Scroll Wheel Assembly for Scrolling an Image in Multiple Directions
First Claim
1. A computer input device for scrolling an image, the device comprising:
- a housing having an opening;
a finger-engagable control member provided within the housing and having a portion extending through the opening permitting user manipulation thereof, the finger-engagable control member being endlessly rotatable about a rotating axis extending within the housing and tiltable about a tilting axis;
a rotation sensor for sensing rotation of the finger-engagable control member; and
an optical tilt sensor for sensing tilting of the finger-engagable control member.
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 tiltable relative to the housing and the shaft. A sensor is preferably positioned within the housing for sensing tilting of the rotatable member. In response to sensed tilting movement of the rotatable member, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. 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 for scrolling an image, the device comprising:
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a housing having an opening; a finger-engagable control member provided within the housing and having a portion extending through the opening permitting user manipulation thereof, the finger-engagable control member being endlessly rotatable about a rotating axis extending within the housing and tiltable about a tilting axis; a rotation sensor for sensing rotation of the finger-engagable control member; and an optical tilt sensor for sensing tilting of the finger-engagable control member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system comprising:
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an input device for scrolling an image, the input device including; a housing; and a finger-engagable control member provided within the housing and having a portion extending through the opening permitting user manipulation thereof, the finger-engagable control member being endlessly rotatable about a rotating axis extending within the housing and tiltable about a tilting axis; a rotation sensor for sensing rotation of the finger-engagable control member; an optical tilt sensor for sensing tilting of the finger-engagable control member; and a controller in communication with the input device configured to generate a signal to scroll an image in a first direction responsive to rotation of the finger-engagable control member and to generate a signal to scroll an image in a second direction responsive to tilting of the finger-engagable control member, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer input device for scrolling an image, the device comprising:
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a housing having an opening; a finger-engagable control member provided within the housing and having a portion extending through the opening permitting user manipulation thereof, the finger-engagable control member being endlessly rotatable about a rotating axis extending within the housing and tiltable about a tilting axis; a carriage for housing at least a portion of the finger-engagable control member and being tiltable about the tilting axis; a shaft extending from the carriage; a light-blocking member coupled to the shaft; and a tilt sensor configured for sensing a position of the light blocking member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification