U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Remote controller with analog button(s)

Patent 6208271 Issued on March 27, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject September 4, 2018. 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 References

3806471

Bounceless switch apparatus
Patent #: 4315238
Issued on: 02/09/1982
Inventor: Eventoff

Remote-controlling commander with multi-function rotary dial
Patent #: 4866542
Issued on: 09/12/1989
Inventor: Shimada ,   et al.

Method and apparatus for generating directional and force vector in an input device
Patent #: 5670955
Issued on: 09/23/1997
Inventor: Thorne, III, et al.

Force sensing semiconductive touchpad
Patent #: 5943044
Issued on: 08/24/1999
Inventor: Martinelli, et al.

Programmable multiple output force-sensing keyboard Patent #: 5995026
Issued on: 11/30/1999
Inventor: Sellers

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)

Examiners

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

International Class

H03K 17//94

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.

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