Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-10-02
Liang, Regina (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C341S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297806
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a connecting device which is intended to replace a keypad, for instance in a mobile telephone or a hand-held computer.
1. Background of the Invention
From U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,621 is previously known a device for inputting data into a computer. The device comprises a couple of cooperating control knobs, each one of which is tiltable about a centre hub from a neutral, inactive position into different tilted active, current-transmission positions. Each combination of two such tilted positions, one for each control knob, generates a signal to the computer. Holding one hand about each control knob, the user controls the knobs by a turn of his wrist.
Another principally similar device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,055. This device features depression of the edge portion of a disc against spring action, into various tilted disc positions in which contacts are closed, thereby generating an electric signal. To depress the edge portion, the operator uses one finger which is applied against a protruding area of the disc, which area may be marked with characters in order to facilitate the generation of the intended, correct signal.
Both prior-art devices referred to above suffer from the disadvantage of having a mechanical structure including a large number of movable parts, which makes them comparatively complicated and expensive to manufacture, and for that very reason they easily fail.
2. Summary of the Present Invention
The present invention provides a connecting device comprising a resiliently mounted connecting disc made from an electrically non-conductive material, said disc being tiltable about its centre in different directions from a neutral position in order to bring electrical contact means together for the purpose of generating electrical information signals.. The connecting disc is the only movable part of the device. Consequently, the connecting device is of an extremely simple structural design and therefore very reliable and easier to manufacture than hitherto known devices. In addition, the connecting device is ergonomically designed and may be operated conveniently with the aid of the thumb. The features characterising the device appear from the appended claims.
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Burns Doane Swecker & Mathis L.L.P.
Liang Regina
Nassko Telecom AB
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