Method and apparatus for computer input using six degrees of freedom

• US 20050057530A1
• Filed: 11/04/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Sinclair, Michael J., Szeliski, Richard S., Hinckley, Kenneth P., Conway, Matthew J., Hanson, Erik J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,245,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• 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 3/0395 Mouse pads

Abstract

A pad for a computer input device includes a top surface over which the input device is slid and a bottom surface, opposite the top surface, for contacting a support surface. The bottom surface having a raised pivot portion allowing movement of the pad about the pivot portion.

Claims

1. A pad for a computer input device, the pad comprising:

a top surface over which the input device is slid;

a bottom surface, opposite the top surface, for contacting a support surface, the bottom surface having a raised pivot portion allowing movement of the pad about the pivot portion.

2. The pad of claim 1 further comprising a touch sensor in communication with a host computer and capable of indicating to the host computer that a user is touching the pad.

3. The pad of claim 2 wherein the touch sensor is located along an edge of the pad.

4. The pad of claim 2 wherein the touch sensor is located in a corner of the pad.

5. The pad of claim 2 wherein the touch sensor is located in a depression in the pad.

6. The pad of claim 1 wherein an image on a display is moved based on movement of the pad about the pivot portion.

7. The pad of claim 6 further comprising a touch sensor in communication with a host computer and capable of indicating if the pad is being touched.

8. A method of modifying an image displayed on a computer system, the method comprising:

receiving a signal indicating movement of an input device relative to a pad;

determining whether a user is touching the pad;

setting a rate of movement for an object in the displayed image based on whether or not the user is touching the pad; and

moving the object in the displayed image based on the rate of movement.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein setting a rate of movement for an object comprises setting a faster rate of movement if the user is not touching the pad than if the user is touching the pad.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the movement of the input device relative to the pad is caused by the user rotating the pad relative to a surface below the pad.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the pad comprises a bottom surface having a pivot portion such that the pad may rotate about the pivot portion.