Abstract: A vertical gyroscope is adapted for use as a pointing device for controlling the position of a cursor on the display of a computer. A motor at the core of the gyroscope is suspended by two pairs of orthogonal gimbals from a hand-held controller device and nominally oriented with its spin axis vertical by a pendulous device. Electro-optical shaft angle encoders sense the orientation of a hand-held controller device as it is manipulated by a user and the resulting electrical output is converted into a format usable by a computer to control the movement of a cursor on the screen of the computer display. For additional ease of use, the bottom of the controller is rounded so that the controller can be pointing while sitting on a surface. A third input is provided by providing a horizontal gyroscope within the pointing device. The third rotational signal can be used to either rotate a displayed object or to display or simulate a third dimension.

Abstract: Pointing apparatus and method provide for control of cursor movement and selection of elements on a computer screen. Gyroscopic elements within the pointing apparatus indicate yaw and pitch movements in free space, and a mouse ball and mouse ball encoders indicate movement on a surface. Data indicative of the distance and direction the cursor is to be moved is generated from outputs of the gyroscopic elements and the mouse ball encoders. Certain amounts of movement are deemed unintentional, and, if necessary, the pointing apparatus adjusts the data so as not to indicate movement of such amounts. By doing so, the pointing apparatus minimizes unintentional cursor movement caused by instability of the gyroscopes and the inability of a person to hold the pointing apparatus absolutely motionless.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope employs an electromagnetic transducer assembly which excites the vibration of the inertial element and senses its trajectory to provide an indication of movement relative to the plane of vibration of the inertial element. The transducer assembly allows for calibration of the gyroscope by positioning the transducer relative to the inertial element, thereby eliminating conventional requirements for selectively removing material from the inertial element during final calibration. Elastic members of the inertial element are manufactured in a monolithic structure to enhance the vibratory symmetry of the inertial element and the consistency and repeatability of its resonant properties. A phase-shifting circuit allows accurate extraction of rate information from the transducer while rejecting error signals. A mounting system facilitates mounting inertial elements to provide a simple implementations of multi-axis vibrating gyroscopes.

Abstract: Single and dual wire gyroscopes determine the orientation and attitude of a device using optical sensing of radiation interrupted by current-carrying, vibrating tensioned wires within a magnetic fields. The tensioned wires vibrate between end nodes within the respective magnetic fields to provide both sustaining oscillatory drives and the sensing of velocity in the directions perpendicular to the respective magnetic fields. Lateral displacements of tensioned wires in directions parallel to the associated magnetic fields are sensed using radiant illumination of the wires and radiation sensing below the wires to provide displacement signals. Precession of wires in vibratory trajectories out of planes perpendicular to respective magnetic fields are controlled by selectively twisting and bending the tensioned wires between mounting ends.

Abstract: A vertical gyroscope is adapted for use as a pointing device for controlling the position of a cursor on the display of a computer. A motor at the core of the gyroscope is suspended by two pairs of orthogonal gimbals from a hand-held controller device and nominally oriented with its spin axis vertical by a pendulous device. Electro-optical shaft angle encoders sense the orientation of a hand-held controller device as it is manipulated by a user and the resulting electrical output is converted into a format usable by a computer to control the movement of a cursor on the screen of the computer display. For additional ease of use, the bottom of the controller is rounded so that the controller can be pointing while sitting on a surface. A third input is provided by providing a horizontal gyroscope within the pointing device. The third rotational signal can be used to either rotate a displayed object or to display or simulate a third dimension.

Abstract: A shaft angle encoder adapted for use in a hand-held gyroscope has a motor at the core of the gyroscope suspended by two pairs of orthogonal gimbals to provide two-degrees-of-freedom for the inner gimbal. Power is provided to the motor through conductive elements in the bearings without limting the range of motion of the gyroscope. An electro-optical shaft angle encoder for detecting the rotation of the inner gimbal with respect to the outer gimbal includes an optical pattern mounted along a cylindrical portion of the inner gimbal about the axis of rotation of the inner gimbal and in alignment with one of the outer gimbal bearings. A light source and a rotational phase plate are mounted to the outer gimbal and aligned with this optical pattern and a light path is provided through the optical pattern, the rotational phase plate, and the outer gimbal bearing.