Button simulating rotation of input device roller
First Claim
1. An input device comprising:
- a housing;
a user-movable roller having an exposed portion exposed from the housing, the roller being rotatable in a first rotational direction to generate first rotational signals; and
a first user-manipulable button exposed from the housing for contact by a user and configured to simulate rotation of the roller in the first rotational direction and to generate the first rotational signals when pressed and maintained in a pressed position;
wherein the roller is rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction to generate second rotational signals, and further comprising a second user-manipulable button exposed from the housing for contact by the user and configured to simulate rotation of the roller in the second rotational direction and generate the second rotational signals when pressed and maintained in a pressed position;
wherein the first and second buttons are disposed on opposite sides of the roller;
wherein the first and second buttons are disposed on a pivoting member pivotable relative to the housing around an axis parallel to an axis of rotation of the roller, the pivoting member pivoting in a first direction when the first button is pressed to activate a first switch to generate the first rotational signals, the pivoting member pivoting in a second direction when the second button is pressed to activate a second switch to generate the second rotational signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input device comprises a housing, and a user-movable roller having an exposed portion exposed from the housing. The roller is rotatable in a first rotational direction to generate first rotational signals. A first user-manipulable button is exposed from the housing for contact by a user and configured to simulate rotation of the roller in the first rotational direction and to generate the first rotational signals when pressed and maintained in a pressed position. In some embodiments, the roller is rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction to generate second rotational signals. A second user-manipulable button is exposed from the housing for contact by the user and configured to simulate rotation of the roller in the second rotational direction and generate the second rotational signals when pressed and maintained in a pressed position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a housing; a user-movable roller having an exposed portion exposed from the housing, the roller being rotatable in a first rotational direction to generate first rotational signals; and a first user-manipulable button exposed from the housing for contact by a user and configured to simulate rotation of the roller in the first rotational direction and to generate the first rotational signals when pressed and maintained in a pressed position; wherein the roller is rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction to generate second rotational signals, and further comprising a second user-manipulable button exposed from the housing for contact by the user and configured to simulate rotation of the roller in the second rotational direction and generate the second rotational signals when pressed and maintained in a pressed position; wherein the first and second buttons are disposed on opposite sides of the roller; wherein the first and second buttons are disposed on a pivoting member pivotable relative to the housing around an axis parallel to an axis of rotation of the roller, the pivoting member pivoting in a first direction when the first button is pressed to activate a first switch to generate the first rotational signals, the pivoting member pivoting in a second direction when the second button is pressed to activate a second switch to generate the second rotational signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An input device comprising:
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a user-movable roller configured to be contacted and rotated by a user in a first rotational direction to generate first rotational signals and in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction to generate second rotational signals; a first user-manipulable button configured to be contacted by a user; a second user-manipulable button configured to be contacted by the user; and pivoting means for supporting the first and second user-manipulable buttons, the pivoting means being pivotable around an axis parallel to an axis of rotation of the roller to activate a first switch when the first button is pressed and maintained in a pressed position to simulate rotation of the roller in the first rotational direction and to generate the first rotational signals, and to activate a second switch when the second button is pressed and maintained in a pressed position to simulate rotation of the roller in the first rotational direction and to generate the first rotational signals; wherein the first and second buttons are disposed on opposite sides of the roller. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An input device comprising:
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a housing; a user-movable roller having an exposed portion exposed from the housing, the roller being rotatable in a first rotational direction to generate first rotational signals; and a first user-manipulable button exposed from the housing for contact by a user and configured to simulate rotation of the roller in the first rotational direction and to generate the first rotational signals when pressed and maintained in a pressed position; wherein the roller is rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction to generate second rotational signals, and further comprising a second user-manipulable button exposed from the housing for contact by the user and configured to simulate rotation of the roller in the second rotational direction and generate the second rotational signals when pressed and maintained in a pressed position; wherein the first and second buttons are disposed on opposite sides of the roller; wherein the first button is disposed on a first cantilever member having an end fixed to the housing and is movable relative to the fixed end of the first cantilever member, and wherein the second button is disposed on a second cantilever member having an end fixed to the housing and is movable relative to the fixed end of the second cantilever member; and wherein the first and second cantilever members are formed from a single cantilever structure and having a common fixed end which is fixed to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification