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US Patent 6208271 - Remote controller with analog button(s)

US Patent Issued on March 27, 2001
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject September 4, 2018Estimated 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.
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Abstract

A remote controller for controlling a host device, the controller including a housing, an electrical power source within the housing, electronic circuitry within the housing connected to the power source and including a radiation emitter to emit signals from the housing, a plurality of finger depressible buttons exposed on the housing and interfacing with sensors electrically associated with the circuitry. The buttons are for user selection of signals emitted for controlling a host device. At least some of the sensors are utilized only as momentary-On only On/Off sensors. At least one sensor(s) is a pressure-sensitive analog sensor structured for varying electrical conductance through at least three readable states or values. The readable states are dependant upon depressive pressure applied to the sensor(s) through finger depressible button(s). The circuitry is structured to read the readable states of the pressure-sensitive analog sensor(s) and to emit signals representing the state or value of the sensor(s). In one embodiment, the analog sensor(s) is/are elastomeric dome-cap sensor(s) including pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material positioned over proximal circuit elements of the circuitry. The analog sensors are preferably associated with selectable functions such as tuner channel changing as for televisions and supportive tuner devices, and video speed controls as for VCRs, DVDs and like recorded video players, and computers and audio and other like devices. Additionally disclosed are methods of use and manufacture.

Inventor

Application

No. 148806 filed on 09/04/1998

US Classes:

341/34, Pressure sensitive actuation200/511, Compressible elastomer341/22, Including keyboard or keypad341/176, Transmitter for remote control signal345/159, Having variable cursor speed345/169Portable (i.e., handheld, calculator, remote controller)

Field of Search

341/22, Including keyboard or keypad341/34, Pressure sensitive actuation341/176, Transmitter for remote control signal345/174, Including impedance detection345/169, Portable (i.e., handheld, calculator, remote controller)345/159, Having variable cursor speed200/511, Compressible elastomer200/512, Membrane type200/515Pressure equalizing means

Examiners

Primary: Horabik, Michael
Assistant: Edwards, Timothy Jr.

US Patent References

3806471, 4315238, Bounceless switch apparatus
Issued on: 02/09/1982
Inventor: Eventoff
4866542, Remote-controlling commander with multi-function rotary dial
Issued on: 09/12/1989
Inventor: Shimada ,   et al.
5670955, Method and apparatus for generating directional and force vector in an input device
Issued on: 09/23/1997
Inventor: Thorne, III, et al.
5943044, Force sensing semiconductive touchpad
Issued on: 08/24/1999
Inventor: Martinelli, et al.
5995026Programmable multiple output force-sensing keyboard
Issued on: 11/30/1999
Inventor: Sellers

International Class

H03K 17//94

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