A fusion drilling process and device for the placement of dimensionally accurate borings, particularly those of large diameter, in rock, in which the waste melt is pressed into the surrounding rock, which is cracked due to the effect of temperature and pressure, and in which a borehole lining is produced by solidifying melting during boring, with a melt containing metal supplied through pipeline elements as a boring medium to the base of the borehole to be removed through melting. For this purpose a melt made of magnetic metal is preferably used.

This application is a national stage of PCT/EP00/01015 filed Feb. 9, 2000 and based upon a German national application 199 09 836.0 of Mar. 5, 1999 under the International Convention.
The present invention relates to a fusion drilling process for the placement of dimensionally accurate borings, particularly those of large diameter, in rock, in which the waste melt is pressed into the surrounding rock, which is crackedxe2x80x94due to the effects of temperature and pressure, and in which a borehole lining is produced during boring by solidifying melt.
The placement of borings in rock by means of melting the rock to be removed is generally known. Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,357,505 discloses a boring head with which the melting of rock is performed.
This known boring head, which consists of a metal resistant to high temperatures, such as molybdenum or tungsten, is heated by means of heating elements to a temperature above the melting temperature (1000-2000xc2x0 C.) of the rock and pressed at high pressure by means of costly extendable propulsion rods into the rock, which then melts.
The problems associated with transporting away the waste rock melt occurring in the boring process are solved in this case in that the rock melt enters into an opening of the boring head and is then conveyed to the surface within a conductor pipe by a rapid gas stream.
In spite of the resistant material, the boring head is subject to great wear due to the corrosive effects of the molten rock, so that it occasionally has to be replaced.
Furthermore, solving the problems associated with the waste by subjecting the melt to a high pressure, in addition to the naturally prevailing extremely high temperature gradients between the rock melt and the surrounding solid rock at the boring head, in order to cause the formation of cracks and splits of the surrounding solid rock into which the waste rock melt can be pressed through temperature and pressure stress is also known. It is thus no longer necessary to convey the waste material to the surface due to this process.
Also known is the pressing of the rock melt around the boring head during the production of fusion drilling borings, so that the melt solidifies above and around the fusion drilling head, particularly due to additional cooling measures which are provided, and the borehole is lined with a uniform glassy melt layer.
A device of this type, in which the rock is melted by an H2/O2 flame, is known from DE 2,554,101.
A fusion drilling device and a process for the operation of the device, which utilizes the pressing of the waste into the surrounding stone and the borehole lining, is known from DE 195 01 437 Al. The device described here is used in salt galleries and uses the molten salt itself as the boring medium.
In the known devices, there is a problem in that, due to the melt solidifying above and around the boring device, adhesion occurs between the wall of the boring device and the lining of the borehole, which typically must be overcome through special hydraulic propulsion and lifting facilities in order to bore further.
Correspondingly, a continuous hydraulic pressure must be used when operating with the known process, which makes the boring facility as a whole very costly, because it must be designed for enormous pressures of up to several thousand tons.
A boring device known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,940 uses a metal ceramic mixture for the boring head in order to reduce wear and more easily overcome the adhesive forces between the boring head surface and the rock melt.
The known facilities must be equipped with costly supply lines in order to supply the enormous quantities of energy for heating to the boring head over several kilometers of bore depth.
Due to the melting around the boring head, the later lifting of the boring device is also problematic in this case.
An object of the invention is to provide an energy-saving, universally usable boring process with which extremely deep borings, shafts, and tunnels, both horizontal and vertical, particularly those with large borehole diameters of, for example, more than 1 m, can be made, ready for use, in any rock substrate.
Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a process and a device for performance of this process with which the fusion drilling process can be performed economically and easily without additional cooling measures, without time-consuming drill pipe assembly, without moving components, without changing of the boring head, without waste transport, and without subsequent lining and casing work.
A further object of the invention is to provide special materials for general use in fusion drilling processes.
These objects are achieved according to the invention by, among other things, supplying, as the boring medium, a melt containing metal through pipeline elements to the base of the borehole, which is to be removed through melting.
According to the invention, to perform the boring process, a heated melt containing metal, which is also understood to mean a pure metal melt, e.g. an iron melt at a pouring temperature of approximately 2000xc2x0 C., is poured as a low viscosity boring medium into the first pipeline element in the direction of boring, so that the metal melt comes out of the last pipeline element directly over the base of the borehole and melts and removes the rock from the base of the borehole.
The removal of the molten waste rock is hereby promoted in that the rock has a significantly lower density than the metal melt, so that the rock melt automatically floats on the metal melt. The base of the borehole is thus automatically and continuously freed from the molten rock melt.
