Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-10-16
Chang, Kent (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304247
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
1. Field of the Preferred Embodiment(s)
This invention generally relates to a pointing device for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on a display screen. Specifically, there is a pointing device that uses a single piezoelectric element to indicate movement in three axes.
2. Background of the Invention
Manufacturers of portable laptop computers, recognizing the need for placing the cursor controlling device in a permanent and more convenient location, installed a small stubby, button-like joystick centrally around the keys of the computer keyboard, specifically at the juncture of the “g,” “h” and “b” keys of the standard “QWERTY” keyboard. The joystick, also known as a pointing stick, was sensitive to lateral pressure, the amount and direction of which were sensed and input into the computer to cause movement of the cursor, and the speed and direction of cursor movement corresponded to the amount and direction of pressure on the joystick. That manufacturer may also provide two upwardly extending “mouse” or “click” buttons immediately below the space bar.
These pointing sticks utilize resistors or strain gauge resistors to sense changes in movement of the stick. The resistors suffer from several problems. First, they are sensitive to changes in temperature. Second, the resistance change as they are moved is very small which causes difficulty in sensing the amount of position change and which requires amplification circuitry to be placed close to the pointing stick.
Further, despite the advantages of prior art cursor controls, they have been difficult to economically manufacture. In particular, providing the electrical connections between the resistors and the flexible cable which connects to a computer mother board has been complicated and expensive. Therefore, there is a current unmet and heretofore long felt need for a pointing stick, that has a large output signal and is easily manufactured.
3. Description of Related Art
Examples of patents related to the present invention are as follows, and each patent is herein incorporated by reference for the supporting teachings:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,180, is a pointing device for controlling cursor movement on display.
The foregoing patents reflect the state of the art of which the applicant is aware and are tendered with the view toward discharging applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent in the examination of this application. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that none of these patents teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, applicant's claimed invention.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
It is a feature of the invention to provide a pointing and signaling device for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on the display screen that has a single piezoelectric element to indicate movement in three axes.
A further feature of the invention is to provide a device which generates electrical signal in response to a users force or actuation. An actuator is attached to a base. A piezoelectric element is mounted between the actuator and the base for generating electrical signals representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the actuator. The piezoelectric element includes several conductive traces located on a first surface of the element and a ground plate located on a second surface of the element. The piezoelectric element is cylindrical shaped and has a bore passing therethrough. The first surface is located on the outside of the element and the second surface is located inside the bore. The traces are each electrically connected to a flexible cable by a solder joint.
Another feature of the invention is to provide a device for generating electrical signals in response to forces applied thereon. The device is connected to a flexible cable. An actuator is connected to a base. A piezoelectric mechanism or means is mounted between the actuator and the base for generating electrical signals representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the actuator. An electrical connection mechanism or means is connected to the piezoelectric mechanism and to the flexible cable for routing the electrical signals from the piezoelectric mechanism to the flexible cable.
The invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in this combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred embodiment may readily be used as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims are regarded as including such equivalent constructions since they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5748180 (1998-05-01), Inukai
patent: 5828363 (1998-10-01), Yaniger et al.
patent: 5889507 (1999-03-01), Engle et al.
patent: 5905485 (1999-05-01), Podoloff
patent: 5966117 (1999-10-01), Seffernick et al.
patent: 6002388 (1999-12-01), Seffernick et al.
patent: 6115030 (2000-09-01), Berstis et al.
patent: 6121954 (2000-09-01), Seffernick
Borgman Mark W.
Bourgeois Mark P.
Chang Kent
CTS Corporation
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