Pointing device housed in a writing device

• US 8,310,447 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LSI Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Peterson, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pardo, Thuy
• Application Number:
  US12/276,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20100127978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/163, 345/179, 345/158, 345/173, 345/164, 345/169, 463/31, 463/36, 463/42, 463/37, 600/595, 702/127, 715/786, 382/124
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A method for controlling a pointing icon in a computer, including the steps of (A) establishing a wireless connection between a pointing device and the computer, (B) generating directional information through one or more three dimensional movements of the pointing device, (C) transmitting the directional information from the pointing device to the computer and (D) translating the directional information into movements of the pointing icon on a screen of the computer using a device driver program stored on the computer.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a pointing icon in a computer, comprising the steps of:

(A) establishing a wireless connection between a pointing device and said computer;

(B) generating (i) directional information and (ii) computer task information in addition to said directional information, both in response to one or more three dimensional movements of said pointing device, wherein (i) said three dimensional movements are detected using one or more accelerometers located inside said pointing device and (ii) said directional information and said computer task information are both generated in response to the same one or more three dimensional movements;

(C) transmitting said directional information from said pointing device to said computer;

(D) translating said directional information into movements of said pointing icon on a screen of said computer using a device driver program stored on said computer; and

(E) translating said computer task information into a command to perform a specific task on said computer.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said computer task information is generated by one or more of the following sub-steps:

(A) tilting said pointing device so that a first end of said pointing device is lower than a second end of said pointing device;

(B) tilting said pointing device so that said first end of said pointing device is higher than said second end of said pointing device;

(C) rolling said pointing device in a motion away from a user; and

(D) rolling said pointing device in a motion towards said user.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said computer task information is further generated by:

rolling said pointing device away from said user while holding said first end stationary.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said computer task information is further generated by:

rolling said pointing device towards said user while holding said first end stationary.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said computer task information is further generated by:

pushing down on a button on said first end to mimic a left-mouse button, wherein said button does not initiate any directional information.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said computer task information is further generated by:

pushing down on a button on a writing portion of said pointing device to mimic a right-mouse button, wherein said pointing device is held away from any fixed objects.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein said computer task information is further generated by:

slashing said pointing device in a downward direction to scroll to an end of a document on said computer.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said computer task information is further generated by:

fluttering said pointing device to close a current window of said computer.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said device driver comprises a pre-configured device driver in a particular operating system of said computer.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said computer task information is compatible with said pre-configured device driver.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said device driver comprises a custom configured device driver configured to interpret said directional information.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said wireless connection comprises a Bluetooth connection.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said computer task information is configured to perform tasks within an operating system of said computer.

14. The method according to claim 13, where in said computer task information (i) is generated using only said accelerometers and (ii) avoids the need for a dedicated mouse click button.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a housing;

one or more accelerometers located inside said housing and configured to generate one or more movement signals;

a processor configured to generate (i) directional information and (ii) computer task information in addition to said directional information, both in response to said one or more movement signals, wherein (i) said movement signals are generated using one or more accelerometers located inside said housing and (ii) said directional information and said computer task information are both generated in response to the same one or more movement signals; and

an antenna configured to transmit said directional information to a computer through a wireless connection between said apparatus and said computer.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said housing is in the shape of a pen.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said computer comprises a device driver program.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said device driver comprises a pre-configured device driver in a particular operating system of said computer.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said directional information is compatible with said pre-configured device driver.

20. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said device driver comprises a custom configured device driver configured to interpret said directional information.