Patent ID: 7081884
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An input device intended to be moved relative to a supporting surface, the input device comprising: a housing that forms at least a portion of an exterior of the input device, the housing having a support portion for supporting the input device on the supporting surface; a sensor system located at least partially within the housing, the sensor system being operable in a translational mode to detect translational displacement of the input device relative to the support surface and while the input device is in contact with the supporting surface, and the sensor system being operable in an angular mode to detect angular displacement of the input device relative to the support surface and while the input device is in contact with the supporting surface, the sensor system comparing a first image of the supporting surface with a second image of the supporting surface to determine (a) a translational displacement between the first image and the second image when in the translational mode and (b) an angular displacement between the first image and the second image when in the angular mode; and an actuator that selectively converts operation of the sensor system between the translational mode and the angular mode.