Pointing device with absolute and relative positioning capability

A joystick pointing device comprising:

• a movable control stick;
• a first gradient having a plurality of positions uniquely varying in intensity level of a first color, the first gradient operatively coupled to the control stick such that movement of the control stick on a first axis causes corresponding movement of the first gradient;
• a fixed first sensor positioned over the first gradient to detect the intensity level of the position underneath the first sensor;
• a second gradient having a plurality of positions uniquely varying in intensity level of a second color, the second gradient operatively coupled to the control stick such that movement of the control stick on a second axis causes corresponding movement of the second gradient;
• a fixed second sensor positioned over the second gradient to detect the intensity level of the position underneath the second sensor, and:
• whereby the intensity level detected by the first sensor and the intensity level detected by the second sensor relate to a unique position of the control stick and such control stick position information is communicated.

A joystick pointing device comprising:

• a movable control stick;
• a semispherical dome mounted axially to an end of the movable control stick, such that a bottom surface of the dome is convex and has a gradient having a plurality of positions uniquely varying in intensity level of a first color on a first axis and uniquely varying in intensity level of a second color on a second axis;
• a first sensor positioned under the bottom surface of the dome to detect the intensity level of the first color of the position above the first sensor;
• a second sensor positioned over the bottom surface of the dome to detect the intensity level of the second color of the position above the second sensor;
• and
• whereby the intensity level detected by the first sensor and the intensity level detected by the second sensor relate to a unique position of the control stick and such control stick position information is communicated.

A joystick pointing device comprising:

• a movable control stick;
• a mechanism mounted to an end of the movable control stick;
• and, a semispherical dome positioned underneath the mechanism, such that a top surface of
• the dome is concave and has a gradient having a plurality of positions uniquely varying in intensity level of a first color on a first axis and uniquely varying in intensity level of a second color on a second axis,
• wherein the mechanism comprises:
• a first sensor positioned above the top surface of the dome to detect the intensity
• level of the first color of the position underneath the first sensor;
• a second sensor positioned above the top surface of the dome to detect the
• intensity level of the second color of the position underneath the second sensor;
• and the intensity level detected by the first sensor and the intensity level detected by the second sensor relate to a unique position of the control stick and such control stick position information is communicated.

A computerized system comprising:

• a computer having at least a processor and a memory;
• and, a joystick including:
• a movable control stick
• a semispherical dome mounted axially to an end of the movable control stick and having a gradient having a plurality of positions uniquely varying in intensity level of a first color on a first axis and uniquely varying in intensity level of a second color on a second axis,
• a first sensor positioned under the bottom surface of the dome to detect the intensity level of the first color of the position above the first sensor,
• a second sensor positioned over the bottom surface of the dome to detect the intensity level of the second color of the position above the second sensor;
• and wherein the intensity level detected by the first sensor and the intensity level detected by the second sensor relate to a unique position of the control stick and such control stick position information is communicated to the computer.

A pointing device comprising:

• a housing;
• a first sensor disposed within the housing and positionable over a first gradient having a plurality of positions uniquely varying in intensity level, the first gradient substantially covering a surface, the first sensor detecting the intensity level of the position underneath the first sensor;
• and,
• a second sensor disposed within the housing and positionable over a second gradient having a plurality of positions uniquely varying in intensity level, the second gradient substantially covering the surface, the second sensor detecting the intensity level of the position underneath the second sensor, whereby the intensity level detected by the first sensor and the intensity level detected by the second sensor relates to a unique position of the device and information relative to such position is communicated.

A pointing device comprising:

• a housing;
• a first sensor disposed within the housing and positionable over a first surface, the first surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions arranged in a first gradient, the first gradient substantially covering the surface, the first sensor to detect the uniquely coded position underneath the first sensor;
• a second sensor disposed within the housing and positionable over a second surface, the surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions arranged in a second gradient, the second gradient substantially covering the second surface, the second sensor to detect the uniquely coded position underneath the second sensor;
• and
• whereby the position detected by the first sensor and the position detected by the second sensor relates to a unique position of the device and information relative to such position is communicated.