Dual axis articulated computer input device and method of operation
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsMatthew J. Stipes, Kurt Nielsen, Thomas W. Brooks, Wolfgang A. Mack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a dual axis articulated computer input device. Position sensors are configured to provide position information indicative of a position of two handle members relative to one another.
Claims23
A method of controlling a visual display of a computer based on an input from a hand held computer input device having a first portion which is movable relative to a second portion of the device in a first direction through a first range of motion about a first axis of rotation that is divided into a first plurality of behavioral zones, each behavioral zone corresponding to a different behavior attributed to a displayed item, the method comprising:
- receiving a data packet from the computer input device, the packet including position information indicative of a position of the first portion of the computer input device relative to the second portion of the computer input device, the position information including first axis information indicative of a position of the first portion in the first range of motion;
- determining, based on information contained in the data packet, which of the plurality of behavioral zones included in the first range of motion the first portion is located in by examining the first axis information;
- and
- utilizing the position information and the behavioral zone to update position of displayed information provided on the display and change a way information is displayed given the position information.
A method of forming a data packet for transmission from a computer input device to a computer, the method comprising:
- obtaining position information indicative of a position of a first portion on the computer input device relative to a second portion on the computer input device, the position information corresponding to a desired position of a displayed item, the first and second portions being movable relative to one another in one direction through a plurality of behavioral zones, each behavioral zone corresponding to a behavior of a displayed item that changes a way information is displayed given the position information;
- obtaining actuator information indicative of a state of a plurality of actuators on the computer input device;
- placing the position information and actuator information in the data packet;
- and
- determining, based on the position information, whether the first portion is in a first of the plurality of behavioral zones relative to the second portion and obtaining zone information indicative of the determination.
The method of claim wherein obtaining position information comprises:
- obtaining information indicative of a position of the first portion relative to the second portion about first and second axes of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.