Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device

• US 6,064,370 A
• Filed: 06/05/1997
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KYE Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: KYE Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Arthur, Chien, Chin Huan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/869,802
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/163
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: B03B 5/623 Upward current classifiers
• CPC Class Codes: C12C 7/04 Preparation or treatment of the mash
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0332 Ergonomic shaped mouse adjustable to suit one of both hands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device, adapted to operate in a complex computer environment for handling computer file and application software selection and processing, includes a flywheel rotatably disposed inside the computer input device, a grating for detection the angular displacement of the flywheel representing the Z-axis movement and a position returning device for maintaining and returning the flywheel back to a default or home position.

Claims

1. A Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device, wherein said computer input device comprises a housing and a control circuit in a form of circuit board, said Z-axis flywheel control comprising:

a flywheel arranged inside said housing to be movable from a default position, comprising;

rotation support means for rotatably supporting said flywheel inside said housing to allow said flywheel to be angularly displaceable; and

a pair of opposite side wings, extending outward of said housing and each said side wing having an individual arc end member extending out of said housing through a corresponding one of a pair of opposite side slots formed on said housing, each arc end member having a through hole formed thereon to hold and expose a side switching device which is in electrical connection with said control circuit;

a grating mounted to said flywheel to be angularly displaceable in unison therewith;

a detecting means detector for detecting angular displacement of said grating; and

a positioning returning means, arranged between said housing and said rotation support means of said flywheel for maintaining and returning said flywheel back to said default position.

2. The Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side switching device comprises a push-button movably received within said hole of said arc end member of said side wing and a contact switch located in correspondence to said push-button to be engageable thereby;

also said contact switch is in electrical connection with said control circuit.

3. The Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an L/R selection switch exposed outside said housing and in electrical connection with said control circuit for alternatively switching between said two side switching devices.

4. A Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device, wherein said computer input device comprises a housing and a control circuit in a form of circuit board, said Z-axis flywheel control comprising:

a flywheel arranged inside said housing to be movable from a default position, comprising;

rotation support means for rotatably supporting said flywheel inside said housing to allow said flywheel to be angularly displaceable; and

at least one side wing, having an arc end member extending out of said housing through a side slot formed on said housing, and having a through hole formed thereon to hold and expose a side switching device which is in electrical connection with said control circuit;

a grating mounted to said flywheel to be angularly displaceable in unison therewith;

a detecting means for detecting angular displacement of said grating; and

a position returning means, arranged between said housing and said rotation support means of said flywheel for maintaining and returning said flywheel back to said default position.

5. The Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said side switching device comprises a push-button movably received within said hole of said arc end member of said side wing and a contact switch located in correspondence to said push-button to be engageable thereby;

also said contact switch is in electrical connection with said control circuit.

6. A Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device, wherein said computer input device comprises a housing and a control circuit in a form of circuit board, said Z-axis flywheel control comprising:

a flywheel arranged inside said housing to be movable from a default position, comprising;

rotation support means for rotatably supporting said flywheel inside said housing to allow said flywheel to be angularly displaceable; and

a plate, having two ends from which two side wings extend in an outward and downward inclined manner, and each said side wing having an individual arc end member partially extending out of said housing and having a through hole formed thereon to hold and expose a side switching device which is in electrical connection with said control circuit;

a grating mounted to said flywheel to be angularly displaceable in unison therewith;

a detecting means for detecting angular displacement of said grating; and

a position returning means, arranged between said housing and said rotation support means of said flywheel for maintaining and returning said flywheel back to said default position.

7. The Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said side switching device comprises a push-button movably received within said through hole of said arc end member of said respective side wing and a contact switch located in correspondence to said push-button to be engageable thereby;

also said contact switch is in electrical connection with the control circuit.

8. The Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an L/R selection switch exposed outside said housing and in electrical connection with said control circuit for alternatively switching between said two side switching devices.