Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-12
2001-10-09
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
C345S184000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06300938
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to control interface devices, and more particularly to control interface devices for providing input to a computer system for manipulating an environment implemented by the computer system.
Control devices can be used for a variety of different control tasks. A user can conveniently select or operate different functions and features of a device using the control device. The control device preferably offers a more intuitive and easy-to-use way of interfacing with a device than using other inconvenient, bulky, or unintuitive controls.
Control devices can be implemented in a variety of forms. Those available control devices used for providing input to computer systems and other electronic apparatuses can take many forms. For example, when providing input to a graphical user interface implemented by a computer, such as to control a cursor, control devices such as mice and trackballs are often used. A mouse, however, has some disadvantages in that its operation requires a relatively large, flat workspace and the full use of a user's hand. This can be particularly disadvantageous for portable devices such as laptop computers. Trackballs do not require the large workspace of a mouse, but often are large, bulky devices that are not easy to integrate into the housing of a portable device.
Other control devices have also been developed for providing input to a computer system to control a cursor or otherwise manipulate a computer-implemented environment. One such device is a cylindrical, rotatable input device as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,712,101; 4,724,715; and 4,823,634 of C. Culver which allows a user to accurately control a cursor with an intuitive and compact design. A cylinder is translated in one degree of freedom to provide input in one degree of freedom, e.g. to move a cursor horizontally. The cylinder is rotated about its lengthwise axis to provide input in a different degree of freedom, e.g. to move a cursor vertically. The cylinder can be simply pressed downward to provide the equivalent of a button press on a mouse. The use of such a cylindrical control has advantages over trackpads, since they tend to offer a more intuitive interaction for the user when manipulating a graphical object and also offer the possibility of providing force feedback to the user with actuators coupled to the cylinder, something which a trackpad cannot do.
A problem with control device designs such as the cylindrical control described above is that even the compact design of such devices can be too large for many portable devices. For example, the thinness of input devices has become a key criterion in portable computers and other mobile electronic equipment. The “trackpads” which sense finger position have become common on portable computers and are typically furnished in thicknesses of approximately 4 mm but can be reduced to a 2 mm thickness. The cylindrical controls described above, in contrast, are typically about 7 mm in diameter and can be reduced in size to approximately 5 mm. When cylinder diameter is reduced much below about 4 mm, operation begins to suffer as frictional fingertip coupling with the cylinder's surface is reduced. Some users complain that the control is difficult to engage.
A further problem with the cylindrical controls used in the prior art is that they are capable of controlling input for only two axes of motion or degrees of freedom. An additional problem is that these cylinder devices suffer from instability when designed for single-contact point-and-click operation. For example, downward pressure closes a switch connected to the cylinder, which performs a mouse-click operation. However, the instability causes unwanted “cursor creep” to occur, i.e. a small amount of rotation of the cylinder is caused when the cylinder is depressed, causing the cursor to move slightly in an undesired fashion.
There is therefore a need for cylinder control devices having a smaller thickness and greater stability to allow accurate input to a computer system or other device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a multiple-cylinder control device that is compact and allows a user to interface with a computer or other electronic apparatus in an effective manner. The control device can also be provided with force feedback for added functionality.
More particularly, a control device of the present invention includes first and second cylinders oriented in parallel, each cylinder operative to rotate in a rotary degree of freedom and translate in a linear degree of freedom parallel to the axis of rotation. A first sensor detects the rotational motion of one or more of the cylinders and outputs a first control signal. A second sensor senses the translation of at least one of the cylinders and outputs a second control signal. The first and said second cylinders can be rotated and translated by a finger of a user. Various embodiments include cylinders that can be rotated independently with respect to each other or in conjunction, and which can be translated independently of each other or in conjunction. A third sensor can be used to independently sense rotation of the second cylinder and/or a fourth sensor can be used to sense independent translation of the cylinders. Three or more cylinders can be provided similarly in other embodiments. One or more contact bars oriented parallel to the cylinders can provide an additional contact point for the user's finger when the user moves the cylinders. A microprocessor coupled to the sensors receives the control signals and processes the signals.
The control device can be connected to a host computer, for example, and provide the control signals to the computer for controlling a cursor or other entity implemented and displayed by the computer. Preferably, the rotation of the cylinder(s) is used for vertical (Y-axis) motion of a cursor, and the translation of the cylinder(s) is used for horizontal (X-axis) motion of the cursor. The control signals can be processed in different ways as desired by the receiving device. For example, the rotational signals from each of the cylinders can be compared and the signal from the slower-moving cylinder can be discarded. Alternatively, the two rotational signals can be added together. The signals for translation of the cylinders can similarly be processed as desired. A switch can be used to provide a switch signal when either of the cylinders is pressed downward, e.g. when the user wishes to input the equivalent of a mouse click.
In a different embodiment, the multiple-cylinder control includes at least one actuator for providing force feedback to one or both cylinders. The computer can provide force feedback command signals which cause forces to be output in the degrees of freedom of one or more of the cylinders. For example, an actuator can be provided for each degree of freedom of each cylinder; or a single actuator can provide forces in both degrees of freedom of a cylinder. Both active and passive actuators can be used. A local microprocessor can calculate and/or process forces locally based on force feedback commands from the host computer. The force feedback signals or commands from the host computer can be based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. For example, the force feedback can be determined based on the interaction of a cursor with other graphical objects in a graphical user interface.
The device and method of the present invention provide a compact interface control device to a computer or other electronic apparatus that provides greater control functionality and convenience for the user than other interface devices. The multiple cylinders provide multiple contact points for a user's finger and thus greater stability and accuracy than one-cylinder control devices or trackballs. This also allows the control device to be made smaller and flatter, which is ideal for portable electronic devices. Tactile and force feedback may also be added to the control device to provide
Hjerpe Richard
Immersion Corporation
Laneau Ronald
Riegel James R.
Tucker Guy V.
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