Noise attenuation in and for computer mice
AssigneeLenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
InventorsHarriss C. Ganey, David C. Munn, John D. Swansey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In or for a computer mouse, an insert which fits inside a mouse cavity that, at the same time, readily accommodates the actuation of mouse buttons while not interfering with other moving parts inside the mouse. Accordingly, the insert would preferably occupy space within the cavity to reduce the free volume of space that would otherwise amplify a clicking noise from one or more mouse buttons, while also serving to actually dampen the clicking noise. The insert can preferably be custom-designed as to accommodate essentially any mouse design and thereby fit readily within the otherwise unoccupied interior space of the mouse body. Preferably, the material employed for such an insert may be embodied by a sound-dampening foam.
Claims22
A system comprising:
- a main memory;
- a system processor;
- an input/output controller;
- and
- a mouse communicable with said input/output controller;
- said mouse comprising:
- a shell defining an interior space therewithin;
- a movable component which displaces with respect to said shell;
- and
- a noise attenuator which attenuates noise created by said movable component;
- said noise attenuator being disposed within said shell;
- said noise attenuator occupying space within said shell to decrease acoustic resonance within said shell while permitting free movement of said movable component;
- wherein:
- said mouse further comprises a printed circuit board;
- said noise attenuator occupying a maximum volume of space within said shell to provide a clearance with respect to said printed circuit board.
An apparatus comprising:
- a shell defining an interior space therewithin;
- a movable component which displaces with respect to said shell;
- and
- a noise attenuator which attenuates noise created by said movable component;
- said noise attenuator being disposed within said shell;
- said noise attenuator occupying space within said shell to decrease acoustic resonance within said shell while permitting free movement of said movable component;
- wherein said noise attenuator comprises noise attenuation material;
- and said noise attenuation material occupies a maximum volume of space within said shell sufficient for permitting free movement of said movable component;
- wherein said apparatus is a mouse;
- said mouse further comprises a printed circuit board;
- said noise attenuator occupies a volume of space within said shell to provide a clearance with respect to said printed circuit board;
- said noise attenuator is custom-designed to accommodate a mouse design and thereby fit readily within otherwise unoccupied interior space of the mouse design to include sufficient spaces between said noise attenuator and said shell of said mouse to permit other moving components to move freely;
- and
- sufficient physical clearance for the displacement of buttons of said mouse is provided by said noise attenuator ensuring that at least some clicking sound will resonate within a volume as defined between an upper surface of said noise attenuator and a lower surface of said shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.