Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the position of a cursor on the display of a computer comprising a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member concentrically engaging the first cylindrical member and coupled thereon for both rotational relative movement and translational relative movement. A detector is provided for sensing this relative movement and providing signals representative thereof to a computer for controlling the position of a cursor on the display. This apparatus is especially suitable for use on a vehicle carrying an onboard computer and could, for example, be mounted on the steering post of the vehicle.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to a manually-controlled device for generating multi-dimensional data for input to a computer and, more particularly, to a device for positioning a cursor on the display of an onboard computer deployed in an automobile.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    A computer mouse is a well-known device used in conjunction with a computer to control multi-directional movement of a cursor displayed on the computer&#39;s monitor or display. Centrally located within the bottom surface of the mouse is a hole through which extends a portion of the underside of a rubber-surfaced steel ball. A mouse pad is generally provided which is typically a closed-cell foam-rubber pad covered with a suitable fabric. Low friction pads on the bottom surface of the mouse slide easily over the fabric, but instead of skidding, the ball rolls as the mouse is moved.  
           [0003]    Interior to the mouse are rollers or wheels that contact the ball and convert its rotation into electrical signals representing orthogonal components of the mouse&#39;s motion. These signals are coupled to the computer wherein software responds to the signals to alter the x and y coordinates of the cursor&#39;s existing position on the display in accordance with the mouse&#39;s movement. The user moves the mouse as necessary to position the cursor at a desired location or position.  
           [0004]    The mouse typically carries one or more buttons or switches that are operated by the person using the mouse. Activation of these switches provides signals to the computer directing it to perform a specific function often related to the location or position of the cursor on the screen. That is, after the cursor has been positioned at a desired location on the display, one or more of the buttons/switches can be activated, thus providing an instruction to the computer to take some action, the nature of which is defined by the computer&#39;s software. It is not uncommon that the mouse carries a first switch for providing a signal to the computer to perform some function associated with the position of the cursor and a second switch for instructing the computer to perform a task that is not associated with the location of the cursor.  
           [0005]    In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of applications requiring the deployment of a computer and an associated monitor or display within a vehicle (e.g., an automobile, truck, etc.). Generally, the vehicle&#39;s driver operates the onboard computer. Since the conventional mouse is configured for horizontal movement across the mouse pad, it should be appreciated that this traditional approach is not suitable for a vehicular or automobile environment.  
           [0006]    One alternative to the traditional mouse is a device called a trackball. A trackball serves the same function as a mouse relative to the computer; however, a trackball is essentially a stationary device equipped with a ball mounted for full rotational movement within a mounting base. A portion of the ball is exposed to permit the ball to be rotated within its mounting by the user&#39;s thumb, fingers or palm. Unfortunately, as was the case with the mouse, the trackball likewise does not lend itself to use by the driver of a vehicle since, at the very least, to do so would require the driver to remove at least one hand from the vicinity of the steering wheel.  
           [0007]    In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide a simple, compact apparatus for controlling the movement of a cursor on a display or monitor of an onboard, vehicular computer that is easily accessible and operable by the driver of the vehicle. Additional desirable features will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the foregoing background of the invention and following detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and appended claims.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling the position of a cursor on a display of a computer, the apparatus including a first member and a second member concentrically engaging the first member and coupled thereto for relative movement thereon of a first type and a second type. A detector is coupled to sense the first and second types of relative movement between the first and second members and generates first and second signals related to the first and second types of movement, respectively. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a traditional computer system;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the inventive cursor control device;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the inventive cursor control device shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the inventive cursor-positioning device shown in FIG. 2 showing a snap-on ball assembly; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the deployment of the inventive cursor control device on the steering column of an automobile.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]    The following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is mainly exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the invention or the application or use of the invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a conventional personal computer system  10 . It includes computer  12 , keyboard  14 , and monitor  16  having a display  18 . The system further includes a mouse  20  which is maneuvered on mouse pad  22  in order to move a cursor  28  on monitor display  18 . As described above, a ball (not shown) housed within the body of mouse  20  is caused to roll over the surface of mouse pad  22 . Sensors within mouse  20  convert the rotation of the ball into orthogonal components of the mouse&#39;s motion. These positioning signals are supplied to computer  12  where software responsive to the signal alters the x and y coordinates of cursor  28  appearing on monitor display screen  18 . Mouse  20  is also provided with first and second buttons or switches  24  and  26  which, when activated, direct computer  12  to perform a specific function that may be related to the location or position of cursor  28 .  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an apparatus for controlling the position of a cursor on the display screen of a computer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it can be seen that the inventive cursor control device includes a first mouse pad member  30  (preferably cylindrical) having a mouse pad surface  36  and a second gripping member  32  (preferably cylindrical) having a central opening  34  therethrough and including a plurality of grooves  33  to facilitate gripping as, for example, when the driver is wearing gloves. Member  30  functions as a mouse pad having a pad surface  36  and is received through aperture  34  such that gripping member  32  is capable of translational relative movement with respect to surface  36  as is indicated by arrow  38  and rotational relative movement with respect to surface  36  as is indicated by arrow  40 . The translational movement of gripping member  32  is limited near the right end of mouse pad  30  by snap ring  42  that resides in groove  44 . Translational movement of member  32  to the left is similarly limited by snap ring  46 . A mounting member or stem  48  is attached to member  30  and may be used to position or couple members  30  and  32  to a desired location such as the steering column or post of a vehicle (for example, an automobile). As can be seen, a cable  50  is received within stem  48  and is employed to convey signals from the switches coupled to members  30  and  32  to a computer as will be discussed hereinbelow. It should be appreciated, however, that if desired, wireless transmission between the inventive cursor positioning apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is well within the state of the art. Furthermore, while mouse pad  30  and gripping member  32  have been shown as generally or substantially cylindrical, it should be clear that they could take any convenient shape which would provide for the desired relative translational and rotational movement.  
         [0018]    As stated previously, the mouse typically carries one or more buttons or switches that can be operated by the person using the mouse. Such switches are shown at  52  and  54  in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Activation of these switches provides signals via cable  50  to the computer, thus directing it to perform a specific function that may or may not be related to the location or position of the cursor.  
         [0019]    As described above, traditional manual devices for positioning a cursor on a display generally include a detector which might include a ball and rollers or wheels that contact the ball and convert its rotation into electrical signals representing orthogonal components of the mouse&#39;s motion. These signals are then supplied to the computer where software resident therein responds to the signals to alter the x and y coordinates of the cursor&#39;s existing position on the display in accordance with the mouse&#39;s movement. Referring now to FIG. 4, gripping member  32  is provided with a snap-on portion  56  which may be secured to member  32  by, for example, externally threaded member  58  which passes through aperture  60  on snap-on portion  56  and threadably engages an internally threaded aperture  62  in member  32 . A detector assembly shown generally at  64  includes a ball  66  and sensors  68 . Sensors  68  are coupled to cable  50  in order to provide the above-mentioned orthogonal signals to the computer.  
         [0020]    The operation of the inventive apparatus for controlling the position of a cursor on a display will now be more fully described. Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the inventive cursor control apparatus  70  can be conveniently mounted on the steering post  72  of a vehicle such as an automobile. The onboard computer (not shown) may include a standard monitor/display or, if desired, could include a reconfigurable head-up display incorporated into windshield  74  of the vehicle.  
         [0021]    To alter the position of a cursor on the display, the operator manipulates rotatable gripping member  32 , both translationally and rotationally, on member  36  such that ball  66  which is in contact with surface  36  rolls thereover. The rolling of ball  66  on mouse pad surface  36  is sensed by sensors  68  which convert movement of the ball into first and second orthogonal signals which are then sent to the onboard computer. For example, translational movement of member  32  on member  30  may result in movement of a cursor along an x or horizontal axis. Rotational movement of member  32  on member  30 , however, may result in movement of the cursor along a y-axis or vertically. Obviously, in practice, movement will be a combination of lateral and rotational movement; however, sensors  68  will convert such movement into signals representing orthogonal components that are then utilized by the computer software to alter the position of the cursor.  
         [0022]    From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that an apparatus for manually controlling the movement of a cursor on a display has been provided which is particularly suitable for use in a vehicular or automotive environment. While the preferred exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations in the embodiments exist. It should also be appreciated that this preferred embodiment is only an example and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.