Hand manipulatable computer input device
First Claim
1. In an energy conversion and transmission device having a first electrically propertied substrate which is substantially flexible and a second electrically propertied substrate, said first substrate being disposed in proximate relationship with, and moveable relative to, said second substrate in order to vary an electrical property in response to a force applied to said first substrate, and a nonconductive spacer disposed intermediate said first and second substrates and having an aperture with which said first and second substrates are in register and through which said first and second substrates may electrically communicate according to variations of said electrical property, and an actuator by which said force is applied to said first substrate, the improvement comprising:
- said actuator comprising a button of elastically deformable material in engagement with said first substrate so as to elastically deform over a portion of said button in response to said applied force and to transfer a magnitude and direction of said force through said material so as to cause a corresponding deformation, commensurate with said magnitude and direction of said applied force, of another portion of said button and of a portion of said first substrate which is engaging said other button portion, said force transfer being transmitted to said other portion through and via said elastically deformable material with said direction of said force applied to said portion being selectively variable in order to select various locations of said corresponding deformation of said other portion of said button;
said second substrate having an electrically propertied pattern by which said second substrate communicates with said first substrate, commensurate with said magnitude and direction of said applied force, to indicate direction via a location of said portion of said first substrate relative to said pattern and to indicate magnitude via size of an area of correspondence between said portion of said first substrate and said pattern.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The computer input device includes an elastic actuator button of generally hemispheric shape. An applied force causing an indentation in a curved portion of the button is transmitted via the material of the button to cause a corresponding elastic bulging of a bottom, normally flat portion of the button and of a conductive film and resistive film which are attached thereto. During such bulging, a portion of the resistive film is urged into contact simultaneously with two or three oppositely disposed conductive traces. This action can cause a cursor to be moved in a direction corresponding to the direction of force of the push when the device is attached to the proper circuitry. The amount of pressure applied to and transmitted through the elastic material of the button determines the size of the area of contact between the resistive film and the pattern of conductive traces and, ultimately, the speed and/or distance of movement of the cursor in that direction. A central post may protrude from the bottom of the button into a corresponding depression or hole in the base of the device so as to act as a contact or actuator for a separate switch so as to provide a function separately from or in concert with the other functions provided by the control.
75 Citations
9 Claims
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1. In an energy conversion and transmission device having a first electrically propertied substrate which is substantially flexible and a second electrically propertied substrate, said first substrate being disposed in proximate relationship with, and moveable relative to, said second substrate in order to vary an electrical property in response to a force applied to said first substrate, and a nonconductive spacer disposed intermediate said first and second substrates and having an aperture with which said first and second substrates are in register and through which said first and second substrates may electrically communicate according to variations of said electrical property, and an actuator by which said force is applied to said first substrate, the improvement comprising:
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said actuator comprising a button of elastically deformable material in engagement with said first substrate so as to elastically deform over a portion of said button in response to said applied force and to transfer a magnitude and direction of said force through said material so as to cause a corresponding deformation, commensurate with said magnitude and direction of said applied force, of another portion of said button and of a portion of said first substrate which is engaging said other button portion, said force transfer being transmitted to said other portion through and via said elastically deformable material with said direction of said force applied to said portion being selectively variable in order to select various locations of said corresponding deformation of said other portion of said button; said second substrate having an electrically propertied pattern by which said second substrate communicates with said first substrate, commensurate with said magnitude and direction of said applied force, to indicate direction via a location of said portion of said first substrate relative to said pattern and to indicate magnitude via size of an area of correspondence between said portion of said first substrate and said pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hand manipulatable input device for a cursor of a computer display screen, and comprising:
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a single actuator button comprising a material which is elastically deformable such that a depression in one portion of said button by an applied force is transmitted as a corresponding projection from another portion of said button in an amount and direction commensurate with said applied force, said force being transmitted to said other portion through and via said elastically deformable material with said direction of said force applied to said portion being selectively variable in order to select various locations of said corresponding deformation of said other portion of said button; a base; a conductive pattern situated on top of said base, traces of said pattern being connectable to circuitry for controlling a display on said screen; a spacer of nonconductive material with an aperture therethrough, said aperture being positioned in register with said conductive pattern on top of said base; a resistive film area having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface being positioned in register with said aperture and said conductive pattern and being spaced from said conductive pattern by said spacer; and a conductive film interposed between sand substantially covering said top surface of said resistive film and said other portion of said button, said conductive film being connectable to said circuitry; whereby said depression by said applied force results in a resistive electrical contact path between said pattern and said conductive film via said resistive film by an amount commensurate with a magnitude of said force and at a location on said pattern commensurate with a direction of application of said force to said button so as to result in a speed and direction of movement of said cursor according to a corresponding magnitude and direction of said force applied. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification