Input device roller with hybrid magnetic ratchet system
First Claim
1. A user input device for interfacing with a host computer, comprising:
- a rotatable wheel mounted in said input device, said wheel being rotatable by a finger of a user;
a wheel sensor mounted in said input device and providing a wheel signal to said host computer indicating a rotary position of said wheel;
a permanent magnet mounted in said device;
an electromagnet mounted adjacent said permanent magnet; and
a rotor made of a material which will magnetically interact with said permanent magnet and said electromagnet and coupled to said rotatable wheel and operative, in conjunction with at least one of said magnets, to provide a ratchet force to said rotatable wheel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rotatable wheel for an input device which interfaces with a computer. The input device includes both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. A rotor of material which will magnetically interact with the permanent magnet and electromagnet is coupled to the rotatable wheel. The permanent magnet and electromagnet can be used to control a ratchet force applied to the rotatable wheel. In an alternate embodiment, a rotatable wheel with a flywheel is engaged with a roller. A ratchet wheel can be intermittently engaged with the flywheel to provide a ratchet force. By disengaging the ratchet wheel, the flywheel can be allowed to spin, providing momentum to allow for easier scrolling in certain conditions, such as for scrolling through a long document.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A user input device for interfacing with a host computer, comprising:
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a rotatable wheel mounted in said input device, said wheel being rotatable by a finger of a user; a wheel sensor mounted in said input device and providing a wheel signal to said host computer indicating a rotary position of said wheel; a permanent magnet mounted in said device; an electromagnet mounted adjacent said permanent magnet; and a rotor made of a material which will magnetically interact with said permanent magnet and said electromagnet and coupled to said rotatable wheel and operative, in conjunction with at least one of said magnets, to provide a ratchet force to said rotatable wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. user input device for interfacing with a host computer, comprising:
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a rotatable wheel mounted in said input device, said wheel being rotatable by a finger of a user; a wheel sensor mounted in said input device and providing a wheel signal to said host computer indicating a rotary position of said wheel; a permanent magnet mounted in said device; an electromagnet mounted adjacent said permanent magnet; a rotor made of a material which will magnetically interact with said permanent magnet and said electromagnet and coupled to said rotatable wheel and operative, in conjunction with at least one of said magnets, to provide a ratchet force to said rotatable wheel; an axle connecting said rotor to said wheel; a planetary gear attached to and end of said axle, said planetary gear engaging a gear-toothed inside of said wheel; and a control circuit configured to energize said electromagnet to provide a combined magnetic field from said permanent magnet and said electromagnet which is larger than a magnetic field from said permanent magnet alone; wherein said control circuit is further configured to energize said electromagnet to at least partially cancel a magnetic field from said permanent magnet.
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10. A user input device for interfacing with a host computer, comprising:
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a rotatable wheel mounted in said input device, said wheel being rotatable by a finger of a user; a wheel sensor mounted in said input device and providing a wheel signal to said host computer indicating a rotary position of said wheel; a flywheel mounted in engagement with said rotatable wheel; and a ratchet wheel mounted for intermittent engagement with said flywheel. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A user input device for interfacing with a host computer, comprising:
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a rotatable wheel mounted in said input device, said wheel being rotatable by a finger of a user; a wheel sensor mounted in said input device and providing a wheel signal to said host computer indicating a rotary position of said wheel; a flywheel mounted in engagement with said rotatable wheel, wherein said flywheel is metal with a rubber tire mounted on its circumference; a ratchet wheel mounted for intermittent engagement with said flywheel; wherein said ratchet wheel is oval shaped such that it pushes against said flywheel with different forces as the oval rotates; a spring for biasing said ratchet wheel against said flywheel; and a solenoid mounted to engage said ratchet wheel with said flywheel.
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18. A user input device for interfacing with a host computer, comprising:
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a rotatable wheel mounted in said input device, said wheel being rotatable by a finger of a user; a wheel sensor mounted in said input device and providing a wheel signal to said host computer indicating a rotary position of said wheel; an electro-permanent magnet mounted in said device; and a rotor made of a material which will magnetically interact with said electro-permanent magnet and coupled to said rotatable wheel and operative, in conjunction with said electro-permanent magnet, to provide a force to said rotatable wheel. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A user input device for interfacing with a host computer, comprising:
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a rotatable wheel mounted in said input device, said wheel being rotatable by a finger of a user; a wheel sensor mounted in said input device and providing a wheel signal to said host computer indicating a rotary position of said wheel; a permanent magnet mounted in said device; a keeper mounted adjacent said permanent maget; an actuator coupled to said keeper so that said keeper can be moved over said permanent magnet to constrain the flux from said permanent magnet, and can be removed from said permanent magnet to allow said flux to escape; and a rotor made of a material which will magnetically interact with said permanent magnet and coupled to said rotatable wheel and operative, in conjunction with said magnets, to provide a force to said rotatable wheel. - View Dependent Claims (21, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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22. A roller wheel for use in a user input device comprising
a roller wheel body; -
at least a first coil rotationally coupled to the roller wheel body; and a set of magnets coupled to the roller wheel body and configured to rotate with the roller wheel body, and rotate relative to the coil; wherein current is configured to be driven through the coil to provide magnetic interaction between the coil and the magnet to provide a ratcheting force as the roller wheel body is rotated.
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Specification