Due to the high static pressure which results from the metal melt column standing in the pipeline elements, the metal melt coming out of the lowermost pipeline element is guided with the waste material (rock melt), in the process according to the invention, between the outer side of the pipeline elements and the inner wall of the borehole, where they solidify as the boring progresses. Because the boring process is performed without further cooling measures, energy and cost savings of over 50% relative to known fusion drilling processes result.
The solidified melt, which can also be a mixture of melts made of metal and rock, forms a pressure seal between the pipeline element and the inner wall of the borehole, so that, due to the extremely high temperature gradients in the rock and the pressure generated, splitting of the rock material occurs automatically, whereby above all the lighter waste melt is pressed into the surrounding rock.
The loss of metal melt which results due to the compression and solidification can be compensated at the beginning of the boring at the first pipeline element through addition of metal melt. This addition can be performed continuously or discontinuously, because the volume of the melt column resting on the base of the borehole acts as a reservoir.
In this way, it is possible according to the invention to produce a dimensionally stable lined borehole, particularly lined with cast metal, which can have a large diameter, e.g. of more than 1 m, and essentially any desired profile, with this borehole able to be supplied for its intended use without any further post-processing, due to the automatic cast metal lining. The boring can hereby be performed not only vertically, but also horizontally or at other angles to the surface of the earth, so that borings for greatly differing intended uses such as, e.g., geothermal power stations, supply lines, or tunnels can be produced.
This means that, in the metal melt boring process according to the invention, in one single work cycle a borehole is melted, the borehole melt is pressed into the surrounding rock, and a compressed, stable borehole lining is made from the cooled rock melt which is simultaneously also lined with a seamless metal wall.
The process according to the invention thus advantageously allows the possibility of sinking metal-lined boreholes of the dimensions mentioned even to depths of over 10 kilometers in one work cycle, without having to remove the borehole melt or having to supply coolant, and with work able to be done at the boring target at temperatures of over 3000xc2x0 C. , rock pressures of over 1,000 bar, melt cutting forces of up to 10,000 bar or more, and a pipeline element weight of over 10,000 tons, which the current mechanical boring technology does not allow.
It is particularly advantageous if the melt used as the boring medium contains magnetic metals, such as iron, cobalt, or nickel, and/or completely consists of these metals or metal alloys. Various non-magnetic metal melts, such as copper, can also be used in the process according to the invention, however, iron melt, for example, particularly suggests itself in this case, because the costs of this type of melt are low, iron is readily available, and it has a high vaporization point of approximately 3000xc2x0 C. at atmospheric pressure.
The use of a magnetic melt results, as will be explained later, in the possibility of electromagnetically manipulating and/or controlling the entire boring device.
Because, even at atmospheric pressure, an overheated iron melt at approximately 3000xc2x0 C. can be worked with in the fusion drilling process, the highest material demands are placed on the pipeline elements through which the iron melt is supplied to the base of the borehole.
In general, it is proposed that greatly varying boring devices for the production of fusion drilling borings in rock, with which the rock to be removed can be melted and by means of which a borehole lining made of solidified melt can be produced through the melt arising in the melting process and/or the melt supplied into the borehole, be advantageously implemented in such a way that the surfaces of the boring device in contact with the molten or solidified melt mass consist of a material resistant to high temperatures.
The boring devices may be not only the device according to the invention, but all fusion drilling devices, as they are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 3,357,505, and, in particular, DE 2,554,101.
It should be noted here that the concept of melt should be understood to include not only the pure rock melt arising in typical processes, but also the melt supplied to the borehole according to the process according to the invention described here and/or the mixture of both of these melts which occurs.
Correspondingly, the pipeline elements, which are used to perform the process according to the invention, are preferably implemented in such a way that the surfaces in contact with the molten or solidified melt mass consist of a material resistant to high temperatures.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the pipeline elements for performing the process according to the invention are manufactured completely from the preferred material, because in this way composite construction and excessive complexity of the individual components are avoided.
In order to prevent adhesion between the solidified melt and the elements of boring devices, and particularly the pipeline elements of the boring device according to the invention, the material is to be selected so that, for example, its frictional coefficient is smaller than 0.5 and the material has a low surface tension, in order to ensure that no wetting occurs between the material and the melt.
Graphite or metal composite ceramics are, for example, suitable as the material selected.
Graphite can meet all of the required demands as a material for the boring device and particularly for the pipeline elements. Thus, graphite is, for example, a good heat and current conductor parallel to its lamination, but acts as an insulator perpendicular to its lamination. Graphite can therefore be used both for thermal insulation of the metal melt and for current conduction. Furthermore, it has a high strength and slides easily, can be worked like metal, and can be preformed and shaped in its raw state with dimensional accuracy.
Furthermore, a particular advantage of graphite is that it is not moistened by metal or the rock melts, as desired, and is temperature resistant at normal pressure up to approximately 3000xc2x0 C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. In addition, graphite is distinguished in that its strength also increases with increasing temperature, with the tensile strength and compressive strength, respectively, reaching their maximum of approximately 100 and 400 MPa, respectively, at approximately 2500xc2x0 C.
Because, however, graphite oxidizes in an oxygen atmosphere from approximately 400xc2x0 C., i.e. burns, the boring process is preferably performed, or at least begun, under an inert gas atmosphere. The inert gas is preferably argon, which, due to its high density, does not leak away from the borehole on its own. As the boring progresses, the graphite elements are no longer under an oxygen atmosphere, so that the inert gas supply can be turned off.
The pipeline elements used for the process should essentially be understood to be individual cylindrical parts, particularly made of graphite, as mentioned, which have a central boring.
The individual cylindrical parts, in which the ratio of the external diameter to the internal diameter is large, particularly larger than 10 to 1, can be connected with one another so that a graphite pipeline can be made which, in the fusion drilling process according to the invention, assumes the functions of fusion drilling head, boring device body, and supply and pressure lines.
It is also advantageous that, due to the metal content according to the invention, the melt can additionally be heated by current, in order to ensure that the melt reaches the base of the borehole in a heated, fluid condition.
In this case, for example, an iron melt, as an electrically conductive fluid, can assume both the function of energy transport to the rock to be melted and the function of current conductor.
The current flow can here be closed at an uppermost pipeline element, i.e. at the beginning of the boring, through the metal melt guided in the pipeline elements, via the metal melt present at the base of the borehole, and back via the external solidified metallic borehole lining. It is also possible to carry the current through the graphite pipeline down to the melt over the base of the borehole.
The current for heating of the metal melt can hereby be coupled directly or inductively into the melt.
As the depth of the bore progresses, it is provided that further pipeline elements, i.e., for example, further graphite cylinders, can be attached to each preceding element.
This results, in the final effect, in a pipeline made of graphite pipe which extends through the entire depth of the bore. Due to the lower density of graphite relative to the metal melt, the graphite pipeline initially floats on the melt and slides toward the depths while supplying metal melt and removing the base of the bore. Then an equilibrium results between the pressure necessary for compressing the melt and the pressure obtaining in the melt due to the weight of the upright graphite pipe and the melt column.
The thickness of the melt cushion under the graphite pipeline is hereby approximately 10 cm. The boring speed is approximately 5 mm per second, whereby it should be noted that the boring according to the invention is performed without changing the boring head, without cooling, and without conveyance of waste.
Changing the boring head is unnecessary in any case because the pipeline elements consisting of graphite can be mechanically identical, so that a possible burning away of the lowest element is not disadvantageous. However, care should be taken here that each lowest pipeline element subject to possibly being burned away does not have any electrical elements surrounding the burning zone whose consumption could lead to destruction or malfunction.
An essential point of the idea according to the invention is that, due to the unusual material properties of graphite, no obstructive adhesion occurs between the solidified cast metal borehole lining and the outer side of the pipeline elements consisting of graphite, so that the graphite pipeline can actually slide into the depths essentially without friction losses and is just as easy to lift out later.
This results due to the low surface tension relative to the melt and the low friction coefficients of graphite, which even become smaller with increasing temperature.
It is further advantageous if the individual pipeline elements have controllable magnetic devices in their particularly thickly implemented walls, through which the pipeline elements can be guided and/or supported like a magnetic glider in the solidified metallic borehole lining, which preferably consists of iron.
In order to ensure that the individual electromagnets can be controlled from outside the borehole, the individual pipeline elements have internal control lines and contact points which correspond to one another, via which the magnetic devices can be supplied with control signals over the entire pipeline.
Through this embodiment, it is possible to realize a traveling magnetic field between the metallic borehole lining and the magnetic devices mentioned, so that the graphite pipeline can be moved up and down like a magnetic glider in the borehole through appropriate.control of the magnetic devices. In particular, this makes it possible to influence the pressure ratios at the base of the borehole and to, in turn, lift the graphite pipeline at the end of the boring procedure.
Thus, in combination with the magnetic borehole lining, tensile, retention, or pressure forces can be exercised on the pipeline elements through electronic control. The weight of the pipeline elements acting in the depths is therefore able to be manipulated, so that the thickness of the melt cushion on which the pipeline elements float is also adjustable.
The later lifting can be made even easier if the completed borehole is flooded for support, particularly with pressurized water, with, in the case of intended fluid mining or energy mining, the lower production region of this type of borehole remaining unlined, and the borehole wall, which is glassed over with molten rock, broken up under the delivery pressure of the water and the fluid or high temperature geothermal water released.
In a further embodiment, it is additionally provided that further controllable magnetic devices, which act as valves for the metal melt to be supplied, are inserted within the wall of the pipeline elements, so that the flow of the metal melt within the pipeline elements can be influenced.
