Computer input device and controller therefor
First Claim
1. A method of operation of a computer pointing device, comprising the steps of:
- detecting locations of a pointer on a display at various times, where the location of the pointer is generally controlled by the computer pointing device;
evaluating the detected locations of the pointer to determine a path of travel, a rate of travel, and a rate of change of the rate of travel;
detecting display objects on the display along the path of travel; and
evaluating the path of travel, the rate of change in the rate of travel, and the detected display objects to determine whether the pointer is slowing down in approach of one of the display objects along the path of travel, and, if so, moving the pointer on the display to the one of the display objects.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer input device, such as a mouse, and a method of operating the same. Initially, the location of the cursor at various times on the screen is detected. From these various positions a path of travel and a rate of travel of the cursor are computed. Display objects, such as buttons, which exist along or near the path of travel are identified and designated as potential targets. The rate of change in the rate of travel is also computed. This information is used to decide if a user is slowing down in approach of a specific screen display object. If certain deceleration criteria are met, then that target which the user is approaching is designated as the intended target and the cursor is translated smoothly to that target. After the pointer has been moved to the intended display object, the pointer is maintained at that object and small mouse movements are ignored, thereby allowing the user to maintain the cursor on the desired target despite small, possibly inadvertent, mouse movements. If the movement or acceleration of the mouse exceed a predetermined threshold, then this hold is released.
88 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of operation of a computer pointing device, comprising the steps of:
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detecting locations of a pointer on a display at various times, where the location of the pointer is generally controlled by the computer pointing device; evaluating the detected locations of the pointer to determine a path of travel, a rate of travel, and a rate of change of the rate of travel; detecting display objects on the display along the path of travel; and evaluating the path of travel, the rate of change in the rate of travel, and the detected display objects to determine whether the pointer is slowing down in approach of one of the display objects along the path of travel, and, if so, moving the pointer on the display to the one of the display objects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer system having a graphical user interface and comprising:
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a central processing unit; a display for displaying screen objects and a pointer; a pointing device which operates in conjunction with said display for changing said pointer'"'"'s position on the display; and control means for monitoring the position and speed of said pointer and for moving said pointer to a selected display object in response to a detected decrease in speed of said pointer as said pointer approaches said selected display object. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification