Abstract: A computer input device is used in conjunction with a mouse input device. The computer input device of the invention comprises a body having a resilient layer covered by a surface layer textured throughout the entirety of the surface for operation of the mouse. A printed circuit card is incorporated in the body between the resilient layer and the upper surface layer and includes a plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads. The card further includes electronic circuitry for operating the touch sensor pads to detect when a capacitive object, such as a fingertip, is in the proximity of a sensor pad. A touch need not apply force to register. The printed circuit card includes a guard ring pad surrounding the touch pads which detects the presence of the mouse over the sensor pads and indicates that any detected outputs from the sensor pads are not valid, but instead are due to the presence of the mouse.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for software configuration of ISA bus cards or other devices connected to a computer processor by a bus that does not provide for sharing of an address by multiple devices. Such a device is configured under software control by selecting multiple addresses commonly used by a read-only device, writing from the computer processor to the configuration logic at one of such addresses a predetermined data word as part of a predetermined security access sequence, writing from the computer processor to the configuration logic at one of the addresses configuration information including a device based address, and the configuration logic, in response to the predetermined security access sequence, storing the configuration information in configuration registers, thereby configuring the device. The addresses used may be addresses used by a game device, such as a joystick.

Abstract: A capacitance-sensitive switch unit including a capacitive element operable to produce an effective capacitance dependent upon the physical proximity of objects relative thereto, a first selector signal input connected to the capacitive element to enable a first input signal to charge the effective capacitance, a threshold signal producing circuit connected to the capacitive element, for producing a threshold signal which is rendered active when the effective capacitance charges to a pre-defined potential, a switching circuit for selectively connecting the capacitive element to the threshold signal producing circuit in response to a switching signal and a discharge control circuit connected to the capacitive element, for selectively discharging the effective capacitance independently of the input signal, in response to a discharge signal. Also disclosed is a switch array employing structure similar to the above.