System integrated 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional input device

• US 6,198,472 B1
• Filed: 09/16/1998
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Salahshoor, Mohamad R., Scanlon, John Lane, Lection, David Bruce, Molander, Mark Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chanh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spencer, William C.
• Application Number:
  US09/154,136
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 345/161, 345/163
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A system-integrated input device for manipulating objects on the display of a computer screen. The device is integrated as a pointer stick, which may be located on an existing keyboard, on an existing mouse device, or elsewhere. Both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional user input are supported. In a first embodiment, the device is easily convertible between 2D and 3D input mode. Preferably, this conversion occurs by pressing down on the pointer stick, which is implemented as a spring-loaded device. The device supports input in the X and Y direction while in 2D mode, and adds the Z direction while in 3D mode. Movement in the Z direction is indicated by rotating the pointer stick to the left or right. In a second embodiment, movement in the Z direction is indicated by pushing and pulling on a sliding, or telescoping, pointer stick.

Claims

1. An improved controller device for manipulating objects on a display screen of a computing device, comprising:

an input mechanism which is integrated into a keyboard of said computing device as a pointer stick device;

means for converting, by a user of said computing device, said input mechanism between a 2-dimensional input mode and a 3-dimensional input mode by pressing down on said pointer stick device to alternately release said pointer stick device from an initial 2-dimensional input mode position into a position signifying said 3-dimensional input mode or lock said pointer stick device in said initial 2-dimensional input mode position signifying said 2-dimensional input mode, and wherein input signals in a third dimension are allowed only when said pointer stick device is in said 3-dimensional input mode;

means for moving said pointer stick device left and right and backward and forward, by said user, to provide input signals in a first dimension and a second dimension;

means for rotating said pointer stick device, by said user, to provide input signals in said third dimension when said pointer stick device is in said 3-dimensional input mode; and

means for providing said input signals to said computing device, wherein said input signals indicate said user'"'"'s request to move a pointer symbol on said display screen.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said user rotates said pointer stick device in a first direction to indicate a +Z axis signal, and in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction to indicate a −

Z axis signal.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said user rotates said pointer stick device in a first direction to dial through hues of increasing color intensity from a color palette and in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction to dial through hues of decreasing color intensity from said color palette.