Patent EP0453587A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0453587A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Computer mouse
Assignee: CHENG SAN YIH
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Filing: 1990-04-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A computer mouse has a unique push-button configuration which enhances button assignment flexibility while remaining user friendly. Three buttons are provided with a middle button having a smaller but raised surface area when compared to the other two buttons.
Inventors
- 👤 San-Yih Cheng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0333; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A peripheral device for use with a computer to enable a user to interact with information displayed on a display device associated with the computer, comprising: a first region; a first selectable switch having a first shape defining a first surface area; a second selectable switch having a second shape defining a second surface area and being disposed adjacent to said first selectable switch; and a third selectable switch having a third shape defining a third surface area and being disposed adjacent to said second selectable switch; wherein said first, second and third selectable switches are disposed in said first region; wherein said first and said third surface areas are substantially equal and have a first surface level and said second surface area is substantially less than said first and second surface areas and has second surface level projected above said first surface level, whereby said second selectable switch acts as a separator between said first and second third selectable switches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
The peripheral device of claim 1 wherein said device comprises a computer mouse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The peripheral device of claim 1 wherein said first and third shapes are mirror images of one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The peripheral device of claim 1 wherein said first and third selectable switches have a parallel length longer than a parallel length of said second selectable switch whereby in a second region said first and third selectable switches are adjacent one another and partially surround said second selectable switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The peripheral device of claim 4 wherein said second shape is substantially triangular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The peripheral device of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third selectable switches comprise push-button switches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The peripheral device of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third selectable switches have a substantially equal parallel length and said first and said third selectable switches have a first width substantially larger than a second width of said second selectable switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
175 words
A peripheral device for use with a computer to enable a user to interact with information displayed on a display device associated with the computer, comprising a first region; a first push-button switch having a first shape defining a first surface area; a second push-button switch having a second shape defining a second surface area and being disposed adjacent to said first push-button switch; a third push-button switch having a third shape defining a third surface area and being disposed adjacent to said second push-button switch; wherein said first, second and third push-button switches are disposed in said first region; wherein said first and third surface areas are substantially equal and have a first surface level and said second surface area is substantially less than said first and said second surface areas and has a second surface level projected above said surface level, whereby said second push-button switch is a separator between said first and third push-button switches and a user can comfortably operate said first, second and third push-button switches with only two fingers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The peripheral device of claim 8 wherein said device comprises a computer mouse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The peripheral device of claim 8 wherein said first and third shapes are mirror images of one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The peripheral device of claim 8 wherein said first and third push-button switches have a parallel length longer than a parallel length of said second push-button switch whereby in a second region said first and third push-button switches are adjacent one another and partially surround said second push-button switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The peripheral device of claim 11 wherein said second shape is substantially triangular.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The peripheral device of claim 8 wherein said first, second and third push-button switches have a substantially equal parallel length and said first and said third push-button switches have a first width substantially larger than a second width of said second push-button switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer mouse having a housing and an operation region on the housing, comprising: a first selectable switch disposed in said operation region and having a first surface area; a second selectable switch disposed in said operation region and having a second surface area that is smaller than said first surface area; a third selectable switch, disposed in said operation region and having a third surface area, that is larger than said second surface area; said second selectable switch being disposed between said first and said third selectable switches and separating said first and second selectable switches in a frontal region of said operation region and having a surface level projected above a surface level of said first selectable switch and a surface level of said second selectable switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The computer mouse of claim 14 wherein said first and said third selectable switches have a first maximum length extending the length said operation region and said second selectable switch has a second maximum length, extending from said frontal region, less than said first maximum length, whereby the first and second selectable switches are directly adjacent one another in a back region of said operation region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer mouse of claim 16 wherein said first, second and third selectable switches comprise push-button switches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer mouse of claim 17 wherein said second push-button switch has a triangular shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer mouse of claim 17 wherein said first and third push-button switches are mirror images of one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer mouse of claim 14 wherein said first, second, and third selectable switches have a first maximum length extending the length of said operation region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer mouse of claim 19 wherein said first, second and third selectable switches comprise push-button switches.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer mouse of claim 20 wherein said first and third push-button switches are mirror images of one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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