Patent ID: 6670947
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer input device comprising:(a) a ball with a plurality of directed sources inside arranged so that at least two axes of the ball are distinguished, (b) a bearing on which said ball rests so said ball may be rotated easily in an arbitrary fashion around any axis through the center of said ball, (c) a base which holds said bearing as well as a plurality of sensors capable of responding to said directed sources inside said ball, (d) an enclosure to isolate said sensors from the environment outside said device and keep said ball easily accessible for free rotation, and (e) interface circuitry to allow a device selected from the group consisting of general purpose computers and specialized electronic processors to read the state of each sensor from the said plurality of sensors, whereby said device will provide three dimensional rotational control of a graphical object displayed on a monitor, whereby there is a natural correlation between the movement of said ball by the hand of the user and the three dimensional rotational control of a graphical object, and whereby said natural correlation is established by absolute measurements of orientation.