Patent ID: 6031522
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A hand-held device for transmitting signals used to control a graphical pointer on a display of a computer system, comprising:a base pointing unit having a body, a movement sensor substantially located within said body and a plurality of switches on a surface of said body, for selecting a visual object indicated by a location of the graphical pointer on the display, said body further including a generally flat surface having an aperture which receives a portion of said movement sensor, wherein further, said plurality of switches is arranged in a first physical configuration;said outer shell has a plurality of buttons respectively coupled to said switches, said buttons being arranged in a second physical configuration which is different from said first physical configuration;means for transmitting signals generated by said movement sensor and said switches to the computer system, said transmitting means and base pointing unit collectively providing a complete graphical pointing device; andan outer shell surrounding and removably attached to said base pointing unit, said outer shell having at least one button coupled to one of said switches, and surrounding all of said base pointing unit body except said flat surface thereof.