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:
Aug. 01, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 03, 1998
Katsutoshi Suzuki, Fukushima-ken, JP;
Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In a data input device, an X-encoder 2 and a Y-encoder 3 are driven by a track ball 1 called a track ball and pulse outputs can be obtained from the respective encoders. Switches SW1, SW2, SW3 and SW4 are disposed around the track ball 1. When the track ball 1 is rolled about a Z-axis by a finger F while depressing a peripheral portion of the track ball 1 with the finger F, the finger F successively touches the switches SW1, SW2, SW3 and SW4. At the time, since the outputs from the X-encoder 2 and the Y-encoder 3 are converted into data on a Z-axis coordinate in response to the outputs from the switches, data about the Z-axis can be input. With this arrangement, the data input device can input Z-axis coordinate data which cannot be input by prior art track ball type data input devices.