Input pointer and input device

Abstract

An input pointer includes two top-surface switches and a rotary switch on the top surface of the main body, a protrusion on an imaginary center line on the bottom surface of the main body, and two bottom-surface switches at the sides of the protrusion. The two top-surface switches and the rotary switch are turned ON when pressed by a user's finger, whereas the bottom-surface switches are turned ON when the main body is tilted about the protrusion.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . An input pointer for inputting a position to a position detector, the pointer comprising:
 a main body having a top outer surface, a bottom outer surface opposite said top outer surface, and an edge portion where said top outer surface meets said bottom outer surface;   at least one top-surface switch arranged on said top outer surface of said main body;   at least one protrusion extending outwardly from a central portion of said bottom outer surface of said main body; and   at least one bottom-surface switch arranged on said bottom outer surface of said main body at said at least one protrusion.   
   
   
       23 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a tuning circuit; and   an electric wave generating circuit for providing an electric wave to said tuning circuit, said tuning circuit resonating with the electric wave to generate another electric wave to be sent to the position detector such that coordinate values corresponding to a position designated with said input pointer are detected via the position detector.   
   
   
       24 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one protrusion comprises an outward surface that extends furthest from said bottom outer surface, said outward surface comprising an elongated rectangular shape extending along a predetermined direction. 
   
   
       25 . The input pointer of  claim 24 , wherein said outward surface of said at least one protrusion is substantially parallel to said bottom outer surface. 
   
   
       26 . The input pointer of  claim 24 , wherein said at least one bottom-surface switch comprise a first bottom switch positioned at a first elongated side of said at least one protrusion and a second bottom switch positioned at a second elongated side of said at least one protrusion, opposite to said first bottom switch. 
   
   
       27 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one protrusion extends from said bottom outer surface by a first distance and said at least one bottom-surface switch extends from said bottom outer surface by a second distance, which is less than said first distance. 
   
   
       28 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , wherein said bottom outer surface is substantially oval-shaped and has a central axis extending along a lengthwise direction thereof, and said at least one protrusion extends at least partially along the central axis. 
   
   
       29 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , wherein a portion of said at least one protrusion that is furthest from said bottom outer surface is substantially flat, and lateral portions of said at least one protrusion are curved surfaces. 
   
   
       30 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one bottom-surface switch comprises a plurality of bottom-surface switches extending in line adjacent to said at least one protrusion. 
   
   
       31 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , wherein said bottom outer surface of said main body has an angle of 2° or more relative to a first imaginary plane passing through said at least one protrusion and a tip of said at least one bottom-surface switch and has an angle of 5° or less relative to a second imaginary plane passing through said at least one protrusion and a lateral edge on said bottom outer surface of said main body, when said at least one bottom-surface switch is not pressed. 
   
   
       32 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one protrusion stably supports said main body on an operating surface without said at least one bottom-surface switch contacting said operating surface. 
   
   
       33 . The input pointer of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one bottom-surface switch is activated by tilting said main body on the operating surface along said protrusion. 
   
   
       34 . The input pointer of  claim 33 , wherein:
 when said main body is tilted on the operating surface about said at least one protrusion by an angle of between about 0° and about 2°, said at least one bottom-surface switch is not activated; and   when said main body is tilted on the operating surface about said at least one protrusion by an angle greater than 2′, said at least one bottom-surface switch is activated.   
   
   
       35 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a resonant circuit for interacting with the position detector via electromagnetic waves, wherein characteristics of said resonant circuit are modified based on operation of said at least one top-surface switch and said at least one bottom-surface switch.   
   
   
       36 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a rotary switch positioned on said top outer surface of said main body adjacent to said at least one top-surface switch.   
   
   
       37 . The input pointer of  claim 36 , wherein:
 said at least one top-surface switch comprises a first top-surface switch positioned on a first side of said rotary switch and a second top-surface switch positioned on a second side of said rotary switch opposite said first top-surface switch; and   said at least one bottom-surface switch comprises a first bottom-surface switch positioned on a first side of said at least one protrusion opposite said first top-surface switch and a second bottom-surface switch positioned on a second side of said at least one protrusion opposite said second top surface switch, said top and bottom surface switches being depression type switches.   
   
   
       38 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one protrusion has a distal flat surface, said distal flat surface being substantially parallel to said bottom outer surface and for supporting said main body on an operating surface such that there is a space between said bottom outer surface and the operating surface. 
   
   
       39 . The input pointer of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a position indicating mechanism for interacting with an operating surface to inform the position detector of a current position of the position indicator.   
   
   
       40 . The input pointer of  claim 39 , wherein said position indicating mechanism comprises one of an illumination unit for illuminating the operating surface and detecting a reflection thereof to determine a movement direction of the input pointer, and a rotating track ball for mechanically indicating movement of the input pointer. 
   
   
       41 . An input pointer for pointing to a position, said input pointer comprising:
 a main body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to said first surface, said first and second surfaces meeting at a side portion of said main body, a central axis extending through a central portion of said main body in a lengthwise direction thereof;   a first depressible switch arranged at said first surface;   a second depressible switch arranged at said second surface; and   at least one protrusion extending from said second surface for supporting said main body on an operating surface such that said second depressible switch does not contact the operating surface,   wherein said second depressible switch is activated by tilting said main body about said at least one protrusion.   
   
   
       42 . A method for operating an input pointer having a main body with a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and an edge portion where the top surface meets the bottom surface, at least one top-surface switch arranged on the top surface of the main body, at least one protrusion extending outwardly from a central portion of the bottom surface of the main body, and at least one bottom-surface switch arranged on the bottom surface of the main body at a side of the at least one protrusion, the method comprising:
 providing the input pointer to be supported on a working surface by the at least one protrusion such that there is a gap between the bottom surface of the main body and the working surface;   grasping the main body proximate the top surface;   tilting the main body about the protrusion to bring the bottom surface switch into contact with a work surface; and   actuating the bottom surface switch against the work surface.   
   
   
       43 . The method for operating an input pointer of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 sliding the protrusion across the work surface to a selected position; and   actuating the bottom surface switch against the work surface at the selected position.