While one type of input, either a mouse input or a joystick input, may be preferred for one type of a game, it may not be preferred, or even compatible, for another type of a game. Introduced herein is a game controller that employs a dedicated input, which is capable of the absolute accuracy of a mouse input or trackball input, but is also capable of measuring how far off center the input is (e.g., how far off center it has moved), and can also return to center when released, as is present in a joystick input. The introduced game controller integrates a touch sensing trackball to enjoy the benefits of both the mouse type input and joystick type input, in a single dedicated input, providing a user freedom to play any type of game without worrying about the compatibility of their game controllers.

Optical sensors can be used for content generation using an input device without a touch sensitive surface. In some examples, the optical sensors can be used to detect characteristics of the input device including position, orientation, and/or motion of the input device. In some examples, some or all of the characteristics of the input device can be used in processing to generate content, including textual character input and three-dimensional objects. In some examples, the generation of content can use information from one or more additional sensors of the input device and/or from additional devices in combination with the characteristics of the input device based on the optical sensors.

A non-limiting example information processing apparatus comprises a housing, and a first portion of the housing is formed in an elliptical form when viewing from the front. A display panel and a touch panel constitute one main surface of the first portion. Holes are formed in left and right end portions of the display panel and the touch panel, and two operation sticks are provided through the two holes. When viewing the first portion from the front, an area except key tops of the operation sticks becomes a display area.

Systems and methods for controlling an elongate device include a console. The console includes a first recess and a removable first input control for controlling motion of the medical device. The console also may include one or more first sensors located about the first recess that detect motion of the first input control and detect operator contact with the first input control. The console also may include an integrated display screen arranged to display status information for the medical device. In some embodiments, the first input control controls an insertion depth or steering of the medical device, and may be in the form of a scroll wheel forming a part of a removable control assembly.

An input unit is configured to be assembled to a base of a notebook computer and has a universal-ball cursor controlling device and a pen device. The universal-ball cursor controlling device is disposed at the base and having a stand and a ball. The ball is rotatably disposed at the stand and has a conjoining portion protruding outside the stand. The pen device is detachably connected to the conjoining portion of the ball, and is capable of driving the ball to rotate relative to the stand. The pen device may be implemented as a joystick for controlling video games or be implemented as a control stick for fire control involved in military application. The pen device may be implemented as a stylus, a laser pointer, a recording pen, a writing pen, or any other device shaped as a stick as well.

A computer system and an interface operational method are provided. The interface operational method includes: receiving an input; determining whether the input conforms to a first operation, a second operation or not; and switching the current functional interface to another functional interface of a plurality of functional interfaces according to an arrangement order when the input conforms to the first operation, or selecting one message area of a plurality of message areas of the current functional interface when the input conforms to the second operation.

A system and method for presenting function data associated with a user input device at a main display in response to a presence signal provided via the user input device is provided. The method includes receiving, at a processor of an ultrasound system, a presence signal from a presence sensor of a user input device of the ultrasound system. The presence signal is provided by the presence sensor in response to a detection of a user at a proximity to the user input device. The presence signal is independent from an actuation signal provided by the user input device in response to user actuation of the user input device. The method includes processing, by the processor, the presence signal to present function data identifying a functionality of the user input device at a main display of the ultrasound system.

A signal processing circuit processes first to third detection signals output from a magnetic sensor device. The signal processing circuit includes a sphere information generation section that performs first processing and a determination section that performs second processing. With a set of values of the first to third detection signals at a certain timing taken as measurement data and with coordinates that represent the measurement data in an orthogonal coordinate system taken as a measurement point, the first processing includes determining center coordinates of a virtual sphere having a spherical surface approximating the distribution of a plurality of measurement data. The second processing includes determining whether four or more pieces of measurement data are suitable for use in the first processing.

A trackball includes a ball, a housing including a recess arranged to receive at least part of the ball and means for urging the ball, without physical or direct contact, to remain in the recess, wherein the surface of the recess is fully sealed to form an impenetrable barrier such that foreign substances are prevented from entering the interior of the housing. This arrangement may make the trackball more hygienic to use and easier to clean than conventional trackballs.

A model controller includes a trackball, a first sensor adjacent to the trackball to detect a first coordinate movement of the trackball, and a second sensor adjacent to the trackball to detect a second and a third coordinate movement of the trackball. The model controller further includes a third sensor to detect movement of the model controller along a surface, and a fourth sensor to detect movement of a wheel coupled to the model controller.