Force sensing mouse

Abstract

A force sensing input device (such as a force sensing mouse) includes at least one force sensor and at least one top portion movably connected to at least one bottom portion. When a force is applied to the top portion, the top portion exerts pressure on the force sensor. The force sensor obtains force data based upon the pressure. The amount of force applied to the top portion, within a range of force amounts, is determined from at least the force data. In this way, a broader range of inputs may be receivable from the force sensing input device as compared to input devices that merely detect whether or not a button or similar element has been pushed.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A force sensing input device, comprising:
 a first housing portion;   a second housing portion;   a multi-directional ball joint moveably connecting the first and second housing portion;   a first set of conductive elements coupled to the first housing portion, each of the first set of conductive elements oriented in different directions; and   a second set of conductive elements coupled to the second housing portion each of the first set of conductive elements oriented in the different directions;   wherein:   a force applied to the first housing portion changes proximities between the first set of conductive elements and the second set of conductive elements proportional to an amount of the force;   the amount of the force is within a range of force amounts; and   the amount of force is estimated based on changes in capacitances between the first set of conductive elements and the second set of conductive elements resulting from the changes in the proximities.   
     
     
         22 . The force sensing input device of  claim 21 , further comprising a sensor that detects a location on the first housing portion where the force is applied. 
     
     
         23 . The force sensing input device of  claim 21 , wherein the first housing portion comprises a touch sensitive surface. 
     
     
         24 . The force sensing input device of  claim 21 , wherein a direction that the force is applied is determined using at least the changes in capacitances. 
     
     
         25 . The force sensing input device of  claim 21 , wherein the first set of conductive elements and the second set of conductive elements are positioned radially about the ball joint. 
     
     
         26 . The force sensing input device of  claim 21 , wherein the force sensing input device is a computer mouse. 
     
     
         27 . The force sensing input device of  claim 21 , wherein multi-directional ball joint is spring-loaded. 
     
     
         28 . A force sensing input device operable to provide input to a computing device, comprising:
 a first housing portion;   a second housing portion movably connected to the first housing portion;   a first conductive plate coupled to the first housing portion; and   a second conductive plate coupled to the second housing portion;   wherein:   a force applied to the first housing portion changes a capacitance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate proportional to an amount of the force; and   the amount of the force is estimated based on the change in the capacitance, the amount of the force being within a range of force amounts.   
     
     
         29 . The force sensing input device of  claim 28 , further comprising at least one feedback device. 
     
     
         30 . The force sensing input device of  claim 29 , wherein the feedback device provides feedback with an intensity that is dependent on the amount of the force. 
     
     
         31 . The force sensing input device of  claim 29 , wherein the feedback device provides:
 a first feedback if the amount of the force is a first force amount; and   a second feedback of a different intensity from the first feedback if the amount of the force is a second force amount.   
     
     
         32 . The force sensing input device of  claim 29 , wherein the feedback device provides:
 a first feedback upon occurrence of a first event on an electronic device in response to the amount of the force; and   a second feedback of a different intensity from the first feedback upon occurrence of a second event on the electronic device in response to the amount of the force.   
     
     
         33 . The force sensing input device of  claim 28 , wherein the capacitance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate increases as a separation distance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate decreases. 
     
     
         34 . A force sensing mouse, comprising:
 a first conductive housing portion;   a second conductive housing portion; and   a pivot movably connecting the first conductive housing portion and the second conductive housing portion;   wherein:   a force applied to the first conductive housing portion changes a capacitance between the first conductive housing portion and the second conductive housing portion proportional to an amount of the force; and   the amount of the force is determined based on the change in the capacitance, the amount of the force being within a range of force amounts.   
     
     
         35 . The force sensing mouse of  claim 34 , wherein the determined amount of the force is scaled based upon a detected location of where the force is applied. 
     
     
         36 . The force sensing mouse of  claim 34 , wherein the pivot is spring-loaded. 
     
     
         37 . The force sensing mouse of  claim 34 , wherein the pivot is spring-loaded against movement of the first conductive housing portion and the second conductive housing portion. 
     
     
         38 . The force sensing mouse of  claim 37 , wherein required force to move the first conductive housing portion and the second conductive housing portion increases during the movement. 
     
     
         39 . The force sensing mouse of  claim 34 , wherein first conductive housing portion approaches the second conductive housing portion when the force is applied. 
     
     
         40 . The force sensing mouse of  claim 34 , wherein a look-up table is used to correlate the change in the capacitance to the amount of force.