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. 13, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2000
Michael D. Rogers, El Dorado Hills, CA (US);
Allan E. Schrum, Cameron Park, CA (US);
Varatouch Technology Incorporated, Sacramento, CA (US);
Abstract
A pointing device comprises a substrate with an electrically conductive surface ( ) and a resilient return member ( ). The return member 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 return member against the electrically conductive surface. The return member ( ) 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. In a specific embodiment, a dome switch is disposed between the resistive surface and the electrically conductive surface to provide a drag function.