System and method of adjusting display characteristics of a displayable data file using an ergonomic computer input device
US6281881A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04806
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An ergonomic pointing device, such as a mouse, includes a wheel to provide an input signal in addition to X and Y position signals provided by a rotatable ball of a standard mouse. The wheel extends from an upper surface of the pointing device and may be rotated and depressed by the finger of the user, the wheel being positioned and configured to allow a user to activate the wheel while maintaining a finger in a biomechanically neutral position. The wheel and associated structure, as well as the forces required to rotate and depress the wheel, are configured to reduce inadvertent actuation and to provide a user with tactile feedback, thereby allowing the user to accurately and intuitively activate the pointing device without exceeding an acceptable extension and range of motion for the user's finger and wrist. The mouse is coupled to a computer having a visual display device. The computer is capable of displaying a data file such as a word processing or spreadsheet document, where the data file has adjustable display characteristics such as size (zoom) or data structure (content). As a user rotates the roller, the mouse generates computer signals that are interpreted by an operatin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.