3D POINTING DEVICES
A remote control device, e.g., a 3D pointing device, has a ring-shaped or arcuate-shaped housing and at least one sensor mounted within the housing for sensing movement of said remote control device. The housing is adapted to promote a user's arm, hand and wrist to be substantially in a neutral position when the user is holding the remote control device.
1 . A remote control device comprising:
a ring-shaped housing; and
at least one sensor mounted within said ring-shaped housing for sensing movement of said remote control device.
2 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein said ring-shaped housing is adapted to promote a user's arm, hand and wrist to be substantially in a neutral position when the user is holding the remote control device.
3 . The remote control device of claim 1 further comprising:
a grip attached to an inner side of a portion of said ring-shaped housing.
4 . The remote control device of claim 3 , wherein said grip in conjunction with said portion of said ring-shaped housing together comprise a grip region, said grip region having at least one predetermined circumference and at least one predetermined diameter.
5 . The remote control device of claim 4 , wherein said at least one predetermined circumference equivalent to a diameter having a maximum value ranging between 28 mm and 59 mm.
6 . The remote control device of claim 4 , wherein said at least one predetermined diameter or alternate shape having a radii or blended surface of a minimum value of 12 mm.
7 . The remote control device of claim 4 , wherein said at least one predetermined circumference varies along at least a portion of said grip region.
8 . The remote control device of claim 7 , wherein said at least one predetermined circumference varies from a minimum circumference in the range of 87-100 mm to a maximum circumference in the range of 115-150 mm.
9 . The remote control device of claim 8 , wherein said minimum circumference is 90 mm and said maximum circumference is 130 mm.
10 . The remote control device of claim 4 , wherein said grip region has a cross-sectional area which is one of circular, elliptical or substantially elliptical in shape.
11 . The remote control device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a control area positioned on an outer portion of said ring-shaped housing, said control area including at least one user-actuable control element.
12 . The remote control device of claim 11 , wherein said at least one user-actuable control element includes two buttons and a scroll wheel.
13 . The remote control device of claim 11 , wherein said outer portion of said ring-shaped housing is located proximate to a grip portion of said remote control device.
14 . The remote control device of claim 13 , wherein said location of said outer portion of said ring-shaped housing relative to said grip portion of said remote control device enables a user's digits to naturally rest proximate said at least one user-actuable control element when said user holds said remote control device via said grip portion.
15 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein elements of said remote control device are distributed around said ring-shaped housing such that a center of gravity of said remote control device is proximate a grip region of said remote control device.
16 . The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the remote control device is a 3D pointing device.
17 . A remote control device comprising:
an arcuate-shaped housing; and
at least one sensor mounted within said arcuate-shaped housing for sensing movement of said remote control device.
18 . The remote control device of claim 17 , wherein said arcuate-shaped housing is adapted to promote a user's arm, hand and wrist to be substantially in a neutral position when the user is holding the remote control device.
19 . The remote control device of claim 17 further comprising:
a grip attached to an inner side of a portion of said arcuate-shaped housing.
20 . The remote control device of claim 19 , wherein said grip in conjunction with said portion of said arcuate-shaped housing together comprise a grip region, said grip region having at least one predetermined circumference and at least one predetermined diameter.
21 . The remote control device of claim 20 , wherein said at least one predetermined circumference equivalent to a diameter having a maximum value ranging between 28 mm and 59 mm.
22 . The remote control device of claim 20 , wherein said at least one predetermined diameter or alternate shape having a radii or blended surface of a minimum value of 12 mm.
23 . The remote control device of claim 20 , wherein said at least one predetermined circumference varies along at least a portion of said grip region.
24 . The remote control device of claim 23 , wherein said at least one predetermined circumference varies from a minimum circumference in the range of 87-100 mm to a maximum circumference in the range of 115-150 mm
25 . The remote control device of claim 24 , wherein said minimum circumference is 90 mm and said maximum circumference is 130 mm.
26 . The remote control device of claim 20 , wherein said grip region has a cross-sectional area which is one of circular, elliptical or substantially elliptical in shape.
27 . The remote control device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a control area positioned on an outer portion of said arcuate-shaped housing, said control area including at least one user-actuable control element.
28 . The remote control device of claim 27 , wherein said at least one user-actuable control element includes two buttons and a scroll wheel.
29 . The remote control device of claim 27 , wherein said outer portion of said arcuate-shaped housing is located proximate to relative to a grip portion of said remote control device.
30 . The remote control device of claim 29 , wherein said location of said outer portion of said arcuate-shaped housing relative to said grip portion of said remote control device enables a user's digits to naturally rest proximate said at least one user-actuable control element when said user holds said remote control device via said grip portion.
31 . The remote control device of claim 17 , wherein elements of said remote control device are distributed around said arcuate-shaped housing such that a center of gravity of said remote control device is proximate a grip region of said remote control device.
32 . The remote control device of claim 17 , wherein the remote control device is a 3D pointing device.