Keyboard cursor controller
First Claim
1. A cursor controller for use with a computer comprising:
- a handle having first and second perpendicular slots disposed in different parallel planes;
first cross-slide means slidably mounted in said first slot for guiding the motion of said handle along an x axis of finite length;
second cross-slide means slidably mounted in said second slot for guiding the motion of said handle along a y axis of finite length;
first movable encoder strip and fixed detector means for sensing motion of said handle along said y axis;
second movable encoder strip and fixed detector means for sensing motion of said handle along said x axis; and
means for electrically coupling said first and second detector means to a computer to control the movement of a computer generated cursor in response to movement of said handle, said electrical coupling means further including;
means for determining the magnitude and direction of handle movement along said x and y axes;
means for detecting the end of travel of said handle at either end of said x axis;
means for detecting the end of travel of said handle at either end of said y axis; and
means for inhibiting movement of said cursor in a direction opposite to its last movement along an axis when the end of travel of the handle is detected along that axis, until the handle is withdrawn from the end of travel position and once again moved toward the same end of travel position.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cursor controller has a handle having first and second perpendicular slots disposed in different parallel planes. A first cross-slide is slidably mounted in the first slot and guides the motion of the handle along an x axis. A second cross-slide is slidably mounted in the second slot and guides the motion of the handle along a y axis. A first encoder strip mounted to the first cross-slide is provided together with a quadrature detector for sensing the direction and magnitude of movement of the handle along the y axis. A second encoder strip mounted to the second cross-slide is provided together with a quadrature detector for sensing the direction and magnitude of movement of the handle along the x axis. Signals from the quadrature detectors are processed and coupled to a computer to provide cursor control on the computer'"'"'s display screen. An end of travel reset feature restricts movement of the cursor when the handle reaches the end of its travel along an axis, until the handle is withdrawn and once again moved toward the same end of travel position.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A cursor controller for use with a computer comprising:
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a handle having first and second perpendicular slots disposed in different parallel planes; first cross-slide means slidably mounted in said first slot for guiding the motion of said handle along an x axis of finite length; second cross-slide means slidably mounted in said second slot for guiding the motion of said handle along a y axis of finite length; first movable encoder strip and fixed detector means for sensing motion of said handle along said y axis; second movable encoder strip and fixed detector means for sensing motion of said handle along said x axis; and means for electrically coupling said first and second detector means to a computer to control the movement of a computer generated cursor in response to movement of said handle, said electrical coupling means further including; means for determining the magnitude and direction of handle movement along said x and y axes; means for detecting the end of travel of said handle at either end of said x axis; means for detecting the end of travel of said handle at either end of said y axis; and means for inhibiting movement of said cursor in a direction opposite to its last movement along an axis when the end of travel of the handle is detected along that axis, until the handle is withdrawn from the end of travel position and once again moved toward the same end of travel position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A cursor controller for use in a computer comprising:
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actuator means for manual movement within a predefined limited area; fixed detector means for sensing the direction and magnitude of movement of said actuator means within said area; means for interfacing said detector means to a computer to control the movement of a computer generated cursor in response to movement of said actuator means; means for detecting the end of travel of said actuator means within said area; and means for restricting movement of said cursor when an end of travel condition is detected, until the actuator means is withdrawn from the end of travel position and once again moved toward the same end of travel position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification