Varatouch Technology, Inc.

Authentec, Inc.

Apple Inc.

Michael D Rogers

Allan E Schrum

Brian St Jacques

Archimedes Mandap

Timothy Martin

Eric Belford

David Feist

David H Straayer

The present invention is directed to a low-profile or ultra-thin navigational pointing device incorporating haptic feedback related to the hardware designs, and sensor optimization relative to the functionally of joysticks, computer mice, gaming equipment, cell phones, personal digital assistants, telecommunications equipment, entertainment equipment, and other electronic pointing devices requiring height profiles of 5 mm or less. In one embodiment, a device in accordance with the present invention includes a support structure component, a read component, a sensor component, and a capture enclosure component. The read component is coupled to the support structure, and the sensor component is coupled to the capture enclosure where it is positioned in close proximity to the read component by capture enclosure.

Low-profile or ultra-thin navigation pointing or haptic feedback device

A variable resistance device comprises a resistive member having a resistive resilient material. A first conductor is configured to be electrically coupled with the resistive member at a first contact location over a first contact area. A second conductor is configured to be electrically coupled with the resistance member at a second contact location over a second contact area. The first contact location and second contact location are spaced from one another by a distance. The resistance between the first conductor at the first contact location and the second conductor at the second contact location is equal to the sum of a straight resistance component and a parallel path resistance component. At least one of the first location, the second location, the first contact area, and the second contact area is changed to produce a change in resistance between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Linear resilient material variable resistor

The present invention is directed to variable resistance zones for sensing input to an electronic device, as well as ministops for controlling deformation of the input components to ensure the accuracy of the inputs sensed. In one embodiment, a system in accordance with the present invention includes multiple variable resistors, an actuator, and a converter. The actuator overlies the multiple pressure-sensitive variable resistors and is configured to generate a pressure at a contact location on the multiple variable resistors. The converter is coupled to the multiple variable resistors and is programmed to map a pressure at the contact location to a pressure, location, or both along the surface of the actuator.

Systems using variable resistance zones and stops for generating inputs to an electronic device

A variable resistance device comprises a resistive member having a resistive resilient material. A first conductor is configured to be electrically coupled with the resistive member at a first contact location over a first contact area. A second conductor is configured to be electrically coupled with the resistance member at a second contact location over a second contact area. The first contact location and second contact location are spaced from one another by a distance. The resistance between the first conductor at the first contact location and the second conductor at the second contact location is equal to the sum of a straight resistance component and a parallel path resistance component. At least one of the first location, the second location, the first contact area, and the second contact area is changed to produce a change in resistance between the first conductor and the second conductor. The straight resistance component increases or decreases as the distance between the first contact location and the second contact location increases or decrease, respectively. The parallel path resistance component has preset desired characteristics based on selected first and second contact locations and selected first and second contact areas. The first and second contact locations and first and second contact areas can be selected such that the change in the resistance between the first and second contact locations is at least substantially equal to the change in the straight resistance component or the change in the parallel path resistance component.

Resilient material variable resistor

Resilient material potentiometer

A pointing device in a computer system is automatically calibrated by distinguishing between 'in presence' and 'out of presence' conditions. Calibration correction accommodates differing geometry of users' hands and fingers. Thus, the &#x201c;natural&#x201d; &#x201c;home&#x201d; position may be different for left-handers or right-handers, or if the device is operated with a thumb versus a forefinger. A system monitors user activity and from that activity automatically selects X-Y values for auto-calibration. &#x201c;First touch&#x201d; and &#x201c;click&#x201d; activities are used to select proper X-Y values for auto-calibration. &#x201c;Click from out of presence&#x201d; is used to determine user selection events for proper calibration. The invention provides &#x201c;hardware help&#x201d; for detecting and calibrating a &#x201c;first touch.&#x201d;

Auto-calibration of pointing devices used in a computer user interface

A method of providing a variable resistance from a resistive member including a resistive resilient material comprises electrically coupling a first conductor with the resistive member at a first contact location over a first contact area; and electrically coupling a second conductor with the resistive member at a movable second contact location over a second contact area. The second contact location is movable relative to the resistive member to change the second contact location between the second conductor and the resistive member, the first contact location and the movable second contact location being spaced from one another by a distance. The method further comprises changing at least one of the first location, the second location, the first contact area, and the second contact area to produce a change in resistance in the resistive member, measured between the first conductor at the first contact location and the second conductor at the second contact location, as the resistive member deforms along the second conductor.

