{
  "patent_number": "US RE40324",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How a Handheld Thumb-Controlled Computer Mouse Works",
  "original_title": "USRE40324E1 - Thumb actuated X-Y input device",
  "summary": "A handheld mouse designed to be held in the air, using the thumb to control a cursor while fingers rest in ergonomic channels.",
  "what_it_does": "This device is a handheld computer mouse that does not require a desk surface. It uses a housing shaped to align with the user's forearm and thumb, featuring specific channels for the index and middle fingers. The user controls the cursor (x-y input) by moving their thumb across a sensor, such as a touchpad or trackball, positioned at the end of the device. It also includes adjustable 'zero force' touch switches within the finger channels that can be tuned to match the user's specific finger length.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover standard desktop mice that require a flat surface for tracking.",
    "Does not cover devices that rely on wrist or arm movement for cursor navigation.",
    "Does not cover touchscreens or trackpads that are integrated into a laptop or tablet chassis.",
    "Does not cover input devices that do not include the specific finger-channel and thumb-platform geometry described."
  ],
  "filed": "2006-04-20",
  "granted": "2008-05-20",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Dhol New Ventures LLC",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/dhol-new-ventures-llc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Peter James Crawford",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/peter-james-crawford"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 43,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "mechanical"
  ],
  "abstract": "Various x-y input devices are disclosed that are adapted to allow a user to hold and operate the input device with a stress-reducing, open grip posture with the thumb pointing forward and on top of the device. One preferred embodiment discloses an input device for a computer comprising an x-y input sensor (such as a touchpad) positioned perpendicular to the thumb such that the user provides input with the thumb tip by using pivotal movement of the thumb. Various stress-reducing zero force touch switches are disclosed including zero force touch switches that can be adjusted to accommodate variations in user finger length. The mode of x-y cursor control can be altered through the use of x-y input sensor perimeter inputs. One preferred embodiment discloses a thumb actuated scroll select touch switch that alters the response to actuation of the finger actuated zero force touch switches from mouse button input to scroll wheel input. A unique fin-shaped feature of one preferred embodiment stabilizes the device within the relaxed hand and adapts the device to fit a range of user hand sizes.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE40324/playstation-dualshock-controller",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE40324/playstation-dualshock-controller/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE40324",
  "relatedPatents": []
}