Mouse Device with Tactile Feedback Applied to Housing

• US 20020024501A1
• Filed: 03/04/1999
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: SHALIT, THOMER
• Granted Patent: US 7,024,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

The invention relates to a tracking device (10) and a method for a sensory feedback to the tracking device (10), when a cursor (28) hits or passes the borders of a graphical detail (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44). In an alternative embodiment for marking graphical details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44) it is achieved that the cursor (28) controlled by the tracking device (10) on a display is fixed within the borders of said details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44), when the cursor hits the borders, the tracking device (10) receiving a sensory feedback (46). In an embodiment is indicated how the cursor (28) is released from the fixation. The invention provides especially cognitive, tactile and motoric advantages to the user of socalled window interfaces with key rows (40, 42, 44) and icons (34).

Claims

1. A tracking device for marking graphical details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44) in connection with or comprised in a program as an interface for the access of program functions comprised in the details, characterized in that a cursor (28) controlled by means of the tracking device (10) on a display receives a sensory feedback from status signals for a cursor control in a host unit (12, 14, 30), when the cursor hits or passes said graphical details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44) in such a form that means (50) provided in the tracking device (10) generate a movement (46) of the tracking device (10), where a cursor (28) being fixed in a detail can freely move within the borders of the detail (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44).

2. A tracking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of the tracking device consists of that it vibrates, bounces, bumps or slants.

3. A cracking device according to claim 1 to 2, characterized in that the cursor can be fixed within the borders of optional details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44), when the cursor (28) hits the borders or passes them and when the cursor is released during a pressing-down of the casing (20) of the tracking device.

4. A tracking device according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that a graphical detail can consist of an icon (34), a key (40, 42, 44), a window (32) or an edge (36) delimiting the frame (30).

5. A tracking device according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that graphical details in form of key rows are rendering different sensory feedbacks depending on the key and its function.

6. A tracking device according to claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the cursor (28) being fixed in a three-dimensional object or derail is free to move within the volume of the object or the detail.

7. A tracking device according to claim 3 to 5, characterized in that the cursor (28) provides a shadow within the object or the detail if drawn out of these without first being released.

8. A tracking device according to claim 7, characterized in that the shadow allows the cursor to be moved more easily into the object or the detail.

9. A method for marking graphical details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44) in conection with or comprised in a program as an user interface for the access of program functions comprised in the details, characterized in that a cursor (28) controlled by means of the tracking device (10) on a display receives a sensory feedback from status signals for a cursor control in a host unit (12, 14, 30) when the cursor hits or passes said graphical details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44) in such a form that means (50) provided in the tracking device (10) generate a movement (46) of the tracking device (10), where a cursor (28) being fixed in a detail can freely move within the borders of the detail (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44).

10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the movement of the tracking device consists of that it vibrates, bounces, bumps or slants.

11. A method according to claim 9 to 10, characterized in that the cursor can be fixed within the borders of optional details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44), when the cursor (28) hits the borders or passes them and when the cursor is released during a pressing-down of the casing (20) of the tracking device.

12. A method according to claim 9 to 11, characterized in that a graphical detail can consist of an icon (34), a key (40, 42, 44), a window (32) or an edge (36) delimiting the frame (30).

13. A method according to claim 9 to 12, characterized in that graphical details in form of key rows are rendering different sensory feedbacks depending on the key and its function.

14. A method according to claim 9 to 13, characterized in that the cursor (28) being fixed in a three-dimensional object or detail is free to move within the volume of the object or the detail.

15. A method according to claim 9 to 14, characterized in that the cursor (28) provides a shadow within the object or the detail if drawn out of these without first being released.

16. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the shadow allows the cursor to be moved more easily into the object or the detail.