Squeezable control device for computer display system

• US 5,122,785 A
• Filed: 10/22/1990
• Issued: 06/16/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Wang Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Cooper, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HJERPE, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US07/601,033
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 340/709, 340/710, 340/721, 340/723, 340/724, 340/726, 200/6 R, 200/6 A, 273/148 B, 250/221, 74/471
• US Class Current: 345/163
• 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 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/973 Scroll tool, e.g. window scroll bar

Abstract

A squeezable cursor control device provides movement of moveable entities displayed on a computerized display. In one application the squeezable cursor control device provides scrolling of window contents as a function of cursor position relative to the window. The cursor positioned within the window provides short range scrolling upon squeezing of two opposed portions of the control device. The cursor positioned outside the window provides medium and long range scrolling upon squeezing of the control device. Graphical indicators such as directional indications and elevator bars aid selection and specification of medium and long range scrolling. A graphical indicator of a user generated path provides direction and amount of scrolling in short range scrolling.

Claims

1. Display control apparatus comprising:

display generation means for generating and displaying a moveable entity and a cursor in a screen view, the display generation means being responsive to a first signal to position the cursor in the screen view and to a second signal together with the first signal to move the moveable entity from one screen position to another in the screen view; and

a squeezable cursor control device having two opposed outward facing portions for receiving a squeezing force exerted by a user, the squeezable cursor control device coupled to the display generation means for generating the first signal under user control and for generating the second signal in response to at least the beginning and end of exertion by the user of a squeezing force of at least a predetermined magnitude, at the two opposed outward facing portions of the cursor control device, the display generation means responding to the first signal, the second signal marking the beginning of exertion of the squeezing force after the cursor is positioned at a predetermined screen position relative to screen position of the moveable entity, and the second signal marking the end of exertion of the squeezing force by causing the moveable entity to move to a screen position corresponding to the screen position of the cursor at a time when the second signal marking the end of exertion of the squeezing force is generated.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the squeezable cursor control device comprises a pressure sensitive switch positioned adjacent the two opposed outward facing portions, such that the switch is responsive to a squeezing force applied by the user at the two opposed outward facing portions to generate the second signal, the switch generating the second signal when a squeezing force of at least the predetermined magnitude is exerted by the user and again generating the second signal when the user ceases exerting the squeezing force.

3. Apparatus for moving entities in a screen view on a display controlled by computer means, comprising:

display generation means coupled to the computer means for generating and displaying a cursor and moveable entities in a screen view on the display; and

a cursor control device coupled to the computer means for generating cursor movement signals to selectively position the cursor in the screen view and for generating a control signal after the cursor is positioned at screen position of a moveable entity to move the moveable entity as a function of subsequent user placement of the cursor, the cursor control device having;

two opposed outward facing portions; and

a pressure sensitive switch positioned adjacent the two opposed outward facing portions such that squeezing of the two opposed portions operates the switch, the switch generating the control signal in response to a squeezing force applied at the two opposed portions by a user when the cursor is positioned at the screen position of the moveable entity and thereafter maintained by the user,

the display generation means responding to the generated control signal by displaying repositioning of the moveable entity as a function of subsequent user placement of the cursor using the cursor control device.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cursor control device further includes:

a motion transducer engageable with a surface for generating the cursor movement signals to the computer means indicative of movement of the device over the surface to selectively position the cursor in the screen view on the display.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

the displayed moveable entities include units of designated text in a screen view of text; and

the display generation means is responsive to control signals generated with the cursor positioned on a unit of designated text and subsequent user placement of the cursor at a desired position in the screen view of text, by displaying the screen view of text reformatted with the unit of designated text at the desired position in the screen view of text.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

the displayed moveable entities include icons, windows and menus; and

the display generation means is responsive to control signals generated with the cursor positioned at screen position of a moveable entity and with subsequent user movement of the cursor, by displaying movement of the moveable entity in correspondence with the user movement of the cursor.

7. A method of moving entities on a display controlled by computer means, the steps comprising:

exhibiting a cursor and at least one moveable entity in a screen view on a display controlled by computer means;

in the screen view, positioning the cursor on an initial screen position of a desired moveable entity;

while the cursor is positioned on the initial screen position of the desired moveable entity, applying a squeezing force above a predetermined magnitude to two opposed outward facing portions of a cursor control device coupled to the computer means;

while maintaining the squeezing force, moving the cursor through a multiplicity of screen positions, in a manner indicative of desired movement of the desired moveable entity; and

displaying in the screen view on the display the desired moveable entity being moved from the initial screen position through the multiplicity of screen positions of the moving cursor, such that the moveable entity is displayed moving in the screen view in a manner corresponding to movement of the cursor.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the steps of positioning and moving the cursor include moving the cursor control device across a surface to generate motion signals to the computer means to selectively position the cursor in the display.

9. A method of repositioning entities on a display controlled by computer means, the steps comprising:

exhibiting a screen view having a cursor and at least one moveable entity on a display controlled by computer means;

positioning the cursor on screen view position of a desired moveable entity;

while the cursor is positioned on the screen view position of the desired moveable entity, applying a squeezing force above a predetermined magnitude to two opposed outward facing portions of a cursor control device coupled to the computer means, and thereafter maintaining the squeezing force;

repositioning the cursor to a user selected position in the screen view; and

displaying the screen view rearranged with the desired moveable entity positioned at the user selected position in the screen view.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

the screen view is a screen view of text;

the desired moveable entity is a user designated block of text; and

the step of repositioning the cursor includes moving the cursor across the screen view to the user selected position therein by moving the cursor control device while maintaining the squeezing force, and releasing the squeezing force once the cursor is positioned at the user selected position.

11. A display system controlled by computer means and displaying a view with various active areas, one active area having scrollable contents, the display system comprising:

a first display means coupled to the computer means for generating and displaying said active area with scrollable contents in a first position;

a cursor control device coupled to the computer means, the cursor control device having movement means for selectively positioning a cursor in the view relative to the active area and having two opposed outward facing portions, a squeezing force applied at said two opposed outward facing portions, with the cursor positioned relative to the active area, initiating scrolling of the scrollable contents from the first position to a second position, said two opposed outward facing portions while having the squeezing force applied thereto enabling the movement means to control position of the cursor to indicate the second position of the scrollable contents; and

a second display means coupled to the computer means for generating and displaying said active area with the scrollable contents changing from the first position to the second position, such that the scrollable contents are scrolled as a function of cursor repositioning subsequent to application of the squeezing force at the two opposed outward facing portions that initiated scrolling and while the squeezing force is maintained.

12. A display system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the cursor control device comprises:

a mouse coupled to the computer means having

(i) a motion transducer engageable with a surface for generating a motion signal to the computer means indicative of movement of the mouse over the surface, to selectively position the cursor in the view relative to the active area; and

(ii) the two opposed outward facing portions positioned to operate a pressure operated switch communicating to the computer means, the switch being switched to a first state by a squeezing force below a predetermined amount applied to the two opposed portions to effect movement of the mouse relative to the surface, and the switch being switched to a second state by a squeezing force above the predetermined amount applied to the two opposed portions to effect scrolling of the scrollable contents from the first position to the second position.

13. A display system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the mouse comprises a cover having flexible vertical walls on which the two opposed portions are positioned, the pressure operated switch being operated by flexing and unflexing of the wall.

14. A display system as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

the movement means enables the cursor to be positioned in the active area at an origin at the time the squeezing force is applied at the two opposed portions, and thereafter while application of the squeezing force at the opposed portions is maintained, the movement means enables repositioning of the cursor to a new position in a manner which determines a length and direction of a path from the origin to the new position in a manner which determines a length and direction of a path from the origin to the new position to indicate the second position; and

the second display means displays the scrollable contents being scrolled in a manner proportionate to the length and direction of the path.

15. A display system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the second display means displays the scrollable contents being scrolled upon release of the two opposed portions.

16. A display system as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

the movement means enables the cursor to be positioned in the active area at the time the squeezing force is applied to the two opposed portions, and thereafter while application of the squeezing force at the opposed portions is maintained, the movement means enables the cursor to be positioned in a non-central portion of the active area in a substantially stationary manner for a predetermined length of time, the non-central portion being associated with a succession of positions of the scrollable contents; and

the second display means, after the predetermined length of time, generating and displaying the active area with the scrollable contents continuously changing from the first position through the succession of positions until the two opposed portions are released.

17. A display system as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

the movement means enables the cursor to be positioned outside the active area at the time the squeezing force is applied to the two opposed portions; and

further comprising a third display means, the third display means in response to application of the squeezing force with the cursor positioned outside the active area providing an elevator bar newly displayed in the view wherein, while the squeezing force at the opposed portions is maintained, the movement means enables repositioning of the cursor to select from the newly displayed elevator bar the second position of the scrollable contents.

18. A display system as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

the movement means enables the cursor to be positioned outside the active area at the time the squeezing force is applied to the two opposed portions; and

a third display means in response to the squeezing force at the two opposed portions generates a display of a directional indicator providing indications of a plurality of directions in which the scrollable contents may be scrolled a unit at a time, such that while the squeezing force at the opposed portions is maintained, the movement means enables positioning of the cursor over the indication of one direction, and in response to a subsequent releasing of the two opposed portions, the second display means displays the active area with the scrollable contents being scrolled one unit in the one direction from the first position.

19. A display system as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

the movement means enables the cursor to be positioned outside the active area at the time the squeezing force is applied to the two opposed portions; and

a third display means in response to the squeezing force displays a directional indicator providing an indication for each of plural directions in which the scrollable contents may be scrolled a unit at a time, such that while the squeezing force is maintained, the movement means enables the cursor to be positioned over the indication of one direction for a predetermined length of time, the second display means subsequently displaying the scrollable contents being continuously scrolled from the first position one unit at a time in the one direction until the opposed portions are released.

20. A display system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the active area is a window.

21. A display system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the active area is divided into uniform sections, each section providing scrolling in a different direction when the cursor is positioned in that section for a predetermined length of time while the squeezing force is applied to the two opposed portions.

22. A display system controlled by computer means and displaying a window with scrollable contents in a screen view, the display system comprising:

a display means coupled to the computer means for generating and displaying the window with scrollable contents in a first position in a screen view;

a cursor control device coupled to the computer means, the device having positioning means for selectively positioning a cursor relative to the window in the screen view and (b) two opposed outward facing portions which in response to a squeezing force that moves the two portions toward each other activate scrolling of the scrollable contents as a function of screen position of the cursor at time of application of the squeezing force; and

a scrolling means coupled to the computer means, in response to application of the squeezing force at the two portions with the cursor positioned relative to the window at a user desired screen position in the screen view, the scrolling means determining screen position of the cursor and scrolling the scrollable contents as a function of determined cursor position.

23. A display system as claimed in claim 22 wherein:

the scrolling means further, in response to the squeezing force being maintained and the cursor being maintained in one position for a predetermined length of time, provides continuous scrolling of the scrollable contents until the two portions are released.

24. In a display system controlled by computer means for displaying a view with various windows including a window with scrollable contents, a method for scrolling contents of a displayed window comprising the steps of:

generating and displaying said view with a window having scrollable contents in a first position;

positioning a cursor in the view relative to the window by movement of a cursor control device, the cursor control device being coupled to the computer means;

squeezing two opposed outward facing portions of the cursor control device toward each other to effect scrolling of the scrollable contents as a function of position of the cursor during at least one of time of the squeezing and a time subsequent to the squeezing to effect scrolling; and

generating and displaying the view with the scrollable contents being changed from the first position to a second position in accordance with the function of position of the cursor during at least one of the time of squeezing and the time subsequent to the squeezing to effect scrolling.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the step of squeezing includes operating a pressure operated switch coupled between the two opposed portions and the computer means, the switch being switched to a first state by a squeezing force below a predetermined amount applied to the two opposed portions to effect movement of the cursor control device relative to a surface, and the switch being switched to a second state by a squeezing force above the predetermined amount applied to the two opposed portions to effect scrolling of the scrollable contents of the window.

26. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein:

the cursor control device comprises a mouse having a periphery cover with vertical walls on which the opposed portions are disposed; and

steps of squeezing and releasing include respectively flexing and unflexing the vertical walls of the periphery cover.

27. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein:

the step of positioning the cursor in the view includes positioning the cursor within the window, said squeezing of the two opposed portions toward each other establishing an origin in the window at the position of the cursor;

further comprising the step of repositioning the cursor to a new position within the window while squeezing the two opposed portions toward each other, the repositioning determining the length and direction of a path from the origin to the new position; and

releasing the opposed portions such that the view is generated and displayed with the scrollable contents moving from the first position in a manner proportionate to the length and direction of the path.

28. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein:

the step of positioning the cursor includes positioning the cursor within the window;

the step of squeezing the two opposed portions toward each other includes maintaining the cursor relatively stationary in a non-central area of the window for a predetermined length of time while squeezing the opposed portions toward each other, the non-central area corresponding to a succession of positions of the scrollable contents; and

the step of generating and displaying the view includes displaying the view with the scrollable contents continuously changing from the first position through the succession of positions until the opposed portions are released.

29. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein:

the step of positioning the cursor includes positioning the cursor outside the window;

further comprising the steps of displaying an elevator bar in response to the squeezing of the opposed portions toward each other with the cursor positioned outside the window, the elevator bar being newly displayed; and

while maintaining said squeezing, repositioning the cursor to select from the newly displayed elevator bar the second position of the scrollable contents.

30. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein:

the step of positioning the cursor includes positioning the cursor outside the window;

further comprising the steps of displaying a directional indicator in response to the squeezing of the opposed portions toward each other, the directional indicator providing an indication for each of plural directions in which the scrollable contents may be scrolled a unit at a time; and

repositioning and maintaining the cursor over the indication of one direction for a predetermined length of time, in response to said repositioning and maintaining, the step of generating and displaying the view displaying the scrollable contents being continuously scrolled from the first position one unit at a time in the one direction until the opposed portions are released.

31. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein:

the step of positioning the cursor includes positioning the cursor outside the window;

further comprising the steps of displaying a directional indicator in response to the squeezing of the opposed portions toward each other, the directional indicator providing an indication for each of plural directions in which the scrollable contents may be scrolled a unit at a time; and

repositioning the cursor over the indication of one direction; and

releasing the opposed portions, in response to said releasing, the step of generating and displaying the view displaying the scrollable contents being scrolled one unit in the one direction from the first position.