One dimensional and three dimensional extensions of the slide pad
US7616195B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/03548
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing three-dimensional motion inputs to a device includes measuring characteristics (e.g., capacitances) between sense electrodes and a reference electrode on a movable pad, determining three-dimensional displacements of the movable pad from the capacitances, determining the three-dimensional motion inputs from the three-dimensional displacements of the movable pad, and providing the three-dimensional motion inputs to the device.In another embodiment of the invention, a pointing device mounted on a surface of a host device includes sense electrodes, a frame, a movable pad flexibly mounted in an opening of the frame. The movable pad includes a reference electrode opposite the sense electrodes. The opening limits the motion of the movable pad to a single axis on the surface and to an axis into the surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.