Methods and apparatus for providing touch-sensitive input in multiple degrees of freedom

Abstract

Disclosed is a multiple coordinate controller device having a three-dimensional body with a first surface portion and a second surface portion where the second surface portion is not coplanar with the first surface. A first transducer with a first sensing surface is coupled to the first surface portion of the body and capable of detecting both positions and a range of pressure forces at positions on the first sensing surface. The first transducer is further capable of providing a first range of z coordinates at a detected x,y coordinate in response to the range of pressure forces on said first sensing surface. A second transducer having a second sensing surface is coupled to the second surface portion of the body and capable of detecting both positions and a range of pressure forces at the positions on the second sensing surface. The second transducer is further capable of providing a second range of z coordinates of opposite polarity to the first range of z coordinates in response to the range of forces on second sensing surface.

1. A multiple coordinate controller device comprising:
 a three-dimensional body having a first surface portion and a second surface portion which is not coplanar with said first surface;  
 a first transducer having a first sensing surface, said first transducer being coupled to said first portion of said body and being capable of detecting both positions and a range of pressure forces at said positions on said first sensing surface, wherein said first transducer is further capable of providing a first range of z coordinates at a detected x,y coordinate in response to said range of pressure forces on said first sensing surface, said first range of z coordinates provided only if said range of pressure forces are greater than a first threshold pressure;  
 a second transducer having a second sensing surface, said second transducer being coupled to said second surface portion of said body and being capable of detecting both positions and a range of pressure forces at said positions on said second sensing surface, wherein second transducer is further capable of providing a second range of z coordinates of opposite polarity to said first range of z coordinates in response to said range of forces on second sensing surface, said second range of z coordinates provided only if said range of pressure forces are greater than a second threshold pressure.  
 
     
     
       2. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first transducer detects a first position on said first sensing surface producing a first x,y coordinate and a second position on said first sensing surfaces producing a second x,y coordinate. 
     
     
       3. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a first edge transducer having a first edge sensing surface positioned at least partially around a periphery of said first sensing surface, said first edge transducer being coupled to said first surface portion of said body and being capable of detecting a force on said first edge sensing surface. 
     
     
       4. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 3  further comprising a second edge transducer having a second edge sensing surface positioned at least partially around a periphery of said second sensing surface, said second edge transducer being coupled to said second surface portion of said body and being capable of detecting a force on said second edge sensing surface. 
     
     
       5. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said first edge transducer provides a continuation control signal in response to said force applied to said first edge sensing surface, wherein said continuation control signal commands a continuation of movement in a direction determined by said first detected x,y coordinate and said second detected x,y coordinate. 
     
     
       6. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 5  wherein said first and second sensing surfaces and said first and second edge sensing surfaces are approximately a rectangular shape. 
     
     
       7. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said first edge sensing surface is tactilely distinguished from said first sensing surface and said second edge sensing surface is tactilely from said second sensing surface. 
     
     
       8. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said first edge sensing surface is raised from said first sensing surface and said second edge sensing surface is raised from said second sensing surface. 
     
     
       9. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 6  wherein said second transducer detects a third and fourth position on said second sensing surface. 
     
     
       10. A multiple coordinate controller device comprising:
 a three-dimensional body having a first surface portion and a second surface portion which is not coplanar with said first surface; and  
 a sensor consisting essentially of; 
 a first transducer having a first sensing surface, said first transducer being coupled to said first surface portion of said body and being capable of detecting both positions and a range of pressure forces at said positions on said first sensing surface, wherein said first transducer is further capable of providing a first range of z coordinates at a detected x,y coordinate in response to said first range of forces, said first range of z coordinates provided only if said range of pressure forces are greater than a first threshold pressure;  
 a second transducer having a second sensing surface, said second transducer being coupled to said second surface portion of said body and being capable of detecting both positions and a range of pressure forces at said positions on said second sensing surface, wherein said second transducer is further capable of providing a second range of z coordinates of opposite polarity for said first range of z coordinates in response to said second range of forces, said second range of z coordinates provided only if said range of pressure forces are greater than a second threshold pressure;  
 
 whereby said sensor is capable of providing x,y and z coordinates from said first transducer and said second transducer, and  
 whereby, said first sensing surface and said second sensing surface do not substantially deform under pressure.  
 
     
     
       11. A two sided controller comprising:
 a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said first surface and said second surface having dimensions that are substantially greater than a separation between said first surface and said second surface;  
 a first sensor assembly supported by said first surface and including a first generally flat pressure sensor surrounded, at least in part, by a first generally flat edge pressure sensor;  
 a second sensor assembly supported by said second surface and including a second generally flat pressure sensor surrounded, at least in part, by a second generally flat edge pressure sensor;  
 wherein said body is sized to be contacted on said first sensor assembly with the thumb of a hand and simultaneously on said second sensor assembly with a finger of said hand.  
 
     
     
       12. A wedge shaped controller comprising:
 a body having a front edge surface having a first area, a back edge surface having a second area less than said first area, and a pair of side edge surfaces coupling said front edge surface to said back edge surface, whereby said body has a wedge shaped with angled side edges;  
 a first sensor assembly supported by said front edge surface and including a first generally flat pressure sensor surrounded, at least in part, by a first generally flat edge pressure sensor; and  
 a second sensor assembly supported by one of said pair of side edge surfaces and including a second generally flat pressure sensor surrounded, at least in part, by a second generally flat edge pressure sensor.  
 
     
     
       13. A wedge shaped controller as recited in  claim 12  further comprising:
 a third sensor assembly supported by the other of said pair of side edge surfaces and including a third generally flat pressure sensor surrounded, at least in part, by a third generally flat edge pressure sensor.  
 
     
     
       14. A wedge shaped controller as recited in  claim 12  wherein said body further has a top surface and a bottom surface, and is provided with a pressure sensor on at least one of said top surface and said bottom surface. 
     
     
       15. A touch-sensitive manually operable controller for providing position control information relative to three axes, the controller comprising:
 a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral side surface;  
 a first sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the first sensor adapted for providing a first Y-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y-axis and a first Z-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z-axis;  
 a second sensor positioned on the top surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Y-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the second sensor adapted for providing a first X-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X-axis and a second Z-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z-axis;  
 a third sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Z-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the third sensor adapted for providing a second X-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X-axis and a second Y-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y-axis; and  
 a fourth sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller opposite the first sensor and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the fourth sensor adapted for providing a third Y-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y-axis and a third Z-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z-axis.  
 
     
     
       16. A touch-sensitive manually operable controller for providing position control information relative to three axes, the controller comprising:
 a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral side surface;  
 a first sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the first sensor adapted for providing a first roll-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y-axis and a first yaw-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z-axis;  
 a second sensor positioned on the top surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Y-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the second sensor adapted for providing a second roll-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X-axis and a first pitch-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z-axis;  
 a third sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Z-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the third sensor adapted for providing a second pitch-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y-axis; and  
 a fourth sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller opposite the first sensor and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the fourth sensor adapted for providing a third roll-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y-axis and a second yaw-signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z-axis.  
 
     
     
       17. A three dimensional controller comprising:
   a body having multiple faces wherein a first, second and a third face of the multiple faces meet at a common apex;        a first axis controller, positioned on the first face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the first axis controller adapted for providing a first Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the first axis controller along the Y - axis and a first Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the first axis controller along the Z - axis;        a second axis controller, positioned on the second face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Y - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the second sensor adapted for providing a first X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the second axis controller along the X - axis and a second Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the second axis controller along the Z - axis; and        a third axis controller, positioned on the third face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Z - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the third sensor adapted for providing a second X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the third axis controller along the X - axis and a second Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the third axis controller along the Y - axis.     
     
     
       18. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 17  wherein the first, the second and the third axis controllers comprise trackballs. 
     
     
       19. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 17  wherein the first, the second and the third axis controllers comprise stick sensors. 
     
     
       20. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 17  wherein the first, the second and the third axis controllers comprise zone sensors. 
     
     
       21. A three dimensional controller comprising:
   a body having multiple faces wherein a first, a second and a third face of the multiple faces meet at a common apex;        a first axis controller, positioned on the first face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the first axis controller adapted for providing a first Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis and a first Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a second axis controller, positioned on the second face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Y - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the second sensor adapted for providing a first X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a second Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a third axis controller, positioned on the third face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Z - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the third sensor adapted for providing a second X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a second Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis; and        a fourth axis controller, positioned on the third surface, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the fourth axis controller adapted for providing a third Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the fourth axis controller along the Y - axis and a third Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the fourth axis controller along the Z - axis.     
     
