Multidimensional input device

• US 8,009,138 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orgpro Nexus, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sandio Technology Corp.
• Inventors: Yasutake, Taizo
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Kevin M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Jr.; Kenneth B
• Application Number:
  US11/323,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20060250353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,070 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-172
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0334 Ergonomic shaped mouse for vertical grip, whereby the hand controlling the mouse is resting or gripping it with an attitude almost vertical with respect of the working surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0335 Finger operated miniaturized mouse
• 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 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A multidimensional input device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the multidimensional mouse comprises three sensors and a chassis. Each sensor is suitable for finger operation and capable of generating two control signals which represent motion in two degrees of freedom. The three sensors are coupled to the chassis which is suitable for a user to grasp with one hand. Thus, a user can generate six control input signals representing motion in six degrees of freedom with one hand.

Claims

1. A multidimensional input device comprising:

a chassis suitable for user to grasp with one hand,

a first sensor, located on a first outside surface of the chassis, suitable for finger operation, said first sensor capable of generating a first input control signal and a second input control signal, said first input control signal and said second input control signal representing motion in both a first degree of freedom, represented by movement along an X-axis, and a second degree of freedom, represented by angular movement around said X-axis,

a second sensor, located on a second outside surface of the chassis, suitable for finger operation, said second sensor capable of generating a third input control signal and a fourth input control signal, said third input control signal and said fourth input control signal representing motion in both a third degree, represented by movement along a Y-axis, of freedom and a fourth degree of freedom, represented by movement along a Z-axis, and

a third sensor, located on a third outside surface of the chassis, suitable for finger operation, said third sensor capable of generating a fifth input control signal and a sixth input control signal, said fifth input control signal and said sixth input control signal representing motion in both a fifth degree of freedom, represented by angular movement around said Y-axis, and a sixth degree of freedom, represented by angular movement around said Z-axis;

wherein said first, second, and third sensors are coupled to said chassis and positioned to allow said user to generate six input control signals representing motion in six degrees of freedom with one hand.

2. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, said chassis further comprising:

a bottom surface suitable for sliding on a flat surface,

a sensor located on said bottom surface capable of generating a seventh input control signal and an eighth input control signal, said seventh input control signal and said eighth input control signal representing motion in both a seventh degree of freedom and an eighth degree of freedom.

3. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 2, said chassis further comprising:

a top surface,

a wheel pivotally coupled to said top surface suitable for finger operation, said wheel capable of generating a ninth input control signal, said ninth input control signal representing motion in a ninth degree of freedom.

4. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 3, wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth degrees of freedom facilitate fast three dimensional manipulation and said seventh, eight, and ninth degrees of freedom facilitate two dimensional operation or precise three dimensional manipulation.

5. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 3, wherein said chassis is a mouse body.

6. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 3, further comprising a first and a second mouse button.

7. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensors follow an intuitive 3D command mapping rule.

8. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 2, wherein said seventh degree of freedom and said eighth degree of freedom is represented by movement in a two dimensional X-Y plane.

9. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 3, wherein said ninth degree of freedom is represented by movement along a Z-axis.

10. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 3, wherein said chassis facilitates three dimensional computer aided design.

11. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said six degrees of freedom are represented by a configuration created by said user.

12. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first sensor and said second sensor are located on opposite sides of said chassis, and said third sensor is located on top of said chassis.

13. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first sensor, said second sensor, and said third sensor are located on top of said chassis.

14. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first sensor and said second sensor are elevated.

15. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 14, wherein said third sensor is elevated.

16. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 15, wherein said first, said second, and said third sensor are in a T structure.

17. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first sensor and said second sensor are located on the same side of said chassis, and said third sensor is located on top of said chassis.

18. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first sensor is surrounded by said second sensor.

19. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensors are analog sensors.

20. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensors are digital sensors.

21. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensors are touchpad sensors.

22. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 21, wherein said touchpad sensors generate velocity command signals for three dimensional applications.

23. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensors are tilt wheel component sensors.

24. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 23, wherein said tilt wheel component sensors generate velocity command signals for three dimensional applications.

25. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein two of said sensors form a combination analog and digital sensor.

26. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein two of said sensors form a combination digital and touchpad sensor.

27. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein two of said sensors form a combination analog and touchpad sensor.

28. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein two of said sensors form a combination touchpad sensor.

29. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein two of said sensors form a combination analog sensor.

30. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein two of said sensors form a combination digital sensor.

31. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said chassis is integrated into a keyboard.

32. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said chassis is integrated into a laptop computer.

33. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said chassis is a mouse body.

34. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said chassis is integrated into a joystick.

35. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a USB connector for providing said input control signals to a computer, said USB connector being detachably coupled to a USB port on said computer.

36. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said chassis further comprises user programmable buttons.

37. A multidimensional input device as recited in claim 1, wherein said chassis further comprises an LCD screen.

38. An interfacing system comprising:

a multidimensional device having a plurality of sensors, said plurality of sensors including a first group of sensors capable of generating a first group of input control signals and a second group of sensors capable of generating a second group of input control signals, and

a firmware program embedded into said multidimensional device, said firmware program capable of generating an output simulating a first logical device and a second logical device, said first logical device representing said first group of input control signals, said second logical device representing said second group input control signals;

wherein a computer receiving said output from said multidimensional device operates as though two independent logical devices exist.

39. An interfacing system as recited in claim 38, wherein said first logical device manipulates two dimensional applications.

40. An interfacing system as recited in claim 38, wherein said second logical device manipulates three dimensional applications.

41. An interfacing system as recited in claim 38, said firmware program further comprising:

a two dimensional input control signal slave module, and

a three dimensional input control signal slave module.

42. An interfacing system as recited in claim 38, further comprising

a third group of sensors included in said plurality of sensors capable of generating a third group of input control signals,

a third logical device represented by said output, said third logical device representing said third group of input control signals,

wherein said computer detects three independent logical devices.

43. An interfacing system as recited in claim 38, further comprising:

a USB connector having a first end and a second end, said first end coupled to said multidimensional device, said second end detachably coupled to a USB port on said computer.

44. An interfacing system as recited in claim 38, further comprising:

a User Level Interface Software Module on said computer that allow said user to use said second logical device for manipulation of 3D application programs in Windows XP and Windows Vista OS.

45. A method for multidimensional control comprising:

providing a first sensor suitable for finger operation, said first sensor capable of generating a first input control signal and a second input control signal, said first input control signal and said second input control signal representing motion in both a first degree of freedom, represented by movement along an X-axis, and a second degree of freedom, represented by angular movement around said X-axis,

providing a second sensor suitable for finger operation, said second sensor capable of generating a third input control signal and a fourth input control signal, said third input control signal and said fourth input control signal representing motion in both a third degree of freedom, represented by movement along a Y-axis, and a fourth degree of freedom, represented by movement along a Z-axis,

providing a third sensor suitable for finger operation, said third sensor capable of generating a fifth input control signal and a sixth input control signal, said fifth input control signal and said sixth input control signal representing motion in both a fifth degree of freedom, represented by angular movement around said Y-axis, and a sixth degree of freedom, represented by angular movement around said Z-axis, and

providing a chassis suitable for a user to grasp with one hand;

coupling said first, second and third sensor to said chassis in a position that allows said user to generate six input control signals representing motion in six degrees of freedom with one hand.