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:
Oct. 26, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 28, 1997
Shih-Jen Kuo, Taipei, TW;
Behavior Tech Computer Corp., Taipei, TW;
Abstract
A computer pointing device includes a casing having a top on which a button rotatably support by a ball joint. The button has a plurality of pins corresponding to a plurality of openings formed on the top of the casing. A rubber pad is disposed within the casing, having a plurality of raised projections respectively received within the openings, each having a hollow configuration to receive and retain therein a conductor. The projections selectively collapse when the button is depressed to have at least one of the pins engaging the corresponding projections via the openings so as to move the conductors thereof in a downward direction. A circuit board is disposed under the rubber pad, having conductive ribs formed thereon to be selectively engageable by each of the conductors when the projections collapses to cause the downward movement of the conductors. This establishes an electrical connection between the conductors and at least one of the ribs to give a signal which indicates a moving direction associated with the depressed projections and a speed determined by the number of the ribs that are contacted by the depressed conductors. The circuit board has a circuit to process and transmit the signals to a computer to control the cursor on the monitor screen.