Pointing device having rotational sensing mechanisms
OwnerDavid D. Bohninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer mouse has a plurality of motion sensors. The motion sensors generate data corresponding to their movement relative to a surface and transmit the data to a processor for analysis. The processor determines the rotational motion of the computer mouse and causes an image displayed on an associated video monitor to rotate proportionally to the relative movement of the computer mouse. The motion sensors may be two-dimensional photosensor arrays that generate image data of distinct features in the surface. As the computer mouse is moved relative to the surface, the locations of the distinct features move relative to the photosensor arrays. By analyzing this relative movement, the processor determines the rotational motion of the computer mouse.
Claims51
A pointing device for directing movement of an image displayed on a display device, said pointing device comprising:
- a chassis adapted to be moved relative to an object;
- and
- a first photosensor device movably attached to said chassis, said first photosensor device being adapted to output data corresponding to images of said object.
A pointing device for directing movement of an image displayed on a display device, said pointing device comprising:
- a chassis adapted to be moved relative to an object;
- a first photosensor device attached to said chassis, said first photosensor device being adapted to generate image data representative of a first portion of said object;
- a first light path extending between a first plane and said first photosensor device;
- and
- a first lens located in said first light path, said first lens being movable relative to said first photosensor device.
A pointing device for directing movement of an image displayed on a display device, said pointing device having a first operative mode and a second operative mode, said pointing device comprising:
- a chassis adapted to be moved relative to an object;
- a first photosensor device attached to said chassis, said first photosensor device being adapted to output data corresponding to images of said object;
- and
- a light source attached to said chassis, said light source having a first operative mode and a second operative mode, wherein said light source is in said first operative mode when said pointing device is in said first operative mode, and wherein said light source is in said second operative mode when said pointing device is in said second operative mode.
A pointing device for directing movement of an image displayed on a display device, said pointing device comprising:
- a chassis adapted to be moved relative to an object;
- a two-dimensional photosensor array attached to said chassis, said two-dimensional photosensor array being adapted to generate data corresponding to images of said object;
- and
- a linear photosensor array attached to said chassis, said linear photosensor array being adapted to generate data corresponding to images of said object.
A computer comprising:
- a pointing device, said pointing device comprising:
- a chassis adapted to be moved relative to an object;
- and
- a first photosensor device attached to said chassis, said first photosensor device being adapted to output data corresponding to images of said object;
- a processor electrically connected to said pointing device;
- and
- a display device electrically connected to said processor.
A pointing device for directing movement of an image displayed on a display device, said pointing device comprising:
- a chassis;
- a photosensor device attached to said chassis;
- a first light path extending between a first plane and said photosensor device;
- a second light path extending between a second plane and said photosensor device;
- a first optical component located in said first light path;
- a second optical component located in said second light path;
- a first light source associated with said first plane;
- a third light path extending between said first light source and said first plane;
- a second light source associated with said second plane;
- and
- a fourth light path extending between said second light source and said second plane.
A method of manipulating an image displayed on a display device, said method comprising:
- providing a pointing device comprising:
- a chassis adapted to be moved relative to an object;
- and
- a first photosensor device attached to said chassis, said first photosensor device being adapted to generate image data representative of images of said object;
- providing a processor operatively associated with said pointing device and said display device;
- moving said pointing device relative to said object;
- generating image data representative of images of said object using said pointing device;
- transmitting said image data from said pointing device to said processor;
- analyzing said image data using said processor to determine the movement of said pointing device relative to said object;
- and
- manipulating said image on said display device based on said movement of said pointing device relative to said object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.