Ergonomic Pointing Device with Rotating Sleeve and Optical Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pointing devices often cause ergonomic issues, leading to user strain and injury due to unnecessary movements and space requirements, and lack improved stability and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A pointing device system with an elongate base member and a rotatable, slidable sleeve that includes a sensor for detecting movement and a click trigger mechanism, featuring a Piezoelectric device for audible feedback, designed to minimize strain and improve usability with a support assembly and click pressure adjuster for ergonomic benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pointing devices are used, then basic pointing functionality is provided, but user strain and injury occur due to unnecessary movements and poor ergonomics
Solution Approach 1:
The pointing device is segmented into functionally independent components: a stable base member that remains stationary and a movable sleeve that contains all user interaction elements. This segmentation allows the base to provide stability while the sleeve handles all motion, eliminating unnecessary device movements that cause user strain.
Solution Approach 2:
Conventional designs make the entire device movable; this invention inverts the approach by making only the control interface (sleeve) movable while the base remains stationary. This inversion eliminates the harmful effect of base movement causing arm and wrist strain.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional pointing devices are used, then pointing control is achieved, but stability and alignment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the device into a stationary base and movable sleeve separates the stability function (base) from the motion function (sleeve). The base provides a stable reference frame with precise alignment features, while the sleeve moves independently without affecting overall device stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member is pre-configured with precision alignment features and sensor positioning before the sleeve is assembled. This preliminary action ensures that when the sleeve is attached, optimal alignment is already established, improving both stability and manufacturing precision.
3Ease of operation
If ergonomic improvements are made to conventional pointing devices, then user comfort increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ergonomic functions are merged into the sleeve component: rotation for X-axis control, sliding for Y-axis control, and pressing for click operations. This consolidation provides comprehensive ergonomic functionality without increasing overall device complexity, as all features share a common structural platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it is the rotation interface, the sliding interface, and the click trigger mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, maintaining structural simplicity while providing ergonomic benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces user strain and injury by minimizing unnecessary movements, improving stability and alignment, and enhancing ergonomic design, making it easier to manufacture and use compared to traditional pointing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor disposed along a surface of the elongate base member, or within the elongate base member, and positioned to detect at least one of a rotational movement of the sleeve relative to the sensor and an axial movement of the sleeve relative to the sensor based at least in part on a variation of the pattern within a field of view of the sensor
Implementation Method 2
a Piezoelectric device in communication with the click trigger and configured to generate an audible click responsive to activation of the click trigger
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects discussed herein are directed to ergonomic pointing device systems. In one example, a pointing device system includes an elongate base member, a sleeve disposed to fit over at least a portion of the elongate base member, the sleeve configured to rotate about the elongate base member in a first direction and slide about the elongate base member in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, where the sleeve includes a pattern on a surface thereof, and a sensor disposed within the elongate base member and positioned to detect at least one of a rotational movement of the sleeve relative to the sensor and an axial movement of the sleeve relative to the sensor based at least in part on a variation of the pattern within a field of view of the sensor.