Pointing device with pressure sensitive resistor

• US 6,879,316 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Dubois, Emmanuel, Kehlstadt, Florian Max, Plancherel, Laurent, Merminod, Baptiste
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Henry N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prizio, Jr., Peter
• Application Number:
  US10/010,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20030107547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-178, 345/684, 345/687
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning

Abstract

An input device with a pressure-sensitive element using a pressure sensing resistor. A solid elastomeric material is mounted over the pressure sensing resistor to transfer a force from the user'"'"'s finger to the pressure sensitive resistor without visible deformation of the elastomeric material. This provides a comfortable button for a user which does not require the compression of a domed cap to provide pressure-sensing input. In another aspect of the invention, a pressure-sensing input element utilizes both the amount of pressure and the amount of time to determine the type of signal provided to the electronic system. In another aspect of the present invention, an input device contains a first scrolling element (e.g. a wheel) and includes a switch button mounted close to the scrolling element to activate continuous scrolling. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure sensing resistor used is a folded-over metal-coated plastic film which is responsive to very low activation forces, such as forces less than 50 grams.

Claims

1. An input device for an electronic system, comprising:

a housing;

electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting signals corresponding to said user inputs to said electronic system;

a scrolling element for providing a scrolling input signal;

a switch button mounted proximate to said scrolling element, said switch button upon activation providing a signal to activate continuous scrolling;

wherein said scrolling element comprises a wheel, and said switch button is mounted adjacent and in line with a rotational direction of said wheel; and

a second switch button mounted on an opposite side of said wheel from said first mentioned switch button, wherein said first switch button provides a signal for continuous scrolling in a first direction, and said second switch button provides a signal for continuous scrolling in a second direction.