Computer input device with multiple switches using single line

• US 6,069,594 A
• Filed: 09/04/1996
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech, Inc. (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Barnes, James, Glickman, David, Mc Clure, Ron
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, FRANCIS N
• Application Number:
  US08/706,515
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/163, 345/7, 345/161, 74/471 XY, 381/122
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/186 Determination of attitude using inertial means G01C9/00; control of attitude G05D1/49
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/043 using propagating acoustic waves

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing positional and attitude information to a computer. An input device of the present invention comprises a controller, a transducer, and a mouse. In a 6D mode of operation, three-dimensional positional information with three degrees of freedom is provided to the computer. Multiple switches use an impedance ladder to provide multiple signals over a control line from a movable input device for a cursor or viewpoint on a display.

Claims

1. A hand-held pointer system for a computer having a display comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting signals from a stationary location;

a pointer including three receivers for receiving said transmitted signals;

a hand-held housing incorporating said pointer, said housing being movable in 3D space and rotatable about x, y and z axes;

a control circuit, operably coupled to the transmitter and the pointer for providing the computer a position of said pointer relative to said stationary location and an attitude corresponding to each of the x, y and z rotation of said housing, whereby a position indicator on said display is altered in accordance with said position and said attitude, both said position and said attitude being determined from the signals from said three receivers;

an output port of said pointer for coupling to an input port of a computer, said output port including a plurality of analog control lines;

a plurality of switches;

a plurality of impedances, each impedance coupled to one of said switches to form a combination of a switch and an impedance;

a plurality of the combinations of a switch and an impedance being coupled to one of said analog control lines;

at least a first user input button, mounted on said hand-held housing and coupled to at least one of said switches;

whereby an actuation of different ones of said switches provides different signal levels on said control line indicating which switches are actuated;

means in said computer for interpreting said different signal levels to modify the display of said cursor or viewpoint;

a second user input button;

means, operably coupled to the second user input button, for suspending the sending of position information in response to a signal from said second user input button;

means for resuming the sending of position information in response to a second signal from said second user input button, after movement of said pointer, whereby a position indicator on said display is frozen in accordance with said suspending, and resumes from the frozen position in response to said resuming, regardless of the actual position of said pointer at the time of resuming;

a third user input button;

a microphone mounted in said pointing device, operably coupled to the third user input button for receiving audible audio input in response to a signal from said third user input button;

wherein said microphone in the absence of said signal from said third user input button receives ultrasonic position information; and

means for suspending the sending of position information from said microphone to said computer in response to said signal from said third user input button.