"That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced."
Scientific American ; Jan. 2 edition, 1909
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AbstractA 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. | InventorApplicationNo. 148806 filed on 09/04/1998US 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 Search341/22, 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 meansExaminersPrimary: Horabik, MichaelAssistant: Edwards, Timothy Jr. US Patent References3806471, 4315238, Bounceless switch apparatusIssued on: 02/09/1982 Inventor: Eventoff4866542, 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 ClassH03K 17//94 |