Piezoelectric stick pointing device
First Claim
1. A device for generating electrical signals responsive to a users actuation thereof, comprising:
- a) an actuator;
b) a base having the actuator mounted thereto;
c) a piezoelectric element, mounted between the actuator and the base, for generating electrical signals representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the actuator; and
d) a plurality of conductive traces disposed on a first surface of the element; and
e) a around plate disposed on a second surface of the element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pointing and signaling device for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on a display screen that has a single piezoelectric element to indicate movement in three axes. The device generates electrical signals in response to a users force or actuation. The device has an actuator attached to a base. A piezoelectric element is mounted between the actuator and the base for generating electrical signals representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the actuator. The piezoelectric element is a shaped as a hollow cylinder. The piezoelectric element includes several conductive traces located on an outer surface of the element and a ground plate located on the inner surface of the element. The conductive plates and the ground plate are connected to a flexible cable by solder.
82 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A device for generating electrical signals responsive to a users actuation thereof, comprising:
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a) an actuator;
b) a base having the actuator mounted thereto;
c) a piezoelectric element, mounted between the actuator and the base, for generating electrical signals representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the actuator; and
d) a plurality of conductive traces disposed on a first surface of the element; and
e) a around plate disposed on a second surface of the element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8)
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6. A device for generating electrical signals indicative of forces applied to the device by a user, comprising:
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a) an actuator;
b) a base having the actuator mounted thereto; and
c) a piezoelectric element, mounted between the actuator and the base, for generating electrical signals representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the actuator including;
a) a plurality of conductive traces disposed on a first surface of the piezoelectric element; and
b) a ground plate disposed on a second surface of the piezoelectric element; and
d) a flexible cable having circuit lines thereon, the conductive traces and the ground plate electrically connected to the circuit lines.
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7. A device for generating electrical signals in response to forces applied thereon, the device connected to a flexible cable comprising:
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a) an actuator;
b) a base having the actuator mounted thereto;
c) piezoelectric means, mounted between the actuator and the base, for generating electrical signals representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the actuator, the piezoelectric means includes a piezoelectric element having a plurality of conductive traces disposed on a first surface of the element and a ground plate disposed on a second surface of the element; and
d) electrical connection means, connected to the piezoelectric means and to the flexible cable for routing the electrical signals from the piezoelectric means to the flexible cable.
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Specification