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:
Oct. 31, 2006
Filed:
Feb. 10, 2004
Theodore R. Arneson, Ivanhoe, IL (US);
Michael L. Charlier, Palatine, IL (US);
Theodore R. Arneson, Ivanhoe, IL (US);
Michael L. Charlier, Palatine, IL (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
An electronic device with a force sensing key () has a switch (), a first force sensing region () for acquiring a first force value, a second force sensing region () for acquiring a second force value, and a processor for determining a selected function for the key () based upon the first force value and the second force value when the switch () is activated. The first force sensing pad () and the second force sensing pad () use a partially resistive material () that exhibits a force-to-voltage response value. By forming the switch () as a dome () switch, the force sensing key () provides crisp tactile feedback to a user. The force sensing key () can be configured for a variety of applications and user preferences by varying the architecture of the actuator ().