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:
Jun. 13, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 26, 1998
Mark N Milroy, Rawlins, WY (US);
Altra Corporation, Rawlins, WY (US);
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.