Patent ID: 6404416
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
Apparatus which enables a user to communicate with an image appearing on a display surface associated with a computer system, the image appearing on the display surface including an object that represents a control that can be rotated in the image to actuate a software feature, the display surface being characterized by predetermined time-varying light emanations from the surface, the time variations of the emanations being sufficient to enable a determination of a localized area on the surface which is the source of portions of the light emanations, the interface comprisinga hand-held pointer having an axis that can be aimed at the object that represents a control that can be rotated in the image while the pointer is held at a location remote from the surface, the pointer being rotatable about the axis while being aimed, and sensors configured to receive portions of the light emanations from the object that represents a control that can be rotated in the image, and circuitry configured to determine that the hand-held pointer is being rotated based on signals from the sensors and to cause rotation of the object to actuate the software feature based on determination of the rotation.