System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host

Abstract

A system under the hand held control of a user for providing three dimensions of input to a computer processor while operating on an essentially planar surface is disclosed. The system of the invention generally comprises: an apparatus operated over a substantially planar surface; a means chosen from one of a means for detecting and measuring movement of the apparatus in two perpendicular dimensions along the substantially planar surface and a means for determining the location of the apparatus in two perpendicular dimensions along the substantially planar surface, and for providing first outputs representative of either the two-dimensional location or the movement of the apparatus; means for detecting and measuring an analog third dimension input into the apparatus under the control of the user while the apparatus is located along the planar surface, and for providing a second output representative of the third dimension input; and means for receiving the first outputs and the second output and providing therefrom information suitable for input into the computer processor, wherein the information is representative of the three dimensions of input. The apparatus of the system can take various forms such as a computer mouse, a stylus for a bit pad, or a light pen.