Patent ID: 8221229

Claim:
An input device for interfacing with a game console to interact with a computer program, comprising: a controller having a handle; a spherical object connected to a first end of the handle; a circuit for identifying position of the handle, the circuit further including communication logic to communicate the identified position to the game console during interaction with the computer program; and control input connected to a second end of the handle, wherein the spherical object is placed in contact with a surface when held by the handle, the circuit defined to update the identified position of the handle as the handle is pivoted on the surface, the control input providing commands that are exchanged with the game console to further interact with the computer program; and a sensor to detect when the spherical object is in actual contact with the surface, wherein the sensor suspends the identification of position of the controller when the spherical object is not in contact with the surface, the suspension being cancelled when the spherical object is rejoined in contact with the surface; or wherein the sensor activates one of a wand or pointer mode when the spherical object is not in contact with the surface.