Windham, N.H. - Contour Design, provider of ergonomic computer input products, has been awarded a patent for its design of the RollerMouse.
The patent covers both the Classic model (introduced in 2000) and the Pro version (launched in 2003). The US Patent (#7,199,792) was awarded on April 3, 07.
The patent’s abstract details the product design: [The RollerMouse is a] “pointing device for use with a keyboard [that] functions like a computer mouse. It incorporates a plurality of configurable function keys. The pointing device is composed of a rolling surface capable of rotation and translation that [will] activate a switch when it is depressed. An optical sensor monitors the rotation and translation of the rolling surface and translates that motion into communications with the computer through a serial communication [port] such as a PS/2 or USB connection. The enclosure containing the rolling surface incorporates an aperture allowing a portion of the rolling surface to be available for manipulation, an elevated support surface for the keyboard and provision for palm rests.”
"The design, intensive testing and retesting of the RollerMouse was exhaustive and well worth the effort,” says James P. Golden, CAE and manager of special projects at Contour. “The time and energy invested – built upon the Contour Team’s creativity – have resulted in a product design that stands alone."