Mouse usable as wheel input device
A mouse usable as a wheel input device is described. In an embodiment, a mouse may include: a top surface; a sensor coupled to the top surface; a controller coupled to the sensor; and a memory coupled to the controller, the memory having instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the controller, cause the mouse to: enter a mouse mode of operation in response to detection of a finger on the top surface; and enter a wheel mode of operation in response to detection of a turning of the mouse in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
1. A mouse, comprising:
a top surface;
a sensor coupled to the top surface;
a controller coupled to the sensor; and
a memory coupled to the controller, the memory having instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the controller, cause the mouse to:
enter a mouse mode of operation in response to detection of a finger on the top surface; and
enter a wheel mode of operation in response to detection of a turning of the mouse in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
2. The mouse of claim 1 , wherein the top surface comprises a touch-sensitive, round dish configured to accommodate a single human finger.
3. The mouse of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a capacitive sensor or a piezoelectric sensor.
4. The mouse of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to enter an idle mode of operation in response to a lifting of the finger from the top surface and prior to entering the wheel mode of operation.
5. The mouse of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to, in the mouse mode of operation, identify a primary click if a force detected by the sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold at a first instant and smaller than the first threshold at a second instant, without reaching the second threshold between the first and second instants.
6. The mouse of claim 5 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to, in the mouse mode of operation, identify a secondary click if the force is equal to or greater than the second threshold.
7. The mouse of claim 1 , wherein the mouse is coupled to an Information Handling System (IHS), wherein the IHS is coupled to a display, and wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to, in the wheel mode of operation, highlight a graphical user interface (GUI) item of a radial menu rendered by the IHS via the display in response to a turning of the mouse.
8. The mouse of claim 7 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to, in the wheel mode of operation, detect a primary click that conveys a selection of the highlighted GUI item in response to a force detected by the sensor being equal to or greater than a first threshold at a first instant and smaller than the first threshold at a second instant, without reaching the second threshold between the first and second instants.
9. The mouse of claim 1 , wherein the touch-sensitive dish comprises a touchpad, a capacitive proximity grid top, or an infrared (IR) grid top.
10. The mouse of claim 9 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to:
determine a position of the finger using the touch-sensitive dish; and
re-calibrate the mouse based upon the position.
11. A memory device having instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a controller of a mouse comprising a top surface, cause the mouse to:
enter a mouse mode of operation in response to detection of a finger on the top surface; and
enter a wheel mode of operation in response to detection of a turning of the mouse in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
12. The memory device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to enter an idle mode of operation in response to a lifting of the finger from the top surface and prior to entering the wheel mode of operation.
13. The memory device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to, in the mouse mode of operation, identify a primary click if a force detected by a sensor coupled to the top surface is equal to or greater than a first threshold at a first instant and smaller than the first threshold at a second instant, without reaching the second threshold between the first and second instants.
14. The memory device of claim 13 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to, in the mouse mode of operation, identify a secondary click if the force is equal to or greater than the second threshold.
15. The memory device of claim 11 , wherein the mouse is coupled to an Information Handling System (IHS), wherein the IHS is coupled to a display, and wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to, in the wheel mode of operation, highlight a graphical user interface (GUI) item of a radial menu rendered by the IHS via the display in response to a turning of the mouse.
16. The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, upon execution by the controller, further cause the mouse to, in the wheel mode of operation, detect a primary click that conveys a selection of the highlighted GUI item in response to a force detected by the sensor coupled to the top surface being equal to or greater than a first threshold at a first instant and smaller than the first threshold at a second instant, without reaching the second threshold between the first and second instants.
17. A method for operating a mouse comprising a top surface, the method comprising:
entering a mouse mode of operation in response to detection of a finger on the top surface; and
entering a wheel mode of operation in response to detection of a turning of the mouse in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising, in the mouse mode of operation, identifying a primary click if a force detected by the sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold at a first instant and smaller than the first threshold at a second instant, without reaching the second threshold between the first and second instants.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the mouse is coupled to an Information Handling System (IHS) and wherein the IHS is coupled to a display, the method further comprising, in the wheel mode of operation, highlighting a graphical user interface (GUI) item of a radial menu rendered by the IHS via the display in response to a turning of the mouse.
20. The method of claim 19 , the method further comprising in the wheel mode of operation, detecting a primary click that conveys a selection of the highlighted GUI item in response to a force detected by the sensor being equal to or greater than a first threshold at a first instant and smaller than the first threshold at a second instant, without reaching the second threshold between the first and second instants.