Patent ID: 8786544
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An absolute coordinate pointing device manipulatable by a user to control at least cursor position on a display on a companion device, the absolute coordinate pointing device comprising: a base, defining an (x,y) plane including a drawing region surface defined within a boundary box, said (x,y) plane being orthogonal to a vertical z-axis; a user manipulable control element having a first end and a second, distal, end; a movable first light source outputting first optical energy rays at a first exit location that moves in said (x,y) plane with movement of said first end of said control element in said (x,y) plane; a stationary, relative to said (x,y) plane, first light sensor array disposed to receive at least some of said first optical energy rays directly output from said first exit location; means for optically sensing z-axis displacement of a region of said control element, said means for optically sensing z-axis displacement outputting (z) Cartesian coordinate data commensurate with z-axis displacement of said first end of said control element, which (z) Cartesian coordinate data is coupleable to said companion device.