EP1095355A2 - Dispositif de saisie informatique - Google Patents

Dispositif de saisie informatique

Info

Publication number
EP1095355A2
EP1095355A2 EP99932681A EP99932681A EP1095355A2 EP 1095355 A2 EP1095355 A2 EP 1095355A2 EP 99932681 A EP99932681 A EP 99932681A EP 99932681 A EP99932681 A EP 99932681A EP 1095355 A2 EP1095355 A2 EP 1095355A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
rotary
optical detection
input device
computer input
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Withdrawn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
EP99932681A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
J Rgen Korsgaard Jensen
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.)
Kanitech AS
Original Assignee
Kanitech AS
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 Kanitech AS filed Critical Kanitech AS
Publication of EP1095355A2 publication Critical patent/EP1095355A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • G06F3/0304—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means
    • G06F3/0312—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels
    • 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
    • G06F3/03545—Pens or stylus
    • G06F3/03546—Pens or stylus using a rotatable ball at the tip as position detecting member
    • 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
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/042—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means
    • G06F3/0421—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a computer input device comprising an elongated housing having at one end rotary means capable of being moved relative to a substrate, and optical detection means for detecting the movement of the rotary means, said detection means being disposed inside said housing.
  • a computer input device such as a computer mouse, having optical detection means are known in the art, e.g. from WO 94/22071 or US 5,288,993.
  • Computer input devices having elongated housings in the shape of a computer pen are also known from i.e. EP 0 413 606.
  • the idea behind the computer pen is to simulate the use of a normal writing pen.
  • drawbacks of these pen structures are numerous. They are bulky in their design and the minimum allowed diameter of the ball is unacceptably large so that the intended use pattern cannot be achieved.
  • the movement of the ball is detected by optical detection means by detecting the change in surface structure of the ball.
  • the ball is therefore provided with a surface structure insuring good optical detection signals corresponding to the movement of the ball.
  • the ball is therefore preferably made of steel or similar material.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a solution by which there is ensured a satisfying amount of friction between the ball and the substrate whilst a convenient surface structure for optical movement detection is maintained.
  • the present invention discloses a computer input device of the initially mentioned kind, wherein the rotary means comprises at least two rotary members arranged in a stacked configuration and that a first rotary member displays a surface of high friction material for contact with the substrate and the second rotary member displays an optical detection surface for optical detection of the surface movement.
  • the first rotary member can rotate against the substrate and transform this rotation to the second rotary member.
  • the rotation of the second rotary member is then detected by the optical detection means.
  • the first rotary member is made of rubber and that the second rotary member is made of steel with coating for facilitating optical detection of its rotation.
  • the two rotary members are optimised according to their functions in an inexpensive manner in the computer input device according to the invention.
  • the second rotary member could be made of steel, plastic or the like and given a coating of light reflecting material.
  • the optical detection surface of the second rotary member comprises a coating of TiN plasma material for optical detection of the surface structure.
  • TiN plasma coating is optimal in order to the creation of speckles on the surface for optical detection, whereby a rotary member having a very small diameter can be provided.
  • the optical detection surface of the second rotary member displays a pattern of randomly configured spots in contrast colours. This embodiment is an inexpensive solution for rotary member having a large diameter.
  • the computer input device displays a first and second rotary members consisting of a first, outermost ball and a second, innermost ball, respectively.
  • the first and second ball are preferably aligned along the centre axis of the elongated housing, whereby a housing having dimensions similar to a pen or similar writing utensil can be provided.
  • the diameter of the first ball is larger than the diameter of the second ball.
  • At least the first ball is supported by a bearing. Furthermore, the accumulated friction of the bearing and between the balls is lower than the friction between the first ball and the substrate.
  • the bearing is preferably made of a number of steel balls embedded in polymeric material having a low coefficient of friction.
  • fig. 1 is a view of a computer input device designed as a computer pen
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the detection means of the computer pen.
  • a computer input device can be seen.
  • the device is shaped like a pen or similar writing utensil. It comprises an elongated housing 1 with rotary means 2 in one end of this housing 1.
  • said rotary means 2 cooperate with the optical detection means 3 for the detection of the movement of the computer pen in relation to a substrate, such as a table, a writing desk or the like.
  • the housing 1 is provided with click-bottoms 6 ergonomically arranged on the side of the housing for operating the computer input device.
  • the rotary means 2 comprises a first ball 4 and a second ball 5.
  • the first ball is made of rubber or similar material creating a high friction between the ball 4 and the substrate and between the first ball 4 and the second ball 5, so that the rotation of the first ball 4 is transplanted to the second ball 5.
  • the second ball 5 can be prepared with a coating of TiN in order to optimise it for optical detection of the surface movement of the ball 5. Detecting the speckles in the surface structure has proven a reliable and effective manner of detecting the direction and the velocity of the rotation of the ball 5.
  • the ball 5 is preferably made of steel or the like with a coating of a high light reflecting material, such as TiN.
  • the surface could also be prepared for magnetic detection and a suitable coating could be provided for this purpose if necessary.
  • the ball could be provided with a basic colour and randomly distributed spots in a contrast colour.

