Abstract: An electronic controller (10) having one or two rotational position detectors (48), a tilt/shake sensor (50), and optional press controls (18). A user may rotate control knobs (14) causing the position detectors (48) to create rotation signals (80) from which the amount of rotation can be resolved and the direction of rotation detected. Tilting or shaking of the electronic controller (10) causes the tilt/shake sensor (50) to create a tilt/shake signal (84), and pressing (or releasing) the press controls (18) can create press signals (82). A processor system (46) processes and integrates all of these signals (80, 82, 84) into a data signal (86) which is communicated over a communications interface (16) to a computerized device or system employing the electronic controller (10) as an input device or system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 7, 2000
Date of Patent:
January 7, 2003
Assignee:
Mental Models, Inc.
Inventors:
David Simkin, Aaron Simkin, Andrew J. Schneider, John Bayer