Trackball input device with additional rocking motion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9639185-B2
Application number	US-201313838489-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 15, 2013
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	May 2, 2017
Grant date	May 2, 2017

Abstract

A system includes a graphical user interface and a trackball device configured to provide controlling input to the graphical user interface. The trackball device includes a trackball configured to allow a rocking motion along an axis of the trackball.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A trackball device comprising:
a trackball;
a locking mechanism configured to lock the trackball along an axis; and
a tiltable suspended platform supporting the trackball,
wherein the trackball is configured to allow three different motions, the three different motions comprising a pressing motion, a rocking motion along the locked axis of the trackball, and a rotation motion about the locked axis of the trackball,
wherein the trackball device is configured to provide controlling input to a graphical user interface, and
wherein, upon rocking the trackball along the axis, the graphical user interface is configured to revert back to a previous item displayed on the graphical user interface.

2. The trackball device according to claim 1 , wherein the trackball device is devoid of any buttons disposed around the trackball.

3. The trackball device according to claim 1 , wherein the axis comprises a horizontal axis.

4. The trackball device according to claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
a rotary encoder; and
an engagement member configured to engage an outer surface of the trackball.

5. The trackball device according to claim 1 , wherein the platform is configured to tilt along the locked axis.

6. The trackball device according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a tactile switch disposed below the platform configured to detect the pressing motion of the trackball.

7. The trackball device according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a tactile switch disposed adjacent a side of the platform configured to detect the rocking motion of the trackball.

8. The trackball device according to claim 5 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
a rotary encoder disposed on a surface of the tiltable platform; and
a plunger attached to the rotary encoder, the plunger configured to engage an outer surface of the trackball and to restrain rolling of the trackball to a single axis.

9. A system comprising:
a graphical user interface; and
a trackball device configured to provide controlling input to the graphical user interface, the trackball device comprising:
a trackball;
a locking mechanism configured to lock the trackball along an axis; and
a tiltable suspended platform supporting the trackball,

wherein the trackball is configured to allow three different motions, the three different motions comprising a pressing motion, a rocking motion along the locked axis of the trackball, and a rotation motion about the locked axis of the trackball, and
wherein, upon rocking the trackball along the axis, the graphical user interface is configured to revert back to a previous item displayed on the graphical user interface.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the trackball device is devoid of any buttons disposed around the trackball.

11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display a plurality of menus, the menus listing selectable items.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein, when the trackball is locked along the axis, the trackball is configured to input a scrolling input by allowing rotation of the trackball about the axis.

13. The system according to claim 11 , wherein, when the trackball is depressed, the trackball enters a selection input to select a highlighted one of the selectable items.

14. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the platform is configured to tilt when the trackball is rocked along the axis.

15. A console comprising:
a console surface;
a trackball device mounted within the console surface, the trackball device comprising:
a trackball;
a locking mechanism configured to lock the trackball along an axis, wherein the trackball is configured to allow three different motions, the three different motions comprising a pressing motion, a rocking motion along the locked axis of the trackball, and a rotation motion about the locked axis of the trackball; and
a tiltable suspended platform supporting the trackball; and

a graphical user interface,
wherein the trackball device is configured to provide controlling input to the graphical user interface, and
wherein, upon rocking the trackball along the axis, the graphical user interface is configured to revert back to a previous item displayed on the graphical user interface.

Assignees

• Volkswagen Ag
• Audi Ag

Inventors

• Mcclain Megan
• Rudolph Aaron
• Mueller Ulrich
• Maiwand Heiko

Classifications

• G06F3/03549 Primary

  Trackballs (G06F3/03541 takes precedence) · CPC title