Robert B Smyth

US Patent:

6670947, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Oct 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/007424

Inventors:

Robert William Smyth - Toms River NJ 08753

International Classification:

G09G 508

US Classification:

345167, 345156, 345157

Abstract:

An apparatus, method and algorithm for the economical, intuitive rotational control of a three dimensional object displayed on a computer monitor. The computer input device consists of a tracked ball, with a directed source emanating from it, that is housed in an enclosure which allows for the free rotation of the ball. The ball sits on a bearing within a base equipped with an array of sensors. Activated sensors are grouped in such a way that the positions of the detected sources can be determined. A 3Ã3 orientation matrix is then computed to allow applications programs to present a graphical object in the same orientation as the orientation that the user has given to the ball in the input device.

US Patent:

7275934, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

Feb 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/779188

Inventors:

Robert William Smyth - Toms River NJ, US

International Classification:

G09B 19/02

US Classification:

434189, 434188, 434365, 446129

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for motivating students in mathematics education, computer technology education and information encoding. The apparatus consists of a container holding multi-state sources and a reading device, if necessary, that can determine the state of the sources in the container when it is closed. Students determine the states of the sources and use a predetermined algorithm to determine the information or data represented in the container. The apparatus and method can be presented to an audience as a magic trick.

US Patent:

7804486, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

Apr 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/278961

Inventors:

Robert W. Smyth - Toms River NJ, US

International Classification:

G09G 5/08

US Classification:

345167

Abstract:

A trackball rotates a three-dimensional image displayed by a computer. Displacement data is generated for designated first and second non-antipodal points on the surface of the trackball's roller ball, for displacement of the designated first and second points during a time interval between a starting time and an ending time. The displacement data is used to generate a rotational transformation that is representative of a change in rotational orientation of the roller ball occurring during the time interval. The generated transformation is then applied to the displayed computer image to cause the image to be rotated around an image pivot point in correspondence with the rotation of the roller ball around its center.