Omnidirectional input device

• US 5,172,101 A
• Filed: 10/31/1990
• Issued: 12/15/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph P. Bates
• Original Assignee: Joseph P. Bates
• Inventors: Bates, Joseph P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HJERPE, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US07/606,881
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 340/709, 340/711, 341/22, 341/26, 341/34, 273/148 B, 200/5 R, 200/5 B, 178/18, 178/19, 178/20
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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

An omnidirectional input device comprising a circuit board and switches arranged in a directional pattern, each switch having an open and closed position. Each switch further having conductive switch components mounted in directional pattern on a surface of the circuit board and a conductive actuator operably connectable to the switch components to place the switch in either the open or closed position. The omnidirectional input device also includes a plurality of output signal lines coupled to the circuit board and a decoding matrix connected between the conductive switch components and the output signal lines. The decoding matrix determines which of the switches is in the closed position and couples the conductive switch components of a switch in the closed position to one or more of the output signal lines.

Claims

1. An omnidirectional input device comprising:

a circuit board;

eight directional switches having an open and closed position arranged in an octagonal directional pattern, each switch comprising first and second conductive interleaved circuit segments mounted on said circuit board, a pad having a conductive surface arranged adjacent to and generally coextensive with said circuit segments and operably connectable to said conductive circuit segments to operably connect said first conductive segment to said second conductive segment to place said switch in said closed position, and a nonconductive layer intermediate said conductive surface and said conductive circuit segments to normally maintain said circuit segments and said conductive surface in a spaced apart relationship and to normally maintain said switch in said open position;

four directional output signal lines coupled to said circuit board;

a diode decoding matrix connected intermediate each of said eight switches and said four directional output signal lines for determining which of said directional switches is in said closed position and for coupling said directional switches in said closed position to one or more of said four directional output signal lines;

eight light emitting diodes each capable of being illuminated and respectively coupled to one of said eight switches and illuminated when said respectively coupled switch is in said closed position.