Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-06
2001-04-17
Shankar, Vijay (Department: 2778)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Touch panel
C345S169000, C200S305000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219038
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all rights accruing thereto under 35 U.S.C. § 119 through my patent application entitled Waterproof Touch Panel Device and Portable Computer With the Same earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Aug. 6, 1997 and there duly assigned Ser. No. 1997/37640.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a touch pad device used to guide a pointing device displayed on a display panel of an electronic apparatus and, more specifically, to a touch pad device for use with electronic devices, such as a computer system or portable computer, that is liquid resistant.
2. Background Art
To allow users to more effectively, easily and conveniently use a variety of electronic appliances, such as television sets, computers and audio systems, it is preferable that the electronic appliances have display panels that allow a user to select various functions or commands via a display panel. To properly select various functions, which can be displayed in an icon fashion on a display panel, a cursor type of icon is necessary to allow the user select individual function icons. Various devices have been developed to allow a user to control a pointing device on a display panel.
One method of controlling on screen cursors is to use a keyboard. Some techniques for constructing keyboards that can control an on screen cursor are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,830 to Isozaki entitled Waterproof Keyboard Device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,742 to Huang entitled Waterproof Structure for Computer Key Switch, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,222 to Aguilera entitled Force Controllable Shielded Mechanical Switch Actuators, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,237 to Chen entitled Keyboard for Under Water Use.
Another method of controlling on screen cursors is by using touch control systems, similar to that detailed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,205 to Caldwell entitled Touch Control System. An improved method of controlling on screen cursors is the ‘mouse’ that allows a user to more easily move a cursor on a display panel. An advanced form of a ‘mouse’ is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,148 to Anderson entitled Fingerpoint Mouse. A more recent development in cursor control devices is the pointing stem. One type of pointing stem is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,719 to Gervais entitled Pressure-Actuated Pointing Device.
Another development that has occurred in efforts to replace the mouse is the development of a touch pad. The touch pad consists of a rectangular pad whose surface is mapped to correspond to the display panel. By touching a location on the touch pad, the computer user directs the computer to move the cursor to the corresponding location on the display panel. In addition, touch pads have been used to allow easy and reliable input into electronic appliances. Such touch pad devices have also been used with electronic appliances having liquid crystal displays or cathode ray tubes, such as the portable computer mentioned above.
The touch pads of the contemporary art do not always resist liquid well enough to prevent a user from damaging an electrical apparatus due to operating the touch pad with wet fingers or otherwise allowing liquid to come into contact with the touch pad. As such, I believe that it may be possible to improve on the contemporary art by providing a touch pad that is resistant to liquids, that prevents damage to electrical devices, that is usable with computer systems, that is economical to manufacture, that requires few manufacturing steps to produce, and that is useful with a variety of electronic devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved touch pad.
It is another object to provide a touch pad that is resistant to liquids.
It is still another object to provide a touch pad that prevents damage to electronic devices.
It is yet another object to provide a touch pad that is usable with computer systems, either as a component for a peripheral, or a keyboard, or a portable computer.
It is still yet another object to provide a touch pad that is useable with a variety of electronic devices.
It is a further object to provide a portable computer using a liquid resistant touch pad.
It is a still further object to provide a touch pad that is well suited to use in medical equipment or in a hospital environment, where exposure to fluids is a predictably common occurrence.
It is a still further object to provide a touch pad that can also resist some gaseous contaminants.
To achieve these and other objects, a liquid resistant touch pad device for electronic appliances may be constructed using a touch pad that is electrically connected to a system printed circuit board, or a central processing unit, of an electric appliance via a cable. The touch pad consists of a rectangular pad whose surface is mapped to correspond to the display panel. By touching a location on the touch pad, the computer user directs the computer to move the cursor to the corresponding location on the display panel. A brace has a seating surface for mounting the touch pad and associated buttons that allow a user to execute a function or command by activating one or a combination of buttons. Both the touch pad and the buttons are exposed to the surrounding atmosphere around the electronic apparatus via openings in the apparatus housing. A button printed circuit board is electrically connected to the system printed circuit board and positioned under the buttons, to generate signals that are sent to the system printed circuit board when a button is activated.
To create a liquid resistant seal between the touch pad device and the apparatus housing a sealing sheet is laid on the brace. By interposing a sealing sheet between the touch pad and the housing liquid can be prevented from entering into the apparatus housing via the touch pad. This reduces the concern of a user that is either transporting the electronic apparatus through a wet environment or using the electronic apparatus in a wet environment.
A brace is used to support both the touch pad and buttons and is then mounted to the apparatus housing. A brace may be constructed using a plate that has a seating surface on which the touch pad can be attached. In addition, rounded side walls can be extended from opposite sides of the seating surface to minimize surface area. Button holes, or bores, are formed in the plate to accommodate buttons that are moveable in a vertical direction. At least one rib may be formed in the apertures in the brace that secure the buttons. The ribs prevent the button from being pushed through the brace when a user is operating the buttons.
The sealing sheet may be constructed using a base that has an aperture allowing the top side of the touch pad to be exposed to the outside of the apparatus housing. The base covers the edges of the touch pad to form a pad edge cover that seals the space between the touch pad and the housing. In addition, the sealing sheet has button covers that prevent liquid from entering the housing via the openings for the buttons. To help simplify the positioning of the sealing sheet against the inner surface of the housing, a pair of guide projections are formed on the inner surface of the apparatus housing. A pair of perforations are located in the sealing sheet, that allow the guide projections to be snugly inserted into the sealing sheet, thus properly aligning the sealing sheet.
The inventive touch pad can be used with portable computers, or with a keyboard, or with a stand alone peripheral. In addition, the touch pad of the present invention can be used with any electronic apparatus that can utilize the signal input from the touch pad, such as a blender, a television, a video cassette recorder, medical equipment, an oscilloscope, or an adjustable bed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4225970 (1980-09-01), Jaramillo et al.
patent: 4396830 (1983-08-01), Isozaki et al.
patent: 5021638 (1991-06-01), Nopper et al.
pat
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Said Mansour M.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Shankar Vijay
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