Capacitive mouse
First Claim
1. A computer mouse configured to generate a first output for cursor control in response to computer mouse motion, the computer mouse comprising:
- an enclosure, the enclosure including an external surface and a back surface opposite the external surface;
a capacitive touch sensor mounted to the back surface; and
a processor, the processor electrically coupled with the capacitive touch sensor, the processor configured to generate a second output for scrolling in response to object motion along the capacitive touch sensor.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computer mouse configured to generate a first output for cursor control in response to computer mouse motion, the computer mouse comprising:
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an enclosure, the enclosure including an external surface and a back surface opposite the external surface;
a capacitive touch sensor mounted to the back surface; and
a processor, the processor electrically coupled with the capacitive touch sensor, the processor configured to generate a second output for scrolling in response to object motion along the capacitive touch sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An input device configured to generate a first output in response to input device motion, the input device comprising:
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an enclosure, the enclosure including an external surface and a back surface opposite the external surface;
a capacitive touch sensor mounted to the back surface; and
a processor, the processor in electrically coupled with the capacitive touch sensor, the processor configured to generate a second output in response to object motion along the capacitive touch sensor.
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22. A computer mouse configured to generate a first output for cursor control in response to computer mouse motion, the computer mouse comprising:
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an enclosure, the enclosure including a touch surface and a back surface opposite the touch surface;
a circuit substrate mounted to the back surface;
a plurality of conductive plates mounted to the circuit substrate, the plurality of conductive plates configured to capacitively detect object motion proximate the touch surface;
a plurality of conductors on the circuit substrate, the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the plurality of conductive plates;
a processor, the processor electrically coupled to the plurality of conductive plates through the plurality of conductors, the processor configured to generate a second output for scrolling in response to said object motion proximate the touch surface.
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23. A computer mouse configured to generate a first output for cursor control in response to computer mouse motion, the computer mouse comprising:
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an enclosure, the enclosure including an external surface;
a capacitive touch sensor embedded in the enclosure underneath the touch surface;
a processor, the processor in operative communication with the plurality of capacitive sensors, the processor configured to generate a second output for scrolling in response to object motion along the capacitive touch sensor.
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24. A computer mouse configured to generate a first output for cursor control in response to computer mouse motion, the computer mouse comprising:
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an enclosure, the enclosure defining an interior region and including an external surface and an opening in the enclosure;
a substrate, the substrate extending through the opening in the enclosure;
a plurality of conductive plates mounted to the substrate outside the interior region, the plurality of conductive plates configured to capacitively detect object motion proximate the plurality of conductive plates;
a plurality of conductors on the substrate, the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the plurality of conductive plates; and
a processor, the processor electrically coupled to the plurality of conductive plates through the plurality of conductors, the processor configured to generate a second output for scrolling in response to said object motion proximate the plurality of conductive plates.
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Specification