Manually-operated control device
First Claim
1. A manually-operated control device for controlling the position of a cursor on a display screen comprising:
- a source of light;
a plurality of detectors responsive to light from the light source;
a handle including transmission means for transmitting said light through the handle, the handle having a neutral position and a plurality of operative positions, wherein the handle is manually-movable from the neutral position to the operative positions to transmit a portion of the light from the source through the transmission means to one of the detectors, whereby the position of the handle may be measured by interrogation of the detectors; and
each detector has associated therewith a further detector, such that, when the handle is moved along an axis from the neutral position to an operative position, further motion of the handle along the same axis causes light to be transmitted to the associated further detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A joystick for moving a cursor on a display screen uses an infrared transmitter (34) radiating into a transparent handle (14). As the handle is moved by an operator, infra-red light is directed to one of four optical detectors (31) covering up, down, left and right directions respectively. The device can also detect movement at 45 degrees to any of these directions since light is then directed to two detectors (31). A further four optical detectors (31a) are provided, each arranged adjacent one of the first four detectors (31), so that further movement of the handle in the same direction can be detected. An additional optical detector (37) is arranged to detect downward movement of the handle (14) against a spring (24). The handle is translatably mounted, rather than pivotally mounted as in a stand joystick.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A manually-operated control device for controlling the position of a cursor on a display screen comprising:
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a source of light; a plurality of detectors responsive to light from the light source; a handle including transmission means for transmitting said light through the handle, the handle having a neutral position and a plurality of operative positions, wherein the handle is manually-movable from the neutral position to the operative positions to transmit a portion of the light from the source through the transmission means to one of the detectors, whereby the position of the handle may be measured by interrogation of the detectors; and each detector has associated therewith a further detector, such that, when the handle is moved along an axis from the neutral position to an operative position, further motion of the handle along the same axis causes light to be transmitted to the associated further detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification