Computer input device with inclination sensors

• US 6,249,274 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1998
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Gordon, Gary L., Svancarek, Mark K., Bonde, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kevin M.
• Application Number:
  US09/108,002
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158
• US Class Current: 345/158
• 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

Abstract

A computer input device includes a user manipulable portion having a first primary axis of motion. An inclination sensor has a first sensing axis. The inclination sensor is coupled to the user manipulable portion such that the first sensing axis is disposed at a first offset angle relative to the first primary access of motion. An output component is coupled to the inclination sensor and provides output information indicative of sensed inclination.

Claims

1. A computer input device, comprising:

a user manipulable portion having a first primary axis of rotation about which the user manipulable portion is adapted to rotate;

an inclination sensor adapted to sense an inclination of the user manipulable portion about a first sensing axis, the inclination sensor being coupled to the user manipulable portion such that the first sensing axis is disposed at a first offset angle relative to the first primary axis of rotation; and

an output component coupled to the inclination sensor providing output information indicative of sensed inclination.

2. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein the user manipulable portion includes a second primary axis of rotation about which the user manipulable portion is adapted to rotate and wherein the inclination sensor is adapted to sense an inclination of the user manipulable portion about a second sensing axis, the inclination sensor being coupled to the user manipulable portion such that the second sensing axis is disposed at a second offset angle relative to the second primary axis of rotation.

3. The computer input device of claim 2 wherein the first and second offset angles are each approximately 45 degrees.

4. The computer input device of claim 2 wherein the first and second primary axes of rotation comprises pitch and roll axes, respectively.

5. The computer input device of claim 1 wherein the inclination sensor provides a sensor signal indicative of the sensed inclination, and further comprising:

a transformation component coupled to the inclination sensor and configured to reduce non-linearities in the sensor signal.

6. The computer input device of claim 5 wherein the transformation component implements an arcsine transformation.

7. The computer input device of claim 5 wherein the transformation component includes a computer readable storage device including a look-up table.

8. The computer input device of claim 5 wherein the transformation component includes a logic unit configured to calculate transformed values based on the sensor signal as the sensor signal is provided by the inclination sensor.

9. The computer input device of claim 2 wherein the user manipulable portion includes a third primary axis of rotation about which the user manipulable portion is adapted to rotate and wherein the inclination sensor is adapted to sense an inclination of the user manipulable portion about a third sensing axis, the inclination sensor being coupled to the user manipulable portion such that the third sensing axis is disposed at a third offset angle relative to the third primary axis of rotation.

10. A method of controlling a computer, comprising:

providing a user input device having a first primary axis of rotation about which the user input device is adapted to rotate;

sensing inclination of the user input device with an inclination sensor adapted to sense an inclination of the user input device about a first sensing axis and being coupled to the user input device such that the first sensing axis is disposed at a first offset angle relative to the first primary axis of rotation; and

transmitting to the computer a signal indicative of the sensed inclination.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein sensing includes providing a sensor signal indicative of the sensed inclination and further comprising:

transforming the sensor signal from a first form to a second form prior to transmitting.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein transforming comprises:

performing an arcsine transformation on the sensor signal.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein transforming comprises:

performing an arctangent transformation on the sensor signal.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein transforming comprises:

accessing a look-up table based on the sensor signal.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the user input device includes a second primary axis of rotation about which the user input device is adapted to rotate and wherein sensing includes sensing inclination of the user input device with the inclination sensor wherein the inclination sensor adapted to sense an inclination of the user input device about a second sensing axis, the inclination sensor being coupled to the user input device such that the second sensing axis is disposed at a second offset angle relative to the second primary axis of rotation.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first and second offset angles are each approximately 45 degrees.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the first and second primary axes of rotation comprise pitch and roll axes, respectively, and wherein sensing inclination comprises:

sensing inclination of the user input device about the pitch and roll axes.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the user input device includes a third primary axis of rotation about which the user input device is adapted to rotate and wherein sensing includes sensing inclination of the user input device with the inclination sensor wherein the inclination sensor adapted to sense an inclination of the user input device about a third sensing axis, the inclination sensor being coupled to the user input device such that the third sensing axis is disposed at a third offset angle relative to the third primary axis of rotation.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the third primary axis of rotation comprises a yaw axis and wherein sensing inclination comprises:

sensing inclination of the user input device about the yaw axis.