Touch Sensor

A method of inputting data using a substantially spherical outer surface supported within the hands of a user, said outer surface enclosing a touch sensor, an inertial measurement unit, a device processor and a radio transmitter, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a first variable capacitance between a first capacitance-sensing element of said touch sensor and a first area of said user's hands through a first hemisphere of said outer surface;
• forming a second variable capacitance between a second capacitance-sensing element of said touch sensor and a second area of said user's hands through a respective second hemisphere of said outer surface;
• measuring a touch-responsive capacitance that includes said first variable capacitance in series with said second variable capacitance, to generate surface touch signals;
• generating rotation signals in response to a rotational manipulation of said outer surface detected by said inertial measurement unit;
• processing said surface touch signals with said rotation signals to generate gestural data;
• supplying said gestural data to said radio transmitter to generate gestural radio signals;
• and
• transmitting said gestural radio signals through said outer surface.

A method of updating a virtual environment using a substantially spherical input device having an outer surface supported within the hands of a user, comprising the steps of:

• forming a first variable capacitance between a first capacitance-sensing element and a first area of said user's hands through a first hemisphere of said outer surface;
• forming a second variable capacitance between a second capacitance-sensing element and a second area of said user's hands through a respective second hemisphere of said outer surface;
• measuring a touch-responsive capacitance indicative of the area of said user's hands contacting said outer surface that includes said first variable capacitance in series with said second variable capacitance;
• comparing an indication of said area of said user's hands contacting said outer surface with a threshold to provide a comparison;
• analyzing a rotational manipulation of said outer surface to generate a rotation indication;
• and
• processing said comparison with said rotation indication to update a virtual environment.