Depressable computer touch input device for activating an additional control signal

• US 20080036733A1
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KYE Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: KYE Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Lin, Li-Wen, Zhang, Hui-Zhen
• Granted Patent: US 7,834,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

A trace-detecting computer input device such as a touch input device, optical tracing module, or optical tracing plate includes a trace-detecting module and a microswitch. The trace-detecting module has a neutral position and a depressed position. A first control signal is generated when an object moves across the top of the trace-detecting module. When the trace-detecting module is in the depressed position, the microswitch is activated to generate a second control signal which is in addition to the trace-detecting first control signal.

Claims

1. A depressible computer trace-detecting input device, comprising:

a body receiving a microswitch and a trace-detecting module;

wherein the trace-detecting module generates a first control signal upon detecting movement of an object across a surface of the module, and

wherein the trace-detecting module is arranged to be moved from a neutral position to a depressed position relative to the body and generate a second control signal when moved to said depressed position.

2. The trace-detecting input device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light-pervious element,

wherein the trace-detecting module generates said first control signal while the object moving across the light-pervious element.

3. The trace-detecting input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has a cavity for receiving the trace-detecting module.

4. The trace-detecting input device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a resilient element for biasing the trace-detecting module to said neutral position.

5. The trace-detecting input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trace-detecting module further has a light source and a light sensor.

6. The trace-detecting input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trace-detecting input device is a touch input device.

7. A depressible computer trace-detecting input device, comprising:

a microswitch and a trace-detecting module;

wherein the trace-detecting module has a neutral position and a depressed position;

wherein the trace-detecting module generates a first control signal while an object moving across a top of the trace-detecting module; and

wherein the microswitch generates a second control signal while the trace-detecting module at the depressed position.

8. The trace-detecting input device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the top of the trace-detecting module has a light-pervious element, which is positioned opposite to a light source and a light sensor.

9. A depressible computer input device, comprising:

a microswitch and a trace-detecting module;

a resilient element for biasing the trace-detecting module to a neutral position;

wherein the trace-detecting module has a depressed position in addition to the neutral position;

wherein the trace-detecting module generates a first control signal while an object moving across a top of the trace-detecting module; and

wherein the microswitch generates a second control signal while the trace-detecting module at the depressed position; and

the resilient element restores the trace-detecting module to the neutral position.

10. The input device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the top of the trace-detecting module has a light-pervious element, which is positioned opposite to a light source and a light sensor.