Ergonomic pointing device
First Claim
1. A pointing device for controlling an electronic device, comprising:
- a wheel that is arranged to provide a region of nonconductivity within a conductive inner surface of the wheel such that the region of nonconductivity orbits about the axis of rotation of the wheel in conjunction with rotation of the wheel;
a captivated shaft that is arranged within the wheel along the axis of rotation of the wheel and comprises switch contacts that are arranged to make and break contact with the conductive inner surface of the wheel in response to the region of nonconductivity orbiting about the captivated shaft; and
a frame that is arranged to captivate the captivated shaft such that the captivated shaft is prevented from rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ergonomic pointing device receives commands from a user for controlling an electronic device. The ergonomic pointing device generally comprises a shaft, a roller, and a frame. The shaft comprises a ground spring contact and two direction-sensing spring contacts. The roller is disposed around the shaft so that the roller is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The inside of the roller comprises a conductive surface that is arranged to remain in electrical contact with the ground spring contact of the shaft throughout the entire revolution of the roller. The conductive surface is also arranged to alternately make and break electrical contact with the direction-sensing spring contacts during an entire revolution of the roller such that the direction and speed of the revolution of the roller can be determined. The shaft is free to move along the Z-axis but not to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A pointing device for controlling an electronic device, comprising:
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a wheel that is arranged to provide a region of nonconductivity within a conductive inner surface of the wheel such that the region of nonconductivity orbits about the axis of rotation of the wheel in conjunction with rotation of the wheel;
a captivated shaft that is arranged within the wheel along the axis of rotation of the wheel and comprises switch contacts that are arranged to make and break contact with the conductive inner surface of the wheel in response to the region of nonconductivity orbiting about the captivated shaft; and
a frame that is arranged to captivate the captivated shaft such that the captivated shaft is prevented from rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20)
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11. A pointing device for controlling an electronic device, comprising:
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a wheel means for providing a region of nonconductivity within a conductive inner surface of the wheel means such that the region of nonconductivity orbits about the axis of rotation of the wheel means in conjunction with rotation of the wheel means;
a shaft means arranged within the wheel means along the axis of rotation of the wheel means and comprises switch contact means for making and breaking contact with the conductive inner surface of the wheel in response to the region of nonconductivity orbiting about the shaft means; and
a frame means that is arranged to captivate the shaft means such that the shaft means is prevented from rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the wheel means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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21. An electronic device, comprising:
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a wheel that is arranged to provide a region of nonconductivity within a conductive inner surface of the wheel such that the region of nonconductivity orbits about the axis of rotation of the wheel in conjunction with rotation of the wheel;
a captivated shaft that is arranged within the wheel along the axis of rotation of the wheel and comprises switch contacts that are arranged to make and break contact with the conductive inner surface of the wheel in response to the region of nonconductivity orbiting about the captivated shaft;
a frame that is arranged to captivate the captivated shaft such that the captivated shaft is prevented from rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the wheel; and
a processor that is arranged to receive electrical signals from the switch contacts. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification