Graphical user interface control element

A method for interfacing with a user of a computer system comprising a display means, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) controlling a positioning element on the display means with a user input means, the positioning element having a location and an active status corresponding to whether the positioning element is activated or not activated by the user;
• (b) displaying a control button on the display means, the control button having a three-dimensional appearance and at least first, second, third, fourth, and fifth regions, wherein the regions are for controlling pan and tilt parameters of a video camera;
• (c) monitoring the active status and location of the positioning element to determine whether a region of the control button is being pushed by the positioning device;
• (d) altering the appearance of the control button on the display means in accordance with the region being pushed by the positioning device so that the control button appears to be tilted toward the pushed region by the positioning device;
• and
• (e) generating a signal in accordance with which region is being pushed by the positioning device.

A storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions for interfacing with a user of a computer system comprising a display means and a processor, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

• (a) controlling a positioning element on the display means in response to user input from a user input means, the positioning element having a location and an active status corresponding to whether the positioning element is activated or not activated by the user;
• (b) displaying a control button on the display means, the control button having a three-dimensional appearance and at least first, second, third, fourth, and fifth regions, wherein the regions are for controlling pan and tilt parameters of a video camera;
• (c) monitoring the active status and location of the positioning element to determine whether a region of the control button is being pushed by the positioning device;
• (d) altering the appearance of the control button on the display means in accordance with the region being pushed by the positioning device so that the control button appears to be tilted toward the pushed region by the positioning device;
• and
• (e) generating a signal in accordance with which region is being pushed by the positioning device.