GB2399618A - Combined computer mouse and remote controlled model vehicle - Google Patents
Combined computer mouse and remote controlled model vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2399618A GB2399618A GB0305119A GB0305119A GB2399618A GB 2399618 A GB2399618 A GB 2399618A GB 0305119 A GB0305119 A GB 0305119A GB 0305119 A GB0305119 A GB 0305119A GB 2399618 A GB2399618 A GB 2399618A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- model vehicle
- control signals
- computer
- remote
- mouse
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H30/00—Remote-control arrangements specially adapted for toys, e.g. for toy vehicles
-
- 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
- G06F3/03543—Mice or pucks
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
A device D forms a combined computer mouse and remote-controlled model vehicle. The device comprises a body in the shape of a model vehicle and having a set of ground-engaging wheels 12,13, a drive motor for one or more of the wheels, and tracking means 14 for responding to displacement of the device over a surface on which, in use, the device is rested, the tracking means generating corresponding control signals. The device further comprises transmitting and receiving means eg.radio for transmitting the control signals, generated by the tracking means, when the device is used as a mouse, to the host computer, and for receiving control signals for control of the device as a remote-controlled model vehicle from the computer. A docking station (20, fig 6) for recharging batteries, mouse buttons (L,R, fig 5), and a lever 17 for lifting tracker ball 14 may be provided. A computer program allow remote control as a model vehicle using computer keyboard keys (fig 4).
Description
COMBINED COMPUTER MOUSE AND MODEL VEHICLE
The present invention relates to a device in the form of a combined computer mouse and remote-controlled model vehicle.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device in the form of a combined computer controller or mouse and remote-controlled model vehicle, the device comprising a body in the shape of a model vehicle and having a set of ground engaging wheels, a drive motor for one or more of said wheels, tracking means for responding to displacement of the device over a surface on which the device is rested, and generating corresponding control signals, and means for transmitting said control signals to a computer when using said device as a computer controller and for receiving control signals for control of said device as a remotecontrolled model vehicle.
In one embodiment, the tracking means may comprise a tracker ball projecting from the underside of the device and engageable with the surface on which the device is rested, and sensing means for sensing rotary movements of the tracker ball.
Preferably the device includes means for raising or lowering the tracker ball so that it is selectively out of contact or in contact with the surface on which the device is rested. In the former case, the device can be used as a remote-controlled model vehicle without the tracker ball dragging on the surface, whilst in the latter case the tracker ball will be turned as the device is moved by hand over the surface on which it is rested, so that the device acts in the manner of a conventional computer mouse.
In an alternative embodiment, the tracking means may comprise an optical transducer, so that the device forms an optical mouse.
Preferably the device includes a radio transmitter for transmitting control signals from the tracking means to the host computer which it is to control. Preferably the device includes a radio receiver (or combined transmitter/receiver) so that it can receive control signals from the computer, when acting as a remote-controlled model vehicle.
Preferably the device includes a steering mechanism and both the drive motor of the device are controlled by the signals which it receives. Preferably the device includes a rechargeable battery: preferably a docking station is provided, on which the device may be seated for recharging its battery.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of a device in the form of a combined computer mouse and remote-controlled vehicle in accordance with the present invention, shown with its trackerball lowered to enable the device to be used as a computer house; FIGURE 2 is a similar side view of the device, shown with the tracker ball raised to enable the device to be used as a remote-controlled model vehicle; FIGURE 3 is a view of the device of Figures 1 and 2 being used as a computer mouse, in association with a personal computer; FIGURE 4 is a view of the device of Figures 1 and 2 being used as a model vehicle being controlled from the keyboard of the computer; FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the combined computer mouse and remote-controlled vehicle device; and FIGURE 6 is a view of the device when seated on a docking station for recharging its battery.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a device D which can be used as a computer mouse or alternatively as a remote-controlled vehicle. The device comprises a base 10 and a body 11, the body being in the shape and form of a motor car and provided with a pair of rear wheels 12 and with a pair of front, steerable wheels 13. A tracker ball 14 is mounted to the base 10, mid-way between its opposite sides and between the front and rear wheels: a sensor unit 15 is also mounted to the base 10, to sense rotary movements of the tracker ball 14.
Figure 1 shows the tracker ball 14 in a lowered position, so that it will engage the surface on which the device is placed, and the device can accordingly be used as a computer mouse.
In this mode, the sensor unit 15 provides output signals, according to the rotary movements of the tracker ball 14 as the device is moved over the surface of a mouse mat, and these signals are passed to a radio transmitter/receiver 16, for transmission to a transmitter/receiver unit (not shown) of a personal computer PC (Figure 3). The device accordingly controls the movements of a cursor C over the monitor screen S of the computer.
The device D includes a mechanism (not shown) which is operated by depression of a lever 17 at the rear of the vehicle, to lift the tracker ball 14 out of contact with the surface on which the device stands, as shown in Figure 2. The device is then operable as a remote-controlled model vehicle, which is controlled via the keys of the computer keyboard K. Thus, when the appropriate computer program is selected, operation of respective keyboard keys causes control signals to be transmitted to the vehicle via the radio transmitter/receiver of the computer and the transmitter/receiver 16 of the device. The signals received by the device are decoded by its control circuitry, to control the vehicle steering mechanism and its drive motor.
The device D includes a rechargeable battery to power its transmitter/receiver and associated circuitry when used as a computer mouse or as a remote-controlled model vehicle, and also to power its drive motor and steering mechanism when used as a remote-controlled model vehicle. As shown in Figure 6, a docking station 20 is provided, on which the device D is seated in order to recharge its battery from the mains, via contacts 22.
The left and right mouse control buttons or keys may be provided at any convenient positions on the device. For example, these buttons may be provided on the front windscreen of the model, as shown at R. L in Figures 5 and 6: instead they may be provided on the front bumpers of the model.
Claims (10)
1) A device in the form of a combined computer controller or mouse and remote-controlled model vehicle, the device comprising a body in the shape of a model vehicle and having a set of ground engaging wheels, a drive motor for one or more of said wheels, tracking means for responding to displacement of the device over a surface on which the device is rested, and generating corresponding control signals, and means for transmitting said control signals to a computer when using said device as a computer controller and for receiving control signals for control of said device as a remote-controlled model vehicle.
2) A device as claimed in claim 1,in which said tracking means comprises a tracker ball projecting from the underside of the device and engageable with the surface on which, in use, the device is rested, and sensing means for sensing rotary movements of said tracker ball.
3) A device as claimed in claim 2, further including means for raising and lowering the tracker ball so that it is selectively out of contact or in contact with the surface on which, in use, the device is rested.
4) A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said tracking means comprises an optical transducer.
5) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said transmitting and receiving means comprises a radio transmitter for transmitting control signals from said tracking means to a host computer, when the device is acting as a I computer mouse.
6) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said transmitting and receiving means comprises a radio receiver for receiving control signals from a host computer, when the device is acting as a remotecontrolled model vehicle.
7) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, further including a steering mechanism, both said steering mechanism and said drive motor being controlled by control signals received from the host computer, when the device is acting as a remote-controlled model vehicle.
8) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, further including a rechargeable battery for providing electrical power for the device.
9) A device as claimed in claim 8, in which a docking station is provided on which the device may be seated for recharging said battery.
10) A device in the form of a combined computer controller and remotecontrolled model vehicle, the device being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0305119A GB2399618A (en) | 2003-03-06 | 2003-03-06 | Combined computer mouse and remote controlled model vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0305119A GB2399618A (en) | 2003-03-06 | 2003-03-06 | Combined computer mouse and remote controlled model vehicle |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0305119D0 GB0305119D0 (en) | 2003-04-09 |
| GB2399618A true GB2399618A (en) | 2004-09-22 |
Family
ID=9954228
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0305119A Withdrawn GB2399618A (en) | 2003-03-06 | 2003-03-06 | Combined computer mouse and remote controlled model vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2399618A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2211254A1 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2010-07-28 | Nunzio Dr. La Vecchia | Computer mouse, in particular a laser mouse |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5692956A (en) * | 1996-02-09 | 1997-12-02 | Mattel, Inc. | Combination computer mouse and game play control |
| JP2000222120A (en) * | 1999-02-03 | 2000-08-11 | Sony Corp | Self-traveling mouse |
| WO2001043062A1 (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2001-06-14 | Minon Francois | Two-dimensional force feedback interface |
-
2003
- 2003-03-06 GB GB0305119A patent/GB2399618A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5692956A (en) * | 1996-02-09 | 1997-12-02 | Mattel, Inc. | Combination computer mouse and game play control |
| JP2000222120A (en) * | 1999-02-03 | 2000-08-11 | Sony Corp | Self-traveling mouse |
| WO2001043062A1 (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2001-06-14 | Minon Francois | Two-dimensional force feedback interface |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2211254A1 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2010-07-28 | Nunzio Dr. La Vecchia | Computer mouse, in particular a laser mouse |
| US20110285629A1 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2011-11-24 | LA VECCHIA Nunzio | Computer Mouse, In Particular a Laser Mouse |
| CN102341770A (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2012-02-01 | 纳恩吉奥·拉·维克伽 | Computer Mouse, In Particular a Laser Mouse |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0305119D0 (en) | 2003-04-09 |
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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) |