Two-axis ball-based cursor control apparatus with magnetic force induced tactile feedback

A two-axis ball-based cursor control apparatus providing for discrete, uniform displacements in each direction of rotation in order to achieve a precise alignment of a cursor and target in electronic displays while simultaneously providing tactile feedback to the user corresponding to each incremental displacement, said cursor control apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a spherical ball positioned partially within said housing and capable of freely rotating about at least two axes;
• a plurality of first magnetic elements fixed within said spherical ball;
• and
• a plurality of second magnetic elements fixed within said housing, said second magnetic elements positioned so that when said spherical ball is at rest, an attractive magnetic force exists between at least one of said first magnetic elements and at least one of said second magnetic elements sufficient to thereby restrict further rotation of said spherical ball until a rotational force is applied to said spherical ball sufficient to overcome the magnetic force, causing said spherical ball to rotate about at least one axis of rotation until such time as the applied force on said spherical ball no longer exceeds the magnetic force, at which time said attractive force will again cause said spherical ball to stop at a new stationary position, toward providing the user with tactile feedback indicating that the position of said spherical ball has changed.