Low-profile multi-channel input device
First Claim
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1. An input apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a body having an rest position relative to a base,(b) a first means for moving of said body away from said rest position, wherein the movement of said body comprises a translational component and a rotational component,(c) a second means for guiding said movement of said body substantially in a predetermined plane,(d) a third means for producing separate input signals independently based on said translational component and said rotational component of said movement, and(e) a fourth means for returning said body back to said rest position, whereby said input apparatus has a low profile, andwhereby said input apparatus can be operated without the need of a flat supporting surface.
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Abstract
A high-performance, compact, finger-operated pointing device comprises a body (34), a base (32), and return members (48). The body has integrated input elements (52). Finger-engaging elements (26) allow operating fingers to move the body and manipulate the integrated input elements simultaneously. Sensors (38) translate the body'"'"'s movement to positional control signals to control positions of a computer controlled target. As an isometric device, the magnitude of the positional control signals is mapped to the moving speed of the target.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An input apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a body having an rest position relative to a base, (b) a first means for moving of said body away from said rest position, wherein the movement of said body comprises a translational component and a rotational component, (c) a second means for guiding said movement of said body substantially in a predetermined plane, (d) a third means for producing separate input signals independently based on said translational component and said rotational component of said movement, and (e) a fourth means for returning said body back to said rest position, whereby said input apparatus has a low profile, and whereby said input apparatus can be operated without the need of a flat supporting surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for generating control signals to a target, comprising steps of:
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(a) providing a movable body having a rest position relative to a base, (b) providing an input element integrated with said body, (c) providing a finger-engaging means enabling using finger to move said body away from said rest position and to operate on said input element simultaneously, (d) generating positional control signals relate to the movement of said body, said movement of said body comprises a rotational component and a translational component, said rotational component is independent to said translational component, (e) generating non-positional control signals relate to the operation of said input element, and (f) providing a returning means to return said body back to said rest position, whereby said method provides both positional and non-positional control to said target with fingertips, and whereby said method avoids the need of a flat supporting surface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for producing six degrees-of-freedom input signals to a target, comprising steps of:
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a) providing a first element movable substantially in a predetermined plane wherein the movement of said body has a translational component and a rotational component, b) sensing said movement of said first element, c) producing a first and a second signals relate to said translational component of said movement of said first element, d) producing a third signal relate to said rotational component of said movement of said first element, e) providing a second element rotatable around three axes, wherein said axes are orthogonal to each other, f) sensing the rotations of said second element around said three axes, g) producing a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth signals based on said rotations around said three axes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification