Abstract: An input device providing users with a pointing capability includes a sender portion (100) and a receiver portion (200). The sender portion (100) is adapted to be manipulated by a user (the user manipulating button 125) to specify a target point within a target area. The sender portion projects a light beam (light output from light source 115) including a pattern onto the target area. A receiver portion (200) includes one or more sensor units (205, 210, 215) located in or near the target area. At least some of the sensor units (205, 210, 215) receive a portion of the light beam (light output from light source 115) regardless of the location of the target point within the target area. A processing unit (220) in the receiver portion (200) analyzes the portions of the light beam received by one or more sensor units (205, 210, 215) to determine an attribute of the target point. The attribute can be the location or relative motion of the target point.

Abstract: A remote computer I/O apparatus comprising of a set of position tracked wireless user manipulated bodies and a host adapter station. Input is derived from the real-time position tracking telemetry received from each user manipulated body over a wireless transmitter housed in each body. Location determination is performed on a relative clustering basis using photonic light pulses, on a relative absolute special positioning basis using ultrasonic triangulation between bodies, or on a relative absolute spatial positioning basis between each body and the host adapter. For output each body may store or receive video and audio generated respectively by the controlled computer or by an sound generating device such as a soundcard running on the same. Stored feedback is emitted from each body upon receipt of playback signals transmitted to any selected bodies causing them to display stored video on a local body display or to emit stored audio segments out a local body speaker.