User input device with vertical grip and scroll wheel

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 substantially flat bottom surface portion adapted for sliding along the support surface;

a tracking sensor mounted in the base member, the tracking sensor being configured to generate a position input signal in response to a motion of the base member;

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 extending upward at an angle of at least about 45 degrees relative to the substantially flat bottom surface portion;

a scroll wheel rotatably mounted in the grip member such that a first peripheral portion of the scroll wheel extends through a first side surface of the grip member, the scroll wheel having a rotational axis that forms an angle of between about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees with the major axis of the grip member,

wherein an axis of rotation of the scroll wheel is oriented such that the scroll wheel is rotatable by a substantially arc-like movement of a thumb of a hand holding the grip member across the first peripheral portion;

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; and

a signaling circuit configured to transmit the position input signal and the scroll input signal to the computer.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the scroll wheel is further mounted in the grip member such that the first peripheral portion is depressible toward the first side surface of the grip member and wherein the device further comprises:

a second scroll wheel sensor coupled to detect depression of the first peripheral portion and configured to generate a scroll press input signal in response to the depression of the first peripheral portion.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein a second peripheral portion of the scroll wheel substantially opposite the first peripheral portion extends through a second side surface of the grip member, thereby enabling ambidextrous access to the scroll wheel.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the signaling circuit includes a cable adapted to be received at a port of the computer.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the signaling circuit includes a wireless transmitter.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the base member has a substantially flat bottom surface adapted for sliding along the support surface.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tracking sensor includes an optical motion sensor for detecting motion of the base member.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tracking sensor includes a mechanical motion sensor for detecting motion of the base member.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tracking sensor includes a gyroscopic motion sensor for detecting motion of the base member.

10. A device for providing user input to a computer, the device comprising:

a base member adapted to rest on a support surface;

a tracking sensor mounted in the base member, the tracking sensor being configured to generate a position input signal in response to a motion of the base member;

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;

a scroll wheel rotatably mounted in the grip member such that a first peripheral portion of the scroll wheel extends through a first side surface of the grip member and a second peripheral portion of the scroll wheel substantially opposite the first peripheral portion extends through a second side surface of the grip member, thereby enabling ambidextrous access to the scroll wheel,

wherein an axis of rotation of the scroll wheel is oriented such that the scroll wheel is rotatable by a substantially arc-like movement of a thumb of a hand holding the grip member across the first peripheral portion or the second peripheral portion, and

wherein the scroll wheel is further mounted in the grip member such that either of the first and second peripheral portions is inwardly depressible toward a center vertical plane of the grip member;

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;

a second scroll wheel sensor coupled to detect depression of either the first or second peripheral portion and configured to generate a scroll press signal in response to the detected depression; and

a signaling circuit configured to transmit the position input signal, the scroll input signal, and the scroll press signal to the computer.

11. The device of claim 10 , 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 the 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.