Patent ID: 7142193

Claim:
A coordinate input device having a polygonal wheel having plural sides, as a circumferential edge thereof, and which is rotatable about a first axis, comprising: a plurality of rotating bodies, each of the rotating bodies disposed along a corresponding one of the plural sides and rotating along with the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel about the first axis and each of the rotating bodies rotatable about the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel as a second axis, which is different from the first axis such that the polygonal wheel and the plurality of rotating bodies rotate about the first axis; rotating body rotating state detection means for detecting a rotating state of said rotating bodies; wheel rotating state detection means for detecting a rotating state of said polygonal wheel; a format change-over switch; and data transmission means for transmitting information detected by each of said respective detection means as a set of operation instructions for a computer and adapted to effect transmission in a first format when said format change-over switch is not depressed and to effect another transmission in a second format when said format change-over switch is depressed.