3-D cursor positioning device
US5473344A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/0333
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer input device uses a standard mouse design and includes at least one thumb wheel or roller to provide three-dimensional cursor positioning. Left and right rollers, for use by left- and right-handed users, protrude from left and right sides of a standard mouse. The left and right rollers are axially mounted on left and right drive shafts that extend axially through left and right encoder wheels, respectively. Each encoder wheel forms part of a transducer for producing signals indicating movement or rotation of the wheel. These signals can be used for calculating cursor movement or for various other purposes in computer software applications. Alternatively, the rollers are coupled to switches or a single roller protrudes from the top of the mouse.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.