US5543592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multimode manipulator
Assignee: Thales Avionics SAS
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Filing: 1994-05-26
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Granted: 1996-08-06
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Expires: 2014-05-26
Abstract
Abstract The manipulator embodying the invention comprises a disk mounted rotatably about an axis by a shaft and capable of pivoting about a center of rotation with elastic return motion towards a home position, a detector which determines the angular position of the disk in relation of the axis, strain gauges detecting the orientation of the disk with respect to the center of rotation, a reversing switch for switching from an operating mode in which the data relating to the orientation of the shaft are taken into account, to an operating mode in which the data ralating to the angular position of the disk are taken into account, and a switch for validating one or other of these data. The invention applies notably to the remote control of a cursor on a screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Philippe Gaultier
- 👤 Patrick Vouillon
- 👤 Frederic Simon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H25/00; H01H25/04; H01H25/041; G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/04707; H01H19/00; H01H19/02; H01H19/10; H01H19/11; H01H2025/043; H01H2025/048; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/052; H01H2239/074; H01H25/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A manipulator with multiple operating modes which comprises: a control member actuated by an operator's finger, a shaft fixed on said control member and rotatably mounted about a coaxial axis of rotation so as to allow said control member to be rotated about said axis under the effect of a pivoting force exerted by said finger, hinging means provided in a central part of said shaft so as to enable said shaft and said control member to rock about a center of rotation located on said axis in said central part, under the effect of a rocking force distinct from said pivoting force, exerted by said finger in a rocking position and with a variable intensity, spring means for exerting on said control member a return motion to a home position once said rocking force ceases, means for detecting an angular position of said control member about said axis and for generating first data representing said angular position, means for detecting a rocking position of the control member and for generating second data representing said rocking position and said variable intensity, selecting means actuated by said finger for selecting a first operating mode, in which at least said first data are taken into account, a second operating mode in which only said second data are taken into account, and a third mode in which said first and said second data are both taken into consideration, validation means actuated by said finger for validating said first and second data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A manipulator with multiple operating modes which comprises: a control member actuated by an operator's finger, a shaft fixed on said control member and rotatably mounted about a coaxial axis of rotation so as to allow said control member to be rotated about said axis under the effect of a pivoting force exerted by said finger, hinging means provided in a central part of said shaft so as to enable said shaft and said control member to rock about a center of rotation located on said axis in said central part, under the effect of a rocking force distinct from said pivoting force, exerted by said finger in a rocking position and with a variable intensity, spring means for exerting on said control member a return motion to a home position once said rocking force ceases, means for detecting an angular position of said control member about said axis and for generating first data representing said angular position, means for detecting a rocking position of the control member and for generating second data representing said rocking position and said variable intensity, selecting means actuated by said finger for selecting a first operating mode, in which at least said first data are taken into account, a second operating mode in which only said second data are taken into account, and a third mode in which said first and said second data are both taken into consideration, validation means actuated by said finger for validating said first and second data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinging means comprise a flexible portion of said shaft, and wherein said means for detecting the rocking position of said shaft comprise a strain gauge device arranged at said central part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinging means comprise a pivot link provided between a fixed or translatable supporting structure and said central part of said shaft, and wherein said means for detecting the rocking position of said shaft comprise a strain gauge device coupled with an end of said shaft opposite said control member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft is axially mobile against the action of an elastic means and controls means provided for detecting axial displacements of said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for detecting the angular position of said control member comprises a code wheel fixed on said shaft and associated with a detector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft is tubular, and wherein said validating means comprises a push-button mounted slidably with spring-load return motion into a central cavity provided in said control member, coaxially thereto, said push-button cooperating with a switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of switches arranged around the control member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control member is covered with a touch-sensitive layer susceptible of detecting the presence of one of the operator's fingers.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
306 words
A device for the management of a cursor on a display associated with a processor, said device comprising a manipulator with multiple operating modes which comprises: a control member actuated by an operator's finger, a shaft fixed on said control member and rotatably mounted about a coaxial axis of rotation so as to allow said control member to be rotated about said axis under the effect of a pivoting force exerted by said finger, hinging means provided in a central part of said shaft so as to enable said shaft and said control member to rock about a center of rotation located on said axis in said central part, under the effect of a rocking force distinct from said pivoting force, exerted by said finger in a rocking position and with a variable intensity, spring means for exerting on said control member a return motion to a home position once said rocking force ceases, means for detecting an angular position of said control member about said axis and for generating first data representing said angular position, means for detecting a rocking position of the control member and for generating second data representing said rocking position and said variable intensity, selecting means actuated by said finger for selecting a first operating mode, in which at least said first data are taken into account, a second operating mode in which only said second data are taken into account, and a third mode in which said first and said second data are both taken into consideration, validation means actuated by said finger for validating said first and second data, wherein said processor uses said first data to pivot said cursor about a center of rotation and said second data to displace the cursor along an axis passing through said center and having a last orientation given to said cursor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
306 words
A device for the management of a cursor on a display associated with a processor, said device comprising a manipulator with multiple operating modes which comprises: a control member actuated by an operator's finger, a shaft fixed on said control member and rotatably mounted about a coaxial axis of rotation so as to allow said control member to be rotated about said axis under the effect of a pivoting force exerted by said finger, hinging means provided in a central part of said shaft so as to enable said shaft and said control member to rock about a center of rotation located on said axis in said central part, under the effect of a rocking force distinct from said pivoting force, exerted by said finger in a rocking position and with a variable intensity, spring means for exerting on said control member a return motion to a home position once said rocking force ceases, means for detecting an angular position of said control member about said axis and for generating first data representing said angular position, means for detecting a rocking position of the control member and for generating second data representing said rocking position and said variable intensity, selecting means actuated by said finger for selecting a first operating mode, in which at least said first data are taken into account, a second operating mode in which only said second data are taken into account, and a third mode in which said first and said second data are both taken into consideration, validation means actuated by said finger for validating said first and second data, wherein said processor uses said first data to pivot said cursor about a center of rotation and said second data to displace the cursor along an axis passing through said center and having a last orientation given to said cursor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-06 | 2000-02-05 | 2000-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-06 | 2004-02-05 | 2004-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-06 | 2008-02-05 | 2008-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |