Scroll wheel assembly for scrolling an image in multiple directions
First Claim
1. A computer input device, comprising:
- a scroll wheel; and
a ball joint, said scroll wheel coupled to the ball joint permitting movement of the scroll wheel with the ball joint in a first direction and movement of the scroll wheel with respect to the ball joint in a second direction different from the first direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A scroll wheel assembly for computer input device having a housing. The scroll wheel assembly includes a housing and an engagable scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is rotatable with a shaft to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scroll wheel is laterally pivotable relative to the housing and the shaft. A ball joint is used to couple the scroll wheel to the shaft and permit this functional arrangement. A sensor is preferably positioned within the housing for sensing lateral movement of the rotatable member. In response to sensed lateral pivotable movement of the rotatable member, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. The scrolling speed can be affected relative to the amount of displacement of the rotatable member and/or the amount of time that the rotatable member is displaced a predetermined amount. The computer input device having the rotatable member may take the form of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball device, or another type of computer input device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer input device, comprising:
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a scroll wheel; and
a ball joint, said scroll wheel coupled to the ball joint permitting movement of the scroll wheel with the ball joint in a first direction and movement of the scroll wheel with respect to the ball joint in a second direction different from the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20)
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13. A computer input device, comprising:
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a scroll wheel;
a rotational axle forming an axis of rotation for the scroll wheel;
wherein said scroll wheel is coupled to the axle such that a rotational force applied to the scroll wheel will cause the axle to rotate with the scroll wheel and that a lateral force applied to the scroll wheel will cause the scroll wheel to pivot relative to the axle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer input device, comprising:
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a housing, said housing having an aperture therein;
a scroll wheel disposed within the housing and having a portion extending through the aperture permitting endless rotational and limited tilting movement of the scroll wheel relative to the housing;
a rotational axle;
wherein said scroll wheel is coupled to the axle such that a rotational force applied to the scroll wheel will cause the axle to rotate with the scroll wheel and that a lateral force applied to the scroll wheel will cause the scroll wheel to pivot relative to the axle;
means for sensing the rotation of the scroll wheel;
means for sensing the angular displacement of the scroll wheel. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification