Manual pointing device for a computer system with inertial click-event detection and corresponding click-event detection method
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.I.
InventorsGianluca Pedrazzini, Enrico Chiesa, Fabio Pasolini
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Abstract
A manual pointing device for a computer system, the device having at least one key that can be actuated manually by a user, and a click-event detection module coupled to the key for detecting actuation thereof. The click-event detection module is provided with an inertial sensor for detecting mechanical stresses generated by actuation of the key.
Claims47
A manual pointing device for a computer system, comprising:
- at least one first key manually actuatable by a user;
- and
- click-event detection means coupled to said first key for detecting actuation of said first key, said click-event detection means comprising inertial-sensor means for detecting mechanical stresses generated by actuation of said first key.
A method for controlling a manual pointing device for a computer system, comprising the steps of:
- actuating manually at least one first key of said manual pointing device;
- and
- detecting a click event associated with actuation of said first key, (said step of detecting a click event comprises detecting mechanical stresses generated by actuation of said first key using inertial-sensor means.
A user input device for a computer system, comprising:
- at least one element for generating vibrations;
- and
- a sensor configured to detect the vibrations.
A user input device for a computer system, comprising:
- a movable casing having at least two manually disposable keys mounted thereon and transmitting therethrough vibrations generated by the keys when the keys are manually depressed;
- a transducer mounted on the casing and adapted to detect the vibrations and to generate a detection signal associated with vibrations generated from each key;
- and
- a circuit coupled to the transducer and adapted to generate displacement signals responsive to the respective detection signals.
A manual input device, comprising:
- a plurality of keys, each key configured to generate a mechanical stress when manually actuated;
- a transducer device configured to detect mechanical stress generated from actuation of each key and to generate a respective detection signal;
- and
- a circuit coupled to the transducer device to receive the detection signals and to generate in response thereto respective displacement signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.