MAGNETIC ROTARY SYSTEM FOR INPUT DEVICES
First Claim
1. A wheel assembly for use in an input device, the wheel assembly comprising:
- a wheel;
a magnet coupled to the wheel, wherein the coupling is such that the magnet rotates with the wheel; and
a magnetic sensor for measuring the absolute position of the magnet, wherein the sensor provides signals triggered by rotation of the wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention include a roller for an input device, where the roller'"'"'s absolute angular position is measured by a magnetic encoder. A magnet is attached to the roller, possibly inside the roller so as to make the embodiment more compact. In one embodiment, the magnetization is simple and low cost. Further, tight tolerances are not required, and such a system is easy to manufacture. In one embodiment, the sensor is covered by any non-ferromagnetic material, to protect it from foreign particles, and to reduce ESD. In one embodiment, the wheel consumes much less power than conventional wheels in input devices. In one embodiment, the tilting of the wheel is measured using the same sensor that is used for measuring the rotation of the wheel. In one embodiment, a ratcheting feel provided to the user when rotating the wheel is synchronized with the rotation signal.
976 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A wheel assembly for use in an input device, the wheel assembly comprising:
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a wheel; a magnet coupled to the wheel, wherein the coupling is such that the magnet rotates with the wheel; and a magnetic sensor for measuring the absolute position of the magnet, wherein the sensor provides signals triggered by rotation of the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for measuring rotation and tilt of a wheel in an input device, the wheel having a magnet coupled to it, wherein the input device includes a sensor for measuring a magnetic field generated by the magnet, the method comprising:
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measuring the amplitude of the magnetic field sequentially in a plurality of directions; determining a direction of the magnetic field based upon the measurement; generating a first signal based upon a direction of the magnetic field; determining a value of an amplitude of the first signal; and generating a second signal based upon the amplitude of the first signal, wherein the first signal provides information regarding rotation of the wheel, and the second signal provides information regarding tilt of the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of manufacture of a wheel assembly for use in an input device, the method comprising:
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positioning a wheel within a wheel support, such that the wheel is rotatable by a user'"'"'s finger; coupling a magnet to the wheel, wherein the coupling is such that the magnet rotates with the wheel; and positioning a magnetic sensor in the proximity of the wheel, wherein the magnetic sensor measures the absolute position of the magnet, and wherein the sensor provides signals triggered by rotation of the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification