Adjustable pointing and control device with automatic handedness switch

• US 20050030278A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liang Fu
• Original Assignee: Liang Fu
• Inventors: Fu, Liang
• Granted Patent: US 7,109,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

An adjustable pointing and control device with automatic handedness switch. The top of the housing can be adjusted independently in three desirable directions, roll, pitch, and height, with adequate ranges to provide optimal operating positions for all users, including left-handed and right-handed users, at all working positions. Any other undesirable adjustment is prohibited. The housing comprises an adjustable coupling means that provides the adjustability while covers the inside components. The automatic handedness switch keeps suitable control configuration for left-handed users and right-handed users based on the roll orientation of the housing top.

Claims

1. A method for developing an adjustable pointing and control device that controls at least one piece of equipment, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a base having a substantially flat shape,

(b) providing a top having an outer surface that fits in a hand comfortably,

(c) providing at least one motion sensor that generates motion signals,

(d) providing a plurality of controls on the exterior of said top, said controls being user operable and generating control signals, said controls having a left-handed configuration suitable for left-handed users and a right-handed configuration suitable for right-handed users,

(e) providing a circuitry including a communication link to said equipment and possibly a microprocessor, said circuitry processing said motion signals and said control signals, and communicating them with said equipment via said communication link,

(f) providing an adjustable coupling means that couples said base and said top, said adjustable coupling means allowing said top to be adjusted relatively to said base with adequate ranges in up to three desirable directions;

roll direction, pitch direction, and height direction, prohibiting adjustment in any other direction, and covering inside components,

(g) providing an automatic handedness switch that couples to said top, said automatic handedness switch functioning in such a manner that it switches electronically said controls from said left-handed configuration to said right-handed configuration when said top is being adjusted along said roll direction, passing the neutral position from left to right, and it switches back when said top is being adjusted along said roll direction, passing the neutral position from right to left,

whereby said adjustable pointing and control device can be adjusted with adequate ranges in at least one of said roll direction, pitch direction, and height direction, with adequate ranges to suit the need of any user at any working position, and whereby adjustment in any other direction is prohibited, whereby the inside components are protected from dust and moisture, and whereby said automatic handedness switch automatically configures said controls to suit the user'"'"'s handedness without any additional user action.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjustable coupling means is a semi-rigid sidewall of substantially tubular structure with a first end joining the circumference of said base and a second end joining the circumference of said top, said semi-rigid sidewall allowing said top to be adjusted in said roll direction, pitch direction, and height direction when and only when the applied force and torque exceed predetermined threshold, said semi-rigid sidewall having rigidity that prohibits rotation of said top relative to said base along yaw direction.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjustable coupling means comprises an adjustable coupling assembly and a flexible sidewall, said adjustable coupling assembly coupling to said base and said top, and comprising a plurality of a first type, a second type, and a third type adjustable element, said first type adjustable element providing rotational adjustment in said roll direction, said second type adjustable element providing rotational adjustment in said pitch direction, said third type adjustable element providing translational adjustment in said height direction, said first type, second type, and third type adjustable elements may have latching means which prohibit inadvertent adjustments, said flexible sidewall being of substantially tubular shape with a first end joining the circumference of said base and a second end joining the circumference of said top, said flexible sidewall being flexible enough to accommodate said adjustments.

4. An adjustable pointing and control device for controlling at least one piece of equipment, comprising:

(a) a base having a substantially flat shape,

(b) a top having an outer surface that fits in a hand comfortably,

(c) a plurality of motion sensors that generate motion signals,

(d) a plurality of controls on the exterior of said top, said controls being user operable and generating control signals, said controls having a left-handed configuration suitable for left-handed users and a right-handed configuration suitable for right-handed users,

(e) a circuitry, including a communication link to said equipment and possibly a microprocessor, that processes said motion signals and control signals and communicates them with said equipment via said communication link,

(f) a semi-rigid sidewall of substantially tubular structure with a first end joining the circumference of said base and a second end joining the circumference of said top, said semi-rigid sidewall allowing said top to be adjusted in roll, pitch, and height direction relative to said base when and only when the applied force and torque exceed predetermined threshold, said semi-rigid sidewall being flexible enough to provide adequate ranges of aid adjustments, said semi-rigid sidewall having rigidity that prohibits rotation of said top relative to said base along yaw direction,

(g) an automatic handedness switch that couples to said top, said automatic handedness switch functioning in such a manner that it switches electronically said controls from said left-handed configuration to said right-handed configuration when said top is being adjusted along said roll direction, passing the neutral position from left to right, and it switches back when said top is being adjusted along said roll direction, passing the neutral position from right to left, whereby said adjustable pointing and control device can be adjusted in said roll, pitch, and height direction, with adequate ranges to suit the need of any user at any working position, and whereby adjustment in any other direction is prohibited, and whereby the inside components are protected from dust and moisture, and whereby said automatic handedness switch automatically configures said controls to suit the user'"'"'s handedness without any additional user action.

5. An adjustable pointing and control device for controlling at least one piece of equipment, comprising:

(a) a base having a substantially flat shape,

(b) a top having an outer surface that fits in a hand comfortably,

(c) a plurality of motion sensors that generates motion signals,

(d) a plurality of controls on the exterior of said top, said controls being user operable and generating control signals, said controls having a left-handed configuration suitable for left-handed users and a right-handed configuration suitable for right-handed users,

(e) a circuitry including a communication link to said equipment and possibly a microprocessor, said circuitry processing said motion signals and said control signals, and communicating them with said equipment via said communication link,

(f) an adjustable coupling means that comprises an adjustable coupling assembly and a flexible sidewall, said adjustable coupling assembly comprising a plurality of a first type, a second type, and a third type adjustable elements, said first type adjustable element providing rotational adjustment in roll direction, said second type adjustable element providing rotational adjustment in pitch direction, said third type adjustable element providing translational adjustment in height direction, said first type, second type, and third type adjustable elements being interconnected and coupling to said base and said top in such a manner that said top can be adjusted relative to said base in at least one of said roll direction, pitch direction, and height direction, said flexible sidewall being of substantially tubular shape with a first end joining the circumference of said base and a second end joining the circumference of said top, said flexible sidewall being flexible enough to accommodate said adjustments,

(g) an automatic handedness switch that couples to said top and functions in such a manner that it switches said controls from said left-handed configuration to said right-handed configuration when said top is being adjusted along said roll direction, passing the neutral position from left to right, and it switches back when said top is being adjusted along said roll direction, passing the neutral position from right to left,

whereby said adjustable pointing and control device can be adjusted in at least one of said roll direction, pitch direction, and height direction, with adequate ranges to suit the need of any user at any working position, whereby adjustment in any other direction is prohibited, whereby the inside components are protected, and whereby said controls are automatically configured by said automatic handedness switch suit the user'"'"'s handedness without any additional user action.

6. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 5 wherein said first type, second type, and third type adjustable elements may further have non-lockable latching means, said non-lockable latching means allowing the corresponding adjustable element to be adjusted when and only when the applied force and torque exceed predetermined threshold.

7. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 5 wherein said first type, second type, and third type adjustable elements may further have lockable latching means, said lockable latching means allowing the corresponding adjustable element to be adjusted when and only when unlocked.