Input apparatus for a data processing system
AssigneeU.S. Philips Corporation
InventorsKars-Michiel H. Lenssen, Peter Martens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Input apparatus for a data processing system. An input apparatus, for example a mouse or a track ball, comprises a member which is rotatable by manipulation by a user. The rotation causes a change of a magnetic field, which change is detected by a detector. The member in the apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a non-homogeneous distribution of a soft-magnetic material which, upon rotation, changes a magnetic field externally applied to the member by a magnet.
Claims15
An input apparatus for presenting data elements to a data processing system by physical manipulation by a user, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing and a rotatable member rotatable relative to the housing by said manipulation,
- magnetic means arranged externally of the rotatable member for generating a magnetic field, and
- a detector for detecting rotation of said rotatable member on the basis of changes in the magnetic field caused by the rotation of the member,
- said member containing a soft-magnetic material, said soft magnetic material having a a non-homogeneous distribution in said rotatable member and inducing said changes in the magnetic field upon rotation of said member.
A rotatable member for use in an input apparatus having means for generating a magnetic field and a detector for detecting changes in the magnetic field, said member comprising:
- a spherical body having soft magentic material in a non-homogeneous distribution about said body.
An apparatus providing physical feedback to a user from a data processing system, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a housing and a rotatable member rotatable relative to the housing by said manipulation, said member containing a soft-magnetic material, said soft magnetic material having a non-homogeneous distribution in said rotatable member;
- and
- b) an electromagnet external of said rotatable member for generating a magnetic field in response to a signal from the data processing system which communicates with said soft magnetic material for exerting a force on said member.
An input apparatus for presenting data elements to a data processing system by physical manipulation by a user, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a housing and a rotatable member rotatable relative to the housing by said manipulation,
- b) magnetic means arranged externally of the rotatable member for generating a magnetic field, and
- c) a detector for detecting rotation of said rotatable member on the basis of changes in the magnetic field caused by the rotation of said member containing a soft-magnetic material, said soft magnetic material having a non-homogeneous distribution in said rotatable member and inducing said changes in the magnetic field upon rotation of said member;
- and
- d) a heavy body, comparatively heavy with respect to the total weight of said rotatable member positioned assymetrically in said rotatable member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.