Low RSI absolute coordinate mouse using optical three-dimensional sensing with mouse click functions

An absolute coordinate pointing device manipulatable by a user to control at least cursor position on a display on a companion device, the absolute coordinate pointing device comprising:

• a base, defining an (x,y) plane including a drawing region surface defined within a boundary box, said (x,y) plane being orthogonal to a vertical z-axis;
• a user manipulable control element having a first end and a second, distal, end;
• a movable first light source outputting first optical energy rays, disposed to be moved in said (x,y) plane with movement of said first end of said control element in said (x,y) plane;
• a stationary, relative to said (x,y) plane, first light sensor array disposed to receive at least some of said first optical energy rays directly output from said movable first light source;
• a movable second light source outputting second optical energy rays, disposed to be moved on said vertical z-axis with vertical movement of said first end of said control element;
• a stationary, relative to said z-axis, second light sensor array disposed to receive at least some of said second optical energy rays directly output from said movable second light source;
• wherein said stationary first light sensor array outputs (x,y) Cartesian coordinate data commensurate with (x,y) plane movement of said first end of said control element, and said stationary second light sensor array outputs z-axis Cartesian coordinate data commensurate with z-axis movement of said first end of said control element;
• wherein at least one of said (x,y) Cartesian coordinate data and said z-axis Cartesian coordinate data is coupleable to said companion device to at least control position of said cursor position on said display;
• and
• wherein position of said control element relative to said boundary box is indicative of position of said cursor on said display, even when said control element is not being held by a user of said pointing device.

A method to provide absolute coordinate pointing of at least a cursor position on a display of a companion device responsive to user manipulation of a control element, the method including the following steps:

• defining an (x,y) plane including a drawing region surface defined within a boundary box, said (x,y) plane being orthogonal to a vertical z-axis;
• providing a user manipulable control element having a first end and a second, distal, end;
• moving in said (x,y) plane with movement of said first end of said control element in said (x,y) plane a movable first light source that outputs first optical energy rays;
• sensing with a stationary, relative to said (x,y) plane first light sensor array at least some of said first optical energy rays directly output from said movable first light source;
• moving on said vertical z-axis with vertical movement of said first end of said control element a movable second light source outputting second optical energy rays;
• sensing with a stationary, relative to said z-axis, second light sensor array at least some of said second optical energy rays directly output from said second exit location;
• wherein said movable first light sensor array outputs (x,y) Cartesian coordinate data commensurate with (x,y) plane movement of said first end of said control element, and said movable second light sensory array outputs z-axis Cartesian coordinate data commensurate with z-axis movement of said first end of said control element;
• wherein at least one of said (x,y) Cartesian coordinate data and said z-axis Cartesian coordinate data is coupleable to said companion device to at least control position of said cursor position on said display;
• and
• wherein position of said control element relative to said boundary box is indicative of position of said cursor on said display, even when said control element is not being held by a user.