A mouse operable in a narrow space on a desk or the like without interposing an operation of lifting the mouse off a mouse pad, moving it in the air and putting it down on the mouse pad. The mouse comprises a moving amount sensor for detecting moving amounts of the mouse in a first area set on a mouse pad, and a second area outside the first area, a button arranged on the mouse, an area sensor for detecting whether the mouse is located in the first or second area, and a signal generator for, when the mouse is located in the first area, generating a signal that moves the pointer by a distance corresponding to a moving amount of the mouse and, when the mouse is located in the second area, generating a signal that moves the pointer at a predetermined speed.

In a signal processing circuit for a pointing device comprising first, second, third, and fourth pressure detection elements corresponding to the movement of a cursor in an X-axis plus direction, an X-axis minus direction, a Y-axis plus direction, and a Y-axis minus direction, respectively, a first processing circuit processes a first pressure detection signal from the first pressure detection element to produce a first move signal representative of a cursor moving value in the X-axis plus direction. A second processing circuit processes a second pressure detection signal from the second pressure detection element to produce a second move signal representative of a cursor moving value in the X-axis minus direction. A third processing circuit processes a third pressure detection signal from the third pressure detection element to produce a third move signal representative of a cursor moving value in the Y-axis plus direction. A fourth processing circuit processes a fourth pressure detection signal from the fourth pressure detection element to produce a fourth move signal representative of a cursor moving value in the Y-axis minus direction. A first calculation circuit calculates a cursor moving value in an X-axis direction by the use of the first and the second move signals. A second calculation circuit calculates a cursor moving value in a Y-axis direction by the use of the third and the fourth move signals.

An input device pointer remapping region on a computer display is disclosed. When the input device pointer enters a region on a computer display, such as a rectangular scroll bar region, the pointer advances by jumping to a point within the region, such as the center of the region. Further movements of the pointer through the region are adjusted to increase the likelihood that the pointer will remain in the region. However, these adjustments are performed in such a manner as to not impede the travel of the input device through the region. This allows the input device pointer to stay within regions when appropriate, yet allows it to pass through regions unimpeded when the user so desires. This allows for the more efficient use of valuable display space, and can even allow a scroll bar to fit within a narrow window border. The operation of the pointer within the region is controlled by a remapping factor. Selection of the remapping factor can be modified from region to region. In addition to rectangular regions such as scroll bars and window boundaries, square and circular regions are supported. Complex regions, made up of more than one other regions, are also supported.

A method of controlling a cursor or other visible object on a display screen responsive to manipulation of a mouse or other input device includes defining a continuous-motion zone, and moving the visible object substantially continuously on the display screen while the input device indicates a position in the continuous-motion zone. Optionally, the object is held fast on the screen while the input device indicates positions within a predetermined null zone to avoid drift. Intermediate the null zone and the continuous-motion zone, the cursor is repositioned on the screen as in response to a conventional mouse.

A cursor positioning system for use with computer systems employing relative-pointing devices (e.g., trackballs or mice) for cursor positioning functions. The cursor positioning system employs a cursor driver, stored in a memory of the computer system and responsive to cursor positioning signals from the relative-pointing device, to enable fast and accurate cursor positioning to specific, predefined locations. The cursor driver responds to user-actuated signals, such as "clicks" or keystrokes to record cursor position objects at particular cursor locations. Thereafter, during cursor position selection mode, initiated by a keystroke or relative-pointing device signal, the cursor's position is moved from position object to position object. The preferred embodiment also provides for recording of bias objects, typically the same as the position objects, to attract the cursor's location towards them. This attraction reduces undershoot and overshoot of the cursor. Additionally, autoconfiguration of the cursor position/bias objects results from monitoring for prespecified actions from the user, such as "click"-events, and recording that position when the number of clicks at that location exceed a particular threshold. Subsequent use or non-use of that position can increase that objects weighting for bias influence effects. The cursor positioning system provides consistent cursor positioning tools, for all applications, and permits addition of new cursor tools to applications and the operating without modification of the applications.