Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-07
2001-11-06
Saras, Steven (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S157000, C200S0050EA
Reexamination Certificate
active
06313826
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to pointing devices and, more particularly to an improved pointing device which includes an electrically conductive force member with a non-spring return mechanism for contacting circuitry provided on a substrate surface.
Pointing devices including joysticks are known in the art. Traditional joysticks have been used primarily as a gaming controller, although they have also been employed as general mouse replacement devices. In a typical application, the joystick pointing device is connected via cables to a microcontroller of a computer with a display and a keyboard. The traditional joystick has many moving parts, and the size of the mechanism therein prohibits its use in many applications, including remote controls, keyboards, and notebooks. On the other hand, joysticks have the advantages of reliability and performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pointing device having a substrate surface on a printed circuit board, glass, paper, ceramic, or plastics that have conductive lines and resistive coatings formed thereon or embedded therein or otherwise provided on the surface. A resilient return member or skirt is supported on the board. The return member is coupled to a stick which can be manipulated by a human finger. The return member has a conductive surface which normally does not make electrical contact with the board without application of external forces. At least the conductive surface of the return member is electrically conductive and is biased with a voltage. When the return member is deflected with an external force on the stick by a user, it deforms and the conductive surface makes electrical contact with the circuitry provided on the substrate surface of the board. The board has electrical contacts (digital) that are closed when an external force is applied to create the electrical contact with the return member. Signals so developed are supplied to a microcontroller either to wake up the microcontroller or to inform the microcontroller regarding the direction and speed of the movement caused by the external force or to perform both functions. Because a digital contact is used, there is no long analog-to-digital conversion time. The equation for analog-to-digital conversion time is (1.1)×(resistance maximum)×(Capacitance)=maximum conversion time, which is needed by analog only joysticks or other pointing devices. The use of only digital input leads in the present invention eliminates the conversion delay time and facilitates rapid movement, causing the stick to have very quick response to the user's initial movements of the stick. The speed is determined, and only limited, by the speed of the microcontroller wake-up routine and the time to send the message to the receiver.
Once there is movement caused by the closure, the microcontroller looks at the analog portion of the signal to determine how much faster to move. When the user releases the force and allows the stick to move back to the neutral position, the firmware can interpret this as a MACRO function. For instance, the release may represent a TAB function or a function of moving to the next icon, or may simply provide a normal function rather than a MACRO function.
Under prolonged deflection of the stick, the conductive surface of the return member makes or increases an electrical contact that produces data received by an analog/digital signal speed/direction interpreter. The microcontroller compares this data with an earlier contact data, and determines the speeds and directions resulting in possible multiple speeds and multiple directions. The possible directions include at least two to an infinite number of directions, while the possible speeds also include at least two to an infinite number of speeds. The larger the displacement of the return member as a result of the deflection of the stick, the further distance from the center of the substrate surface the conductive surface makes contact with the analog/digital circuitry. The further contact causes a variable signal that is a result of angular or rolling displacement of the return member induced by the stick. The substrate surface forms a rolling surface for the rolling contact with the conductive surface of the return member when the stick is deflected and moved angularly.
Upon releasing the stick of all external forces by the user, the resilient return member moves back to its normally neutral position where it does not make contact with the initial digital contacts. The corresponding increase in force on the return member either increases the surface area of contact between the conductive surface and the substrate surface for a change in resistance, or changes the absolute point of contact on the analog/digital contact, thereby changing the point of the voltage potential. This changes the analog voltage. The software in the microcontroller interprets the data relating to this change and directs an output to a relevant receiver that can be connected by a wire or similar structural members.
One aspect of the present invention is a pointing device which comprises a continuous substrate surface having an electrically conductive material and a resistive material. A resilient return member is supported on the substrate surface and has an electrically conductive surface which is spaced from the substrate surface in a first position. A handle is coupled to the resilient return member for moving the resilient return member between the first position and a second position where the electrically conductive surface makes contact with the substrate surface at a contact location.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pointing device comprises a substrate surface having a pattern of electrically conductive material and resistive material. A return member having an electrically conductive surface is supported on the substrate surface along an outer edge to move between a undeflected position where the electrically conductive surface is spaced from the substrate surface and a deflected position where the electrically conductive surface makes contact with the substrate surface.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a pointing device comprises an electrically conductive surface. The pointing device further comprises mechanism for supporting the electrically conductive surface relative to a printed circuit board having a continuous board surface with a printed circuit to move between a neutral position in which the electrically conductive surface is spaced from the continuous board surface and a contact position in which the electrically conductive surface makes rolling contact with the printed circuit on the continuous board surface.
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Rogers Michael D.
Schrum Allan E.
Alphonse Fritz
Saras Steven
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
Varatouch Technology Incorporated
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