End-of-travel detection sensor and method of calibrating confined pointing device
US5673068A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0362
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An end-of-travel sensor detects that an object has reached the end of its travel path by sensing a change in vectored force at a single pivot point of the object. The object is linked to and positioned away from the pivot point allowing the object to move within a travel area. During movement within the travel area, little force occurs at the pivot point. As the object reaches an end of travel, however, the object's inertia causes a force to occur at the pivot point. Detection of such force indicates an end-of-travel event. Detection of such force's direction indicates an end-of-travel direction. A elastomeric conductor is mounted about the pivot point within an opening. The conductor and edge contacts at the opening serve as switches. An end-of-travel force acting upon the pivot point closes one or more switches indicating an end-of-travel event. Detection of the affected switch(es) indicates an end-of-travel direction. Such event and direction are used to calibrate an on-screen cursor position to an absolute pointing device position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.