Input device including a scroll wheel assembly for manipulating an image in multiple directions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for manipulating an image on a display device screen, comprising:
- an input device in communication with the display device screen, the input device including a housing having an opening defined therein;
an actuator positioned within the input device and at least partially protruding through the opening, the actuator having at least two actuated conditions in which distinguishable signals are generated;
a rotational member surrounding the actuator and at least partially protruding through the opening, the rotational member being rotatable with respect to the housing and continuously rotatable through multiple complete revolutions;
an encoder for encoding amounts by which the rotational member is rotated, wherein the actuator has a limited range of motion, the actuator is engageable independent of the rotational member; and
a cylindrical portion wherein the rotational member rotates about the cylindrical portion and the actuator is positioned at least partially inside the cylindrical portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scroll wheel assembly includes a rotatable member. Encoded rotation of the rotating member causes scrolling of an image on a display screen along an axis. An actuator is located within the rotational member. Pressure on different parts of the actuator causes scrolling of the image in opposing directions along a second axis. Pressure upon additional parts of the actuator can provide additional screen functions. Functions and commands caused by manipulation of the rotatable member or actuator may also be programmable.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A device for manipulating an image on a display device screen, comprising:
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an input device in communication with the display device screen, the input device including a housing having an opening defined therein;
an actuator positioned within the input device and at least partially protruding through the opening, the actuator having at least two actuated conditions in which distinguishable signals are generated;
a rotational member surrounding the actuator and at least partially protruding through the opening, the rotational member being rotatable with respect to the housing and continuously rotatable through multiple complete revolutions;
an encoder for encoding amounts by which the rotational member is rotated, wherein the actuator has a limited range of motion, the actuator is engageable independent of the rotational member; and
a cylindrical portion wherein the rotational member rotates about the cylindrical portion and the actuator is positioned at least partially inside the cylindrical portion. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32)
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2. A device for manipulating an image on a display device screen, comprising:
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an input device in communication with the display device screen, the input device including a housing having an opening defined therein;
an actuator positioned within the input device and at least partially protruding through the opening, the actuator having at least two actuated conditions in which distinguishable signals are generated; and
a rotational member surrounding the actuator and at least partially protruding through the opening, the rotational member being rotatable with respect to the housing and continuously rotatable through multiple complete revolutions, wherein the input device is configured such that;
placement of the actuator in a first actuated condition scrolls the image to the left, placement of the actuator in a second actuated condition scrolls the image to the right, rotation of the rotational member in a first direction scrolls the image up, and rotation of the rotational member in a second direction scrolls the image down. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer mouse, comprising:
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a housing sized and configured for manual movement by a user across a work surface so as to permit a corresponding movement of a cursor on a computer display, the housing having;
an upper surface for contact with a hand of a user and a lower surface for contact with the work surface, and an opening defined therein;
a scroll wheel having a circumference, the scroll wheel;
protruding through the opening in the housing and exposing the entire circumference, and being continuously rotatable, with respect to the housing, through multiple complete revolutions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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13. A computer mouse, comprising:
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a housing sized and configured for manual movement by a user across a work surface so as to permit a corresponding movement of a cursor on a computer display, the housing having an upper surface for contact with a hand of a user and a lower surface for contact with the work surface, and an opening defined therein;
a scroll wheel protruding through the opening in the housing and being continuously rotatable, with respect to the housing, through multiple complete revolutions; and
a switch located within the scroll wheel, wherein the switch is exposed for engagement independent of the scroll wheel, the opening is defined in the housing so as to be located between the thumb and index finger of a user hand positioned on the upper surface, force exerted upon a first location on the switch generates a first switch signal, force exerted upon a second location on the switch generates a second switch signal, rotation of the scroll wheel in a first direction generates a first rotational signal, and rotation of the scroll wheel in a second direction generates a second rotational signal. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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14. A computer mouse, comprising:
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a housing sized and configured for manual movement by a user across a work surface so as to permit a corresponding movement of a cursor on a computer display, the housing having an upper surface for contact with a hand of a user and a lower surface for contact with the work surface, and an opening defined therein;
a scroll wheel having a circumference, the scroll wheel protruding through the opening in the housing and exposing multiple locations distributed throughout the circumference, and being continuously rotatable, with respect to the housing, through multiple complete revolutions; and
a switch located within the scroll wheel, wherein the opening is defined in the housing so as to be located between the thumb and index finger of a user hand positioned on the upper surface, force exerted upon a first location on the switch generates a first switch signal, force exerted upon a second location on the switch generates a second switch signal, rotation of the scroll wheel in a first direction generates a first rotational signal, rotation of the scroll wheel in a second direction generates a second rotational signal, the first switch signal scrolls an image on a display device screen in a first direction along a first axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device, the second switch signal scrolls an image in a second direction along the first axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device, the first rotational signal scrolls an image in a first direction along a second axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device, and the second rotational signal scrolls an image in a second direction along the second axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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18-19. -19. (canceled)
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30. (canceled)
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34. A computer mouse for manipulating an image on a display screen, comprising:
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a first input control continuously rotatable through multiple complete revolutions;
an encoder to enable sensing of rotational movement amounts as the first input control is rotated; and
a second input control having a user engageable movable member located within the first input control and exposed for user manipulation independent of the first input control, the second input control being biased toward a predetermined position. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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35. (canceled)
Specification