Patent ID: 7499022

Claim:
A device for providing user input to a computer, the device comprising: a base member adapted to rest on a support surface, the base member having a substantially flat bottom surface portion adapted for sliding along the support surface; a tracking sensor mounted in the base member, the tracking sensor being configured to generate a position input signal in response to a motion of the base member; a grip member adapted to be held by a substantially vertically oriented hand of a user, the grip member being fixedly coupled to the base member and extending upward therefrom, the grip member having a major axis extending upward at an angle of at least about 45 degrees relative to the substantially flat bottom surface portion; a scroll wheel rotatably mounted in the grip member such that a first peripheral portion of the scroll wheel extends through a first side surface of the grip member, the scroll wheel having a rotational axis that forms an angle of between about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees with the major axis of the grip member, wherein an axis of rotation of the scroll wheel is oriented such that the scroll wheel is rotatable by a substantially arc-like movement of a thumb of a hand holding the grip member across the first peripheral portion; a first scroll wheel sensor coupled to detect a rotational movement of the scroll wheel and configured to generate a scroll input signal in response to the rotational movement of the scroll wheel; and a signaling circuit configured to transmit the position input signal and the scroll input signal to the computer.