Pointing device with force sensitive resistor
First Claim
1. An input device for an electronic system, comprising:
- a housing;
electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting signals corresponding to said user inputs to said electronic system;
an input element providing a plurality of input signals depending on an amount of pressure applied to said input, said input element including a force-sensing resistor, and a solid elastomeric material over said force-sensing resistor, said elastomeric material transferring a force from a user'"'"'s finger to said force sensitive resistor without visible deformation of said elastomeric material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input device with a pressure-sensitive element using a force-sensing resistor. A solid elastomeric material is mounted over the force-sensing resistor to transfer a force from the user'"'"'s finger to the force-sensitive resistor without visible deformation of the elastomeric material. This provides a comfortable button for a user which does not require the compression of a domed cap to provide pressure-sensing input. In another aspect of the invention, a pressure-sensing input element utilizes both the amount of pressure and the amount of time to determine the type of signal provided to the electronic system. In another aspect of the present invention, an input device contains a first scrolling element (e.g. a wheel) and includes a switch button mounted close to the scrolling element to activate continuous scrolling. In one embodiment of the invention, the force-sensing resistor used is a folded-over metal-coated plastic film which is responsive to very low activation forces, such as forces less than 50 grams.
69 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An input device for an electronic system, comprising:
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a housing;
electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting signals corresponding to said user inputs to said electronic system;
an input element providing a plurality of input signals depending on an amount of pressure applied to said input, said input element including a force-sensing resistor, and a solid elastomeric material over said force-sensing resistor, said elastomeric material transferring a force from a user'"'"'s finger to said force sensitive resistor without visible deformation of said elastomeric material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An input device for an electronic system, comprising:
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a housing;
electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting signals corresponding to said user inputs to said electronic system;
an input element providing a plurality of input signals depending on an amount of pressure applied to said input;
a module for interpreting said plurality of input signals, said module providing a single movement of a predetermined amount in response to an activation of said input element for less than a predetermined amount of time, and providing a continuous movement at a speed corresponding to said amount of pressure for an activation of said input element for more than said predetermined amount of time. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for operating an input device for an electronic system, comprising:
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providing a plurality of input signals depending on an amount of pressure applied to an input element on said input device;
providing a single movement of a predetermined amount in response to an activation of said input element for less than a predetermined amount of time; and
providing a continuous movement at a speed corresponding to said amount of pressure for an activation of said input element for more than said predetermined amount of time.
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18. An input device for an electronic system comprising:
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a housing;
electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting signals corresponding to said user inputs to said electronic system;
an input element providing a plurality of input signals depending on an amount of pressure applied to said input, said input element including a force-sensing resistor having a base ply, a resistive resin on said base ply having conductive particulate interspersed therein, at least two spaced apart contacts with at least one of the contacts positioned opposite a surface of the resistive resin for being pressed against the resistive resin, with the amount of resistance to electricity flowing between the contacts through the resin varying in accordance with the amount of pressure applied. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An input device for an electronic system, comprising:
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a housing;
electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting signals corresponding to said user inputs to said electronic system;
a scrolling element for providing a scrolling input signal; and
a switch button mounted proximate to said scrolling element, said switch button upon activation providing a signal to activate continuous scrolling. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification