POINTING DEVICE FOR NAVIGATING A 3 DIMENSIONAL GUI INTERFACE

• US 20020196231A1
• Filed: 05/10/1999
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: LU, QI, EICHSTAEDT, MATTHIAS, DOBIES, JOSHUA M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,822,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A pointing device for entering data into an information processing system for a 3-dimensional graphical user interface. The pointing device comprises: a switch mounted on a pointing device for producing a first signal during actuation by a vertical downward pressure on a first region of the switch; a circuit for coupling the first signal to a Z-axis on a display attached to the information processing system so as to control movement of information along the Z-axis presented on the display. In another embodiment, the switch produces a second signal by a vertical downward pressure on a second region of the switch; and a circuit for coupling the second signal to a Z-axis on the display so as to move information present on the display along the Z-axis in a direction opposite to that of the movement along the Z-axis in response to the first signal.

Claims

1. An information processing system input device for entering data comprising:

an actuator stick with a first end and a second end, with the first end adapted for mounting onto a pointing device; and

means for sensing downward tactile input on the actuator stick in a first direction and producing a first signal representative of the downward tactile input.

2. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signal produced is coupled to the control of a Z-axis on a display for the information processing system.

3. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pointing device is a two button mouse.

4. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first end of the actuator stick is adapted for mounting between the two buttons of a two button mouse.

5. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

means for sensing downward tactile input on the stick in a second direction and producing a signal representative of the downward tactile input.

6. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the signal produced is coupled to the control of a Z-axis on a display and the first signal controls the movement along the Z-axis in a first direction on the display and the second signal controls movement along the Z-axis in a second direction opposite the first direction.

7. An information processing system input device for entering data comprising:

a switch mounted on a pointing device for producing a first signal during actuation by a vertical downward pressure on a first region of the switch; and

means for coupling the first signal to a Z-axis on a display attached to the information processing system so as to control movement of information along the Z-axis presented on the display.

8. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the switch produces a second signal by a vertical downward pressure on a second region of the switch;

and further comprising;

means for coupling the second signal to a Z-axis on the display so as to move information present on the display along the Z-axis in a direction opposite to that of the movement along the Z-axis in response to the first signal.

9. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the switch is biased so as to return to a quiescent position which produces neither a first or second signal.

10. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the pointing device is a mouse.

11. The information processing system input device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the mouse comprises two buttons.

12. A information processing system input device as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

means for sensing the duration the switch is depressed in a first or second region so as change the rate of movement along the Z-axis in response thereto.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprises the steps of:

coupling the control of a Z-axis on a display for the information processing system.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of mounting the actuator stick comprises mounting the actuator on a mouse.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of mounting the actuator stick comprises mounting the actuator stick between the keys on a two button mouse.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of:

sensing downward tactile input on the stick in a second direction and producing a second signal representative thereof.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of coupling the first signal with the control of the Z-axis directs the movement along the Z-axis in a first direction and further comprises the sub-step of:

coupling the second signal with the control along the Z-axis in a second direction opposite the first direction.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

producing a second signal by a vertical downward pressure on a second region of the switch; and

coupling the second signal to a Z-axis on the display so as to move information present on the display along the Z-axis in a direction opposite to that of the movement along the Z-axis in response to the first signal.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of mounting a switch further includes of the sub-step of:

biasing the switch to return to a quiescent position which produces no first or no second signal.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of mounting switch comprises mounting the switch on a mouse.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of mounting switch comprises mounting the switch on a two button mouse.

24. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

sensing the duration the switch is depressed in a first or second region so as to change the rate of movement along the Z-axis in response thereto.

13. A method to enter data in an information processing system comprising the steps of:

mounting an actuator stick on a pointing device;

sensing downward tactile input on the actuator stick in a first direction; and

producing a first signal representative thereof.

19. A method to enter data in an information processing system comprising the steps of:

mounting a switch mounted on a pointing device;

producing a first signal during actuation by a vertical downward pressure on a first region of the switch;

coupling the first signal to a Z-axis on a display attached to the information processing system so as to control movement of information along the Z-axis presented on the display.