Patent ID: 6366274
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An input device for controlling a pointer on a display of a computer, comprising:a body comprising a housing including a bottom section configured to face a support structure, the bottom section having an opening, and a top section facing away from the support structure having a contoured surface configured to engage a palm of a hand of a user, and a cross-beam extending through at least a portion of the housing over the bottom section, the cross-beam being aligned with the opening, the body being moveable with respect to the support structure; a projecting member extending between the body and the support structure, the projecting member comprising a rod passing through the opening in the bottom section of the housing, the rod having a first end pivotally attached to the cross-beam in the housing, a second end projecting from the housing toward the support structure, and a gripping element attached to the second end of the rod to grip the support structure; and a position sensor attached to the housing, the position sensor being engageable with the rod, wherein the rod moves with respect to the position sensor in correspondence to relative movement between the body and the support structure, and wherein the position sensor detects relative displacement and velocity between the rod and the housing as the body moves with respect to the support structure and sends signals to the computer to control the pointer on the display corresponding to the relative movement between the body and the support structure.