Three-dimensional integrated tough screen input apparatus

• US 7,215,323 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2002
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3DCONNEXION GmbH (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: 3DCONNEXION GmbH (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Gombert, Bernd, von Prittwitz, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Awad; Amr A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHENG, TOM V
• Application Number:
  US10/433,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,693 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/161, 345/163, 345/167, 345/173
• US Class Current: 345/157
• 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 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials

Abstract

A 3D input device (102) is used to generate control data (108) for electronic or electrical devices, and has:

• • an actuation part (104), which is designed so that it can be manipulated indirectly or directly by at least one finger or hand of the user,
  • a base plate (106), with respect to which the actuation part (104) is mounted so that it can be moved, the relative movement between the actuation part (104) and the base plate (106) being evaluated in order to generate the control data, and
  • a display device with a touch screen (107), the touch screen (107) being integrated into the upper side of the base plate (106).

Alternatively, the touch screen (107) may be integrated into the upper side of the actuation part (104). The touch screen (107) of the display device is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (118) of the actuation part (104).

Claims

1. A 3D input device for generating control data for electronic or electrical devices, having:

an actuation part, which is designed so that it can be manipulated indirectly or directly by at least one finger or hand of the user, and is capable of both translational and rotational displacement,

a base plate, with respect to which the actuation part is mounted so that it can be moved, the relative movement between the actuation part and the base plate being evaluated in order to generate the control data,

a display device with a touch screen, wherein the touch screen is integrated into the upper side of the base plate, and

a processor, which is functionally coupled to the touch screen of the display device and to the actuation part, so that parameters of the 3D input device can be adjusted by means of an input on the touch screen of the display device.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein sensitivity of the 3D input device for movements with up to three degrees of freedom in translation and/or three degrees of freedom in rotation can be adjusted by manual inputs via the touch screen of the display device.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein response thresholds of the 3D input device for movements of virtual objects in translation and/or in rotation can be adjusted by manual inputs via the touch screen of the display device.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein response times of the 3D input device for movements of virtual objects in translation and/or in rotation can be adjusted individually by manual inputs via the touch screen of the display device.