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US 6,788,286 B2Granted
Controller for graphical display
AssigneeInteractive Imaging Systems, Inc.
InventorsPaul Travers, Paul Churnetski, Dan Menachof, Mark Dunham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controller for a graphical display. The controller is preferably integral to a computing device that is operable while being held in one hand. The user views the display through a magnifying lens while controlling the display and controllable elements on the display with the thumb, either by actuating a push plate or by moving the thumb over a window in the push plate.
Claims29
A hand held computing device, having:
- (a) a housing;
- (b) a movable push plate in the housing, the push plate having a window aperture and at least one movable element;
- (c) a window in the window aperture;
- (d) a switch coupled to the push plate so that the switch is actuated when the push plate is moved;
- (e) an imager within the housing, the imager detecting through the window a translation of an object between a first position and a second position and generating a signal in response thereto;
- (f) a magnifying lens in the housing;
- (g) a display recessed within the housing in alignment with the magnifying lens, the display having a controllable element which responds to the signal from the imager, the display further responding to the actuation of the switch.
4 more elements
A controller for a hand held display, comprising:
- (a) a push plate having a window aperture and at least one movable element;
- (b) a switch coupled to the push plate so that the switch is actuated when the push plate is moved;
- and
- (c) a detector aligned with the window aperture, the detector responding through the window aperture to a translation of an object, wherein the detector including an imager and an optical element through which passes an optical signal from the object to the imager.
1 more element
A controller for a computing device, having:
- (a) a housing;
- (b) a movable push plate in the housing, the push plate having a window aperture and at least one movable element;
- (c) a window in the window aperture;
- (d) a switch coupled to the push plate so that the switch is actuated when the push plate is moved;
- (e) an imager within the housing, the imager detecting through the window a translation of an object between a first position and a second position and generating a signal in response thereto;
- and
- (f) a computer input device in the housing, the computer input device selected from a group including a joystick and a keyboard.
4 more elements
A controller for a hand held display, comprising:
- (a) a movable window
- (b) a switch coupled to the push plate so that the switch is actuated when the push plate is moved;
- and
- (c) a detector aligned with the window aperture, the detector responding through the window aperture to a translation of an object, wherein the detector including an imager and an optical element through which passes an optical signal from the object to the imager.
1 more element
A controller for a hand held display, comprising:
- (a) a window generating a signal in response to pressure applied thereon by a user;
- and
- (b) a detector aligned with the window aperture, the detector responding through the window aperture to a translation of an object, wherein the detector including an imager and an optical element through which passes an optical signal from the object to the imager.
A controller for a hand held display, comprising:
- (a) a plate generating a signal in response to pressure applied thereon by a user, the plate having a window aperture;
- and
- (b) a detector aligned with the window aperture, the detector responding through the window aperture to a translation of an object, wherein the detector including an imager and an optical element through which passes an optical signal from the object to the imager.
A method of controlling a display, comprising the steps of:
- (a) connecting a controller to the display, the controller having a movable push plate with a window and at least one movable element;
- at least one switch coupled to each movable element so that the switch is actuated when a corresponding portion of the movable element is depressed, the display being responsive to the actuation of each such switch;
- the controller providing to the display a signal which causes a controllable element in the display to move in response to the movement of a user's thumb across the window;
- (b) placing the thumb of the selected hand in a first position against the window;
- (c) translating the thumb in a selected direction across the window to a second position so that the controllable element moves in a corresponding direction to a rest position;
- (d) if the rest position is not a desired position, returning the thumb to the first position;
- (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until the rest position is the desired position;
- (f) as necessary, actuating one of the switches with the thumb, thus producing a desired response of the display;
- and
- (g) repeating steps (b) through (f) as necessary.
7 more elements
A method of controlling a display in a computing device having a movable push plate with a window and at least one movable element;
- at least one switch coupled to each movable element so that the switch is actuated when a corresponding portion of the movable element is depressed, the display being responsive to the actuation of each switch;
- the controller providing to the display a signal which causes a controllable element in the display to move in response to the movement of a user's thumb across the window;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) grasping the computing device with a selected hand
- (b) placing the thumb of the selected hand in a first position against the window;
- (c) translating the thumb in a selected direction across the window to a second position so that the controllable element moves in a corresponding direction to a rest position;
- (d) if the rest position is not a desired position, returning the thumb to the first position;
- (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until the rest position is the desired position;
- (f) as necessary, actuating one of the switches with the thumb, thus producing a desired response of the display;
- (g) repeating steps (b) through (f) as necessary;
- and
- (h) releasing the computing device from the hand.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.