Patent ID: 6853366

Claim:
A cursor positioning device for positioning a cursor on a computer display, comprising in combination: a top surface having an opening; a cursor positioning articulator above said opening with a connection means through said opening to a positioning interrupter means below said opening; said positioning interrupter means having an outer periphery forming a radius; an inner and outer ring of optical emitters and detectors disposed around said positioning interrupter; said inner and outer ring of optical emitters and detectors having a light beam there between; wherein said positioning interrupter means lacks direct connection to said inner and outer ring of optical emitters and detectors; said positioning interrupter means has a first position allowing a first amount of emission from said light beam to contact said detector; said radius and said ring of optical emitters and detectors have a common centerline in said first position; said positioning interrupter means has a second position allowing a second amount of emission from said light beam to contact said detector; said radius and said ring of optical emitters and detectors have a different centerline in said second position; an electronic circuit that has stored therein an angular position of each said emitter and detector in said inner and outer ring of emitters and detectors; and whereby as said positioning interrupter means is moved between said first position toward said second position at least one said emitter of said inner and outer ring of emitters and detectors said emission is varied to at least one said detector therefor equating said emission variance with said angular position an angular direction and cursor movement is derived.