Patent · US Expired

Interactive device for data input into an instrument of small dimensions

US4242676A · kind A · utility

88Cited by
11References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 13, 1978
Grant dateDec 30, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 13, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K2217/96066
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The device according to the invention comprises a sensor formed by a plurality of capacitive or resistive electrodes. The user searches the symbol to be selected by displacing his finger on the sensor while looking at a control display unit. Any position of the finger on the sensor causes the display of to at least one symbol within an alphanumeric group, these symbols appearing sequentially on the control display. The device does not require any instruction for use nor any indicator marked on the instrument because its working principle is based on permanent visual feedback. The device is compatible with the dimensional requirements of portable instruments of small dimensions, e.g. timepieces.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.