CURSOR POSITIONING DEVICE WITH TACTILE OUTPUT CAPABILITY (THE"LIVING MOUSE") TECHNICAL FIELD This invention-relates to those computer system peripherals commonly known as mice, trackballs, and touch pads.

BACKGROUND ART A mouse is a computer system control device that converts relative movement of the mouse over a surface into a corresponding motion of a cursor or object on a graphic display. The optomechanical mouse is currently one of the most popular types, but there are a number of different methods for performing the tracking function of a mouse. Most mice now also have buttons, and a few include extra control wheels or rollers, that do a variety of things according to the particular software used.

Trackballs perform the same function as mice, and this second type of positioning device is essentially an upside- down mouse. With a trackball the user moves the ball itself rather than the entire unit. There are even some mouse/trackball convertible devices that can be used as either. Trackballs also usually include buttons.

Touch pads, most commonly used on laptop computers, are a third type of manual positioning device. Touch pads work by sensing through body capacitance a user's finger position on the pad. Often there will be buttons located adjacent to the touch pad and these buttons work the same as mouse or trackball buttons.

A few designs have offered mouse/trackball hybrid devices that include a number of controls for entering three- dimensional spatial positioning data. These devices permit a user to control on a computer screen both the movement of an object with respect to all three translational coordinates (i. e., the X, Y, and Z axes), as well as rotation of the object along these three axes (i. e., roll, pitch, and yaw).

Because they offer a user the ability to rapidly and accurately position a cursor or object on a screen, these manual control devices are indispensable to many computer users and are even required for some applications. However, although mouse, trackball, and touch pad designs have improved, for the most part the current art still limits their use to an input role. In other words, with a few exceptions, existing manual control devices serve only to facilitate one- way communication between a user and a computer. These cursor control devices are used to give instructions to the computer, but a user must receive output through some other part of the system such as a visual display screen, speakers (for sound), or a printer.

One of the exceptions to the above is Burger et al., U. S.

Pat. 5,311,208 which combines a computer mouse with a printer.

Printing does represent computer output, yet it is a type of output that is also performed by another part of a system (i. e., a printer). Another exception to the observation that existing designs use manual control devices only for input is Affinito et al., U. S. Pat. 4,868,549. The mouse provided by Affinito generates resistive feedback by use of a magnetic field, and the resistance helps a user know when the cursor has reached a particular position on the computer screen. But the sole purpose of this resistance is to assist a user in positioning a cursor. The feedback does not offer any output from the computer that is unrelated to mouse movement.

A final design that relates in general to manual positioning devices capable of providing output is Rifkin, U. S. Pat. 5,692,956. The combination computer mouse/game play device described by Rifkin includes a vibrating motor.

However, the vibrating motor serves only to give a user a sensation of"vehicle speed"when the device is in game play mode and is not connected to the computer in any way. Power to the vibrating module increases and decreases as the user manipulates a button on the mouse/game play device. The vibrating motor of Rifkin does not convey output from the computer and, in fact, is disabled when the device is in computer mouse mode.

The prior art fails to offer a manual positioning device that fully utilizes the unique nature of these devices to create an ideal input/output interface. The present invention overcomes this failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a manual positioning device that also serves as an output apparatus. This output is in the form of a tactile sensation generated by one or more vibrating modules such as the type used to produce an alerting signal in pagers, watches, and portable phones. Because mice, trackballs, and touch pads are normally manipulated by a user's fingertips, they are ideally suited to serve as tactile output devices.

Such vibrating modules are well-known and take a variety of forms. Some employ an unbalanced weight attached to the shaft of a cylindrical motor, and generate vibration when the motor rotates. Other designs utilize a flat motor. Still others vibrate a magnate in a reciprocating motion by means of a spring. More recent attempts to improve on these designs have focused on producing vibrating modules that are smaller, thinner, and more reliable.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it is compatible with all types of mice, trackballs, and touch pads, including those that have extra control wheels or accessories.

The present invention's three embodiments (i. e., the mouse, the trackball, and the touch pad) as described all include a vibrating module in the general area where a user's thumb might rest when the user is manipulating the device.

Additional modules could be mounted elsewhere, such as on top of or underneath the control buttons. The actual location of each vibrating module, however, is purely a matter of user preference and any discussion of a specific setup is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

When the circuit to the vibrating module is closed a tactile output signal would result. Small and light modules that generate only a slight vibration would be ideal for this purpose because a user would most likely be sensing the output through a fingertip : Power for the modules would preferably be supplied in an appropriate voltage through the mouse cable/trackball cable (or directly to the modules if installed on a laptop).

Alternatively, for a mouse or a trackball arrangement conventional dry cell batteries can be substituted and in this case the batteries would be contained within a battery compartment. (The use of dry cell batteries would be particularly appropriate where the present invention is paired with a"wireless"mouse or trackball and in such a situation the mouse or trackball would include circuitry for sending signals to, and receiving signals from, a computer).

According to the specific instructions received from the associated computer, a vibrating module could generate a steady signal or it could pulse, thereby indicating two separate things to the user. If multiple vibrating modules are used in combination, modules could vibrate in unison or in a sequence. This multitude of signaling possibilities creates many options for software designers.

The actual use of the tactile signal would depend upon the particular software used, and there are countless possibilities. For example, a tactile output signal could augment graphical user interfaces by indicating to a user the status of an icon when the cursor is moved to that icon. The tactile signal could also serve as an alert to a user that there is a problem with a previously executed instruction (such as a print command) or that a prohibited function is being attempted.

Another application that would benefit from a tactile output would be computer systems designed for the vision or hearing impaired. In this situation the tactile signal could accompany, or replace, either an image on a screen or a sound emitted from a speaker. Voice recognition systems are an additional possible use whereby a tactile output could provide immediate feedback to a user when there is a problem (such as a word that the computer does not recognize).

Finally, probably the most basic benefit for a computer user offered by the present invention is the opportunity for enhanced security. Sounds from a speaker can be heard, and display screens can be seen, by someone other than the user.

A tactile output, however, would only be received by the person operating the mouse, the trackball, or the touch pad.

DRAWING FIGURES Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a exploded view of a possible installation arrangement for the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As the basic operation of computer mice, trackballs, and touch pads is well known to those skilled in the art, the following discussion will focus primarily on the unique aspects of the present invention. Referring to the drawings, the three embodiments are shown generally in Figs. 1,2, and 3. The mouse 10 of Fig. 1 has a housing 11 and mouse control buttons 12. The mouse 10 further includes a vibrating module 13. As illustrated, the mouse 10 is configured for a right- handed user as the vibrating module 13 is set in that part of the housing 11 where such a user's thumb could comfortably rest when the mouse is being used. Alternatively, the vibrating module 13 could be located on the top of the housing 11 in a place where a user's palm could detect a vibration signal from the module.

The housing 11 would enclose click switches for the mouse control buttons 12 as well as a transducer of some sort for converting movement of the mouse into a digital signal that can be read by the computer. Additional transducers might be included to accompany any extra position control accessories.

Though in the interest of clarity these internal components are not illustrated here, the present invention is intended to be compatible with every type of cursor tracking mechanism or means. A mouse cable 14 connects the mouse 10 to a computer (not shown). The electrical signal from the click switches and the transducer are transmitted via the mouse cable 14.

Still referring to Fig. 1, the mouse cable 14 would also contain wires 15 that provide a power source for the vibrating module 13. Circuitry means for taking an instruction from the computer's software and opening/closing a switch for sending a drive current to the vibrating module 13 would be contained within the computer, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous possible methods of accomplishing this. However, none of these methods are claimed herein. What the present invention describes is solely the combination of one or more vibrating modules, for providing tactile output, with a manual device for controlling the position of a cursor or object on a visual display.

