3-D mouse on a pedestal
First Claim
1. An input device for a computer comprising:
- a first, stationary transducer;
a base for supporting said input device on a flat surface;
a platform for supporting a pointing device;
a coupling mechanism coupling said platform to said base to allow rotation of said platform about said base;
a rigid pointer, mounted on said platform to be rotatable in multiple directions relative to said base, said pointer including a plurality of second transducers, each one of said plurality of second transducers being fixed relative to said pointer and to said plurality of second transducers, such that said pointer, platform and plurality of second transducers are a single, rigid unit which rotates about said base;
means for transmitting signals between said first transducer and said plurality of second transducers; and
control means, coupled to said first and said one of said plurality of second transducers, for providing the computer an attitude of said pointer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pointer or mouse device which can provide an input for a viewpoint or cursor on a computer display without being physically moved across a surface or through space is disclosed. The pointer is mounted on a pedestal which is fixed. The pointer can rotate to change the direction in which it is pointing while on the pedestal. An extended movement button on the pointer provides a control signal to the computer to cause the viewpoint or cursor on the screen to move in the direction indicated by the direction the pointer is pointed at that time. Thus, the viewpoint or cursor can be moved without physically moving the pointer device. Instead, the pointer is simply rotated to the direction desired for movement and the extended movement button is pressed. A continue button may also be included to cause the viewpoint or cursor to continue rotating in the same way as when the button was pushed, without the user having to continue turning the pointer.
56 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An input device for a computer comprising:
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a first, stationary transducer; a base for supporting said input device on a flat surface; a platform for supporting a pointing device; a coupling mechanism coupling said platform to said base to allow rotation of said platform about said base; a rigid pointer, mounted on said platform to be rotatable in multiple directions relative to said base, said pointer including a plurality of second transducers, each one of said plurality of second transducers being fixed relative to said pointer and to said plurality of second transducers, such that said pointer, platform and plurality of second transducers are a single, rigid unit which rotates about said base; means for transmitting signals between said first transducer and said plurality of second transducers; and control means, coupled to said first and said one of said plurality of second transducers, for providing the computer an attitude of said pointer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An input device for a computer comprising:
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a first, stationary transducer; a base for supporting said input device on a flat surface; a platform for supporting a pointing device; a coupling mechanism coupling said platform to said base to allow rotation of said platform about said base; a rigid pointer, mounted on said platform to be rotatable in multiple directions relative to said base, said pointer including a plurality of second transducers, each one of said plurality of second transducers being fixed relative to said pointer and to said plurality of second transducers, such that said pointer, platform and plurality of second transducers are a single, rigid unit which rotates about said base, and at least one key for generating a user input signal; means for transmitting signals between said first and said plurality of second transducers; and control means, coupled to said first and said plurality of second transducers, for providing the computer an attitude of said pointer, said control means being responsive to said user input signal to generate a cursor signal indicating movement of a cursor or a viewpoint in a direction corresponding to said attitude of said pointer. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An input device for a computer comprising:
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a base for supporting said input device on a flat surface; a platform for supporting a pointing device; a coupling mechanism coupling said platform to said base to allow rotation of said platform about said base; a rigid pointer, mounted on said platform to be rotatable in multiple directions relative to said base, said pointer including a plurality of second transducers, each one of said plurality of second transducers being fixed relative to said pointer and to said plurality of second transducers, such that said pointer, platform and plurality of second transducers are a single, rigid unit which rotates about said base, at least one transducer of said plurality of transducers generating attitude signals indicating an attitude of said pointer including pitch, yaw and roll; and control means, coupled to said pointer, for providing the computer an attitude of said pointer in response to said attitude signals. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. An input device for a computer comprising:
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a first, stationary transducer; a base for supporting said input device on a flat surface; a platform for supporting a pointing device; a coupling mechanism coupling said platform to said base to allow rotation of said platform about said base; a rigid pointer, mounted on said platform to be rotatable in multiple directions relative to said base, said pointer including a plurality of second transducers, each one of said plurality of second transducers being fixed relative to said pointer and to said plurality of transducers, such that said pointer, platform and plurality of second transducers are a single, rigid unit which rotates about said base, for generating attitude signals indicating an attitude of said pointer including pitch, yaw and roll, said pointer including at least one key for generating a user input signal; control means, coupled to said pointer, for providing the computer an attitude of said pointer in response to said attitude signals, said control means being responsive to said user input signal to generate a cursor signal indicating movement of a cursor or a viewpoint in a direction corresponding to said attitude of said pointer.
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Specification