FORCE SENSOR FOR USE IN AN INPUT DEVICE AND METHODS FOR CONSTRUCTING AND USING THE SENSOR
First Claim
1. An input device for a processing system, comprising:
- a first support member;
a second support member; and
a force sensor assembly coupled to each of said first support member and said second support member, the force sensor comprising,a deflection member coupled in movable relation to the first support member;
a first sensor coupled at least in part to the first deflection member and arranged to provide a signal representative of the magnitude of movement of the first deflection member relative to the first support member in a first direction; and
a second sensor coupled at least in part to the first deflection member and arranged to provide a signal representative of the magnitude of the movement of the first deflection member relative to the support member in a second direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure addresses a force sensor that is scalable in size and adaptable to a variety of form factors, including those suitable for use in an input device for a computer or other processing system, and in some cases including those of the configuration normally referred to as a computer mouse. The force sensor will include at least two structural members that are cooperatively attached one another as to be displaced from one another in response to a force acting upon one of the structural members. In some examples, the engagement between the two structural members will be specifically configured to allow such displacement in response to forces acting laterally on the force sensor. The force sensor will also include one or more sensing mechanisms to provide a measurement of the sensed deflection.
27 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An input device for a processing system, comprising:
-
a first support member; a second support member; and a force sensor assembly coupled to each of said first support member and said second support member, the force sensor comprising, a deflection member coupled in movable relation to the first support member; a first sensor coupled at least in part to the first deflection member and arranged to provide a signal representative of the magnitude of movement of the first deflection member relative to the first support member in a first direction; and a second sensor coupled at least in part to the first deflection member and arranged to provide a signal representative of the magnitude of the movement of the first deflection member relative to the support member in a second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A force sensor configured for use in an input device to a processing system, comprising:
-
a first support member; a second support member coupled in movable relation to the first support member along at least a first axis; a third support member coupled in movable relation to the second support member along at least a second axis; a first sensor arranged to provide a first signal reflective of the degree of movement between the first and second support members relative to at least the first axis; and a second sensor arranged to provide a second signal reflective of the degree of movement between the second and third support members relative to at least the second axis. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of constructing an input device for a processing system, comprising the acts of:
-
securing a first support member and a second support member in deflectable engagement with one another, where such deflectable engagement allows relative movement between the first support member in the second support member along at least a first axis, and wherein the method of establishing the deflectable engagement provides a resistance to such relative movement; arranging at least a first distance sensor proximate the first and second support members, the first distance sensor configured to provide a signal representative of the magnitude of any deflection between the first and second support members along at least a first axis; arranging the first and second support members and the first distance sensor within an outer housing of the input device, the housing comprising at least two component parts. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An input device, comprising:
-
a first support wing including, a first central web portion, and angled arms extending generally in a first direction relative to the central web portion; a second support wing including, a second central web portion, a first pair of angled arms extending generally in a second direction relative to the central web portion, the second direction generally opposite to the first direction; and a second pair of angled arms extending in generally the first direction relative to the central web portion, the second pair of angled arms extending generally orthogonally to the first pair of arms; front and rear flex plates coupling the first and second support wings to one another through the angled arms, the front and rear flex plates extending in spaced, generally parallel, relation to one another, wherein the support wing having the lowermost web portion has its angled arms coupled to the relatively upper end of each flex plate, and wherein the support wing having the uppermost web portion has its angled arms coupled to the relatively lower end of each flex plate; a third support wing having a third central web portion, and angled arms extending generally in the second direction relative to the central web portion; left and right flex plates coupling the second and third support wings to one another through the angled arms, the left and right flex plates extending in spaced, generally parallel, relation to one another, wherein the support wing having the lowermost web portion has its angled arms coupled to the relatively upper end of each flex plate, and wherein the support wing having the uppermost web portion has its angled arms coupled to the relatively lower end of each flex plate; a first sensor assembly having a first component supported by the first support wing and a second component carried by the second support wing, and configured to provide a first signal reflective of the degree of movement between the first and second support wings relative to at least the first axis; and a second sensor assembly having a first component supported by the second support wing and a second component carried by the third support wing, and configured to provide a first signal reflective of the degree of movement between the second and third support wings relative to at least the second axis.
-
Specification