Patent ID: 6215473
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A data input apparatus comprising:a pair of spaced apart bar-shaped operation members disposed along an axis in an X-Y coordinate plane, said operation members being independently rotatable about the axis;an encoder connected to each operation member, said encoder generating a rotation-output in response to a rotation of said operation member;a detecting section for detecting the rotation of each operating member in response to the rotation-output received from each encoder, wherein said detecting section generates a first input mode when said detecting section detects the rotation of only one operation member, and said detecting section generates a second input mode when said detecting section detects the simultaneous rotation of both operation members in the same direction; anda coordinate-data conversion means for converting the rotation-output to movement data in an X-Y-Z coordinate system, said rotation-output being converted to axial movement data in the X-Y coordinate plane in response to either the first input mode or the second input mode, and being converted to rotational movement data about an axis in the X-Y coordinate plane in response to the other mode,further wherein said detecting section generates a third input mode when said detecting section detects the simultaneous rotation of both operation members in opposite directions, said coordinate-data conversion means converting the rotation-detection output in the third input mode to rotational movement data about an axis perpendicular to the X-Y coordinate plane.