Foot-operated multi-directional sensing device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
- a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot is positioned, the platform being movable in and biasing means for biasing said platform to a neutral position relative to said base when the pressure from said foot is removed, said platform being movable from the neutral position in any radial direction parallel to the base, and movable in any tilting direction toward the base around the neutral position; and
sensing means for sensing the movement of the platform in said any radial and tilting direction relative to the base for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer.
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Abstract
A device for inputting information to a remote computer. The device includes a housing having a base for resting in a support surface and an oppositely facing platform of a size and shape for receiving and supporting the foot of a user. The device further includes sensing means for sensing movement of the foot and for producing motion information indicative of the movement for the computer. The device further includes a switch and a switch actuation surface, the surface facing away from the support surface for engagement with the foot when the foot is supported by the platform.
65 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
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a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot is positioned, the platform being movable in and biasing means for biasing said platform to a neutral position relative to said base when the pressure from said foot is removed, said platform being movable from the neutral position in any radial direction parallel to the base, and movable in any tilting direction toward the base around the neutral position; and sensing means for sensing the movement of the platform in said any radial and tilting direction relative to the base for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
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a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot is positioned, the platform being movable relative to the base under pressure by the foot, and biasing means adjacent a periphery of the platform for biasing and supporting said platform to a neutral position relative to said base when the pressure from said foot is removed, said biasing means comprising a resilient material located between the base and the platform, said resilient material covering substantially an entire bottom surface of said platform; and sensing means for sensing movement of the platform relative to the base for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer.
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8. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
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a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot is positioned, the platform being movable relative to the base under pressure by the foot, and biasing means adjacent a periphery of the platform for biasing and supporting said platform to a neutral position relative to said base when the pressure from said foot is removed; sensing means for sensing movement of the platform relative to the base for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer; and wherein said biasing means comprises a resilient material between the platform and base and around the periphery of said sensing means.
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9. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
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a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot is positioned, the platform being movable in both a parallel and tilting direction relative to the base under pressure by the foot, and resilient biasing means adjacent a periphery of the platform for biasing said platform to a neutral position relative to said base when the pressure from said foot is removed; sensing means for sensing the movement of the platform in both the parallel and tilting direction relative to the base for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer; and at least one switch, each of said at least one switch having a switch actuation surface facing away from the platform for engagement with the foot when the foot is supported by the platform.
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10. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
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a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot is positioned, the platform being movable in each of a rotational, parallel and tilting direction relative to the base under pressure by the foot, and resilient biasing means adjacent a periphery of the platform for biasing said platform to a neutral position relative to said base when the pressure from said foot is removed; and sensing means for sensing said rotational, parallel and tilting movement of the platform relative to the base for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer.
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11. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
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a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot is positioned, the platform being movable relative to the base under pressure by the foot; and means for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer comprising two motion sensors for sensing rotational movement of the platform relative to the base. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
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a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot of a user is positioned, the platform being movable in both a rotational direction parallel to the base and a tilting direction toward the base under pressure by the foot, and biasing means for biasing the platform to a neutral position relative to the base when the pressure from the foot is removed; and sensing means for sensing the rotational and tilting movement of the platform relative to the neutral position for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A foot-operated input device for providing input information to a remote computer, comprising:
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a housing comprising on opposite sides a base for positioning on a support surface and an elongated platform on which a foot of a user is positioned, the platform being movable relative to the base under pressure by the foot, and biasing means for biasing the platform to a neutral position relative to the base when the pressure from the foot is removed; sensing means for sensing rotational movement of the platform relative to the neutral position for producing input information indicative of said movement to the computer; and at least one switch, each of said at least one switch having a switch actuation surface facing away from the platform for engagement with the foot when the foot is supported by the platform.
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Specification