Pointing device for a computer system
US5579032A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0362
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a pointing device for a computer system having a chassis. The pointing device comprises a sensor carrier slidably coupled to the chassis to allow substantially linear reciprocating movement with respect to the chassis. A first sensor, which may be a potentiometer, is coupled to the sensor carrier and is adapted to generate a first signal as a function of an angular displacement of a rotatable shaft associated with the first sensor. The pointing device further comprises a second sensor coupled to the chassis that is adapted to generate a second signal as a function of the linear reciprocating movement of the sensor carrier. The first and second signals cooperate to provide input data representing a unique point on a computer screen of the computer system. The second sensor may also be a potentiometer, an optical encoder or alternatively includes first and second electrical terminals coupled to the sensor carrier and the chassis, respectively. A resistive strip that couples the first and second electrical terminals is also provided. The resistive strip provides a resistance path between the first and second electrical terminals that generates the second…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.