Patent Publication Number: US-2010110008-A1

Title: Lighted cursor control stick and cap

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to a computer-input device and in particular to a cursor-pointing device (cursor control stick), of a notebook-type portable computer, cellular phone, personal digital assistant, or similar device. A finger mouse or cursor control stick, as used in this application, is a man-machine interface device, which controls the motion of a computer display cursor or other electronic position or selection indication. In particular, a control stick is a type of miniature joystick, which is intended to be operated by the tip of one finger of the user. 
     Typically, a control stick is mounted in a central location on a computer keyboard, such as between the “G”, “H” and “B” keys on a standard “QWERTY”-type keyboard. The control stick has a position sensing mechanism, which detects horizontal pressure in any horizontal direction. The cursor moves in a direction that corresponds to the direction of pressure exerted on the control stick and, in some embodiments, at a speed that corresponds to the amount of pressure exerted on the control stick. The control stick includes an elongated shaft. The shaft of the control stick has a small diameter, thus allowing the control stick to be mounted between the keys of the computer keyboard without causing the placement of the keys to vary greatly from that expected by an experienced user. A cap is typically removably mounted on the upper end of the control stick shaft, in order to provide an enlarged contact surface for a user to press against on the small diameter shaft of the control stick. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a lighted input device that includes a cursor control stick and cap with an engagement surface disposed on an axial end face of the cursor control stick and cap. An indicating portion is located on the same axial end face as the engagement surface. A light permeable portion is provided on the cursor control stick and cap and is made of one of transparent and translucent material. A light source is configured to provide light into the light permeable portion and through the indicating portion. 
     Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical portable computer employing a lighted cursor control stick and cap in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view, partly in section, of the cursor control stick illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a cushioned cap mounted on a cursor control stick of a computer keyboard, the cursor control stick having an LED light for internally illuminating the cushioned cap. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a cushioned cap. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the cushioned cap illustrated in  FIG. 4 , taken along the line  5 - 5 , together with a cursor control stick upon which the cushioned cap is mounted, the cursor control stick having an LED light for internally illuminating the cushioned cap. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a cursor control stick and cap and a plurality of lights configured to illuminate the cap. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a light-transmitting cursor control stick and a plurality of lights configured to illuminate the cursor control stick. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a light-transmitting cursor control stick and a light configured to illuminate the cursor control stick. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a light source and a fiber optic cable configured to illuminate a cap on a cursor control stick. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a lighted cursor control stick without a separate cap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain terms used herein, such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “and “side”, and words of like import are used to facilitate the description of the various embodiments of the invention. Unless otherwise specified or made apparent by the context of the discussion, such terms should be interpreted with reference to the figure under discussion. Such terms are not intended as a limitation on the position in which the assembled components of the invention may be used, but merely to define a common frame of reference for the description of the orientation of components one to another. Indeed, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, the assembled components of the invention may be easily hand-held in any desired orientation for use. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a laptop computer, indicated generally at  10 , including a lighted cursor control stick and cap  20  in accordance with the invention. The illustrated computer  10  includes a housing  11  and a monitor or display  12 . The computer  10  includes a keyboard assembly, indicated generally at  13 . The keyboard assembly  13  includes a plurality of keys  14  and a base  15  having corresponding switches (not shown) and logic circuitry, shown schematically at  16 . The keyboard assembly  13  may further include a communications cable (not shown) to communicably connect the circuitry  16  to the computer  10 . The keyboard assembly  13  further includes a bezel  17  to facilitate placement and/or attachment of the assembly  13  within the housing  11  of the computer  10 , although such is not required. The keyboard assembly  13  further includes the lighted cursor control stick and cap  20 , in accordance with the invention. The keyboard assembly  13  may further include other input devices (not shown) that facilitate the collection of input from a user in conjunction with or as an alternative to the lighted cursor control stick and cap  20 . For example, the keyboard assembly  13  may include a touch pad (not shown) in addition to the lighted cursor control stick and cap  20  and a user may be able to use the lighted cursor control stick and cap  20  and the touch pad as input devices to the computer  10  simultaneously or alternatively. 
     The illustrated embodiment includes a cursor control stick  21  and a cap  22 . The cursor control stick  21  is mounted at a first end (not shown) to the computer  10 , between the keys  14  of the keyboard assembly  13 . The cap  22  is removably mounted on the second end of the cursor control stick  21 . The cursor control stick  21  is usually made of a plastic or metal material, and translates the force on the cap  22  into a command to move a cursor on a video display  12  of the computer  10 . 
