The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 16, 1996
Filed:
May. 05, 1994
John M Copper, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
John M Richter, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
MicroMed Systems, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A method and system for generating command signals for a computer monitor or other equipment. The system includes at least one pressure responsive potentiometer and a device operatively connected with such potentiometer for generating a command signal indicating at least one of the direction, intensity and duration of pressure applied to such potentiometer. The method remotely controls a function of a computer monitor or other equipment in response to signals obtained from pressure sensitive potentiometers manipulated by a user. The method includes the steps of periodically iterating to detect signals present on such pressure sensitive potentiometers, comparing the signals detected on each iteration to determine at least one of the amount and direction of change, generating a control signal reflecting the information determined in the comparison step, then transmitting the control signal to the computer or other equipment in a form acceptable by such computer or other equipment to effect a change in the function being controlled. The control system includes a hand held device having a control disc readily manipulable by a digit of a hand holding the device. There is also disclosed a form of the hand held device in which position control signals as well as 'clicking' and 'dragging' operation signals can all be controlled with a single digit of the hand of a user.