Force-sensing pointing device
First Claim
1. An analog pointing device, comprising:
- an arm having first and second ends;
a force transfer member affixable to the second end of the arm;
a force sensor detecting a force having a magnitude applied to the first end of the arm such that the force is transferred through the arm and the force transfer member to the force sensor; and
an elastomeric member affixable to the force sensor and the force transfer member, whereby the force sensor produces an analog output proportional to the magnitude of the force.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermally stable, mass-producible pointing device (10) producing an analog signal proportional to an applied force comprises actuator (20), including an arm (22) and a force transfer member (26), a connector (44), and a sensor (50). The connector maintains the force transfer member in contact with the sensor yet allows the force transfer member to change dimensions with ambient temperature without inducing stresses detectable by the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the connector comprises an elastomeric adhesive and the sensor comprises a force-sensing resistor. The force transfer member is prevented from coming out of the assembly either by a retainer (12) comprising a shell or a potting compound retaining the force transfer member but permitting thermal expansion or contraction of the force transfer member. The force transfer member typically has a rounded or bevelled bottom surface (28) so the actuator rocks under an applied force. The area of the bottom surface of the force transfer member transferring the force changes as the actuator rocks, and the force is transferred to the sensor at a single contiguous area whose position changes in response to a change in force.
128 Citations
2 Claims
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1. An analog pointing device, comprising:
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an arm having first and second ends; a force transfer member affixable to the second end of the arm; a force sensor detecting a force having a magnitude applied to the first end of the arm such that the force is transferred through the arm and the force transfer member to the force sensor; and an elastomeric member affixable to the force sensor and the force transfer member, whereby the force sensor produces an analog output proportional to the magnitude of the force.
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2. A computer system comprising:
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a display; an analog pointing device for controlling cursor movement on the display, the analog pointing device comprising; an arm having first and second ends; a force transfer member affixable to the second end of the arm; a force sensor detecting a force having a magnitude applied to the first end of the arm such that the force is transferred through the arm and the force transfer member to the force sensor; and an elastomeric member affixable to the force sensor and the force transfer member, whereby the force sensor produces an analog output proportional to the magnitude of the force.
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Specification