Through this installation of the valves (magnetic valves) according to the invention, it is possible that a portion of the entire metal melt strand standing on the base of the borehole is carried in each pipeline element by closing the magnetic valves, so that the increasing weight of the metal melt strand can be distributed onto several support points, which results in the individual pipeline elements of the graphite pipeline being held in place with the support/guide magnets in the cast-iron lining of the borehole.
It is thus possible to vary the weight of the metal melt column. Thus for example, a predefined amount of metal melt can be supplied to the base of the borehole through the targeted opening of the magnetic valves, or, through simultaneous opening of all magnetic valves, the entire weight of the metal melt strand can have a pulsed action upon the base of the borehole. At a depth of 10,000 m, the pressure of the iron melt column is hereby already over 7,000 bar.
Through pulsed control of the valves, a vibration can be generated in the melt over the base of the borehole, which produces a suction effect, thereby freeing the base of the borehole from molten rock and thus increasing the progress of boring.
The magnetic devices according to the invention for the implementation of support/guide magnets and/or magnetic valves or other control devices, whose effects are based on magnetic forces, can, xe2x80x94for example, also consist of conducting graphite coils inserted in insulating graphite. It is also conceivable that the devices be formed from metal melts flowing in coil-shaped graphite channels. In this case, the channels can be implemented in the pipeline elements consisting of graphite.
In order to start the fusion drilling process according to the invention, it is advantageous if the fusion drilling procedure begins in a pre-bore, filled with inert gas, which is lined with a metal pipe anchored at the surface, particularly in a reinforced concrete cover. This steel-lined pre-bore should have a depth of approximately 30 to 50 meters, with at least the bottom meter remaining free from the metal piping.
Furthermore, it is necessary to provide power units, a metal melting facility with filling machines, and a device for attachment of the individual pipeline elements to one another at the boring surface. Further devices, such as oversized boring towers or hydraulic pressure and lifting facilities, are not necessary for the boring process according to the invention.
Care should be taken that the reinforced concrete cover is designed appropriately thickly and surrounds a large area around the borehole, so that the melt is prevented from breaking through to the surface during the start of the metal melt boring process and during the beginning of the compression of the rock melt, and possibly parts of the metal melt, into the surrounding rock.
Because cracks are typically already present in the rock, a pressure of only a few multiples of 10 bar is necessary to further widen the cracks which are present and to allow compression. This means that the depth of approximately 30 to 50 meters mentioned for a conventional pre-bore is sufficient to start the metal melt process according to the invention.
At the beginning of the boring, the first pipeline element is sunk into the metal-lined pre-bore, which is done by means of a manipulator device and/or with the aid of guide/support magnets located in the elements. After appropriate assembly of several pipeline elements, which advance up to just before the base of the borehole, the metal melt is poured into the inside of the pipeline until the metal melt rises, between the pipeline elements inserted into the borehole and the inner wall of the conventional pre-bore, up to the edge of the metal pipe lining. There, it bonds with the pipe through welding. The diameter of the graphite pipeline is hereby to be dimensioned in such a way that the outer side of the pipeline element and the inner side of the metal pipe lie tightly against one another in their heated condition, in order to prevent the fluid metal melt from penetrating.
In this way, a pressure seal is formed, so that the fusion drilling process can be started. In addition, the current loop for supplementary heating of the metal melt is closed through the connection between the metal melt strand and/or the graphite pipeline and the metal pipe inserted in the pre-bore.
To optimize the removal of rock from the base of the borehole, it is advantageous if the lowermost pipeline element, which acts as a boring head, has at least one magnetic pump/nozzle arrangement, by means of which the metal melt can be shot onto the base of the borehole in the form of at least one melt stream.
Through the further induction coils provided, which can be formed by the flowing metal melt itself (appropriate coil-shaped flow channels in the boring head), it is possible to overheat the melt stream in such a way that a stream at an extraordinarily high temperature of several thousand degrees or a plasma stream results, with which extraordinary boring progress can be achieved.
This overheated melt and/or plasma stream generates a local overheating as it penetrates into the melt, particularly in the central region, so that the rock removal is optimized there.
Through the implementation of at least one melt stream, which can preferably be directed by means of a magnetic coil arrangement provided in the lowermost pipeline element, the possibility also exists of counteracting uneven rock removal at the base of the borehole, which can result due to the different types of rock or anisotropy in the rock. For this purpose, the melt stream is directed onto the points in the base of the borehole where the removal is slowest.
One can make an image of the irregular removal of rock in the base of the borehole by sending electrical impulses via, for example, the melt column and/or the graphite pipeline down to the base of the borehole and measuring the run time of the impulses reflected from there. A topographical image of the base of the borehole can be produced and evaluated via the surface of the melt column/graphite pipeline and the runtime of the impulses, and control of the melt stream can be achieved.
Depending on the alignment of the melt stream, increased rock removal advantageously occurs in the region around the stream, so that the base of the borehole becomes coneshaped in the direction of the stream, whereby the overall working surface for the hot metallic melt is increased and a larger overall removal rate can be realized.
The magnetic arrangements mentioned here can be controlled through control lines integrated in the pipeline elements, with the other notable advantage being that the magnetic arrangements operate without wear.
In order to ensure free movability of the metal melt stream below the magnetic coil arrangement integrated in the lowermost pipeline element (boring head), it is practical to implement a funnel-shaped recess in the boring head, particularly a centrally located one, within which the melt stream can be pivoted up to, for example, 60 degrees in all directions relative to the metal melt column.
The boring process can also be advantageously optimized by setting the melt over the base of the borehole in rotation, so that the rock melt, which is lighter than the metal melt, is conveyed upward and, due to centrifugal force, outward, and pressed into the cracks.
The rotation of the melt can hereby be effected through the magnetic arrangement, which also deflects the melt streams. The rotational axis of the melt is hereby given by the melt stream, so that the rotational axis of the melt is also adjustable.
It is advantageous if control elements, which cause a rotation of the melts and/or an alignment of the streams, are provided at least in the lowermost pipeline element, distributed over the entire length of the element, but preferably in several of the lower pipeline elements, acting on the melt in an identical way. In this case, burning away of the pipeline elements is not harmful and does not affect the control of the melt (streams).
Thus, for example, for the placement of a 10 km deep boring, a lower region of identical pipeline elements of a length of over 100 meters can be used, so that even if large amounts are burned away at the end of the deep boring, the boring head still forms a controllable pipeline element.
As a simple embodiment, the control elements can be at least three current conductors in contact with the melt, which are inserted in the pipeline elements. Through control of these conductors with polyphase current, rotation of the melts can be achieved. Through different current strengths on the phases, the rotational axis of the rotating melts can be pivoted, particularly around up to approximately 60xc2x0.
It is also possible to form the control elements through graphite coils or melts flowing in channels, as mentioned earlier.
Parts of the metal melt which are also compressed can be reclaimed because these parts of the melt can also be heated by the current flow, whereby the portions of melt remain fluid and again sink in the direction of the base of the borehole due to gravity.
Reclamation of the parts of the metal melt from the cracks in the rock is additionally promoted in that an attractive force can be exercised on the compressed parts of the metal melt through the magnets located in the pipeline elements.
The implementation of a pure metal lining of the borehole is thereby promoted due to the influence of the magnetic attractive forces.
Through the influence of these attractive forces it is also possible to purposely produce a borehole without a lining.
For this purpose, the magnetic devices producing the attractive force are switched off during the boring process, so that the lighter rock melt always floats on the metal melt and solidifies without being pushed away by the attractive force.
Correspondingly, a lining made of pure rock is implemented in this way.


A mouse (1) suitable for use as a computer input device that is collapsible between a flat configuration in which the mouse (1) is generally planar, and an optional popped configuration in which the mouse (1) has increased volume and forms a generally curved ergonomic profile, where said mouse (1) can be used for wireless data input and control and is operable in either configuration, and can be conveniently attached when flat with a docking cradle or tray (3) that slides into a card-shaped recess (13), such as a PCMCIA or CardBus interface slot within a host device (12) for the purposes of storage, battery recharging, and where said docking cradle (3) can directly provide wireless connectivity and control information between the mouse (1) and host device (12). The mouse (1) may support a combination of buttons (4) and capacitance panels (41) for increased control.

A major problem with the provision of input devices for portable computing devices is the large and unusual form-factor of the traditional computer mouse, which is unusual in shape, bulky and difficult to carry in a pocket or bag sleeve, and contains a long connector cable. This has obviously resulted in mouse designs using a retractable wire or using wireless technology for communication, which generally has required the additional need for a wireless dongle or card attached to the main computer. Various alternative mouse technologies have also been widely introduced, such as embedding touch-pads or miniature or fold-out joy-sticks onto a portable computer or using an interactive touch-screen for fingers or a stylus, however, such approaches suffer from requiring consumers to change behaviour and are generally not preferred as a mouse replacement. This is particularly important given the frequency of mouse usage required to control modern desktop environments, and users generally welcome the speed and form-factor afforded by a traditional mouse when at their desk-top computer or when using their portable device for a major activity.
Accordingly there is a need for a portable mouse that provides a compact and complete wireless solution as a flat device suitable for storing easily in a pocket or within a recess of a portable device, and can be easily used in a flat form or extended into a more traditional ergonomic form.
There is substantial and diverse prior art relating to computer mouse designs and x-y input devices in general, with the majority covering different ergonomic forms of mouse, button combination and mechanical mould assembly, and different movement sensor technology approaches from wheels to balls, to optical and gyroscopic means, as well as different software control approaches and different wiring arrangements, wire storage solutions or wireless connectivity approaches.
