Processing signals to determine spatial positions

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for supplying input signals to a computer. A sensor having the form of a sphere has a touch sensitive surface for generating position data for touch events. The sensor includes orientation sensors that determine rotation with respect to the earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. Orientation data may be combined with position data to interpret the orientation of touch events on the surface with respect to the computer's display. Cursor movement or text may be generated from touch events. Preferably the sphere has a roughened surface that generates sound when touched. Position data is generated by processing signals from microphones under the sphere's surface.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method comprising remotely generating control signals for a computer-generated environment represented graphically on a display means, using remote input means including a touch sensing surface, orientation sensing means for sensing the orientation of said touch sensing surface, and signal transmitting means for transmitting input data to said computer-generated environment, said method, further comprising:
 in response to receiving a touch event at a location on said touch sensing surface, generating location data representing the location of the touch event on said touch sensing surface;   producing signals at said orientation sensing means;   in response to said signals produced by said orientation sensing means, generating orientation data representing orientation of said touch sensing surface; and   combining said location data and said orientation data to generate touch event signals for said computer-generated environment that are dependent upon said location of said touch event on said touch sensing surface and said orientation of said touch sensing surface.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said generating location data representing the location of the touch event on said touch sensing surface comprises performing acoustic pulse recognition (APR) of the touch event at the location on said touch sensing surface.