Finger navigation input device

• US 20050253804A1
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tai, Li Chong, Wong, Wai Lee, Koay, Ban Kuan
• Granted Patent: US 7,310,086 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks

Abstract

An input device includes a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to a shaft and to move tangential to the shaft. The input device further includes a movement detection system to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft.

Claims

1. A finger navigation input device, comprising:

a shaft;

a navigation mechanism configured to move parallel to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft; and

a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said shaft includes:

an upper shaft segment;

a laser pointer connected to the upper shaft segment;

a lower shaft segment; and

a button, connected to the lower shaft segment, for activating the laser pointer.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said navigation mechanism is a collar that completely encircles the shaft.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said navigation mechanism is configured to slide along the shaft.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said navigation mechanism is configured to rotate around the shaft.

6. The device of claim 1 further including an output port configured to transmit signals associated with the detected movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein, in operation, the device is held in one hand, wherein the collar is manipulable with a finger of the hand, and wherein the device is stable without the use of a supporting surface and without the use of another hand.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

an upper shaft segment configured to move parallel to the shaft; and

a lower shaft segment configured to move parallel to the shaft, wherein the navigation mechanism is connected to the shaft between the upper shaft segment and the lower shaft segment, and wherein when the upper shaft segment and the lower shaft segment are moved next to the navigation mechanism, the movement of the navigation mechanism parallel to the shaft is restricted.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that emits light according to the movement of the navigation mechanism.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the shaft includes multiple shaft segments, wherein multiple shaft segments are adjustable to ergonomically fit into a hand.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the shaft includes multiple shaft segments, wherein one or more of the shaft segments include respective buttons, and wherein the device further comprises a turning disk for setting the programming of said respective buttons.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said one or more shaft segments are adjustable to configure placement of the respective buttons to ergonomically fit into a hand.

13. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a button; and

an output port configured to transmit signals associated with operation of the button.

14. The device of claim 1 further comprising a turning disk for setting functionality.

15. The device of claim 1 further comprising a retractable shaft segment, wherein when the retractable shaft segment is retracted, the retractable shaft segment restricts the movement of the navigation mechanism parallel to the shaft.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a battery for powering the device; and

a charging interface through which the battery is rechargeable.

17. A finger navigation input device, comprising:

a shaft;

a collar, connected to the shaft, configured to move parallel to the shaft and rotate tangential to the radius of the shaft, wherein movement of the collar relative to the shaft is restricted by the shaft; and

a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the shaft has upper and lower portions with larger diameters than a central portion, wherein the collar fits around the central portion, and wherein movement parallel to the shaft is restricted by the upper and lower portions.

19. A portable computer system comprising:

an input device, including;

a shaft;

a navigation mechanism configured to move relative to the shaft and to move tangential to the shaft;

a movement detection system configured to detect movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft;

an output port for transmitting signals that correspond to movement of the navigation mechanism relative to the shaft;

a battery for powering the input device; and

a charging interface through which the battery is rechargeable;

a computing device responsive to the input device, wherein the computing device includes a receiver configured to receive signals from the input device; and

a stowing bay for stowing the input device, wherein said stowing bay includes a charging interface, compatible with the charging interface of the input device, for recharging the battery of the input device when the input device is stowed in the stowing bay.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said input device further comprises a clip having a dual purpose of facilitating clipping the input device to an object and facilitating guiding the input device into a storage bay of the portable computer system.