Remote controller with analog pressure sensor (S)

Patent 6400303 Issued on June 4, 2002. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 22, 2021. 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.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3611068

3806471

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Patent #: 3952173
Issued on: 04/20/1976
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Inventor

Armstrong, Brad A.

Application

No. 815898 filed on 03/22/2001

US Classes:

341/176, Transmitter for remote control signal200/511, Compressible elastomer341/34, Pressure sensitive actuation345/169, Portable (i.e., handheld, calculator, remote controller)348/734Remote control

Examiners

Primary: Edwards, Timothy Jr.

Foreign Patent References

0579448 EP. 01/10/1994
WO9718508 WO. 05/10/1997

International Classes

G08C 019/12
H04L 017/02

Abstract

A remote controller, methods of use and manufacture thereof, for controlling electronic devices or host devices, the controller including a housing, electronic circuitry, power source and structuring for communicating with the electronic device to be controlled. A plurality of finger depressible buttons are exposed and interfacing with sensors associated with the circuitry. The buttons are for user selection of communication information sent to the host. At least one sensor is a pressure-sensitive analog sensor structured for varying electrical conductance through at least three readable states dependent upon user selected varying depressive pressure levels applied to the associated button. The circuitry reads the states of the analog sensor and information representing the state or value of the sensor is communicated to the host. A user can select any of a plurality of selectable pressure levels associated with analog sensor.

Other References

S. F. Kambic, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 20 No. 5 Oct. 1977 Questel-Orbit QWEB pp. 1-24 (submitted herewith)
IBM technical Disclosure Bulletin; vol. 20 No. 5 Oct. 1977 Person: S.F. Kambic pp. 1833-1834, Sep. 199