Abstract: A pointing device having top and bottom pucks that move on a stage is disclosed. The top puck moves over the top surface of the stage in response to a lateral force applied thereto. The top and bottom pucks are magnetically coupled such that the two pucks maintain a predetermined relative position with respect to one another. A position sensor generates a signal indicative of the location of the bottom puck. The pointing device can also include a pressure signal generator that generates a user present signal if the top puck is subjected to a force greater than a first force level. The determined pressure can also be used to simulate a button being pushed. Exemplary pressure signal generators utilize strain gauges, variable capacitors in the top puck, and circuits for detecting the vertical distance between the top and bottom pucks when the top puck includes a deformable member.

Abstract: A text entry system enables efficient entry of characters on an electronic device. The electronic device includes a display for displaying characters, an input device moveable between selectable positions and a processor operable to map a first one of the selectable positions and a second one of the selectable positions to an entered character.

Abstract: A dual-positioning controller includes a two positioning controllers for controlling movement of an indicium, such as a cursor, on a display of an electronic device. A coarse controller controls coarse movement of the indicium relative to content displayed on the display. A fine controller controls fine movement of the indicium relative to the content on the display.

Abstract: A slide pad membrane is provided. The slide pad membrane comprises an annular ring having an inner edge, a center portion having an outer edge, and a plurality of concentric annular ripples including an outer annular ripple connected to the inner edge of the annular ring and an inner annular ripple connected to the outer edge of the center portion.

Abstract: A soft keyboard includes at least three rows of keys wherein a middle row is located near the center of the keyboard. The middle row includes vowel keys, and an upper row and a lower row include consonant keys. The consonant keys and the vowels keys are arranged in alphabetical order. At least one of the three rows of keys further includes at least one of the space key, the enter key, and the delete key. Another soft keyboard includes a first ring of keys around a central key, and a second ring of keys around the first ring of keys. The central key may be the enter key. The first ring of keys includes vowel keys arranged in alphabetical order. The first ring of keys may include the space key and the delete key. The second ring of keys includes consonant keys arranged in alphabetical order.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a valve which is controlled by a magnetic actuator. More specifically, the actuator is a polarized, magnetic actuator, that is, a magnetic actuator containing both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The actuator can be an inexpensive commercial relay having a pivoting armature that pushes a compliant diaphragm against a valve seat to close the valve. Preferably, the armature is configured as a “see-saw,” such that as the valve is opened, an opposing end of the see-saw also displaces the diaphragm. In this manner, fluid pressure in a valve chamber is relatively constant, and there are no significant pressures which prevent the valve from opening and closing. The preferred application of the valve is to actively drive printer ink supply, such that ink can be selectively drawn using the valve from a remote ink supply into a local ink reservoir, mounted near a print head.

Abstract: An input device having a movable puck and display screen is disclosed. The puck is confined to move on a puck surface having a puck field of motion defined thereon. The puck field of motion is divided into a pointing region and a function region. A controller determines a position for the puck within the field of motion. The display screen displays a two-dimensional scene and a cursor that moves within the scene in a manner controlled by the position of the puck when the puck is in the pointing region. The controller causes the scene to change when the puck is in the function region. A deformable barrier that inhibits the movement of the puck into the function region can be used to prevent inadvertent changing of the display scene. The inhibition is overcome by a user applying additional force to the puck in a direction parallel to the surface.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a moveable puck that is capable of moving over a surface in a puck field of motion. The surface includes a detent feature defined within the puck field of motion for engaging with a detent feature of the moveable puck.

Abstract: A method performed by a slide pad system is provided. The method comprises generating a first direction measurement using a first capacitance measurement and computing a first position using the first direction measurement.

Abstract: A pointing device having a puck that is confined to move in a field of motion on a surface and that provides pointing and clicking functions analogous to those of a conventional mouse is disclosed. The puck has first and second members that are spaced apart from one another by a resilient spacer when no force is applied between the members. The puck includes a tilt mechanism for allowing the first and second members to assume a tilted configuration with respect to one another in response to a force being applied between the first and second members. A position detector determines the position of the puck in the puck field of motion and a tilt position of the first member with respect to the second member. The determined tilt position is used to emulate two or more switches that are actuated by varying the tilt position.

Abstract: A pointing device has a pointing device surface and a sliding structure that moves with respect to the pointing device surface. A detector outputs a value that varies as the sliding structure moves with respect to the pointing device surface. A controller estimates the sliding structure location on the pointing device surface by calculating an approximate distance. The approximate distance is calculated by multiplying a measured differential of the value times a conversion constant. The controller adjusts the approximate distance to take into account non-linearity of the measured differential.

Abstract: Methods for dicing water stacks are provided. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: (1) providing a wafer stack having a first wafer and a second wafer; (2) exposing a portion of the first wafer by removing a portion of the second wafer; and (3) dicing the exposed portion of the first wafer such that a first die assembly is at least partially separated from the wafer stack. Wafer stacks and die assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: A pointing device having a moveable puck that moves in a predetermined field of motion by applying a lateral force thereto is disclosed. A first linear spring is attached to the puck, the first spring applying a first force to the puck at each location in the field of motion. A second linear spring is also attached to the puck, the second spring applying a second force to the puck at each location in the field of motion. The first and second springs return the puck to a predetermined location in the field of motion when the lateral force is not applied to the puck. The first linear spring is folded around a bending point and attached to a portion of the pointing device that is stationary with respect to the puck.

Abstract: The present invention includes a pointing device having a first surface on which a puck field of motion is defined, a moveable puck, and a position detector. The moveable puck is confined to move on the first surface within the puck field of motion. The position detector determines a position of the puck in the puck field of motion and an angle of rotation of the puck about an axis perpendicular to the first surface. In one embodiment, the puck includes a puck electrode on a second surface on the puck that is parallel to the first surface. The first surface includes first, second, and third electrodes that are parallel to the puck electrode, the puck electrode overlying a portion of each of the first, second, and third electrodes.

Abstract: A pointing device having a moveable puck and a first belt having a slot therein in which said puck moves in a first direction is disclosed. The first belt is wrapped around the first and second belt guides such that the first belt moves back and forth in a second direction different from the first direction. A spring system returns the puck to an equilibrium position when the puck is released from a position that is displaced from the equilibrium position. A sensor measures the position of the puck. In one embodiment, the spring system includes first and second springs that are attached to a surface that is fixed with respect to the first belt. The first spring provides a restoring force in one direction when the second spring provides a restoring force in the opposite direction and vice versa.

Abstract: Methods for dicing wafer stacks are provided. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: (1) providing a wafer stack having a first wafer and a second wafer; (2) exposing a portion of the first wafer by removing a portion of the second wafer; and (3) dicing the exposed portion of the first wafer such that a first die assembly is at least partially separated from the wafer stack. Wafer stacks and die assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: Methods for dicing water stacks are provided. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: (1) providing a wafer stack having a first wafer and a second wafer; (2) exposing a portion of the first wafer by removing a portion of the second wafer; and (3) dicing the exposed portion of the first wafer such that a first die assembly is at least partially separated from the wafer stack. Wafer stacks and die assemblies also are provided.

Abstract: A device includes first and second supports, a rotatable body and first and second flexible members. The first flexible member extends between the first support and a first position on the rotatable body. The second flexible member extends between the second support and a second position on the rotatable body. At least one of the supports is capable of linear movement in a first direction with respect to the other. The first position is offset from the second position in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A pointing device having a puck sub-assembly and a base sub-assembly is disclosed. The puck sub-assembly includes a moveable puck having a user sensor that detects the interaction of a user and the puck. The puck is confined to move within a puck field of motion. The puck sub-assembly includes a support member having an opening therein that determines a boundary for the puck field of motion. The base sub-assembly includes a base surface over which the puck moves, a position detector that measures the position of the puck in the puck field of motion, and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism connects the base sub-assembly to the puck sub-assembly such that the puck sub-assembly is easily removed. The base surface is accessible when the puck sub-assembly is separated from the base assembly. The puck sub-assembly can also include a restoring mechanism that returns the puck to a predetermined area.

Abstract: The pointing device has a moveable puck that moves over a surface in a puck field of motion. A position detector measures the puck position in the puck field of motion. In one embodiment, the puck includes a user sensor that detects an interaction between a user and the puck. A controller causes a cursor to move on a display in response to the puck moving in the puck field of motion when the user sensor senses the interaction between the user and the puck. The magnitude and direction of motion of the cursor is determined by the magnitude and direction of motion of the puck in the puck field of motion. In another embodiment, a restoring mechanism is provided that returns the puck to a predetermined area in the puck field of motion when the user releases the puck.