Pointing device and method

• US 20060066570A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Trifilo, Timothy M.
• Application Number:
  US10/950,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20060066570A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A method and device for an enhanced pointing device is provided. The pointing device includes an encoder and a pressure sensor circuit. The encoder is operable to detect a directional user input. The pressure circuit includes a pressure sensor and a pressure detector having an off-state and an on-state. The encoder and the pressure circuit are in communication with a controller. The controller outputs a rate signal which varies in relation to an amount of pressure sensed by said pressure sensor and outputs a signal indicative of the on or off state of said pressure detector. Minimum and maximum speeds can be set for the rate. In addition, audio and/or tactile feedback can be provided.

Claims

1. A pointing device comprising:

an encoder operable to detect a directional user input;

a pressure circuit including a pressure sensor and a pressure detector having an off-state and an on-state;

a controller in communication with said encoder and said pressure circuit;

said controller outputting a rate signal varying in relation to an amount of pressure sensed by said pressure sensor, said controller further outputting a signal indicative of the on or off state of said pressure detector.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said controller is operable with a computing environment.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said pressure sensor includes an analog pressure sensor and pulse generator.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said controller is a control processor capable of handling data framing and sense and positional resolution.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said pointing device includes a computer mouse.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said pressure detector includes a mouse button.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein a light depression of said button triggers an off-state.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein an increased depression of said button provides an on-state.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said on-state creates a rapid repeat click of the mouse button.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein a frequency of said rapid repeat click function increases in a manner proportional to an amount of pressure applied to said button.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said controller is also in communication with an audio feedback component.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said controller is also in communication with a tactile feedback component.

13. The device of claim 2 wherein said controller is operable to set minimum and maximum rates of said rate signal in accordance with a computer program interfacing with said controller.

14. The device of claim 2 wherein an interface mechanism is provided for establishing communication between said controller and the computing environment.

15. The device of claim 5 wherein said encoder is a directional encoder for detecting position of said pointing device in x and y directions.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said pointing device is a portable computer mouse.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said mouse is installed on a keyboard connected to the portable computer.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein said pointing device is a joystick.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein said encoder is a directional encoder for detecting rotational position of said joystick.

20. A method for providing enhanced user input using a pointing device comprising:

detecting a directional user input by an encoder;

detecting an amount of pressure exerted on said pointing device by a pressure circuit including a pressure sensor and a pressure detector having an off-state and an on-state;

sending signals from said encoder and said pressure circuit to a controller;

said controller outputting a rate signal varying in relation to an amount of pressure sensed by said pressure sensor and a signal indicative of the on or off state of said pressure detector.