Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090135140 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCURATE LIFT-DETECTION OF AN INPUT DEVICE - Various systems and methods are employed for lift-detection. Beam triangulation can be used, and in one embodiment, an optical lift detection module is separate from the optical tracking module. In one embodiment, a capacitive lift detection technique is used. A capacitor is built into the bottom case of the mouse. When the mouse is resting on a surface, the surface material serves as a dielectric for the capacitor, while air serves as the dielectric when the mouse is lifted. This dielectric change leads to a change in the capacitance value, leading to detection of lift. In one embodiment, a capacitor with an easily compressable material inserted between the two electrodes is used. In another embodiment, a mechanical plunger with an elastic membrane is used for lift detection. Lift detection can be tunable and/or customizable. The actual height of the life can be detected, rather than simple on-off notifications. | 05-28-2009 |
20100187079 | Keyboard with Ultra-Durable Keys - A keyboard includes a plurality of keys, and a keyframe into which the plurality of keys are assembled. Each of the keys includes: i) a plunger on which a character is printed, and ii) a keycap made of a transparent material. The keycap covers at least a portion of a top of the plunger. | 07-29-2010 |
20110025311 | MAGNETIC ROTARY SYSTEM FOR INPUT DEVICES - Embodiments of the present invention include a roller for an input device, where the roller's absolute angular position is measured by a magnetic encoder. A magnet is attached to the roller, possibly inside the roller so as to make the embodiment more compact. In one embodiment, the magnetization is simple and low cost. Further, tight tolerances are not required, and such a system is easy to manufacture. In one embodiment, the sensor is covered by any non-ferromagnetic material, to protect it from foreign particles, and to reduce ESD. In one embodiment, the wheel consumes much less power than conventional wheels in input devices. In one embodiment, the tilting of the wheel is measured using the same sensor that is used for measuring the rotation of the wheel. In one embodiment, a ratcheting feel provided to the user when rotating the wheel is synchronized with the rotation signal. | 02-03-2011 |
20110063224 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE, VIRTUAL ON SCREEN INPUT - A system, apparatus, and method of remote, virtual on screen data input includes a peripheral data input device (PDID) made up of a proximity sensor and data communications means. The proximity sensor is adapted to dynamically recognize the movement of a target in the proximity of the peripheral device. The data connection device is adapted to transmit signals from the proximity sensor to a processor communicatively coupled to the remote display. The processor constructs a representation of input fields on the display, and, when detected, overlays a real-time, virtual representation of the target over the representation of the input fields. | 03-17-2011 |
20110288805 | CONTROL DEVICE WITH AN ACCELEROMETER SYSTEM - A control device includes a two-dimensional inertial system configured to measure an acceleration of the control device. A control circuit is coupled to the two-dimensional inertial system where the control circuit is configured to receive acceleration information for the acceleration measured by the two-dimensional inertial system. The control circuit is further configured to integrate the acceleration information to calculate the velocity of the control device and determine if the velocity of the control device becomes zero along one or both of the two dimensions for which the two-dimensional inertial system is configured to measure acceleration. The control circuit is further configured to correct a drift in the velocity if the control circuit determines that the velocity is zero along one or both of the two dimensions. | 11-24-2011 |
20130057472 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A WIRELESS CONTROL DEVICE - A wireless control device includes a control circuit coupled to the control device, the control device having six sides and a plurality of modes of operation. Each of the plurality of modes of operation are selected by the control circuit based on the orientation of the control device as determined by an accelerometer. A first mode of operation is selected when a first side of the control device is oriented in a predetermined direction. The first mode of operation is configured to provide cursor control, a scroll function, and a side scroll function on a visual display. A second mode of operation is selected when a second side of the control device is oriented in the predetermined direction. The second mode of operation is configured to control pan and zoom functions, or control navigation and selection of media files on the visual display. | 03-07-2013 |
20130176020 | MEASURING ROTATION AND TILT OF A WHEEL ON AN INPUT DEVICE - Embodiments of the present invention include a roller for an input device, where the roller's absolute angular position is measured by a magnetic encoder. A magnet is attached to the roller, possibly inside the roller so as to make the embodiment more compact. In one embodiment, the magnetization is simple and low cost. Further, tight tolerances are not required, and such a system is easy to manufacture. In one embodiment, the sensor is covered by any non-ferromagnetic material, to protect it from foreign particles, and to reduce ESD. In one embodiment, the wheel consumes much less power than conventional wheels in input devices. In one embodiment, the tilting of the wheel is measured using the same sensor that is used for measuring the rotation of the wheel. In one embodiment, a ratcheting feel provided to the user when rotating the wheel is synchronized with the rotation signal. | 07-11-2013 |
20130336700 | KEYBOARD WITH ULTRA-DURABLE KEYS - A keyboard includes a plurality of keys, and a keyframe into which the plurality of keys are assembled. Each of the keys includes: i) a plunger on which a character is printed, and ii) a keycap made of a transparent material. The keycap covers at least a portion of a top of the plunger. | 12-19-2013 |
20140267040 | INPUT DEVICE WITH A CUSTOMIZABLE CONTOUR - Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb. | 09-18-2014 |