US5889236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure sensitive scrollbar feature
Assignee: Synaptics Inc
•
Filing: 1995-11-13
•
Granted: 1999-03-30
•
Expires: 2015-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A proximity sensor system includes a sensor matrix array having a characteristic capacitance on horizontal and vertical conductors connected to sensor pads. The capacitance changes as a function of the proximity of an object or objects to the sensor matrix. The change in capacitance of each node in both the X and Y directions of the matrix due to the approach of an object is converted to a set of voltages in the X and Y directions. These voltages are processed by circuitry to develop electrical signals representative of the centroid of the profile of the object, i.e, its position in the X and Y dimensions. Noise reduction and background level setting techniques inherently available in the architecture are employed.
Inventors
- 👤 David Gillespie
- 👤 Timothy P. Allen
- 👤 Aaron T. Ferrucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/0484; G06F3/0485; G06F3/04855; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/0416; G06F3/04166; G06F3/044; G06F3/0445; G06F3/0446; G06F3/04883; G06F3/0489; G06F3/04892
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for modifying a scrollbar message generated by a computer system operating system in response to object position information sensed by a touch sensor pad and transmitted by a touchpad driver to said operating system, including the steps of: generating pressure information from object contact information from the touch pad sensor; intercepting the scrollbar message generated by the operating system; modifying the scrolling rate of the scrollbar message to be a function of the pressure information from the touch pad sensor; and transmitting said modified scrollbar message to an application.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for modifying a scrollbar message generated by a computer system operating system in response to object position information sensed by a touch sensor pad and transmitted by a touchpad driver to said operating system, including the steps of: generating pressure information from object contact information from the touch pad sensor; intercepting the scrollbar message generated by the operating system; modifying the scrolling rate of the scrollbar message to be a function of the pressure information from the touch pad sensor; and transmitting said modified scrollbar message to an application.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, further including a step of polling for the object position information and said pressure information, the object position information including the position of a computer-generated display cursor on the display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the scrollbar message is generated when the object position information indicates that said cursor is over a scroll arrow and a drag gesture has been made on the touch pad sensor, said scroll message defining a scroll rate for said cursor, said scroll arrow displayed on said display as part of a scrollbar icon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further including a step of sending said scroll rate modified in said modifying step to an application.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further including a step of linking said application to a DLL configured to provide a scrolling function.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of using pressure information to modify the scroll rate generated for a scroll bar displayed on a computer system display, the method comprising the steps of: polling for object position information and pressure information, said object position information including the position of a computer-generated display cursor on the display; sending a scroll message when said object position information indicates that said cursor is over a scroll arrow and a drag gesture has been made on the touch pad sensor, said scroll message defining a scroll rate for said cursor; modifying said scroll rate to become a function of said pressure information; and sending said scroll rate modified in said modifying step to an application.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of using pressure information to modify the scroll rate generated for a scroll bar displayed on a computer system display, the method comprising the steps of: polling for object position information and pressure information, said object position information including the position of a computer-generated display cursor on the display; sending a scroll message when said object position information indicates that said cursor is over a scroll arrow and a drag gesture has been made on the touch pad sensor, said scroll message defining a scroll rate for said cursor; modifying said scroll rate to become a function of said pressure information; and sending said scroll rate modified in said modifying step to an application.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6, further including a step of linking said application to a DLL configured to provide a scrolling function.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 6, further including a step of scrolling through a displayed document at a rate equal to said scroll rate modified in said modifying step by linking said application to a DLL configured to provide a scrolling function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6, further including a step of using a touch pad sensor to provide said pressure information and said object position information.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of using pressure information to modify the scroll rate generated for a scroll bar displayed on a computer system display, said pressure information provide by a touch pad sensor; the method comprising the steps of: polling for object position information and pressure information supplied by the touch pad sensor, said object position information including the X-Y coordinates of a computer generated display cursor; sending a scroll message when said object position information indicates that said cursor is over a scroll arrow and a drag gesture has been made on the touch pad sensor, said scroll message defining a scroll rate for said cursor; modifying said scroll rate to become a function of said pressure information; and sending said scroll rate modified in said modifying step to an application.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of using pressure information to modify the scroll rate generated for a scroll bar displayed on a computer system display, said pressure information provide by a touch pad sensor; the method comprising the steps of: polling for object position information and pressure information supplied by the touch pad sensor, said object position information including the X-Y coordinates of a computer generated display cursor; sending a scroll message when said object position information indicates that said cursor is over a scroll arrow and a drag gesture has been made on the touch pad sensor, said scroll message defining a scroll rate for said cursor; modifying said scroll rate to become a function of said pressure information; and sending said scroll rate modified in said modifying step to an application.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9, further including a step of linking said application to a DLL configured to provide a scrolling function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9, further including a step of scrolling through a displayed document at a rate equal to said scroll rate modified in said modifying step by linking said application to a DLL configured to provide a scrolling function.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-29 | 2002-09-28 | 2003-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-29 | 2006-09-28 | 2007-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-29 | 2010-09-28 | 2011-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |