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:
Jun. 26, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 23, 2003
Atsushi Iisaka, Katano, JP;
Kiyomi Sakamoto, Ikoma, JP;
Atsushi Yamashita, Osaka, JP;
Michiharu Honda, Hirakata, JP;
Takatoshi Ono, Soraku-gun, JP;
Takefumi Inoue, Ikoma-gun, JP;
Kiyotaka Sasanouchi, Katano, JP;
Atsushi Iisaka, Katano, JP;
Kiyomi Sakamoto, Ikoma, JP;
Atsushi Yamashita, Osaka, JP;
Michiharu Honda, Hirakata, JP;
Takatoshi Ono, Soraku-gun, JP;
Takefumi Inoue, Ikoma-gun, JP;
Kiyotaka Sasanouchi, Katano, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
The present invention provides a trackball and an in-vehicle device controller using the trackball. The trackball provides a stable operational feel and is easy to operate even in an environment in a vehicle where vibration and movement are present. The trackball includes a ball made of a non-magnetic material and having embedded therein bar members made of a magnetic material and arranged on three axes orthogonal to one another, a case enclosing the ball such that at least an upper portion of the ball is exposed, magnetic members fixed to the case on two axes penetrating through the center of the ball and orthogonal to each other so as to allow magnetic coupling to ends of the bar members, and another magnetic member fixed to the case on an axis penetrating through the center of the ball and orthogonal to the two axes so as to allow magnetic coupling to an end of one of the bar members.