Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer input
devices in general and specifically to hand manipulable
computer input devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is a well known necessity in graphical
drawing programs to accurately position the cursor on the
screen. This goal is achieved today by use of a
positioning device known as a 'mouse'. When the 'mouse'
is moved on a flat surface its movement is electronically
translated by a mechanical or optical mechanism and is
reflected on the computer screen. In some cases it is
desirable that the user have a fine positioning ability
in one of the device's directions (e.g., the up-down
direction) and a coarse positioning ability in the other
direction (e.g., the left-right direction).
The type of positioning devices used today do
not enable changing the speed sensitivity of the device
in each of the axes separately and in real time. The
solution for this need is therefore provided by software,
so that the user defines the behavior of the positioning
device by using setup procedures provided by the computer
program's manufac~urer.
The disadvantage of this solution is that it
requires the user to stop the graphical work and enter
the setup procedure. This may be a time consuming
operation and distracts the user from the main objective
of the work.
Hand manipulable computer input devices are
described in published European Patent Application
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474,234 of Nakajima et al. and in U.S. Patent 5,191,641
to Fujimara et al.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an auxiliary
positioning device which may enable a user to position a
computer program's cursor on the screen while manually
controlling the speed of the cursor's movement both in
the up-down direction and in the left-right direction.
Such a device may be used in conjunction with a computer
graphic program for easy control of the cursor's
positioning on the screen.
The object of the present invention is to
provide a positioning device whose speed may be varied
separately in each coordinate, in a user friendly fashion
and in real time, so that the user does not need to stop
working in order to change the speed sensitivity of the
device.
The above object is achieved by the present
invention by providing a positioning device whose speed
may be varied by setting two control knobs which are part
of the device and are located on it. The device has two
such control knobs, one for setting the speed sensitivity
in each of the device's coordinates. The user can change
the speed sensitivity of the device while working on the
computer program, using the same hand activating the
device, and without being forced to stop working. This is
done by changing the position of each of the control
knobs on the device.
The said device comprises of a rotating ball
which is in contact with a flat surface, as done in some
well known existing positioning devices, known as a
'mouse'. When the device is moved against the surface,
the rotating ball turns two axles, one positioned in the
X-coordinate and one in the Y-coordinate.
To achieve the variable speed capability, the
structure of the device is changed. According to one
preferred embGdiment of the device, the following
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mechanism is added to the existing 'mouse' mechanism: a
variable transmission gear is added to each of the two
axles (see figure #2). The gear is constructed of a
conical transmission element, mounted coaxially on the
axle. The conical element touches another transmission
wheel, which is coaxially mounted on a flexible shaft.
The relative position of the transmission wheel and the
conical wheel can be changed by the user by changing the
position of the external control knob. When the position
of the transmission wheel is changed, the transmission
ratio is also changed, thus changing the speed
sensitivity of the device. The flexible shaft is
connected to an electronic or optical device (as done in
today's 'mouse' devices) which produces signals that are
transferred to the computer and are then translated by it
to the cursor position on the computer screen.
The present invention seeks to provide an
improved hand manipulable computer input device.
There is thus provided in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention a
positioning device for use with computer programs, whose
speed sensitivity may be varied separately in each axis
by the user by changing the position of two control knobs
positioned on the device. The said device comprises of a
rotating ball which is in contact with a flat surface.
When the device is moved against the surface the rotating
ball turns two axles, one positioned in the X-coordinate
and one in the Y-coordinate. A variable transmission
gear is located on each of the axles. The gear is
constructed of a conical transmission element, mounted
coaxially on the axle. The conical element touches
another transmission wheel, which is coaxially mounted on
a flexible shaft. The relative position of the
transmission wheel and the conical wheel can be changed
by the user by changing the position of the external
control knob. When the position of the transmission wheel
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is changed, the transmission ratio is also changed
changing the speed sensitivity of the device. The
flexible shaft is connected to an electronic or optical
device which produces signals that are transferred to the
computer and are then translated by it to the cursor
position on the computer screen.
Further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the speed sensitivity
of the device is changed by an electronic circuit and not
by a mechanical transmission. The electronic circuit for
doing this includes a potentiometer added to the
electronics or optics that produces the electronic signal
in response to the rotation of the axis. The position of
this potentiometer changes the strength of the electronic
signal produced in response to the rotation of the axis.
Still further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the speed sensitivity
of the device is changed by a single mechanism for both
axes together.
There is also provided in accordance with
another preferred embodiment of the present invention a
positioning device for use in conjunction with a computer
program in which the speed sensitivity of the device can
be changed separately for each of the devices axes.
There is also provided in accordance with
another preferred embodiment of the present invention a
hand manipulable computer input device including a
displacement sensing element operative to provide an
output indication of displacement, and variable scaling
apparatus receiving the output indication of displacement
and operative to provide a scaled indication of
displacement.
Further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the variable scaling
apparatus includes electronic scaling apparatus.
Still further in accordance with a preferred
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embodiment of the present invention the variable scaling
apparatus includes mechanical scaling apparatus.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the mechanical
scaling apparatus includes a variable transmission
coupling.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the variable
transmission coupling includes a largely conical
transmission element.
Further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the hand manipulable
computer input device also includes an axle, the largely
conical transmission element being operatively associated
with the axle.
Still further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the largely conical
transmission element is fixedly mounted on the axle.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the largely conical
transmission element has an apex and a base, the apex
being pivotally attached to the axle and the base being
freely supported by the axle.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the hand manipulable
computer input device also includes a manipulator
operative to vary the gear ratio of the variable
transmission coupling.
Further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the hand manipulable
computer input device also includes driving apparatus
operative to drive the largely conical transmission
element.
Still further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the driving apparatus
is in operative engagement with the largely conical
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transmission element at a position of contact and the
manipulator is operative to vary the position of contact.
There is also provided in accordance with
another preferred embodiment of the present invention a
variable transmission coupling including an axle, and a
largely conical transmission element having an apex and a
base, the apex being pivotally attached to the axle and
the base being freely supported by the axle.
Further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the largely conical
transmission element is fixedly mounted on the axle.
Still further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the largely conical
transmission element has an apex and a base, the apex
being pivotally attached to the axle and the base being
freely supported by the axle.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the variable
transmission coupling also includes a manipulator
operative to vary the gear ratio of the variable
transmission coupling.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the variable
transmission coupling also includes driving apparatus
operative to drive the largely conical transmission
element.
Further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the driving apparatus
is in operative engagement with the largely conical
transmission element at a position of contact and the
manipulator is operative to vary the position of contact.
Still further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the at least one axle
is mounted on a first movable carriage.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the hand manipulable
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computer input device includes a manipulator operative to
vary the gear ratio of the variable transmission
coupling.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the hand manipulable
computer input device also includes driving apparatus
operative to drive the largely conical transmission
element.
Further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the driving apparatus
is in operative engagement with the largely conical
transmission element at a position of contact and the
manipulator is operative to vary the position of contact.
Still further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the manipulator is
operative to vary the position of contact by moving the
movable carriage.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the hand manipulable
computer input device also includes a second movable
carriage, wherein the at least one axle includes a first
axle and a second axle, and wherein the second axle is
mounted on the second movable carriage.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the first axle and
the second axle are disposed largely at right angles to
each other.
Further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the electronic
scaling apparatus includes a mouse controller.
Still further in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the electronic
scaling apparatus includes a speed control.
There is also provided in accordance with
another preferred embodiment of the present invention a
method for computer input using a hand manipulable
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computer input device, the method including providing a
displacement sensing element operative to provide an
output indication of displacement, and receiving the
output indication of displacement and providing a scaled
indication of displacement.
There is also provided in accordance with
another preferred embodiment of the present invention a
method for variable transmission of power, the method
including providing an axle, and providing a largely
conical transmission element operatively associated with
the axle.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and
appreciated from the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Fig. l is a perspective view of a hand
manipulable computer input device constructed and
operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a simplified side view of a portion
of the apparatus of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is sectional illustration of a portion
of the apparatus of Fig. 2 taken along the lines III-III;
Fig. 4 is a sectional illustration of a portion
of the apparatus of Fig. 2 taken along the lines IV-IV;
Fig. 5 is a simplified side view of a portion
of a hand manipulable computer input device constructed
and operative in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a sectional illustration of a portion
of the apparatus of Fig. 5 taken along the lines VI-VI;
Fig. 7 is a sectional illustration of a port1on
of the apparatus of Fig. 5 taken along the lines VII-VII;
Fig. 8 is a simplified side view of the device
of Fig. 5 shown in a second position of operation;
Fig. 9 is a sectional illustration of a portion
of the apparatus of Fig. 8 taken along the lines IX-IX;
Fig. l0 is a simplified pictorial illustration
of a portion of a hand manipulable computer input device
constructed and operative in accordance with another
alternative preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. llA is a simplified top view of the
apparatus of Fig. l0;
Fig. llB is a simplified pictorial illustration
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of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 10;
Figs. 12A - 12D are simplified top views of the
apparatus of Fig. 10 in first, second, third, and fourth
positions of operation, respectively;
Fig. 13 is a simplified block diagram
illustration of a portion of a hand manipulable computer
input device constructed and operative in accordance with
yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the
present invention; and
Fig. 14 is a simplified flowchart illustration
of a preferred method of operation of the apparatus of
Fig. 13.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is now made to Fig. l which is a
perspective view of a hand manipulable computer input
device constructed and operative in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
device of Fig. l comprises a mouse l0. It is appreciated
that the device of Fig. l may be any other suitable hand
manipulable computer input device. The mouse l0
comprises two levers 15. Alternatively, there may be a
single actuator controlling t~e two levers 15 together,
or any type of actuator in operative engagement with the
two levers lS.
The mouse l0 also comprises driving apparatus
21, preferably largely spherical in shape. Preferably,
the surface of the driving apparatus 21 is formed of a
substance with a high coefficient of friction as, for
example, rubber or synthetic rubber.
Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which is a
simplified side view of a portion of the apparatus of
Fig. l. Reference is additionally made to Fig. 3, which
is sectional illustration of a portion of the apparatus
of Fig. 2 taken along the lines III-III, and to Fig. 4,
which is a sectional illustration of a portion of the
apparatus of Fig. 2 taken along the lines IV-IV.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the mechanical
variable transmission according to one possible
embodiment of the device. Fig. 2 depicts a possible
embodiment of the variable speed positioning device.
Parts 21, 22 and 26 exist in today's well known 'mouse'
devices. Parts 23, 24, 25 and 27 are added to the device
in order to enable the variable speed sensitivity.
Part 21 in the drawing is a rotating ball which
is in contact with a flat surface. When the device is
moved against the surface, the rotating ball turns two
axles positioned in the X-coordinate and one in the Y-
coordinate. One G-^ these axles can be seen in the figure
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(part 22).
To achieve the variable speed capability, the
structure of the device is changed. According to one
preferred embodiment of the change, the following
mechanism is added to the existing 'mouse' mechanism: a
variable transmission gear is added to each of the two
axles. This transmission can be seen as parts 23, 24 and
25 in the figure.
The gear is constructed of a conical
transmission element (part 23 in Figure 2), mounted
coaxial on the axle. The conical element touches another
transmission wheel (part 24 in Figure 2), which is
coaxial mounted on a flexible shaft (part 25 in Figure 2)
The relative position of the transmission wheel and the
conical wheel can be changed by the user by changing the
position of the external control knob (part 27 in Figure
2). The external control knob 27 is operatively
associated with the lever 15 of Fig. 1 (not shown in Fig.
