Contactless input device

Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to perform a method of controlling a cursor of the computer in response to operation of an input device, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving three-dimensional (3D) motion data associated with 3D movement of the input device;
• deriving a distance and direction of the movement of the input device in a two-dimensional plane based on the motion data;
• and
• moving a cursor of the computer to a corresponding position based on the distance and direction derived.

A computer system, comprising:

• an input device including:
• a motion detection sensor that is configured to generate three-dimensional (3D) motion data associated with 3D movement of the input device, and
• means for transmitting the 3D motion data;
• and
• a computing device including:
• means for receiving the motion data from the input device,
• means for deriving a distance and direction of the movement of the input device in two-dimensional plane based on the motion data, and
• means for moving a cursor of the computing device to a corresponding position based on the distance and direction derived.

A method for controlling a cursor of a computer in response to operation of an input device, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving three-dimensional (3D) motion data associated with 3D movement of the input device from the input device;
• deriving a distance and direction of the movement of the input device in two-dimensional plane based on the motion data;
• and
• moving the cursor of the computer to a corresponding position based on the distance and direction derived.

An input device, comprising:

• a motion detection sensor that is configured to generate three-dimensional (3D) motion data on first, second and third axes, associated with 3D movement of the input device;
• means for transmitting the motion data to a computer;
• means for causing the computer derive a distance and direction of the movement of the input device in a two-dimensional (2D) plane based on the motion data on the first and second axes;
• means for causing the computer to determine whether the motion data on the third axis is greater than a first predetermined value;
• and
• means for causing the computer to move a cursor to a corresponding position based on the distance and direction derived in the 2D plane, upon the computer determining the motion data on the third axis is greater than the first predetermined value.

Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to perform a method of controlling a cursor of the computer in response to operation of an input device, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving three-dimensional (3D) motion data on first, second and third axes, associated with 3D movement of the input device;
• deriving a distance and direction of the movement of the input device in a two-dimensional (2D) plane based on the motion data on the first and second axes;
• determining whether the motion data on the third axis is greater than a first predetermined value;
• and
• moving a cursor of the computer to a corresponding position based on the distance and direction derived in the 2D plane, upon determining the motion data on the third axis is greater than the first predetermined value.

A computer system, comprising:

• an input device including:
• a motion detection sensor that is configured to generate three-dimensional (3D) motion data on first, second and third axes, associated with 3D movement of the input device, and
• means for transmitting the motion data to a computer;
• and
• a computing device including:
• means for deriving a distance and direction of the movement of the input device in a two-dimensional (2D) plane based on the motion data on the first and second axes,
• means for determining whether the motion data on the third axis is greater than a first predetermined value, and
• means for moving a cursor to a corresponding position based on the distance and direction derived in the 2D plane, if the motion data on the third axis are greater than the first predetermined value.

A method for controlling a cursor of a computer in response to operation of an input device, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving three-dimensional (3D) motion data on first, second and third axes, associated with 3D movement of the input device;
• deriving a distance and direction of the movement of the input device in a two-dimensional (2D) plane based on the motion data on the first and second axes;
• determining whether the motion data on the third axis is greater than a first predetermined value;
• and
• moving a cursor of the computer to a corresponding position based on the distance and direction derived in the 2D plane, if the motion data on the third axis is greater than the first predetermined value.