Adjustable pointing and control device with automatic handedness switch

• US 7,109,972 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liang Fu
• Original Assignee: Liang Fu
• Inventors: Fu, Liang
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Nitin
• Application Number:
  US10/636,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20050030278A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/159, 345/160, 345/161, 345/163, 345/164, 345/167, 345/169, 345/173, 463/37
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• 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

An adjustable pointing and control device with automatic handedness switch. The top of the housing can be adjusted independently in three desirable directions, roll, pitch, and height, with adequate ranges to provide optimal operating positions for all users, including left-handed and right-handed users, at all working positions. Any other undesirable adjustment is prohibited. The housing comprises an adjustable coupling means that provides the adjustability while covers the inside components. The automatic handedness switch keeps suitable control configuration for left-handed users and right-handed users based on the roll orientation of the housing top.

Claims

1. A method for constructing an adjustable pointing and control device that controls at least one piece of equipment, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an adjustable housing having a lower portion, an upper portion, and an adjustable coupling means, said upper portion having a upper surface that substantially fits to a hand, said adjustable coupling means coupling to said lower portion and said upper portion, and allowing said upper portion to be adjusted relatively to said lower portion with at least one type of adjustments selected from the group consisting of rotational adjustment in roll direction, rotational adjustment in pitch direction, and translational adjustment in vertical direction, said adjustable coupling means also providing the sidewall of said adjustable housing,

(b) providing a predetermined number of controls that are user operable and generate control signals accordingly,

(c) providing a circuitry disposed inside said adjustable housing, said circuitry coupling to said controls and having a communication link to said equipment, said circuitry processing said control signals and sending them to said equipment via said communication link,

whereby said adjustable pointing and control device can be adjusted in up to three directions, and said adjustable housing is closed to protect the inside components.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjustable coupling means comprises an adjustable coupling assembly and a flexible sidewall, said adjustable coupling assembly coupling to said lower portion and said upper portion, and comprising a predetermined number of adjustable elements selected from the group consisting of roll-adjusting element that allows rotational adjustment in roll direction, pitch-adjusting element that allows rotational adjustment in pitch direction, and vertical-adjusting element that allows translational adjustment in vertical direction, said flexible sidewall being of substantially tubular shape with a first end joining said lower portion substantially along its circumference and a second end joining said upper portion substantially along its circumference, said flexible sidewall being flexible enough to accommodate the adjustments, whereby said adjustable coupling means provides adjustments in up to three directions and provides sidewall of said adjustable housing to protect the inside components.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjustable coupling means comprises an adjustable coupling assembly and a flexible sidewall, said adjustable coupling assembly coupling to said lower portion and said upper portion and comprising a predetermined number of adjustable elements selected from the group consisting of roll-adjusting element that allows rotational adjustment in roll direction, pitch-adjusting element that allows rotational adjustment in pitch direction, and vertical-adjusting element that allows translational adjustment in vertical direction, a predetermined number of said adjustable elements having latching means selected from the group consisting of lockable latching means and non-lockable latching means, said lockable latching means allowing said adjustable element to be adjusted when and only when unlocked, said non-lockable latching means allowing said adjustable element to be adjusted when and only when the applied force and torque exceed predetermined thresholds, said flexible sidewall being of substantially tubular shape with a first end joining said lower portion substantially along its circumference and a second end joining said upper portion substantially along its circumference, said flexible sidewall being flexible enough to accommodate the adjustments.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjustable coupling means comprises a semi-rigid sidewall of substantially tubular structure with a first end joining said lower portion substantially along its circumference and a second end joining said upper portion substantially along its circumference, said semi-rigid sidewall having appropriate property that allows said upper portion to be adjusted relatively to said lower portion with at least one type of adjustments selected from the group consisting of rotational adjustment in roll direction, rotational adjustment in pitch direction, and translational adjustment in vertical direction, said semi-rigid sidewall allowing adjustment when and only when the applied force and torque exceed predetermined thresholds, whereby said semi-rigid sidewall provides adjustment in up to three directions and makes said adjustable housing closed to protect the inside components.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a predetermined number of said controls have a left-hand configuration that is more suitable to left-handed users and a right-hand configuration that is more suitable to right-handed users, said adjustable coupling means provides at least said rotational adjustment in roll direction and the range of the roll adjustment is divided by a predetermined boundary into a left-hand zone that is more suitable to left-handed users, and a right-hand zone that is more suitable to right-handed users, an automatic handedness switch is further provided, said automatic handedness switch mechanically coupling to at least said upper portion and electrically coupling to said circuitry and a predetermined number of said controls, said automatic handedness switch automatically configuring said controls to said right-hand configuration when the orientation of said upper portion belongs to said right-hand zone, and to said left-hand configuration when the orientation of said upper portion belongs to said left-hand zone, whereby said controls are always configured to the correct handedness without additional user action.

6. An adjustable pointing and control device that controls at least one piece of equipment, comprising:

(a) an adjustable housing having a lower portion, an upper portion, and a semi-rigid sidewall, said upper portion having a upper surface that substantially fits to a hand, said semi-rigid sidewall being of substantially tubular structure with a first end joining said lower portion substantially along its circumference and a second end joining said upper portion substantially along its circumference, said semi-rigid sidewall having appropriate property that allows said upper portion to be adjusted relatively to said lower portion with at least one type of adjustments selected from the group consisting of rotational adjustment in roll direction, rotational adjustment in pitch direction, and translational adjustment in vertical direction, said semi-rigid sidewall allowing adjustment when and only when the applied force and torque exceed predetermined thresholds,

(b) a predetermined number of controls that are user operable and generate control signals accordingly,

(c) a circuitry disposed inside said adjustable housing, said circuitry coupling to said controls and having a communication link to said equipment, said circuitry processing said control signals and sending them to said equipment via said communication link,

whereby said adjustable pointing and control device can be adjusted in up to three directions, and said semi-rigid sidewall makes said adjustable housing closed to protect the inside components.

7. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 6 wherein a predetermined number of said controls have a left-hand configuration that is more suitable to left-handed users and right-hand configuration that is more suitable to right-handed users, said semi-rigid sidewall provides at least said rotational adjustment in roll direction and the range of the roll adjustment is divided by a predetermined boundary into a left-hand zone that is more suitable to left-handed users and a right-hand zone that is more suitable to right-handed users, an automatic handedness switch is further provided, said automatic handedness switch mechanically coupling to at least said upper portion and electrically coupling to said circuitry and a predetermined number of said controls, said automatic handedness switch automatically configuring said controls to said right-hand configuration when the orientation of said upper portion belongs to said right-hand zone, and to said left-hand configuration when the orientation of said upper portion belongs to said left-hand zone, whereby said controls are always configured to the correct handedness without additional user action.

8. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 6 wherein said semi-rigid sidewall seals along the circumferences of said lower portion and said upper portion, making said adjustable housing sealed, whereby said adjustable pointing and control device can withstand hazardous environment.

9. An adjustable pointing and control device that controls a predetermined number of equipment, comprising:

(a) an adjustable housing having a lower portion, an upper portion, and an adjustable coupling assembly, said upper portion having a upper surface that substantially fits to a hand, said adjustable coupling assembly coupling to said lower portion and said upper portion, said adjustable coupling assembly comprising a predetermined number of adjustable elements selected from the group consisting of roll-adjusting element that allows rotational adjustment in roll direction, pitch-adjusting element that allows rotational adjustment in pitch direction, and vertical-adjusting element that allows translational adjustment in vertical direction,

(b) a predetermined number of controls that are user operable and generate control signals accordingly,

(c) a circuitry disposed inside said adjustable housing, said circuitry coupling to said controls and having a communication link to said equipment, said circuitry processing said control signals and sending them to said equipment via said communication link,

whereby said adjustable pointing and control device can be adjusted in up to three directions.

10. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9 wherein a predetermined number of said controls have a left-hand configuration that is more suitable to left-handed users and a right-hand configuration that is more suitable to right-handed users, said adjustable coupling assembly comprises at least said roll-adjusting element and the range of the roll adjustment is divided by a predetermined boundary into a left-hand zone that is more suitable to left-handed users, and a right-hand zone that is more suitable to right-handed users, an automatic handedness switch is further provided, said automatic handedness switch mechanically coupling to at least said upper portion and electrically coupling to said circuitry and a predetermined number of said controls, said automatic handedness switch automatically configuring said controls to said right-hand configuration when the orientation of said upper portion belongs to said right-hand zone, and to said left-hand configuration when the orientation of said upper portion belongs to said left-hand zone, whereby said controls are always configured to the correct handedness without additional user action.

11. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9, a flexible sidewall is further added, said flexible sidewall being of substantially tubular shape with a first end joining said lower portion substantially along its circumference and a second end joining said upper portion substantially along its circumference, said flexible sidewall being flexible enough to accommodate the adjustments, whereby said flexible sidewall closes said adjustable housing to protect the inside components.

12. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9, a flexible sidewall is further added, said flexible sidewall being of substantially tubular shape with a first end sealing said lower portion substantially along its circumference and a second end sealing said upper portion substantially along its circumference, making said adjustable housing sealed, whereby said adjustable pointing and control device can withstand hazardous environment.

13. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9, a predetermined number of said adjustable elements further have latching means selected from the group consisting of lockable latching means and non-lockable latching means, said lockable latching means allowing said adjustable element to be adjusted when and only when unlocked, said non-lockable latching means allowing said adjustable element to be adjusted when and only when the applied force and torque exceed predetermined thresholds.

14. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9 wherein said adjustable coupling assembly comprises said roll-adjusting element, whereby said upper portion can be adjusted in roll direction.

15. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9 wherein said adjustable coupling assembly comprises said pitch-adjusting element, whereby said upper portion can be adjusted in pitch direction.

16. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9 wherein said adjustable coupling assembly comprises said vertical-adjusting element, whereby said upper portion can be adjusted in vertical direction.

17. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9 wherein said adjustable coupling assembly comprises said roll-adjusting element and said pitch-adjusting element, whereby said upper portion can be adjusted in roll and pitch direction.

18. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9 wherein said adjustable coupling assembly comprises said roll-adjusting element and said vertical-adjusting element whereby said upper portion can be adjusted in roll direction and vertical direction.

19. The adjusting pointing and control device of claim 9 wherein said adjustable couping assembly comprises and pitch-adjusting element and said vertical-adjusting element whereby said upper portion can be adjusted in pitch direction and vertical direction.

20. The adjustable pointing and control device of claim 9 wherein said adjustable coupling assembly comprises said roll-adjusting element, said pitch-adjusting element, and said vertical-adjusting element, whereby said upper portion can be adjusted in roll direction, pitch direction, and vertical direction.