Ergonomic computer input device

Abstract

A computer input device that comfortably supports the hand of the user while the thumb and fingers are associated with buttons, a trackball, and a scrolling wheel carried on the device. The overall configuration of the device and the arrangement of these actuators permits the user to easily and effectively operate all of the actuators while the hand and arm of the user are in a comfortable position. The device includes a housing having thumb-side and finger-side surfaces. The trackball extends from the thumb-side surface. The finger-side surface includes four input buttons and the scrolling wheel. The thumb-side surface is fairly steep and almost at right angles to the finger-side surface. This helps enable the motion of the thumb to fall along its natural axis of flexion/extension. The thumb-side surface extends above the top of the ball to provide a stop when the thumb is moved inwardly off the ball. The buttons and the wheel on the finger-side surface are in line in a single row to allow the fingers to move within a natural range of motion for efficient control. Two of the input buttons are effectively embedded within a respective other input button. This relative positioning other allows the user to move between two buttons with either side-to-side or forward-and-back translation. Two buttons located at respective outer edges of the finger-side surface and have raised projections for tactile feedback. The housing includes a convex surface behind the ball that provides constant thumb support and reduce fatigue.