Jump to content

Pointing stick: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
all tecra r950 submodels have it
Zheng1212 (talk | contribs)
21 edits
m styling: capitalization, adding a space before parenthesis
Line 1: Line 1:
{{About|a computer input device|the teaching and presentation aid|Pointer (rod)}}
{{About|a computer input device|the teaching and presentation aid|Pointer (rod)}}
[[File:Mouse pointing stick.jpeg|thumb|Pointing stick on a [[Lenovo ThinkPad]].]]
[[File:Mouse pointing stick.jpeg|thumb|Pointing stick on a [[Lenovo ThinkPad]].]]
[[File:20090331-1607 trackpointtips.jpg|thumb|IBM Thinkpad caps(left-to-right): Soft Rim, Classic Dome, Soft Dome]]
[[File:20090331-1607 trackpointtips.jpg|thumb|IBM ThinkPad caps (left-to-right): Soft Rim, Classic Dome, Soft Dome]]


A '''pointing stick''' is an isometric [[joystick]] used as a [[pointing device]], as with a [[touchpad]] or [[trackball]], and typically mounted in a [[computer keyboard]] on a [[laptop computer|laptop]] or [[desktop computer]]. Movements of the pointing stick are echoed on the screen by movements of the [[pointer (computing WIMP)|pointer]] (or [[cursor (computers)|cursor]]) and other visual changes.
A '''pointing stick''' is an isometric [[joystick]] used as a [[pointing device]], as with a [[touchpad]] or [[trackball]], and typically mounted in a [[computer keyboard]] on a [[laptop computer|laptop]] or [[desktop computer]]. Movements of the pointing stick are echoed on the screen by movements of the [[pointer (computing WIMP)|pointer]] (or [[cursor (computers)|cursor]]) and other visual changes.

Revision as of 05:55, 5 July 2013

This article is about a computer input device. For the teaching and presentation aid, see Pointer (rod).
Pointing stick on a Lenovo ThinkPad.
IBM ThinkPad caps (left-to-right): Soft Rim, Classic Dome, Soft Dome

A pointing stick is an isometric joystick used as a pointing device, as with a touchpad or trackball, and typically mounted in a computer keyboard on a laptop or desktop computer. Movements of the pointing stick are echoed on the screen by movements of the pointer (or cursor) and other visual changes.

The pointing stick operates by sensing applied force, by using a pair of resistive strain gauges. The velocity of the pointer depends on the applied force. On a QWERTY keyboard, the stick is embedded between the "G", "H" and "B" keys, and the mouse buttons are placed just below the space bar. The mouse buttons can be operated right-handed or left-handed due to their placement below the keyboard along the centerline.

The pointing stick has a replaceable rubber cap, which can be a slightly rough "eraser head" material (Classic Dome) or other optional shapes (Soft Dome or Soft Rim).[1] The cap is red on ThinkPads, but is also found in other colors on other machines, for example, gray or blue on some Dell models.

Features

The user can often customize the operation of pointing sticks using software.

The user may be able to adjust the sensitivity of the pointing stick, so that application of a given amount of force moves the pointer a greater or smaller distance across the screen. The IBM TrackPoint III and the TrackPoint IV have a feature called Negative Inertia that causes the pointer's velocity to "overreact" when it is accelerated or decelerated. Negative Inertia is intended to avoid feeling of inertia or sluggishness when starting or stopping movement.[2] Usability tests at IBM have shown that it is easier for users to position the pointer with Negative Inertia, and performance is 7.8% better.[3]

The user may be able to specify "press-to-select", in which a sharp tap on the pointing stick is equivalent to a click of a specified mouse button.

Problems

A common problem of pointing sticks is the inability to identify the zero position (the position indicating no user touch). A typical solution, which reflects the fact that user operation of the pointing stick is rarely constant, is to interpret any absence of change of pressure (over a given interval, perhaps one or several seconds) as meaning the user has released the stick.

