Touch sensitive input control device

• US 5,805,137 A
• Filed: 05/05/1994
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sandio Technology Corp.
• Original Assignee: Itu Research, Inc.
• Inventors: Yasutake, Taizo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lao, Lun-Yi
• Application Number:
  US08/238,428
• Time in Patent Office: 1,587 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 345/175, 345/176, 345/177, 345/178, 345/156, 345/157, 345/145, 345/163, 345/161, 345/164, 345/167, 178/18, 178/19, 73/862.043, 73/862.05, 341/34, 341/21, 341/22, 341/20, 273/438, 273/148 B, 364/709.11, 364/709.12, 74/471 XY, 463/37, 463/38
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 3/0362 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 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/228 of three-dimensional handwriting, e.g. writing in the air

Abstract

A family of controllers incorporate multiple force/touch sensitive input elements to provide intuitive input in up to six degrees of freedom, including position and rotation, in either a Cartesian, cylindrical or spherical coordinate system. Six dimensions of input can be generated without requiring movement of the controller, which provides a controller suitable for controlling cursors and display objects in an interactive computer system and for equipment such as heavy cranes and fork lift trucks. Positional information is obtained either by use of a "pushing" or "dragging" metaphor. Rotational information is provided by either a "pushing," "twisting," or "gesture" metaphor. In certain embodiments, the same sensor is used for both positional and rotational inputs, and the two are differentiated by the magnitude of the force applied to the sensor.

Claims

1. A cylindrical controller for providing control signals in a cylindrical coordinate system having Z coordinates, angle coordinates, and radial coordinates, the controller being shaped substantially as a cylinder having a circumference positioned between two ends, the controller comprising a plurality of force sensitive sensors, wherein a first sensor is mounted about at least a portion of the circumference of the cylinder and a second sensor is mounted on one of the ends of the cylinder, the sensors providing radial information in response to the radial position of a first force applied to the end of the cylinder, providing Z information in response to the Z position of a second force applied to the circumference of the cylinder, and for providing angle information in response to the angular position of the second force about the circumference of the cylinder.

2. A controller for providing control signals in a spherical coordinate system having a radial dimension, a theta dimension, and a phi dimension, the controller being shaped substantially as a hemisphere having a hemispherical surface and an end, the controller comprising;

a first force sensitive sensor mounted about the surface of the hemisphere, the first sensor providing theta dimension control information and phi dimension control information in response to a position of a force applied to the surface of the hemisphere; and

a second force sensitive sensor mounted on the end of the hemisphere and providing radial dimension control information in response to the radial position of a force applied to the end of the hemisphere.

3. A cylindrical controller for providing control signals in a cylindrical coordinate system having Z, θ

, and r dimensions, the controller being shaped substantially as a cylinder having central axis and a circumference provided about the central axis and positioned between a first end and a second end of the cylinder, wherein the Z dimension linearly extends along the central axis, the θ

dimension is rotationally provided about the central axis, and the r dimension radially extends perpendicular to the central axis, the controller comprising;

a first force sensitive sensor mounted on at least a portion of the circumference of the cylinder, the first sensor providing Z control information in response to the position in the Z dimension of a force applied to the circumference of the cylinder, and providing angular control information in response to the position in the θ

dimension of the force applied to the circumference of the cylinder; and

a second force sensitive sensor mounted on the first end of the cylinder, the second sensor providing radial control signals in response to the position in the r dimension of a force applied to the first end of the cylinder.

4. A cylindrical controller as recited in claim 3 further comprising a third force sensitive sensor mounted on the second end of the cylinder, the third sensor providing radial control signals in response to the position in the r dimension of a force applied to the second end of the cylinder.

5. A cylindrical controller for providing control signals in a cylindrical coordinate system having Z, θ

, and r dimensions, the controller being shaped substantially as a cylinder having a central axis and a circumference provided about the central axis and positioned between two ends of the cylinder, wherein the Z dimension linearly extends along the central axis, the θ

dimension is rotationally provided about the central axis, and the r dimension radially extends perpendicular to the central axis, the controller comprising;

a first force sensitive sensor mounted about at least a portion of the circumference of the cylinder, the first sensor providing radial control information in response to an amount of pressure on said first force sensor applied in the r dimension; and

a second force sensitive sensor mounted on one of the ends of the cylinder, the second sensor providing;

Z control information in response to a force under a predetermined threshold applied to the second sensor on the end of the cylinder in the Z dimension, and

angular control information in response to a force over the predetermined threshold applied to the second sensor on the end of the cylinder in the θ

dimension.

6. A cylindrical controller as recited in claim 5 further comprising a third force sensitive sensor mounted on the other one of the ends of the cylinder, the third sensor providing:

Z control information in response to a force under a predetermined threshold applied to the third sensor on the other end of the cylinder in the Z dimension, and

angular control information in response to a force over the predetermined threshold applied to the third sensor on the other end of the cylinder in the θ

dimension.

7. A cylindrical controller as recited in claim 6 wherein the difference of the Z control information from the second and third sensors is integrated to produce a Z position signal.