2). When the position of the transmission wheel is
changed, the transmission ratio is also changed, thus
changing the speed sensitivity of the device. The
flexible shaft is connected to an electronic or optical
device (part 26 in Figure 2), as done in today's 'mouse'
devices, which produces electronic signals that are
transferred to the computer and are then translated by it
to the cursor position on the computer screen.
Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which is a
simplified side view of a portion of a hand manipulable
computer input device constructed and operative in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Typically, the hand manipulable
computer input device of Fig. 1 comprises two devices
such as that of Fig. 5, typically mounted at
approximately right angles to each other.
The device of Fig. 5 comprises an axle 100.
The axle lO0 is formed at a first end with a notch 105,
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14
adapted to receive one of the levers 15 at a first end of
the lever 15. It is appreciated that the axle 100 may be
adapted to receive the lever 15 in another appropriate
manner.
The lever 15 is rotatably attached to a fulcrum
115. Preferably, the lever 15 is equipped near a second
end with apparatus such as ratchet 120, operative to hold
the lever 15 in a selected position. The lever 15,
fulcrum 115, and axle 100 are construction in such a way
that rotating the lever 15 about the fulcrum 115 causes
the axle 100 to be inserted or removed from the device of
Fig. 5. It is appreciated that in place of the lever 15
another apparatus may alternatively be employed, in
operative engagement with the axle 100 and operative to
insert and remove the axle 100 from the device of Fig. 5.
The axle 100 is formed at a second end with a
key 125. The cross section of key 125 is shown as
square; it is appreciated that the key 125 may have any
other appropriate shape.
The apparatus of Fig. 5 also comprises a
rotational displacement indicating apparatus 130.
Indicating apparatus 130 comprises a shaft 135 and a disk
140. The shaft 135 is formed with a keyway 142 operative
to receive the key 125.
Reference is now additionally made to Fig. 6,
which is a sectional illustration of a portion of the
apparatus of Fig. 5 taken along the lines VI-VI. The
disk 140 is formed with notches 145.
The apparatus of Fig. 5 also comprises electro-
optic encoding apparatus 150, as is well known in
existing hand manipulated computer input devices. The
encoding apparatus 150 comprises an emitter 155 and a
sensor 160. The electro-optic encoding apparatus 150 is
operative to encode the displacement of the disk 140 by
sensing the passage of the notches 145 between the
emitter 155 and the sensor 160. The emitter 155 and the
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sensor 160 may be any appropriate emitter and sensor,
such as an infrared emitter and sensor. Alternatively,
electro-optic encoding apparatus 150 may be replaced with
any appropriate encoding apparatus which is operative to
sense the rotational displacement of the indicating
apparatus 130.
The apparatus of Fig. 5 also comprises a
largely conical transmission element 170 in operative
engagement with the driving apparatus 21. The surface
of the transmission element 170 may be formed of a
substance such as, for example, rubber or synthetic
rubber. Preferably, the surface of the transmission
element 170 is coated with a substance have a very low
coefficient of friction such as, for example,
polytetrafluoroethene (Teflon).
The largely conical transmission element 170
has a base 180 and an apex 185. The apex 185 is
pivotally attached to the axle 100, preferably by means
of suitable bearings, not shown in Fig. 5. The base 180
is freely supported by the axle 100.
In Fig. 5 the base 180 is shown as being
mounted towards the end of the axle 100 having the notch
105. Alternatively, the apex 185 may be mounted towards
the end of the axle 100 having the notch 105. In the
alternative case, the change in operation of the
apparatus of Fig. 5 upon insertion and removal of the
axle 100, as described below with reference to Figs. 5
and 8, would be reversed.
The largely conical transmission element 170 is
typically largely hollow to allow free movement of the
base 180 at its point of free support by the axle 100.
