GB2211919A - Trackerball X-Y-Z signalling device - Google Patents

Trackerball X-Y-Z signalling device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2211919A
GB2211919A GB8802226A GB8802226A GB2211919A GB 2211919 A GB2211919 A GB 2211919A GB 8802226 A GB8802226 A GB 8802226A GB 8802226 A GB8802226 A GB 8802226A GB 2211919 A GB2211919 A GB 2211919A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
control
trackerball
control member
sensitivity
output signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8802226A
Other versions
GB8802226D0 (en
Inventor
Ronald Walter John Mumford
Jeremy Andrew Rodgers
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rank Cintel Ltd
Original Assignee
Rank Cintel Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rank Cintel Ltd filed Critical Rank Cintel Ltd
Priority to GB8802226A priority Critical patent/GB2211919A/en
Publication of GB8802226D0 publication Critical patent/GB8802226D0/en
Publication of GB2211919A publication Critical patent/GB2211919A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03549—Trackballs

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

A trackerball control means 10 comprises a first spherical control member 12 mounted so as to protrude through an opening 16 formed in a mounting member 18 and so that it can be pivoted about two inclined axes relative to the mounting plate. A secondary control member 14 in the form of a ring extends around the periphery of the spherical control member 12 and is rotatable relative to it. The secondary control member may, for example, be used to control the sensitivity of the spherical control. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED TRACKERBALL The present invention relates to control apparatus in the form of a trackerball, in particular to control apparatus having a sensitivity control.
It is frequently desirable to move an electronically-generated cursor or other member over a grid or other area quickly and accurately. This type of control is, for example, often essential in the field of broadcasting but is also widely used in radio control and computing. For some years, movement over X and Y coordinates has been controlled by means of a joystick-type control, that is, a lever or control arm pivotable about two perpendicular axes coupled to detectors adapted to detect the angle through which the lever has been pivoted.
It is often also required that the sensitivity of the control should be adjustable and, so, joysticks have been provided with a rotary control knob mounted on the end of the control arm by means of which the sensitivity can be adjusted. In practice, it is, however, very difficult, if not impossible, to operate the sensitivity control and the joystick simultaneously, particularly if the control apparatus is being operated with only one of the operator's hands.
As digital technology has become more widespread, joysticks have been replaced in many cases by trackerballs. The trackerball is a control in the form of a spherical ball mounted for rotation about at least two perpendicular axes, as is a joystick, and with a portion of its surface protruding through a circular opening through a mounting plate. The ball is rotated by rolling the palm of the operator's hand over the protruding segment of the ball. Movement of the ball is detected by means of sensors coupled to the ball below the mounting plate. Separate sensitivity controls have been provided in conjunction with trackerball controls but these have always necessitated two-handed operation.
In accordance with the invention there is provided control means comprising a first control member mounted so that a part spherical surface thereof protrudes through an opening formed in a mounting member and so that it can be pivoted about two inclined axes relative to the mounting member and detector means for detecting motion of the first control member and for providing an output signal in response thereto, the control means being characterized in that is comprises a secondary control member rotatable relative to the mounting member and around the periphery of the first control member, and secondary detecting means for detecting rotational movement of the secondary control member and providing an output signal in response thereto.Such an arrangement enables the operator to control a separate function, such as, for example, the sensitivity of the trackerball control, while operating the trackerball control member with a single hand. It is envisaged that the operator could operate the second control member or collar with the thumb and little finger while the palm of the hand remains in contract with the trackerball itself.
A trackerball control in accordance with the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trackerball control in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the trackerball control of Figure 1.
The trackerball control 10 shown in the drawings comprises two control members, a trackerball 12 and a secondary control member or collar 14.
The trackerball 12 is supported so that a part of its surface protrudes through a circular opening 16 formed in a flat mounting plate 18. The trackerball 12 is supported by means not shown in the drawings so that it can rotate about two perpendicular axes extending through the centre of the trackerball 12 and parallel to the plane of the mounting plate 18. Movement of the trackerball 12 about these axes is detected by means of sensors 20 and 22 which incorporate rollers 24 and 26, respectively. The rollers 24 and 26 contact the surface of the trackerball 12 and roll over it as the trackerball 12 is moved, thus providing an indication of the direction and extent of its movement. The input signals from the detectors 20 and 22 are used to control the X and Y co-ordinates of a cursor or other member whose motion is to be generated using the trackerball 12.
The collar 14 is arranged concentrically around the trackerball 12 so as to overlie the edge of the mounting plate 18 around the opening 16. The collar 14 consists of a ring of diameter greater than the opening 16 and in which is formed an annular groove 28 which receives the edge of the mounting plate 18. The engagement of the edge of the mounting plate 18 in the groove 28 retains the collar 14 in position in the opening 16 but permits the collar 14 to rotate relative to the mounting plate 18.
Beneath the mounting plate 18, the collar 14 extends outwardly to form a flange 30 spaced from the mounting plate 18. The flange 30 is coded so as to enable its movement to be monitored by a detector 32. The output of the detector 32 may advantageously control the sensitivity of the trackerball control 12.
It will be appreciated that, as mentioned above, this control arrangement can be operated with one hand only, the operator using the palm to roll the trackerball 12 to control the X and Y coordinates and the thumb and little finger of the same hand to rotate the collar 14 to control some other function such as the sensitivity of the trackerball 12.

Claims (4)

1. Control means comprising a first control member mounted so that a part spherical surface thereof protrudes through an opening formed in a mounting member and so that it can be pivoted about two inclined axes relative to the mounting member and detector means for detecting motion of the first control member and for providing an output signal in response thereto, the control means being characterized in that is comprises a secondary control member rotatable relative to the mounting member and around the periphery of the first control member, and secondary detecting means for detecting rotational movement of the secondary control member and providing an output signal in response thereto.
2. Control means according to claim 1 in which the secondary control member is annular and extends around the whole circumference of the first control member.
3. Control means according to claim 1 or 2 in which the output signal from the secondary detector is used to control the sensitivity of the control unit comprising the first control member and detector means.
4. Control means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
GB8802226A 1988-02-02 1988-02-02 Trackerball X-Y-Z signalling device Withdrawn GB2211919A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8802226A GB2211919A (en) 1988-02-02 1988-02-02 Trackerball X-Y-Z signalling device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8802226A GB2211919A (en) 1988-02-02 1988-02-02 Trackerball X-Y-Z signalling device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8802226D0 GB8802226D0 (en) 1988-03-02
GB2211919A true GB2211919A (en) 1989-07-12

Family

ID=10630885

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8802226A Withdrawn GB2211919A (en) 1988-02-02 1988-02-02 Trackerball X-Y-Z signalling device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2211919A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2234576A (en) * 1989-07-28 1991-02-06 Philips Electronic Associated User input device e.g. for a 3-D image display system
FR2658931A1 (en) * 1990-02-23 1991-08-30 Leroy Bertrand Apparatus for capturing data with three or four degrees of freedom, at least, and of unbounded amplitude
US6091446A (en) * 1992-01-21 2000-07-18 Walker; Bradley William Consecutive frame scanning of cinematographic film
EP1369768A2 (en) * 2002-06-04 2003-12-10 C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni Control assembly for regulating a number of functions, particularly for a vehicle

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3643148A (en) * 1970-04-16 1972-02-15 Edo Corp Ball tracker assembly

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3643148A (en) * 1970-04-16 1972-02-15 Edo Corp Ball tracker assembly

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2234576A (en) * 1989-07-28 1991-02-06 Philips Electronic Associated User input device e.g. for a 3-D image display system
FR2658931A1 (en) * 1990-02-23 1991-08-30 Leroy Bertrand Apparatus for capturing data with three or four degrees of freedom, at least, and of unbounded amplitude
US6091446A (en) * 1992-01-21 2000-07-18 Walker; Bradley William Consecutive frame scanning of cinematographic film
EP1369768A2 (en) * 2002-06-04 2003-12-10 C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni Control assembly for regulating a number of functions, particularly for a vehicle
EP1369768A3 (en) * 2002-06-04 2004-07-21 C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni Control assembly for regulating a number of functions, particularly for a vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8802226D0 (en) 1988-03-02

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)