INPUT APPARATUS WITH BALL
First Claim
1. An input apparatus for providing a control signal to a host system, the input apparatus comprising:
- a housing comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;
a ball at the upper portion of the housing;
a first sensor assembly configured to sense the position of the ball;
a second sensor assembly configured to sense the position of the input apparatus relative to a work surface; and
a mode switch, wherein the mode switch is operatively coupled to the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, the mode switch comprising a first mode where the first sensor assembly is used to provide the control signal to the host system and a second mode where the second sensor assembly is used to provide the control signal to the host system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input apparatus is disclosed. The input apparatus provides a control signal to a host system. It includes a housing that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. A ball is coupled to the upper portion of the housing and can reside within a ring. A first sensor assembly is configured to sense the position of the ball, and a second sensor assembly is configured to sense the position of the input apparatus relative to a work surface. The input apparatus also includes a mode switch, where the mode switch is operatively coupled to the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly. The mode switch includes a first mode where the first sensor assembly provides the control signal to the host system and a second mode where the second sensor assembly provides the control signal to the host system.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An input apparatus for providing a control signal to a host system, the input apparatus comprising:
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a housing comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; a ball at the upper portion of the housing; a first sensor assembly configured to sense the position of the ball; a second sensor assembly configured to sense the position of the input apparatus relative to a work surface; and a mode switch, wherein the mode switch is operatively coupled to the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, the mode switch comprising a first mode where the first sensor assembly is used to provide the control signal to the host system and a second mode where the second sensor assembly is used to provide the control signal to the host system. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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2. The input apparatus of claim I wherein the first sensor assembly is a first optical sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly is a second optical sensor assembly.
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17. A modular desktop assembly comprising:
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a keyboard comprising a first connector; and a control device comprising a second connector, wherein the first connector is connectable to the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A ball assembly for providing a control signal, the ball assembly comprising:
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a housing; a holding structure; a ball cooperatively configured with the holding structure, wherein the ball is accessible from outside the housing; and a sensor assembly configured to sense the relative movement of the ball. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification