ES1265614U - SIGNALING DEVICE FOR COMPUTER MACHINES (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Signaling device (1) for computer machines, of the type comprising a surface displacement detector (2), one or more pushbuttons (3, 3'), a power and control electronics (4), and a connection (5) with the computing device; characterized in that the displacement detector (2) is mounted on a support (6) comprising an annular socket (7) in a manner adapted to that of a carrier finger (99). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

SIGNALING DEVICE FOR COMPUTER MACHINES

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a pointing device for computer machines, which is used to handle the cursor and make selections in a similar way to a mouse or touchpad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, the interactivity between computer machines and the user of these through graphical interface has become generalized. This interface shows on a screen a series of graphic elements (texts, icons, figures, lines, etc.) that can be selected by placing a cursor on them and pressing them. The signaling device par excellence is the well-known computer mouse, although in certain computer machines there are touchpads, or plates that are sensitive to the touch, with pushbuttons at their ends, which are also well known.

The problem with touchpads is that they are too small, since they normally share desktop space with the keyboard in laptops, and although they are operated with the fingers, simply the part of the finger that rests on the touchpad occupies a lot of surface on it, certainly much greater than a point and there is no precision in specific selections.

For this reason, the use of mice is generally preferred; although they do not have great precision either because their movement is handled with medium or large joints (wrist or elbow of the user), so fine precision in certain markings may not be enough.

In connection with the invention, it is known that the general configuration of a mouse comprises a movement detector on a flat surface or a mouse pad. (usually an LED emitter and two-axis optical detectors to detect variations in the light reflected by the surface during movement), one or more pushbuttons, power and control electronics, and a connection (wired or wireless) with the device computerized, so that the variations in incidence of the reflected light are translated by the power electronics (to feed the LED emitter) and control into data interpretable by the computer machine as movements, which are replicated on the screen in the form of movements of the cursor so that the user can see where he is pointing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The signaling device for computer machines of the invention is of the type that comprises a detector of displacement on a surface (usually an LED emitter and optical detectors in two axes to detect variations in the light reflected by the surface during movement), one or more pushbuttons, a power and control electronics and a connection (wired or wireless) with the computing device; where according to the invention, the displacement detector is mounted on a support comprising an annular socket in a shape adapted to that of a user's carrying finger.

In this way, the displacement detector is fixed to the carrier finger, usually the heart or ring finger, an anatomical part of people that contains the smaller joints of the upper extremities, and the precision is much higher, since it is also the more precise joints of the body. This allows the pointing device to be handled with the best possible precision and even to employ displacement detectors with higher resolution and accuracy.

In addition, the space required for moving the pointing device is reduced compared to a conventional mouse, making it more practical in reduced work spaces (small tables) without loss of precision, quite the opposite.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1.- Shows a view of the signaling device of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a side view of the signaling device of the invention placed in a hand, with the fingers of the push buttons separated, for better appreciation.

Figure 3.- Shows a front view of the support where the displacement detector is arranged, placed on the middle finger.

Figure 4.- Shows a side view of the signaling device of the invention placed in a hand, with the fingers of the push buttons placed next to them, during use.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The signaling device (1) for computer machines of the invention is of the type that comprises (see figs. 1 and 4) a detector (2) of movement on a surface (100), one or more buttons (3, 3 '), a power and control electronics (4) and a connection (5) (a bluetooth® wireless module in this case, although it could also be a wired connection) with the computing device, not shown; where according to the invention, the displacement detector (2) is mounted on a support (6) comprising an annular socket (7) adapted to that of a carrier finger (99) (see also fig. 3) .

