WO2001079954A1

WO2001079954A1 - Combined pointing device and joystick

Info

Publication number: WO2001079954A1
Application number: PCT/IL2001/000356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mordehai Sholev
Original assignee: Itpen Europe Limited
Priority date: 2000-04-19
Filing date: 2001-04-18
Publication date: 2001-10-25
Also published as: IL135758A0; AU2001252501A1; AR027808A1

Abstract

Pointer-joystick / mouse device (10), which comprises an elongated pointer element (12) having an axis and a tip (35); means for determining and transmitting to a computer the coordinates of two points (45) lying on the axis, whereby to determine the position on a predetermined reference surface of the intersection of the axis with the surface, and the orientation of the axis with respect to a reference plane. The body of the device comprises a sliding element (21) defining the reference plane; means for supporting the pointer element, with its tip in fixed position with respect to the sliding surface (21); means (33) for permitting and guiding the swinging motion of the element about the tip as a pivot point; and elastic means for constantly urging the pointer element to the position in which the axis thereof has a predetermined reference orientation.

Description

COMBINED POINTING DEVICE AND JOYSTICK

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to pointer devices for actuating a pointer on the

screen of a computer, which devices are also capable of controlling the

representation on the screen of an object or part of an object indicated by

the pointer or of controlling the way in which the object or the part

thereof is viewed on the screen. The pointer devices to which the

invention relates are therefore capable of carrying out functions that may

be carried out by mouse and joystick.

Background of the Invention

Pointer devices of various kinds are used for actuating a pointer or index,

that is generally in the form of an arrow, and is capable of assuming the

various forms in various stages of its operation, to indicate points on the

screen, whereby to identify objects or cause operations to be carried out

that are defined by the indicated points. The mouse is a typical pointer

device, but there are various different ones. Pointer devices can be

connected to the computer by means of cables, but also by means of

radiation, such as radio waves, infra-red or the type of transceiver known

as "Bluetooth". For the sake of clarity, the term "pointer" alone will be

used to designate the index that is seen on the computer screen, and the expression "pointer device" to designate the device, such as a mouse, that

is actuated by the operator to shift the pointer to the desired location on

the screen.

Copending PCT Application No. PCT/IL99/00601 describes a novel

pointer device that can be used to select points on a surface and transmit

to the computer the coordinates of the selected points, so that these latter

may be represented by points on the computer screen.

Fig 1 schematically illustrates the determination of the 3-D coordinates of

a transmission point by receiving data transmitted from the transmission

point in three receivers, each of which is located at a different point in the

spatial domain. The three receivers Rl, R2 and R3 are located at three

points with known coordinates, (xl,yl,zl), (x2,y2,z2), and (x3,y3,z3),

respectively. The transmission point TO is located at a point (x0,y0,z0) in

the spatial domain, the coordinates of which should be calculated. The

time at which the data transmission from point TO is received at each

receiver, is converted into a distance information. Hence, the time

required for the transmitted data to pass the distances 101, 102 and 103,

from point TO to receivers Rl, R2 and R3, respectively, is used to calculate

the distances 101, 102 and 103 (knowing the propagation velocity of the

transmitted data). After knowing the distances 101, 102 and 103, the required coordinates

(xO,yO,zO) of point TO can be simply calculated as follows:

The three points (xl,yl,zl), (x2,y2,z2), and (x3,y3,z3) define a plane which

contains a triangle formed between these three points (vertices of the

triangle). A triangular pyramid is formed by connecting point (x0,y0,z0)

with all three points (xl,yl,zl), (x2,y2,z2), and (x3,y3,z3) with straight

hnes 101, 102 and 103, respectively. The desired coordinate values of point

(x0,y0,z0) can be calculated from these distances using geometric

calculations. For example, a corresponding sphere can be drawn for each

receiver by determining the center of the sphere at the receiving point,

and the radius of the sphere as the distance from the receiving point to

the transmission point TO. In this example, each sphere may be

represented by a corresponding equation:

The intercept point of the three spheres represented by Eqs. 1 to 3 is

T0(x0,y0,z0). Therefore, the coordinates of point TO fulfill all three

equations. By arranging Eqs. 1 to 3 as a set and substituting the

coordinates x0,y0,z0:

x=xo

y=y

Z=ZQ

The set may be solved for the three required coordinate values, x0,y0,z0.

Figs. 2A to 2C schematically illustrate the calculation of the 3-D

coordinates of the tip of a pointing device having two aligned transmission

points located essentially along its longitudinal central axis. The tip

location is co-linear with these two transmission points. The coordinates

(Xc,Yc,Zc) of tip are calculates from the coordinate values (Xα,Yα,Zα) and

Kb,Yb,Zb) which are determined by a set of three receivers Rl to R3. The

distance between the two transmitters 12a and 12b is Lab and the distance

between transmitter 12b and the tip (point c) is Lbc. The transmitters 12a

and 12b and the tip are collinear, and normally coincide with the central

axis of the pointing device. The tilt angle α which is formed between the

central axis of the writing pointing device and the X-Z plane is first

determined. It is determined by Equation 4 hereinbelow and is illustrated in Fig. 2B:

α= Sin ¹ [(Za - Zb)/Lab] [Eq. 4]

By using the tilt angle α the height coordinate Zc of the tip, the length Lβ of

the projection of the distance Lab on the X-Y plane and the length LO of the

projection of the distance L6c on the X-Y plane are calculated as follows:

Zc = Zb - Lbcsin(α) [Eq. 5]

Lβ = Labcos(α) [Eq. 6]

Using the calculated angle β and the projection Lβ the coordinates Xc and

Yc of the tip, in the X-Y plane are calculated as follows and as shown in Fig.

2C:

β= Cos-¹ [(Xa - Xb)/Lβ] [Eq. 8]

The value of β is also a function of the coordinate quadrant in which the

coordinates are located. Thus, the values of Yα and Y6 are needed to

determine the value of β. Finally, the Xc and Yc coordinates of the tip are

calculated using the angle β as follows: Xc = Xύ-LoCos(β) [Eq. 9]

Yc = Yi-LoSin(β) [Eq. 10]

Both transmitters 12a and 12b determine a straight line and, any point

along that line can be calculated.

It is a purpose of this invention to provide a combined pointer -joy stick /

mouse device that can carry out the functions of a conventional pointer

device, e.g., a mouse, and those of a joystick.

It is another purpose of this invention to provide such a device which can

actuate a pointer of a computer screen and control the representation on

the screen of an object or part of an object indicated by said pointer.

It is a further purpose of this invention to provide such a device which

controls the representation on the screen of an object or part thereof by

causing and/or controlling the motion of said object or part thereof, e.g.,

by controlling the direction or the speed of said motion.

It is a further purpose of this invention to provide such a device that can

control the representation on the screen of an object, or part of an object, indicated by the pointer, by controlling the parameters according to which

the object or part thereof is viewed on the screen.

It is a still further purpose of this invention to control the way in which

the object, or part thereof, is viewed on the screen, by controlling the

angle or viewpoint from which it is seen and represented.

It is a still further purpose of this invention to provide such a device that

achieves the purposes hereinbefore set forth, and has a robust and simple

structure, whereby it is inexpensive and safe in operation.

It is a still further purpose of this invention to provide a device which can

operate as a three-dimensional mouse.

Summary of the Invention

The pointer-joystick / mouse device according to the invention comprises:

a) an elongated pointer element having an axis and a tip;

b) means for determining and transmitting to a computer the coordinates

of two points lying on said axis, whereby to determine 1) the position

on a predetermined reference surface of the intersection of said axis with said surface, and 2) the orientation of said axis with respect to a

reference plane;

c) a supporting body, which comprises:

1) a sliding element defining said reference plane;

2) means for supporting said pointer element, with its tip in fixed

position with respect to said sliding surface;

3) means for permitting and guiding the swinging motion of said

element about said tip as a pivot point; and

4) elastic means for constantly urging said pointer element to the

position in which the axis thereof has a predetermined reference

orientation.

The means for determining and transmitting to a computer the

coordinates of two points of the pointer element axis are described in the

aforesaid copending PCT application. As set forth thereof, the

determination of three coordinate XYZ of said two points also permit to

determine the distance of a point of the axis of the pointer element from a

reference surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lowermost surface of the

aforesaid sliding element coincides with the reference plane. However, said reference plane may be at a slant to or/and at a distance from said

sliding element lowermost surface.

The reference orientation of the pointer element axis is preferably an

orientation perpendicular to the reference plane and particularly to the

sliding element lowermost surface, when this latter coincides with said

reference plane.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will

be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limitative

detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to

the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig 1 schematically illustrates the determination of the 3-D coordinates of

a transmission point by receiving data transmitted from the transmission

point in three receivers;

Figs. 2A to 2C schematically illustrate the calculation of the 3-D coordinates

of the tip of a pointing device having two ahgned transmission points

located essentially along its longitudinal central axis; - Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above and from one side of a

pointer -joystick device according to an embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the device partially exploded;

- Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D schematically show the device according to said

embodiment of the invention in various positions of the pointer element

which serves as a joystick;

- Fig. 6 schematically indicates, in perspective view, how the device

according to the aforesaid embodiment is operated;

- Fig. 7 is an axial cross-section of the device according to the aforesaid

embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 8 schematically shows how the device is handled by the user,

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 9 illustrates a joystick, according to a preferred embodiment of the

invention; Fig. 10A and 10B illustrates the additional movement axis, according to

the invention;

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates the contact points of a pointing device,

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates the contact points of the supporting body;

Fig. 13a and 13b schematically illustrate the pen pointing device as a

joystick or as a mouse, according to a preferred embodiment of the

invention;

Fig. 14 is an electronic circuit of the mechanism which enables to use the

pointing device as a mouse, according to a preferred embodiment of the

invention;

Fig. 15 schematically illustrates a track-ball mouse, according to a

preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 16 schematically illustrates a spherical pointing device, according to

a preferred embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

With reference firstly to Figs. 3 and 4, the pointer-joystick device 10,

according to an embodiment of the invention, comprises a body generally

indicated at 11 and a pointer element, which operates as a joystick,

indicated at 12. Pointer element 12 is attached to an arc-shaped strip 13,

on which an actuating key or button 14 is provided. Sleeve 13 is

supported and slides on an arc support 15, better seen in Fig. 3, which is

fixed to another component of the body of the device, as will be explained

hereinafter, and which has an arc-shaped sht 16 through which the

pointer element 12 passes in its swinging motion and a sht 17 for the

passage of the connections of arc shaped strip 13 and the actuating button

14 with the electronic components of the device, which they are such as

described in the aforesaid copending PCT patent application.

The inner structure of the pointer -joystick device, according to the

illustrated embodiment, is best seen in Fig. 7. The bottom of the device is

formed by a plate 20, the lowermost surface thereof indicated at 21

constituting a sliding surface that coincides with the aforesaid reference

plane relatively to which the orientation of the pointer element 12 is

defined. Bottom plate 20 is rigidly connected to a portion 22 that is

substantially shaped as an approximately semi-spherical plate having a central opening 23, through which the pointer element 12 passes and in

which it swings. The arc support 15 is fixed, e.g. by two screws 27, to said

the semi-spherical plate 22. Two wing plates 24, shaped to conform with

the semi-spherical plate 22, are juxtaposed to this latter as better seen in

Fig. 4, and are separated by a gap 25, through which the pointer element

12 passes. Said wing plates 24 rest on and are connected to bottom plate

20, which projects outwardly of the substantially semi-spherical plate 22.

Moreover, said wing plates 24 are used as edge-limit to arc support 15.

The wing plates 24 may be replaced by two recesses.

Pointer element 12 is fixed on a support 30, which comprises a sleeve-like

portion 31, in which the terminal cylindrical portion of element 12 is

housed and to which it is fixed, and a substantially semi-spherical portion

32, fixed to said sleeve 31. The semi-spherical portion 32 is juxtaposed

and can slide over two support bases 33, which are shaped as parts of a

semi-sphere and are separated by a gap 34, through which a tapering

bottom portion 35 of element 12 passes. Element 12 has a tip indicated at

36 which is preferably placed at the center of the uppermost surface of

plate 20 and defines the point 36 at which the axis of pointer element 12

intersects said uppermost surface, and therefore is separated only by the

thickness of said bottom plate from the point of intersection of the axis of

pointer element 12 with the lowermost surface 21 and therefore with the surface on which the device 10 is placed when in use. In defining the

position of the pointer-joystick device of this embodiment and the

orientation of the pointer element 12 with respect to the surface 21, the

software of the computer will take into consideration the thickness of the

bottom plate and compensate for it.

Fig. 6 schematically shows how the device is handled by the user,

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The user lays his

hand on top of the device and moves it as indicated by the arrows of Fig.

6, in any desired direction. Concurrently, he keeps a finger, preferably the

thumb, on actuating key or button 14 to depress it in order to cause any

desired operation to be carried out by the computer where indicated by

the pointer on the screen, as is normally done with pointer devices such

as a mouse.

Fig. 5 A schematically illustrates the operation of the device as a joystick.

It is seen that the pointer 12 has two extreme orientations on the two

sides of the reference position of the axis, as indicated at 12' and 12". Figs.

5B, 5C and 5D schematically illustrate in perspective view the three

aforesaid positions of the pointer element 12. When the pointer -joystick device is in operation, it can be displaced over a

surface, generally a flat surface that coincides with the surface 21 when

the device has the structure indicated in this embodiment. The pointer on

the computer screen constantly indicates the position of the point of

intersection of the axis of element 12 with the supporting surface. The

control of the pointer is as described in the aforesaid PCT application.

Once the device has reached the position in which the pointer on the

screen is in the desired position, the pointer element 12 can be swung

from its reference orientation, that is usually perpendicular to the

reference surface in the embodiment herein described, to any desired

orientation right or left of the said reference position. This angular

displacement is used to control the representation on the screen of the

point or region or part of region on which the pointer on the screen is

presently located. If it is desired to move the object identified by the

pointer, the speed of the motion can be determined by the angle by which

the element 12 is swung with respect to its reference orientation, as seen

in fig. 8, and the direction of motion will depend on whether the element

12 is swung one way or the other.

If, on the other hand, the action that it is desired to cause in the region

indicated by the pointer on the screen is a change in the way in which the object that is represented therein is seen, e.g., the object is to be

represented as seen at a desired slant, the representation on the screen is

angularly swung in an angular velocity as a function of the angle by

which the element 12 is swung.

Fig. 9 illustrates a joystick, according to a preferred embodiment of the

invention. The implementation comprises a handle 41, such as a joystick,

which is screwed or set into sleeve 31. The handle 41 is hollow, such that

the pointing device 12 can be installed in the supporting body 42 through

the hollow handle 41. Handle 41 can be replaced by another handle,

according to the usage. For instance, a joystick which is used for a flight

simulator may differ from a joystick which is used for computer ball

games. Therefore, the handle 41 should be detachable.

The joystick handle may comprise buttons, as in the prior art.

Fig. 10A and 10B illustrate the additional rotation axis, according to the

invention. The additional axis 64 is perpendicular to the basis of the

device. The movement around this axis is the angle 65. The same benefits

are valid for the usage as a mouse. When the present invention is used as

a mouse, the pointing device may be much shorter than when it is used as

a joystick. Additional axes are 62 and 63. When the pointing device is screwed or fixed into the supporting body 42,

the power of the supporting body 42 may be used for recharging.

When using the pointing device as a mouse, the system must take in

consideration the equation of the plane upon which the pointing device is

moving on. The plane equation may be calculated according to the points

upon which the pointing device was pointing at. The points were are

collected while moving the pointing device.

Using the pointing device as a mouse requires an additional process of

calibration. In this process the user defines the following:

- A point (x,y,z) in the room's space which is related to the a point of the

screen, such as the left-top corner.

- The range in the plane which is used as mouse pad which is related to

the screen's range.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates the contact points of pointing device 12,

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The mechanism

comprises the rings 43A to 43F, which are made of conductive material, and the switch 44. When the pointing device is fixed into the supporting

device 42, following events happen:

A contact is carried out between the rings 43 of the pointing device 12 and

the supporting device 42. With this contact, the pointing device receives

power from the supporting device 42.

Switch 44, which resides on the pointing device 12, is turned on. This

switch disconnects the pointing device 12 from its internal power supply,

and connects it to the external power supply and external contacts as

seen in Fig. 14, from the supporting body 42.

For example, rings 43G and 43H are connected to the power supply of the

pointing device 12; rings 43A and 43B are connected to the left button of

the pointing device 12; and rings 43C, 43D, 43E and 43F are connected to

the right button of pointing device 12, respectively to the electronic

scheme described in Fig. 14. Then:

- A contact is carried out between rings 43G , 43H and the power supply

of the pointing device 12.

- A contact is carried out between rings 43A, 43B and button 14 is

which is used as a left button.

- A contact is carried out between rings 43C, 43D, 43E, 43F and button

14 is which is used as a right button.

- A contact can be carried out between contact points 46 and 47, and

hence the pointing device can be used as a joystick. Fig. 12 schematically illustrates the contact points of the supporting body

42. The contact points reside on sleeve 31.

Fig. 13a and 13b schematically illustrate the pen pointing device

functions as a joystick or as a mouse, according to a preferred

embodiment of the invention.

There are several ways to indicate if the system is being used by the user

as a joystick or as a mouse:

By analyzing the position of the pointing device 12. If the pointing device

12 is perpendicular to a reference plane, then the system operates as a

mouse (Fig. 13a), otherwise as a joystick (Fig. 13b).

By adding contact points 46 to the mobile element 30 of the support and

contact points 47 to the mobile element 33 of the support. A contact

between contact points 46 and 47 causes the upper and lower

transmitters to transmit, and then the system calculates the angle

between the pointing device and the reference plane. If the pointing

device is perpendicular to the reference plane, then the system is considered to operate as a mouse, otherwise the system is considered to

operate as a joystick. Contact points 46 and 47 may be rings.

Fig. 14 is an electronic circuit of the mechanism which enables to use the

pointing device as a mouse, according to a preferred embodiment of the

invention.

Power supply 51 is an alternative power supply that resides in the system

and replaces the power supply of the pointing device;

A right chck turns on switch 52, and hence the lower transmitter stops

transmitting. The upper transmitter is transmitting;

A left click turns on switch 53, and hence the upper transmitter

transmitting; The lower transmitter continues is transmitting;

Setting the pen inside the supporting body 11 turns off switch 54, and

hence the power internal supply from the pointing device is cut off;

A chck on the left button or on the right button is performed by a "blink"

transmission of one of the transmitters. For instance, clicking the left

button causes the upper transmitter to "blink" while the lower

transmitter continues to transmit, and clicking the right button causes

the upper transmitter to "blink" and the lower transmitter to stop transmitting. A "blink" transmission may be a transmission that is not

performed sequentially, but with short pauses.

Fig. 15 schematically illustrates a track -ball mouse, according to a

preferred embodiment of the invention. Instead of the pen-like pointing

device, Fig. 15 represents a pointing device 12 which is spherical. The

spherical pointing device 12 comprises two transmitters, 57 and 58. The

concave socket 59 is used as a gripping means for rotating the sphere 12.

The size of the socket 59 is usually scaled according to the size of a human

finger. The sphere is tracked usually by urging slot 59. It also comprises

the batteries 51, the battery housing 52, the buttons 53 (the same

function as mouse buttons), the springs 54 for centering the sphere 12

such a way that the transmitters 57 and 58 will be perpendicular, and a

switch 50. Springs 54 are connected to a bulge 61 which is a part of the

spherical pointing device 12 and to the supporting body 42. When the ball

12 is fixed into its place, switch 50 is turned on, and hence the upper

transmitter stops to transmit its position. Switch 50 may be implemented

in variety of ways, such that a click operation and double click operation

will be effective. This way the click and the double chck may be used as

additional input devices or as a substitute for the left and right buttons.

Moreover, by pressing the ball down and tracking it, we can gain a

dragging function. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a

single transmitter, but it transmits the position of the two points 58 and

59.

Such a track ball has all the benefits of the track-ball known in the art,

and additionally the aforementioned benefits.

The operation of said joystick, mouse and track-ball is not based on optics

in any sense. Its operation principal is based on the detection of the

location of the two transmitters, and calculations, as aforementioned.

Fig. 16 schematically illustrates a spherical pointing device, according to

a preferred embodiment of the invention. The pointing device does not

comprise any supporting body, as in previous examples.

The transmitting points 57 and 58 reside on the symmetric axis 71. In

order to return the pointing device to its default position, which is

perpendicular to the ground, the sphere comprises a region 72 with higher

mass density. This way the center of mass is shifted from the center, and

hence the sphere gets a default position, which is perpendicular to the ground. Such a pointing device may comprise also a recess or a salient on the

surface 73, by which the user may feel the top of the sphere, and two

buttons 53, in similarity to a mouse. According to another embodiment of

the invention, one of the buttons is replaced by a switch, so that when

pressing the spherical pointing device down, a "chck" is carried out.

