Patents by Inventor David Kinman

David Kinman 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).

  • Miniature track ball pointer with built-in selector
    Patent number: 6320569
    Abstract: A miniature trackball pointer device includes a ball-shaped roller portion protruding from an opening in an upper surface of the device. When a user rolls the roller portion to move a pointer displayed on a display screen, at least one of a pair of x and y encoders or movement sensors is contacted, and the movement of the roller portion is converted into electrical signals used to move the pointer on the display screen. A resilient layer supports the roller portion above a lower surface of the pointer. A pressure-activated selector switch is located on the lower surface of the pointer directly below the roller portion such that when the user presses down on the roller portion the resilient layer flexes to enable the roller portion to press, and thus activate, the selector switch via the resilient layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: David Kinman