Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-12-25
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S158000, C345S161000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06333733
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates on the one hand to a unit for determining a relative position of two mutually movable components, in one or more dimensions and, on the other hand, to an input unit in the form of a pointer for position control in several dimensions, especially six dimensions, said pointer using to this end position-sensing units according to the invention.
The invention is particularly applicable within the field of pointers and positioning means for multidimensional controlling of the position of a cursor, a pointer or other objects on a display. However, the invention is generally applicable to multidimensional position control, for instance for industrial robots and other equipment.
BACKGROUND ART
In computer engineering, different kinds of pointers and positioning means are used as input units, such as a joystick, a control ball, a mouse etc, which in manual operation generate electric control signals for multidimensional controlling, position control in CAD work or in computer and TV games often requires controllability within several degrees of freedom or dimensions. A user should be able to perform with his hand a number of different controlling movements in a logic or intuitive manner. In some modern applications, especially computer games, controllability is required in up to six dimensions, for example a linear movement in three directions and a rotating movement in three directions.
In the present application, the term “pointer” is to be interpreted in a wide sense and comprise all types of input units with one or more movable operating means for generating position control signals for multidimensional controlling of on object, by operating said operating means in different directions of operation.
SE-5,022,186 discloses an input unit in the form of a pointer for three-dimensional position control of e.g. a cursor on a display. An object, which especially can be the user's finger, is illuminated by two point sources of light. As a result, the object casts two shadows on a detector surface, which is made up of a plurality of separate detector elements for determining the absolute positions of the shadows. The position of the object in three dimensions is calculated on the basis of the absolute and relative positions of the two shadows.
This prior-art pointer has a relatively high total cost of components and may be difficult to manufacture with small dimensions, which prevents the pointer from being used as a partial component in more complex controlling devices. The reliability is limited. The size of the operating area is limited by the components.
For conversion of movements of a pointer into control signals, it is also known to use components of the PSD type (Position-Sensing Detector) or CCD type (Charge Coupled Device). However, these components are complicated and consequently expensive.
The International Patent Application under Publication No. WO 97/05567, which was filed before the priority date of the present application but was published after the priority date of the present application, discloses a pointer in the form of a control lever for controlling in several dimensions. In one embodiment, the operating handle supports a light source at its lower end. A stationary detector has four detector surfaces in the form of photodiodes, each forming a quadrant. Radiation from the movable source of light passes through an opening in a stationary screen and falls as a light spot on the detector surfaces. When the control lover is moved, the amount of light on the various detector surfaces varies. The current angular position of the operating handle in calculated on the basis of a comparison of light intensity on the various detector surfaces.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One object of the invention is to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks of prior art.
A further object is to provide a position-sensing unit which can be accomplished with a small number of simple and inexpensive components and which can permit accurate determination of changes of a position.
A special object in to provide a position-sensing unit which is of simple design and can offer high reliability during a long life.
A special object of the invention is to provide an improved pointer for position control in two or more dimensions, especially six dimensions.
One object is to provide a pointer which allows position control in a logic and intuitive fashion, thereby reducing the risk of a user confusing different degrees of freedom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With a view to achieving these and other objects, the invention concerns a position-sensing unit and a pointer having the features according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and variants of the invention are stated in the dependent claims.
Thus, the invention concerns a position-sensing unit, which in a first main variant comprises a radiation source having at least two fields, each having a radiating surface; a detector for detecting radiation from the respective fields, radiation from one field being distinguishable from radiation from other fields; a screen element which is arranged in the beam path between the radiation source and the detector and which, for each determination of a position and seen from the perspective of the detector, partially screens off at least the one field but not completely screens off any one of the fields, at least one of the radiation source and the detector being so movable relative to the screen element in a first direction transversely of the direction of radiation that such a relative movement causes a relative change of the screening off of the fields, and means for determining a relative position in said first direction between the screen and at least one of the radiation source and the detector, based on a comparison, such as the ratio, between radiation detected by the detector and received from the respective radiating fields.
In a second main variant, the detector is instead divided into two or more fields, which from the perspective of the radiation source are screened off to different degrees in the relative movement as above.
According to a specially preferred embodiment of the invention, independently of whether the fields are designed as radiating fields or radiation-detecting fields, a radiation-spreading medium, such as a plastic plate or the like, constitutes the surface of the field facing the screen element. The radiation-spreading medium can coact with a radiation unit or detector unit associated with the field for creating “virtual” radiating or radiation-detecting fields. This solution is considerably less expensive, up to a factor 100, compared with the use of active components having large radiation-generating or radiation-detecting surfaces.
In its simplest embodiment, a position-sensing unit according to the invention comprises only two fields, in which case a relative comparison between the radiation associated with the respective fields permits the determination of a position in one dimension. However, the unit is preferably arranged for position-sensing in two different directions in a plane extending transversely of the radiation. At least two fields should be arranged after each other in each of said two directions.
The source of radiation may consist of a “true” source of radiation, which generates the radiation. The source of radiation may also be an indirectly radiating component, which is caused to radiate by reflection of radiation from a source of radiation. Correspondingly, the detector may comprise a reflector which reflects transmitted radiation to a detector.
In a preferred embodiment, the screen element partially screens off all fields in each determination of a position, but it is also conceivable that one or some fields, depending on the total number of fields, can be non-screened off in the determination of a position and, optionally, always be non-screened off.
In a specially preferred embodiment, use is made of four fields, which adjoin each other along straight lines and constitute quadrants of a common su
Andersson Bengt
Andersson Bjorn
Kvarnlöf Joakim
Bowers Benjamin D.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Hjerpe Richard
Trioc AB
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