Trackpoint device

• US 6,115,030 A
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Berstis, Viktors, Zimmerman, Thomas Guthrie
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alphonse, Fritz
• Application Number:
  US08/993,509
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 345/174, 345/156, 345/161, 345/168, 345/157, 345/164, 341/2, 364/190, 73/628, 73/862.05, 361/283.2, 200/600, 346/90, 338/68
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04762 Force transducer, e.g. strain gauge
• 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 3/0338 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

Abstract

A capacitive sensor input device which includes a movable stud having a top portion for manipulation by a user and a conductive bottom portion is connected to a planar surface, such as a circuit board by means of an elastomeric, adhesive connector. A plurality of sensors are disposed on the planar surface. The respective capacitances between the conductive bottom portion and respective ones of the sensors are used as input to another electronic device, such as a computer, set top box or gaming device. As the capacitances change according to user manipulation of the movable stud elements of the user interface are moved correspondingly.

Claims

1. A capacitive sensor comprising:

a movable stud having a top portion for manipulation by a user and a conductive bottom portion;

a planar surface upon which a plurality of sensors are disposed, wherein respective capacitances between the conductive bottom portion and respective ones of the sensors, the capacitances changing according to user manipulation of the movable stud; and

an elastomeric, adhesive connector which affixes a central portion of the conductive bottom portion to the planar surface, wherein the connector functions to bring the movable stud to an upright position after manipulation by the user.

2. The capacitive sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein the elastomeric, adhesive connector is conductive and serves as a ground for the conductive bottom portion.

3. The capacitive sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein the capacitances of the sensors are used to control movement of a cursor on a display.

4. The capacitive sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein the conductive bottom portion is a flat surface.

5. The capacitive sensor as recited in claim 4 wherein the conductive bottom portion has a dimple in the central portion.

6. A input device for use with a computer graphical user interface comprising:

a movable stud having a top portion for manipulation by a user and a conductive bottom portion;

a planar surface upon which a plurality of sensors are disposed, wherein respective capacitances between the conductive bottom portion and respective ones of the sensors, the capacitances changing according to user manipulation of the movable stud; and

an elastomeric, adhesive connector which affixes solely a central portion of the conductive bottom portion to the planar surface, wherein the connector functions to bring the movable stud to an upright position after manipulation by the user;

wherein a cursor in the graphical user interface moves in accordance with user manipulation of the movable stud.

7. The input device as recited in claim 6 further comprising communication means to a computer for transmitting signals indicative of movement of the movable stud.

8. The input device as recited in claim 7 wherein the communication means is an IR transmitter.

9. The input device as recited in claim 7 further comprising a plurality of buttons the depression of which causes transmission of control signals to a computer.

10. A computer system including memory, processor and display, wherein a computer graphical user interface is presented on the display, comprising:

an input device including a movable stud having a top portion for manipulation by a user and a conductive bottom portion and a circuit board upon which a plurality of sensors are disposed, wherein respective capacitances between the conductive bottom portion and respective ones of the sensors, the capacitances changing according to user manipulation of the movable stud wherein the movable stud is connected to the circuit board by means of an elastomeric, adhesive connector which affixes solely a central portion;

of the movable stud to the circuit board, wherein the connector functions to bring the movable stud to an upright position after manipulation by the user;

wherein a cursor in the graphical user interface moves in accordance with user manipulation of the movable stud.

11. The computer system as recited in claim 10 further comprising communication means from the input device to the computer system for transmitting signals indicative of movement of the movable stud.

12. The computer system as recited in claim 10 wherein the communication means is an IR transmitter.

13. The computer system as recited in claim 10 wherein the input device further comprises a plurality of buttons the depression of which causes transmission of control signals to the computer.

14. The computer system as recited in claim 10 wherein the circuit board is attached to the surface of a second circuit board which contains circuitry for a plurality of buttons the depression of which causes transmission of control signals to the computer.

15. A set top computer system including memory, processor and connectable to a television, wherein a graphical user interface is presented on the television, comprising:

an input device including a movable stud having a top portion for manipulation by a user and a conductive bottom portion and a circuit board upon which a plurality of sensors are disposed, wherein respective capacitances between the conductive bottom portion and respective ones of the sensors, the capacitances changing according to user manipulation of the movable stud wherein solely a central portion of the movable stud is connected to the circuit board by means of an elastomeric, adhesive connector, wherein the connector functions to bring the movable stud to an upright position after manipulation by the user;

wherein a cursor in the graphical user interface moves in accordance with user manipulation of the movable stud.

16. The computer system as recited in claim 15 further comprising communication means from the input device to the computer system for transmitting signals indicative of movement of the movable stud.

17. The computer system as recited in claim 15 wherein the communication means is an IR transmitter.

18. A gaming system including memory, processor and connectable to a television, wherein a game is presented on the television, comprising:

an input device including a movable stud having a top portion for manipulation by a user and a conductive bottom portion and a circuit board upon which a plurality of sensors are disposed, wherein respective capacitances between the conductive bottom portion and respective ones of the sensors, the capacitances changing according to user manipulation of the movable stud wherein solely a central portion of the movable stud is connected to the circuit board by means of an elastomeric, adhesive connector, wherein the connector functions to bring the movable stud to an upright position after manipulation by the user;

wherein an element of the gaming interface moves in accordance with user manipulation of the movable stud.

19. The gaming system as recited in claim 18 further comprising communication means from the input device to the computer system for transmitting signals indicative of movement of the movable stud.

20. The gaming system as recited in claim 18 wherein the communication means is an IR transmitter.

21. The gaming system as recited in claim 19 wherein the communication means is a wire.

22. A method for making a capacitive sensor device, comprising the steps of:

applying a measured amount of an elastomeric, adhesive material to a circuit board upon which a plurality of sensors are disposed;

centering a movable stud over the elastomeric, material so that solely a central portion of a conductive bottom surface of the movable stud contacts the elastomeric material and the conductive bottom surface is at a specified difference from the circuit board; and

curing the elastomeric adhesive material;

wherein the capacitive sensor device in operation detects capacitances between the conductive bottom surface and the sensors according to user manipulation of the movable stud, and wherein the connector in operation brings the movable stud to an upright position after manipulation by the user.

23. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein the conductive bottom surface is flat.

24. The method as recited in claim 23 wherein the conductive bottom surface has a dimple at a point of contact with the elastomeric, adhesive material.

25. The method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of attaching the circuit board to another circuit board having circuitry for other control devices.

26. The method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the steps of:

placing the circuit board in a jig; and

placing the movable stud in the jig;

wherein the distance and relative position of the movable stud and circuit board is established by the jig.