[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

EP0345338A1 - An apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display - Google Patents

An apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display

Info

Publication number
EP0345338A1
EP0345338A1 EP89901164A EP89901164A EP0345338A1 EP 0345338 A1 EP0345338 A1 EP 0345338A1 EP 89901164 A EP89901164 A EP 89901164A EP 89901164 A EP89901164 A EP 89901164A EP 0345338 A1 EP0345338 A1 EP 0345338A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
force
cursor
transducers
reference point
keyboard
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89901164A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Leonhard Bader
Heinrich Beck
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NCR International Inc
Original Assignee
NCR Corp
NCR International Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NCR Corp, NCR International Inc filed Critical NCR Corp
Publication of EP0345338A1 publication Critical patent/EP0345338A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0338Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor 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
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • G06F3/021Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
    • G06F3/0213Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/0414Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using force sensing means to determine a position
    • G06F3/04142Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using force sensing means to determine a position the force sensing means being located peripherally, e.g. disposed at the corners or at the side of a touch sensing plate
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/052Strain gauge
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H25/00Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
    • H01H25/04Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H25/00Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
    • H01H25/04Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
    • H01H25/041Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display.
  • the invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus having mechanical means for actuation by an operator to provide a force, and conversion means for converting the force into electrical signals which are used for controlling the translational movements of a cursor on a video display.
  • cursor controls exist in the prior art. In the context of personal computer systems, keyboard keys routinely control cursor translations and locations. Even with combinations of keys, the direct control of cursor movements are still commonly limited to translations incremented at 45° angles and at relatively fixed rates.
  • joy sticks are on-off controls which both enable cursor movements and specify the directions of such movements.
  • Joy stick type controls specify cursor movements at 90° intervals, and occasionally at 45° angular intervals.
  • the track ball, a form of inverted mouse, as well as the mouse itself, are not restricted to large increments cf angular direction nor rates of movement, but do inherently require significant translational actions by the operator. In the case of a track ball, manual rotation of the ball in the perceived direction and at the desired rate produces corresponding cursor effects.
  • the mouse requires manual translation of the mouse structure over a miniaturized area analogous to the video display in order to produce corresponding translations of the cursor.
  • an apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display including mechanical means for applying a force and conversion means for converting the force into electrical signals determining the direction in which said reference point is to be moved, characterized in that said conversion means comprises a plurality of force-sensitive transducers and further characterized by means for processing the electrical signals produced by said transducers so as to produce an output which controls the movement of said reference point at a rate dependent on the magnitude of the force.
  • the mechanical means includes a planar structure mounted for rocking movement about a point, serving as a polar centroid, and the mechanical means is mechanically coupled to a resilient member for providing a resilient recentering force on the planar structure.
  • the planar structure is disk-like and mounted on a keyboard for a computer.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the keyboard with an integrated cursor control disk.
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-section schematically illustrating one embodiment of the disk and force sensing structure.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-section of an alternate embodiment for the surface plane of the keyboard.
  • Fig. 4 is a cross-section of an arrangement in which the disk-like structure is mounted external to the planar surface of the keyboard.
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic of the embodiment first depicted in Fig. 4 along a different section line, to illustrate representative arrangements of the strain sensors.
