US4835528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cursor control system
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1987-09-21
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Granted: 1989-05-30
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Expires: 2007-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A cursor control system for computer displays moves a cursor unambiguously in three dimensions using a two dimensional input device. The plane of movement of the two dimensional device is divided into logical regions which correspond to movement along a three dimensional axis. Movement of the two dimensional device into one of these regions causes the cursor to move along the corresponding axis of the display.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce E. Flinchbaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04812; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/22; G06V30/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A computer system showing a two dimensional projection of a three dimensional structure comprising: (a) a display device for displaying a two dimensional projection of a three dimensional structure; and (b) means for controlling motion of a cursor within said three dimensional structure, comprising: (c) a fixed surface having plural defined regions thereon, each said region uniquely defining one of said three dimensions; (d) an input device capable of moving in two dimensions positionable over said fixed surface and movable thereon into each said region; (e) a scanner coupled to said input device to provide a signal indicative of the distance and direction of movement of said input device on said surface; and (f) an interpreter coupled to said display device and to said scanner and responsive to said signal indicative of input device movement over a said region of said fixed surface to define the dimension corresponding to the said region to translate said movement of said input device into three dimensional motion within the structure by the interpreter, and translate movement of said input device into motion of the cursor in the corresponding selected direction within the three dimensional structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A computer system showing a two dimensional projection of a three dimensional structure comprising: (a) a display device for displaying a two dimensional projection of a three dimensional structure; and (b) means for controlling motion of a cursor within said three dimensional structure, comprising: (c) a fixed surface having plural defined regions thereon, each said region uniquely defining one of said three dimensions; (d) an input device capable of moving in two dimensions positionable over said fixed surface and movable thereon into each said region; (e) a scanner coupled to said input device to provide a signal indicative of the distance and direction of movement of said input device on said surface; and (f) an interpreter coupled to said display device and to said scanner and responsive to said signal indicative of input device movement over a said region of said fixed surface to define the dimension corresponding to the said region to translate said movement of said input device into three dimensional motion within the structure by the interpreter, and translate movement of said input device into motion of the cursor in the corresponding selected direction within the three dimensional structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1, said scanner further providing the function of detecting the speed of said input device movement, and said interpreter providing the function of translating the speed of motion of the input device to speed of motion within the three dimensional structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein said surface is planar; and said input device includes a hand-held body coupled to said scanner and adapted for movement on said planar surface, wherein signals are generated which indicate the direction of motion of said hand-held body relative to said planar surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system of claim 3, wherein said interpreter divides two dimensional space into six regions corresponding to six directions of movement of said hand-held body on said planar surface from an origin.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for interpreting motion of a two dimensional input device to unambiguously position a cursor in a two dimensional display of a three dimensional structure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a display device for displaying a two dimensional projection of a three dimensional structure; and (b) controlling motion of a cursor within said three dimensional structure, comprising the steps of: (c) providing a fixed surface having plural defined regions thereon, each said region uniquely defining one of said three dimensions; (d) moving an input device in two dimensions over said fixed surface into a selected one of said regions; (e) providing a signal indicative of the distance and direction of movement of said input device on said surface; and (f) defining the dimension corresponding to the said region to translate said movement of said input device into one dimensional motion within the structure along said dimension to translate movement of said input device into motion of the cursor in the corresponding selected direction within the three dimensional structure.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for interpreting motion of a two dimensional input device to unambiguously position a cursor in a two dimensional display of a three dimensional structure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a display device for displaying a two dimensional projection of a three dimensional structure; and (b) controlling motion of a cursor within said three dimensional structure, comprising the steps of: (c) providing a fixed surface having plural defined regions thereon, each said region uniquely defining one of said three dimensions; (d) moving an input device in two dimensions over said fixed surface into a selected one of said regions; (e) providing a signal indicative of the distance and direction of movement of said input device on said surface; and (f) defining the dimension corresponding to the said region to translate said movement of said input device into one dimensional motion within the structure along said dimension to translate movement of said input device into motion of the cursor in the corresponding selected direction within the three dimensional structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of: (g) during step (f) determining the rate of motion of the input device, step (f) further comprising moving the cursor along said dimension at a rate proportional to the rate determined in step (g).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said movement in step (d) is substantially linear.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-11-28 | 1993-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-29 | 1996-11-28 | 1997-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-29 | 2000-11-28 | 2001-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |