an application, a macro, and/or the like. For example, each input 682 of an input element 680 installed to the input device 610 is mapped to a corresponding action such that when the input 682 is manipulated to activate the corresponding switch(es) 678, the input device 610 transmits the action to the connected device. In other words, as different input elements 680 are installed to the input device 610, the functions of the input device 610 are configured to match the functions of the particular input element 680 installed thereto.
As described above, examples of various inputs 682 that may be included on the various input elements 680 include, but are not limited to, buttons (e.g., the buttons 686 shown in
As described above, the various input elements 680 include different configurations, layouts, geometries, sizes, physical designs, and/or the like of the inputs 682. Examples of configurations, layouts, geometries, sizes, physical designs, and/or the like of the input elements 680 include, but are not limited to, an 8-way joystick, a 4-way joystick, a 2-way vertical rocker switch, a 2-way horizontal rocker switch, an 8-way d-pad, a 4-way d-pad, a single button, two buttons, four buttons, eight buttons, and/or the like. The configurations, layouts, geometries, sizes, physical designs, and/or the like of the input elements 680 shown and/or described herein are meant as exemplary only. In other words, the configurations, layouts, geometries, sizes, physical designs, and/or the like of the input elements 680 shown and/or described herein are non-limiting examples of input elements that may be installed to the input device 610. Any other configuration, layout, geometry, size, physical design, and/or the like of an input element may be configured to be installed to the input device 610, for example to meet the preferences and/or specific needs of one or more users.
For example,
As shown in
Another implementation of a joystick input 682f is shown in
As shown in
The input device 610 is adaptable to a user's particular needs. For example, users are able to create, select, adapt, and/or customize the functionality of the input element 680 to match the user's specific needs. For example, a user may create and/or select an input element 680 that is adapted for the user's needs, hand-size, hand strength, hand shape, finger strength, finger shape, and/or the like. Moreover, and for example, a user may create and/or select an input element 680 that provides an ergonomic benefit to the user, increases the user's comfort while using the input device 610, and/or decreases the likelihood of injury (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, other repetitive strain injuries, etc.) resulting from use of the input device 610. In another example, a particular input element 680 may be selected and/or created to increase accessibility, for example: to accommodate a particular (e.g., custom, bespoke, specialized, etc.) input element 680; for a user who has a motor skill limitation (e.g., neurological disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson's disease, etc.); to enable the input device 610 to be controlled with a foot, elbow, head, chin, residual limb, and/or the like; to accommodate user's having relatively less strength, movement, and/or dexterity in their arms, hands, fingers, and/or the like; etc.
In some implementations, one or more input elements 680 is fabricated using three-dimensional (3D) printing, an additive manufacturing technique, a rapid manufacturing technique, and/or another technique that forms an input element 680 by adding material or removing material. 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and techniques may enable ease of prototyping and a custom mouse input element 680 design for an individual user.
In addition or alternative to what is described above, the functionality described for a mouse module and/or an input device is performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components contained within the mouse module and/or input device. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that are optionally used include Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-Specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-On-a-Chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) and Computer Processing Units (CPUs). The one or more hardware logic components are operable to receive and transmit data between components of the mouse module and/or input device. The one or more hardware logic components may be further operable to control the receiving and transmission of data between components within the mouse module and/or input device and components within a handle portion using one or more protocols. In this manner, devices within the handle portion may be controlled by the one or more hardware logic components. If a handle portion comprises one or more sensors, data collected from such one or more sensors may be transmitted to the one or more hardware logic components. The one or more hardware logic components may be yet further operable to receive and transmit data between components within the mouse module and/or input device and a connected computer.
The following examples describe further aspects:
In one example, a computer mouse module comprises a body comprising a front face, a lower side, and a lower front edge portion that extends between the lower side and the front face. The lower front edge portion comprises a slope between the front face and the lower side. A movement sensor held along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body. The movement sensor is configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along a tracking surface at at least two angular positions of a longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface.
The slope of the lower front edge portion may comprise a curvature.
The slope of the lower front edge portion may comprise a convexly curved path between the front face and the lower side of the body.
The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along the tracking surface: at a first angular position of the body relative to the tracking surface wherein the longitudinal axis of the body extends approximately parallel to the tracking surface; and at a second angular position of the body relative to the tracking surface wherein the longitudinal axis of the body extends at an approximate oblique angle relative to the tracking surface.
The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along the tracking surface over a range of approximately oblique angles of the longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface.
The body may comprise a foot extending along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body.
