Abstract: A hand-controlled mechanism is described for producing signals to move the position of a cursor in a computer display. The mechanism includes a shaft with an elongated axis. A plurality of conductors are wrapped around the shaft and a cylindrical member is mounted for both rotary and lateral movements along the shaft. Signal drivers are provided for applying an energizing signal to a sequence of the conductors. The cylindrical member is provided with conductive plates which overlap a plurality of the conductors, the plates acting to couple an energizing signal applied to one conductor to other conductors which are overlapped by the plates. A decoder senses the coupled energizing signals and provides an output indicative of the position of the cylindrical member to accordingly control a cursor's position. In a preferred embodiment, first and second conductor groups are helically wrapped about the shaft in opposite directions and with orthogonal pitches.