Abstract: A method of capturing user control inputs includes providing a first navigation member slidably coupled on a housing portion of a portable computer and a stationary second navigation member external to and independent of the portable computer. An input card is provided that includes an optical navigation sensor and is configured with a size and a shape for deployment of the input card in a first releasably fixed arrangement relative to the first navigation member and a second movable arrangement relative to the stationary second navigation member. A first user control input is captured for controlling a function of the portable computer, via communication between the input card and the portable computer, based on relative motion between the optical navigation sensor of the input card and one of respective movable first navigation member and stationary second navigation member.

Abstract: An optical input card is shaped and sized for removable slidable insertion within a slot of a portable computer. The optical input card comprises an optical navigation sensor, a control panel and a wireless communication module. The optical navigation sensor is disposed on the first side of the card for exposure to a navigation surface and is configured to capture a first user control input. The control panel on a second side of the card is configured to capture at least one second user control input. The wireless communication module is configured to wirelessly communicate the first user control input and the at least one second user control input to the portable computer.