A method for controlling a computer cursor involves capturing a plurality of arrays of data in a hand held device representing light entering the device from an environment in which the device resides, processing at least some of the plurality of arrays of data in the device to estimate motion of the device with respect to the environment during each of a plurality of measurement cycles, and sending a series of estimated motion signals to a computer to move a cursor display in response to motion of the device relative to the environment, each such estimated motion signal representing the estimated motion of the handheld device during more than one of the plurality of measurement cycles.