Machine control using a touchpad
US10795463B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04809
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Touchpads are disclosed for machine control by an operator. A touchpad can include a surface, zones and command processor. The surface senses operator touch. The zones can be assigned zones. The touchpad can include dividers that separate the surface into the zones, and dividers can be assigned dividers. Each of the assigned zones and dividers can be selectively configured to control an assigned machine function. The command processor generates and sends commands to control the assigned machine functions based on operator touch of the assigned zones and dividers. The surface and dividers can have differing heights and/or textures. Illumination can distinguish assigned or selected zones and dividers. The dividers can be grouped to function as a joystick. Pressing different dividers can command machine functions in different directions. The touchpad controls can share power and signal connections, and can be mounted on a control stick.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.