System and method for obtaining user input with magnetic sensing using a track ball

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing computer implemented services using user input are disclosed. To obtain the user input, a passive human interface device may be used. The human interface device may include a trackball and a pair of magnets that may produce a magnetic field used to discern the user input. The pair of magnets may be mechanically coupled to the trackball and actuatable portions of the human interface device thereby facilitating both rotation and translation, respectively, of the pair of magnets responsive to actuations by a user. The rotation and translation of the pair of magnets may be sensed and used to identify user input provided by the user.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.