Abstract:
An apparatus and method for manipulating a computer cursor in harsh environments which uses a movable grip device disposed about a stationary member where movement of the movable grip is limited by controllable resistance as a function of force applied to said movable grip.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to computers and more particularly relates to cursor controllers for such computers and even more particularly relates to methods and apparatus of controlling cursors in harsh environments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the past, designers of avionics displays and computer systems have endeavored to provide an increased use of cursor controlled flight deck operations. These cursor controlled computers can reduce the required number of control panels needed in an aircraft cockpit, thereby further providing for increased flexibility in system design as well as increased system redundancy. While these cursor-controlled computers have many advantages, they also have significant drawbacks. 
     The cockpit is not a mechanically static or benign environment. In-flight turbulence, forces of impact upon landing and. other forces resulting from maneuvering the aircraft can be substantial, especially for smaller aircraft and most especially, for fighter aircraft used in operation on-board aircraft carriers. These forces can cause mechanical displacement of the pilot&#39;s hand while cursor manipulation is being attempted, thereby resulting in undesirable cursor movement or an inability to generate any cursor movement. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and apparatuses for controlling cursors in harsh environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a cursor controller having an improved control characteristic, especially when used in harsh environments and during periods of substantial mechanical and physical interference with the operator&#39;s manual control capabilities. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a multi-axis adjustable cursor controller. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to simultaneously provide for stabilization of the user&#39;s hand and control of a cursor. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to include a dynamic movement resistance characteristic. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention to provide for increased control of a cursor during periods of high mechanical and physical interference with the operator&#39;s hand movements. 
     The present invention is an apparatus and method for controlling a cursor which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “cursor contact loss-less” manner in a sense that the time that a loss of contact and/or control between the operator&#39;s hand and the cursor controller has been greatly reduced. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is a cursor controller having a stationary member along which a movable member is translated and rotated to provide cursor control signals. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be more fully understood by reading the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawing wherein: 
     The FIGURE is a simplified cut-away diagram of a cursor controller of the present invention, showing a mounting bar and a movable grip, having a cut-away portion therein, revealing portions of the mounting bar. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, there is shown a system of the present invention, generally designated  100 , having a stationary mounting bar  102 , which is preferably rigidly mounted to a portion of the aircraft adjacent to the pilot or other flight crew member. The description herein focuses upon cursor controllers used in the cockpit of an aircraft because it is believed that many of the features of the present invention are particularly well suited for use in an aviation environment. However, it should be understood that other environments are equally applicable, and they are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Stationary mounting bar  102  may be attached in a secure manner to the pilot&#39;s seat assembly, cockpit structural members stable within the cockpit, and/or other fixed or detachably fixed members in the cockpit. Disposed about stationary mounting bar  102  is movable grip  104 , which is capable of motion along stationary mounting bar  102  in a direction depicted by translation direction line  120  and further depicted by rotation direction line  122 . Movable grip  104  may be made of any material having suitable qualities. Preferably, movable grip  104  has its motion along stationary mounting bar  102  restricted by some dampening mechanism, such as a spring  132 , which may be any type of mechanism known for such purposes, such as, but not limited to, hydraulic pistons, piezo-electric mechanisms and others. Spring  132  is shown constrained by first stop  130  and second stop  134 . Movable grip  104  is shown having a depressible squeeze detection region  108  therein for detecting the amount of pressure imparted to movable grip  104  by the user&#39;s hand. Various forms of mechanisms could be used in depressible squeeze detection region  108 , such as a pressure sensor  140 , which could be any well-known mechanical and electrical sensors. The pressure sensor  140  in depressible squeeze detection region  108  could output a sensor signal on pressure sensor signal line  142 , which is used to control the resistance of spring  132  or any substitute for spring  132 . This would allow for a dampening of the motion of movable grip  104  along stationary mounting bar  102  during periods of strong turbulence or other periods of high interference with the user&#39;s ability to control the cursor controller  100 . Preferably, movable grip  104  has its rotational motion also resisted and controlled in a similar manner. The apparatus to accomplish this could be the exact same apparatus as described above, but with a spring  132  or material which has spring-like characteristics in at least two dimensions. Alternatively, an additional apparatus could be included which is oriented and configured for use with respect to rotational motion. Cursor controller  100  is shown having first cursor button  112 , second cursor button  114 , and third cursor button  116  disposed on movable grip  104 . Also shown is fourth cursor button  118  disposed on stationary mounting bar  102 . Various locations and numbers of cursor buttons may be used depending upon the particular desires and needs of any particular application. Third cursor button  116  is shown disposed adjacent to a cut-away region  111  of movable grip  104 , which reveals cursor button switch member  110  disposed on stationary mounting bar  102 . Third cursor button  116  is capable of translational motion toward and away from cursor button switch member  110  to effectuate actuation of cursor button switch member  110 . However, various other switching schemes could be deployed, such as electrical, optical, or other sensors. Cursor button switch member  110  is merely representative of the many various forms which are well known in the art. Additionally, cursor buttons  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118  perform functions well known in the art, such as generation of cursor selection signals and other signals known to relate to computer mice and other cursor controllers. 
     While discrete buttons and switches, such as cursor button switch member  110  and third cursor button  116 , are described herein, it is contemplated that a single deflection sensor, such as a finger-tip mouse controller tip as is commonly found extending between the keys of many laptop computers, could be used. Such a deflection sensor could also be used for pressure sensor  140  individually or as performing other additional functions, such as cursor button switch member  110  and third cursor button  116 . 
     In operation, the apparatus and method of the present invention could function as follows: 
     A pilot, flight crew member or other user could grasp movable grip  104  and move it in a direction shown as translation direction line  120  to effect a cursor movement in the same direction. The user then could rotate movable grip  104  in a direction shown as rotation direction line  122  to effect a cursor movement in direction orthogonal to translation direction line  120 . Stationary mounting bar  102  can be mounted in various positions and orientations about the user and the direction of cursor movement in response to motion of the movable grip  104  in the directions of translation direction line  120  and rotation direction line  122  are a matter of design choice. During time of high turbulence, the pilot may squeeze movable grip  104  with greater force than normal. The pressure sensor  140  in depressible squeeze detection region  108  can detect the extra squeezing force and may generate a sensor signal on pressure sensor signal line  142 , which is used to control the resistance of spring  132  or any substitute mechanism for spring  132 . Similarly, pressure sensor  140  can control resistance of rotational motion. Depressible squeeze detection region  108  is shown disposed in a central region of the finger engagement side  106  of movable grip  104 . However, depressible squeeze detection region  108  could be positioned in any area upon movable grip  104  depending upon any particular needs or desires for any particular application. Similarly, depressible squeeze detection region  108  and pressure sensor  140  could be substituted with an additional button or other control mechanism. Throughout this description, translational motion limitations and control are discussed in depth. However, it should be understood that the present invention applies equally to rotational motion limitation and control, which too can be accomplished in many ways, including those described herein for translational motion. 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.