However, despite the large volume of granted patents and other prior art, many covering similar approaches, a small subset address the problems required of the portable mouse, with the majority of those covering alternative technological methods such as touch-pads, or joysticks, or requiring a custom designed recess in a computer device that accommodates a custom mouse design. Where collapsible or extendable devices have been considered they have generally been from the motivation of making an operable open configuration more ergonomic and generally provide some reduction in size for storage in a non operable mode, usually suggested by high-level mechanical concepts that lack a precise mechanical implementation. The prior art has not addressed the opportunity, nor the mechanical and electrical component challenges of making a flat mouse operable and extendable in the innovative and elegant way disclosed in detail in on our invention, nor the synergies in compatibility and portability by integrating this with a docking tray shaped to be accommodated in standard card slots recesses, thus enabling a wide-spread universal application of the mouse with legacy and future portable devices.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,541,541 by Engelbart (1967) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,464 by Rider (1973, assigned to Xerox Corp) provides an example of early mouse implementations, U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,865 by Kim discloses a traditional mouse trackball implementation, U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,476 by Luque (1983), a trackball assembly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,055 by Nestler discloses an early optical sensor arrangement, U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,165 by Gart discloses a mouse shaped into an ergonomic shape, U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,276 by Kwok shows a mouse with integrated track ball, U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,157 by Bidiville et al (assigned to Logitech) discloses a traditional mouse implementation (albeit ornamentally styled as a mouse), using an optical-mechanical sensor, U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,610 by Baba discusses another form of mouse of semi-spherical design using an additional pressure sensor, U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,715 by Garrett discloses a pyramid shaped mouse, U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,670 by Chen discloses a ergonomic mouse profile and internal mechanism, U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,354 by Adan et al discloses an example optical arrangement, U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,611 by Chan proposes a smaller form factor mouse to be finger controlled, U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,563 by Oross et al, discloses a mouse with removable ergonomic mouse extension, US application 2003/0076303 by Huppi (assigned to Apple), discloses a mouse with a third rotary wheel. These like many other examples disclose the plurality of granted forms of mechanical and technical implementations of traditional mouse forms.
In terms of alternative approaches, U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,578 by Sava discloses a finger joystick approach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,918 by Saposnik discloses a further example joystick sensor, U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,321 by Masaki et al discloses an example stylus pen input device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,602 by Sellers discloses a rotary control suitable for embedding in a device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,587,093 by Shaw discloses capacitive mouse sensors used around a track ball, U.S. Pat. No. 6,731,267 by Touriniemi et al discloses a single-touch dual input device, suitable for thumb control, U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,191 by Komatsu discloses a capacitive sensing area applied to a standalone accessory mouse like device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,930 by Nakamura et al discloses a central mouse button using capacitive sensing technology. U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,388 by Liao discloses an example of a touchpad x-y capacitance sensor applied to a portable computing device with U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,162 showing the components forming a 2D capacitance x-y input device for mounting on a computer.
In terms of reducing wire impact, U.S. Pat. No. 6,600,479 by Smith et al, uses a retractable wire mechanism as does U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,046 by Chung, with U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,268 by Mori disclosing an early wireless mouse apparatus. An alternative has been to connect the mouse directly to the computer and store it within a custom recess, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,355 by Jondrow (assigned to Hewlett Packard) where a mouse slides out from the computer, similarly in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,039 by Helms (assigned to Dell) where the computer accommodates a slide out tray and a hole for a solid mouse form, and similarly U.S. Pat. No. 6,476,795 by Derocher (assigned to Hewlett Packard) for accommodating a mouse within a tray for the purpose of recharging.
In terms of moving or extendable mouse shells U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,696 by Itoh discloses the overall mouse shell shaped ergonomically and moving to act as input sensor, U.S. Pat. No. 6,304,249 by Derocher et al, (2001, assigned to Hewlett Packard) discloses the general principle of having a mouse shell cover collapse or extend when operable to give larger ergonomic forms and reduce in a non operable storage state, generally by high level mechanical means, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,370 by Kravtin, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,489,947 by Hesley of improving ergonomic form by affixing a mouse extension module.
Of note is U.S. Pat. No. 6,661,410 by Casebolt et al (which references recent optical patents), and discloses a general proximity method for power management purposes.
Despite the wealth of prior art on mouse and other input devices, none discloses the highly advantageous implementation of a separate wireless flat mouse that detects lateral movement and can be operable in a flat state, nor do they disclose the benefits of simplicity of our innovative collapse mechanism that enables the mouse to be popped to an enlarged ergonomic profile simply via a sliding mechanism, and combination with linked side-panels that enclose the extended mouse forming a rigid device, nor do they disclose the advantage of a planar mouse being storable within a suitably shaped docking card that can support wireless and control connectivity for the host computer, and can enable the overall mouse device to be storable within a universal card-shaped recess on the host computer for recharging or when not in use.
To the best of the applicant's knowledge, the prior art, whilst suggesting some features and numerous variations of mouse implementations and technologies in general, the prior art has not disclosed some of the highly advantageous features of the present invention discussed herein.
According to the present invention there is provided a mouse for controlling a cursor on a screen of a computing device, the mouse being reversibly expandable and collapsible between a flat generally planar configuration and a popped configuration, the mouse being operable in both configurations.
In an embodiment, the mouse is reversibly expandable and collapsible between a flat generally planar configuration and a popped configuration in which the device has a relatively greater volume, the mouse being operable in both configurations. The mouse may comprise one or more of a sensing device for detecting lateral physical movement of the interface device and generating x-y position data suitable for controlling a cursor on a computing device; a plurality of sensors providing co-ordinate and selection data; wireless connectivity means for transmitting input data from the interface device for use in controlling a said cursor on a said computing device; and, a rechargeable battery.
The preferred embodiment provides a portable mouse that is suitable for use as a computer input device and is collapsible between an operable flat configuration in which the mouse is generally planar, and a popped configuration in which the mouse has increased volume and forms a generally curved ergonomic profile, where the device when flat can be conveniently attached to or stored within a docking cradle or tray that slides into a card-shaped recess, such as a universal PCMCIA or CardBus interface slot within a host device for the purposes of storage and battery recharging, and where said docking cradle provides wireless connectivity and control means between a wireless module on the mouse and the host device. Said mouse supports a combination of touch sensitive buttons or mechanical push buttons and side or upper surface mounted capacitance panels that allow for additional slide or control functions.
The mouse device, of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment comprises a card-shaped docking cradle that can be stored within a card shaped recess of a host device, such as a CardBus interface slot and supports a sliding generally flat mouse device, where said docking cradle is formed as a base connector unit with universal electrically connecting interface pins and extends opposing parallel grooves for supporting the mouse device. Said docking cradle preferably encloses wireless control chips, circuitry and antenna for short-range communication to the mouse device.
Said preferred mouse device is similarly shaped in a flat configuration with opposing side edges shaped to slide into the docking cradle grooves and be storable within the card shaped recess of the host device, said mouse device generally having a flat portion stored within the recess limited by a standard thickness and a protruding section that could optionally be thicker for accommodating a sensor device, where said mouse device electrically connects to the docking cradle when stored for purposes of recharging and data connectivity, or when removed can connect via a wireless link to the docking cradle and host computer to provide input data. Said mouse device contains lateral movement sensor means and control circuitry to record and transmit x-y position information for controlling a cursor on the host device and supporting a plurality of buttons and capacitance sensors for selection and control purposes. Said movement sensor technology is preferably an optical or laser sensing or gyroscopic means, and comprises low profile chips suitable for enclosure within the card shaped device along with a suitable compact rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion polymer battery.
Said preferred mouse device is physically comprised from a rigid base unit and a generally parallel semi-flexible upper surface supporting sensor buttons, the base unit being constructed from two interlocking and sliding sections that can be pushed together and reversibly lock by means of a side button, the act of sliding serving to reduce the chord length of the upper surface and therefore mechanically bias the upper surface to form an arc or curved profile. Said base unit supports sprung hinged side panels that are fixed on opposing sides of one portion of the base unit, and arranged to be stored parallel to the base unit in the flat configuration, and are biased to become nearly perpendicular to the upper surface when the device is pushed together such that they enclose the overall mouse device and provide rigidity to the upper surface, and are lockable in a near perpendicular arrangement by mechanical means. Said rigid base also supports small low friction feet that serve to raise the device slightly from a surface and enable the mouse device to be moved smoothly.
In a preferred embodiment said buttons are positioned above said sensor technology and arranged to lie at the end of the mouse device and to protrude from the docking cradle and computer device when stored within a card slot. Such an arrangement allows for increased shaping of the buttons for ergonomic purposes and increased mechanical travel as buttons are depressed. Said mechanism providing similar button action when the mouse is in the collapsed flat or popped configuration.
In a preferred embodiment said sensor technology utilizes a highly compact or laser sensor technology that forms an integral chip incorporating a light source, processing camera chip and lens that minimizes the thickness of the mouse section protruding from the card slot.
Said locking mechanism is preferably achieved by having a rigid rib with central hinge spring affixed to the base unit and sliding within a groove on the side-panels, and is biased to form an angle such as seventy degrees or an intermediate angle between a flat zero degree position when the overall mouse device is flat, and a ninety degree angle when the mouse device is popped open, and locked by means of a shaped protrusion on the rib that mechanically abuts and rises over a similar shaped protrusion in the alternative base unit as the base units are pushed together. The rib therefore forms a stored flat 'U' shape when the mouse device is flat, a natural sprung 'V' shape, and a deployed 'L' shape when the mouse device is curved.
