Pen-type computer input device

Abstract

Abstract A pen-type computer input device is used to move a cursor on the display of a computer system or enter data such as of figures, letters, numerals, or the like into a computer system. The pen-type computer input device includes a shank, a ball rotatably supported on the tip end of the shank, the ball having a plurality of identifiable regions on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a circuit including a sensor unit for detecting the identifiable regions in response to rotation of the ball, and for detecting the directions in which the ball rotates and the distances by which the ball moves two perpendicular directions in a plane, and producing an output signal representative of the directions and distances. Since the sensor unit can detect the distance by which the pen-type computer input device moves without any mechanical motion transmitting mechanism incorporated in the shank, the pen-type computer input device may be small in size and can be handled with ease.

Inventors

• 👤 Kimikatsu Sato
• 👤 Ryuichi Toyoda
• 👤 Takeshi Masaki

Bibliographic Details