Input device featuring both trackball and mouse capability
US4562347A · kind A · utility
69Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 1983 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20201
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An input apparatus for use with a computer, including a housing having a top aperture and a bottom aperture, a spherical member supported in the housing so that a portion thereof protrudes through the top and bottom apertures, and encoding means for transforming the motion of the ball into computer compatible signals, wherein the input apparatus can be moved over a surface, so as to function as a mouse, or can be supported by its housing, with motive force applied to the portion of the spherical member protruding from the top aperture, so as to function as a trackball.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.