Force-based input device having an elevated contacting surface
First Claim
1. A projected force-based input device comprising:
- a sensing element having a mounting portion and a sensing portion operable to detect and measure an applied force;
a plurality of force sensors operable within said sensing portion to measure a resultant characteristic of said applied force, and to output sensor data corresponding to said resultant characteristic;
a contacting element elevated at least partially from said sensing element and having a contacting surface operable to initially receive said applied force;
means for projecting substantially all of said applied force from said contacting element to said sensing portion of said sensing element to cause said resultant characteristic be detected and measured by said sensors as if said applied force were acting directly on said sensing element; and
processing means operable to receive and process said sensor data, and to determine a location or other characteristic of said applied force as acting on said contacting surface of said contacting element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A projected force-based input device comprising a projected or elevated contacting element configured to receive an applied force, a sensing element located in a different plane with respect to the contacting element, and a sensing portion operably supported to displace in response to the applied force. The sensing element further comprises a plurality of sensors operable to output sensor data corresponding to the applied force, wherein the sensor data facilitates the determination of a location of the applied force occurring about the contacting element, as well as the profile of the applied force over time (e.g., waveform), otherwise known as the force profile. One or more transfer elements may also be present, which function to relate the contacting element to the sensing portion of the sensing element so as to transfer substantially all of the applied force from the contacting element to the sensing element. Adequate rigidity between the elevated contacting element, and transfer elements, and the sensing element is intended to be maintained in order to prevent interference with any mounting or other structures or objects, and to permit the input device to operate properly.
143 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A projected force-based input device comprising:
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a sensing element having a mounting portion and a sensing portion operable to detect and measure an applied force;
a plurality of force sensors operable within said sensing portion to measure a resultant characteristic of said applied force, and to output sensor data corresponding to said resultant characteristic;
a contacting element elevated at least partially from said sensing element and having a contacting surface operable to initially receive said applied force;
means for projecting substantially all of said applied force from said contacting element to said sensing portion of said sensing element to cause said resultant characteristic be detected and measured by said sensors as if said applied force were acting directly on said sensing element; and
processing means operable to receive and process said sensor data, and to determine a location or other characteristic of said applied force as acting on said contacting surface of said contacting element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A projected force-based input device comprising:
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a contact plane having a contact surface for receiving an applied force;
a sensing plane offset from said contact plane, and comprising a sensing element having a sensing portion;
a plurality of sensors operable within said sensing portion to output sensor data corresponding to said applied force, wherein said sensor data facilitates the determination of a location or other characteristic of said applied force as occurring about said contact plane; and
at least one force transfer element that transfers substantially all of said applied force occurring about said contact plane to said sensing portion of said sensing plane. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A projected force-based input device comprising:
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a contacting element contained within a contact plane, and having a contacting surface configured to receive an applied force;
a sensing element contained within a sensing plane, and having a plurality of sensors operable therewith to output sensor data corresponding to said applied force, wherein said sensor data facilitates the determination of a location or other characteristic of said applied force about said contacting element; and
a transfer element configured to project said contacting plane away from said sensing plane, and to transfer substantially all of said applied force from said contacting element to said sensing element.
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37. Within a projected force-based input device, a method for determining a location or other characteristic of an applied force and for performing one or more operations, said method comprising:
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receiving an applied force about a contacting surface of an elevated contacting element;
transferring said applied force to a sensing portion of a sensing element supported in a different elevation with respect to said contacting element, said sensing element having a plurality of sensors operable to output sensor data corresponding to said applied force;
measuring a characteristic of said applied force;
generating sensor data based on said measured characteristic; and
processing said sensor data to determine a location or other characteristic of said applied force occurring about said contacting element. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method for constructing a projected force-based input device, said method comprising:
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providing a sensing element having a mounting portion and a sensing portion operable to detect an applied force;
securing said mounting portion of said sensing element;
supporting said sensing portion of said sensing element so as to be movable with respect to said mounting portion;
providing a plurality of force sensors operable within said sensing portion to measure a resultant characteristic of said applied force, and to output sensor data corresponding to said resultant characteristic;
positioning a contacting element in a different elevation with respect to said sensing element, said contacting element having a contacting surface operable to initially receive said applied force;
relating said sensing element to said contacting element with sufficient rigidity so as to effectuate transfer of substantially all of said applied force from said contacting element to said sensing element, said contacting element projecting substantially all of said applied force to said sensing portion of said sensing element to cause said resultant characteristic be detected and measured by said sensors as if said applied force were occurring directly about said sensing element; and
providing processing means operable to receive and process said sensor data, and to determine a location or other characteristic of said applied force as acting on said contacting surface of said contacting element. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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Specification