Pointing device and information processing apparatus
US6618037B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/03543
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A pointing device is provided, enabling to specify a position in a predetermined space easily. A ball is rotatably fitted in the bottom of a body of a pointing device, and the ball rolls when the body moves over a reference surface. A first displacement detecting unit detects displacement of the body relative to the reference surface by detecting the rolling of the ball. A fixed member is fixed to an upper part of the body by way of an elastically bendable supporting member. The moving member can displace relative to the fixed member, and this displacement is detected by a second displacement detecting unit. When the moving member is depressed, the fixed member presses a switch. The switch thus detects whether or not the moving member is being depressed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.