The pressure of the driving apparatus 21 against the
transmission element 170 maintains the inner surface of
the transmission element 170 generally in contact with
the axle 100.
The operation of the apparatus of Fig. 5 is now
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16
briefly described. The driving apparatus 21, as in any
conventional computer mouse, is rubbed along an external
surface as the mouse is displaced. The driving apparatus
21 is thus rotated and transmits to the transmission
element 170, and thus to the axle 100 through the apex
18S, the component of the rotation of the driving
apparatus 21 which is perpendicular to the long axis of
the axle 100.
As explained above, the apparatus of Fig.
typically comprises two devices such as that of Fig. 5
mounted at right angles to each other. Thus, two
perpendicular components of displacement of the mouse,
sufficient to describe the displacement of the mouse in
two dimensions, may be transmitted to the two devices
such as that of Fig. 5.
In Fig. 5, the lever 15, held in place by the
ratchet 120, is in a position such that the axle 100 is
partially removed from the apparatus; that is, the key
125 is partially removed from the keyway 142. Thus, the
area of contact between the driving apparatus 21 and the
transmission element 170 is towards the apex 185 of the
transmission element 170.
Reference is now made to Fig. 7, which is a
sectional illustration of a portion of the apparatus of
Fig. 5 taken along the lines VII-VII. It will be seen
from Fig. 7 that the outer diameter of the driving
apparatus 21 at its area of contact with the transmission
element 170 is relatively large compared to the outer
diameter of the transmission element 170 at said area of
contact. Therefore, a given rotation of the driving
apparatus 21 will cause,a relatively large rotation of
the transmission element 170 and hence of the axle 100,
according to the ratio between the outer diameter of the
transmission element 170 at its area of contact with the
driving apparatus 21 and the outer diameter of the
driving apparatus 21.
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Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which is a
simplified side view of the device of Fig. 5 shown in a
second position of operation. In Fig. 8, the lever 15,
held in place by the ratchet 120, is in a position such
that the axle 100 is fully or nearly fully inserted into
the apparatus, that is, the key 125 is fully or nearly
fully inserted into the keyway 142. Thusj the area of
contact between the driving apparatus 21 and the
transmission element 170 is towards the base 180 of the
transmission element 170.
Reference is now made to Fig. 9, which is a
sectional illustration of a portion of the apparatus of
Fig. 8 taken along the lines IX-IX. It will be seen from
Fig. 9 that the outer diameter of the driving apparatus
21 at its area of contact with the transmission element
170 is relatively small compared to the outer diameter of
the transmission element 170 at said point of contact.
Therefore, a given rotation of the driving apparatus 21
will cause a relatively small rotation of the
transmission element 170 and hence of the axle 100,
according to the ratio between the outer diameter of the
transmission element 170 at its area of contact with the
driving element 21 and the outer diameter of the driving
element 21.
It is thus seen that the user of the apparatus
may insert and remove the lever 15, held by the
ratchet 120, and thus may insert and remove the axle 100
to any of a multiplicity of positions. For any given
position there will be a corresponding area of contact
between the driving apparatus 21 and the transmission
element 170, at which there will be a corresponding outer
diameter of the transmission element 170.
The degree of rotation of the transmission
element 170, and hence of the axle lO, driven by the
driving apparatus 21, will be determined according to the
ratio between the outer diameter of the transmission
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element 170 at its area of contact with the axle 100 and
the outer diameter of the driving apparatus 21. The
rotational displacement encoded by the encoding apparatus
150 will therefore vary accordingly. Thus, the user may
independently vary the encoded displacement, and hence
speed of the mouse 10, independently along its two
perpendicular axes of displacement.
Reference is now made to Fig. 10, which is a
simplified pictorial illustration of a portion of a hand
manipulable computer input device constructed and
operative in accordance with another alternative
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The apparatus of Fig. 10 comprises axles 200.
