US5670955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for generating directional and force vector in an input device
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1995-01-31
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2015-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A thumbpad input device that enables a user to generate direction and speed by manipulating a round elastic pad. The underside of the pad is lined with a set of uniformly spaced contacts positioned in a circular pattern. Each contact is paired with a corresponding switch that is coupled to a circuit board. When a user presses down on the pad, one or more contacts close their respective switches. The pad contacts and switches are designed so that the number of closed switches varies with the magnitude of the force applied to the pad. The thumbpad input device has a micro controller that monitors the switches. It determines the most clockwise closed switch and the most counter-clockwise closed switch. Presumptively, these two closed switches define the two endpoints of an arc of all closed switches. These endpoints are then forwarded to a host processor. The host processor processes these endpoints to calculate the direction and speed of the symbol which correspond with the user's manipulation of the rubber pad.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin Thorne, III
- 👤 Mark T. Hanson
- 👤 John P. Pennock
- 👤 Luis A. Reyes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H25/00; H01H25/04; H01H25/041; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0338; G06F3/038; G06F3/0383; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/64; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An input device comprising: a pad having an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of switches positioned to be actuated from pressure applied to the upper surface of the pad with each switch representing a particular direction, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the pad; a sensor to detect which of the switches are actuated; and a translator to calculate magnitude and direction of force input based on the actuated switches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
An input device comprising: a pad having an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of switches positioned to be actuated from pressure applied to the upper surface of the pad with each switch representing a particular direction, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the pad; a sensor to detect which of the switches are actuated; and a translator to calculate magnitude and direction of force input based on the actuated switches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The input device according to claim 1 wherein the translator includes a look-up table having (X,Y) coordinates of the direction each switch represents and magnitude and direction of force input are calculated by using the look-up table to obtain direction coordinates of each actuated switch and adding the direction coordinates of the actuated switches together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The input device according to claim 1 wherein the pad is shaped to conform to a portion of a thumb contacting the pad.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The input device according to claim 1 wherein the pad further comprises at least one directional reference member on the upper surface of the pad for allowing a user to manipulate the pad without looking at the pad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
An input device comprising: a housing; a pad received within the housing, the pad having an upper surface and a lower surface; a board member received within the housing; a plurality of switches secured to the board member, the switches facing the lower surface of the pad, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the upper surface of the pad; a sensor to detect which of the switches are actuated; and a translator to calculate magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
An input device comprising: a housing; a pad received within the housing, the pad having an upper surface and a lower surface; a board member received within the housing; a plurality of switches secured to the board member, the switches facing the lower surface of the pad, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the upper surface of the pad; a sensor to detect which of the switches are actuated; and a translator to calculate magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The input device according to claim 5 wherein the translator includes a look-up table having (X,Y) coordinates of the direction each switch represents and magnitude and direction of force input are calculated by using the look-up table to obtain direction coordinates of each actuated switch and adding the direction coordinates of the actuated switches together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The input device according to claim 5 further including a means for biasing the pad away from the switches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The input device according to claim 5 wherein the pad further includes a pivot member attached to the center of the lower surface of the pad, the pivot member resting on the board member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The input device according to claim 5 wherein the pad is shaped to conform to a portion of a thumb contacting the pad.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The input device according to claim 5 wherein the pad further comprises at least one directional reference member positioned on the upper surface of the pad for allowing a user to manipulate the pad without looking at the pad.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The input device according to claim 7 wherein the pad is biased away from the switches by an annular member having an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge being secured to the perimeter of the pad and the outer edge being secured to the board member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
The input device according to claim 8 further comprising a plurality of actuating members affixed to the lower surface of the pad with each actuating member facing its respective switch, wherein the actuating members are angled with respect to the respective switches so that each actuating member makes a more solid contact with its respective switch when the actuating member pivots about the pivot member towards the respective switch and actuates the switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
146 words
An input device comprising: a housing; a pad received within the housing, the pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, the pad including a plurality of actuating members spaced relatively uniformly with each other and affixed to the lower surface of the pad; a board member received within the housing; a plurality of switches secured to the board member with each switch facing its corresponding actuating member and representing a particular direction, the switches being actuated by the corresponding actuating members when pressure is applied to the upper surface of the pad, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the upper surface of the pad; a sensor to detect which of the switches are actuated; a translator to calculate magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
146 words
An input device comprising: a housing; a pad received within the housing, the pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, the pad including a plurality of actuating members spaced relatively uniformly with each other and affixed to the lower surface of the pad; a board member received within the housing; a plurality of switches secured to the board member with each switch facing its corresponding actuating member and representing a particular direction, the switches being actuated by the corresponding actuating members when pressure is applied to the upper surface of the pad, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the upper surface of the pad; a sensor to detect which of the switches are actuated; a translator to calculate magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The input device according to claim 13 wherein the translator includes a look-up table having (X,Y) coordinates of the direction each switch represents and magnitude and direction of force input are calculated by using the look-up table to obtain direction coordinates of each actuated switch and adding the direction coordinates of the actuated switches together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The input device according to claim 13 further including a means for biasing the pad away from the switches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The input device according to claim 13 wherein the pad further includes a pivot member attached to the center of the lower surface of the pad, the pivot member resting on the board member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The input device according to claim 13 wherein the pad is shaped to conform to a portion of a thumb contacting the pad.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The input device according to claim 13 wherein the pad further comprises at least one directional reference member on the upper surface of the pad for allowing a user to manipulate the pad without looking at the pad.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The input device according to claim 15 wherein the pad is biased away from the switches by an annular member having an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge being secured to the perimeter of the pad and the outer edge being secured to the board member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The input device according to claim 17 wherein the actuating members are angled with respect to the respective switches so that each actuating member makes a more solid contact with its respective switch when the actuating member pivots about the pivot member towards the respective switch and actuates the switch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
138 words
A display control system comprising: an input device comprising a pad having an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of switches positioned to be actuated from pressure applied to the upper surface of the pad with each switch representing a particular direction, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the pad; and a sensor to detect which of the switches are actuated; a translator to calculate magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated; a display device; a host controller connected to the display device for displaying symbols on the display device, the host controller including a processing means for moving a selected symbol on the display device with magnitude and direction of force input calculated by the translator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
138 words
A display control system comprising: an input device comprising a pad having an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of switches positioned to be actuated from pressure applied to the upper surface of the pad with each switch representing a particular direction, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the pad; and a sensor to detect which of the switches are actuated; a translator to calculate magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated; a display device; a host controller connected to the display device for displaying symbols on the display device, the host controller including a processing means for moving a selected symbol on the display device with magnitude and direction of force input calculated by the translator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system according to claim 21 wherein the translator includes a look-up table having (X,Y) coordinates of the direction each switch represents and magnitude and direction of force input are calculated by using the look-up table to obtain direction coordinates of each actuated switch and adding the direction coordinates of the actuated switches together.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 21 wherein the pad is shaped to conform to a portion of a thumb contacting the pad.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 21 wherein the pad further comprises at least one directional reference member on the upper surface of the pad for allowing a user to manipulate the pad without looking at the pad.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of generating magnitude and direction of force input by an input device, the input device comprising a pad, a plurality of switches actuated by pressure applied to the pad with each switch representing a particular direction, a sensor, and a processor, the method comprising the steps of: scanning the switches by the sensor for actuation of the switches, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the pad; and calculating by the processor magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of generating magnitude and direction of force input by an input device, the input device comprising a pad, a plurality of switches actuated by pressure applied to the pad with each switch representing a particular direction, a sensor, and a processor, the method comprising the steps of: scanning the switches by the sensor for actuation of the switches, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the pad; and calculating by the processor magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein the step of calculating magnitude and direction of force input comprises: obtaining direction coordinates of each actuated switch from a look-up table having (X,Y) coordinates of the direction each switch represents; and adding the direction coordinates of the actuated switches together.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of moving a symbol on a display device of a display control system, the display control system comprising a display device, a host controller connected to the display device, a processor, an input device having a pad, a plurality of switches actuated by pressure applied to the pad with each switch representing a particular direction, and a sensor, the method comprising the steps of: scanning the switches by the sensor for actuation of the switches, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the pad; calculating by the processor magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated; and moving by the host controller a selected symbol on the display device with magnitude and direction of force input calculated by the processor.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of moving a symbol on a display device of a display control system, the display control system comprising a display device, a host controller connected to the display device, a processor, an input device having a pad, a plurality of switches actuated by pressure applied to the pad with each switch representing a particular direction, and a sensor, the method comprising the steps of: scanning the switches by the sensor for actuation of the switches, the number of actuated switches varying with magnitude of pressure applied to the pad; calculating by the processor magnitude and direction of force input based on how many switches have been actuated and which switches have been actuated; and moving by the host controller a selected symbol on the display device with magnitude and direction of force input calculated by the processor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 27 wherein the step of calculating magnitude and direction of force input comprises: obtaining direction coordinates of each actuated switch from a look-up table having (X,Y) coordinates of the direction each switch represents; and adding the direction coordinates of the actuated switches together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |