Patents by Inventor Joseph P. Bates

Joseph P. Bates has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5172101
    Abstract: An omnidirectional input device comprising a circuit board and switches arranged in a directional pattern, each switch having an open and closed position. Each switch further having conductive switch components mounted in directional pattern on a surface of the circuit board and a conductive actuator operably connectable to the switch components to place the switch in either the open or closed position. The omnidirectional input device also includes a plurality of output signal lines coupled to the circuit board and a decoding matrix connected between the conductive switch components and the output signal lines. The decoding matrix determines which of the switches is in the closed position and couples the conductive switch components of a switch in the closed position to one or more of the output signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Joseph P. Bates