Mouse having six movement axes
AssigneeLexip
InventorEric Delattre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a mouse having six axes for controlling a three-dimensional application. The mouse (1) with six movement axes (x, y) comprises a soleplate (2) and a housing (3) connected to each other by a connection element (6) allowing the housing to move in rotation relative to the soleplate about two axes (x, y). The housing (3) is provided with a sensor (16) situated in register with the thumb of a user's hand that is holding the housing (3), to cause switching of the mouse (1) from a two-dimensional mode of use to a three-dimensional mode of use of the mouse (1) on detecting pressure exerted by the thumb on the sensor (16). The invention is applicable to three-dimensional computer applications.
Claims7
A mouse (1) having six movement axes (x, y, z), the mouse comprising a soleplate (2) and a housing (3) connected to each other by a connection element (6) allowing the housing to tilt relative to the soleplate in pivoting about two axes (x, y), and resilient return means tending continuously to return the housing (3) to a neutral angle of tilt relative to the soleplate (2), together with means for detecting the angle of tilt of the housing (3) relative to the soleplate (2) and for detecting the movements of the soleplate (2) relative to a plane on which it rests, wherein the housing (3) is provided with a sensor or pushbutton (16) situated in register with a thumb of the right hand of a user holding the housing (3) in order to activate or deactivate a three-dimensional mode of use of the mouse on detecting a pressure force exerted on the sensor (16) being applied or released, e.g. by the user's thumb.
A method of using a mouse (1) having six movement axes (x, y, z), the mouse comprising a soleplate (2) and a housing (3) connected to each other by a connection element (6) allowing the housing to tilt relative to the soleplate by pivoting about two axes (x, y), and resilient return means tending continuously to return the housing (3) to a neutral angle of inclination relative to the soleplate (2), wherein the method comprises:
- activating or deactivating a three-dimensional mode of utilization of the mouse (1) on detecting the application or the release of a pressure force exerted by a finger of the hand of a user on at least one sensor or pushbutton fitted to the housing (3) of the mouse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.