Computer control device
First Claim
1. A control device for inputting information to a computer comprising:
- a movable housing including an enclosure containing a fluid;
heating means for heating the fluid in the enclosure;
two first temperature sensing elements positioned within the enclosure such that the fluid moves across the two first temperature sensing elements in free convection during acceleration or inclination of the enclosure, the first temperature sensing elements providing first output signals which are representative of the respective temperatures of the two first temperature sensing elements;
processing means for receiving the first output signals and providing an accelerometer signal representative of the acceleration or inclination of the enclosure; and
transmission means for transmitting the accelerometer signal from the movable housing to a computer.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer control device which provides spacial information to a computer or electronic game by sensing the linear acceleration or tilt angle of the control device. The computer control device includes an accelerometer having an enclosure containing a fluid and temperature sensing elements positioned within the enclosure. The fluid moves across the temperature sensing elements in free convection during acceleration or inclination of the enclosure causing a temperature differential between the temperature sensing elements which is measurable. The control device incorporating one or more of these accelerometers senses acceleration or tilt in one to three dimensions and may be used to control a cursor on a computer screen, a display of a virtual reality device, or other computer and electronic game displays.
502 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A control device for inputting information to a computer comprising:
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a movable housing including an enclosure containing a fluid; heating means for heating the fluid in the enclosure; two first temperature sensing elements positioned within the enclosure such that the fluid moves across the two first temperature sensing elements in free convection during acceleration or inclination of the enclosure, the first temperature sensing elements providing first output signals which are representative of the respective temperatures of the two first temperature sensing elements; processing means for receiving the first output signals and providing an accelerometer signal representative of the acceleration or inclination of the enclosure; and transmission means for transmitting the accelerometer signal from the movable housing to a computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of controlling a computer system comprising:
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providing a movable control device including an enclosure containing a fluid, and two first temperature sensing elements positioned within the enclosure such that the fluid moves across the two first temperature sensing elements in free convection during acceleration or inclination of the enclosure, the first temperature sensing elements providing first output signals which are representative of the respective temperatures of the two first temperature sensing elements; moving the movable control device; sensing acceleration or inclination of the movable control device in at least one dimension by sensing changes in free convention of the fluid within the enclosure of the movable control device; determining a change in position or inclination of the movable control device based on the sensed acceleration or inclination; and controlling an output of the computer system according to the change in position or inclination of the control device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification