James Robert Mullins

US Patent:

7903090, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Apr 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/402694

Inventors:

David A. Soss - Salt Lake City UT, US
James K. Elwell - Salt Lake City UT, US
James R. Mullins - Centerville UT, US

Assignee:

QSI Corporation - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

G06F 3/041

US Classification:

345173, 345184

Abstract:

Disclosed is an input device comprising (a) a base support, having a periphery and a plurality of apertures formed therein to define a circumscribed or circumscribing input pad configured to displace under the applied force; (b) a plurality of isolated beam segments, defined by the plurality of apertures, and operable to receive resultant forces distributed to the isolated beam segments by the displacement of the input pad; (c) at least two sensors, disposed along each isolated beam segment, and configured to measure the forces transmitted from the input pad to the periphery and to output a signal corresponding to the applied force. One or more processing means operable with the plurality of sensors may be utilized to receive the signal and to determine at least one of a location and/or magnitude of the applied force acting on the input pad.

US Patent:

20080030482, Feb 7, 2008

Filed:

Jul 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/888673

Inventors:

James Elwell - Salt Lake City UT, US
James Mullins - Centerville UT, US
David Soss - Salt Lake City UT, US
Karen Stanley - Eagle Mountain UT, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/041

US Classification:

345173000

Abstract:

A projected force-based input device comprising a projected or elevated contacting element configured to receive an applied force, a sensing element located in a different plane with respect to the contacting element, and a sensing portion operably supported to displace in response to the applied force. The sensing element further comprises a plurality of sensors operable to output sensor data corresponding to the applied force, wherein the sensor data facilitates the determination of a location of the applied force occurring about the contacting element, as well as the profile of the applied force over time (e.g., waveform), otherwise known as the force profile. One or more transfer elements may also be present, which function to relate the contacting element to the sensing portion of the sensing element so as to transfer substantially all of the applied force from the contacting element to the sensing element. Adequate rigidity between the elevated contacting element, and transfer elements, and the sensing element is intended to be maintained in order to prevent interference with any mounting or other structures or objects, and to permit the input device to operate properly.

US Patent:

20080165159, Jul 10, 2008

Filed:

Dec 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/002334

Inventors:

David A. Soss - Salt Lake City UT, US
James K. Elwell - Salt Lake City UT, US
James R. Mullins - Centerville UT, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/045

US Classification:

345174

Abstract:

A force-based input device responsive to an applied force to determine a location and/or magnitude of the applied force. The input device comprises a fixed frame and a base support, having an input member configured to receive the applied force and to displace relative to said fixed frame in response to the applied force. The input device is modular in the sense that it comprises a separate module or structure that relates the fixed frame and base support components to one another, as well as constraining these in all directions. The constraining module further comprises a sensing component (such as an isolated beam structure) defined therein by one or more configurations formed in the constraining module. One or more sensors are provided that are operable with the sensing component of the constraining module, which sensors are located in a region of high stress strategically provided by the various configurations of the module.

US Patent:

20080170043, Jul 17, 2008

Filed:

Dec 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/002333

Inventors:

David A. Soss - Salt Lake City UT, US
James K. Elwell - Salt Lake City UT, US
James R. Mullins - Centerville UT, US

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345173

Abstract:

An input device comprising a base support, having a periphery and a plurality of apertures formed therein to define a circumscribed or circumscribing input pad configured to displace under the applied force; a plurality of isolated beam segments, defined by the plurality of apertures, and operable to receive resultant forces distributed to the isolated beam segments by the displacement of the input pad; at least two sensors, disposed along each isolated beam segment, and configured to measure the forces transmitted from the input pad to the periphery and to output a signal corresponding to the applied force. One or more processing means operable with the plurality of sensors may be utilized to receive the signal and to determine at least one of a location and/or magnitude of the applied force acting on the input pad.