Roller with tactile feedback

• US 6,809,727 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2001
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Kehlstadt, Florian M., Plancherel, Laurent, Merminod, Antoine, Piot, Julien, Merminod, Baptiste, Bidiville, Marc A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisen, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US09/934,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20030038774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/163-166, 345/184, 463/37, 744/69, 744/71
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A roller on a mouse or other input device imparts a resistance effect to a user with low power. The invention uses an autoblocking mechanism, such as a brake, which derives the force from the force of the user'"'"'s finger pushing against the autoblocking mechanism. In one embodiment, a braking mechanism using two small rollers biased against the bigger roller or wheel is used. As the user applies a turning force to the wheel, it wedges against one of the two small rollers, depending on the direction, providing the feeling of resistance to the user as the wheel is turned. In another embodiment of the invention, local feedback is provided on a ratchet-type effect. In another embodiment of the invention, feedback is provided through the roller even when the cause of the feedback is something other than the roller.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a sensor for detecting movement of at least a portion of said input device;

a wheel extending from said input device, said wheel being rotatably mounted about a wheel axis;

an autoblocking mechanism for providing resistance to a force from a user'"'"'s finger on said wheel, said resistance corresponding to an amount of force applied by said user'"'"'s finger, wherein said autoblocking mechanism comprises a brake shoe having a concave shape, such that when biased against said wheel by said actuator, said brake shoe contacts said wheel at a first point on said brake shoe, and upon the turning of said wheel by said user, a second point on said brake shoe contacts said wheel; and

an actuator, responsive to a control signal, for activating said autoblocking mechanism.

2. The input device of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a voicecoil connected to a pivot arm of said brake shoe, for tilting said brake shoe upon activation of said voicecoil.

3. The input device of claim 1 wherein said actuator tilts said brake shoe down when a user is rotating said wheel down toward said brake shoe, and tilts said brake show up when said user is rotating said wheel up toward said brake shoe.

4. The input device of claim 1 wherein said second point on said brake shoe has an angle to said wheel greater than a friction angle, such that excess force by said user rotating said wheel will cause said wheel to skip.

5. The input device of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises an electromagnet, said brake shoe has a shaft with an imbedded magnet, such that an interaction between said electromagnet and said shaft causes said shaft to rotate.

6. An input device comprising:

a sensor for detecting movement of at least a portion of said input device;

a wheel extending from said input device, said wheel being rotatably mounted about a wheel axis;

an autoblocking mechanism for providing resistance to a force from a user'"'"'s finger on said wheel, said resistance corresponding to an amount of force applied by said user'"'"'s finger, wherein said autoblocking mechanism comprises a plate positioned on an opposite side of said wheel from said user'"'"'s finger, said plate having first and second ribs positioned on opposite sides of said wheel, such that lateral movement of said plate causes one of said ribs to engage a periphery of said wheel; and

an actuator, responsive to a control signal, for activating said autoblocking mechanism.

7. The input device of claim 6 wherein said actuator comprises:

a coil and magnet arrangement at an opposite end of said plate from said ribs, one of said coil and magnet being connected to said plate.

8. An input device comprising:

a sensor for detecting movement of at least a portion of said input device;

a wheel extending from said input device, said wheel being rotatably mounted about a wheel axis;

a brake for providing a braking action on said wheel at a position on said wheel removed from said axis of said wheel;

an electromagnetic actuator, responsive to an open loop control signal, for biasing said brake against said wheel;

wherein said electromagnetic actuator and brake comprise;

a first electromagnet;

a first roller connected to said first electromagnet, and being positioned to engage said wheel upon activation of said first electromagnet;

a second electromagnet;

a second roller connected to said second electromagnet, and being positioned to engage said wheel upon activation of said second electromagnet;

said first roller is connected to said first electromagnet by a first lever arm such that said first roller contacts said wheel at a point above a line between an axis of said wheel and connection of said first lever arm to said first electromagnet; and

said second roller is connected to said second electromagnet by a second lever arm such that said second roller contacts said wheel at a point above a line between an axis of said wheel and connection of said second lever arm to said second electromagnet.