Multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device

• US 6,067,005 A
• Filed: 05/07/1999
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dean R. Devolpi
• Original Assignee: Dean R. Devolpi
• Inventors: DeVolpi, Dean R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Richard K.
• Application Number:
  US09/307,581
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 338/95, 338/99, 338/96, 338/97, 338/114, 338/47, 200/512, 200/513, 200/516, 200/1 B
• US Class Current: 338/47
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0205 Lever arrangements for operating keyboard cursor control keys in a joystick-like manner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• 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 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 10/06 adjustable by short-circuiting different amounts of the resistive element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/078 Variable resistance by variable contact area or point
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/022 Application wake up; switches or contacts specially provided for the wake up or standby shift of a circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/008 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being perpendicular to the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

A compact, low-cost pad pointing device with improved performance, reliability and durability, having an integrated selection switch, that can be used as a cursor pointing device and selection mechanism for computers, remote controls, web TV, TV guide browsers, video games, consumer electronics, industrial controllers, medical, automotive and other applications. A contact surface can be deflected to positions on an electrical medium that results in the generation of speed and direction signals while a selection switch may be simultaneously activated through the same control element.

Claims

1. A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:

an upper contact having a central axis, and a surface disposed around said central axis which is conductive;

a substrate having an electrically conductive surface positioned below said upper contact and a dome switch on its surface situated below said upper contact and upon said central axis, for changing continuity of an electrical circuit, which is actuated by a downward force compressing said upper contact toward said substrate, and which provides tactile feedback transmitted through said upper contact upon the change in continuity of the electrical circuit; and

displacement means for changing the orientation of the upper contact in relation to said conductive surface of said substrate and allowing compression of said upper contact toward said substrate, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to activate the dome switch by external force along the central axis of the upper contact and to provide electrical contact between the upper contact and said electrically conductive surface of said substrate at a position on said upper contact and said electrically conductive surface of said substrate which corresponds to the direction and intensity of the external force tangent to the central axis of the upper contact, as a result, one or more signals, corresponding to the direction and intensity of the external force are provided.

2. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said displacement means comprises a dimple fashioned upon the upper surface of the upper contact to accommodate a finger tip of an operator for application of said external force.

3. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of ridges fashioned within said dimple thereby reducing slippage between said dimple and said finger tip in application of said external force.

4. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 1, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on the upper surface of the substrate immediately surrounding the dome switch and extending upward around the dome switch toward the upper contact thereby securing said dome switch in position on the substrate when the upper contact is in its assembled position.

5. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 1, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to the upper contact and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said substrate, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate.

6. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said substrate surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper contact above and out of contact with said electrically conductive surface of said substrate in the absence of external force.

7. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said upper contact is formed of elastic material.

8. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said surface of said upper contact disposed around said central axis is resistive.

9. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 8, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on the upper surface of the substrate immediately surrounding the dome switch and extending upward around the dome switch toward the upper contact thereby securing said dome switch in position on the substrate when the upper contact is in its assembled position.

10. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 8, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to the upper contact and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said substrate, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate.

11. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said substrate surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper contact above and out of contact with said electrically conductive surface of said substrate in the absence of external force.

12. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 8, wherein said upper contact is formed of elastic material.

13. A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:

an upper member having a central axis, and an activation surface disposed around said central axis;

a two layered membrane switch positioned below said activation surface of said upper member having an electrically conductive surface on a first layer which faces an electrically conductive surface on a second layer;

a dome switch situated between said two layer membrane switch and said upper contact upon said central axis, for changing continuity of an electrical circuit, said dome switch is actuated by a downward force compressing said upper member toward said two layer membrane switch, and said dome switch provides tactile feedback transmitted through said upper contact upon the change in continuity of the electrical circuit; and

displacement means for changing the orientation of the upper member in relation to said two layered membrane switch, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to provide contact between said activation surface of said upper member and said two layered membrane switch deforming said two layered membrane switch and causing electrical contact between said surface on said first layer and said surface on said second layer in at least one location corresponding to the direction and intensity of external force tangent to the central axis of the upper member, as a result, one or more signals, corresponding to the direction and intensity of the external force are provided.

14. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 13, wherein said displacement means comprises a dimple fashioned upon the upper surface of the upper contact to accommodate a finger tip of an operator for application of said external force.

15. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of ridges fashioned within said dimple thereby reducing slippage between said dimple and said finger tip in application of said external force.

16. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 13, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on said two layered membrane switch immediately surrounding said dome switch and extending upward around said dome switch toward said upper member thereby securing said dome switch in position on said central axis when said upper contact is in its assembled position.

17. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 13, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to said upper member and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said two layered membrane switch, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said central axis.

18. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 17 wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said two layered membrane switch surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper member above and out of contact with said two layered membrane switch in the absence of external force.

19. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 13, wherein said upper member is formed of elastic material.

20. A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:

an upper contact having a central axis, a multiple number of ribs which radiate out from said central axis at different angles, and an electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs;

a substrate having an upper surface positioned below said upper contact with a plurality of electrical contact points which are situated below and aligned with said electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs; and

displacement means for tilting and downwardly moving said upper contact, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to provide electrical contact between said electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs and at least one of said electrical contact points corresponding to the direction of the external force with the overall area of electrical contact made between said electrically conductive surface formed at the bottom of said ribs and said electrical contact points corresponding to the intensity of the external force, as a result, one or more signals of measurable resistance adapted to be interpreted into speed and directional vectors is produced by the completion of one or more paths of continuity between said electrically conductive surface formed at the bottom of said ribs and said electrical contact points.

21. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 20, further comprising a short protection protrusion formed on the bottom of said ribs and extends downward toward said substrate upon said central axis, said short protection protrusion being elastic whereby said short protection protrusion prevents contact between said conductive surface of said upper contact and said substrate in the absence of an external force and may be deformed in the presence of an external force allowing contact to be made between said conductive surface of said upper contact and said substrate.

22. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 20, wherein said displacement means comprises a dimple fashioned upon the upper surface of the upper contact to accommodate a finger tip of an operator for application of said external force.

23. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 22, further comprising a plurality of ridges fashioned within said dimple thereby reducing slippage between said dimple and said finger tip in application of said external force.

24. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 20, wherein said plurality of electrical contact points on said upper surface of said substrate is comprised of continuous strips of resistive material situated below and aligned with said ribs of said upper contact.

25. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 20, further comprising a dome switch situated upon said upper surface of said substrate and positioned below said upper contact upon said central axis, which may be actuated by a downward force compressing said upper contact toward said substrate thereby allowing a selection to be made.

26. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 25, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on said upper surface of said substrate immediately surrounding said dome switch and extending upward around said dome switch toward said upper contact thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate when said upper contact is in its assembled position.

27. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 25, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to said upper contact and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said substrate, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate.

28. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 27 wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said substrate surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper contact above and out of contact with said electrically conductive surface of said substrate in the absence of external force.

29. A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:

an upper contact having a central axis, a multiple number of ribs which radiate out from said central axis at different angles, and an electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs;

a substrate having an upper surface positioned below said upper contact with a first plurality of electrical contact points and a second plurality of electrical contact points which are situated below and aligned with said electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs; and

displacement means for tilting and downwardly moving said upper contact, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to provide electrical contact simultaneously between said electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs and at least one of said first electrical contact points and at least one of said second electrical contact points corresponding to the direction of the external force with the overall area of electrical contact made between said electrically conductive surface formed at the bottom of said ribs and said first electrical contact points and said second electrical contact points corresponding to the intensity of the external force, as a result, one or more signals of measurable resistance adapted to be interpreted into speed and directional vectors is produced by the electrically conductive surface formed at the bottom of said ribs completing one or more paths of continuity between said first electrical contact points and said second electrical contact points.

30. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 29, further comprising a short protection protrusion formed on the bottom of said ribs and extends downward toward said substrate upon said central axis, said short protection protrusion being elastic whereby said short protection protrusion prevents contact between said conductive surface of said upper contact and said substrate in the absence of an external force and may be deformed in the presence of an external force allowing contact to be made between said conductive surface of said upper contact and said substrate.

31. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 29, wherein said displacement means comprises a dimple fashioned upon the upper surface of the upper contact to accommodate a finger tip of an operator for application of said external force.

32. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 31, further comprising a plurality of ridges fashioned within said dimple thereby reducing slippage between said dimple and said finger tip in application of said external force.

33. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 29, where in said first plurality of electrical contact points on said upper surface of said substrate is comprised of first continuous strips of conductive material and said second plurality of electrical contact points on said upper surface of said substrate is comprised of second continuous strips of resistive material, wherein each said first continuous strip of conductive material has a companion said second continuous strip of resistive material parallel to it wherein each said first continuous strip of conductive material and its companion said second continuous strip of resistive material are situated below and aligned with said bottom surface of said ribs of said upper contact.

34. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 33, wherein said first continuous strips of conductive material are comprised of continuous strips of resistive material.

35. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 29, further comprising a dome switch situated upon said upper surface of said substrate and positioned below said upper contact upon said central axis, which may be actuated by a downward force compressing said upper contact toward said substrate thereby allowing a selection to be made.

36. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 35, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on said upper surface of said substrate immediately surrounding said dome switch and extending upward around said dome switch toward said upper contact thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate when said upper contact is in its assembled position.

37. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 35, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to said upper contact and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said substrate, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate.

38. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 37, wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said substrate surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper contact above and out of contact with said electrically conductive surface of said substrate in the absence of external force.

39. A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:

an upper member having a central axis, a multiple number of ribs which radiate out from said central axis at different angles, and an activation surface on the bottom of said ribs;

a two layered membrane switch having a plurality of electrical contact points on a first layer which face a corresponding plurality of electrical contact points on a second layer, said plurality of electrical contact points on said first layer and said corresponding plurality of electrical contact points on said second layer are positioned below and aligned with said activation surface on the bottom of said ribs;

said two layered membrane switch has an undeformed position in which said plurality of electrical contact points on said first layer is separated from said corresponding plurality of electrical contact points on said second layer; and

displacement means for tilting and downwardly moving said upper member, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to provide contact between said activation surface of said upper member and said two layered membrane switch, deforming said two layer membrane switch and causing at least one of said electrical contact points on said first layer to make contact with said corresponding electrical contact point on said second layer corresponding to the direction of the external force with the overall area of electrical contact made between said electrical contact points on said first layer and said corresponding electrical contact points on said second layer corresponding to the intensity of the external force, as a result, one or more signals of measurable resistance adapted to be interpreted into speed and directional vectors is produced by the completion of one or more paths of continuity between said electrical contact points on said first layer and said corresponding electrical contact points on said second layer.

40. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 39, wherein said displacement means comprises a dimple fashioned upon the upper surface of the upper member to accommodate a finger tip of an operator for application of said external force.

41. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 40, further comprising a plurality of ridges fashioned within said dimple thereby reducing slippage between said dimple and said finger tip in application of said external force.

42. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 39, wherein said plurality of electrical contact points on said first layer is comprised of continuous strips of conductive material situated below and aligned with said bottom surface of said ribs of said upper member, and wherein said corresponding plurality of electrical contact points on said second layer is comprised of continuous strips of resistive material facing said continuous strips of conductive material on said first layer and situated below and aligned with said bottom surface of said ribs of said upper member.

43. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 42, wherein said plurality of electrical contact points on said first layer is comprised of continuous strips of resistive material.

44. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 39, further comprising a dome switch situated between said two layered membrane switch and said activation surface of said upper member upon said central axis, which may be actuated by a downward force compressing said upper member toward said two layered membrane switch thereby allowing a selection to be made.

45. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 44, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on said two layered membrane switch immediately surrounding said dome switch and extending upward around said dome switch toward said upper member thereby securing said dome switch in position on said central axis when said upper contact is in its assembled position.

46. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 44, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to said upper member and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said two layered membrane switch, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said central axis.

47. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 46 wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said two layered membrane switch surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper member above and out of contact with said two layered membrane switch in the absence of external force.

48. A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:

an upper contact having a central axis, a multiple number of ribs which radiate out from said central axis at different angles, and an electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs;

a substrate having an upper surface positioned below said upper contact with a plurality of electrical contact points which are situated below and aligned with said electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs; and

displacement means for tilting and downwardly moving said upper contact, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to provide electrical contact between said electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs and at least one of said electrical contact points corresponding to the direction of the external force with the distance from the central axis where said electrical contact is made between said electrical conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs and said electrical contact points corresponding to the intensity of said external force, as a result, one or more signals of measurable resistance adapted to be interpreted into speed and directional vectors is produced by the completion of one or more paths of continuity between said electrically conductive surface formed at the bottom of said ribs and said electrical contact points.

49. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 48, further comprising a short protection protrusion formed on the bottom of said ribs and extends downward toward said substrate upon said central axis, said short protection protrusion being elastic whereby said short protection protrusion prevents contact between said conductive surface of said upper contact and said substrate in the absence of an external force and may be deformed in the presence of an external force allowing contact to be made between said conductive surface of said upper contact and said substrate.

50. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 48, wherein said displacement means comprises a dimple fashioned upon the upper surface of the upper contact to accommodate a finger tip of an operator for application of said external force.

51. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 50, further comprising a plurality of ridges fashioned within said dimple thereby reducing slippage between said dimple and said finger tip in application of said external force.

52. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 48, further comprising a dome switch situated upon said upper surface of said substrate and positioned below said upper contact upon said central axis, which may be actuated by a downward force compressing said upper contact toward said substrate thereby allowing a selection to be made.

53. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 52, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on said upper surface of said substrate immediately surrounding said dome switch and extending upward around said dome switch toward said upper contact thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate when said upper contact is in its assembled position.

54. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 52, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to said upper contact and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said substrate, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate.

55. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 54 wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said substrate surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper contact above and out of contact with said electrically conductive surface of said substrate in the absence of external force.

56. A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:

an upper contact having a central axis, a multiple number of ribs which radiate out from said central axis at different angles, and an electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs;

a substrate having an upper surface positioned below said upper contact with a first plurality of electrical contact points and a second plurality of electrical contact points which are situated below and aligned with said electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs; and

displacement means for tilting and downwardly moving said upper contact, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to provide electrical contact simultaneously between said electrically conductive surface formed on the bottom of said ribs and at least one of said first electrical contact points and at least one of said second electrical contact points in at least one direction from the central axis corresponding to the direction of the external force with the distance from the central axis where said electrical contact is made between said electrically conductive surface formed at the bottom of said ribs and said first electrical contact points and said second electrical contact points corresponding to the intensity of the external force, as a result, one or more signals of measurable resistance adapted to be interpreted into speed and directional vectors is produced by the electrically conductive surface formed at the bottom of said ribs completing one or more paths of continuity between said first electrical contact points and said second electrical contact points.

57. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 56, further comprising a short protection protrusion formed on the bottom of said ribs and extends downward toward said substrate upon said central axis, said short protection protrusion being elastic whereby said short protection protrusion prevents contact between said conductive surface of said upper contact and said substrate in the absence of an external force and may be deformed in the presence of an external force allowing contact to be made between said conductive surface of said upper contact and said substrate.

58. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 56, wherein said displacement means comprises a dimple fashioned upon the upper surface of the upper contact to accommodate a finger tip of an operator for application of said external force.

59. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 58, further comprising a plurality of ridges fashioned within said dimple thereby reducing slippage between said dimple and said finger tip in application of said external force.

60. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 56, further comprising a dome switch situated upon said upper surface of said substrate and positioned below said upper contact upon said central axis, which may be actuated by a downward force compressing said upper contact toward said substrate thereby allowing a selection to be made.

61. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 60, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on said upper surface of said substrate immediately surrounding said dome switch and extending upward around said dome switch toward said upper contact thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate when said upper contact is in its assembled position.

62. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 60, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to said upper contact and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said substrate, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said substrate.

63. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 62 wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said substrate surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper contact above and out of contact with said electrically conductive surface of said substrate in the absence of external force.

64. A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:

an upper member having a central axis, a multiple number of ribs which radiate out from said central axis at different angles, and an activation surface on the bottom of said ribs;

a two layered membrane switch having a plurality of electrical contact points on a first layer which face a corresponding plurality of electrical contact points on a second layer, said plurality of electrical contact points on said first layer and said corresponding plurality of electrical contact points on said second layer are positioned below and aligned with said activation surface on the bottom of said ribs;

said two layered membrane switch has an undeformed position in which said plurality of electrical contact points on said first layer is separated from said corresponding plurality of electrical contact points on said second layer; and

displacement means for tilting and downwardly moving said upper member, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to provide contact between said activation surface of said upper member and said two layered membrane switch, deforming said two layer membrane switch and causing at least one of said electrical contact points on said first layer to make contact with said corresponding electrical contact point on said second layer in at least one direction from the central axis corresponding to the direction of the external force with the distance from the central axis where said contact is made between said contact points on said first layer and said contact points on said second layer corresponding to the intensity of the external force, as a result, one or more signals of measurable resistance adapted to be interpreted into speed and directional vectors is produced by the completion of one or more paths of continuity between said electrical contact points on said first layer and said corresponding electrical contact points on said second layer.

65. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 64, wherein said displacement means comprises a dimple fashioned upon the upper surface of the upper member to accommodate a finger tip of an operator for application of said external force.

66. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 65, further comprising a plurality of ridges fashioned within said dimple thereby reducing slippage between said dimple and said finger tip in application of said external force.

67. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 64, further comprising a dome switch situated between said two layered membrane switch and said activation surface of said upper member upon said central axis, which may be actuated by a downward force compressing said upper member toward said two layered membrane switch thereby allowing a selection to be made.

68. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 67, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining ridges formed on said two layered membrane switch immediately surrounding said dome switch and extending upward around said dome switch toward said upper member thereby securing said dome switch in position on said central axis when said upper contact is in its assembled position.

69. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 67, further comprising dome switch retaining means, wherein said dome switch retaining means is comprised of a plurality of dome switch retaining protrusions attached to said upper member and extending downward immediately surrounding said dome switch, said retaining protrusions are engaged within dome switch retaining apertures formed through the surface of said two layered membrane switch, thereby securing said dome switch in position on said central axis.

70. The multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device according to claim 69 wherein said plurality of dome switch protrusions are formed of elastic material with shoulders to engage said surface of said two layered membrane switch surrounding said dome switch retaining apertures, thereby suspending said upper member above and out of contact with said two layered membrane switch in the absence of external force.