     
       22. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 21  wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth axis controllers comprise trackballs. 
     
     
       23. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 21  wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth axis controllers comprise stick sensors. 
     
     
       24. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 21  wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth axis controllers comprise zone sensors. 
     
     
       25. A multiple coordinate controller device comprising:
   a three - dimensional movable body having a first surface portion, a second surface portion which is not coplanar with said first surface and a tracking surface engaged to handle a reference surface;        a first transducer having a first sensing surface, said first transducer being coupled to said first portion of said body and being capable of detecting both positions and a range of pressure forces at said positions on said first sensing surface, wherein said first transducer is further capable of providing a first range of z coordinates at a detected x,y coordinate In response to said range of pressure forces on said first sensing surface, said first range of z coordinates provided only if said range of pressure forces are greater than a first threshold pressure;        a second transducer having a second sensing surface, said second transducer being coupled to said second surface portion of said body and being capable of detecting both positions and a range of pressure forces at said positions on said second sensing surface, wherein second transducer is further capable of providing a second range of z coordinates of opposite polarity to said first range of z coordinates in response to said range of forces on second sensing surface, said second range of z coordinates provided only if said range of pressure forces are greater than a second threshold pressure; and        a mouse sensor mechanism supported by said body and adapted to engage said reference surface as said body is moved over said reference surface, wherein said first and second sensing surfaces can be engaged by a finger as said body is engaged by a hand of a user.     
     
     
       26. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 25  wherein said first transducer detects a first position on said first sensing surface producing a first x,y coordinate and a second position on said first sensing surfaces producing a second x,y coordinate. 
     
     
       27. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 26  further comprising a first edge transducer having a first edge sensing surface positioned at least partially around a periphery of said first sensing surface, said first edge transducer being coupled to said first surface portion of said body and being capable of detecting a force on said first edge sensing surface. 
     
     
       28. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 27  further comprising a second edge transducer having a second edge sensing surface, said second edge transducer being coupled to said second surface portion of said body and being capable of detecting a force on said second edge sensing surface. 
     
     
       29. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said first edge transducer provides a continuation control signal in response to said force applied to said first edge sensing surface, wherein said continuation control signal commands a continuation of movement in a direction determined by said first detected x,y coordinate and said second detected x,y coordinate. 
     
     
       30. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 29  wherein said first and second sensing surfaces and said first and second edge sensing surfaces are approximately a rectangular shape. 
     
     
       31. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 30 , wherein said first edge sensing surface is tactilely distinguished from said first sensing surface and said second edge sensing surface is tactilely from said second sensing surface. 
     
     
       32. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 30 , wherein said first edge sensing surface is raised from said first sensing surface and said second edge sensing surface is raised from second sensing surface. 
     
     
       33. The multiple coordinate controller device as recited in  claim 30  wherein said second transducer detects a third and fourth position on said second sensing surface. 
     
     
       34. A three dimensional controller comprising:
   a body having multiple faces wherein a first, a second and a third face of the multiple faces meet at a common apex;        a first sensor, positioned on the first face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the first sensor adapted for providing a first roll - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis and a first yaw - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a second sensor, positioned on the second face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Y - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the second sensor adapted for providing a second roll - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a first pitch - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a third sensor, positioned on the third face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Z - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the third sensor adapted for providing second pitch - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis; and        a fourth sensor, positioned on the third face, which is generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the fourth sensor adapted for providing a third roll - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis and a second yaw - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis.     
     
     
       35. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 34  wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth axis controllers comprise trackballs. 
     
     
       36. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 34  wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth axis controllers comprise stick sensors. 
     
     
       37. A three dimensional controller as recited in  claim 34  wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth axis controllers comprise zone sensors. 
     
     
       38. A touch- sensitive manually operable controller for providing position control information relative to three axes, the controller comprising:      a top surface, a front surface, and a peripheral side surface;        a first sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the first sensor adapted for providing a first Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis and a yaw - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a second sensor positioned on the top surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Y - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the second sensor adapted for providing a first X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a first Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a third sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Z - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the third sensor adapted for providing a second X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a second Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis; and        a fourth sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller opposite the first sensor and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian Coordinate system, the fourth sensor adapted for providing a third Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis and a second Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis.     
     
     
       39. An input device comprising:
   a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors on a body wherein each pressure sensitive sensor of the plurality of pressure sensitive sensors can be manipulated by a finger;        wherein said body is a mouse body having a lower surface for engagement with a reference surface for relative movement with respect thereto, said lower surface of said mouse body being provided with at least one sensor for sensing x and y degrees of freedom, said mouse body further having an upper surface;        wherein said pressure sensitive sensors are each at least one of a button, touch tablet, trackball and joystick and are accessible from said upper surface of said mouse body; and        wherein at least one of said pressure sensitive sensors senses a degree of freedom other than the x and y degrees of freedom.     
     
     
       40. An input device comprising:
   a movable mouse body having a tracking surface adapted to engage a reference surface and a curved upper surface provided with at least two two - degrees - of - freedom pressure sensitive sensors to provide multiple degrees of freedom; and        a sensor mechanism supported by said mouse body and adapted to engage said reference surface as said body is moved over said reference surface to track at least two degrees of freedom.     
     
     
       41. The input device as recited in  claim 40  wherein the plurality of pressure sensitive sensors comprises two pressure sensitive sensors. 
     
     
       42. The input device as recited in  claim 40  wherein the plurality of pressure sensitive sensors comprises three pressure sensitive sensors. 
     
     
       43. The input device as recited in  claim 40  wherein the plurality of pressure sensitive sensors comprises four pressure sensitive sensors. 
     
     
       44. The input device as recited in  claim 40 , wherein said pressure sensitive sensors do not transmit a signal when a pressure is not present on said pressure sensitive sensors. 
     
     
       45. A touch- sensitive manually operable controller for providing position control information relative to three axes, the controller comprising:      a top surface, a front surface, and a peripheral side surface;        a first sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the first sensor adapted for providing a roll - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the senor along the Y - axis and a yaw - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a second sensor positions on the top surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Y - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the second sensor adapted for providing a first X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a first Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a third sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Z - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the third sensor adapted for providing a second X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a first Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis; and        a fourth sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller opposite the first sensor and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the fourth sensor adapted for providing a second Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis and a second Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis.     
     
     
       46. A touch- sensitive manually operable controller for providing position control information relative to three axes, the controller comprising:      a top surface, a front surface, and a peripheral side surface;        a first sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on an orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the first sensor adapted for providing a first Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis and a yaw - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a second sensor positioned on the top surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Y - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the second sensor adapted for providing a first X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a pitch - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis;        a third sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an Z - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the third sensor adapted for providing a second X - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the X - axis and a second Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis; and        a fourth sensor positioned on the side surface of the controller opposite the first sensor and generally aligned on and orthogonal relative to an X - axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the fourth sensor adapted for providing a third Y - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Y - axis and a first Z - signal in response to the position of a force applied to the sensor along the Z - axis.     
     
     
       47. A input device comprising:
   a mouse body having a lower surface and an upper surface;        an x - y position sensor associated with said lower surface of said mouse body and providing output signals representing two degrees of freedom; and        a plurality of touch panels spaced apart on said upper surface of said mouse body for providing a plurality of output signals representing a plurality of additional degrees of freedom.     
     
     
       48. The input device as recited in  claim 47  wherein the additional degrees of freedom include a pitch. 
     
     
       49. The input device as recited in  claim 47  wherein the additional degrees of freedom include a yaw. 
     
     
       50. The input device as recited in  claim 47  wherein the additional degrees of freedom include a roll. 
     
     
       51. The input device as recited in  claim 47  wherein the additional degrees of freedom include a least pitch, yaw and roll. 
     
     
       52. The input device as recited in  claim 47  wherein the additional degrees of freedom consists of pitch, yaw and roll. 
     
     
       53. The input device as recited in  claim 52  wherein the body includes a bottom surface, a top surface, two opposite side surfaces both of which are in contact with the top surface and the bottom surface and the pitch, yaw and roll touch panels are each located on the body such that only one touch panel is located on the two side surfaces and the top surface. 
     
     
       54. An input device comprising:
   a body;        an x - y position sensor providing output signals representing two degrees of freedom; and        a plurality of touch panels spaced apart on said body for providing a plurality of output signals representing a plurality of additional degrees of freedom;        wherein the additional degrees of freedom consists of pitch, yaw and roll, and wherein the body includes a bottom surface and a top surface, where the pitch, yaw and roll touch panels are each located on the top surface.