Patent ID: 6184865
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: G05G,G06F

Abstract:
An apparatus for sensing manipulation by a user and for producing signals related to the manipulation in X and Y directions, the apparatus comprising:an articulating member which articulates responsive to user manipulation thereof, the articulating member including an electrically conductive member;a planar member;a plurality of sensing electrodes disposed in parallel to the planar member and about the articulating member to face the electrically conductive member of the articulating member, whereby respective capacitances exist between the electrically conductive member and respective ones of the sensing members, the capacitances having values which vary related to articulation for the articulating member;detection means for each sensing electrode for detecting respective capacitances and for outputting articulation signals responsive to the detection of the respective capacitances; andcalibration means applied to individual articulation signals for providing a unique scaling value for each articulation signal, wherein the scaling value is calculated from a set of reference values at least one reference value for each sensing electrode, that are dynamically updated.