The body may comprise a foot extending along a convexly curved path along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body.
The body may comprise a physical connector for detachably attaching a handle portion to the body of the computer mouse module.
In one example, a computer mouse module comprises a body extending a length from a rear to a front. The front of the body includes a front face. The front face is angled backwardly toward the rear of the body. At least one of a cable or a cable connector extends at the front face of the body.
The body extends a height along a central height axis from a lower side of the body to an upper side of the body. The front face may extend from a lower edge of the front face toward an upper edge of the front face in a direction generally toward the central height axis of the body.
The body extends a height along a central height axis from a lower side of the body to an upper side of the body. The front face may be angled between approximately 5 and approximately 20 relative to the central height axis.
The at least one of a cable or a cable connector may comprise a universal serial bus (USB) receptacle connector.
In one example, a computer mouse module comprises a body extending a length from a rear to a front. The body comprises a front face, a lower side, and a lower front edge portion that extends between the lower side and the front face. The lower front edge portion comprises a slope between the front face and the lower side. The front face is angled backwardly toward the rear of the body. A movement sensor is held along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body. The movement sensor is configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along a tracking surface at at least two angular positions of a longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface. At least one of a cable or a cable connector extends at the front face of the body.
The slope of the lower front edge portion may comprise a convexly curved path between the front face and the lower side of the body.
The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along the tracking surface: at a first angular position of the body relative to the tracking surface wherein the longitudinal axis of the body extends approximately parallel to the tracking surface; and at a second angular position of the body relative to the tracking surface wherein the longitudinal axis of the body extends at an approximate oblique angle relative to the tracking surface.
The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the computer mouse module along the tracking surface over a range of approximately oblique angles of the longitudinal axis of the body relative to the tracking surface.
The body may comprise a foot extending along a convexly curved path along the slope of the lower front edge portion of the body.
The body extends a height along a central height axis from the lower side of the body to an upper side of the body. The front face may be angled between approximately 5 and approximately 20 relative to the central height axis.
The at least one of a cable or a cable connector may comprise a universal serial bus (USB) receptacle connector.
The body may comprise a physical connector for detachably attaching a handle portion to the body of the computer mouse module.
The term ‘computer’ or ‘computing-based device’ is used herein to refer to any device with processing capability such that it executes instructions. Those skilled in the art will realize that such processing capabilities are incorporated into many different devices and therefore the terms ‘computer’ and ‘computing-based device’ each include personal computers (PCs), servers, mobile telephones (including smart phones), tablet computers, set-top boxes, media players, games consoles, personal digital assistants, wearable computers, and many other devices.
Various functions of the mouse modules and/or input devices disclosed herein may be performed, in some examples, by software using one or more processors (not shown; e.g., microprocessors, etc.) for processing computer executable instructions. In some implementations, platform software comprising an operating system and/or any other suitable platform software is provided on the mouse modules and/or input devices disclosed herein to enable application software to be executed thereon. Computer executable instructions are provided using any computer-readable media. Computer-readable media include, for example and without limitation, computer storage media and communications media. Computer storage media, such as a memory, include volatile and non-volatile, removable, and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or the like. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing apparatus. In contrast, communication media embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and/or the like in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave and/or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media do not include communication media. Therefore, a computer storage medium should not be interpreted to be a propagating signal per se. Propagated signals per se are not examples of computer storage media.
As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.
Any range or value given herein can be extended or altered without losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilled person.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one implementation or can relate to several implementations. The implementations are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.
The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the present application illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the application can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation (e.g., different steps, etc.) is within the scope of aspects and implementations of the application.
The term “comprising” is used in this specification to mean including the feature(s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there can be additional elements other than the listed elements. In other words, the use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items. Accordingly, and for example, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, implementations “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property can include additional elements not having that property. Further, references to “one implementation” or “an implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of”.
When introducing elements of aspects of the application or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. In other words, the indefinite articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” Accordingly, and for example, as used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps.
The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.” The phrase “and/or”, as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one implementation, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another implementation, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another implementation, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of or “exactly one of” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of” only one of or “exactly one of” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements.
Having described aspects of the application in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the application as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the application, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described implementations (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various implementations of the application without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various implementations of the application, the implementations are by no means limiting and are example implementations. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various implementations of the application should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This written description uses examples to disclose the various implementations of the application, including the best mode, and also to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various implementations of the application, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various implementations of the application is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/370,492, entitled “COMPUTER MOUSE MODULE,” filed on Aug. 4, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63370492 | Aug 2022 | US |
