Abstract: A pointing stick for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on the display screen. Specifically, there is a pointing stick that both directs a cursor and acts as the activation button for selecting items on the display screen by tapping on the pointing stick instead of clicking on a mouse button. Uniquely, the device is made of a shaft (12) having a longitudinal length oriented along a first axis (39) and having a top surface that is perpendicular to the first axis, there is a vertical force sensor (59, or 71), mounted on the top surface of the shaft, for sensing a vertical oriented force applied to the shaft along the first axis. Cap (24), has a cavity (81) with a top surface (79) therein, where the top surface of the shaft is positioned within the cavity and spaced from and juxtaposed to the top surface of the cavity. In one embodiment the vertical sensor includes first and second electrically conductive pads that are electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: A variable resistor useful for automotive type fuel senders has a cermet film fired upon a refractory substrate. The cermet film is burnished to reduce asperity of the fired film. The resulting resistor element works with existing mechanical float type senders to provide a reliable and long lasting sender.

Abstract: An IC package design and method of making the package design that provides anti-bridging between metal leads. The anti-bridge IC package design extends bottom covercoat material out onto the leads a sufficient distance to prevent solder bridging that typically takes place in cup regions of gull wing shaped leads. A further feature of the invention is to provide a method of applying covercoat material to the IC and the leads in the same process step. A resilient material wheel and related manufacturing equipment is used to apply a single covercoat material, like epoxy, in a single step that serves as both the bottom covercoat and lead anti-bridge coat for the IC.

Abstract: A simplified method of manufacturing an electrothermal fuse includes the steps of screening conductive epoxy onto fuse link termination pads, placing a metal alloy fuse link into the conductive epoxy on the termination pads, curing the conductive epoxy, applying deoxidant, applying encapsulant, and curing the encapsulant. The resultant fuse of the preferred embodiment comprises a substrate, termination pads, conductive epoxy interconnects, a solder type fuse link, liquid deoxidant and encapsulant.

Abstract: The resistor network of the present invention uses nodal common points with branch conductors for distribution of electrical power to a plurality of resistors. Separating the branch conductors are electromagnetic shields which isolate individual resistors and branch conductors so as to reduce crosstalk between resistors. Additionally, resistors are alternately patterned upon each side of a substrate in order to further reduce crosstalk.