Each axle 200 is formed with a largely conical
transmission element 210. The apparatus of Fig. 10 also
comprises a driving element 21, which is similar to the
driving element 21 described above, particularly with
reference to Fig. 5.
Reference is now additionally made to Fig. llA,
which is a simplified top view of the apparatus of Fig.
10. Each of the two axles 200 is mounted on a carriage
230, such that each axle 200 is free to rotate about the
long axis thereof. Reference is now additionally made to
Fig. llB, which is a simplified pictorial illustration of
a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 10. The apparatus of
Fig. llB comprises one of the carriages 230 with one of
the axles 200 mounted thereupon~
The axles 200 are positioned such that the
conical transmission element 210 of each axle 200 is in
operative contact with the driving element 21.
Furthermore, the axles 200 are positioned substantially
at right angles to each other, that is, as seen
especially in Fig. llA, such that the contact surfaces
235, the surfaces of the two conical transmission
elements 210 which may be in operative contact with the
driving element 21, are at right angles to each other.
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19
In other words, the two planes of tangency to the driving
element 2l, one at the point of contact thereof with each
contact surface 235, are at right angles to each other.
Each carriage 230 is mounted in a carriage
retaining slot 240 formed in a base 245, the slots 240
and carriages 230 being substantially at right angles to
each other. The slots 240 and carriages 230 are
positioned such that each carriage 230 may move within
the associated slot 240 along the direction of the
contact surface 235, such that the contact surface 235
remains in contact with the driving element 2l regardless
of the position of each carriage 230 within the
respective slot 240, and so that, as described above, the
two planes of tangency to the driving element 2l, one at
the point of contact thereof with each contact surface
235, are at right angles to each other regardless of the
position of each carriage 230 within the respective slot
240.
Each carriage 230 is respectively fixedly
attached to one of two straps 250. The straps 250 are
formed of a stiff, flexible material, preferably of
nylon. Each strap 250 runs between two walls 260,
preferably formed in the base 245, such that each strap
250 may move freely between the walls 260. One of the
straps 250 preferably rests atop supporting elements
(not shown), typically pins formed from the inside
surfaces of the walls 260, so that one of the straps 250
is above the other strap 250, and so that both straps 250
may move freely without undue friction between them.
Each strap 250 is respectively fixedly attached
to one of two strap controls 270. Preferably, the two
strap controls 270 are each rotatably mounted to the base
245 one above the other, so that the two strap controls
270 each rotate about a common axis, and such that
rotation of each one of the strap controls 270 causes the
attached strap 250 to move. The upper of the two straps
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250 which rests atop the support is preferably fixedly
attached to the top one of the two strap controls 270,
such that said strap 250 may move freely without coming
into contact with the other strap 250, and such that each
strap 250 may move independently of the movement of the
other strap 250.
It is appreciated that the rotatable strap
controls 270 are shown by way of example only, and that a
wide variety of other types of strap controls may be
used, such as, for example, levers.
The apparatus of Fig. 10 also comprises
electro-optic encoding apparatus (not shown), similar to
that described above with reference to Fig. 5, or
alternatively any appropriate encoding apparatus which
is operative to sense the rotational displacement of each
of the axles 200.
The operation of the apparatus of Fig. lO is
now briefly described. It is appreciated that the
principles of operation of the apparatus of Fig. 10 are
generally similar to those of the apparatus of Fig. 5, as
described above with reference to Figs. 5 - 9, and that
the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 10 is generally
self-explanatory with respect to said description, except
as described below.
Reference is now made to Figs. 12A - 12D which
are simplified top views of the apparatus of Fig. 10 in
first, second, third, and fourth positions of operation,
respectively. Figs. 12A - 12D show four particular
positions of operation of the apparatus of Fig. 10. It
is appreciated that many other positions of operation are
also possible. In each position of operation, each strap
control 270 is positioned such that the associated
conical transmission element 210 has a particular point
of contact with the driving element 21.
The user of the apparatus of Fig. 10 displaces
the apparatus of Fig. 10, with the driving element 21
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being in contact with a surface. As in a conventional
hand-manipulated computer input device, the displacement
of the apparatus of Fig. 10 moves the driving element 21.
When the point of contact is near the apex of
the conical transmission element 210, as seen for example
in Fig. 12B for both conical transmission elements 210, a
given displacement of the driving element 21 will cause a
relatively large displacement of the axle 200 which
comprises the conical transmission element 210. Thus,
the apparatus of Fig. 10 will operate at high speed and
register a relatively large displacement.
When the point of contact is near the base of
the conical transmission element 210, as seen for example
in Fig. 12C for both conical transmission elements 210, a
given displacement of the driving element 21 will cause a
relatively small displacement of the axle 200 which
comprises the conical transmission element 210. Thus,
the apparatus of Fig. 10 will act at low speed and
register a relatively small displacement.
It is appreciated that, as described above, the
two axles 200 move independently, so that many possible
positions, including those shown in Figs. 12A - 12D are
also possible, and that in each position the speed, that
is, the scaling of displacement in each of two
perpendicular directions measured by the apparatus of
Fig. 10 will depend on the point of contact between each
of the conical transmission elements 210 and the driving
element 21.
It is appreciated that, although the
embodiments described hereinabove are mechanical
embodiments of a variable speed transmission element for
a hand manipulated computer input device, the variable
speed transmission element may alternatively be
implemented in computer hardware or in computer software.
For example, a potentiometer may be added to the
electronics or optics that produces the electronic signal
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in response to the rotation of the axis. The position of
this potentiometer changes the strength of the electronic
signal produced in response to the rotation of the axis.
Reference is now made to Fig. 13, which is a
simplified block diagram illustration of a portion of a
hand manipulable computer input device constructed and
operative in accordance with yet another alternative
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
apparatus of Fig. 13 comprises electronic scaling
apparatus in place of the mechanical apparatus discussed
above with regard to other preferred embodiments of the
present invention.
The apparatus of Fig. 13 comprises elements
similar to elements of conventional hand manipulable
computer input devices, which elements are self-
explanatory. The apparatus of Fig. 13 also comprises a
mouse controller IC 300. The apparatus of Fig. 13 also
comprises X and Y speed control switches 3l0.
The mouse controller IC 300 comprises, in
addition to conventional elements, a speed control 320.
The speed control 320 is operative to receive signals
from the X and Y speed control switches 3l0, indicating
that the user wishes to increase or decrease the speed of
the hand manipulable computer input device in the X
direction, the Y direction, or both directions. In
response to the received signals, the speed control 320
is operative to direct a controller 330 to vary the
output of the mouse controller 300, indicating X and Y
displacement, according to the requested speed, thus
electronically scaling the output of the hand manipulable
computer input device.
Typically, the scaling is linear, being a
linear function of the speed requested. Preferably, the
speed control 320 and the controller 330 operate under
software control.
Optionally, the speed control 320 and the
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controller 330 may also operate in response to external
control signals received from an external source (not
shown) to vary the output in accordance with the external
control signals.
Reference is now made to Fig. 14, which is a
simplified flowchart illustration of a preferred method
of operation of the apparatus of Fig. 13. The method of
Fig. 14 is self-explanatory.
It is appreciated that the software components
of the present invention may, if desired, be implemented
in ROM (read-only memory) form. The software components
may, generally, be implemented in hardware, if desired,
using conventional techniques.
It is appreciated that various features of the
invention which are, for clarity, described in the
contexts of separate embodiments may also be provided in
combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various
features of the invention which are, for brevity,
described in the context of a single embodiment may also
be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in
the art that the present invention is not limited to what
has been particularly shown and described hereinabove.
Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined
only by the claims that follow:
