The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 29, 1995
Filed:
Oct. 11, 1991
William G Gillick, San Jose, CA (US);
Ronald A Rosenberg, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Mouse Systems Corporation, Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
A hybrid mouse combining the usual x and y motion signals usually found in mice together with additional degrees of freedom, particularly a z-axis signal. The z-axis signal is generated by a roller whose turning motion is sensed by a shaft angle encoder, including a light chopper. Additional degrees of freedom may be provided by tilting the roller left and right to actuate switches. Actuation of each switch, together with pulse counts from the roller may be used to indicate pitch and roll. A yaw motion signal may be provided by use of dual position detectors. In another embodiment, pitch and roll may be indicated by a trackball mounted on the mouse housing with or without the z-axis roller.