Gimballed scroll wheel

• US 20080088596A1
• Filed: 06/18/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Dinh, Richard H., Rothkopf, Fletcher, Prest, Christopher D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,274,479 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

An input device that includes both a movement detector, such as mechanical switch, and positional indicator, such as touch pad touch screen, and/or touch sensing housing is disclosed. These two input devices can be used substantially simultaneously to provide a command to the device. In this manner, different commands can be associated with depressing a moveable member in different areas and a single moveable member can perform like several buttons.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a moveable platform comprising a location detector configured to detect the location of an object relative to the platform and configured to move between a first position and at least a second position,

a flexible member centrally positioned relative to the platform and configured to bias the platform toward the first position, and

a movement detector configured to detect movement of the platform.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to generate a command associated with the location of an object relative to the platform and the movement of the platform.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable platform comprises a touch pad or touch screen configured to detect the location of an object in contact with the platform.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable platform comprises a display device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member comprises a dome.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member comprises a switch configured to detect movement of the platform.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a portable device.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one of a media player, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a cellular phone, or a remote control.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the platform comprises multiple zones and the processor is configured to generate a command associated with a zone in which the force is applied.

10. A device comprising:

a platform,

a frame, the platform configured to gimbal relative to the frame,

a location detector configured to detect a location of an object relative to the platform,

a movement detector configured to detect relative movement between the platform and the frame, and

a processor configured to generate a command associated with the location of the object relative to the platform and the relative movement between the platform and the frame.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a flexible member centrally positioned relative to the platform and configured to flexibly support the platform.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the location detector and the platform are structurally joined.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the location detector comprises at least one sensor.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the location detector comprises a touchpad.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the location detector comprises a touch screen.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the movement detector comprises a mechanical switch.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein the device comprises a portable device.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein the platform comprises multiple zones and the processor is configured to generate a command associated with the location of the object relative to the zone.

19. The device of claim 10, wherein the device comprises at least one of a media player, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a cellular phone, or a remote control.

20. A device comprising:

a first flexible member and a second flexible member;

a rigid platform positioned between the first flexible member and the second flexible member;

a first input area configured to apply a force to the rigid platform and to flex the first flexible member when pressed;

a second input area configured to flex the second flexible member when pressed; and

a first movement detector configured to detect a movement of the first input area and a second movement detector configured to detect a movement of the second input area.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are centrally positioned with respect to the first input area.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the first input area comprises a location detector configured to detect the location of an object relative to the first input area.

23. The device of claim 21, further comprising a processor configured to generate a command associated with the location of an object relative to the first input area and the movement of the first input area.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the first input area comprises multiple zones and the processor is configured to generate a command associated with a zone in which the force is applied.

25. The device of claim 20, wherein the flexible member and the second flexible member each comprise a dome.

26. The device of claim 20, wherein the device comprises a portable device.

27. The device of claim 20, wherein the device comprises at least one of a media player, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a cellular phone, or a remote control.