Abstract: A hand held computer input device includes a first housing portion having at least one user actuable input device. A first extending handle is coupled to, and extends away from, the first housing portion. A second handle is also coupled to, and extends away from, the first housing portion. An orientation sensor is coupled to the first housing and is configured to sense a physical orientation of the first housing portion. The orientation sensor provides an orientation signal indicative of the physical orientation sensed.

Abstract: A control device that combines a movable pod, that is sized to comfortably support a user's hand, with control buttons that are easily commanded by the user's fingers and thumb without interfering with pod movement, thereby allowing the user to quickly, simultaneously, and intuitively, command multiple aspects of a user application software, such as a game. Preferably, the pod is movable simultaneously in three different directions: forward-and-backward, side-to-side; and axially about an axis. The device also uses the distance the pod is displaced from a neutral position as an additional control parameter for commanding the application software. In addition, control commands associated with the control buttons and movement of the pod may be programmed by the user either “on the fly” or by using a graphical user interface. Also, the device provides feedback to the user regarding the programmed status of each button and available pod movement.

Abstract: A navigation input device for navigating a graphical display includes a substantially elliptical sensing window and a touch sensor, which is sensitive to placement of a user's digit within the sensing window.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dual axis articulated computer input device. Position sensors are configured to provide position information indicative of a position of two handle members relative to one another.

Abstract: A computer input device that comfortably supports the hand of the user while the thumb and fingers are associated with buttons, a trackball, and a scrolling wheel carried on the device. The overall configuration of the device and the arrangement of these actuators permits the user to easily and effectively operate all of the actuators while the hand and arm of the user are in a comfortable position. The device includes a housing having thumb-side and finger-side surfaces. The trackball extends from the thumb-side surface. The finger-side surface includes four input buttons and the scrolling wheel. The thumb-side surface is fairly steep and almost at right angles to the finger-side surface. This helps enable the motion of the thumb to fall along its natural axis of flexion/extension. The thumb-side surface extends above the top of the ball to provide a stop when the thumb is moved inwardly off the ball.

Abstract: A computer input device that comfortably supports the hand of the user while the thumb and fingers are associated with buttons, a trackball, and a scrolling wheel carried on the device. The overall configuration of the device and the arrangement of these actuators permit the user to easily and effectively operate all of the functions provided by the actuators while the hand and arm of the user are in a comfortable position. The device includes a housing having an asymmetrical dividing ridge forming a “thumb-side surface,” for placement of the thumb, and a “finger-side surface,” for placement of the remaining four fingers. The finger-side surface includes a ball rotatably mounted in the housing and further includes first and second input buttons disposed to the side of the ball which may be used as “forward” and “back” buttons. The first and second input buttons adjacent to the ball may be replaced by a linearly slidable or pivotally movable actuator.