Patent US6075522A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6075522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Desktop compact cursor controller structure for use with computers and keyboards
Assignee: Altera Corp
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Filing: 1998-03-26
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Granted: 2000-06-13
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Expires: 2018-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A desktop compact cursor controller includes a platform having a protrusion thereon. A housing is coupled to the platform and has a structure configured to accept the protrusion, where the structure includes a first slidable member having a first brush configured to move in response to movement of the housing and a second slidable member having a second brush configured to move in response to movement of the housing. A printed circuit board is disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the first brush and the second brush and configured to generate a first sensor signal in response to movement of the first brush on a first conductive strip and to generate a second sensor signal in response to movement of the second brush on a second conductive strip oriented perpendicular to the first conductive strip. A processor is coupled to the first conductive strip and the second conductive strip and configured to receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal to determine a position of the housing with respect to the platform. The processor then sends a position signal to a computer. Advantages of the invention include compact size and a high degree of accurate cursor control. Moreover, the invention provides good ergonomics that reduces fatigue.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark N. Milroy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03548; G06F3/0362
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A cursor controller comprising: a platform having a protrusion thereon; a housing coupled to said platform and having a structure configured to accept said protrusion, said structure including a first slidable member having a first brush configured to move in response to movement of said housing and a second slidable member having a second brush configured to move in response to movement of said housing; a printed circuit board disposed within said housing and electrically coupled to said first brush and said second brush and configured to generate a first sensor signal in response to movement of said first brush on a first conductive strip and to generate a second sensor signal in response to movement of said second brush on a second conductive strip oriented perpendicular to said first conductive strip; and a processor coupled to said first conductive strip and said second conductive strip and configured to receive said first sensor signal and said second sensor signal to determine a position of said housing on said platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A cursor controller comprising: a platform having a protrusion thereon; a housing coupled to said platform and having a structure configured to accept said protrusion, said structure including a first slidable member having a first brush configured to move in response to movement of said housing and a second slidable member having a second brush configured to move in response to movement of said housing; a printed circuit board disposed within said housing and electrically coupled to said first brush and said second brush and configured to generate a first sensor signal in response to movement of said first brush on a first conductive strip and to generate a second sensor signal in response to movement of said second brush on a second conductive strip oriented perpendicular to said first conductive strip; and a processor coupled to said first conductive strip and said second conductive strip and configured to receive said first sensor signal and said second sensor signal to determine a position of said housing on said platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
247 words
The cursor controller of claim 1, wherein: said first conductive strip includes a first sub-strip having a plurality of fingers laid on said printed circuit board and configured to contact said first brush and to generate a first sub-signal in response to movement of said first brush on said first sub-strip, and a second sub-strip having a plurality of fingers laid on said printed circuit board staggered in position with said first sub-strip fingers and configured to contact said first brush and to generate a second sub-signal in response to movement of said first brush on said second sub-strip; said second conductive strip includes a third sub-strip having a plurality of fingers laid on said printed circuit board and configured to contact said second brush and to generate a third sub-signal in response to movement of said second brush on said third sub-strip, and a fourth sub-strip having a plurality of fingers laid on said printed circuit board staggered in position with said third sub-strip fingers and configured to contact said second brush and to generate a fourth sub-signal in response to movement of said second brush on said fourth sub-strip; and said processor is configured to receive said first sub-signal and said second sub-signal and to determine a direction of movement of said first brush on said first conductive strip, and to receive said third sub-signal and said fourth sub-signal and to determine a direction of movement of said second brush on said second conductive strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein: said processor is configured to determine a direction of movement of said first brush on said first conductive strip by comparing a phase of said first sub-signal and said second sub-signal, and to determine a direction of movement of said second brush on said second conductive strip by comparing a phase of said third sub-signal and said fourth sub-signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 1, further comprising: a select switch coupled to said housing and configured to generate a switch signal responsive to downward pressure on said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 1, wherein: said platform is approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and said housing is approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein: said platform is approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and said housing is approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 3, wherein: said platform is approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and said housing is approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 4, wherein: said platform is approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and said housing is approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 1, wherein: said platform is less than approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and said housing is less than approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein: said platform is less than approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and said housing is less than approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 3, wherein: said platform is less than approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and said housing is less than approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 4, wherein: said platform is less than approximately 9 cm wide and 8 cm deep; and said housing is less than approximately 5.7 cm wide, 5.7 cm deep and 1.5 cm high.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 1, wherein: said first conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch; and said second conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein: said first conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch; and said second conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 3, wherein: said first conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch; and said second conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 6, wherein: said first conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch; and said second conductive strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 500 graduations per inch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 2, wherein: said first sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said second sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said first sub-strip and said second sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch; and said third sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said fourth sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said third sub-strip and said fourth sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
119 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 3, wherein: said first sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said second sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said first sub-strip and said second sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch; and said third sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said fourth sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said third sub-strip and said fourth sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
119 words
The compact cursor controller of claim 6, wherein: said first sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said second sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said first sub-strip and said second sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch; and said third sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and said fourth sub-strip is constructed of a plurality of fingers having approximately 125 graduations per inch, and wherein said third sub-strip and said fourth sub-strip are staggered in position to achieve a combined approximately 500 graduations per inch.
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) | 2003-06-13 | 2003-12-13 | 2004-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-13 | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-13 | 2011-12-13 | 2012-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |