Compact cursor pointing device utilizing photodetector array
First Claim
1. A cursor pointing device for controlling the position of a cursor on a display, comprising:
- a ball having an outer layer, a reflective inner core, and a transparent layer disposed between said outer layer and said inner core, said outer layer having thereon a pattern of areas which appear transparent and opaque when illuminated by light;
a light source for illuminating a portion of said ball, said light penetrating a portion of said outer layer and said transparent layer to illuminate a portion of said inner core; and
a sensor responsive to movement of shadows of said pattern areas provided by said light reflected from said inner core through said transparent layer and said outer layer for providing an output.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A compact pointing device generally includes a ball, a light source, and a sensor. The ball includes an outer layer, a reflective inner core and a transparent layer disposed between the outer layer and the inner core. Disposed in the outer layer is a pattern of areas which appear transparent and opaque when illuminated by light generated by the light source. During operation, the light generated by the light source travels through a portion of the outer layer and the transparent layer before illuminating a portion of the inner core. The light is reflected back from the inner core along a path which extends through a portion of the transparent layer and a portion of the outer layer. As the light passes through the outer layer, a "shadow" of the pattern is cast onto the sensor. The sensor responds to movements of the shadow of the pattern (e.g., when a user manipulates the ball) by generating an output which is processed to provide a cursor control output.
189 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A cursor pointing device for controlling the position of a cursor on a display, comprising:
-
a ball having an outer layer, a reflective inner core, and a transparent layer disposed between said outer layer and said inner core, said outer layer having thereon a pattern of areas which appear transparent and opaque when illuminated by light; a light source for illuminating a portion of said ball, said light penetrating a portion of said outer layer and said transparent layer to illuminate a portion of said inner core; and a sensor responsive to movement of shadows of said pattern areas provided by said light reflected from said inner core through said transparent layer and said outer layer for providing an output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method for controlling the position of a cursor on a display, comprising the steps of:
-
illuminating a ball with light, the ball having an outer layer, a reflective inner core, and a transparent layer disposed between said outer layer and said inner core, said outer layer of said ball having thereon a pattern of areas which appear transparent and opaque when illuminated by said light, said light penetrating a portion of said outer layer and said transparent layer, thereby illuminating a portion of said inner core; and detecting movement of shadows of said pattern areas provided by said light reflected from said inner core through said transparent layer and said outer layer for providing an output. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
-
21. A cursor pointing device for controlling the position of a cursor on a display, comprising:
-
a ball, for manipulation by the palm or fingers, having an outer layer, a reflective inner core, and a transparent layer disposed between said outer layer and said inner core, said outer layer having thereon a pattern of areas which appear transparent and opaque when illuminated by light; source means for illuminating a portion of said ball, said light penetrating a portion of said outer layer and said transparent layer to illuminate a portion of said inner core; and sensor means responsive to movement of shadows of said pattern areas provided by said light reflected from said inner core through said transparent layer and said outer layer for providing an output. - View Dependent Claims (22)
-
-
23. An electronic mouse for controlling the position of a cursor on a display, comprising:
-
a ball having an outer layer, a reflective inner core, and a transparent layer disposed between said outer layer and said inner core, said outer layer having thereon a pattern of areas which appear transparent and opaque when illuminated by light; source means for illuminating a portion of said ball, said light penetrating a portion of said outer layer and said transparent layer to illuminate a portion of said inner core; and sensor means responsive to movement of shadows of said pattern areas provided by said light reflected from said inner core through said transparent layer and said outer layer for providing an output. - View Dependent Claims (24)
-
Specification