WO2002103500A1

WO2002103500A1 - Manual control device in particular for computers

Info

Publication number: WO2002103500A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/002127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Didier Le Pennec
Original assignee: Didier Le Pennec
Priority date: 2001-06-19
Filing date: 2002-06-19
Publication date: 2002-12-27
Also published as: FR2826138A1; FR2826138B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an embodiment of a control device for a cursor, which permits movement on the screen of a display, whilst having all the principal control functions positioned in one hand. The apparatus (9) comprises a bracelet (2) which the user fits by passing the above over his thumb (2). Said device (9) is detachable by means of a connection to the forearm using two straps (3). A complementary cursor displacement unit is provided on said bracelet (1). The handle (12) permits a horizontal and vertical displacement of the cursor, or in any other direction. The paddle (51) permits a left to right displacement of the cursor and vice versa. The keyboard (4) permits, according to various keys, a displacement of the cursor from back to front, from left to right and other functions. The above is particularly suitable for application of a video helmet.

Description

"Manual control device, especially for a computer"

The present invention relates generally to a form of construction of a cursor control device allowing movement on the screen of a visual, while having the main control members positioned on one hand.

In the field of data processing, in particular of the PCs using action games or simulators, the PCs are generally controlled manually, by various control devices actuated by the user, in addition to other commands of functions of the pc . The manual control system often includes a keyboard as well as a mouse, pedals, steering wheel or joystick.

There are several areas in which these types of control devices can be improved to reduce the stress and fatigue of the user resulting from the handling of a large number of devices. For example, an inexperienced user must go through a long period of training before becoming familiar with the controls and the associated functions. In addition, for future systems such as video headsets, it would be desirable to have this type of equipment, in order to obtain a feeling of optimal use.

The present invention aims to solve one or more of the above problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the control device comprising an external device with keys for controlling and moving a cursor by a user, is characterized in that the external device comprises a bracelet on which is fixed a case comprising a handle that allows the user to at least move the cursor of a visual, for example a computer monitor, with one hand. Preferably, the device housing is fixed on the user's forearm and the handle is hinged on the housing so that the user's fingers can move the handle to obtain a movement of the cursor on the surface of a visual, horizontally and vertically or in any other direction. A articulation of the handle can be of the gimbal type, which makes it possible to decompose the movement of the handle in two perpendicular movements between them, which can be encoded by computer independently. The housing will advantageously be placed in the palm of the hand so that the handle is easily accessible by the fingers thereof, for example the middle finger and the ring finger. The device may further comprise actuators other than the handle, accessible and maneuverable by fingers of the same hand.

The device will advantageously be provided to free movement of the hand. Thus, a joystick type controller, because it requires support, for example on a table limits movement of the hand to a possibility of tilting the joystick controller. On the contrary, for example by making the device according to the invention portable portable by the hand which uses it, this hand and even the user are freed. For greater release, the device according to the invention may not be connected by cables to the computer which it controls, but by infrared or radio type links.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device comprises, at least one bracelet that the user puts on by passing it around his thumb, and by fixing it with removable straps, for example a self-gripping complex of the "velcro" (registered trademark) around the wrist.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device comprises, for example above the wrist, a keyboard adjustable in position and in particular in height allowing the user to press on keys for selecting an operating mode , go forward, backward, go right, go left, squat, jump, start, escape, enter, and other functions.

It will be noted that these functions are mentioned only by way of example and not by way of limitation. These functions, like those of the actuators, can be programmable.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device for order includes on the palm side bracelet, a handle and contact keys fixed on a case itself located on a sliding system to allow an appropriate adjustment.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device allows after releasing the handle to automatically return to its initial position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control device comprises on the top of the housing, a thumb wheel which is turned with the thumb to obtain a movement of the cursor on the screen of a visual. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device comprises two contact keys, located on the housing at the level of the fingers of the index finger and the little finger.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control device comprises a handle which has the possibility of retracting at the slightest pressure of the fingers, using adaptation means. These adaptation means thus make it possible, whatever the orientation of the handle relative to the housing, to maintain an optimal position of the fingers on this handle. Indeed, the distance between the end of the fingers and the palm, or center of rotation of the handle can hardly remain constant due to the very configuration of the hand.

The actuators can comprise directional means per key, accessible by the thumb of the hand, for example a single key, rocking around a neutral position in four cardinal directions or a paving comprising four keys, each respectively for a cardinal direction.

The cursor can be visible on a screen and have, for example, the shape of a character from a video game. The cursor can also be virtual and not be visible on the screen, for example if the character is not represented on the screen. This is the case when the image on the screen represents the vision of the actor in the video game, in general the character with which the user identifies. Thus, the movements of the cursor on the screen can be, for the same reasons, real or virtual. These displacements can be translations but also rotations, for example when the vision of the character moves at the same time as the character turns around. Thus, a movement of the handle from top to bottom can correspond to a movement in depth, from back to front, and a rotation of the knurled ring from left to right to a rotation of the character on itself from left to right.

The vertical or horizontal movements of the cursor are thus named with reference to the so-called vertical or horizontal lines of television type monitors, which does not prejudge the actual position of the screen. In particular in the case of video games, a vertical displacement generally represents a displacement in depth in a scene, that is to say to advance or retreat.

Of course, the visual is not limited to the form of a screen of the computer monitor type. For example, a device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the use of a video headset.

These objects, characteristics and advantages, as well as others of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given without limitation in relation to the attached figures, among which: FIG. 1 is a view front and side of a first embodiment of a control device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view of Figure 1 in partial section according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a front view, from above and in section of the block of the articulation system of a handle for the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view of the straightening mechanism of the handle of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the retraction system of the handle of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment for a control device according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a top view for a directional button for the device of Figure 6; and,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the adaptation and articulation means of the handle of the device of FIG. 6.

We will first describe a first embodiment of a control device 9 according to the invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 -3, the device 9 comprises at least one housing 10 internally receiving a printed circuit board 1 1. The handle 12 and the arm 13 are secured to the housing 10 by means of the articulation mechanism 14 comprising two blocks 15 and 16, connected by a centerpiece 17 in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped comprising two axes 18,19 and ending at each end of a toothed half-wheel 20. Each block 15, 16 comprises two positioning pins 21 which are inserted into insertion holes 22 formed in corresponding position in the printed circuit board 23. A wheel 24 comprising an axis 25 and a pinion 26, two tabs 27 are welded to each block 15, 16 they respectively have notches 28 for supporting the rotation of the axis 25. The pinion 26 is in contact with the serrated part of the centerpiece 20 so that it can transmit to the pinions 26 the movement of the handle 12 by pivoting the axes 18 and or 19 in order to obtain the rotation of at least one pinion 26. On both sides of the wheel 24, it is disposed respe ctively a light source 29, (such as a light diode) and a sensor 30 which are soldered on the printed circuit board 23. The light emitted by the light source 29 is just perpendicular to the wheel 24 and the sensor 30 is disposed on the other side of the wheel 24, so as to receive the light which passes through the slots of the wheel 24. When the wheel 24 rotates, part of the light emitted by the light source 29 is stopped by the wheel 24, while a part passes through the slots thereof and reaches the sensor 30. These two situations can be represented respectively by 0 and 1. After having undergone a conversion by means of the printed circuit board 1 1, these signals can control a cursor so that it moves on the surface of a visual. The two encoders 31 placed respectively in each block 1 5.1 6, are provided to respectively control the cursor so that it moves on the surface of a visual horizontally and vertically or in any other direction.

The housing 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4 comprises a support 40 in conical and truncated shape to allow during the movement of the arm 13 to come to an end in abutment on the support support 40.

The device 9 as illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a bracelet 1 which the user puts on by passing it around his thumb 2 said device 9 being removable it is fixed on the user's forearm preferably by two straps 3 the two straps 3 are provided at each end with a velcro type fastening.

The apparatus 9 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided on the top of the wrist with a keyboard 4 adjustable in height, by pulling or pushing said keyboard 4 by pivoting on the axes 5 and 6 to allow extending or fold up the arm 7, said keyboard 4 comprising the keys 80-88 making it possible to move forward, backward, go right, go left, squat, jump, start, escape, enter, and other functions.

The housing 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises an adjustment system to allow the handle 12 and the contact keys 41 to be moved closer or further apart, relative to the corresponding fingers, the handle 12 is fixed to the housing 10 by the 'intermediate of the arm 13. The housing 10 being taken on a sliding system 42 the user by a back and forth from said housing 10 will allow the possibility of an appropriate adjustment, and by a screw fixing system 43, has a blocking.

The housing 10, as illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises a stop element 44 which is defined by the sliding ring 45 in the body 46 of the handle 12.

The stop element 44 acts to come into contact with the stop element 47 of the housing 10. A stop stop part 44 is located on the sliding ring 45 to come into contact with the stop element 47 arranged on the housing 10. At least one biasing mechanism 48 acts to bias the sliding ring 45 against the stop member 47 disposed in the housing 10. The biasing mechanism 48 includes a spring inside the body 46 of the handle 1 2, which urges the stop 49 of the ring 45 towards the stop 47 of the housing 10. A relaxation of said handle 12 will bring the angle of the axis 50 of said handle 12 to its initial position, which corresponds for encoders 31, (see figure 3) at the zero position. The housing 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises a knurled ring 51 taken on the cylinder 52. Said cylinder 52 is held on the body 53 and rotates around the axis 54. The cylinder 52 is held at its two ends, d 'one side in abutment on the flange of the body 55 and on the other side by two screws 56 screwed respectively into each hole 57 of the cylinder 52 and projecting inside the groove 58. At the other end of the cylinder 52 is fixed a second toothed ring 59 which rotates in synchronism with the knurled ring 51 the pinion 60 and the wheel 61 located on the axis 62 in the block 63. The block 63 comprises two positioning pins 64 which are inserted in insertion holes formed in corresponding position in the printed circuit board 65, two tabs 66 are welded to the block 63 they respectively have notches 67 for supporting the rotation of the axis 62. On this axis 62 there is a wheel 61 provided with several slots rotating in synchronism therewith. On both sides of the wheel 61, there is disposed respectively a light source 68, (such as a light-emitting diode) and a sensor 69. The light emitted by the light source 68 is just perpendicular to the wheel 61 and the sensor 69 is arranged the other side of the wheel 61, so as to receive the light which passes through the slots of the wheel 61. When the wheel 61 rotates, part of the light emitted by the light source 68 is stopped by the wheel 61, while a part passes through the slots thereof and reach the sensor 69. These two situations can be represented respectively by 0 and 1. When the wheel 61 rotates continuously (clockwise or counterclockwise), the following four signals will be obtained: (1, 1), (0, 1), (0, 0) and (1, 0). After having been converted by means of the printed circuit board 1 1, these signals can control a cursor so that it moves on the surface of a visual. The encoder 70 placed in block 63, is provided for control the cursor so that it moves across the screen surface horizontally.

The apparatus 9 as illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises on the housing 10 at the level of the fingers of the index finger and the little finger contact keys 41 which may have different functions such as, pulling, validating, opening, changing etc. .

The housing 10, as illustrated in Figure 5, has in the handle 1 2 a hole 32 passing through the arm 1 3 by its axis 34 to allow a screw 35 fixed in the block 1 5 to put the stop 36 of the handle 1 2 against the stop element of the screw head 37. By simple pressure of the fingers on the handle 1 2 a retraction will be effected by sliding inside the arm 13 and compressing by the element of stop 38 the spring in the bottom of the arm 1 3. In the arm 1 3 the stop element 38 is defined by the handle 1 2. The stop element 38 acts to come into contact with the screw head 37, at least a biasing mechanism 40 acts to bias the stop 36 of the handle against the stop element of the screw head 37. The biasing mechanism 40 comprises a spring which biases the stop 38 of the handle 1 2 and the stop 36 towards the screw head stop element 39.

We will now describe a second embodiment with reference to Figures 6 to 8, mainly in that it differs from the first embodiment already described.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control device 109 comprises, in place of the knurled ring of the previous example, a directional button 1 1 1 mounted on a riser above the housing 1 10 so that it is accessible and manipulable by the thumb of the hand in the palm of which the device 1 09 is housed. This key represented in FIG. 7 is in the form of a cross with four branches 1 1 2 each of which is assigned to a cardinal direction. Thus by pressing on one of the branches with his thumb, the user causes the rocking of the key and a displacement of the cursor in a direction to which said branch is assigned. When the user releases the pressure on the branch, the button automatically returns to a neutral position for which no movement is only ordered.

The handle 12 of the control device of FIG. 6 comprises an arm 13 for connecting it to the housing 1 10. The arm 13 comprises adaptation means 131 and articulation 132 shown in FIG. 8. the articulation means are gimbal type.

The adaptation means are in particular provided for the comfort of the user's fingers on the handle, in particular by adapting the length of the arm 13 of the handle according to the orientation of the handle. These adaptation means comprise two coaxial cylinders, 133,134, respectively interior 133 and exterior 134 sliding axially one inside the other under the action of elastic means, for example, a spring. The inner cylinder 133 is connected by one end to the handle and the outer cylinder 134 is connected by an end opposite to the articulation means 132. the elastic means, by compressing under the pressure exerted by the fingers of the user, allow thus shortening the length of the arm 13 by retracting the inner cylinder in the outer cylinder. The cylinders are provided to further allow the transmission of the tilting movement of the handle 12 to the articulation means so that the movement of the cursor is not affected by the extension or shortening of the arm 13. Of course, the The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

In particular, a touch button can be provided for the thumb. Similarly, instead of being manipulated with two fingers, the handle can be manipulated with only one, and another actuator can be provided for the finger thus released.

Claims

1. Control device comprising an external device (9) with control buttons characterized in that the external device (9) comprises a housing (10) comprising a handle (12) which allows a user to at least move a cursor d 'one-handed visual.

2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (10) is intended to be arranged in the palm of the hand.

3. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing comprises other actuators (41, 51, 1 1 1) that the handle, in particular contact keys (41), intended to be operated by fingers of the same hand.

4. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed to release the hand on the move.

5. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is fixed on the user's forearm

6. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (12) is hinged on the housing (10) so that the user's fingers can move the handle (12) to obtain a moving the cursor on the visual, horizontally, vertically or in any other direction.

7. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) contains a printed circuit board (1 1).

8. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (12) comprises an arm (13) mounted on the housing (10) by means of an articulation mechanism (14,132).

9. Control device according to claim 8, characterized in that the articulation mechanism is of cardan type.

10. Control device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the articulation mechanism comprises two blocks (1 5) and (1 6), connected by a centerpiece (1 7) comprising two axes (1 8) and (1 9) and ending at each end of a toothed half-wheel (20), so that it transmits to the pinions (26) the movement of the handle (1 2) on the pivots of the axes (1 8) and or (1 9).

1 1. Control device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each block comprises an encoder (31), each of the encoders being provided for controlling the movement of the cursor in a predetermined direction.

1 2. Control device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that one of the encoders is provided for controlling the horizontal movement of the cursor, and that the other encoder is provided for controlling the horizontal movement of said cursor.

1 3. Control device according to one of claims 8 to 1 2, characterized in that it comprises a circular support (40) in conical and truncated shape to serve as a stop for the arm (1 3).

14. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a bracelet (1) passing around the thumb (2) of the hand and intended to be fixed by strap (3) on the forearm with that hand.

1 5. Control device according to claim 14, characterized in that the strap fastening is done by means of a removable fastener of the self-gripping complex type.

1 6. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a keyboard (4) with keys for selecting certain operating modes.

1 7. Control device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the keyboard is connected to the housing by an arm (7) making it possible to adjust the position of said keyboard relative to said housing,

1 8. Control device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the arm (7) can extend and / or fold back.

19. Control device according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the keys of the keyboard make it possible to carry out at least one function among the functions forward, backward, go right, go left, squat, jump , start, exhaust and enter.

20. Control device according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the keys are programmable.

21. Control device according to one of claims 3 to 20, characterized in that the actuators are programmable.

22. Control device according to one of claims 3 to 21, characterized in that the device (9) comprises an adjustment of the positioning of the handle (12) and of the contact keys (41) by a displacement of the housing (10 ) on a slide (42).

23 Control device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the housing can be locked on the slide by tightening a screw (43).

24. Control device according to one of claims 8 to 23, characterized in that the arm (13) of the handle comprises means (131) for adapting the position of the handle relative to the housing as a function of the pressure exerted by the fingers which operate said handle.

25. Control device according to claim 24, characterized in that the adaptation device comprises a stop element (44) on a sliding ring (45), the stop element (44) acting on a stop element ( 47) of the housing (10) and at least one biasing mechanism (48) acting on the sliding ring (45) against the stop element (47).

26. Control device according to one of claims 3 to 25, characterized in that the other actuators comprise a knurled ring (51), accessible by the thumb of the hand, said wheel making it possible to control movement of the cursor in two directions opposite, according to the direction of rotation of said knurled ring.

27. Control device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the knurled ring (51) drives a toothed ring (59) which acts to rotate a wheel (61) allowing coding of the movement of the cursor by an encoder (70) provided for controlling the cursor so that it moves across the screen from left to right and vice versa.

28. Control device according to one of claims 3 to 27, characterized in that a contact button (41) is accessible by the index finger of the hand and the other by the little finger

29. Control device according to one of claims 3 to 28, characterized in that a contact key allows an action among shooting at a target, validating an order and opening a door.

30. Control device according to one of claims 3 to 29, characterized in that the other actuators comprise directional means by key (1 1 1), accessible by the thumb of the hand.

31 Control device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the directional means by keys comprise a single key (1 1 1), rocking around a neutral position in four cardinal directions.

32. Control device according to claim 30, characterized in that the directional means by keys comprise four keys, each respectively for a cardinal direction.

33. Control device according to claim 1 or 2 comprising in the handle (12) of the device (9) a stop (36) which acts in the handle (1 2) against the stop element of the head screws (37); by simple pressure on the handle (1 2) a retraction will be carried out by sliding inside the arm (13) and by compressing by the stop element (38) the mechanism for biasing towards the stop (39) .