US4983786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
XY velocity controller
Assignee: University of British Columbia
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Filing: 1990-01-17
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Granted: 1991-01-08
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Expires: 2010-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A XY control system for controlling vector movement in two mutually perpendicular directions (for example for computer cursor control, i.e. emulating a conventional computer mouse) uses a XY pressure sensitive digital pad or more preferably a XYZ pressure sensitive digital pad generating different signals based on the selected location at which pressure is applied to the pad. These signals are divided into X or Y and a directional signal and then converted into a velocity signal for controlling the vector motion in the required direction dependent on the selected location for application of pressure to the pad and at a velocity the magnitude of which is proportional to the displacement of the selected location from a datum area on the pad, or in the case of a XYZ pad dependent on both displacement and the amount of pressure applied at the selected location.
Inventors
- 👤 Stevens David R.
- 👤 Andrea Marziali
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/016; A; A61; A61F; A61F4/00; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/0414; G06F3/04146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A XY control system for selecting direction and magnitude of velocity in said selected direction of a controlled means comprising a XY digital pad generating different signals depending on a selected activated location on said pad, electrical circuit means dividing said signals into a datum signal when said activated location on said pad is in a datum zone on said pad, a X signal when said activated location is displaced in a first direction from said datum zone, a Y signal when said activated location is displaced in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction from said datum zone and directional signals for said X and Y signals based on the side of said datum zone in said first and second directions respectively that said activated location is positioned on said pad, said electrical circuit means converting said X and Y signals into velocity signals proportional to the displacement of said activated location relative to said datum zone, and further electrical circuit means controlling said direction and magnitude of said velocity of said controlled means in accordance with said directional and said velocity signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A XY control system for selecting direction and magnitude of velocity in said selected direction of a controlled means comprising a XY digital pad generating different signals depending on a selected activated location on said pad, electrical circuit means dividing said signals into a datum signal when said activated location on said pad is in a datum zone on said pad, a X signal when said activated location is displaced in a first direction from said datum zone, a Y signal when said activated location is displaced in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction from said datum zone and directional signals for said X and Y signals based on the side of said datum zone in said first and second directions respectively that said activated location is positioned on said pad, said electrical circuit means converting said X and Y signals into velocity signals proportional to the displacement of said activated location relative to said datum zone, and further electrical circuit means controlling said direction and magnitude of said velocity of said controlled means in accordance with said directional and said velocity signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said controlled means comprises a computer cursor and said further circuit means further includes means to convert said directional and velocity signals into signals for obtaining said mutually perpendicular movements of said cursor on a computer monitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said digitizer pad is pressure sensitive and said activated location is activated by pressure applied to said pad at said activated location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said digitizer pad is a XYZ digitizer pad and said velocity signals will include a supplementary signal the magnitude of which is dependent on the amount of pressure applied to said activated location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said digital pad is mounted on a rigid backing plate sized to be received in the mouth of a user and gripped between the user's teeth with said pad in facing relationship to the user's tongue, said pad having a moisture resistant casing through which tongue pressure may be applied to generate said signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A control system as defined in claim 5 further comprising at least one pressure sensitive switch mounted on said backing plate adjacent to said pad in a position to be activate by said tongue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said controlled means comprises a computer cursor and said further circuit means further includes means to convert said directional and velocity signals into signals for obtaining said mutually perpendicular movements of said cursor on a computer monitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said controlled means comprises a computer cursor and said further circuit means further includes means to convert said directional and velocity signals into signals for obtaining said mutually perpendicular movements of said cursor on a computer monitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said controlled means comprises a computer cursor and said further circuit means further includes means to convert said directional and velocity signals into signals for obtaining said mutually perpendicular movements of said cursor on a computer monitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said controlled means comprises a computer cursor and said further circuit means further includes means to convert said directional and velocity signals into signals for obtaining said mutually perpendicular movements of said cursor on a computer monitor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-07 | 1994-07-09 | 1995-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-07 | 1998-07-09 | 1999-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-07 | 2002-07-09 | 2003-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |