WO2000030026A1

WO2000030026A1 - Computer mouse

Info

Publication number: WO2000030026A1
Application number: PCT/KR1998/000363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Chul Shin
Original assignee: Min Chul Shin
Priority date: 1998-11-12
Filing date: 1998-11-12
Publication date: 2000-05-25
Also published as: AU1055299A

Abstract

The computer mouse (5) includes vibrating devices (8, 8a) at its both sides, each vibrating device including an oscillator (10) and a vibration region (9). A computer user grasps the working state through his hands (touch) as well as through a video monitor (2) (sight) and a sound (hearing) (3, 3a).

Description

COMPUTER MOUSE

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a computer mouse, specifically, to a computer mouse that allows a computer user to grasp the working state through his hands (touch) as well as through a video monitor (sight) and a sound

(hearing) .

Background Art

A computer user has worked watching a video monitor only in the past days, but in recent years he can work hearing due to the development and variety of softwares.

When the computer user works producing a sound, however, other users or workers may be hindered in their work. In addition, the user cannot feel with his hands a sound such as start, termination, error, etc. of programs, so that he doesn't take a strong interest in video games.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a computer mouse that substantially obviates one or more of the problems, limitations or disadvantages of the conventional art . It is an objective of the present invention is to produce a computer mouse in which a vibrating device is mounted to allow a computer user to grasp the working state through his hands if necessary, as well as through his sight and hearing senses, and take a strong interest in video games, not hindering those around him.

To achieve the above objectives, the invented computer mouse includes an oscillator, an electronic circuit unit for controlling the oscillator, and a sound card is provided at a connection unit of a personal computer. Additional advantages, objects and other features of the invention are set forth, in part in the description which follow, and in part will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice and application of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained, as pointed out in the appended claims.

Brief Description of Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a computer according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a connection between the computer and auxiliary equipments, according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a front view of a vibrating device for mouse, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a side view of the vibrating device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a front view of another vibrating device for mouse, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4a is a side view of the vibrating device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a front view of still another vibrating device for mouse, according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a plan view of a mouse according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a joystick according to the present invention. Best Mode for carrying Out the Invention

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is apparent from the following detailed description and clarified by the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGs . 1 and 2 , there are provided a personal computer 1, a video monitor 2, speakers 3 and 3a, and a sound card 4 mounted at a connection unit of personal computer 1. A mouse 5 is connected to the personal computer 1 by means of a mouse pin 6. The mouse 5 and the speakers 3 and 3a are connected with the sound card 4 by a jack 7.

As depicted in FIG. 6, vibrating devices 8 and 8a are formed at both sides of mouse 5, each vibration device including a vibration region 9 and an oscillator 10. As shown in FIGs. 3 to 5, an electronic circuit unit 9 and an oscillator 10 at one side of mouse 5 may be constructed of a variety of means .

That is, a vibrating device encompasses: a magnet 11 on center; a coil 12 winding around the magnet 11; and a vibration plate 13 connected to the coil 12 in the lateral direction of the magnet 11, as illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 3a. The vibration plate 13 corresponds to the vibration region 9 of FIG. 6, and the magnet 11 and coil 12 correspond to the oscillator 10 of FIG. 6.

As for another embodiment of vibration region 9 and oscillator 10, as depicted in FIGs. 4 and 4a, there are provided f- shaped permanent magnet 14, a coil 15 winding around the magnet 14, and an oscillator 16 mounted at side of magnet 14, to be connected with the coil 15. As shown in FIG. 5, still another embodiment of vibration region 9 and oscillator 10, is constructed of a contact region 17, and a vibration motor 18 at side of contact region 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the vibrating devices 8 and 8a may be formed at both sides of a joystick 5a. When a current from sound card 4 of personal computer 1 is applied to the coil 12 via an electronic circuit unit a, as shown in FIGs. 3 and 3a, a magnetic field is formed between magnets 11, to vibrate the vibration plate 13.

As shown in FIGs. 4 and 4a, when a current is applied to the coil 15, a magnetic field is generated between permanent magnets 14, to result in vibration of the vibration plate 13.

As depicted in FIGs. 2 and 5, the electronic circuit unit a converts an AC signal of sound card 4 into a DC signal, to make the vibration region 9 operated, in such a way that a computer user can feel with his hands the function such as start, termination, error, etc. of programs.

The electronic circuit unit a is constructed by a conventional art. It may operate producing a sound, and operate silently, if necessary. An on/off switch is mounted within the mouse 5, to control the operation, and a volume control is employed to amplify the vibration, or cause the necessary vibration only. As described above, a computer user grasps the working state through his hands as well as through his sight and hearing senses, not hindering those around him. And he feels the function such as start, termination, error, etc. of programs, acquiring a new control sense, and takes a strong interest in video games . Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as recited in the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. A computer mouse comprising vibrating devices at its both sides, each vibrating device including an oscillator and a vibration region.