Said side-panels preferably support a capacitance sensor or surface detection means, or mechanical button sensor affixed to the inner rib, whereby they can provide selection and control data when a thumb or finger is say slid laterally along the side of the mouse device, or when compressed, thus providing an additional control equivalent to a third rotary wheel on a traditional mouse. A major benefit of having said sensors on alternative vertical sides of the mouse is that they could provide two additional sliding controls suitable for controlling Z direction movement in a three-dimensional application such as a game, advanced 3D desktop environment (as is being developed by Apple, Sun and Microsoft), 3D graphics programs, and other applications where they could be customized such as for scrolling a window or web-page, selecting from a drop down menu or rotating a file index system.
In a further embodiment said capacitance sensor or surface detection means could be mounted between the buttons on the flat area of the upper surface, or mounted on the flexible area of the upper surface.
A major advantage of the preferred mouse device is the compact planar form-factor that can be readily stored within universal card-recesses on devices and easily recharged, and is highly compact for portable use when carried in a pocket, bag sleeve, or when affixed to the side of a portable device. The overall form-factor with a smooth side edge shape that is preferably a rubbery textured material provides a device that is highly operable in the flat configuration.
The elegant mechanism to pop the mouse upwards and form a three dimensionally shaped mouse with curved ergonomic profile, simply by pushing the base unit together, provides a rapid method of changing the mouse shape as well as the benefit of additional control sensors on the sides of the mouse that could be very useful for 3D and custom applications. A major market advantage is that the mouse in this configuration appears regular and therefore addresses concerns consumers might have in their mind at point of purchase about the usability of the mouse in the flat configuration, however, after purchase users may find they prefer either the flat or curved configurations equally. It is a key advantage in modern device user design to replicate form-factors that match users comfort zones and expectation as well as providing new features, such as mechanisms to make devices compact and portable.
In a further embodiment said docking cradle capable of being attached to the mouse and still storable within a card slot could be formed with an integral USB connector to enable the cradle to be plugged directly into a USB port to act as a traditional wireless receiver, or for USB recharging. Various hybrid embodiments are possible, either to provide wireless connectivity and recharge connection by means of the PCMCIA slot, or recharge via PCMCIA and wireless connectivity by means of USB, or for charge and connectivity via USB alone. Similarly for applications where wireless connectivity is embedded within the host computer device, said docking cradle could be implemented simply to aid storage in a PCMCIA slot or for recharge purposes. In further embodiments slot format may change, as is currently expected with the Card Express format which behaves in a similar way to existing PCMCLA/Card Bus ports but has a different connector and reduced dimension, however, a reduced docking cradle could be provided to be attached to the preferred mouse device to enable it to be partially stored within such a slot and similarly connected for recharge purposes. For host devices supporting new formats such as Card Express it is expected that there would be various wireless connectivity means such as Bluetooth and WiFi that reduce the need to embed dedicated wireless receiver circuitry in the docking cradle. In a preferred set of embodiments the overall mouse device would be implemented in a consistent and modular way suitable for attachment with a variety of docking cradles that would be selected by the end user depending on their host computer ports and needs.
A further embodiment could incorporate a surface touch-screen and flat flexible display 100 (as shown in FIG. 21A), such as an OLED (organic light emitting device), on the outer upper surface of the mouse device, that would receive wireless display data from the host computer. The advantage of this would be receive wireless display data from the host computer. The advantage of this would be to provide custom menu or selection information as well as to provide a navigation aid that would by way of example show applications in use on a desktop or a series of web-links or other navigation and control data, thus providing a rapid means of navigating directly to an application, web-site or domain, as well as feedback for user in navigating or controlling complex applications. Such an embodiment enables the mouse to provide advanced methods and systems of controlling applications and web navigation.
Further embodiments could be derived with more complex collapsing mechanisms to enable a larger three dimensional shaped mouse to be formed by using two overlapping upper and lower surfaces and sliding the base units apart to become longer and by utilizing the side-panels to pop up and support the overall profile. Similarly the overall device could be made expandable in width by using two overlapping upper surfaces that can slide over each other and by making the base expandable in width using a similar sliding mechanism. Furthermore, the overall mouse shell surface could be made more spherical by using a series of fold-up internal ribs, and making the upper surface more like a flexible skin, or forming it in several hinging sections to fold up and hinge to give a specific profile.
Similarly the docking cradle could incorporate or be replaced by an alternative interface connector, such as a USB or fire-wire connector.
Accordingly the overall flat and collapsible mouse device could become a highly portable, compact, easily storable, and versatile solution for mobile device interface needs.