US 6,184,869 B2 · Computer input device having multiple multi-dimensional detection devices

Abstract

A computer input device having multiple multi-directional detection devices that can be simultaneously operated by a user to provide multi-dimensional input to a computer is disclosed. The multi-directional detection devices are arranged on an input device housing to facilitate simultaneous operation by one hand of an operator. One multi-directional detection device may include a spherical ball located within the housing and protruding from a bottom surface of the housing so that when the housing is located on a horizontal surface and moved about, that ball rotates within the housing. Encoders detect the rotation of the ball and provide an indicative signal to circuitry located within the housing. Another multi-directional detection device may include a spherical ball located within the housing and protruding from a top surface of the housing. Encoders detect rotation of this ball and provide indicative signals to the circuitry. A user may directly manipulate the ball protruding from the upper surface while moving the housing, thus rotating the ball protruding from the bottom surface. The respective encoders from each detection device provide signals to the circuitry which in turn provides a multi-dimensional signal to a computer. A third multi-directional detection device may be provided that can be simultaneously operated with the first and second multi-directional detection devices. A third multi-directional detection device may be provided that can be simultaneously operated with the first or second multi-directional detection devices.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A computer input device, comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) a first multi-directional detection device coupled to the housing for detection of a first user input along a first and second axis of direction simultaneously, wherein the first multi-directional detection device provides a first multi-dimensional signal indicative of the first user input;
(c) a second multi-directional detection device coupled to the housing for detection of a second user input along a third and fourth axis of direction simultaneously, wherein the second multi-directional detection device provides a second multi-dimensional signal indicative of the second user input;
(d) wherein the first multi-directional detection device and the second multi-directional detection device are arranged on the housing to permit the first user input and the second user input to occur simultaneously;
and
(e) a third multi-directional detection device coupled to the housing for detection of a third user input along two axes of direction simultaneously, wherein the third multi-directional detection device provides a third multi-dimensional signal indicative of the third user input, and wherein the second detection device is located on a first lower surface of the housing and the third detection device is located on a second lower surface of the housing such that when the housing is oriented in a first orientation the second user input includes moving the housing on a supporting surface to provide the second multi-dimensional signal, and when the housing is oriented in a second orientation the third user input includes moving the housing to provide the third multi-dimensional signal and the first detection device is arranged on the housing to permit the first user input and the second user input simultaneously, and the first user input and the third user input simultaneously, respectively.

3 more elements

A computer input device for providing signals to a computer indicative of a user's operation of the input device, comprising:

(a) a housing having a first portion and a second portion and wherein the housing includes a first orientation relative to a supporting surface and a second orientation relative to the supporting surface;
(b) a first multi-directional detection device that can be operated by a user along two axes simultaneously and the first detection device provides a first multi-dimensional signal indicative of the user operation and wherein the first detection device is located on the first portion of the housing;
(c) a second multi-directional detection device that can be operated by a user along two axes simultaneously and the second detection device provides a second multi-dimensional signal indication of the user operation and wherein the second detection device is located on the second portion of the housing;
(d) whereby the first detection device can be operated by moving the housing when the housing is in the first orientation and the second detection device can be operated by moving the housing when the housing is in the second orientation;
and
a third multi-directional detection device that can be operated by a user along two axes simultaneously and the third detection device provides a third multi-dimensional signal indication of the user operation and wherein the housing includes an upper surface, a first lower surface on the first portion and a second lower surface on the second portion, and wherein the first detection device is located proximate the first lower surface and the second detection device is located proximate the second lower surface and the third detection device is located on the upper surface whereby the third detection device can be operated simultaneously with the first detection device when the housing is oriented in the first orientation and the third detection device can be operated simultaneously with the second detection device when the housing is oriented in the second orientation.

3 more elements

A computer input device for providing signals to a computer indicative of a user's operation of the input device, comprising

(a) a housing having a first portion and a second portion and wherein the housing includes a first orientation relative to a supporting surface and a second orientation relative to the supporting surface;
(b) a first multi-directional detection device that can be operated by a user along two axes simultaneously and the first detection device provides a first multi-dimensional signal indicative of the user operation and wherein the first detection device is located on the first portion of the housing;
and
(c) a second multi-directional detection device that can be operated by a user along two axes simultaneously and the second detection device provides a second multi-dimensional signal indication of the user operation and wherein the second detection device is located on the second portion of the housing;
(d) whereby the first detection device can be operated by moving the housing when the housing is in the first orientation and the second detection device can be operated by moving the housing when the housing is in the second orientation;
and wherein the housing includes an upper surface, a first lower surface, and a second lower surface, and a ridge separates the first lower surface from the second lower surface and in the first orientation the first lower surface is proximate the supporting surface to permit operation of the first detection device, and in the second orientation the second lower surface is proximate the supporting surface to permit operation of the second detection device.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Computer input device having multiple multi-dimensional detection devices

Life of this patent

Computer input device having multiple multi-dimensional detection devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12