Mouse having a button-less panning and scrolling switch

Abstract

A method of switching between operational modes of a computer mouse during operation of the computer mouse is disclosed. In the described embodiments, the mouse includes a housing that is gripped by a user during manipulation of the mouse. The method generally comprises first sensing in which hand position the mouse is being held, each hand position indicating a corresponding mode of operation of the mouse. In another aspect, the method entails producing position signals that relate mouse movements relative to the surface upon which it is supported to operations on a display screen according to the corresponding mode of operation of the mouse.

1 . A method of switching between modes during operation of a computer mouse that is manipulated by the hand of a user, the method comprising: 
 sensing whether the mouse is being held by a user in a first hand position that indicates a first mode of operation of the mouse, or whether the mouse is being held by a user in a second hand position that indicates a second mode of operation of the mouse, wherein the modes cannot be implemented simultaneously; and    producing position signals that relate mouse movements relative to the surface upon which it is supported to first or second operations on a display screen, wherein the position signals control the first operations on the display screen when the mouse is in the first mode of operation and wherein the position signals control the second operations on the display screen when the mouse is in the second mode of operation.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first mode of operation of the mouse is a cursor control mode and wherein the first operations on the display screen are cursor movements on the display screen.  
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second mode of operation of the mouse is a pan/scroll control mode and wherein the second operations on the display screen are scrolling/panning movements on the display screen.  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising producing a signal based on the user's hand position that causes the mouse to perform in either the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation.  
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the sensing of the hand position is performed by a sensor unit that is configured to detect the presence of one or more portions of a user's hand proximate to predetermined areas of the mouse when the user's hand is used to hold the mouse during manipulation thereof, and wherein the sensor unit produces the mode control signal based on the user's hand position.  
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5  wherein the sensor unit includes an optical sensor that is disposed inside a translucent housing of the mouse, the optical sensor being configured to work through the translucent housing, the translucent housing providing a structure for gripping the mouse for movement thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the optical sensor emits infrared light and detects infrared light that reflects off the one or more portions of the user's hand.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the mode control signal is based on the measured light intensity sensed by the sensor unit.  
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the sensor unit includes a capacitance sensor.  
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first mode of operation is implemented when the user grips the side of the mouse.  
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising implementing a button function of the mouse when the sensor unit is tapped.