Graphical user interface cursor positioning device having a negative inertia transfer function
First Claim
1. An apparatus, for use in a graphical user interface of a processing system, for directing the positioning and movement of a symbol displayed on a display screen of the processing system, the apparatus comprising:
- a transducer for translating an input activity of a user into an input parameter; and
a transfer function unit, coupled to receive the input parameter, for producing a symbol movement signal whose value, responsive to the input parameter, represents an amplification of changes of value of the input parameter, the amplification having the same sign as the changes of value of the input parameter, the amplification including non-linear scaling;
whereby the amplification of changes of value of the input parameter is reduced for low magnitude of the input parameter, representative of user activity to make small cursor movements; and
whereby movement of the symbol on the screen is controlled based on the symbol movement signal.
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Abstract
A user interface apparatus and method for a computing or processing system employing a graphical user interface is presented. In order to provide a good user feel, and specifically to avoid a feeling of inertia or sluggishness in cursor motion as the user starts or stops movement, the apparatus and method provide a negative inertia transfer function. That is, the cursor movement signal produced by applying the input parameter to a transfer function in accordance with the invention is related to a sum of (i) the input parameter, and (ii) a signal related to the rate of change of the input parameter. This is preferably implemented as an additive high-pass transfer function. Preferred embodiments can employ analog circuitry or a digitally programmed transfer function algorithm. The input parameter to which the transfer function is applied can be a magnitude signal, such as that from a polar coordinate system, or separate components, such as x- and y-components from a rectangular coordinate system, can be treated separately.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus, for use in a graphical user interface of a processing system, for directing the positioning and movement of a symbol displayed on a display screen of the processing system, the apparatus comprising:
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a transducer for translating an input activity of a user into an input parameter; and a transfer function unit, coupled to receive the input parameter, for producing a symbol movement signal whose value, responsive to the input parameter, represents an amplification of changes of value of the input parameter, the amplification having the same sign as the changes of value of the input parameter, the amplification including non-linear scaling; whereby the amplification of changes of value of the input parameter is reduced for low magnitude of the input parameter, representative of user activity to make small cursor movements; and whereby movement of the symbol on the screen is controlled based on the symbol movement signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification