User input device with vertical grip and tracking sensor offset

Abstract

A device for providing user input to a computer includes a base member that has a base axis. A tracking sensor for sensing motion of the base member is mounted in the base member at a sensor location along the base axis. A vertical grip member extends upward from the base member. A major axis of the vertical grip member intersects the base axis at a grip axis location that is offset from the sensor location by a distance greater than zero.

1 . A device for providing user input to a computer, the device comprising: 
 a base member adapted to rest on a support surface, the base member having a base axis oriented to be parallel to the support surface;    a tracking sensor mounted in the base member at a sensor location along the base axis, the tracking sensor being configured to generate a position input signal in response to a motion of the base member;    a signaling circuit coupled to the tracking sensor and configured to transmit the position input signal to a computer; and    a grip member adapted to be held by a substantially vertically oriented hand of a user, the grip member being fixedly coupled to the base member and extending upward therefrom, the grip member having a major axis that intersects the base axis at a grip axis location,    wherein the sensor location and the grip axis location are offset by an offset distance greater than zero.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the offset distance is chosen such that a substantially rotational movement of the grip member about a vertical axis produces a substantially lateral motion of the tracking sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the offset distance is between about 1 centimeter and about 20 centimeters.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the major axis of the grip member forms an angle of at least about 45 degrees with the base axis.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling circuit includes a cable adapted to be received at a port of the computer.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling circuit includes a wireless transmitter.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member has a substantially flat bottom surface adapted for sliding along the support surface.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking sensor includes an optical motion sensor for detecting motion of the base member.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking sensor includes a mechanical motion sensor for detecting motion of the base member.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking sensor includes a gyroscopic motion sensor for detecting motion of the base member.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 one or more button controls, each button control being disposed on the grip member so as to be operable by a different finger of a hand holding the grip member; and    a respective actuation sensor coupled to detect operation of each button control and configured to generate a respective button input signal in response to the operation of the button control.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the signaling circuit is further configured to transmit the button input signals to a computer.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein a first one of the button controls has a trigger shape and is positioned so as to be operable by a first finger of a hand holding the grip member.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a second one of the button controls is positioned below the first button control so as to be operable by a second finger of a hand holding the grip member.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a trigger guard member extending forward from the grip member between the first button control and the second button control.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein a forward section of the second button control is mounted on a lower surface of the trigger guard member.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a scroll wheel rotatably mounted in the grip member and positioned so as to be rotatable by a thumb of the hand holding the grip member; and    a first scroll wheel sensor coupled to detect a rotational movement of the scroll wheel and configured to generate a scroll input signal in response to the rotational movement of the scroll wheel.    
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the scroll wheel is further mounted so as to be inwardly depressible toward a center plane of the grip member and wherein the device further comprises: 
 a second scroll wheel sensor coupled to detect an inward depression of the scroll wheel and configured to generate a scroll press input signal in response to the inward depression of the scroll wheel.    
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the scroll wheel is arranged so as to allow ambidextrous operation.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the button controls are arranged so as to allow ambidextrous operation.