US5019809A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-dimensional emulation of three-dimensional trackball
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1990-02-14
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Granted: 1991-05-28
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Expires: 2010-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A technique using a 2-dimensional input controller such as a mouse, a 2-D trackball, a joystick, a touch screen, a touch tablet or a digitizer for rotating an object displayed by a computer controlled video display system in 3-dimensional representation. A user visible reference circle is provided, and a pointer associated with the 2-D input controller is moved by the user relative to the reference circle in a control movement mode. Movement of the pointer within the reference circle produces rotation of the displayed object about arbitrary axes in 3-dimensional space, while movement of the pointer on or outside the reference circle produces rotation about a 3-dimensional axis that is oriented toward the viewer.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two-dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in 3-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two-dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in 3-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein movement of the reference indicator on or outside the reference circle produces rotation about an axis that is oriented toward the viewer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of signalling the computer to activate the control movement mode includes the step of activating a switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reference circle is, displayed on the video display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reference circle is provided on the input controller.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in 3-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a reference circle on the video display; providing a pointer control device for selectively positioning a pointer displayed on the video display; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein movement of the displayed pointer in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the pointer and the location of the control movement of the pointer relative to the reference circle; moving the pointer in the control movement mode using the pointer control device; and rotating the displayed object in accordance with the movement of the pointer in the control movement mode.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in 3-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a reference circle on the video display; providing a pointer control device for selectively positioning a pointer displayed on the video display; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein movement of the displayed pointer in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the pointer and the location of the control movement of the pointer relative to the reference circle; moving the pointer in the control movement mode using the pointer control device; and rotating the displayed object in accordance with the movement of the pointer in the control movement mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the reference circle encloses the displayed object to be rotated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 wherein control movement of the pointer on or outside the reference circle produces rotation about an axis that is oriented toward the viewer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the step of signaling the computer to activate the control movement mode includes the step of activating a switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the pointer control device is a mouse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the switch in on the mouse.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the mouse includes only one button.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signalling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in three-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode, wherein the rotation of the displayed object is defined solely by the direction of the movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle, said arbitrary axis being user defined.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signalling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in three-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode, wherein the rotation of the displayed object is defined solely by the direction of the movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle, said arbitrary axis being user defined.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein the movement of the reference indicator on or outside the reference circle produces rotation about only an axis that is oriented towards the viewer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein said input controller is a two-dimensional input controller.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein movement of the reference indicator on or outside the reference circle produces rotation about only an axis that is oriented toward the viewer and wherein said input controller is a two-dimensional input controller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein the step of signaling the computer to activate the control movement mode includes the step of activating a switch and wherein the reference circle is displayed on the video display.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
26 words
A method as in clam 14 wherein said input controller is a two-dimensional input controller, and wherein the reference circle is displayed on the video display.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
26 words
A method as in clam 14 wherein said input controller is a two-dimensional input controller, and wherein the reference circle is displayed on the video display.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein said input controller provides for kinesthetic correspondence between input controller motion and displayed object rotation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 19 wherein said input controller is a mouse.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein said input controller provides for kinesthetic correspondence between input controller motion and displayed object rotation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 21 wherein said input controller is a mouse.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 16 wherein said input controller provides for kinesthetic correspondence between input controller motion and displayed object rotation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 18 wherein said input controller provides kinesthetic correspondence between input controller motion and displayed object rotation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 24 wherein said input controller is a mouse.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein said step of rotating the displayed object includes a step of computing a vector representing the axis of rotation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 26 wherein the step of rotating the displayed object includes a step of determining the rotation such that a full sweep of the reference indicator across a diameter of the reference circle produces approximately 180 degrees of rotation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as in claim 26 wherein the step of rotating the displayed object includes the step of determining the rotation such that a full sweep of the reference indicator around the edge of or outside the reference circle produces approximately 360 degrees of rotation about the Z axis.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in two dimensions in the control movement mode to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in 3-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: providing a reference circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the reference circle; moving the reference indicator in two dimensions in the control movement mode to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in 3-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said reference circle, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
221 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bounded reference region substantially resembling a circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the bounded reference region; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in three-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said bounded reference region, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode, wherein the rotation of the displayed object is defined solely by the direction of the movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to said bounded reference region, said arbitrary axis being user defined.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
221 words
A method for rotating an object displayed in three-dimensional representation on a computer controlled video display system having a computer and a video display, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bounded reference region substantially resembling a circle; providing a user actuated input controller for selectively positioning a reference indicator recognized by the computer; signaling the computer to activate a control movement mode wherein the movement of the reference indicator in the control movement mode is for rotating the displayed object about an axis that is determined by the direction of the control movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to the bounded reference region; moving the reference indicator in the control movement mode using the input controller by moving said input controller in two dimensions to provide a defined movement; and rotating the displayed object about any arbitrary axis in three-dimensional space when said reference indicator is within said bounded reference region, said rotating being in accordance with the defined movement in the control movement mode, wherein the rotation of the displayed object is defined solely by the direction of the movement of the reference indicator and the location of the control movement of the reference indicator relative to said bounded reference region, said arbitrary axis being user defined.
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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) | 1994-05-27 | 1994-11-26 | 1995-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-27 | 1998-11-26 | 1999-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-11-26 | 2003-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |