WO2007031161A2

WO2007031161A2 - Numeric value adjustment using circular turn wheel

Info

Publication number: WO2007031161A2
Application number: PCT/EP2006/007989
Authority: WO
Inventors: Froi Lomotan; Pratish Shah
Original assignee: 3Dconnexion Holding Sa
Priority date: 2005-09-13
Filing date: 2006-08-11
Publication date: 2007-03-22
Also published as: WO2007031161A3

Abstract

An input device for inputting numerical values into a computer includes a support and a turn wheel rotatably mounted on the support. Also included are means for converting the position and/or rotation of the turn wheel into an information signal and means for sending the signal to a receiving device.

Description

TITLE

NUMERIC VALUE ADJUSTMENT USING CIRCULAR TURN WHEEL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[00011 The invention relates to the field of input devices. In particular, the invention relates to the input of numerical values using a circular turn wheel.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Certain tasks carried out by a computer user require frequent numerical input. For example, complex professional applications such as picture processing,

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) or the layout of complex documents require frequent input and/or adjustment of numerical values, such as for example to set dimensions, sizes, colors, etc.

[0003]^~Tfϊs often required to be able to change a numerical value continuously, in order to quickly cover or review an entire range of values, such as for example when doing fine adjustments.

[0004] In the state of the art, it is known to provide a keyboard for typing in numerical values. However, using such a keyboard requires moving the hand from a graphical input device, such as a mouse, to the keyboard, which is disruptive to the work-flow. [0005] In the state of the art it is further known to use a mouse to adjust sliders. However, the utilization of a mouse for numerical input does not provide sufficient precision, especially if the range of values is large over a small area. Utilizing an input device, such as a mouse, to adjust numeric values at a constant rate requires repetitive motion until a minimum or maximum is reached.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an input device with a precise handling that eliminates the need to interrupt work-flow when entering numerical values.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide an input device with a precise handling that minimizes repetitive motion when entering numerical values. [0008] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an input device that gives a user a more efficient way to adjust numeric values in numeric intensive applications, making the user less prone to erroneous data input and providing increased on-screen feedback on data being adjusted.

[0009] It is still a further object of the invention to minimize mouse motion by letting a user continue to keep the mouse on a model or image, while using the turn wheel to increase/decrease values, thereby improving productivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the input device according to the invention comprises a support; a turn wheel rotatably mounted on the support; means for converting-the-positiQn and/oFrotation-of-the turn wheel into a signal; and means^" for sending the signal to a receiving device.

[0011] In another embodiment, the input device according to the invention further comprises means for detecting whether the turn wheel is pressed down by a user. [0012] In still another embodiment, the input device according to the invention is integrated with a computer mouse.

[0013] A method according to an embodiment of the invention, for inputting numerical values into a computer using an input device, comprises the steps of setting a numerical value N to an initial value; testing whether the turn wheel is continuously rotated; and, if yes, increasing the numerical value N by a second constant.

[0014] Another method for inputting numerical values into a computer according to an embodiment of the invention comprises the steps of setting an acceleration constant to an initial value; testing, whether the angular displacement of a continuous rotation of a turn wheel exceeds a given threshold value; and, if yes, increasing the acceleration constant and resetting the angular displacement value; and increasing a numerical value N by the acceleration constant.

[0015] A system according to an embodiment of the invention comprises an input device as defined above and further a computer, characterized in that the computer executes a method for inputting a numerical value.

[0016] In another embodiment of the system may further comprise a display device and a graphical display user interface is displayed on the display device.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the system, the graphical display user interface may consist of a possible range of values.

[0018] In still a further embodiment of the system, a current value that is synchronized to the motion of the turn wheel, may be displayed on the display device.

[0019] In another embodiment of the system according to the invention, the display user interface is located in immediate proximity to a mouse cursor.

SHORT-DESCRIPTIONΌFTHE FIGURES

[0020] Further objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed description, in connection with the attached drawings, in which

[0021] Fig. Ia shows an input device according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0022] Fig. Ib shows a graphical user interface element in the form of a vertical slider that can be controlled by an input device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig. 2 illustrates angular displacement of a turn wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Fig 3 is a schematic overview of a method for linearly increasing a numerical value using a turn wheel according to the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 4 is a schematic overview of a method for nonlinearly increasing a numerical value using a turn wheel according to the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 5a shows the effect of using a method described in Fig. 3 for linearly increasing a numerical value using a turn wheel according to the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 5b shows the effect of using a method described in Fig. 4 for nonlinearly increasing a numerical value using a turn wheel according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Fig. 1 shows an input device 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0029] In Fig. 1, a turn wheel 1 10 is rotatably mounted on a support 120. [0030] Using his finger, a user can rotate the turn wheel 110 on the support 120 in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, as indicated by the double-pointed arrow. The rotating motion can be started anywhere on the turn wheel. [0031] The support 120 comprises means for converting the position of the turn wheel and/or the rotating motion into a signal (not shown). The signal represents information about the position and/or the movement of the turn wheel and/or whether the turn wheel is held down by a user's finger. The signal may be in digital or analog form.

[0032] The input device 100 communicates with a computer (not shown). In particular, the signal generated by the means for converting the position of the turn wheel and/or the rotating motion into a signal, is communicated to the computer. Communication may take place over a wire 130, as in the present embodiment, or using a wireless connection such as Bluetooth.

[0033] The support 120 may be integrated with a computer mouse.

[0034] The computer comprises means for receiving the signal communicated over the wire (-less) connection 130. The computer does also comprise means for translating the information about the position and/or the movement of the turn wheel that is represented by the received signal, into corresponding increases or decreases of a previously selected numerical value N. The translation between the rotation of the turn wheel into corresponding numerical value may be linear or non-linear.

[0035] Whether the numerical value is increased or decreased depends on the direction of motion of the turn wheel, which may be explicitly represented by the signal generated in the input device or may be implicitly derived from that information, e.g. from successive positions represented by the signal.

[0036] In the present embodiment of the invention, rotating the turn wheel in a clockwise manner incrementally increases the numerical value. Continuous movement in a clockwise manner will continue to increase the numerical value, until a preset maximum value is reached.

[0037] Moving counter-clockwise on the turn wheel would decrease numeric values to the minimum. Continuous movement in a counter-clockwise manner will continue to decrease the numerical value until a preset minimum value is reached.

[0038] Changing from clockwise to counter-clockwise at any time will increase and decrease values based on movement.

[0039]— Removing the imgerorthe^~hand^"orstopping movement stops the value change. Restarting movement will restart value movement from current value.

[0040] Value adjustment is constrained to the current selected application and tool. Based on the current tool or mode, only the values that can be adjusted are presented to the user.

[0041] As adjustments are being made the user may be presented with a heads-up display on a display device (not shown) such as a computer screen on what is being adjusted and the current value. [0042 J Fig. 1 b shows a graphical user interface element that is displayed on the display device. The graphical user interface element displays a possible range of values (minimum to maximum) and the current value.

[0043] The displayed values are synchronized to finger motion on the input device. If the turn wheel is continuously moved in clockwise direction, the displayed value is adjusted until it reaches a maximum and the graphical user interface element changes accordingly.

[0044] The vertical slider shown in Fig. Ib is only an example of a possible user interface element that can be controlled by the input device according to the invention. Other user interface elements comprise simple value fields, horizontal sliders, etc.

[0045] The graphical display user interface element can be located around the immediate proximity of the mouse cursor to minimize disruptions of the work flow.

[0046] Fig. 2 illustrates, how information relating to the rotation of the turn wheel is expressed, in one embodiment of the invention, as a measured angular displacement φ caused by a continuous rotation from an initial position pi to an end position p2.

[0047] An initial position of the turn wheel is designated by pi . In the invention, a position of the turn wheel is taken as initial if the wheel is either stationary or the direction of the rotation is reversed. In the initial position, the angular displacement φ is 0 (zero).

