Hand controller
First Claim
1. A hand-operable controller comprisinga spherical surface mounted on a base;
- a flat plate mounted above said spherical surface and adapted to be rocked by an operator'"'"'s hand in a slip-proof manner over said spherical surface;
spaced switch means extending between said spherical surface and said plate actuatable to produce signals for indicating the direction of rocking movement of said plate with respect to said spherical surface; and
a flat spring means extending between said spherical surface and said flat plate and deflectable upon plate movement for restoring said flat plate to its nominal position in the absence of a disturbing rocking force applied to said flat plate.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hand controller for use in controlling the motion of a cursor on a video display comprises a spherical surface on which is mounted a flat plate. On the bottom of the flat plate is a unique electrical switch capable of indicating the direction in which the flat plate is rocked over the spherical surface. Attached to the bottom of the flat plate adjacent the spherical surface is a spring consisting of a substantially flat center portion and four spiralling arms extending from the periphery of said center portion to attach to the structure on which the spherical surface is mounted. When the flat plate is rocked over said spherical surface, the spring generates a restoring force which, upon removal of the rocking force, restores the flat plate to its nominal position. The spring makes possible rocking motion of the flat plate over the spherical surface without pinning the flat plate to a point on the spherical surface. In one embodiment, the controller is capable of moving the cursor in eight different directions.
-
Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A hand-operable controller comprising
a spherical surface mounted on a base; -
a flat plate mounted above said spherical surface and adapted to be rocked by an operator'"'"'s hand in a slip-proof manner over said spherical surface; spaced switch means extending between said spherical surface and said plate actuatable to produce signals for indicating the direction of rocking movement of said plate with respect to said spherical surface; and a flat spring means extending between said spherical surface and said flat plate and deflectable upon plate movement for restoring said flat plate to its nominal position in the absence of a disturbing rocking force applied to said flat plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification