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

Analog sensor(s) with snap-through tactile feedback

Patent 6563415 Issued on May 13, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject September 18, 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.

Patent References

3611068

3771037

3806471

Switching apparatus
Patent #: 3952173
Issued on: 04/20/1976
Inventor: Tsuji ,   et al.

Switching apparatus
Patent #: 3988556
Issued on: 10/26/1976
Inventor: Hyodo

Signalling device
Patent #: 4224602
Issued on: 09/23/1980
Inventor: Anderson ,   et al.

Multi-function touch switch apparatus
Patent #: 4268815
Issued on: 05/19/1981
Inventor: Eventoff ,   et al.

Touch switch keyboard apparatus
Patent #: 4276538
Issued on: 06/30/1981
Inventor: Eventoff ,   et al.

Dual lateral switch device
Patent #: 4301337
Issued on: 11/17/1981
Inventor: Eventoff

Cursor control
Patent #: 4313113
Issued on: 01/26/1982
Inventor: Thornburg

More ...

Inventor

Application

No. 955838 filed on 09/18/2001

US Classes:

338/47, Force-actuated338/5, Dynamometer type338/99, Surfaces pressed together (e.g., compressible type)338/112, Contact surface area of piles variable338/114Deformable

Examiners

Primary: Easthom, Karl D.

Foreign Patent References

  • 3031484 DE. 11/10/1982
  • 3543890 DE. 06/10/1987
  • 3634912 DE. 04/10/1988
  • 4019211 DE. 01/10/1991
  • 19606408 DE. 08/10/1997
  • 0337458 EP. 10/10/1989
  • 0470615 EP. 02/10/1992
  • 0579448 EP. 11/10/1994
  • 1080753 EP. 03/10/2012
  • 2058462 GB. 04/10/1981
  • 2113920 GB. 08/10/1983
  • 2233499 GB. 01/10/1991
  • 2267392 GB. 12/10/1993
  • 2308448 GB. 06/10/1997
  • 601 75401 JP. 09/10/1985
  • 62160623 JP. 07/10/1987
  • 02158105 JP. 06/10/1990
  • 03108701 JP. 05/10/1991
  • 04155707 JP. 05/10/1992
  • 5-87760 JP. 04/10/1993
  • 05151828 JP. 06/10/1993
  • 6154422 JP. 06/10/1994
  • 7281824 JP. 10/10/1995
  • 7302159 JP. 11/10/1995
  • 09213168 JP. 08/10/1997
  • 9218737 JP. 08/10/1997
  • 09223607 JP. 08/10/1997
  • 11031606 JP. 02/10/1999
  • 2010369 RU. 03/10/1994
  • WO9532776 WO. 12/10/1995
  • WO9957630 WO. 11/10/1999

International Class

H01C 010/10

Abstract

An analog sensor depressible by a single human finger/thumb. Depressive force is applied to a dome-cap and to analog materials for varying an analog output of the sensor responsive to varying force applied by a single finger or thumb. Depressive force causes the dome-cap to bow downward passing through a user discernable threshold, causing a snap-through tactile sensation. In some embodiments the dome-cap is metallic.

Other References

  • S.F. Kambic, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, full article sent vol. 20 No. 5 Oct. 1977
  • IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin pp230-235 Feb. 1990 Mouse Ball-Actuating Device With Forge And Tactile Feedback full article sent
  • Research Disclosure Nov. 1987 28373 Joystick with Tactile Feedback full article sen
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