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)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de saisie informatique comprenant un boîtier allongé ayant des moyens rotatifs au niveau d'une extrémité capables de tourner autour d'un substrat et des moyens de détection optique permettant de détecter le mouvement des moyens rotatifs et disposés dans le boîtier. Les moyens rotatifs sont équipés d'au moins deux éléments rotatifs superposés. Un premier élément rotatif présente une surface d'un matériau à frottement élevé destiné à entrer en contact avec le substrat. Le second élément rotatif présente une surface de détection optique permettant la détection optique du mouvement de la surface. Le premier élément rotatif peut tourner à l'encontre du substrat et transmettre sa rotation au second élément rotatif. La rotation du second élément rotatif est alors détectée par des moyens de détection optique. Ainsi, l'invention permet de pallier les problèmes liés au frottement élevé contre le substrat du premier élément rotatif et sur la surface de détection optique du second élément.
EP99932681A 1998-07-13 1999-07-12 Dispositif de saisie informatique Withdrawn EP1095355A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK93098 1998-07-13
DKPA199800930 1998-07-13
PCT/DK1999/000396 WO2000004490A2 (fr) 1998-07-13 1999-07-12 Dispositif de saisie informatique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1095355A2 true EP1095355A2 (fr) 2001-05-02

Family

ID=8099135

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99932681A Withdrawn EP1095355A2 (fr) 1998-07-13 1999-07-12 Dispositif de saisie informatique

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1095355A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002520745A (fr)
AU (1) AU4897799A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000004490A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0125529D0 (en) * 2001-10-24 2001-12-12 The Technology Partnership Plc Sensing apparatus

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5291213A (en) * 1992-12-23 1994-03-01 Krauss Kenneth W Pen-type computer input device with multiple spheres
KR940022342A (ko) * 1993-03-19 1994-10-20 탁승호 컴팩트 마우스 구조체
JPH06342338A (ja) * 1993-05-31 1994-12-13 Sony Corp 位置検出装置
JPH0962439A (ja) * 1995-08-25 1997-03-07 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 入力装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0004490A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000004490A3 (fr) 2000-04-20
JP2002520745A (ja) 2002-07-09
AU4897799A (en) 2000-02-07
WO2000004490A2 (fr) 2000-01-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6587091B2 (en) Stabilized tactile output mechanism for computer interface devices
US4562347A (en) Input device featuring both trackball and mouse capability
CN2881779Y (zh) 控制装置、标度盘控制器和鼠标
CA2288807A1 (fr) Appareil de lecture d'empreintes digitales
US7091951B2 (en) High resolution scrolling apparatus
AU738374B2 (en) An input device for a computer
US6587093B1 (en) Capacitive mouse
US20010020932A1 (en) Optical-mechanical roller with ratchet
GB2173579A (en) An x-y position controller having axially-inclined transducer members
EP1187146A3 (fr) Résistance à couche mince sensible à la pression et capteur sensible à la pression
US4951034A (en) Light ball electronic mouse
JP4741798B2 (ja) 歯車機構及びこの歯車機構を備えたロータリーエンコーダ
EP0543674A1 (fr) Boule roulante d'assemblage
US7009597B1 (en) Positioning control of a computer mouse
CA2782910A1 (fr) Manchon et dispositif de commande dudit manchon
JPH0743630B2 (ja) ペン型コンピュータ入力装置
WO2000004490A2 (fr) Dispositif de saisie informatique
WO2004001744A3 (fr) Revetements a faible frottement, resistants a l'usure, pour moteurs a axe a haute vitesse utilises dans des applications d'entrainement de disque/stockage
US6781572B2 (en) Optical pointing device, control method thereof and computer program product recording the same
CN1148639C (zh) 移动位置检测装置
CA2289382A1 (fr) Affichages gyricon, utilisant des mecanismes magnetiques de verrouillage et d'adressage
EP3568741B1 (fr) Agencement de pointe pour stylo pour dispositif électronique et stylo comprenant ledit agencement de pointe
US6870527B2 (en) Pointing device
US6486463B1 (en) Computer input device with encoders having flexible shafts and conical rollers
US5982551A (en) Optical encoder wheel with split lens ring

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010131

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010521

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20030114