Preferably, the annular socket (7) is made of rigid and somewhat elastic material, since better fixation - and more rigid - to the finger is achieved, which is necessary to achieve maximum precision. Said annular fitting (7) may comprise (continue with fig. 3) an opening (70) for adjustment by clamping the carrier finger (99) due to the elasticity -and adjustment- of the material. Furthermore, it is preferred that the annular socket (7) comprises an inner lining (71) of soft and / or elastic material so that prolonged use is not uncomfortable.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the device (1) comprises at least one button (3, 3 ') arranged on the support (6), in a position adjacent to the annular socket (7) so that it is easily accessible by means of the finger of the user adjacent to the one that is fixed in said annular socket (7), achieving an arrangement that is as ergonomic as possible. Ideally, it may comprise at least one first button (3) arranged adjacent to the left of the annular socket (7) -from the user's point of view- for right-handed users and vice versa for left-handed users and / or a second button (3 ') oriented to the left -from the user's point of view- for right-handed users and vice versa for left-handed users parallel to the surface, for the thumb (98).

For its part, it is preferred that the power and control electronics (4) be mounted, in whole or in part, in a module (40) physically separated from the support (6) (interconnected by cable (22) or wireless link ) so that the part attached to the finger is as light as possible, and therefore comfortable and precise. For example, the module (40) may comprise means of fixing the back of the hand or the wrist, since it is an area close to the rest of the device and is comfortable, and does not influence or interfere with the movement of the fingers or the support. (6). Said fixing means to the back of the hand or wrist ideally comprise a wrist strap, not shown, or glove (9), in the upper part of which the module (40) is fixed by means of a magnet or adhesive loop, for example, since in this way It can be placed quickly, simply by wearing the glove, without the need to adjust straps or the like, these means that are not excluded either. Said glove (9) will preferably comprise an opening (90) for the finger to which the annular socket (7) of the support (6) of the displacement detector (2) is fixed, precisely seeking the most rigid possible fixation to it. Likewise, it may lack the fingers or the tips of the fingers that are considered necessary, to improve the touch on the surface and / or the buttons.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, it is indicated that the description of the invention and its preferred embodiment should be interpreted in a non-limiting manner, and that it encompasses all of the possible embodiment variants that may be deduced from the content of this report. and claims.

Claims (11)

1. -Signaling device (1) for computer machines, of the type comprising a detector (2) of movement on a surface, one or more pushbuttons (3, 3 '), a power supply and control electronics (4), and a connection (5) with the computing device; characterized in that the displacement detector (2) is mounted on a support (6) comprising an annular socket (7) in a manner adapted to that of a carrier finger (99). 2. -Signaling device (1) for computer machines according to claim 1, where the annular fitting (7) is made of rigid and elastic material. 3. -Signaling device (1) for computer machines according to claim 2, wherein the annular fitting (7) comprises an opening (70). 4. -Signaling device (1) for computer machines according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the annular socket (7) comprises an inner lining (71) of soft or elastic material. 5. The device (1) signaling to computer machines according to any of the preceding claims, comprising, at the least one button (3, 3 ') arranged on the support (6), adjacently to the annular socket (7). 6. The device (1) signaller computer machines according to claim 5, comprising, at the least, a first actuator (3) arranged adjacent to the left of the annular socket (7) for right - handed users, and vice versa for left - handed users. 7. The device (1) signaller computer machine according to claim 5 or 6 further comprising a second pushbutton (3 ') oriented left - handed users and left - handed users viceversa to parallel to the surface, thumb ( 98). 8. -Signaling device (1) for computer machines according to any of the preceding claims where the power and control electronics (4) are located mounted, in whole or in part, in a module (40) physically separated from the support (6). 9. -Signaling device (1) for computer machines according to claim 8 wherein the module (40) comprises means of attachment to the back of the hand or wrist. 10. -Signaling device (1) for computer machines according to claim 9, wherein the means of attachment to the back of the hand or wrist comprise a wrist strap or a glove (9), in the upper part of which said module (40) is fixed. 11. -Signaling device (1) for computer machines according to claim 10 where the glove (9) comprises an opening (90) for the fixing finger in the annular socket (7) of the support (6) of the displacement detector (2) .