Mouse with improved input mechanisms using touch sensors

Abstract

A mouse having improved input methods and mechanisms is disclosed. The mouse is configured with touch sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The touch sensing areas may for example be used to differentiate between left and right clicks in a single button mouse. The mouse may further be configured with force sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The force sensing areas may for example be positioned on the sides of the mouse so that squeezing the mouse generates input signals. The mouse may further be configured with a jog ball capable of generating input signals. The mouse may additionally be configured with a speaker for providing audio feedback when the various input devices are activated by a user.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A mouse, comprising:
 a bottom member;   a unibody single moving member supported on the bottom member and covering substantially all of a top surface of the mouse, the single moving member generating an activation signal when the single moving member is moved relative to the bottom member;   a first touch zone provided on the single moving member, the first touch zone configured to generate a first touch signal if the first touch zone is touched;   a second touch zone provided on the single moving member, the second touch zone configured to generate a second touch signal if the second touch zone is touched; and   a control circuit configured to determine whether a touch detected on the mouse is a light touch or a hard touch based on a combination of the first touch signal, second touch signal and the activation signal, and report a touch event upon the determination of a light touch or a button event upon the determination of a hard touch,   wherein the touch is determined to be a light touch if no activation signal is detected and at least one of the first and signal touch signals is detected, and the touch is determined to be a hard touch if the activation signal and at least one of the first and second touch signals are detected.   
     
     
         16 . The mouse as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to report a first touch event upon detection of the first touch signal only and a second touch event upon detection of the second signal only. 
     
     
         17 . The mouse as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to report a third touch input event upon detection of both the first and second touch signals in the absence of the activation signal. 
     
     
         18 . The mouse as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising an electronically-controlled feedback system configured to provide different feedback to a user of the mouse in response to the first, second and third touch events, respectively. 
     
     
         19 . The mouse as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to report a first button event upon detection of the first touch signal combined with the activation signal and a second button event upon detection of the second signal combined with the activation signal. 
     
     
         20 . The mouse as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to report a third button event upon detection of both the first and the second touch signals combined with the activation signal. 
     
     
         21 . The mouse as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to cause the mouse to perform different actions in response to the first, second and third button events, respectively. 
     
     
         22 . A method for providing a mouse with touch sensitive input mechanisms, comprising:
 covering substantially all of a top surface of the mouse with a unibody single moving member that is supported on a bottom member of the mouse, the single moving member generating an activation signal when the single moving member is moved relative to the bottom member;   providing a first touch zone on the single moving member, the first touch zone configured to generate a first touch signal if the first touch zone is touched;   providing a second touch zone on the single moving member, the second touch zone configured to generate a second touch signal if the second touch zone is touched; and   configuring the mouse with a control circuit for determining whether a touch detected on the mouse is a light touch or a hard touch based on a combination of the first touch signal, second touch signal and the activation signal, the control circuit configured to report a touch event upon the determination of a light touch or a button event upon the determination of a hard touch,   wherein the touch is determined to be a light touch if no activation signal is detected and at least one of the first and signal touch signals is detected, and the touch is determined to be a hard touch if the activation signal and at least one of the first and second touch signals are detected.   
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to report a first touch event upon detection of the first touch signal only and a second touch event upon detection of the second signal only. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to report a third touch input event upon detection of both the first and second touch signals in the absence of the activation signal. 
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising an electronically-controlled feedback system configured to provide different feedback to a user of the mouse in response to the first, second and third touch events, respectively. 
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to report a first button event upon detection of the first touch signal combined with the activation signal and a second button event upon detection of the second signal combined with the activation signal. 
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to report a third button event upon detection of both the first and the second touch signals combined with the activation signal. 
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to cause the mouse to perform different actions in response to the first, second and third button events, respectively.