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:
May. 22, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 28, 1998
Dean R. DeVolpi, Sparks, NV (US);
VaraTouch Technology Incorporated, Sacramento, CA (US);
Abstract
A pointing device comprises a substrate having a fixed pivoting hole area defined by a hole through a conductive surface that is coated with electrically conductive material and comprises four segments of patterned resistive materials. Each segment includes a plurality of spaced thick film pieces that may include radially extending strips, substantially Rectangular blocks, or substantially circular pieces. An electrically conductive force disc is supported by is a movable conductive spring or sheath to pivot relative to the pivoting hole area and rotate over the resistive surface of the substrate. The deflection of the conductive spring allows the force disc to contact portions of the conductors of the substrate, and the spring or sheath to contact portions of the conductors inside the pivoting hole area, generating electrical outputs to a microcontroller.