Tri-axis foot controller

摘要

A novel control device for a personal computer which is manipulated by a user's feet. The control device is intuitively manipulated by application of the appropriate pressure to the control device via two pedals for the user's feet. At any one time, the control device may be manipulated such that the control device moves in three distinct directions: the device pivots forwards or backwards, rotates left or right, and dips to the left or to the right. For each movement in a distinct direction, the control device generates an input for a personal computer.

主权项

1. A control device actuatable by a user's feet for use with a computer, the control device comprising:
a stationary base assembly; three rotatable members comprising:
a first rotatable member mounted on the top of said base assembly and rotatable about a first axis;a second rotatable member mounted on said first rotatable member and rotatable about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis;a third rotatable member mounted on said second rotatable member and rotatable about a third axis perpendicular to said first and second axes, said third rotatable member having a shaft member substantially parallel to the third axis and mounted on said second rotatable member, said third rotatable member having two pedals fixedly attached to said shaft member on either side of said second rotatable member wherein said two pedals virtually form a plate; anddetector means operable to detect respective rotation of said three rotatable members, and communicating an input or inputs to the computer based on the detected respective rotation, the computer being responsive to said input or inputs to execute one or more functions correlating to said respective rotation.