Remote scroll wheel sensing using a cable
First Claim
1. An input device for scrolling an image relative to a display screen, the input device comprising:
- a scroll wheel;
a flexible cable; and
an encoder wheel mechanically coupled to the scroll wheel by the flexible cable to induce rotation of the encoder wheel in response to the rotation of the scroll wheel, wherein the scroll wheel is mounted on a first axle and the encoder wheel is mounted on a second axle, a rotational axis of the first axle being offset in a range of 45°
to 135°
from a rotational axis of the second axle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scrolling apparatus is disclosed that includes a rotatable scroll wheel and a sensor assembly coupled mechanically through a flexible cable. The sensor assembly has an encoder wheel that rotates in response to rotation of the scroll wheel. The rotational axis of the encoder wheel is axially displaced from the rotational axis of scroll wheel, and the diameter of the encoder wheel may be greater than the diameter of a conventional encoder wheel. The differences in diameter of the scroll wheel and encoder wheel may be utilized to provide the scrolling apparatus with relatively high resolution. In addition, the flexible cable permits the scroll wheel to be mounted within a tilting mechanism.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An input device for scrolling an image relative to a display screen, the input device comprising:
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a scroll wheel; a flexible cable; and an encoder wheel mechanically coupled to the scroll wheel by the flexible cable to induce rotation of the encoder wheel in response to the rotation of the scroll wheel, wherein the scroll wheel is mounted on a first axle and the encoder wheel is mounted on a second axle, a rotational axis of the first axle being offset in a range of 45°
to 135°
from a rotational axis of the second axle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An input device comprising:
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a housing having at least one aperture therein; a scroll wheel having a substantially circular configuration such that a portion of the scroll wheel extends through the aperture and is accessible for rotational manipulation by a user; a flexible cable having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, the first end portion being angularly-displaced in a range of 45°
to 135°
relative to the second end portion; andan encoder wheel, wherein the first end portion of the flexible cable is mechanically coupled to the scroll wheel and the second end portion of the cable is mechanically coupled to the encoder wheel and the flexible cable being configured to rotate the encoder wheel in response to rotation of the scroll wheel.
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19. An input device comprising:
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a housing having at least one aperture therein, a scroll wheel having a substantially circular configuration such that a portion of the scroll wheel extends through the aperture and is accessible for endless rotational manipulation by a user; a flexible cable having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, the first end portion being angularly-displaced in a range of 45°
to 135°
relative to the second end portion; andan encoder wheel, wherein the first end portion of the flexible cable is mechanically coupled to the scroll wheel and the second end portion of the cable is mechanically coupled to the encoder wheel and the flexible cable being configured to rotate the encoder wheel by transferring torsional force induced by rotation of the scroll wheel to the encoder wheel; and a light source and a light sensor positioned on opposite sides of the encoder wheel configured to detect rotation of the encoder wheel; wherein the input device is one of a mouse, a trackball, and a keyboard.
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Specification