Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6504527?dq=6,108,703
Timestamp: 2017-08-20 10:21:21
Document Index: 557542501

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 09', 'Application No. 60', 'application No. 60', 'application No. 09', 'application No. 60', 'application No. 60']

Patent US6504527 - Analog controls housed with electronic displays for computer monitors - Google Patents
A computer monitor including a housing; a general image display in the housing; the housing having a depressible surface of a proportional sensor for creating a varying value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a human user to a depressible surface of the sensor. Multiple proportional...http://www.google.com/patents/US6504527?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6504527 - Analog controls housed with electronic displays for computer monitors
Publication number US6504527 B1
Application number US 09/699,799
Also published as US6347997, US6469691, US6470078, US6496449, US6518953, US6529185, US6538638, US6559831, US20020055384, WO2001085279A1
Publication number 09699799, 699799, US 6504527 B1, US 6504527B1, US-B1-6504527, US6504527 B1, US6504527B1
Original Assignee Brad A. Armstrong
Patent Citations (111), Non-Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (24), Classifications (62), Legal Events (11)
Analog controls housed with electronic displays for computer monitors
US 6504527 B1
A computer monitor including a housing; a general image display in the housing; the housing having a depressible surface of a proportional sensor for creating a varying value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a human user to a depressible surface of the sensor. Multiple proportional sensors are sometimes utilized. In one preferred embodiment the proportional sensor(s) include resilient dome cap(s) for providing tactile feedback to the finger depressing the depressible surface. Circuitry within the housing is connected to the sensor for reading the varying value from the sensor and causing representative varying of the imagery shown by the display.
2. A computer monitor according to claim 1 wherein variable depression of a surface of a rocker having at least two depressible surfaces causes the information to zoom at a variable rate on said display.
3. A computer monitor according to claim 2 wherein said first depressible surface and said second depressible surface are surfaces of a rocker.
4. A computer monitor according to claim 3 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured with resilient dome caps, said dome caps structured to provide tactile feedback.
5. A computer monitor according to claim 1 wherein said first depressible surface and said second depressible surface are thumb depressible single individual buttons.
6. A computer monitor according to claim 5 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured with resilient dome caps, said dome caps structured to provide tactile feedback.
7. An improved computer monitor of the type having capability for displaying information, wherein the improvements comprise:
8. An improved computer monitor according to claim 7 wherein variable depression of a first depressible surface of a rocker having at least two depressible areas causes the information to scroll at a variable rate in a first direction on said display, and variable depression of a second depressible surface of said rocker causes the information to scroll at a variable rate in a second direction on said display.
9. An improved computer monitor according to claim 7 wherein said first depressible surface and said second depressible surface are thumb depressible single individual buttons.
10. An improved computer monitor according to claim 9 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.
11. An improved computer monitor according to claim 7 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured with resilient dome caps, said dome caps structured to provide tactile feedback.
12. A computer monitor, comprising:
13. A computer monitor according to claim 12 wherein said at least one finger depressible surface is a first depressible surface, said computer monitor further includes a finger depressible surface which is a second depressible surface in part exposed on said housing, said second depressible surface operatively connected to a second proportional sensor, said second proportional sensor for inputting a second signal to said circuitry, said second signal having a varying value representing varying depression of said second depressible surface.
14. A computer monitor according to claim 13 wherein the proportional sensors are pressure-sensitive and are structured with resilient dome caps, said dome caps structured to provide a break-over tactile feedback.
15. A computer monitor according to claim 14 wherein said first depressible surface and said second depressible surface are surfaces of at least a two-way rocker.
16. A computer monitor according to claim 15 wherein depression of said first depressible surface causes the information to scroll in a first direction on said display, and depression of said second depressible surface causes the information to scroll in a second direction on said display.
17. A computer monitor according to claim 14 wherein said first depressible surface and said second depressible surface are surfaces of a 4-way rocker.
18. A computer monitor according to claim 13 wherein depression of said first depressible surface causes the information to zoom in a first direction on said display, and depression of said second depressible surface causes the information to zoom in a second direction on said display.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application No. 09/568,662 filed May 10, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,997, and a Priority claim was made to Provisional Patent Application No. 60/133,682 filed May 11, 1999 in and for the application Ser. No. 09/568,662.
FIG. 6 shows a desktop display supported by a desk stand having a housing and a display screen mounted within the housing. The housing is shown having 4-way and 2-way analog rockers.
Also herein incorporated by reference is my pending U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 08/942,450 filed Oct. 1, 1997, title GAME CONTROLLER WITH ANALOG PRESSURE SENSOR(S), now U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,802; this disclosure incorporated by reference primarily for the positive teachings therein of structuring and methods of use and the reading of analog sensors such as elastomeric dome-cap style positioned in end-use for depression directly or in-directly by a human digit with varying degrees of force. Additionally, 4-way analog rockers, 2-way analog rocker buttons and individual analog push buttons are described in detail in my disclosure titled GAME CONTROLLER WITH ANALOG PRESSURE SENSOR(S).
Also herein incorporated by reference is my pending U.S. Provisional application No. 60/135,085 filed May 20, 1999 titled KEYBOARD WITH DEPRESSIBLE ANALOG SCROLL CONTROL. This provisional disclosure also includes a modified USB software code on 3.5″ floppy which although specifically directed to my Mouse With Analog Buttons of application No. 09/167,314, it can clearly be readily modified to operate with the present invention, although those skilled in the art will agree numerous suitable software codes can be readily applied with little modification to interface between the hardware of a keyboard in accordance with the invention and software, ROM, hardware, etc. of a computer to be manipulated by the present keyboard. The modified code is one which includes a bit assignment for each scroll direction and associated with each button associated with that direction, and which is arranged along with electronics to repeat the direction-identifying code at a variable rate of repeat when the user is depressing the associated button, the rate of repeat (scrolling) indicative of the read value of the analog sensor, i.e., pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material and the amount of depressive force the human user is applying thereto. Greater details of this Variable-Rate On/Off Messaging System are provided in my pending U.S. Provisional application filed May 10, 1999, application No. 60/133,319 and herein incorporated by reference, and this for the teaching of the varied “ON” or “OFF” signal rate of sending, the rate of the simple message being dependant or resultant of the amount of pressure applied or the varied value single of a pressure-sensitive analog element. Certainly other suitable codes and the like can be utilized within the scope of the invention. For more data regarding software or firmware codes, go to cypress.com on the World Wide Web. Also incorporated herein is my pending U.S. Non-Provisional application version of the Provisional application No. 60/135,085 filed May 20, 1999 titled KEYBOARD WITH DEPRESSIBLE ANALOG SCROLL CONTROL, the Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/563,109 filed May 2, 2000 also titled KEYBOARD WITH DEPRESSIBLE ANALOG SCROLL CONTROL.
Also herein incorporated by reference is my pending U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 09/148,806 filed Sept. 4, 1998, title REMOTE CONTROLLER WITH ANALOG BUTTON(S). This disclosure incorporated by reference primarily for the positive teachings therein of structuring and methods for dual-purpose sensors capable of both analog and On/Off modes.
FIGS. 3-5 show various diagrams of general image displays that may be utilized with a variety of consumer electronic devices, such as a desktop display, in accordance with the invention and having a housing 11, a display 22 associated with housing 11, i.e. mounted on or in the housing 11, and at least one analog sensor 26 having a depressible surface area associated with the display. Analog sensors 26 can be ganged in 2-way and 4-way units such as rockers 14, 16 and 18, or can be in single button or surface form such as shown at 19 in some of the drawings. The analog sensor 26 in a preferred structure has a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material for providing a variable signal varying with differing amounts of user finger applied pressure, however, the associated circuitry can be structured to additionally read a rapid press and release on the sensor as a momentary-On used to supply a single increment signal, e.g., single step numeric increase/decrease or scroll up/down. As the user's finger depresses the sensor material, its conductivity is read by associated circuitry, such as a microcontroller, reading the time of charge or discharge of a capacitor as determined by the conductivity of the analog sensor material. The devices that may be utilized with the present invention already have internal microcontrollers or even more complex circuitry, and one of average skill in the art can readily apply the analog buttons/sensors/analog rockers/analog membrane sensors to the indicated art with an understanding of this disclosure.
FIG. 3 shows display 22 as a general image display. The general image display 22 of includes an upper area and a lower area, thus a user may scroll data at varying rates from the lower area to the upper area by pressing surface 80, and from the upper area to the lower area by pressing surface 82.
FIG. 6 shows a desktop display or monitor 1 supported by a desk stand 13 having a housing 11 and a display 22 mounted within housing 11. The display 22 can be either a CRT or Non-CRT technology or any suitable display. U.S. Class 345 contains many prior art patents describing CRT and Non-CRT display for those wishing more information thereon. At the lower left corner of the housing is shown a 4-way analog rocker 18. Also shown is a 4-way analog rocker 18 in the lower right hand corner to illustrate various possible locations for 4-way analog rockers 18. Shown at the lower center of the housing 11 is a 2-way analog rocker 16 which can serve as an X-axis or horizontal control or scroller, and at the right side of housing 11 is shown a 2-way analog rocker 14 which can serve as a Y-axis or vertical control or scroller. The rocker depressible surfaces operate analog sensors 26 or from another view form components thereof.
For all embodiments shown herein, the 4-way analog rockers 18 can each also serve as X-axis or horizontal control, and as Y-axis or vertical control or scroller manipulated by the user's thumb and or fingers (digits). It is anticipated that the 4-way analog rocker serves largely the same purposes as two perpendicular 2-way analog rockers, and while the embodiments shown herein demonstrate both 2-way and 4-way rockers, for most purposes an embodiment will need only one 4-way rocker or one or more 2-way rockers, or an equivalent number of single analog push buttons.
The present electronic devices utilize analog sensors and circuitry for reading at least three readable states, analog values or conductance levels of each of the analog sensors; the states, values, levels or the like may be or can be varied voltages or currents (example only), and are varied dependant upon depressive pressure applied to a finger depressible button associated with each analog sensor. Button may be herein treated as the finger depressible area of a rocker member such as a 2-way or 4-way or the like. The associated circuitry is structured to read an immediate, instant or current state or value of the analog sensors and to communicate representative control signals. The at least three states of the active element (analog sensor) can represent at least: 1) no pressure, 2) low pressure, and 3) high pressure applied to the depressible surface by the human user's finger or thumb (digit), the 3level equating to rates of change. The analog sensor and circuitry arrangement can be employed in a manner wherein not just three but many states are read, thus ensuring high resolution reading of a variably changing depressive button pressure input. Preferably, many different user determinable rates (many different states rate by the circuitry) are provided between low and high pressure on the associated button so that the user is provided, for example, very slow, slow, medium, fast and very fast change rates. With the analog sensors, the user is provided variable change rate control dependent upon the degree of depressive pressure he or she applies to the button associated with the analog sensor(s) which is indicated or made visually detectable on the display at least at the time the analog sensor is being depressed, and this to allow the intelligent application of finger pressure by the user to the analog sensor. Based on the information shown on the associated display, the user can choose to increase, decrease or terminate finger pressure on the analog sensor. Such an arrangement provides the user vastly improved control by allowing the user to apply low pressure to have a slow rate of change, or to apply high pressure to initiate very rapid change, and then to reduce the applied pressure to the button to reduce the rate of change in order to stop easily and precisely on a desired target or within a desired area, such precise control is clearly advantageous and desirable.
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U.S. Classification 345/159
International Classification A63F13/06, H01H13/70, H01H13/702, G04G21/00, G04G21/08, G06F3/023, A63F9/24, H01H13/785, G06F3/033, G06F3/048, G06F1/16, G03G15/00
Cooperative Classification G06F3/03549, H01H13/702, G06F1/1601, G04G21/08, H01H2221/012, H01H2221/018, H01H2201/036, H01H13/70, G05B2219/23033, H01H2215/004, G06F3/04847, H01H13/785, G06F3/0489, A63F2300/1056, H01H2231/008, G06F1/1626, G06F1/1662, A63F13/06, G06F3/0485, H01H2215/006, A63F2300/10, A63F2300/204, H01H2237/002, H01H2229/046, A63F13/00, A63F2300/1037, G06F3/0338, A63F9/24, G04G21/00, H01H2229/047, G06F3/03548, G06F2200/1612
European Classification G06F1/16P9K, G03G15/50F, H01H13/702, G04G21/08, G06F3/0354T, A63F13/06, A63F13/00, G06F3/0354S, G06F3/0489, G06F3/0338, H01H13/70, G06F3/0484P, G06F3/0485, G06F1/16P3, H01H13/785, G06F1/16D, G04G21/00
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ARMSTRONG, BRAD A.;REEL/FRAME:011819/0862