According to another embodiment of the invention, one of the buttons is

replaced by a switch which is placed in the recess (or salient) 73.

Table 1 describes an operation scheme, according to a preferred

embodiment of the invention. Those who skilled in the art will appreciate

that other operation schemes may be implemented.

Table 1

While embodiments of the invention have been described by way of

illustration, it will be apparent that variations, modifications and

adaptations can be made, without departing from the spirit of the

invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Pointer-joystick / mouse device, which comprises:

a) an elongated pointer element having an axis and a tip;

b) means for determining and transmitting to a computer the

coordinates of two points lying on said axis, whereby to determine

1) the position on a predetermined reference surface of the

intersection of said axis with said surface, and 2) the orientation of

said axis with respect to a reference plane;

c) a body, which comprises:

1) a sliding element defining said reference plane;

2) means for supporting said pointer element, with its tip in fixed

position with respect to said shding surface;

3) means for permitting and guiding the swinging motion of said

element about said tip as a pivot point; and

4) elastic means for constantly urging said pointer element to the

position in which the axis thereof has a predetermined reference

orientation.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining and

transmitting to a computer the coordinates of two points of the pointer

element axis are described in copending PCT/IL99/00601.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination of three

coordinates of the two points of the pointer element axis also permit to

determine the distance of a point of the axis of the pointer element

from a reference surface.

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lowermost surface of the

sliding element coincides with the reference plane.

5. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference plane is at a

slant to the sliding element lowermost surface.

6. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference plane is a

distance from the sliding element lowermost surface.

7. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference orientation of

the pointer element axis is perpendicular to the reference plane.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the reference orientation of the

pointer element axis is perpendicular to the sliding element lowermost

surface.

. Device according to claim 1, which comprises:

a) a bottom plate;

b) a pointer element having a tip in contact with the upper surface of

said bottom plate;

c) means for supporting said pointer element and allowing it to swing

about the point of contact of the tip thereof with said upper surface

of said bottom plate; and

d) elastic means for constantly urging said pointer element to the

reference orientation of said element.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the means for supporting said

pointer element and allowing it to swing comprise fixed surfaces

having the shape of portions of a spherical surface and in fixed

positioned relationship to the bottom plate, and mobile surfaces

having shapes matching that of said fixed surfaces and in contact

therewith, said mobile surfaces being in fixed positioned relationship

with the pointer element.

11. Device according to claim 9, further comprising actuating electronic

circuits and key means permitting the user of the device to activate

said circuits.

12. Device according to claim 9, wherein the means for supporting said

pointer element and allowing it to swing comprise a support for the

pointer element which comprises a sleeve portion in which said

element is supported in fixed positioned relationship, plate elements

having the shape of substantially spherical portions and solid with

said sleeve portion, and fixed support elements having a shape

matching that of said plate elements and constraining said plate

elements to move in sliding motion over said fixed elements.

13. A device according to claims 1 or 9, further comprising a hollow

elongated handle to be used as a housing for said pointing device.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said handle is detachable

and replaceable.

15. A device according to claim 1 or 9, wherein:

- the external part of said pointing device further comprises two

conducted regions connected to its power supply, and optionally

additional conducted regions connected to its buttons;

- said pointing device further comprises a two-state switch, such that

at the first state: said pointing device is detached from its power supply and

optionally detached from its buttons;

a) said pointing device is attached to an external power supply and

optionally attached to external buttons;

at the second state:

a) said pointing device is detached from said external power supply

and optionally detached from said external buttons;

b) said pointing device is attached to its own power supply and

optionally attached to its buttons;

16. A device according to claims 1 or 9, wherein determining a

perpendicular position of said pointing device to said plane is

accomplished by analyzing said pointer device position.

17. A device according to claims 1 or 9, further comprising:

- said means for said supporting pointer element, comprises conducted

regions;

- said body comprises conducted regions;

- said conducted regions are located such that they touch each other

when said supporting pointer element is perpendicular to said body.

18. A device according to claims 1 or 9, wherein said pointing device is a

sphere.

19. A device according to claim 2, wherein the pointing device is a sphere.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the center of the mass does

not reside in the center of the sphere.

21. Pointer-joystick / mouse device, substantially as described and

illustrated.