     It will be appreciated that the lighted cursor control stick and cap  20  may be mounted to any electronic device, including but not limited to desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, portable playback devices such as MP3 players, portable media players such as the iPod® brand players marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., satellite radio receivers, voice recorders, cellular phones, cordless phones, inventory, freight, and parcel tracking handheld devices, and vehicular control consoles. The cursor control stick  21  may be provided in combination with any other input devices such as keyboards and/or touch pads for an electronic device. The lighted cursor control stick and cap  20  may be used in conjunction with at least one key (not shown) that alters the input behavior of the lighted cursor control stick and cap  20  or the associated cursor function of the computer  10 , such as conventional left and right mouse buttons, although such is not required. The lighted cursor control stick and cap  20  may be integrated within the housing  11  of the computer  10  or the bezel  17  of the keyboard assembly  13 , although such is not required. 
     Control sticks and removable caps are known in the art. It should be understood that the cap  22  of this invention can be manufactured in a variety of geometries, of a variety of materials, and by a variety of methods, including those taught in my co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/523,725, Publication Number: US 20070063974 A1, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 through 9 , there are illustrated various embodiments of lighted cursor control sticks and caps in accordance with the invention. Each of the illustrated embodiments includes a cushioned cap with an upper portion and a lower portion. The cushioned cap is provided to improve comfort and ease of manipulation of the cursor control stick by a user. Each of the upper portions and the lower portions may be formed of the same material or may each be formed of different materials. The upper portions and the lower portions may be integrally formed. Each of the cushioned caps may have upper portions and lower portions that have the same or different durometers than one another when cured. The cushioned caps may be formed of any suitable material. Examples of some materials that may be suitable for the upper portion and lower portion of the cushioned caps illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 9  include (without excluding other materials) thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer olefin, thermoplastic elastomer polyolefin, Santoprene®, styrene maleic anhydride, Dylark®, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene maleic anhydride (SMA), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), nylon, polyester, acrylic, polysulfone, thermoplastic polyether, thermoplastic urethane, polypropylene, polyurethane, copolyester, thermoplastic styrenic elastomer, nylon, rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and any combination thereof. Examples of materials such thermoplastic elastomers include the Starflex family of thermoplastic rubbers available from Star Thermoplastics and Alloys, Inc., Chicago, Ill., or DYNAflex® Thermoplastic Elastomer Compounds available from GLS Corporation, McHenry, Ill., although use of these materials is not required. The cushioned caps illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 9  may also be formed of material with any suitable color (including decorative effects such as pearlescents, metallics, glowing, swirls, or sparkles), translucence, opacity or clarity, and with any suitable surface texturing (either from the formations of surface effects such as bumps, nubs, rings, etc, as described above, or through innate slickness or tackiness of the surface feel of the material used to form the cushioned caps), or any desired degree of upper surface concavity or convexity. Elastomers having high, medium or low durometers may be blended with each other, blended or treated with other materials, or physically modified in shape to render them respectively more or less flexible generally or in desired localized areas. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the cushioned cap  22  may extend from the control stick  21  to any desired height relative to the keys  14 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when the cushioned cap  22  and keys  14  are disposed for use on the computer  10 , the cushioned cap  22  extends at a height that is relatively the same as the height of the keys  14 . However, it will be appreciated that the cushioned cap  22  may be configured to extend from the computer  10  at a height greater than, less than, or equal to the height of which the keys  14  extend from the computer  10 . Therefore, the cushioned cap  22  may extend from the keyboard assembly  13  so that the cushioned cap  22  is taller, shorter, or the same height as the keys  14  in accordance with the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cushioned cap  122  is shown mounted on a cursor control stick  121  mounted on a keyboard  113 . The keyboard  113  is provided with a plurality of keys  114  disposed about the cursor control stick  121  and the cushioned cap  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, the keyboard  113  is provided with a standard “QWERTY”-type arrangement of the keys  114 , with the cursor control stick  121  mounted in a central location on the keyboard  113 , between the “G”, “H” and “B” keys. In the common system of typing known as touch typing, the user&#39;s fingers are kept lightly resting on a home row of keys on a keyboard when not actively keying a particular key. When touch typing, the fingers of the left hand rest on the “A”, “S”, “D”, and “F” keys, and the fingers of the right hand rest on the “J”, “K”, “L” and “;” keys. The “G” and “H” keys are also on the home row, between the “F” and “J” keys. 
     The keys  114  are typically provided with graphics, indicating what letter, number or symbol will appear when the key is manipulated, but such graphics may not be visible when using the keyboard  113  in low light conditions. Some keyboards are provided with tactile cues to alert the users to contact with certain keys. For example, on the LATITUDE® D820 laptop computer manufactured by Dell Inc. of Round Rock, Tex., the “F” and the “J” keys are provided with a small raised ridge on the upper surfaces thereof, near the edge most proximate to a user. This can assist the user in identifying the keys on which to rest their index fingers when positioning their hands on the home row of the keyboard. However, through use, these raised ridges can wear down. Additionally, some users do not hold their fingers in a manner that causes their fingers to contact these raised ridges, which are quite near the proximal edges of these keys. Thus, the location of the cursor control stick  121  between the “G” and “H” keys can serve as a visual cue for where users are to rest their fingers, with their index fingers resting one key outwardly from the cushioned cap  122  on the cursor control stick  121 , i.e., about one finger&#39;s width from the cushioned cap  122 . 
     The lighted cursor control stick and cap  120  provides a device for visually indicating a reference location on a keyboard in low light conditions. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the cursor control stick  121  is provided, at an upper end thereof, a light source  127 . The light source  127  may be of any suitable type, including an electrically operated light (such as a light emitting diode—LED, or an incandescent bulb of suitable wattage), a chemical light (such as one utilizing chemoluminescence, fluorescence, or phosphorescence), or self-powered lighting (such as a radioluminescent source). In the illustrated embodiment, the light source  127  is shown as a separate component; however, it should be appreciated that the light source  127  could comprise the material of the cursor control stick  121  or the cushioned cap  122 . For instance, a photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) material could be used for at least one of the materials comprising the cushioned cap  122  (or the cap  22  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) so that an upper surface of the cap  122  (or the cap  22 ) is illuminated so as to be seen by a user. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an LED is utilized as the light source  127 . The LED comprising the light source  127  is electrically connected to a source of electrical power (not shown) via wires  128 , which may suitably be routed through a passageway in the cursor control stick  121 . 
     The lower portion  123  of the cushioned cap  122  is formed of a translucent or transparent material, or may be provided with one or more bores or opening (not shown), so that light from the light source  127  can shine out of an upper surface  125  of the lower portion  123  to be seen by a user. The upper portion  124  may also be formed of translucent or transparent material, or provided with one or more bores (not shown), so that light may shine through the lower portion  123  and then through the upper portion  124  to be seen by a user. The upper portion  124  and the lower portion  123  maybe of different transparent colors to provide a decorative effect. The upper portion  124  may also be opaque. The portion of the cushioned cap  122  through which light passes to be seen by a user constitutes an indicating portion, indicated generally at  126 , of the cushioned cap  122 . It should be appreciated that the size and shape of the indicating portion  126  will depend on the light-transmitting characteristics of the lower portion  123  and the upper portion  124 . 
     The upper surface  125  of the cap  122  is also the engagement surface of the cursor control stick and cap  120 . That is, the upper surface  125  is disposed for engagement by the user&#39;s finger when the lighted cursor control stick and cap  120  is operated by the tip of one finger of the user. It will be appreciated that the upper surface  125  is located on an axial end face of the elongate lighted cursor control stick and cap  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the indicating portion  126  is part of the upper surface  125 . Consequently, light from the light source  127  will travel through the indicating portion  126  and be directly visible to a person situated to operate the cursor control stick and cap  120 , and allow the person to see where to place their finger to operate the cursor control stick and cap  120  (until, of course, the person places his or her finger onto the engagement surface and partially or completely obscures the indicating portion  126 —by which time the user will already know where his or her finger is located). 
     In use during low light conditions, the user will be able to see the light from the light source  127  emitted through the indicating portion  126  of the cushioned cap  122 , and thus be provided a visual cue as to where to place his fingers to engage the desired keys on the keyboard  113 . The cushioned cap  122  thus serves as a reference location amid the keys  114 . The light source  127  and the indicating portion  126  constitute an indicator for visually indicating a reference location on the keyboard  113 . 
     As indicated in  FIG. 3 , the operating (upper) surfaces of the keys  114  are supported within a plane P when not being pressed by a user. The keys  114  are substantially located on a first side of the plane P, that is, below the plane P as viewed in  FIG. 3 . The embodiment of the cushioned cap  122 , similarly, is preferably substantially located on the first side of the plane P, with no portion of the cushioned cap extending more than about  5  millimeters on a second side of the plane P, to avoid interfering with the movement of a user&#39;s fingers during use of the keyboard  113 . The indications of measurements herein are general indications of dimensions. These general indications of dimensions are provided for reference only and are not intended to limit the invention to such dimensions. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments of the lighted cursor control stick and cap of the invention may be practiced in any size with the elements thereof having any relative dimension to one another. 
     As discussed above, the lower portion  123  and the upper portion  124  of the cushioned cap  122  may be provided with one or more bores (not shown), so that light from the light source  127  can be seen by a user. While these bores may be just openings in the material, it is also contemplated that the bores may be filled with transparent or translucent material. 
     An indicating portion  126  of a cushioned cap can be used for purposes other than visually indicating a reference location on a keyboard  13 . For example, refer now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . A cushioned cap, indicated generally at  222  is shown provided with an indicating portion  226 . The indicating portion  226  is preferably composed of a translucent or transparent material. In the illustrated embodiment, the cushioned cap  222  is composed of an opaque upper portion  224  and a translucent lower portion  223 . The upper portion  224  includes elements  229  and  230  disposed on the upper surface  225  of the lower portion  223 , including, for example a stripe  229  extending diametrically across the upper surface  225 , and rings  230  disposed about nubs  231  formed on the upper surface  225 . 
     A light source  227  is disposed below the lower portion  223  of the cushioned cap  222 . In the illustrated embodiment, this light source  227  is a light emitting diode that is mounted on a cursor control stick  221  so as to emit light up through the translucent lower portion  223 , and through the portions of the upper surface  225  that are not covered by the opaque upper portion  224 . Alternatively, the light source may be provided in any other desired location relative to the cushioned cap  222  and using any other desired means. In this manner, light shining through the upper surface  225  can be caused to form a graphic design. Alternatively, the opaque material of the upper portion  224  can be said to form the graphic design. In any case, the graphic design formed by the control of light transmission through the lower portion  223  and past the upper portion  224  can be used for a variety of suitable purposes. The design could, for example display a trademark, or it could serve a decorative purpose. The light shining through the upper surface  225  of the cushioned cap  222  can produce a variety of designs based upon the properties of the lower portion  223 , the upper portion  224  and the light source  227 . For instance, the light-permeability of the materials used for the lower portion  223  and the upper portion  224  can be selected from materials that are transparent, translucent or transparent. Also, voids or bores can be included in the lower portion  223  and the upper portion  224  to allow the transmission of light. Further, the colors of the lower portion  223  and the upper portion  224  can be changed. A wide variety of visual appearances on the indicating portion  226  can be produced by changing these properties of the cushioned cap  222 . Additionally, changing the color and intensity of the light source  227  can change the visual appearance produced on the indicating portion  226 . 
     While the elements  229  and  230  are illustrated as being disposed in grooves formed in the lower portion  223  so that these elements  229  and  230  are flush with the surrounding surface, the elements  229  and  230  forming part of the upper portion  224  could be otherwise (i.e., stand proud of the surrounding surface, or even be recessed below the surrounding surface in even deeper grooves formed in the lower portion  223 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a cushioned cap  322  is shown mounted on an opaque cursor control stick  321  (partially illustrated). The cursor control stick  321  may be formed of any suitable material (such as steel). The cushioned cap  322  is formed of any suitable translucent or transparent material, as described above. The cushioned cap  322  has a lower surface  323 , and an upper surface  325 . 
     A light source  327 , composed of one or more individual lights, is disposed adjacent the cursor control stick  321  so as to be able to shine light  333  onto the lower surface  332  of the cushioned cap  322 , so that the light  333  passes through the cushioned cap  322 , and will shine out of the upper surface  325  of the cushioned cap  322 . 
     The portion of the cushioned cap  322  through which light passes to be seen by a user constitutes an indicating portion, indicated generally at  326 , of the cushioned cap  322 . The light source  327  and the indicating portion  326  thus can visually indicate a reference location on an associated keyboard (not shown). The lighted cursor control stick and cap  320  illustrated in  FIG. 6  (or of any of the other lighted cursor control sticks and cap discussed herein) may serve additional functions as well. In one arrangement, the light source  327  may activated to emit the light  333  only in certain conditions. For example, the light source  327  may be activated to emit the light  333  as a replacement for, or as a supplement to an audible signal such as is common for computers (for example, in some versions of Microsoft Corporation&#39;s Windows® operating system, a sound can be assigned to play when a program opens or closes) when an audible signal would be inappropriate (such as when using a computer in a library, so as to not disturb other patrons) or when an audible signal would be ineffective, such as during use in a very high noise area, or if the user is deaf or hearing impaired. The light source  327  may be arranged to provide different colors of lights (for example, by activating different ones of a group of different colored lights) to provide a range of different signals. Alternatively, the light source  327  may be arranged to provide a sequence of light pulses (such as differing combinations of short and long light pulses) to provide a range of different signals. Such a visual signal function could be useful in a wide variety of situations to provide visual feedback to the user that an action has occurred, such as during troubleshooting of a computer when a video display is not working or not present, or such as pulsing and changing colors in response to music being played from a computer file on a computer (not shown) which the lighted cursor control stick and cap  320  is installed. 
     An alternate arrangement of a lighted cursor control stick and cap  420  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . A cushioned cap  422  is shown mounted on a cursor control stick  421  (partially illustrated). The cursor control stick  421  may be formed of any clear or translucent material with sufficient strength, rigidity, and other material properties to act as a suitable cursor control stick in the desired application. The cushioned cap  422  is formed of any suitable translucent or transparent material, as described above. The cushioned cap  422  has an upper surface  425 . 
     A light source  427  is disposed adjacent the cursor control stick  421  so as to be able to shine light  433  into the cursor control stick  421 , through the cursor control stick  421  and thence through the cushioned cap  422 , so that the light  433  will shine out of the upper surface  425  of the cushioned cap  422 . As with the other embodiments of cursor control sticks described herein, the cursor control stick  421  may be provided with structures (such as faceted or rounded surfaces, flanges, bosses, etc.—all not shown) that facilitate transmission of the light  433  into and out of the cursor control stick  421 . It will also be apparent that light  433  may be allowed, if desired, to also shine directly from the light source  427  to the cushioned cap  422  along a path illustrated at  434 , in a manner similar to the lighted cursor control stick and cap  320  discussed above with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     Thus, the portion of the cushioned cap  422  through which light passes to be seen by a user constitutes an indicating portion, indicated generally at  426 , of the cushioned cap  422 . The light source  427  and the indicating portion  426  thus can visually indicate a reference location on an associated keyboard (not shown), or provide other visual functions as described above. The light source  427 , like the light source  327 , can be composed of one or more individual lights, may provide a variety of colors, and may be caused to pulse, change colors, or change intensity in a fashion to provide a variety of indications. 
     An alternate arrangement of a lighted cursor control stick and cap  520  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . A cushioned cap  522  is shown mounted on a cursor control stick  521  (the length of which is illustrated, but not showing how the cursor control stick  521  is mounted to transmit movement to sensors, which is known in the art). The cursor control stick  521  may be formed of any clear or translucent material with sufficient strength, rigidity, and other material properties to act as a suitable cursor control stick in the desired application. The cushioned cap  522  is formed of any suitable translucent or transparent material, as described above. The cushioned cap  522  has an upper surface  525 . 
     A light source  527  is disposed below the cursor control stick  521  so as to be able to shine light  533  into the cursor control stick  521 , along the length of the cursor control stick  521  and thence through the cushioned cap  522 , so that the light  533  will shine out of the upper surface  525  of the cushioned cap  522 . 
     Thus, the portion of the cushioned cap  522  through which light passes to be seen by a user constitutes an indicating portion, indicated generally at  526 , of the cushioned cap  522 . The light source  527  and the indicating portion  526  thus can visually indicate a reference location on an associated keyboard (not shown), or provide other visual functions as described above. The light source  527 , like the light source  327 , can be composed of one or more individual lights, may provide a variety of colors, and may be caused to pulse, change color, or change intensity in a fashion to provide a variety of indications. 
     An alternate arrangement of a lighted cursor control stick and cap  620  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . A cushioned cap  622  is shown mounted on a cursor control stick  621  (partially illustrated). The cursor control stick  621  may be formed of any material with sufficient strength, rigidity, and other material properties to act as a suitable cursor control stick in the desired application. The cursor control stick may be made of an opaque material, such as steel. The cursor control stick  621  defines a longitudinal passageway  635  therein. The cushioned cap  622  is formed of any suitable translucent or transparent material, as described above. The cushioned cap  622  has an upper surface  625 . 
     A fiber optic cable  636 , composed of one or more optical fibers, is operatively routed between a light source  627  and the cushioned cap  622  so as to be able to transmit light  633  from the light source  627  into the cushioned cap  622 . The light  633  then travels through the cushioned cap  622 , so that the light  633  will shine out of the upper surface  625  of the cushioned cap  622 . 
     Thus, the portion of the cushioned cap  622  through which light passes to be seen by a user constitutes an indicating portion, indicated generally at  626 , of the cushioned cap  622 . The light source  627 , the fiber optic cable  636 , and the indicating portion  626  thus can visually indicate a reference location on an associated keyboard (not shown), or provide other visual functions as described above. The light source  627 , like the light source  327 , can be composed of one or more individual lights, may provide a variety of colors, and may be caused to pulse, change color, or change intensity in a fashion to provide a variety of indications. 
     An alternate arrangement of a lighted cursor control stick and cap  720  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Although in most instances it is believed that the use of a cushioned cap, such as has been described in previous embodiments, would be desirable, it is contemplated that in some applications a cushioned cap might not be provided. It is contemplated that a cap at the top of a cursor control stick might not be “cushioned” but rather may be relatively hard and non-pliant. Accordingly, the presence of the modifier “cushioned” with the word “cap” in the embodiments above should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the invention with respect to the type of cap which may be utilized. 
     Indeed, the lighted cursor control stick and cap  720  is shown as one possible embodiment of the invention which does not have a removable cap at all. The lighted cursor control stick and cap  720  includes a cursor control stick  721  (the length of which is illustrated, but without showing how the cursor control stick  721  is mounted to transmit movement to sensors, which is known in the art). The cursor control stick  721  may be formed of any clear or translucent material with sufficient strength, rigidity, and other material properties to act as a suitable cursor control stick in the desired application. The cursor control stick  721  has an upper portion  723 , which may be considered as an integrally formed cap of the lighted cursor and control stick and cap  720 , as the upper portion  723  has an upper surface  725  which is to be manipulated by a user. The upper surface  725  may be flat, convex or concave, and may be provided with surface texturing to improve usability, such as stippling, nubs, ridges, grooves, or other surface features, which surface texturing may be of uniform height or of non-uniform height. Preferably, the upper portion  723  is provided with an enlarged diameter compared with other portions of the cursor control stick  721 , as seen in  FIG. 10 , in order to improve comfort and ease of manipulation, though the upper portion  723  need not have an enlarged diameter, and if provided with an enlarged diameter, the shape of the upper portion  723  may suitably be different than shown. 
     A light source  727  is provided to shine light  733  into the cursor control stick  721 , along the length of the cursor control stick  721  and thence out of the upper surface  725  of the cursor control stick  721 . The light source  727  may be disposed below the cursor control stick  721  as illustrated, or may, similar to embodiments described above, be disposed adjacent the cursor control stick  721  as shown in phantom at  727 ′, or operatively coupled via a fiber optic cable to the cursor control stick  721  from a remote location as shown in phantom at  727 ″. As with the other embodiments of cursor control sticks described herein, the cursor control stick  721  may be provided with structures (not shown) that facilitate transmission of the light  733  into and out of the cursor control stick  721 . 
     Thus, the upper portion of the cursor control stick  721  through which light passes to be seen by a user constitutes an indicating portion, indicated generally at  726 , of the cursor control stick  721 . The light source  727  and the indicating portion  726  thus can visually indicate a reference location on an associated keyboard (not shown), or provide other visual functions as described above. The light source  727 , like the light source  327 , can be composed of one or more individual lights, may provide a variety of colors, and may be caused to pulse, change color, or change in intensity in a fashion to provide a variety of indications. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicating portion  726  is part of the upper surface  725 . The upper surface  725  of the cap  722  is also the engagement surface of lighted cursor control stick and cap  720 . That is, upper surface  725  is disposed for engagement by the user&#39;s finger when the lighted cursor control stick and cap  720  is operated by the tip of one finger of the user. 
     It will be appreciated that any combination of the elements of the embodiments described herein may be combined and practiced together in accordance with the invention. It will be appreciated that the durometer of the material, the shape as described herein, and the surface shape and texture of the cushioned caps contribute to the overall feel of the cushioned caps. 
     The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.