Illuminated computer input device
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsTimothy A. McDonough, Carl J. Ledbetter, Robert Scott Plank, Steven W. Fisher, Steven T. Kaneko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An input device, such as a mouse, for a computer is provided which enables a user to quickly and accurately position the input device during poor lighting conditions and determine whether the computer is ON. The input device according to the present invention is also arranged to illuminate the area proximate the input device. The input device includes a housing and an illumination device that is supported by the housing. Illumination from the illumination device is visible when the input device is placed on a supporting surface.
Claims32
A computer input device for a computer, comprising:
- a housing adapted to rest on a supporting surface, said housing having an upper body configured to interface with a human hand, and a generally horizontal base member having an outer periphery;
- and
- an illumination device coupled to said housing;
- wherein light from said illumination device is visible at said outer periphery of said generally horizontal base member when said housing is placed on the supporting surface;
- and
- wherein said upper body comprises a window, which is at least semi-transparent, through which light from said illumination device is visible.
A computer input device for a computer, comprising:
- a housing adapted to rest on a supporting surface, said housing having an upper body configured to interface with a human hand, said upper body comprising an at least semi-transparent window, said upper body except said at least semi-transparent window being opaque, wherein said housing includes a generally horizontal base member having an outer periphery;
- and
- an illumination device coupled to said housing;
- wherein light illuminated from said illumination device is visible through said window when said housing is placed on the supporting surface;
- and wherein light from said illumination device radiates from the outer periphery of said base member when said computer input device is placed on the supporting surface.
A track-mouse device comprising:
- a housing arranged to rest on a supporting surface, said housing including a generally horizontal base member and an upper body configured to interface with a human hand, and a window, wherein the base member includes an outer periphery and said window having a lower portion disposed adjacent to the base member and said window extends upwardly from said outer periphery of said base member;
- and
- an illumination device disposed in said housing, wherein light from said illumination device is visible through said window when said housing is placed on the supporting surface.
A computer input device for a computer, comprising:
- a housing adapted to rest on a supporting surface, said housing having an upper body configured to interface with a human hand, and a generally horizontal base member having an outer periphery, wherein said base member is semi-transparent and colored;
- and
- an illumination device coupled to said housing;
- wherein light from said illumination device is visible at said outer periphery of said generally horizontal base member when said housing is placed on the supporting surface.
A computer input device for a computer, comprising:
- a housing adapted to rest on a supporting surface, said housing having an upper body configured to interface with a human hand, and a generally horizontal base member having an outer periphery;
- and
- an illumination device coupled to said housing;
- wherein light from said illumination device is visible at said outer periphery of said generally horizontal base member when said housing is placed on the supporting surface;
- and
- wherein said base member includes a window which extends up from its outer periphery, wherein light from said illumination device is visible through said window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.