Patent ID: 7429976
Filing Date: 2008-09-30
Classification: G05G,G06F

Abstract:
1. A pointing system, comprising: (a) a moveable puck configured to move laterally within a puck field of motion (“PFOM”) in response to a user applying a lateral force thereto, the puck comprising a pressure sensing system configured to sense a first predetermined vertical pressure level applied by the user to the puck; (b) a position detector configured to measure puck position within the PFOM as the puck is moved laterally by the user therewithin, the position detector further being configured to report the puck position to a processor configured to actuate or cause to be actuated tracking or movement of a cursor on a display, the tracking or movement of the cursor corresponding to lateral movement of the puck by the user within the PFOM; and (c) a puck return mechanism attached to the puck and configured to return the puck to, or hold the puck in, a resting position within the PFOM when the user stops applying, or does not apply, vertical pressure to the puck; wherein the system is configured actuate or cause to be actuated tracking or movement of the cursor on the display corresponding to lateral movement of the puck by the user within the PFOM when the user applies vertical pressure to the puck that is greater than or equal to the first predetermined vertical pressure level, and to cause the cursor to stop tracking or moving on the display when the user applies vertical pressure to the puck that is at least one of less than the first predetermined level and no vertical pressure.