Appeal No. 2006-1831
Application No. 09/755,383
which is connected to a touchpad sensor (161) in such a way to
provide a realistic force feedback to the user while manipulating
the mouse (12). The touchpad sensor (161) is configured to detect
the position and motion of the mouse (12) in an x-y plane. The
touchpad sensor (161) is further configured to detect the degree
of force applied to the mouse in the z-direction. Based on the
detected position and motion of the mouse (12), as well as the
detected degree of force applied to the mouse (12), the touchpad
sensor (161) subsequently outputs a feedback signal to an
actuator (64a, 64b), which is coupled to the mouse (12) via a
linkage (48). Upon receipt of the output feedback signal, the
actuator (64a, 64b) generates a haptic feedback signal to the
user.
Claim 47 is representative of the claimed invention and is
reproduced as follows:
47. A device, comprising:
a touchpad sensor configured to detect a position and
motion of an object in an x-y plane, said touchpad sensor further
configured to detect a degree of force applied to said touchpad
sensor in a z-direction and to output at least one sensor signal,
the sensor signal being based on the position of the object, the
motion of the object and the detected degree of force;
2
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