AN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A MOVABLE REFERENCE POINT ON A DISPLAY

摘要

An apparatus for controlling the translational movement of a cursor on a video display. The apparatus includes mechanical means (3) for applying a force and a plurality of force-sensitive transducers (19, 21) for converting the force into electrical signals determining the direction in which the cursor is to be moved. Means are provided for processing the electrical signals produced by the transducers (19, 21) so as to produce an output which controls the translation of the cursor to coordinates on the video display at a rate related to the magnitude of the force. In one embodiment the mechanical means (3) is in the form of a disk like member (3) mounted in a keyboard and rockable about a central point (13) with a resilient recentering force. Polar coordinate movements of the member (3) are detected by orthogonally orientated strain magnitude sensors (19, 21) responsive in cartesian coordinates.