US6587093B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capacitive mouse
Assignee: Synaptics Inc
•
Filing: 2000-11-03
•
Granted: 2003-07-01
•
Expires: 2020-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott J. Shaw
- 👤 Shawn P. Day
- 👤 Raymond A. Trent, Jr.
- 👤 David W. Gillespie
- 👤 Andrew M. Errington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0312; G06F3/03547; G06F3/0362; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0339
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including only one electrically conductive pattern of conductive material; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including only one electrically conductive pattern of conductive material; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 in which said rotating member includes a disc with an electrically conductive notched pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 2 in which said conductive notched pattern is electrically grounded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 2 in which said capacitance detecting members comprise conductive plates in close proximity to said electrically conductive notched pattern of said disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 4 , in which said capacitance detector includes at least three of said capacitance detecting members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 5 , in which said processing means combines the capacitance measurements from said capacitance detecting members to compensate for variations in distance between said capacitance detecting members and said rotating member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 4 , in which motion of a pointing device is detectable by said rotary motion detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 4 , in which computer scrolling commands are detectable by said rotary motion detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 in which said rotating member includes at least one pattern of conductive material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 in which said capacitance detecting members comprise conductive plates in close proximity to said rotating member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 , in which said capacitance measuring circuit produces digitized output for said processing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 , in which said capacitance measuring unit produces varying capacitance measurements for said processing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 12 , in which said processing means uses said varying capacitance measurements to measure the motion of said rotating member to greater resolution than the size of said capacitance detecting members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 , in which said rotating member is electrically connected to said capacitance measuring circuit, and said capacitance detector measures capacitance between said rotating member and said capacitance detecting members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 , in which said rotating member is capacitively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit, and said capacitance detector measures transcapacitance between said capacitance measuring circuit and said capacitance detecting members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 , in which said rotating member induces transcapacitance between some of said capacitance detecting members, and said capacitance detector measures said transcapacitance between said capacitance detecting members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 , in which motion of a pointing device is detectable by said rotary motion detector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 1 , in which computer scrolling commands are detectable by said rotary motion detector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 18 , in which said rotary motion detector is contained within a computer pointing device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements, said capacitance measuring circuit produces varying capacitance measurements for said processing means, said processing means uses said varying capacitance measurements to measure the motion of said rotating member to greater resolution than the size of said capacitance detecting members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements, said capacitance measuring circuit produces varying capacitance measurements for said processing means, said processing means uses said varying capacitance measurements to measure the motion of said rotating member to greater resolution than the size of said capacitance detecting members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 20 , in which motion of a pointing device is detectable by said rotary motion detector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 20 , in which computer scrolling commands are detectable by said rotary motion detector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
100 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, wherein said rotating member is electrically connected via physical contact to said capacitance measuring circuit, and said capacitance detecting means measures capacitance between said rotating member and said capacitance detecting members; and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
100 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, wherein said rotating member is electrically connected via physical contact to said capacitance measuring circuit, and said capacitance detecting means measures capacitance between said rotating member and said capacitance detecting members; and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rotary motion detector of claim 23 , in which said rotating member and said capacitance measuring circuit are connected to electrical ground.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
97 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member, said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements, wherein said processing means combines the capacitance measurements from said capacitance detecting member to compensate for variations in distance between said capacitance detecting member and said rotating member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
97 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member, said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements, wherein said processing means combines the capacitance measurements from said capacitance detecting member to compensate for variations in distance between said capacitance detecting member and said rotating member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
83 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, wherein said rotating member includes an electrically conductive notched pattern that is electrically grounded; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, wherein said rotating member includes an electrically conductive notched pattern that is electrically grounded; a capacitance detecting means operatively coupled to said rotating member said capacitance detecting means comprising a plurality of fixed capacitance detecting members and a capacitance measuring circuit that measures the variations of capacitance on said capacitance detecting members, and processing means operatively coupled to said capacitance detecting means to determine the movement of said rotating member based on said capacitance measurements.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
83 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member, spaced apart conductive regions being electrically grounded; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
83 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member, spaced apart conductive regions being electrically grounded; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
106 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit, wherein said processor combines capacitance measurements from said capacitance measuring circuit to compensate for variations in distance between said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces and said rotating member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
106 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit, wherein said processor combines capacitance measurements from said capacitance measuring circuit to compensate for variations in distance between said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces and said rotating member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
119 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit, wherein said capacitance measuring circuit produces varying capacitance measurements for said processor and said processor uses said varying capacitance measurements to measure the motion of said rotating member to greater resolution that the size of said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
119 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit, wherein said capacitance measuring circuit produces varying capacitance measurements for said processor and said processor uses said varying capacitance measurements to measure the motion of said rotating member to greater resolution that the size of said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
111 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces, wherein said rotating member is electrically connected via physical contact to said capacitance measuring circuit, and said capacitance measuring circuit measures capacitance between said rotating member and said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
111 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces, wherein said rotating member is electrically connected via physical contact to said capacitance measuring circuit, and said capacitance measuring circuit measures capacitance between said rotating member and said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
90 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces, wherein said rotating member and said capacitance measuring circuit are connected to electrical ground; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
90 words
A rotary motion detector comprising: a rotating member, said rotating member including spaced apart conductive regions disposed along a locus of points defined by a radius from the center of the rotating member; at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces capacitively coupled to said spaced apart regions of said rotating member; a capacitance measuring circuit operatively coupled to said at least two spaced apart conductive surfaces, wherein said rotating member and said capacitance measuring circuit are connected to electrical ground; and a processor operatively coupled to said capacitance measuring circuit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-30 | 2006-12-30 | 2007-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-30 | 2010-12-30 | 2011-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-30 | 2014-12-30 | 2015-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |