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US 6,256,012 B1Granted
Uninterrupted curved disc pointing device
AssigneeVaratouch Technology Incorporated
InventorDean R. Devolpi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joystick with improved performance, reliability and durability, that can be used as a cursor pointing device for computers, remote controls, web TV, TV guide browsers, VCR's video games, consumer electronics, industrial controllers, medical, automotive and other applications. An uninterrupted conductive curved elastomeric transducer can be deflected to positions on an electrical medium that results in the generation of a speed and direction signal to be interpreted by low cost available circuitry including microcontroller.
Claims20
A joystick pointing device comprising:
- a substrate having a surface coated with electrically conductive and electrically resistive coatings;
- an electrically non-conductive stick connected with the substrate and including a mechanical return portion resiliently biasing the stick toward a rest position relative to the substrate;
- an electrically conductive uninterrupted curved disc comprising a conductive elastomeric material, the disc being coupled to the stick and having a curved surface which is pivotable upon the surface of the substrate to change contact positions of the curved surface on the surface of the substrate causing electrical connection between the disc and the conductive and resistive coatings on the surface of the substrate upon application of an external force on the stick, the mechanical return portion of the stick biasing and returning the disc to a static position upon removal of the external force;
- and
- a pull through tab connected to an electrically conductive leg of the disc to provide electrical connection to the substrate.
2 more elements
A joystick pointing device comprising:
- a substrate having a surface coated with electrically conductive and electrically resistive coatings;
- an electrically non-conductive stick connected with the substrate and including a mechanical return portion resiliently biasing the stick toward a rest position relative to the substrate;
- an electrically conductive uninterrupted curved disc comprising a conductive elastomeric material, the disc being coupled to the stick and having a curved surface which is pivotable upon the surface of the substrate to change contact positions on the surface of the substrate causing electrical connection between the disc and the conductive and resistive coatings on the surface of the substrate upon application of an external force on the stick, the mechanical return portion of the stick biasing and returning the disc to a static position upon removal of the external force, the curved disc including an outer boundary surrounding the curved surface;
- and
- a member electrically connected between the substrate and the disc adjacent the outer boundary to transfer a current from the substrate to the disc adjacent the outer boundary of the disc.
2 more elements
A joystick pointing device comprising:
- a substrate having a surface coated with electrically resistive coatings;
- an electrically non-conductive stick connected with the substrate and including a mechanical return portion resiliently biasing the stick toward a rest position relative to the substrate;
- an electrically conductive uninterrupted curved disc comprising a conductive elastomeric material, the disc being coupled to the stick and having a curved surface which is pivotable upon the surface of the substrate to change contact positions on the surface of the substrate causing electrical connection between the conductive disc and the resistive coatings on the surface of the substrate upon application of an external force on the stick, the mechanical return portion of the stick biasing and returning the disc to a static position upon removal of the external force, the curved disc including an outer boundary surrounding the curved surface;
- and
- at least one member electrically connected between the substrate and the disc adjacent the outer boundary to transfer a current from the substrate to the disc adjacent the outer boundary of the disc.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.