Desktop compact cursor controller structure for use with computers and keyboards

• US 6,075,522 A
• Filed: 03/26/1998
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Altra Corp.
• Original Assignee: Altra Corp.
• Inventors: Milroy, Mark N.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRIER, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US09/048,936
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 345/157, 345/160, 345/184, 341/16
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

A desktop compact cursor controller includes a platform having a protrusion thereon. A housing is coupled to the platform and has a structure configured to accept the protrusion, where the structure includes a first slidable member having a first brush configured to move in response to movement of the housing and a second slidable member having a second brush configured to move in response to movement of the housing. A printed circuit board is disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the first brush and the second brush and configured to generate a first sensor signal in response to movement of the first brush on a first conductive strip and to generate a second sensor signal in response to movement of the second brush on a second conductive strip oriented perpendicular to the first conductive strip. A processor is coupled to the first conductive strip and the second conductive strip and configured to receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal to determine a position of the housing with respect to the platform. The processor then sends a position signal to a computer. Advantages of the invention include compact size and a high degree of accurate cursor control. Moreover, the invention provides good ergonomics that reduces fatigue.

Claims

1. A cursor controller comprising:

a platform having a protrusion thereon;

a housing coupled to said platform and having a structure configured to accept said protrusion, said structure including a first slidable member having a first brush configured to move in response to movement of said housing and a second slidable member having a second brush configured to move in response to movement of said housing;

a printed circuit board disposed within said housing and electrically coupled to said first brush and said second brush and configured to generate a first sensor signal in response to movement of said first brush on a first conductive strip and to generate a second sensor signal in response to movement of said second brush on a second conductive strip oriented perpendicular to said first conductive strip; and

a processor coupled to said first conductive strip and said second conductive strip and configured to receive said first sensor signal and said second sensor signal to determine a position of said housing on said platform.

2. The cursor controller of claim 1, wherein:

said first conductive strip includes a first sub-strip having a plurality of fingers laid on said printed circuit board and configured to contact said first brush and to generate a first sub-signal in response to movement of said first brush on said first sub-strip, and a second sub-strip having a plurality of fingers laid on said printed circuit board staggered in position with said first sub-strip fingers and configured to contact said first brush and to generate a second sub-signal in response to movement of said first brush on said second sub-strip;

said second conductive strip includes a third sub-strip having a plurality of fingers laid on said printed circuit board and configured to contact said second brush and to generate a third sub-signal in response to movement of said second brush on said third sub-strip, and a fourth sub-strip having a plurality of fingers laid on said printed circuit board staggered in position with said third sub-strip fingers and configured to contact said second brush and to generate a fourth sub-signal in response to movement of said second brush on said fourth sub-strip; and

said processor is configured to receive said first sub-signal and said second sub-signal and to determine a direction of movement of said first brush on said first conductive strip, and to receive said third sub-signal and said fourth sub-signal and to determine a direction of movement of said second brush on said second conductive strip.

3. The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein:

said processor is configured to determine a direction of movement of said first brush on said first conductive strip by comparing a phase of said first sub-signal and said second sub-signal, and to determine a direction of movement of said second brush on said second conductive strip by comparing a phase of said third sub-signal and said fourth sub-signal.

4. The compact cursor controller of claim 1, further comprising:

a select switch coupled to said housing and configured to generate a switch signal responsive to downward pressure on said housing.

5. The compact cursor controller of claim 1, wherein:

said platform is approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and

said housing is approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.

6. The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein:

said platform is approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and

said housing is approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.

7. The compact cursor controller of claim 3, wherein:

said platform is approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and

said housing is approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.

8. The compact cursor controller of claim 4, wherein:

said platform is approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and

said housing is approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.

9. The compact cursor controller of claim 1, wherein:

said platform is less than approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and

said housing is less than approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.

10. The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein:

said platform is less than approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and

said housing is less than approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.

11. The compact cursor controller of claim 3, wherein:

said platform is less than approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and

said housing is less than approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.

12. The compact cursor controller of claim 4, wherein:

said platform is less than approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and

said housing is less than approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.

13. The compact cursor controller of claim 1, wherein:

said first conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch; and

said second conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch.

14. The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein:

said first conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch; and

said second conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch.

15. The compact cursor controller of claim 3, wherein:

said first conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch; and

said second conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch.

16. The compact cursor controller of claim 6, wherein:

said first conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch; and

said second conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch.

17. The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein:

said first sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said second sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said first sub-strip and said second sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch; and

said third sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said fourth sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said third sub-strip and said fourth sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch.

18. The compact cursor controller of claim 3, wherein:

said first sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said second sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said first sub-strip and said second sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch; and

said third sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said fourth sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said third sub-strip and said fourth sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch.

19. The compact cursor controller of claim 6, wherein:

said first sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said second sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said first sub-strip and said second sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch; and

said third sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said fourth sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said third sub-strip and said fourth sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch.