Method and apparatus for generating directional and force vector in an input device
Patent 5670955 Issued on September 23, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date: 
January 31, 2015. Estimated 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.
January 31, 2015. Estimated 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.Patent ReferencesXY velocity controller Remote-control apparatus for electronics apparatus Coordinate input device Device for pointing the cursor on the screen of interactive systems Computer mouse Patent #: 5563630 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 381633 filed on 01/31/1995US Classes:341/34, Pressure sensitive actuation178/18.03, Writing digitizer pad341/20, BODILY ACTUATED CODE GENERATOR341/22, Including keyboard or keypad345/157, Cursor mark position control device345/159, Having variable cursor speed345/160Cursor keyExaminersPrimary: Mullen, ThomasAssistant: Edwards, Timothy Jr. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesH03K 017/94H03M 011/00 AbstractA thumbpad input device that enables a user to generate direction and speed by manipulating a round elastic pad. The underside of the pad is lined with a set of uniformly spaced contacts positioned in a circular pattern. Each contact is paired with a corresponding switch that is coupled to a circuit board. When a user presses down on the pad, one or more contacts close their respective switches. The pad contacts and switches are designed so that the number of closed switches varies with the magnitude of the force applied to the pad. The thumbpad input device has a micro controller that monitors the switches. It determines the most clockwise closed switch and the most counter-clockwise closed switch. Presumptively, these two closed switches define the two endpoints of an arc of all closed switches. These endpoints are then forwarded to a host processor. The host processor processes these endpoints to calculate the direction and speed of the symbol which correspond with the user's manipulation of the rubber pad.Field of SearchBODILY ACTUATED CODE GENERATORIncluding keyboard or keypad Pressure sensitive actuation Key-board arranged according to character location Cursor mark position control device Including orientation sensors (e.g., infrared, ultrasonic, remotely controlled) Cursor key Having variable cursor speed Portable (i.e., handheld, calculator, remote controller) | |
