Computer input device using an orientation sensor
First Claim
1. A computer display system for displaying a cursor and providing controlled movement of the cursor, comprising:
- a display screen;
a computer programmed to control the position of a cursor on the display screen in response to cursor control signals;
a computer input device coupled to said computer, the computer input device generating signals representative of the magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the device for a continuous range of angles with respect to a vertical axis passing therethrough for a continuous range of directions;
said input device includinga housing having a circular cross section and center point,a first light source and a first photodetector mounted opposingly in the plane of the circular cross section of the housing on a first axis extending through the center point of the circular cross section;
a second light source and a second photodetector mounted opposingly in the plane of the circular cross section of the housing on a second axis extending through the center point of the circular cross section, the second axis being displaced from the first axis;
a liquid medium and a gaseous medium, contained within the housing and having a boundary surface therebetween which intersects the center point of the circular cross section; and
differential amplifier means, coupled to said photodetectors;
whereby the output of the differential amplifier is representative of the magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the circular housing within the plane of the circular cross section; and
interface means, coupled to said computer, for generating digital control signals adapted for controlling the position of a cursor in response to the signals representative of the magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the input device so that there is a correspondence between a cursor position on the display screen and said magnitude and direction of angular displacement of said computer input device;
wherein the cursor may be moved from any starting position on the display screen along a continuous path and stopped at a second position on the screen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for controlling a cursor on a data terminal display screen. The device is in the form of a headset and includes an orientation sensor which provides an electrical signal related to the orientation of the device without it being adjacent to any fixed surface. The orientation sensor includes a hollow spherical housing having at least one light source/detector pair mounted opposingly in the inner wall, along an axis extending through the center point of the housing. The housing is half-filled with a transparent liquid having a specified viscosity and index of refraction and half-filled with air. Light beams emitted from the sources are refracted upon passsing through the boundary between the air and the liquid. As the orientation sensor rotates with respect to the vertical axis, the changing refraction angle of the light beam causes the detector to sense changing intensities of light, which are representative of the angle of rotation. Multiple light source/detector pairs spaced within the spherical housing allow measurement of direction and magnitude of angular change. Integral with the input device is a speaker independent voice control circuit which recognizes short isolated command words ending in voiced or fricative sounds for controlling display functions.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computer display system for displaying a cursor and providing controlled movement of the cursor, comprising:
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a display screen; a computer programmed to control the position of a cursor on the display screen in response to cursor control signals; a computer input device coupled to said computer, the computer input device generating signals representative of the magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the device for a continuous range of angles with respect to a vertical axis passing therethrough for a continuous range of directions; said input device including a housing having a circular cross section and center point, a first light source and a first photodetector mounted opposingly in the plane of the circular cross section of the housing on a first axis extending through the center point of the circular cross section; a second light source and a second photodetector mounted opposingly in the plane of the circular cross section of the housing on a second axis extending through the center point of the circular cross section, the second axis being displaced from the first axis; a liquid medium and a gaseous medium, contained within the housing and having a boundary surface therebetween which intersects the center point of the circular cross section; and differential amplifier means, coupled to said photodetectors; whereby the output of the differential amplifier is representative of the magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the circular housing within the plane of the circular cross section; and interface means, coupled to said computer, for generating digital control signals adapted for controlling the position of a cursor in response to the signals representative of the magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the input device so that there is a correspondence between a cursor position on the display screen and said magnitude and direction of angular displacement of said computer input device; wherein the cursor may be moved from any starting position on the display screen along a continuous path and stopped at a second position on the screen. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A computer input device, comprising:
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a headset shaped housing; sensor means, coupled to the housing, for sensing the magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the housing for a continuous range of angles relative to a vertical axis for a continuous range of directions and generating first electrical signals representative thereof; voice control means, coupled to the headset-shaped housing, for detecting and discriminating at least two vocal sounds, and generating second electrical signals representative thereof; and interface means, coupled to the sensor means and the voice control means, for translating said first electrical signals into cursor position control signals and for translating said second electrical signals into computer command signals for transmission to a computer. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer input device for controlling the position of a cursor on a display screen, comprising:
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a housing; sensor means, within the housing, for sensing the magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the housing for a continuous range of angles with respect to a vertical axis passing therethrough for a continuous range of directions and for generating electrical signals representative thereof; interface means, coupled to the sensor means, for translating said electrical signals into digital cursor position control signals for transmission to a computer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification