Tray mounted cursor control input device for integration with computer keyboard

Abstract

A pointing device for use with a keyboard functions like a computer mouse. It incorporates a plurality of configurable function keys. The pointing device is composed of a rolling surface capable of rotation and translation that may activate a switch when it is depressed. An optical sensor monitors the rotation and translation of the rolling surface and translates that motion into communications interpretable by a mouse software driver. The enclosure containing the rolling surface incorporates an aperture allowing a portion of the rolling surface to be available for manipulation, an elevated support surface for the keyboard and provision for palm rests.

1 . An optical sensor assembly for controlling movement of a cursor comprising: 
 a base;    a support mechanism supported on the base;    a target comprising a surface comprising varying images, the surface supported on the support mechanism for rolling motion about an axis and for translation along the axis to present a varying segment of the surface to a focus area, the surface further supported for vertical clicking motion; and    an optical sensor comprising a sensing component, said sensing component mounted facing the surface of the target at the focus area to compare images of the surface at known time intervals, wherein the optical sensor detects a change in position of the surface in multiple directions during translation and rolling motion of the surface, and the optical sensor is aligned with respect to the surface so that the focus area remains in focus during vertical clicking motion of the surface.    
   
   
       2 . The optical assembly of  claim 1  wherein said optical sensor is positioned substantially beneath said surface.  
   
   
       3 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is curved.  
   
   
       4 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a rollerbar.  
   
   
       5 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a rollerball.  
   
   
       6 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support mechanism extends from a mount at a first end to a switch mechanism at a second end, the support mechanism movable with a vertical component into and out of contact with the switch mechanism.  
   
   
       7 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the support mechanism floats on a switch in a rest position.  
   
   
       8 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the support mechanism comprises a member having a bowed shape from the first end to the second end.  
   
   
       9 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the support mechanism comprises a springy member.  
   
   
       10 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is rollably supported by a bearing mechanism on the support mechanism.  
   
   
       11 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is mounted on a rolling mechanism.  
   
   
       12 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is translatable supported by a bearing mechanism on the support mechanism.  
   
   
       13 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a sleeve rollable via a bearing mechanism around the support mechanism and translatable along the support mechanism, rotation and translation of the sleeve being interpretable by the sensor.  
   
   
       14 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface has a matte texture.  
   
   
       15 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is texturized.  
   
   
       16 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing component comprises a single sensing component for sensing translation motion and rolling motion of the surface.  
   
   
       17 . The optical sensor assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an enclosure mounted on the base, an aperture in the enclosure, a portion of the surface available for manipulation through the aperture;    a plurality of function keys disposed proximate to the surface, the plurality of function keys available for manipulation through a further aperture in the enclosure.    
   
   
       18 . The optical assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the target is cylindrical, the optical sensor is aligned placing the focus area perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder and the surface is the circumferential surface of said cylinder.  
   
   
       19 . The optical assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optical sensor is substantially invariant to vertical motion.  
   
   
       20 . The optical assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optical sensing component is positioned beneath the surface.  
   
   
       21 . The optical assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optical sensing component comprises a portion facing the surface.  
   
   
       22 . The optical assembly of  claim 7  further comprising a switch disposed beneath a portion of the surface, wherein vertical movement of the surface activates the switch.  
   
   
       23 . The optical assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring supporting the support mechanism.  
   
   
       24 . The optical assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the spring is located at one end of the support mechanism.