Patent ID: 8896620

Claim:
A computer input device for manipulating a digital image displayed on a display apparatus operably connected to the computer input device, the device comprising: a housing comprising a base having a bottom portion for optionally resting on a support surface, an arm extending upward from the base and terminating at a top portion, and a stage extending outward from the arm at a location intermediate the base and the top portion; wherein the stage comprises a distal portion proximate the arm, a proximal portion opposite the distal portion, wherein a y-axis passes through the distal portion, the proximal portion, and the arm, wherein the stage further comprises a top surface defining an xy-plane, wherein the xy-plane optionally generally aligns with the bottom portion of the base, wherein the xy-plane comprises the y-axis and an x-axis transverse to the y-axis; an x-axis stage controller attached to the housing and configured to communicate lateral movement of the digital image displayed on the display apparatus along an x-axis, the x-axis stage controller optionally extending from the stage and optionally rotatable about a first axis that may be generally aligned with the z-axis, wherein the z-axis is generally transverse to the xy-plane; and a y-axis stage controller attached to the housing and configured to communicate lateral movement of the digital image displayed on the display apparatus along a y-axis, the y-axis stage controller optionally extending from the stage and optionally rotatable about a second axis that may be generally aligned with the z-axis, wherein the first and second axes are, optionally, the same axis.