What you need to know
- A Microsoft patent for a foldable mouse was recently published.
- The patent shows a mouse that folds more than the already existing Microsoft Arc Mouse.
- Microsoft could create a mouse that folds all the way around into a compact shape.
The currently available Arc Mouse can either lay flat or pop up into an arched configuration. In contrast, the device described in the patent could fold around in a way similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. This wouldn't reduce the mass of the mouse, of course, but it would allow a device to fit into different pockets and bags.
The abstract of the patent reads:
A foldable computer mouse is provided that includes a deformable body configurable to be formed into a first expanded configuration usable for receiving inputs for controlling a computing device and a second folded configuration in which a first portion of the deformable body is folded over a second portion of the deformable body. The mouse also includes an input sensor disposed on the deformable body and configured to detect tactile input, a motion tracking component disposed on the deformable body and configured to detect movement of the computer mouse, and a communications component configured to wirelessly communicate tactile input and motion tracking data to the computing device.
As is the case with all patent filings, Microsoft may never make a device that utilizes this design. The patent was filed on March 30, 2021 and published on November 4, 2021.
