Patent ID: 8717202
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: G06F,H01H,H03K

Abstract:
1. An input device comprising: a first input key configured to output a first analog signal as a function of force applied to the first input key; a second input key configured to output a second analog signal as a function of force applied to the second input key; a third input key configured to output a third analog signal as a function of force applied to the third input key; a fourth input key configured to output a fourth analog signal as a function of force applied to the fourth input key; and a controller configured to output movement data including both direction and magnitude in response to the first, second, third, and fourth analog signals; wherein the first, second, third, and fourth input keys each comprise: a button movable along a respective axis between a first end position and a second end position, the button including a reflective surface; a resilient component biasing the button toward the first end position; and a reflectance sensor configured to emit light that impinges upon the reflective surface, to measure an amount of the light that is reflected from the reflective surface, and to output the respective analog signal in response to the measured amount of the reflected light, wherein the light travels generally parallel to the respective axis.