Variable resistance devices and methods

A pointing device comprises a substrate with an electrically conductive surface ( ) and a resilient return member ( ). The return member resiliently supports a resistive surface ( ) to contact the electrically conductive surface ( ) in a pressed mode when a force ( ) is applied to push and deform the return member against the electrically conductive surface. The return member ( ) is made of a resistive rubber material. The resistive surface ( ) has a voltage variance and is curved to be rocked on the electrically conductive surface ( ) in the pressed mode. The voltage variance is detected on the electrically conductive ( ) surface and a variable signal is generated and processed. In a specific embodiment, a dome switch is disposed between the resistive surface and the electrically conductive surface to provide a drag function.

Pointing device with integrated switch

A pointing device comprises a substrate with an electrically conductive surface and a resilient boot. The resilient boot resiliently supports a resistive surface to contact the electrically conductive surface in a pressed mode when a force is applied to push and deform the resilient boot against the electrically conductive surface. The resilient boot is made of a resistive rubber material. The resistive surface has a voltage variance and is curved to be rocked on the electrically conductive surface in the pressed mode. The voltage variance is detected on the electrically conductive surface and a variable signal is generated and processed. At least one inner switch is provided near the center region of the electrically conductive surface and the inner switch is activated by the resistive surface in the pressed mode. When the force is removed, the resistive resilient boot returns to its undeformed state and the resistive surface is spaced from the electrically conductive surface in a rest mode.

Pointing device

A variable resistance device comprises a resistive member having a resistive rubber material. A first conductor is configured to be electrically coupled with the resistive member at a first contact location over a first contact area. A second conductor is configured to be electrically coupled with the resistance member at a second contact location over a second contact area. The first contact location and second contact location are spaced from one another by a distance. The resistance between the first conductor at the first contact location and the second conductor at the second contact location is equal to the sum of a straight resistance component and a parallel path resistance component. At least one of the first location, the second location, the first contact area, and the second contact area is changed to produce a change in resistance between the first conductor and the second conductor. The straight resistance component increases or decreases as the distance between the first contact location and the second contact location increases or decrease, respectively. The parallel path resistance component has preset desired characteristics based on selected first and second contact locations and selected first and second contact areas. The first and second contact locations and first and second contact areas can be selected such that the change in the resistance between the first and second contact locations is at least substantially equal to the change in the straight resistance component or the change in the parallel path resistance component.

A pointing device comprises a stick coupled to a resilient return member which is supported on a substrate along an outer edge to move relative to an upper substrate surface of the substrate. The upper substrate surface has conductive lines and resistive coatings formed thereon or embedded therein. The return member has a conductive surface which is biased with a voltage and is normally spaced from the upper substrate surface. When an user applies an external force to the stick to move the return member toward the substrate, the conductive surface makes electrical contact with the substrate surface and generates a digital signal. The conductive surface is convex to provide rolling contact with the substrate surface to change the contact location. The conductive surface is deformable to allow the area of contact to increase with an increased external force for a change in resistance. The digital signal provides information regarding the speed and direction of movement of the contact between the conductive surface and substrate surface. When the user releases the external force, the resilient return member moves back to its neutral position to separate the conductive surface from the substrate surface.

Pointing device with non-spring return mechanism

An ergonomic pointing device comprises an orb controller coupled to a resilient return member which is supported on a substrate to move relative to an upper substrate surface of the substrate. The substrate surface has conductive lines and resistive coatings formed thereon or embedded therein. The return member has a conductive surface which is biased with a voltage and is spaced from the substrate surface at rest. When a user applies an external force to the orb controller to move the return member toward the substrate, the conductive surface makes electrical contact with the substrate surface and generates a digital signal. The conductive surface is convex to provide rolling contact with the substrate surface to change the contact location. The orb controller has a curved control surface which is contacted by a digit of a human hand to manipulate movement of the conductive surface relative to the substrate surface. The orb controller has a substantially smaller height than a joystick. The rocking motion created between the conductive surface and substrate surface causes the orb controller to rotate. The rotation of the control surface eliminates the need to rotate the joint of the digit when manipulating the orb controller to move in substantially lateral directions. As a result, the possibility of repetitive stress disorders and pain is greatly reduced.

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El Dorado Hills, CA, United States of America

Michael D Rogers