Patent ID: 8552981
Filing Date: 2013-10-08
Classification: G05G,G06F,H01C,H01H

Abstract:
1. A multidirectional input device comprising: an insulating substrate; a ring-shaped resistance element layer formed on said insulating substrate, said ring-shaped resistance element layer having at least three terminals electrically coupled thereto, wherein said ring-shaped resistance element layer is continuously circular and each one of the at least three terminals extends radially from said ring-shaped resistance element layer to a position along a perimeter of the said insulating substrate and at 90 degree intervals; a plane substrate spaced from said ring-shaped resistance element layer by an insulating space; a conductive section disposed on said plane substrate; an operating section operable to bring said ring-shaped resistance element layer into partial contact with said conductive section; and a controller, said controller operable to perform: a selection of a first pair of terminals from said at least three terminals, an application of a given voltage to said ring-shaped resistance element layer by applying the given voltage between the first pair of terminals, a first recognition of at least two contacted sections between said ring-shaped resistance element layer and said plane substrate based on the given voltage applied between the first pair of terminals, a selection of a second pair of terminals from said at least three terminals, an application of the given voltage between said second pair of terminals selected, a second recognition of the at least two contacted sections between said ring-shaped resistance element layer and said plane substrate based on the given voltage applied between the second pair of terminals, a comparison between a result of the first recognition with a result of the second recognition, and a determination of an agreed upon contacted position between said ring-shaped resistance element layer and said plane substrate based on said comparison.