The pointing device has a moveable puck that moves over a surface in a puck field of motion. A position detector measures the puck position in the puck field of motion. In one embodiment, the puck includes a user sensor that detects an interaction between a user and the puck. A controller causes a cursor to move on a display in response to the puck moving in the puck field of motion when the user sensor senses the interaction between the user and the puck. The magnitude and direction of motion of the cursor is determined by the magnitude and direction of motion of the puck in the puck field of motion. In another embodiment, a restoring mechanism is provided that returns the puck to a predetermined area in the puck field of motion when the user releases the puck.
a photosensor structure; andswitching means coupled between the photosensor structure and one of the plurality of signal lines, the switching means responsive to select signals on one or more of the plurality of select lines for conveying a photosensor signal between the photosensor structure and the one of the plurality of signal lines.