System integrated 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional input device
US6198472A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0383
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system-integrated input device for manipulating objects on the display of a computer screen. The device is integrated as a pointer stick, which may be located on an existing keyboard, on an existing mouse device, or elsewhere. Both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional user input are supported. In a first embodiment, the device is easily convertible between 2D and 3D input mode. Preferably, this conversion occurs by pressing down on the pointer stick, which is implemented as a spring-loaded device. The device supports input in the X and Y direction while in 2D mode, and adds the Z direction while in 3D mode. Movement in the Z direction is indicated by rotating the pointer stick to the left or right. In a second embodiment, movement in the Z direction is indicated by pushing and pulling on a sliding, or telescoping, pointer stick.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.