Electromagnetic active trackball control system using magnets energized in sequence which cause the trackball to move
AssigneeThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte
InventorsNadeem N. Eleyan, Stephen M. Bobbio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A track ball control system which is attachable to a computer system that has a display screen on which a cursor is positionable, including at least one track ball regulator for providing physical control of the position of the track ball in response to signals from the control system. These signals depend on the location of the cursor on the display screen and cause the track ball to change in movement. This change in movement may be a vertical change, and/or an azimuthal change. The operator does not control this change in movement except indirectly by knowingly or unknowingly positioning the cursor in a position which causes the signals to be sent to the track ball.
Claims9
A track ball control system, which is attachable to a computer system having a display screen and a cursor which is positionable on the display screen;
- said track ball control system comprising a trackball comprising a plurality of pairs of magnets energized in sequence by electromagnetic signals, causing movement of the track ball in a desired direction;
- and at least one track ball regulator for providing physical control of a track ball position in response to signals which are generated depending on the location of the cursor on the screen, wherein the track ball has a resultant change in movement in response to the signals which is distinct from direct control of the track ball by the operator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.