Piezoresistive input device
First Claim
1. A device for sensing control input by a user comprising:
- a base;
an actuation means for accepting said control input from said user in the form of a force applied by said user, said actuation means pivoting by single point contact on said base;
at least four piezoresistive elements disposed between said base and said actuation means, said at least four piezoresistive elements sensing said force applied by said user to said actuation means; and
a biasing means between said piezoresistive elements and said actuation means for biasing said actuation means to a neutral position when no force is applied by said user.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An input device for computers or electronic games using piezoelectric elements. Four piezoelectric devices are mounted on a base in positions ninety degrees apart. A user actuation element, such as a directional control pad and or a joystick is pivotally disposed on the base above the piezoelectric sensors. A biasing element such as a spring, foam or rubber element is positioned between the actuation element and the base to support the actuation device in a neutral position when no face is being applied by a user to also return the activation element to its neutral position after a user'"'"'s force is removed. Opposing sensors are connected to a bridge circuit such that in the neutral position of the actuation element the output voltage of the bridge is one half of the input voltage. As the user applies a force to the actuation device, the resistance of one or the other (opposing) piezoresistive device will decrease and accordingly drive the output of the bridge circuit either towards the input voltage or ground, depending on which sensor the user is activated. Additionally a piezoresistive device constructed according to the present invention uses a conductive foam overlayed on top of a series of circuit traces which describe open circuits. As the conductive foam is compressed, it will complete the circuit of the circuit traces and provide an output voltage varying with the compression of the foam.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A device for sensing control input by a user comprising:
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a base; an actuation means for accepting said control input from said user in the form of a force applied by said user, said actuation means pivoting by single point contact on said base; at least four piezoresistive elements disposed between said base and said actuation means, said at least four piezoresistive elements sensing said force applied by said user to said actuation means; and a biasing means between said piezoresistive elements and said actuation means for biasing said actuation means to a neutral position when no force is applied by said user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for providing signals representative of control input by a user comprising:
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a base; an actuation element for accepting said control input from said user in the form of a force applied by said user, said actuation element pivoting by single point contact on said base; at least four piezoresistive sensors disposed between said base and said actuation element, said at least four piezoresistive sensors are arranged as first and second opposing pairs; and two output circuits connected to said at least four piezoresistive sensors, said two output circuits providing signals representative of said force applied by said user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification