Computer mouse on a glove

Abstract

A computer input device on a glove includes fittings for a user's fingers and adjustable straps for fastening to a user's wrist. A tracking device for controlling cursor movement on a video display is affixed to the glove for positioning next to the end of one of the user's fingers. Pressure plates for controlling the various right and left mouse “clicking” functions are affixed to the glove for positioning next to the ends of the other of the user's fingers. Scrolling/paging buttons are located on the side of the fitting fitted to the index finger for pressing by the thumb. A transmitter is affixed to the glove for receiving signals from the tracking device, the pressure plates and the scrolling/paging buttons, and transmitting those signals to a computer for controlling cursor movement in the x-y plane on a video display and for controlling the various mouse “clicking” controls, which implement the “select” function, the “drag” function, the “scroll” function, the “page” function, and so forth.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 .A computer input device, comprising: 
 a glove-like apparel;    a tracking device attached to said glove to generate a movement signal in accordance with movement of said tracking device across a surface;    a first pressure plate attached to said glove to provide first switching signals; and    a transmitter means attached to said glove to transmit said movement signals from said tracking device and said first switching signals from said first pressure plate to a computer, 
 wherein said movement signals from said tracking device are used to control the movement of a cursor in a video display of said computer, and said first switching signals are used to control mouse clicking functions.  
   
     
     
         2 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said glove has fittings for at least two fingers and wherein said tracking device is attached to a first one of said finger fittings and said first pressure plate is attached to a second one of said finger fittings.  
     
     
         3 . The computer input device of  claim 2 , wherein said glove includes a third finger fitting having a second pressure plate attached thereto to provide second switching signals, and wherein said transmitter means also transmits said second switching signals from said second pressure plate to said computer for controlling mouse clicking functions.  
     
     
         4 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , further including scroll/page buttons on said glove for generating scroll/page signals, wherein said transmitter means also transmits said scroll/page signals to said computer for controlling up and down scrolling and paging functions.  
     
     
         5 . The computer input device of  claim 4 , wherein said scroll/page buttons comprise: 
 a scroll/page switch button for switching between said scrolling and paging functions;    a scroll/page up button; and    a scroll/page down button.    
     
     
         6 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device is an optical tracking device.  
     
     
         7 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , including on/off switch means for automatically disengaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and for automatically engaging said tracking device and said first pressure plate whenever said tracking device is in contact with said surface.  
     
     
         8 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device is a micro roller-ball.  
     
     
         9 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device includes a base plate, which provides for smooth and consistent motion of said tracking device over said surface, and maintains a consistent distance and an even contact between said tracking device and said surface.  
     
     
         10 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.  
     
     
         11 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said transmitter is an infrared transmitter.  
     
     
         12 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said transmitter includes a rechargeable power supply.  
     
     
         13 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said glove-like apparel is adjustable to the size of a users hand.  
     
     
         14 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said glove-like apparel includes a padded palm to minimize user strain and to maximize user performance and comfort.  
     
     
         15 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said glove has an exterior surface, and wherein portions of said exterior surface of said glove are comprised of a low-friction material permitting said glove to slide easily over said surface.  
     
     
         16 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said glove has an interior surface, and wherein portions of said interior surface of said glove are comprised of a high-friction material for generating friction between said glove and a user's hand for permitting accurate positioning of said tracking device and said pressure plate and to prevent said tracking device and said pressure plate from shifting during use.  
     
     
         17 . The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein said tracking device and said pressure plate are positioned so as to permit a user to type with all fingers on a keyboard when said glove is worn on the user's hand.  
     
     
         18 . A computer input device, comprising: 
 a glove-like apparel having fittings for at least three fingers to be worn on a user's hand;    a tracking device attached to a first one of said finger fittings to generate a movement signal in accordance with movement of said tracking device along a surface;    a first pressure plate switch attached to a second one of said finger fittings to provide first switching signals;    a second pressure plate switch attached to a third one of said finger fittings to provide second switching signals;    a transmitter means to transmit said movement signals from said tracking device and said first and second switching signals from said pressure plates to a computer, wherein said movement signals from said tracking device are used to control the movement of a cursor in a video display of said computer, and said first and second switching signals are used to control mouse clicking functions.    
     
     
         19 . A computer input device, comprising: 
 a glove-like apparel having fittings for at least three fingers to be worn on a user's hand;    an optical tracking device enclosed in a base plate attached to a first one of said finger fittings, said tracking device generating movement signals in accordance with movement of said tracking device along a surface;    a first pressure switch plate attached to a second one of said finger fittings to provide first switching signals;    a second pressure switch plate attached to a second one of said finger fittings to provide second switching signals;    an on/off switch means to automatically disengage said tracking device and said pressure switch plates whenever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface and to automatically engage said tracking device and said pressure switch plates when ever said tracking device is not in contact with said surface; and    a transmitter means to transmit said movement signals from said tracking device and said switching signals from said first and second pressure plates to a computer, wherein said tracking device and said pressure plates are positioned on said glove so as to permit said user to type with all fingers on a keyboard when said glove is worn on said user's hand, and 
 wherein said movement signals from said tracking device are used to control the movement of a cursor in a video display of said computer, and said first and second switching signals are used to control mouse clicking functions.