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Document Number
US Patent 6496178
Issued Date
December 17, 2002
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Inventors
Schrum; Allan E. (Cameron Park, CA)
Rogers; Michael D. (El Dorado Hills, CA)
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Abstract
A pointing device comprises a substrate with an electrically conductive surface and a resilient boot. The resilient boot resiliently supports a resistive surface to contact the electrically conductive surface in a pressed mode when a force is applied to push and deform the resilient boot against the electrically conductive surface. The resilient boot is made of a resistive rubber material. The resistive surface has a voltage variance and is curved to be rocked on the electrically conductive surface in the pressed mode. The voltage variance is detected on the electrically conductive surface and a variable signal is generated and processed. At least one inner switch is provided near the center region of the electrically conductive surface and the inner switch is activated by the resistive surface in the pressed mode. When the force is removed, the resistive resilient boot returns to its undeformed state and the resistive surface is spaced from the electrically conductive surface in a rest mode.
Drawing
Pointing device - US Patent 6496178 Drawing
Drawing from US Patent 6496178
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Number of Claims:
33
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Owner
Published
December 17, 2002
Application Number
09/712,997
Filed
November 14, 2000
US Classification
345/161   345/157 345/168
Int'l Classification
G05G   9/00   (20060101)   G05G   9/047   (20060101)  
Examiner
Assistant Examiner
Parent Case
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/939,377, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,866 filed Sep. 29, 1997, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
USPTO Field of Search
345/161   345/157   345/156   345/164   345/184  
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