Abstract: An apparatus for providing a tactile feedback to a user of a computer cursor control device such as a pointing stick is provided. A pzt material is first mounted to a semi-rigid material such as by bonding the pzt material to a metal substrate. When an ac signal is applied to this assembly it vibrates. By coupling this mechanical vibration to the pointing stick, the user can sense the feedback. This can be used, for example, to provide a tactile feedback when the user depresses the pointing stick to cause a “mouse click.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering or suppressing a tactile feedback to a user of a computer cursor control device such as a pointing stick is provided. A pzt material is first mounted to a semi-rigid material such as by bonding the pzt material to a metal substrate. When an ac signal is applied to this assembly it vibrates. By coupling this mechanical vibration to the pointing stick, the user can sense the feedback. This can be used, for example, to provide a tactile feedback when the user depresses the pointing stick to cause a “mouse click.” In order to prevent unwanted cursor movement on the display, a suppression circuit is provided that filters out the spurious signals or completely deactivates cursor movement during activation of the tactile feedback.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering or suppressing a tactile feedback to a user of a computer cursor control device such as a pointing stick is provided. A pzt material is first mounted to a semi-rigid material such as by bonding the pzt material to a metal substrate. When an ac signal is applied to this assembly it vibrates. By coupling this mechanical vibration to the pointing stick, the user can sense the feedback. This can be used, for example, to provide a tactile feedback when the user depresses the pointing stick to cause a “mouse click.” In order to prevent unwanted cursor movement on the display, a suppression circuit is provided that filters out the spurious signals or completely deactivates cursor movement during activation of the tactile feedback.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a tactile feedback to a user of a computer cursor control device such as a pointing stick is provided. A pzt material is first mounted to a semi-rigid material such as by bonding the pzt material to a metal substrate. When an ac signal is applied to this assembly it vibrates. By coupling this mechanical vibration to the pointing stick, the user can sense the feedback. This can be used, for example, to provide a tactile feedback when the user depresses the pointing stick to cause a “mouse click.

Abstract: A surface-mount pointing device controls the movement of an object on a display screen. The device has a base and a shaft. The shaft is mounted to the base. Several sensors are mounted on the base and around the shaft for sensing the amount of strain in the base that is created in response to a force applied on the shaft by a user. Conductors are mounted on the base and electrically connected to the sensors. Electrical leads are electrically and mechanically connected to the conductors. The electrical leads are shaped for mounting on the surface of a circuit board. The electrical leads each have a bifurcated inner terminal end that is electrically connected to the conductors. The bifurcated inner terminal end fits over and grips an edge of the base. An outer terminal end extends outwardly of the base and is shaped for mounting on the surface of a circuit board.

Abstract: A test system for performing a test of strain gauge resistors used on a pointing stick. The test system has a mechanical load applicator that holds the resistor and applies a mechanical force to the resistor. An electrical contactor makes and breaks an electrical connection with the resistor. An electrical tester is connected to the electrical contactor to measure electrical parameters of the resistor with and without the mechanical force. A calculator is connected to the tester and calculates several resistor parameters. The resistor parameters are indicative of the operation of the pointing stick.