Patent ID: 6184866
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: G05G,H01H

Abstract:
A pointing device comprising:a substrate having an electrically conductive surface;a resilient boot supported by said substrate along an outer edge, said resilient boot spaced from said electrically conductive surface in a rest mode and displaceable relative to said substrate by a force and resiliently returning to said rest position with removal of said force, said resilient boot having electrical contact with a plurality of spaced contacts distributed adjacent said outer edge, said plurality of spaced contacts being voltage-potential-energized to form a voltage variance over a resistive rocking-surface of said resilient boot, said resistive rocking surface displaceable to contact a portion of said electrically conductive surface at an electrical contact position to generate a signal through said electrically conductive surface with said voltage variance in a pressed mode, said resistive rocking surface displaceable to rock on said electrically conductive surface to change said electrical contact position between said resistive rocking surface and said electrically conductive surface to produce a corresponding change in said signal.