Patent ID: 6353431
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G05G,G06F,H01H

Abstract:
A surface-mount pointing device for controlling the movement of an object on a display screen, comprising:a) a base member; b) a shaft having a first end and a second end, with the first end mounted in the base member; c) a plurality of sensors, mounted around the shaft for sensing the amount of strain in the shaft that is created in response to an applied force on the shaft in at least a first direction, the sensors generating an electrical signal in response to the applied force; d) a pair of spaced electrical leads disposed on opposing sides of the base member and extending at least partially through the base member, each electrical lead having a plurality of inner terminal ends electrically connected to at least one of the sensors, and a plurality of outer terminal ends extending outwardly of the base member and being shaped for mounting on the surface of a circuit board; and e) at least one electronic component, attached to the first end of the shaft and electrically connected to at least one of the inner terminal ends, the electronic component operable to receive the electrical signal from the sensors as an input and generate a conditioned electrical signal as an output.