Patent ID: 7570249

Claim:
An input device adapted to be used in connection with an interactive display system that has an interactive display surface, the input device comprising: (a) a housing that is adapted to be placed in proximity to the interactive display surface; (b) a power supply disposed within the housing; (c) an electronic display coupled to the power supply, the electronic display being in one of an energized state or a non-energized state, and wherein when the electronic display is in the energized state, the electronic display displays a pattern that is then detectable by the interactive display system and is an input to the interactive display system; (d) a user control disposed within the housing, the user control being movable from a first position to a second position, movement of the user control from the first position to the second position causing the electronic display to enter the energized state wherein, while the electronic display remains in the energized state and the input device is in sufficient proximity to the interactive display system to be detectable by the same, an input is provided to the interactive display system.