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-section in which forces are detected by compressor sensors.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a representative arrangement for detecting the forces on the disk and resolving the forces into orthogonal and vector values. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
  • FIG. 1- there :is illustrated an apparatus comprising a keyb ⁇ ard 1, including various alphanumeric and functional keys 2, in a form commonly known and used.
  • a disk-like cursor control structure 3 which is attached as an integral part of the keyboard 1, yet movable with respect to the plane defined by exterior surface 4. Movement the disk-like cursor control 3 is characterized by a rocking action, about a centrally disposed point 6 on the disk axis, in all 360° by the application of a force to such disk member 3.
  • the force applied by the operator is opposed by a resilient restoring force inherent in the structure of the cursor control apparatus.
  • the illustrated cursor control apparatus is fully capable of residing in an assembly independent of the keyboard 1.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a representative arrangement for mounting disk 3 into keyboard 1 to provide features according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Keyboard 1 includes an upper surface 4 and a bottom, surface 7.
  • Shaft 11 of disk 3 projects through an opening 8 in upper surface 4 and is pivotally centered in such opening 8 by flexible 0- ring 9, or the like.
  • Shaft 11 of disk 3 is sufficiently rigid to transfer lateral forces, such as rocking movement force 12 about an axial point 13 generally centered within opening 8.
  • Force 12 creates linear and non-linear lateral translations at the base 14 of shaft 11.
  • Base 14 of shaft 11 is itself attached to the center of a cross-shaped resilient member 16, which member is rigidly attached at four ends, e.g. two ends 17 and 18, to bottom surface 7 of keyboard 1.
  • Each of the four arms of the cross-shape resilient member 16 includes, according to the preferred embodiment, a strain sensor to detect the extension (strain gauge 19) and the compression (strain gauge 21) forces associated with the imposition of force 12 on disk 3. It should be apparent that irrespective of the location of force 12 on the surface of disk 3, the compression and extension strain measurements are resolved from polar to cartesian coordinate vectors by virtue of the orthogonal arrangement of the cross-shaped gauge pattern. Likewise, it should be evident that the composite magnitude of the force 12 is relatively measurable by the extension and compression forces sensed in the various strain gauges.
  • Movements of the video display cursor can be non-linearly related to the forces acting on disk 3. Consequently, the non-linear flexing of O-ring 9, resilient member 16, shaft 11 and disk 3, do not materially detract from the functionality of the apparatus.
  • strain gauges 19 and 21 are operable as complements along one axis, is a preferred arrangement for sensing strain, in that such arrangement lends itself to classic bridge circuit detection responsive to differential strain.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a slightly different arrangement for mounting disk 3 in the top surface 4 of the keyboard.
  • the disk 3 projects materially above the plane defined by surface 4 of the keyboard, in contrast to being recessed into the plane of the keyboard. This embodiment reduces the likelihood that contaminates will be trapped in the keyboard recess and eventually enter through opening 8.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a somewhat different arrangement which nevertheless relies upon the fundamental principles of the present invention.
  • a cross-section at 5-5 of the structure depicted in Fig. 4 is shown in Fig. 5.
  • the center point 23, about which disk-like structure 24 rocks in response to a force 12 is fixedly attached to keyboard surface 4 at center 26 of cross- shaped resilient member 27.
  • the thick and rigid outer- perimeter of member 24 projects downward and connects to resilient member 27 through joints 28, 29, 31 and 32.
  • FIG. 6 Another disk configuration is schematically depicted in Fig. 6.
  • four pressure responsive sensors 37 arranged in pairs along orthogonal axes, detect the force 12 and resolve the force into respective cartesian coordinate magnitudes.
  • the disk 3 effectively pivots about a general central point defined by the opening 8 in keyboard surface 4.
  • Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the electronic circuit functions associated with the generation of video display control signals to represent force 12 (Figs. 2 and 4).
  • the respective pairs of extension and compression resistors R1/R2 and R3/R4 provide cartesian coordinate measures of the polar coordinate to define the force 12 as analog signals which are in relative proportion to the magnitude of the force.
  • the vector magnitude of such x and y signals is also calculated, and thereafter used to define, for example, the relative velocity or acceleration characteristics of the cursor movement.
  • the various measurements will most likely be digitized prior to being used to drive the video display.
  • the analog strain and pressure sensors described herein will be replaced by functionally equivalent digital force sensing devices.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

Un appareil de commande du mouvement de translation d'un curseur sur un affichage vidéo comprend un élément mécanique (3) d'application d'une force et une pluralité de transducteurs (19, 21) sensibles à une force qui convertissent la force en signaux électriques qui déterminent le sens de déplacement du curseur. Un élément traite les signaux électriques produits par les transducteurs (19, 21) de façon à produire une sortie qui commande le déplacement du curseur par rapport à des coordonnées sur l'affichage vidéo à une vitesse associée à l'importance de la force. Dans un mode de réalisation, l'élément mécanique (3) a la forme d'un élément (3) similaire à un disque, monté dans un clavier, et susceptible d'osciller autour d'un point central (13) et pourvu d'une force élastique de recentrage. Les mouvements de l'élément (3) par rapport à des coordonnées polaires sont détectés par des capteurs (19, 21) orthogonaux de l'importance de la tension, sensibles en termes de coordonnées cartésiennes.An apparatus for controlling the translational movement of a cursor on a video display comprises a mechanical element (3) for applying a force and a plurality of force-sensitive transducers (19, 21) which convert the force into signals which determine the direction of movement of the cursor. One element processes the electrical signals produced by the transducers (19, 21) to produce an output which controls the movement of the cursor relative to coordinates on the video display at a speed associated with the magnitude of the force. In one embodiment, the mechanical element (3) has the shape of an element (3) similar to a disc, mounted in a keyboard, and capable of oscillating around a central point (13) and provided with 'an elastic centering force. The movements of the element (3) relative to polar coordinates are detected by orthogonal sensors (19, 21) of the magnitude of the voltage, sensitive in terms of Cartesian coordinates.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A MOVABLE REFERENCE POINT ON A DISPLAY
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display. The invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus having mechanical means for actuation by an operator to provide a force, and conversion means for converting the force into electrical signals which are used for controlling the translational movements of a cursor on a video display.
Background Art
For purposes of the ensuing discussion, the terms reference point and cursor shall be used interchangeably, notwithstanding the recognition that a typical cursor pattern encompasses more than a single pixel position on a video display.
A variety of cursor controls exist in the prior art. In the context of personal computer systems, keyboard keys routinely control cursor translations and locations. Even with combinations of keys, the direct control of cursor movements are still commonly limited to translations incremented at 45° angles and at relatively fixed rates.
The angular limitations of keyboard key based controls have been overcome by the joy stick, the track ball, and more recently, the mouse forms of cursor controls. Joy sticks are on-off controls which both enable cursor movements and specify the directions of such movements. Joy stick type controls specify cursor movements at 90° intervals, and occasionally at 45° angular intervals. The track ball, a form of inverted mouse, as well as the mouse itself, are not restricted to large increments cf angular direction nor rates of movement, but do inherently require significant translational actions by the operator. In the case of a track ball, manual rotation of the ball in the perceived direction and at the desired rate produces corresponding cursor effects. The mouse on the other hand, requires manual translation of the mouse structure over a miniaturized area analogous to the video display in order to produce corresponding translations of the cursor.
A variation of the such prior art arrangements is embodied in an apparatus described in the IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 7B, pages 3746 and 3747, December of 1983, wherein a keyboard cursor control is responsive to a logic combination of four individual keys so as to identify cursor translation demands at 45° angular orientations. Again, the angles of permissible translation are limited to 45° increments. A somewhat more refined cursor control is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,246,452 in which the angular increments are reduced.
Disclosure of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for improving operator control of the translational movement of a reference point on a display.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display, the apparatus including mechanical means for applying a force and conversion means for converting the force into electrical signals determining the direction in which said reference point is to be moved, characterized in that said conversion means comprises a plurality of force- sensitive transducers and further characterized by means for processing the electrical signals produced by said transducers so as to produce an output which controls the movement of said reference point at a rate dependent on the magnitude of the force.
In a preferred embodiment the mechanical means includes a planar structure mounted for rocking movement about a point, serving as a polar centroid, and the mechanical means is mechanically coupled to a resilient member for providing a resilient recentering force on the planar structure. In one embodiment the planar structure is disk-like and mounted on a keyboard for a computer.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the keyboard with an integrated cursor control disk.
Fig. 2 is a cross-section schematically illustrating one embodiment of the disk and force sensing structure.
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of an alternate embodiment for the surface plane of the keyboard.
Fig. 4 is a cross-section of an arrangement in which the disk-like structure is mounted external to the planar surface of the keyboard.
Fig. 5 is a schematic of the embodiment first depicted in Fig. 4 along a different section line, to illustrate representative arrangements of the strain sensors.
Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-section in which forces are detected by compressor sensors.
Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a representative arrangement for detecting the forces on the disk and resolving the forces into orthogonal and vector values. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to Fig. 1- there :is illustrated an apparatus comprising a keybσard 1, including various alphanumeric and functional keys 2, in a form commonly known and used. The difference resides in the presence of a disk-like cursor control structure 3, which is attached as an integral part of the keyboard 1, yet movable with respect to the plane defined by exterior surface 4. Movement the disk-like cursor control 3 is characterized by a rocking action, about a centrally disposed point 6 on the disk axis, in all 360° by the application of a force to such disk member 3. Preferably, the force applied by the operator is opposed by a resilient restoring force inherent in the structure of the cursor control apparatus. It should be readily apparent that the illustrated cursor control apparatus is fully capable of residing in an assembly independent of the keyboard 1.
Fig. 2 illustrates a representative arrangement for mounting disk 3 into keyboard 1 to provide features according to one embodiment of the present invention. Keyboard 1 includes an upper surface 4 and a bottom, surface 7. Shaft 11 of disk 3 projects through an opening 8 in upper surface 4 and is pivotally centered in such opening 8 by flexible 0- ring 9, or the like. Shaft 11 of disk 3 is sufficiently rigid to transfer lateral forces, such as rocking movement force 12 about an axial point 13 generally centered within opening 8. Force 12 creates linear and non-linear lateral translations at the base 14 of shaft 11. Base 14 of shaft 11 is itself attached to the center of a cross-shaped resilient member 16, which member is rigidly attached at four ends, e.g. two ends 17 and 18, to bottom surface 7 of keyboard 1. Each of the four arms of the cross-shape resilient member 16 includes, according to the preferred embodiment, a strain sensor to detect the extension (strain gauge 19) and the compression (strain gauge 21) forces associated with the imposition of force 12 on disk 3. It should be apparent that irrespective of the location of force 12 on the surface of disk 3, the compression and extension strain measurements are resolved from polar to cartesian coordinate vectors by virtue of the orthogonal arrangement of the cross-shaped gauge pattern. Likewise, it should be evident that the composite magnitude of the force 12 is relatively measurable by the extension and compression forces sensed in the various strain gauges.
Movements of the video display cursor can be non-linearly related to the forces acting on disk 3. Consequently, the non-linear flexing of O-ring 9, resilient member 16, shaft 11 and disk 3, do not materially detract from the functionality of the apparatus.
The orthogonal arrangement of the strain gauges by pairs in a crossing pattern (generally in Fig. 5), wherein gauges 19 and 21 are operable as complements along one axis, is a preferred arrangement for sensing strain, in that such arrangement lends itself to classic bridge circuit detection responsive to differential strain.
The relevance of such a differential arrangement maybe more fully appreciated by considering the abnormal situation in which the force is directed vertically downward along shaft 11. Although a downward displacement of resilient member 16 center region near 14 will result, both strain gauges 19 and 21 will detect extension forces. With a differential sensing circuit, the output signals nevertheless remain substantially zero in value. Likewise, the extension and compression forces illustrated in Fig. 2 for strain gauges 19 and 21 will result in some movement of the orthogonally oriented crossing arms, and a detection of associated stains. Again, however, in the context of a conventional . bridge detection circuit arrangement both of such.' strain gauges will experience an extension force and a net zero bridge detector response. Though such principles are well known to designers of bridge configured strain gauge weighing systems, they are here uniquely implemented in the context of a cursor control apparatus to provide a low-cost structure capable of receiving cursor movement commands in analog polar coordinates and resolving such commands into cartesian coordinates with amplitudes related to the magnitude of the operator supplied control force.
Fig. 3 illustrates a slightly different arrangement for mounting disk 3 in the top surface 4 of the keyboard. For this arrangement the disk 3 projects materially above the plane defined by surface 4 of the keyboard, in contrast to being recessed into the plane of the keyboard. This embodiment reduces the likelihood that contaminates will be trapped in the keyboard recess and eventually enter through opening 8.
Fig. 4 illustrates a somewhat different arrangement which nevertheless relies upon the fundamental principles of the present invention. A cross-section at 5-5 of the structure depicted in Fig. 4 is shown in Fig. 5. In the arrangement of Fig. 4, the center point 23, about which disk-like structure 24 rocks in response to a force 12, is fixedly attached to keyboard surface 4 at center 26 of cross- shaped resilient member 27. The thick and rigid outer- perimeter of member 24 projects downward and connects to resilient member 27 through joints 28, 29, 31 and 32.
For the arrangement in Figs. 4 and 5, the presence of a force 12 at a point, for example 33, causes strain gauge 34 to undergo compression as strain gauge 36 is subject to extension, which for the classic resistance strain gauge produces respective decreases and increases in the oh ic values of resistors R3 and R4. Note again that the force is applied in polar coordinates but resolved into analog vectors of cartesian coordinates.
Another disk configuration is schematically depicted in Fig. 6. Here four pressure responsive sensors 37, arranged in pairs along orthogonal axes, detect the force 12 and resolve the force into respective cartesian coordinate magnitudes. Again, the disk 3 effectively pivots about a general central point defined by the opening 8 in keyboard surface 4.
Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the electronic circuit functions associated with the generation of video display control signals to represent force 12 (Figs. 2 and 4). The respective pairs of extension and compression resistors R1/R2 and R3/R4 provide cartesian coordinate measures of the polar coordinate to define the force 12 as analog signals which are in relative proportion to the magnitude of the force. According to a preferred arrangement the vector magnitude of such x and y signals is also calculated, and thereafter used to define, for example, the relative velocity or acceleration characteristics of the cursor movement. It should also be apparent that the various measurements will most likely be digitized prior to being used to drive the video display. Furthermore, with a rapid advance of digital sensor technology and the pervasive preference for digital signal processing, it is fully contemplated that the analog strain and pressure sensors described herein will be replaced by functionally equivalent digital force sensing devices.

Claims

CLAIMS :
1. An apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display, the apparatus including mechanical means (3) for applying a force and conversion means (19, 21) for converting the force into electrical signals determining the direction in which said reference point is to be moved, characterized in that said conversion means (19, 21) comprises a plurality of force-sensitive transducers (19, 21) and further characterized by means (40, 42, 44) for processing the electrical signals produced by said transducers (19, 21) so as to produce an output which controls the movement of said reference point at a rate dependent on the magnitude of the force.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said transducers (19, 21) are disposed in an orthogonal arrangement.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2,' characterized in that said transducers (19, 21) comprise four strain sensors (19, 21) arranged in pairs along orthogonal axes.
4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said mechanical means (3) includes a planar structure (3) mounted for rocking movement about a point (13), serving as a polar centroid, and said mechanical means (3) being mechanically coupled to a resilient member (16) for providing a resilient recentering force on said planar structure (3) .
5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said mechanical means (3) is in the form of a disc-like structure (3) mounted on a keyboard (1) for a computer.
EP89901164A 1987-12-21 1988-12-19 An apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display Withdrawn EP0345338A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13586587A 1987-12-21 1987-12-21
US135865 1987-12-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0345338A1 true EP0345338A1 (en) 1989-12-13

Family

ID=22470077

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89901164A Withdrawn EP0345338A1 (en) 1987-12-21 1988-12-19 An apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0345338A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH02502591A (en)
KR (1) KR900700974A (en)
WO (1) WO1989006023A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6040821A (en) * 1989-09-26 2000-03-21 Incontrol Solutions, Inc. Cursor tracking
EP0422589A1 (en) * 1989-10-12 1991-04-17 Maurer Instruments Ltd Positioning and tracking device
EP0433205A3 (en) * 1989-12-15 1991-09-11 International Business Machines Corporation A pointing device control for a computer keyboard
GB9107559D0 (en) * 1991-04-10 1991-05-29 Snape Timothy R Pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system
AU667688B2 (en) * 1991-10-04 1996-04-04 Micromed Systems, Inc. Hand held computer input apparatus and method
US5510784A (en) * 1992-11-25 1996-04-23 U.S. Philips Corporation Touch control device and keyboard
US5440237A (en) * 1993-06-01 1995-08-08 Incontrol Solutions, Inc. Electronic force sensing with sensor normalization
US5914702A (en) * 1996-03-04 1999-06-22 Hewlett-Packard Company Pointing device with wrap-around buttons
JP4125931B2 (en) * 2002-08-26 2008-07-30 株式会社ワコー Rotation operation amount input device and operation device using the same
WO2008040366A1 (en) * 2006-10-04 2008-04-10 Cherif Atia Algreatly Polar coordinates computer input method and devices

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0121866A3 (en) * 1983-04-08 1985-03-27 Tektronix, Inc. Keyboard joyswitch
DE3523270A1 (en) * 1985-06-28 1987-01-08 Siemens Ag System for transferring values of a two-dimensional vector to a data processing device
DE3525499A1 (en) * 1985-07-17 1987-01-29 Philips Patentverwaltung DEVICE FOR GENERATING X-Y COORDINATE ADDRESSES FOR A HIGH-RESOLUTION SCREEN

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8906023A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1989006023A1 (en) 1989-06-29
KR900700974A (en) 1990-08-17
JPH02502591A (en) 1990-08-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5828363A (en) Force-sensing pointing device
US4747313A (en) Tactile sensor
US6121954A (en) Unified bodied z-axis sensing pointing stick
US5521596A (en) Analog input device located in the primary typing area of a keyboard
JP4757488B2 (en) Device for detecting mechanical operation of an input element using digital technology and method for processing a digital input signal and converting it into a command for controlling a consumer device
US6331849B1 (en) Integrated surface-mount pointing device
CA1226643A (en) Position coordinate input device
JP4213239B2 (en) Z-axis sensitive pointing stick with substrate as strain concentration mechanism
EP0942391B1 (en) Sensing and control devices using pressure sensitive resistive elements
US5905485A (en) Controller with tactile sensors and method of fabricating same
EP0862103A2 (en) Pointing device
CN1796954A (en) Flexible three-dimensional force touch sensor
EP0345338A1 (en) An apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display
CN1796955A (en) Flexible touch sensor
WO1998011528A1 (en) Computer control device
JP4519849B2 (en) 6-DOF motion detector with three position sensors and method for manufacturing the sensor
US5835977A (en) Force transducer with co-planar strain gauges
USRE29765E (en) Strain gauge transducer system
WO1992009996A1 (en) Analog input device located in the primary typing area of a keyboard
TWI826993B (en) Inertial sensor
JP3193556B2 (en) Coordinate input device
US2964952A (en) Straingage rate gyro
JPH06258337A (en) Acceleration sensor
JP2000029620A (en) Position information input device
JPS6413414A (en) Inclination sensor

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE GB

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19891223

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19920505

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: NCR INTERNATIONAL INC.

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19920916