Patent ID: 6424336
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: A63F

Abstract:
A method for communicating an on/off simple-switch output signal to computer hardware or software wherein said signal is generated by circuitry which has as its input an analog sensor having pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material, said sensor activated by depression of a depressible surface area, said circuitry communicating at a variable rate in time as a function of the level of pressure applied to said sensor, wherein a microcontroller includes the steps of:(a) discharging a capacitor connected to the variable-resistance pressure sensor ensuring that the capacitor is fully discharged; (b) resetting first timer 1 to zero to allow it to begin counting; (c) changing an I/O pin connected to the sensor/capacitor combination to an input allowing the capacitor to start charging through said sensor as a function of pressure applied to said sensor; (d) checking the capacitor continuously until charged sufficiently to present a logic high to said input pin; (e) stopping timer 1 after the capacitor is charged; (f) linearizing timer 1 values by reference to a lookup table; (g) storing said linearized sensor value for message delay value for use as a second timer 2 value in a timer interrupt; (h) interrupting timer 1 when timer 2 counts down to zero; (i) sending a button press information packet each time timer 2 counts to zero; (j) loading said linearized sensor value into timer 2 allowing the microcontroller to vary the time between the button depressed packets depending upon the pressure on the sensor; (k) starting timer 2 countdown; and (l) returning to the read sensor routine when the countdown of timer 2 is done.