Computer mouse or keyboard input device utilizing capacitive sen

Details Computer mouse or keyboard input device utilizing capacitive sen Computer mouse or keyboard input device utilizing capacitive sen

1993-01-29

1995-10-31

Swarthout, Brent

Coded data generation or conversion

Bodily actuated code generator

Including keyboard or keypad

345174, H03K 1794

Patent

active

054633885

ABSTRACT:
A computer input device for use as a computer mouse or keyboard comprises a thin, insulating surface covering an array of electrodes. Such electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern and can be connected in columns and rows. Each column and row is connected to circuitry for measuring the capacitance seen by each column and row. The position of an object, such as a finger or handheld stylus, with respect to the array is determined from the centroid of such capacitance values, which is calculated in a microcontroller. For applications in which the input device is used as a mouse, the microcontroller forwards position change information to the computer. For applications in which the input device is used as a keyboard, the microcomputer identifies a key from the position of the touching object and forwards such key identity to the computer.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4733222 (1988-03-01), Evans
patent: 4737768 (1988-04-01), Lewiner et al.
patent: 4772874 (1988-09-01), Hasegawa
patent: 4806709 (1989-02-01), Evans
patent: 4852443 (1989-08-01), Duncan et al.
patent: 4893071 (1990-01-01), Miller
patent: 4972496 (1990-11-01), Sklarew
patent: 5012124 (1991-04-01), Hollaway
patent: 5016008 (1991-05-01), Gruaz et al.
patent: 5113041 (1992-05-01), Blonder et al.
patent: 5122623 (1992-06-01), Zank et al.
"The Art of Electronics," Second Edition, Horowitz and Hill, p. 889, Cambridge University Press (1989).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Computer mouse or keyboard input device utilizing capacitive sen does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Computer mouse or keyboard input device utilizing capacitive sen, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computer mouse or keyboard input device utilizing capacitive sen will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1776513