Computer pointer device for handicapped persons

• US 6,369,799 B1
• Filed: 07/23/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Miceli, Frank, Easter, William Graham, Maze, John Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/360,134
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/163, 345/164, 345/167, 345/168, 345/169, 345/161, 341/20, 341/21, 340/825.19
• US Class Current: 345/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 4/00 Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body operating or control means for prostheses A61F2/48, A61F2/68
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a pointer on a computer screen adapted for use by individuals with limited or no manual dexterity. A track ball is positioned to protrude from the upper surface of a generally partially cylindrically shaped base. A mating cradle sits on top of the base with its lower surface in contact with the upper surface of the track ball and the upper surface of the base. The upper surface of the cradle support is shaped to accept the forearm of an operator. The track ball is coupled in a known fashion to operate a pointer on a computer display. The operator can move the cursor up and down on the screen by pushing his or her arm outwardly or inwardly and can move the cursor left to right on the screen by rotating his or her arm in the cradle about its longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A computer pointer control device for persons with limited dexterity comprising:

a base having a top surface;

a translation device positioned in said top surface of said base;

a cradle having a front end, a back end, a bottom surface shaped to mate with said top surface of said base and contact said translation device, and a top surface adapted to accept a human limb;

said translation device adapted to detect movement of said cradle within said base;

a circuit for converting said detected movement into control signals for a computer device, whereby movement of said cradle is translated into control signals for said computing device; and

an extension projecting upwardly from said base and in front of said front end of said cradle, said extension having at least one button positioned in front of said cradle, whereby an operator of said apparatus may operate said button with said limb;

wherein said top surface of said base and said bottom surface of said cradle are semicylindrical and mating whereby movement of said cradle along a longitudinal axis of said partially cylindrical top surface is converted into control signals corresponding to a first direction and rotation of said cradle about said longitudinal axis is converted into control signals corresponding to a second direction orthogonal to said first direction.

2. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle is formed of rubber.

3. A computer pointer control device set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle is formed of plastic.

4. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cradle further comprises a rigid material shaped in a generally partially cylindrical form, said rigid material being wrapped in said rubber.

5. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cradle further comprises a rigid material shaped in a generally partially cylindrical form, said rigid material being wrapped in said plastic.

6. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle is fixed to said base so as to allow free movement of said cradle relative to said base to operate said translation device, but which prevents said cradle from being lifted off of said base.

7. A computer pointer device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said button comprises two buttons.

8. A new computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control signals are pointer control signals for moving a computer cursor on a computer screen.

9. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said top surface of said base forms a generally partially cylindrical shape having an arc of between 10°

and 180°

.

10. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said top surface of said base forms a generally partially cylindrical shape having an arc of between 30°

and 120°

.

11. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said top surface of said cradle is sized and shaped to accept a human forearm.

12. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said top surface of said cradle is sized and shaped to accept a human foot.

13. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said translation device is a track ball and said circuit for converting said detected movement into control signals converts rotation of said trackball into said control signals.

14. A computer pointer control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein movement of said cradle along a longitudinal axis of said top surface is converted into control signals corresponding to a first direction and rotation of said cradle about said longitudinal axis is converted into control signals corresponding to a second direction orthogonal to said first direction.