Patent ID: 6067005
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: G05G,G06F,H01C,H01H

Abstract:
A multi-speed multi-direction analog pointing device comprising:an upper contact having a central axis, and a surface disposed around said central axis which is conductive;a substrate having an electrically conductive surface positioned below said upper contact and a dome switch on its surface situated below said upper contact and upon said central axis, for changing continuity of an electrical circuit, which is actuated by a downward force compressing said upper contact toward said substrate, and which provides tactile feedback transmitted through said upper contact upon the change in continuity of the electrical circuit; anddisplacement means for changing the orientation of the upper contact in relation to said conductive surface of said substrate and allowing compression of said upper contact toward said substrate, said displacement means having an undeflected position which is variably deflected when an external force is applied to activate the dome switch by external force along the central axis of the upper contact and to provide electrical contact between the upper contact and said electrically conductive surface of said substrate at a position on said upper contact and said electrically conductive surface of said substrate which corresponds to the direction and intensity of the external force tangent to the central axis of the upper contact, as a result, one or more signals, corresponding to the direction and intensity of the external force are provided.