Pointing device

• US 7,502,013 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Kazuo, Nakamura, Shuji, Nishino, Takeshi, Kiryu, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sheng; Tom V
• Application Number:
  US10/986,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20050099391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,576 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/160, 345/161, 345/163, 744/71, 463/37, 463/38
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04744 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04755 Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04777 with additional push or pull action on the handle
• 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 pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section. The second part of the operating section is provided integrally with a major portion substantially surrounding an entire circumference of the first part, a first connecting portion connected to the first part at one end of the major portion and a second connecting portion connected to the base section at another end of the major portion; the major portion exerting an even elastic biasing force irrespective of a shifting direction of the first part on the base section.

Claims

1. A pointing device, comprising:

a base section;

an operating section shiftably supported on said base section;

a magnet carried on said operating section;

a magneto-electro transducer carried on said base section at a location close to said magnet; and

a switch mechanism carried on said base and adapted to be actuated by a pressing operation of said operating section; and

wherein said operating section includes a holding part securely holding said magnet and shiftably supported on said base section, and an elastic part connected to said holding part and exerting an elastic force for returning said holding part to a home position in a shifting range, while accompanying a shifting operation of said holding part on said base section, said holding part and said elastic part being formed separately from and assembled to each other,

wherein said elastic part is provided with a major portion surrounding substantially an entire circumference of said holding part a first connecting portion connected to said holding part at one end of said major portion and extending be laid over said holding part, and a second connecting portion connected to said base section at another end of said major portion, said first connecting portion and said second connecting portion being formed integrally with said major portion, said major portion exerting an even elastic biasing force irrespective of a shifting direction of said holding cart on said base section,

wherein said base includes a circuit board carrying said switch mechanism on a first side of said circuit board and positioning said switch mechanism at a location beneath said operating section, and a cover member covering said second connecting portion of said elastic part, said cover member being provided with an annular end wall defining a center opening and securely holding said second connecting portion at said end wall,

wherein said magneto-electro transducer is mounted on a second side of said circuit board, opposite to said first side, said circuit board interposing between and separating said magnet and said magneto-electro transducer, and

wherein a plurality of magneto-electro transducers are mounted on said second side of said circuit board at regular intervals in a circumferential direction about a center axis defining said home position.

2. A portable information apparatus comprising:

a pointing device as set forth in claim 1; and

a key panel including a plurality of key tops, said key panel being formed integrally with said elastic part of said operating section of said pointing device.

3. A pointing device as set forth in claim 1, and installed in a portable information apparatus comprising a key panel including a plurality of key tops, wherein said elastic part of said operating section is formed integrally with said key panel.