Tilt and position command system for input peripherals

Abstract

A tilt command system for input peripherals is disclosed which allows for enhanced functionality for a peripheral device based on the peripheral's degree of tilt and direction of tilt.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer mouse for use on a support surface, the computer mouse comprising:
 a tilt sensor for measuring a longitudinal or lateral tilt of the computer mouse with respect to the support surface, while at least a portion of the computer mouse remains in contact with the support surface; and   a processor configured such that a primary function is performed when the longitudinal or lateral tilt of the mouse exceeds a first threshold value and a first secondary function is performed when the longitudinal or lateral tilt of the mouse exceeds a second threshold value that is beyond the first threshold value.   
     
     
         2 . The computer mouse of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured such that a second secondary function is performed when the longitudinal or lateral tilt of the mouse exceeds a third threshold value that is beyond the second threshold value. 
     
     
         3 . The computer mouse of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured such that n secondary functions are performed when the longitudinal or lateral tilt of the mouse exceeds n+1 threshold value that is beyond n threshold value, wherein n is greater than or equal to 2. 
     
     
         4 . The computer mouse of  claim 1 , further comprising a position sensor that detects the position of the mouse with respect to the support surface. 
     
     
         5 . The computer mouse of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured such that a second secondary function is performed when the position of the mouse with respect to the support surface exceeds a distance threshold value. 
     
     
         6 . A computer device comprising:
 at least one tilt sensor located within a computer mouse for measuring a longitudinal tilt and a lateral tilt of the computer mouse with respect to the support surface, while at least a portion of the computer mouse remains in contact with the support surface; and   a processor configured such that:
 a primary function is performed when either: the longitudinal tilt of the mouse exceeds a first longitudinal threshold value; or the lateral tilt of the mouse exceeds a first lateral threshold value; and 
 a first secondary function is performed when the other of the longitudinal tilt of the mouse exceeds the first longitudinal threshold value or the lateral tilt of the mouse exceeds the first lateral threshold value. 
   
     
     
         7 . The computer device of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured such that n secondary functions are performed when the longitudinal or lateral tilt of the mouse exceeds n+1 longitudinal or lateral threshold values, respectively, the n+1 longitudinal threshold values being beyond n lateral or longitudinal threshold values, respectively, and wherein n is greater than or equal to 1. 
     
     
         8 . The computer device of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is located within the computer mouse. 
     
     
         9 . The computer device of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is located within a computer's central processing unit. 
     
     
         10 . A computer mouse for use on a support surface, the computer mouse comprising:
 a tilt sensor for measuring a longitudinal or lateral tilt of the computer mouse with respect to the support surface, while at least a portion of the computer mouse remains in contact with the support surface; and   a processor configured such that a first menu is opened when the tilt sensor registers the longitudinal tilt as being beyond a first threshold value and the first menu is closed when the longitudinal tilt is no longer registered as being beyond the first threshold value.   
     
     
         11 . The computer mouse of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured such that a second menu is opened when the tilt sensor registers the longitudinal tilt as being beyond a second threshold value and the second menu is closed when the longitudinal tilt is no longer registered as being beyond the second threshold value, the second threshold value being beyond the first threshold value. 
     
     
         12 . The computer mouse of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured such that an n menu is opened when the tilt sensor registers a longitudinal tilt as being beyond an n threshold value and the n menu is closed when the longitudinal tilt is no longer registered as being beyond the n threshold value, wherein n is greater than or equal to 2. 
     
     
         13 . The computer mouse of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured such that a sub-menu is opened when the tilt sensor registers a longitudinal tilt as being beyond a second threshold value and the sub-menu is closed when the longitudinal tilt is no longer registered as being beyond the second threshold value, the second threshold value being beyond the first threshold value. 
     
     
         14 . The computer mouse of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured such that a menu item is chosen when the tilt sensor registers a lateral tilt as being beyond a first lateral threshold value. 
     
     
         15 . The computer mouse of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured such that the menu item is selected by pressing a corresponding button, key, or by a specific tilt or twist, as indicated near the menu item. 
     
     
         16 . The computer mouse of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured such that the menu item is selected without pressing a control. 
     
     
         17 . The computer mouse of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured such that the computer mouse can switch between menus based on the detected longitudinal or lateral tilt angle. 
     
     
         18 . The computer mouse of  claim 10 , further comprising a position sensor that detects the position of the mouse with respect to the support surface. 
     
     
         19 . The computer mouse of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is further configured such that a second menu is opened when the position of the mouse with respect to the support surface exceeds a distance threshold value.