Pen-type computer input device
First Claim
1. A pen-type computer input device comprising:
- a shank having a tip end;
a ball rotatably supported on said tip end;
a pair of rotatable members rotatable about X and Y axes extending perpendicularly to each other;
means for pulling said ball upwards to maintain said rotatable members in rolling contact with said ball independent of pressure on said ball from sources external to said input device; and
detecting means for detecting the direction in which said rotatable members rotate and the distance by which said rotatable members move.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pen-type computer input device is used to move a cursor on the display of a computer system or enter data such as of figures, letters, numerals, or the like into a computer system. The pen-type computer input device includes a shank, a ball rotatably supported on the tip end of the shank, a pair of rotatable members rotatable about X and Y axes extending perpendicularly to each other and held in rolling contact with the ball, and a rotation detector for detecting the direction in which the rotatable members rotate and the distance by which the rotatable members move. Since the rotation of the ball is directly transmitted to the rotatable members and the distance by which the rotatable members move is detected, the pen-type computer input device is small in size and can easily be handled.
58 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A pen-type computer input device comprising:
-
a shank having a tip end; a ball rotatably supported on said tip end; a pair of rotatable members rotatable about X and Y axes extending perpendicularly to each other; means for pulling said ball upwards to maintain said rotatable members in rolling contact with said ball independent of pressure on said ball from sources external to said input device; and detecting means for detecting the direction in which said rotatable members rotate and the distance by which said rotatable members move. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A pen-type computer input device comprising:
-
a shank having a tip end; a ball rotatably supported on said tip end; a pair of rotatable members rotatable about X and Y axes extending perpendicularly to each other; means for pulling said ball upwards to maintain said rotatable members in rolling contact with said ball independent of pressure on said ball from sources external to said input device; and detecting means for detecting the direction in which said rotatable members rotate and the distance by which said rotatable members move; wherein said means for pulling comprises magnetic attracting means for attracting said ball to said rotatable members. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification