Tray mounted cursor control input device for integration with computer keyboard
OwnerSteven Wanginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pointing device for use with a keyboard functions like a computer mouse. It incorporates a plurality of configurable function keys. The pointing device is composed of a rolling surface capable of rotation and translation that may activate a switch when it is depressed. An optical sensor monitors the rotation and translation of the rolling surface and translates that motion into communications interpretable by a mouse software driver. The enclosure containing the rolling surface incorporates an aperture allowing a portion of the rolling surface to be available for manipulation, an elevated support surface for the keyboard and provision for palm rests.
Claims24
An optical sensor assembly for controlling movement of a cursor comprising:
- a base;
- a support mechanism supported on the base;
- a target comprising a surface comprising varying images, the surface supported on the support mechanism for rolling motion about an axis and for translation along the axis to present a varying segment of the surface to a focus area, the surface further supported for vertical clicking motion;
- and
- an optical sensor comprising a sensing component, said sensing component mounted facing the surface of the target at the focus area to compare images of the surface at known time intervals, wherein the optical sensor detects a change in position of the surface in multiple directions during translation and rolling motion of the surface, and the optical sensor is aligned with respect to the surface so that the focus area remains in focus during vertical clicking motion of the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.