Cursor motion control of a pointing device

• US 20060132435A1
• Filed: 11/22/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Machida, Akihiro
• Granted Patent: US 8,026,897 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface

Abstract

A pointing device generates pixel counts at a predetermined frame rate indicative of motion in predetermined axes of a user'"'"'s digit across an imaging surface. A cursor motion controller receives the pixel counts and generates navigation output signals representing averages over predetermined time intervals selected to smooth the motion of a cursor on the display of an electronic apparatus. Optionally, the cursor motion controller can multiply a pixel count in each frame by a predetermined acceleration factor so that a cursor on the display of an electronic apparatus will move a greater distance based on an increased rate of motion of the user'"'"'s digit across the imaging surface. Optionally, the cursor motion controller can interrupt the generation of navigation output signals for a predetermined interrupt period after completion of a cursor stroke. The averaging, acceleration and interruption features can be used independently or in various combinations.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the motion of a cursor on a display, comprising:

a pointing device that generates pixel counts at a predetermined frame rate indicative of motion in predetermined axes of a user'"'"'s digit across an imaging surface; and

a cursor motion controller that receives the pixel counts and generates navigation output signals representing averages over predetermined time intervals selected to smooth the motion of a cursor on a display of an electronic apparatus.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the pointing device generates pixel counts indicative of motion in X and Y axes.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cursor motion controller multiplies a pixel count in each frame by a predetermined acceleration factor so that the cursor on the display will move a greater distance based on an increased rate of motion of the user'"'"'s digit across the imaging surface.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the cursor motion controller suspends generation of navigation output signals for a predetermined interrupt period after completion of a cursor stroke.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the cursor motion controller suspends the generation of navigation output signals upon receipt of an interrupt signal from the hand held electronic apparatus that is generated when the cursor is juxtaposed over a selection item on the display.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the selection item is selected from the group consisting of an icon, a hyperlink and a marking region.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the pointing device includes a rod lens.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the pointing device includes an LED.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the pointing device includes an array of photo detectors.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the cursor controller is implemented by an algorithm programmed into a memory device.

11. A method for controlling the motion of a cursor on a display, comprising the steps of:

generating pixel counts at a predetermined frame rate indicative of motion in predetermined axes of a user'"'"'s digit across an imaging surface; and

generating navigation output signals based on the pixel counts that represent averages over predetermined time intervals selected to smooth the motion of a cursor on a display of an electronic apparatus.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the pixel counts indicate motion in X and Y axes.

13. The method of claim 11 and further comprising the step of multiplying a pixel count in each frame by a predetermined acceleration factor so that the cursor on the display will move a greater distance based on an increased rate of motion of the user'"'"'s digit across the imaging surface.

14. The method of claim 11 and further comprising the step of temporarily suspending generation of navigation output signals for a predetermined interrupt period after completion of a cursor stroke.

15. The method of claim 11 and further comprising the step of temporarily suspending the generation of navigation output signals upon receipt of an interrupt signal from the hand held electronic apparatus that is generated when the cursor is juxtaposed over a selection item on the display.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the selection item is selected from the group consisting of an icon, a hyperlink and a marking region.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the generation of navigation output signals is temporarily suspended for one-half of a second.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the pixel counts are generated by a pointing device that includes a rod lens.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the navigation output signals are generated using an algorithm programmed into a memory device.

20. A system for controlling the motion of a cursor on a display, comprising:

a pointing device that generates pixel counts at a predetermined frame rate indicative of motion in X and Y axes of a user'"'"'s digit across an imaging surface; and

a cursor motion controller that receives the pixel counts and generates navigation output signals representing averages over predetermined time intervals selected to smooth the motion of a cursor on a display of a hand held electronic apparatus, multiplies a pixel count in each frame by a predetermined acceleration factor so that the cursor on the display will move a greater distance based on an increased rate of motion of the user'"'"'s digit across the imaging surface, and suspends the generation of navigation output signals upon receipt of an interrupt signal from the hand held electronic apparatus that is generated when the cursor is juxtaposed over a selection item on the display.

21. A system for controlling the motion of a cursor on a display, comprising:

a pointing device that generates pixel counts at a predetermined frame rate indicative of motion in predetermined axes of a user'"'"'s digit across an imaging surface; and

a cursor motion controller that receives the pixel counts and multiplies a pixel count in each frame by a predetermined acceleration factor so that a cursor on the display of an electronic apparatus will move a greater distance based on an increased rate of motion of the user'"'"'s digit across the imaging surface.

22. A system for controlling the motion of a cursor on a display, comprising:

a pointing device that generates pixel information indicative of motion in predetermined axes of a user'"'"'s digit across an imaging surface; and

a cursor motion controller that receives the pixel information and generates navigation output signals to control the motion of a cursor on a display of an electronic apparatus, the cursor motion controller suspending the generation of navigation output signals for a predetermined interrupt period after completion of a cursor stroke.