[0048] If the user continuously rotates the turn wheel in clockwise direction about the-eentre-G5-until-the-turn wheel reaches target position p2, angular displacement becomes φ, which is the length of the continuous arc between pi and p2, drawn by a dashed line, divided by the radius r (assumed to be 1 in the present embodiment). [0049] Angular displacement φ is measured in rad (radians). By convention, the direction of the rotation is indicated by the sign: a positive value for φ indicates clockwise rotation while a negative value for φ indicates counter-clockwise rotation. [0050] An interruption or reversal of the continuous rotation of the turn wheel leads to a new initial position and to a value of φ equalling 0 (zero).

[0051] Fig. 3 shows a method according to one embodiment of the present invention, for translating the motion of the turn wheel into a linear increase of a numerical value.

[0052] For reasons of simplicity, the case of a counter-clockwise rotation with negative angular displacement is not considered here, which may be realized analogously. '

[0053] In step 310, a numerical value N is set to an initial value cl.

[0054] In step 320, it is tested whether the turn wheel is continuously rotated by testing whether the finger is on the turn wheel.

[0055] If the finger is on the turn wheel in step 320, the numerical value N is increased by a second numerical constant c2. By iterating through the depicted loop until the continuous movement of the turn wheel in one direction ends, N becomes cl + α*c2, where oc is the number of rounds through the loop.

[0056] A result of applying the method according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 5a, for varying angular displacements φ. In this concrete example, cl is 0 (zero).

[0057] Fig. 4 shows a method according to one embodiment of the present invention, for translating the motion of the turn wheel as measured by angular displacement φ into a nonlinear increase of a numerical value. Again, for reasons of simplicity, the case of a counter-clockwise rotation with negative angular displacement is not considered here, which may be realized analogously.

[0058] In step 4TO, an acceleration constant Z is set to a constant c3 and the angular displacement φ is set to 0 (zero).

[0059] In step 420, it is tested whether the user still has the finger on the turn wheel, that is whether the turn wheel is continuously rotated. If the finger is not on the turn wheel, operation continues with step 410.

[0060] If the finger is on the turn wheel in step 420, then it is tested in step 430 whether the angular displacement from the initial position φ is greater or equal to the angular displacement φ*. If the angular displacement φ* has not been reached, then the numerical value is increased using Z in step 460 and the procedure continues with step 420. If the angular displacement φ* has been reached, then Z is incremented in step 440. Then, the initial position is reset in step 450 and the operation continues with step 460.

[0061] The value of the acceleration constant Z can be based on either a fixed value or based on the amount of time in which a certain angular displacement φ is achieved. Shorter time would result in a higher acceleration constant.

[0062] Once motion on the circular device is stopped or moved in the reverse direction, the acceleration constant is not applied and reset.

[0063] The effect of applying the method as described in connection with Fig. 4 is shown in Fig. 5b.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS

1. An input device for inputting numerical values into a computer, comprising: a support; a turn wheel, rotatably mounted on the support; means for converting the position and/or rotation of the turn wheel into an information signal; and means for sending the signal to a receiving device.

2. An input device according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting whether the turn wheel is pressed down by a user.

3. An input device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the input device is integrated with a computer mouse.

4. A method for inputting numerical values into a computer using an input device having a turn wheel, comprising: setting a numerical value N to an initial value cl; testing whether the turn wheel is continuously rotated; if the turn wheel is continuously rotated, increasing the numerical value N by a second constant.

5. A method for inputting numerical values into a computer, comprising the following steps: setting an acceleration constant to an initial value; testing, whether the angular displacement φ of a continuous rotation of a turn wheel exceeds a given threshold value φ*; if φ does exceed φ*, increasing an acceleration constant Z and resetting the angular displacement value φ; increasing a numerical value N by Z.

6. A system comprising an input device according to claims 1 or 2 and further comprising a computer, characterized in that the computer executes a method according to claim 3.

7. A system according to claim 6, further comprising a display device and wherein a graphical display user interface is displayed on the display device.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the graphical display user interface consists of a possible range of values.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein a current value that is synchronized to the motion of the turn wheel, is displayed on the display device.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the display user interface is located in immediate proximity to a mouse cursor to minimize disruptions of the work flow.