One possible method for installing the vibrating module on the mouse is shown in Fig. 4. The housing 11 has an opening 16 shaped to receive the vibrating module 13. The vibrating module 13 includes a flange 17 that helps stabilize the module in position when placed into the opening 16. The opening 16 permits the wires 15 to access terminals on the vibrating module 13. A shock-absorbing bushing 18 could be installed between the vibrating module 13 and the housing 11 to dampen the effect on the mouse and its other components of the vibration produced by the module. To help keep dust or dirt out of vibrating module 13, or for purely aesthetic purposes, the module could also be covered with a flexible membrane.

Those skilled in the art will also understand that there are many other acceptable methods for attaching a vibrating module to a mouse, and this description is therefore included here for purposes of illustration rather than limitation.

The second embodiment of the invention, as seen in Fig.

2, is essentially the same as the first embodiment. A trackball unit 20 has a ball 21 for guiding a cursor or object on a display (not shown) and a number of trackball buttons 22.

As in the case of the mouse embodiment, the trackball unit 20 has associated internal components that are well known and not claimed as part of the present invention.

The trackball unit 20 as shown in Fig. 2 is configured for a left-handed user. A vibrating module 23 is installed on the right side of the unit in a location where a left-handed user's thumb could comfortably reach the module. The vibrating module 23 would be on the opposite side of the trackball unit if the trackball was intended for a right- handed user. As with the first embodiment, wires 24 supply electrical current to the vibrating module 23. A trackball cable 25 connects the trackball unit 20 to a computer (not shown), and the wires 24 are housed within the trackball cable 25 along with other wiring necessary for the basic function of the trackball. As with the mouse embodiment, the particular method for attaching the wires 25 to a switch means and power source is dependent upon the requirements of computer manufacturers and builders.

Again, though only one position is indicated, a vibrating module could be located elsewhere on a trackball unit in accordance with the choice of a user.

If more than one vibrating module is used on a mouse or a trackball, the switch means controlling electrical power to the module could be contained within the cursor control device itself. In this arrangement one set of wires might supply drive current for the modules and another wire might transmit a digital signal from the computer to an integrated control circuit in the mouse or trackball. Computer builders and manufacturers can determine the best approach according to their particular needs.

The actual installation of a vibrating module on a trackball would be similar to the mouse embodiment installation shown in Fig. 4.

The third embodiment, or touch pad installation, is illustrated in Fig. 3. Because a touch pad is frequently included as an integral part of a laptop computer, the combination of a vibrating module with the touch pad might be viewed as simply adding an additional component to the laptop.

But due to the proximity of the module's location to that of the touch pad, a user can access the vibrating module while at the same time manipulate the touch pad. This third embodiment of the present invention takes advantage of the nature of a touch pad; a touch pad is manually-operated device like the mouse and the trackball. When a vibrating module is installed near the touch pad the result is a single, unified interface.

To illustrate, Fig. 3 shows a portion of a laptop computer 30 that includes a touch pad 31 and touch pad control buttons 32. As shown the laptop computer 30 is configured for a right-handed user. A vibrating module 33 is therefore placed adjacent to the touch pad 31 in an area where a user's thumb could rest while the user is operating the touch pad with another finger of the same hand. This results in a combination device, like the first and second embodiments, that serves both input and output functions.

If a laptop computer includes a mouse or a trackball instead of a touch pad, the discussion concerning the first or second embodiments, respectively, would apply.

RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE The uses of manual positioning devices for inputting instructions is extremely intuitive. By combining vibrating modules with mice, trackballs, and touch pads the present invention exploits the simple nature of these devices and enables users to interact with computers on an entirely new level. The ability to sense system output through touch can greatly increase productivity and opens the door to other possibilities.

Many changes to and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teaching.

Accordingly, the invention can be practiced other than as described. The scope of the invention is therefore to be limited only by the appended claims.