Multi-dimension track-ring
AssigneeMitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorTakao Nagai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pointing device is disclosed which does not need an operation space and with which data of three or more dimensions is easily inputted. A pointing device is formed by a switch button, a first dial, a second dial and a body. The first dial is disposed around the switch button and specifies X coordinate of a cursor position. The second dial is disposed around the first dial and specifies Y coordinate of a cursor position. The body houses the switch button and the first and the second dials. The first and the second dials are independently rotatable both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
Claims15
A pointing device for giving data about a cursor position on a display screen, the pointing device comprising:
- a box-like body having a surface;
- a plurality of concentric rotation dials disposed in said surface of said box-like body, said concentric rotation dials being independently rotatable both clockwise and counter-clockwise;
- detection means for detecting a quantity and a direction of rotation of each one of said concentric rotation dials;
- signal generation means for generating a position signal representing said cursor position, in accordance with said quantity and said direction of the rotations detected by said detection means;
- and
- a switch for providing a decision signal by which said cursor position is fixed on the display screen;
- wherein:
- said surface of said box-like body is a top surface of said box-like body;
- and
- said switch is disposed in a center of said concentric rotation dials so as to be surrounded by said concentric rotation dials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.