Patent ID: 6445378
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A mouse pad having a substantially flat and flexible top surface for supporting mouse means for communicating with a computer from anywhere on said top surface, said mouse pad comprising:a base layer; a first layer coupled to said base layer and including a first electrically conductive strip and a second electrically conductive strip; a second layer having at least one opening extending trough it or formed at the perimeter of said second layer, said second layer being coupled to said fit layer such that said opening is positioned over at least a portion of said first conductive strip and at least a portion of said second conductive strip; and a third layer normally separated from said first layer by said second layer and having at least one electrically conductive region located anywhere on said third layer, said third layer coupled to said second layer such that at least a portion of said conductive region of said third layer is positioned over or adjacent at least a portion of said opening of said second layer, wherein upon application of at least a threshold pressure to said conductive region of sad third layer, such that said conductive region of said third layer is moved toward said first layer, said conductive region of said third layer extends at least partially through said opening in said second layer and contacts both said first conductive strip and said second conductive strip; whereby upon said computer being placed in communication with one of said first and second conductive strip, a signal is generated by contacting said first and second conductive strip with said third layer to cause at least one of initiating, loading, controlling or running a software program on a computer.