Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
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As you can see in the image above, the idea is that there will be a mouse tray that sticks out from the right side of the laptop (sorry left handers) allowing you to rest a mouse and move it around. Optimally the mouse would be wireless, but you could use a short corded mouse if you wanted.
And of course you wouldn't want to haul around a laptop that's twice its regular size because it has a tray sticking out, so the design idea incorporates a method for rotating, swiveling or sliding the tray away underneath. Janson says the pivot point method using a screw works best based on prototype designs he has made.
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In an interview with Janson he indicated "At the single point of connection (screw) the screw connection can be adjusted to a certain tightness whereby the friction of the platform against the base of the connection (a point engineered on the bottom center edge of the laptop) is such the platform can be pushed into a closed or open position but the tightness of the connection will keep the platform from moving or swinging back and forth on its own [as you use a mouse]."
The tray could be made of either light weight aluminum, magnesium or a plastic with ribbing reinforcement underneath. Janson made a prototype that's constructed of aluminum and weighs around 6 ounces, so the overall weight addition wouldn't be too significant. If a small laser mouse were used a smaller tray could in turn be implemented.
The thinking is that a laptop manufacturer could incorporate this single swivel point method because it would not be mechanically complex (like a hinge or sliding tray might). It could be designed so that the screw-like hinge would hold the tray firmly to the bottom of the laptop when not in use and only be as thick as the support feet are on the laptop, thereby adding little to no overall thickness.
A Look at the Prototype Swivel Mouse Tray
Paul put together a crude rendition of his patent pending idea using a Toshiba laptop and thin piece of aluminum. The pictures and demo of how it is used is below. You'll notice he's using a fairly large sized mouse, and the tray is overall large. In a real design the tray would probably need to be smaller and a smaller sized notebook optical mouse would fit the bill better.
The swivel mouse tray housed away underneath the laptop, notice it's only about as thick as the feet on the bottom of the laptop:
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A look at the underneath of the laptop with the tray swiveled out:
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Now looking at the top of the laptop with the tray swiveled underneath:
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Here we see the tray swiveled out with a mouse on it:
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And finally, the mouse tray at work on a lap:
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Personally I think this idea might have some legs, the questioin is whether notebook makers themselves would pick up on this idea or if there would be some way to integrate it as an add on accessory. There's some obvious drawbacks that would make this impossible to use all the time. For instance, if you're on a plane where you'd be challenged by space in all directions, a touchpad or pointing stick still makes more sense. Some people might want the tray to be detachable so they can reduce the laptop weight when they want to.
What do you think of this patent pending idea though? Sound off with your thoughts in the forums.
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
This is a good idea. Is there any way to do this on current laptops. I mean the current laptops that are in the market
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
This is a good idea. Is there any way to do this on current laptops. I mean the current laptops that are in the market The proof, as they say, is in the pudding:
Paul put together a crude rendition of his patent pending idea using a Toshiba laptop and thin piece of aluminum. The pictures and demo of how it is used is below. This swivel mousepad is obviously made for lap-use, right? I mean, if you were placing your computer on a flat surface anyway, there's not really much reason to have a swivel mousepad attached to your computer. Given that so many *notebooks* are released nowadays that suggest not using the machine on your lap (e.g. laptops vs notebooks), I don't know how much manufacturers would embrace this..... or maybe I'm just completely off base.
It's a neat idea though.
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
The idea is nice, but would it not block the bottom vents when retracted?
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
This swivel mousepad is obviously made for lap-use, right? I mean, if you were placing your computer on a flat surface anyway, there's not really much reason to have a swivel mousepad attached to your computer. I agree, I think it is mostly intended for lap use, and when on a desk it would either need to be out of sight and have no effect or be removable.
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
While a relative newbie, I can see some limited use for it. Just sitting on the couch and doing some quick email or casual surfing, it would probably work OK.
But trying to juggle things around to pull it out/push it back in and not bend/break a BT dongle or the screen or drop it from your lap seems like more work than I want to do. And the extra real estate it adds could be a little awkward to us in a small space (car, van, tiny table at McDonald's).
New laser mice work so well on almost any surface, that it's not such a concern.
This may be only me, but I also hate small "mousing" areas and constantly having to reposition my hand/mouse. Haven't use a mouse pad in years. I'll have my arm stretched all the way across the table before I reposition the mouse.
A nice, portable trackball mouse for notebooks will be a godsend.
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
thats great, i really like that idea, but there should be an indintation on the back of the lid where you can plug the mouse into for storage, then when you need it again, pop out the mouse and use on the extendable mouse pad
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
I don't think its a great idea.
The mobile world is moving towards lighter, smaller and cooler solutions.
This *invention* seems to be doing just the opposite, while providing minute practical benefits.
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
I'm just wondering why screwing a piece of plastic onto the bottom of a laptop is worthy of a patent.
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Re: Designing a Better Way to Use a Mouse with a Laptop -- Goodbye Touchpad?
What we really need is eye-tracking software through built-in webcams. The pointer would follow where your eyes are focused and you'd still have buttons for clicking.
I'm just wondering why screwing a piece of plastic onto the bottom of a laptop is worthy of a patent. It's novel enough. You'd be surprised.