Abstract: A system and method for enabling an entire touchpad surface to mechanically move if sufficient force is used to press on the touchpad to perform a mouse click function, such as a right click or a left click, when the touchpad is mechanically buttonless, such as a forcepad, in order to provide haptic feedback on a touchpad that otherwise has none.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling an entire touchpad surface to mechanically move if sufficient force is used to press on the touchpad to perform a mouse click function, such as a right click or a left click, when the touchpad is mechanically buttonless, such as a forcepad, in order to provide haptic feedback on a touchpad that otherwise has none.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling an entire touchpad surface to mechanically move if sufficient force is used to press on the touchpad to perform a mouse click function, such as a right click or a left click, when the touchpad is mechanically buttonless, such as a forcepad, in order to provide haptic feedback on a touchpad that otherwise has none.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling an entire touchpad surface to mechanically move if sufficient force is used to press on the touchpad to perform a mouse click function, such as a right click or a left click, when the touchpad is mechanically buttonless, such as a forcepad, in order to provide haptic feedback on a touchpad that otherwise has none.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling an entire touchpad surface to mechanically move if sufficient force is used to press on the touchpad to perform a mouse click function, such as a right click or a left click, when the touchpad is mechanically buttonless, such as a forcepad, in order to provide haptic feedback on a touchpad that otherwise has none.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a stylus to be used with a touch sensor even after it has failed in an open mode or a closed mode, wherein the tethered stylus activates the inking function when the stylus is in contact with the touch sensor and deactivates the inking function when the stylus is lifted off the surface of the touch sensor when the switch is functioning properly, but when there is a failure of the switch in the open mode or the closed mode, enabling the tethered stylus to continue functioning by using a timer to activate the inking function when the tethered stylus is close enough to be detected by a touch sensor, and to deactivate the inking function when the tethered stylus is no longer detectable by the touch sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a button-less touch sensor that uses a flexible material or PCB that is either integral to the touch sensor or is added after manufacture, the flexible material functioning as an integral hinge mechanism of the touch sensor that does not interfere with near field communications of an NFC antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a stylus to be used with a touch sensor even after it has failed in an open mode or a closed mode, wherein the tethered stylus activates the inking function when the stylus is in contact with the touch sensor and deactivates the inking function when the stylus is lifted off the surface of the touch sensor when the switch is functioning properly, but when there is a failure of the switch in the open mode or the closed mode, enabling the tethered stylus to continue functioning by using a timer to activate the inking function when the tethered stylus is close enough to be detected by a touch sensor, and to deactivate the inking function when the tethered stylus is no longer detectable by the touch sensor.

Abstract: The creation of a checkerboard pattern of a plurality of conductive but electrically floating panels of conductive material that are disposed in the space between electrodes on the layers of X and Y electrodes, wherein each panel is separated from adjacent panels by a minimal gap, wherein the panels are aligned such that when viewed from above, the panels appear to form a continuous ITO surface, wherein the panels are not visible to the user from typical user distances, wherein the dis-color effect between etched empty fields and ITO electrodes is thereby eliminated by creating an apparently homogeneous touchpad surface.

Abstract: A system for reducing the number of layers of a touchpad between sensor electrodes that form a touch sensor, and the all other components of a touchpad, wherein the other components are comprised of a ground plane and sensor circuitry of a capacitance sensitive touchpad, and wherein the number of layers required for all the various components of the touchpad are reduced to thereby lower manufacturing costs of the touchpad.

Abstract: The creation of a checkerboard pattern of a plurality of conductive but electrically floating panels of conductive material that are disposed in the space between electrodes on the layers of X and Y electrodes, wherein each panel is separated from adjacent panels by a minimal gap, wherein the panels are aligned such that when viewed from above, the panels appear to form a continuous ITO surface, wherein the panels are not visible to the user from typical user distances, wherein the dis-color effect between etched empty fields and ITO electrodes is thereby eliminated by creating an apparently homogeneous touchpad surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving an RJ series plug and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250).

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving one or more RJ series plugs and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250).

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving one or more RJ series plugs and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250).

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving one or more RJ series plugs and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250).

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving one or more RJ series plugs and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250).

Abstract: A simplified touch pad which detects a “touch” in a specific absolute positioning programmable zone or “enter/select” zone rather than requiring a “tap”. The touch pad also has an audible feedback device built into the touch pad for immediate feedback and a touch sensitive surface comprising a relative cursor positioning zone. By simplifying a touch pad to include only basic functions, the touch pad is easier to operate, simpler to manufacture, and more amenable to use with graphical interface display systems typically using touch screens. The invention is preferably incorporated into a kiosk where simplified use is of great benefit. An embodiment of the invention includes an enclosure which completely seals the touch pad from external contamination making the touch pad waterproof and dust proof A cover plate also provides durability and added protection for the touch-sensitive surface of the touch pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form, structures are provided for receiving an RJ series plug and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body includes one or more recesses which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided is a replaceable direct access arrangement which is replaceably held within the communications device. Both the structures providing the receptacles and the direct access arrangement are easily removable in case of damage or if other functions are desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving an RJ series plug and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250).

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form, structures are provided for receiving an RJ series plug and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body includes one or more recesses which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided is a replaceable direct access arrangement which is replaceably held within the communications device. Both the structures providing the receptacles and the direct access arrangement are easily removable in case of damage or if other functions are desired.