Adjustable Pointing Device with Repositionable Input Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pointing devices do not allow users to adjust the shape, dimensions, or position of input controls to fit their unique preferences, limiting comfort and usability.
Innovation Solution
A pointing device with adjustable arms and hinges that allow repositioning of input control sections, including buttons and scroll wheels, to change the pitch, yaw, and roll, enabling users to customize the device's shape and layout to their grip, with sensors and circuits to transmit movement data to a computer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pointing devices are designed with fixed shape and dimensions, then manufacturing is simple and device complexity is low, but adaptability to different user preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pointing device incorporates adjustable arms that allow the input control portion to be repositioned in multiple directions (pitch, yaw, roll) and at varying distances from the base. This dynamic adjustability enables the device to adapt to different user hand sizes and grip preferences, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity by introducing controlled mechanical mobility rather than fixed rigidity
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct segments: a base, an adjustable arm, and an input control portion. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted and positioned, enabling customization without requiring complete redesign of the entire device. The modular structure maintains relatively simple manufacturing while achieving high adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the input control portion is made adjustable with multiple degrees of freedom, then adaptability to user grip improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable arm provides multiple degrees of freedom allowing the input control portion to be positioned at different orientations (pitch, yaw, roll) and distances from the base. This dynamic positioning system resolves the contradiction by implementing mechanical adjustability that is sufficiently complex to provide customization but constrained enough to remain manufacturable and usable
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows users to change geometric parameters (position, orientation, distance) of the input control portion to match their physical characteristics. By enabling parameter adjustment rather than requiring multiple fixed configurations, the solution achieves high adaptability without the complexity of providing numerous pre-configured variants
3Ease of operation
If sections of the pointing device are made movable and repositionable, then ease of operation for different users improves, but stability of the device structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable arms enable movement and repositioning of device sections to accommodate different user preferences, directly improving ease of operation. The system resolves the stability concern by allowing adjustment during configuration but maintaining fixed positions during use, providing both adaptability and operational stability
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows users to perform preliminary adjustment actions to configure the pointing device to their preferences before actual use begins. Once configured, the structure maintains stability during operation, separating the adjustment phase from the usage phase to resolve the contradiction between movability and stability
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus provide for an adjustable pointing device. The adjustable pointing device includes a base and an adjustable arm connecting a portion of the base with an input control portion. The input control portion includes at least one input control. A first end of the adjustable arm, which is distal from the base, allows for and independently maintains changes to various orientations of the input control portion. In other words, after the user adjusts the input control portion to be set at a new orientation, the first end of the adjustable arm maintains the input control portion at the new orientation as the user interacts with the adjustable pointing device. In addition, a second end of the adjustable arm, proximal to the base, also allows for and independently maintains changes in a distance between the input control portion and the base itself.