Patent ID: 7538758

Claim:
A single control element device that is operable in an absolute coordinate mode and enables user control of a computer cursor and emulation of mouse clicks, the device comprising: a single control element manipulable by a user of said device; a surface defining an x-y plane relative to which said single control element is manipulable by said user; means for resolving user movement of said single control element relative to said x-y plane of said surface and for outputting a computer recognizable signal therefrom; and means for recognizing user manipulation of said single control element in at least one of (a) an axis normal to said x-y plane and (b) an axis tilted with respect to said x-y plane, and means for discerning therefrom at least one emulated mouse click, said means for discerning including a reflective element coupled for movement along an x-axis and a y-axis of said x-y plane responsive to movement of said single control element and including an optical sensing system disposed to optically sense x-axis and y-axis movement of said single element in said x-y plane; wherein observation at any time of relative position of said single control element on said x-y plane of said surface provides said user with information as to relative position of a cursor on a computer display controlled by said device.