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:
Feb. 06, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 29, 1997
Allan E. Schrum, Cameron Park, CA (US);
Michael D. Rogers, El Dorado Hills, CA (US);
Varatouch Technology Incorporated, Sacramento, CA (US);
Abstract
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.