Patent ID: 7677754

Claim:
A controller for manipulating an object in a computer application comprising: a base; a dial rotatably attached to the base so that the dial can be rotated about a rotational axis, the dial having an outward face, the dial allowing manipulation of the object in the computer application; an optical encoder system in operable communication with the dial using reflection; and a knob attached to the dial that protrudes from the outward face of the dial providing a reference point for the rotational position of the dial, the knob including an upper surface that has a smaller surface area than the outward face of the dial, the knob being positioned on the dial at a distance from the rotational axis of the dial such that the knob does not intersect the rotational axis of the dial, wherein the knob is collapsible so that the distance between the upper surface of the knob and the outward face of the dial is reduced.