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US Patent 5499041 - Keyboard integrated pointing device
US Patent Issued on March 12, 1996
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
October 13, 2014Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
October 13, 2014Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractA keyswitch-integrated pointing assembly in which a plurality of substantially planar force sensing elements are disposed on a planar surface adjacent a keyswitch on a keyboard. The keyswitch includes a plunger which extends downwardly from a key cap for actuating a switch at the lower end of vertical key cap travel. The key cap engages an indexing surface when fully depressed which transmits force applied to the key cap to the force sensing elements. The force sensing elements are sandwiched between a pair of opposing plates thereby biasing the elements into a substantially linear operating region when no force is applied to the key cap.Other References
| InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 322956 filed on 10/13/1994US Classes:345/174, Including impedance detection200/5R, Multiple switch338/99, Surfaces pressed together (e.g., compressible type)345/168Including keyboardField of Search345/156, DISPLAY PERIPHERAL INTERFACE INPUT DEVICE345/157, Cursor mark position control device345/168, Including keyboard345/172, Having programmable function key345/184, Mechanical control (e.g., rotatable knob, slider)200/5A, With independent operators200/6A, Universally pivoted handle200/5R, Multiple switch200/511, Compressible elastomer200/513, Specific dome shape338/99, Surfaces pressed together (e.g., compressible type)338/114, Deformable341/27, With audible or tactile indicator341/34Pressure sensitive actuationExaminersPrimary: Hjerpe, RichardAssistant: Saras, Steven Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References4029915, Miniaturized calculator keyboard switch assembly having universally pivoted key actuatorsIssued on: 06/14/1977 Inventor: Ojima4045650, Jumper touch sensor current switching device Issued on: 08/30/1977 Inventor: Nestor4158117, Pressure sensitive switch Issued on: 06/12/1979 Inventor: Quilliam , et al.4163204, Pressure-sensitive resistors Issued on: 07/31/1979 Inventor: Sado , et al.4246452, Switch apparatus Issued on: 01/20/1981 Inventor: Chandler4313113, Cursor control Issued on: 01/26/1982 Inventor: Thornburg4314227, Electronic pressure sensitive transducer apparatus Issued on: 02/02/1982 Inventor: Eventoff4394548, Joystick switch Issued on: 07/19/1983 Inventor: Dola4408103, Joystick operated multiple position switch Issued on: 10/04/1983 Inventor: Smith, III4410872, Electrical thick-film, free-standing, self-supporting structure, and method of its manufacture, particularly for sensors used with internal combustion engines Issued on: 10/18/1983 Inventor: Stecher , et al.4439648, Joystick-type controller Issued on: 03/27/1984 Inventor: Reiner , et al.4493219, Force transducer Issued on: 01/15/1985 Inventor: Sharp , et al.4649784, Method and apparatus for sensing activity for a keyboard and the like Issued on: 03/17/1987 Inventor: Fulks , et al.4680577, Multipurpose cursor control keyswitch Issued on: 07/14/1987 Inventor: Straayer , et al.4719455, Integrating pointing device Issued on: 01/12/1988 Inventor: Louis4734034, Contact sensor for measuring dental occlusion Issued on: 03/29/1988 Inventor: Maness , et al.4745301, Pressure sensitive electro-conductive materials Issued on: 05/17/1988 Inventor: Michalchik4780701, Potentiometer device Issued on: 10/25/1988 Inventor: Eppinger4793193, Device for sensing loads Issued on: 12/27/1988 Inventor: Borgudd4794366, Key-touch sensor and method of manufacture Issued on: 12/27/1988 Inventor: Sakamoto4816200, Method of making an electrical thick-film, free-standing, self-supporting structure, particularly for sensors used with internal combustion engines Issued on: 03/28/1989 Inventor: Stecher , et al.4818828, Electronic keyboard Issued on: 04/04/1989 Inventor: Curley , et al.4821013, Pressure sensing device Issued on: 04/11/1989 Inventor: Iida4851626, Key switch device Issued on: 07/25/1989 Inventor: Nagashima4856993, Pressure and contact sensor system for measuring dental occlusion Issued on: 08/15/1989 Inventor: Maness , et al.4874549, Pressure sensitive electro-conductive materials Issued on: 10/17/1989 Inventor: Michalchik4896003, Multi-position electrical switch Issued on: 01/23/1990 Inventor: Hsieh4897629, Electrical control device Issued on: 01/30/1990 Inventor: Lecklider4920237, Membrane keyboards Issued on: 04/24/1990 Inventor: Eardley, et al.4933660, Touch sensor with touch pressure capability Issued on: 06/12/1990 Inventor: Wynne, Jr.4947461, Multi-position electrical switch Issued on: 08/07/1990 Inventor: Yoshioka, et al.4951985, Bumper for impact detection Issued on: 08/28/1990 Inventor: Pong, et al.4975547, Multi-position electrical switch Issued on: 12/04/1990 Inventor: Nakayama, et al.5012230, Input device for digital processor based apparatus Issued on: 04/30/1991 Inventor: Yasuda5172114, Tactile effect switch and keyboard using such a switch Issued on: 12/15/1992 Inventor: Bedoya, et al.5231386Keyswitch-integrated pointing assembly Issued on: 07/27/1993 Inventor: Brandenburg, et al. Foreign Patent References
International ClassesG06F 003/14H01C 010/10 H01H 009/26 |