If the user applies exactly constant pressure to the stick for such an interval, this method mistakenly re-zeroes the stick. Then additional pressure is required to achieve the same movement of the screen cursor, and the cursor spontaneously moves in the opposite direction when the user releases the stick. If the user avoids touching the stick, the error ends when the stick detects the real zero position.

Separately, if "press-to-select" is enabled (see above), the user may generate inadvertent mouse clicks by touching the pointing stick during typing.

History

In 1984, Ted Selker, a researcher at PARC, worked on a pointing stick based on a study[citation needed] that a typist needs a relatively long 0.75 sec to shift the hand from the keyboard to the mouse, and comparable time to shift back. Selker built a model of a device that would minimize this time. It was only three years later, working at IBM, that Selker refined his design, resulting in the TrackPoint product[4] on which IBM received US patents in 1996.[5][6]

Comparison with touchpads

A ThinkPad laptop featuring both a red pointing stick (top left) and a touchpad (center)

The pointing stick can be used in ultra-compact netbooks (see Sony Vaio P, for example)[7] where there would be no place for a touchpad.

The pointing stick is positioned such that the hands do not need to be removed from the home row to manipulate the mouse pointer.[8]

Some users claim it is easier to finely position the pointer than when using a touchpad because there is virtually no "dead zone". Some users feel that pointing sticks cause less wrist strain, because user does not need to avoid resting wrists on a touchpad, usually located just below the keyboard. Some people find them more appealing for mobile gaming than a touchpad, because the track-point allows infinite movement without repositioning.[8]

One criticism is that because the pointing stick depends on the user applying pressure, it can cause hand cramps (although this can be partly solved by setting the sensitivity to high, and lifting the finger when the pointer is not being moved). Another criticism is that it stresses the index finger and may lead to repetitive strain injury. In addition, a finger slipping off of the stick can lead to accidental pressing of one or more keys in immediate proximity.

A number of ergonomic studies to compare trackpoint and touchpad performance have been performed.[9][10] Most studies find that touchpad is slightly faster; one study found that "the touchpad was operated 15% faster than the trackpoint."[11] Another study found that average object selection time was faster with a touchpad, 1.7 sec compared to 2.2 sec with a trackpoint, and object manipulation took 6.2 sec with a touchpad, on average, against 8.1 sec with trackpoint.[12]

Naming and brands

Name Brand Current Models Past Models
TrackPoint IBM / Lenovo All known ThinkPads (not IdeaPads), and Travel Keyboard with Ultranav Most ThinkPads, Space Saver II, Model M13, Model M4-1, Trackpoint IV, Trackpoint USB Keyboard, TransNote
PointStick HP (Compaq) All EliteBooks; ProBook 6450b, 6455b & 6550b All EliteBooks; all models ending with p or w; all models starting with nc, nw or c; 6445b (optional), 6545b (optional), tc4200, tc4400; Presario models starting with v, 8500
NX Point NEC EasyNote MX45, MX65, S5
Pointing Stick Sony Sony Vaio Duo 11, Sony PS3 Wireless Keyboard [13] Sony Vaio P series, BX series, C1 series, U8 series, UX series
Pointing Stick Samsung Serie 4, Serie 6
StickPoint, QuickPoint Fujitsu Lifebook T2020, P1630, P2120, S7220, E8420 (optional), U820/U2010 Lifebook T2010, S7110, S7210, B2400/2500/2600 series, E8310 (optional), E8410 (optional), P1100/1500/1600 series, U1010/U810/U50
Track Stick Dell Latitude E4310, E6410, E6420 and E6510; Precision M4700 and M6700 Latitude E6500, E6400, D430, D600, D630, D830, XT, E4300, E5400, E5410, E6400, E6510, E6400 ATG, E6500; Precision M2300, M2400, M4300, M4400, M4500, M4600, M6400, M6500; Inspiron 4000, 8100, 8200, 8600, 9100; L
AccuPoint Toshiba Tecra R950, R840, R850, M11, A11 (optional) Portégé (not current models 06/2007), 300-7000 series, T3000 series; Tecra series 500-9000, A7, A8, A9, A10, M2, M5, M9, M10, S Series; Satellite Pro series 400-4000, T2000; Satellite 100-4000 series, Libretto 50CT, 70CT, 100CT;
FlexPoint Sprintek SK8702/SK8703 for Laptop/Tablet PC/Netbook/Industrial Keyboard
FineTrack Acer TravelMate C200 (Tablet), C210 (Tablet), 6410, 6460, 6492, 6492G, 6592, 6592G, 6593
Mouse emulator Elonex Elonex ONE
Pointing Stick Unicomp EnduraPro, Mighty Mouse (both for desktops) On-The-Stick

Informal names

In attempting to avoid trademarked names and the ambiguity of the term "pointing stick", which commonly refers to a stick used to point at chalkboards or flip charts, various informal names have been invented, including "cruiser", "nipple mouse", "nub", "eraser mouse", "wart", "joy button", "clit mouse", and "keyboard clit".[14]

Other uses

While typically employed on a computer keyboard, IBM included one on its Trackpoint Mouse product; suggested uses included scrolling as with a scroll wheel or a dual-cursor system.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Lenovo Support and Downloads: TrackPoint Caps and how to order for ThinkPad systems and TrackPoint Keyboards". IBM.com. 2007-07-17. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
  2. ^ US 5570111, Robert C. Barrett; Robert S. Olyha, Jr. & Joseph D. Rutledge, "Graphical user interface cursor positioning device having a negative inertia ...", issued 1996-10-29 
  3. ^ R. C. Barrett; E. J. Selker; J. D. Rutledge*; R. S. Olyha* (1995). "Negative Inertia: A Dynamic Pointing Function". SIGCHI. Retrieved 2012-12-03. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Golden, Peter. "The development of the IBM ThinkPad, Part I: big BLUE'S big ADVENTURE". Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  5. ^ US 5521596, Edwin J. Selker & Joseph D. Rutledge, "Analog input device located in the primary typing area of a keyboard", issued 1996-05-28 
  6. ^ US 5489900, Matthew F. Cali; Jerome J. Cuomo & Donald J. Mikalsen et al., "Force sensitive transducer for use in a computer keyboard", issued 1996-02-06 
  7. ^ Miller, Paul (2009-01-07). "Sony VAIO P hands-on". Engadget. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  8. ^ a b Trackpoint vs Touchpad, discussion,By Jon Lee, April 25th 2007, jonlee.ca [dead link‍]
  9. ^ Batra, S.; Dykstra, D.; Hsu, P.; Radle, K.; Wiedenbeck, S. (1998). "Pointing device performance for laptop computers". Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 42nd Annual Meeting. Human Factors Society: 535–540.
  10. ^ Sutter, C.; Ziefle, M (2005). "Interacting with notebook input devices: An analysis of motor performance and users' expertise". Human Factors Society: 169–187. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. ^ Sutter, Christine; Armbrüster, Claudia; Oehl, Michael; Müsseler, Jochen (2008). "Office work places with laptop computers: User specific requirements for input devices and software design" (PDF). USA Publishing. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ Sutter, C.; Ziefle, M. (2003). How to handle notebook input devices: an insight in button use strategy. Taylor & Francis Group. pp. 241–251. ISBN 9780415309943. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  13. ^ "Japan scores official Bluetooth PS3 keyboard for ¥5,000". Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  14. ^ Eric S. Raymond, Guy L. Steele Jr.; et al. "nipple mouse". Jargon File. Retrieved 2011-07-08. {{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help) Based on The New Hacker's Dictionary. MIT Press. 1996. ISBN 9780262680929.
  15. ^ "TrackPoint Mouse". IBM. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Pointing_stick&oldid=562937234"