Input device including a wheel assembly for scrolling an image in multiple directions

• US 7,079,110 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ledbetter, Carl J., McLoone, Hugh E., Muss, Timothy Michael, Garcia, Gino, Lindhout, Daan, Adams, Aditha, Koo, James Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAO, LUN YI
• Application Number:
  US10/184,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20030025673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-169, 345684-688, 345784-788, 345/973, 345/184, 273/148.B, 463 37- 38, 715/973
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning

Abstract

A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first axis and the second axis may lie in a common plane or otherwise be close to one another to provide a large range of possible angular motion. A sensor is preferably positioned within the finger-engagable scrolling device for rotational movement of the rotational portion of the finger-engagable scrolling device. A pivot sensor may be provided on the second axis or laterally disposed from the scrolling device. A cover with an aperture may be provided over the scrolling device to help prevent dust and other contaminates from entering the housing through the opening for the scrolling device. The scrolling device may be contoured in a number of alternative ways to provide enhanced control and/or visual or tactile cues. In response to sensed pivotal movement of the scrolling device, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. The scrolling speed can be affected relative to the amount of displacement of the scrolling device and/or the amount of time that the scrolling device is displaced by a predetermined amount. The computer input device having the rotatable member may take the form of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball device, or another type of computer input device.

Claims

1. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening;

a finger-engagable control member provided within said housing and having a portion extending through said opening permitting user manipulation thereof, said finger-engagable control member having a first portion rotatable about an axis extending within the housing, and said finger-engagable control member being tiltable relative to said housing, said finger-engagable control member including opposed convex curved surfaces and a centrally disposed ring raised from the opposed convex curved surfaces;

a tilt sensing system that determines when said rotatable member is pivoted relative to the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axis; and

a rotation sensing system that determines when the first portion of said finger-engagable control member is rotated about the axis, the rotation sensing system including a sensor contained within the finger-engagable control member, said sensor including an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

2. The input device according to claim 1 wherein said input device is configured to provide a signal corresponding to vertical scrolling of an image when said rotatable member is rotated about the axis and to provide a signal corresponding to horizontal scrolling of an image when said rotatable member is pivoted relative to the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

3. The input device according to claim 1 wherein the outer contour of a portion of said finger-engagable control member that is exposed for manipulation substantially takes the form of a portion of a sphere which forms the opposed convex curved surfaces.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein said input device is a computer mouse.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the finger-engagable control member includes the centrally disposed ring.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein the first portion of the finger-engagable control member further includes one of said convex curved surfaces.

7. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening;

a finger-engagable control member provided within said housing and having a portion thereof extending through said opening for manipulation by a user, said finger-engagable control member comprising a stationary portion and a rotatable portion; and

a rotation sensor contained within an area generally defined by the stationary portion and the rotatable portion of the finger-engagable control members,

wherein the rotatable portion of said finger-engagable control member is endlessly rotatable about an axis of rotation, and said rotation sensor includes an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

8. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the rotatable portion has a concave inner section and the encoder is located within the concave inner section.

9. The input device according to claim 7, wherein said finger-engagable control member includes an area generally defined by the stationary portion, relative to an axis of rotation, and a portion rotatable about the axis and rotatable relative to the stationary portion.

10. The input device according to claim 9, wherein said stationary portion and said rotatable portion are pivotable together about a tilt axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

11. The input device of claim 10, further comprising a tilt sensor disposed outside of the finger-engagable control member.

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein said input device is a computer mouse.

13. The input device according to claim 11, wherein said computer input device is configured to provide a signal corresponding to vertical scrolling of an image when said rotatable member is rotated about the axis and to provide a signal corresponding to horizontal scrolling of an image when said rotatable member is pivoted relative to the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

14. The input device of claim 11, wherein said tilt sensor includes a potentiometer disposed along the tilt axis.

15. The input device of claim 11, further comprising a carriage pivotable with the finger-engagable control member, said carriage including laterally extending arms, wherein said tilt sensor includes a pair of contact sensors disposed on opposing lateral sides of the finger-engagable control member for being contacted by a respective arm when the finger-engagable control member is pivoted by a predetermined amount.

16. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening;

a scroll wheel assembly having a finger engaging portion exposed through said opening in the housing, said finger engaging portion including first and second portions exposed for manipulation, wherein said first portion is rotatably movable relative to the second portion;

a tilt sensor configured to sense the tilting of the finger-engagable control member; and

a rotation sensor contained between the first and second portions, the rotation sensor including an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the first portion.

17. The input device according to claim 16 wherein said first and second portions include annular bearing surfaces.

18. The input device according to claim 16, wherein said first and second portions are exposed for manipulation and tiltable together about a tilt axis, further comprising a biasing member urging said first and second portions to a predetermined position.

19. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening;

a finger-engagable scrolling member having a rotatable portion extending through the opening in the housing and being mounted relative to the housing to be endlessly rotatable about a first axis and tiltable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis wherein said second axis intersects the scrolling member;

a tilt sensor configured to sense the tilting of the finger-engagable control member; and

a rotation sensor having an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.

20. The input device according to claim 19 wherein the rotation of the scrolling member about the first axis provides a signal to scroll an image in a first direction and the tilting of the scrolling member provides a signal to scroll the image a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

21. The input device according to claim 20 further comprising a cover having an aperture therein, a portion of said scrolling member extending through said aperture, said scrolling member cover being movable with the scrolling member when tilted about the second axis.

22. The input device according to claim 19 wherein said scrolling member includes an outer contour with a circumferential finger-positioning groove therein.

23. The input device of claim 22, wherein said input device is a computer mouse.

24. The input device according to claim 19 wherein the first axis and the second axis lie in a common plane.

25. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening;

a finger-engagable scrolling member having a first portion extending through the opening in the housing and being mounted relative to the housing to be endlessly rotatable about a first axis and tiltable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis wherein said second axis intersects the scrolling member;

wherein said scrolling member is angularly movable about the second axis in a range of motion of at least of 10 degrees;

a tilt sensor configured to sense the tilting of the finger-engagable control member; and

a rotation sensor having an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.

26. The input device according to claim 25 wherein said scrolling member is angularly movable in a range of motion of at least 30 degrees.

27. The input device according to claim 26 wherein said scrolling member is angularly movable in a range of motion of at least 50 degrees.

28. The input device according to claim 26 further comprising a cover having an aperture therein, a portion of said scrolling member extending through said aperture, said scrolling cover being movable with the scrolling member when tilted about the second axis.

29. The input device according to claim 28, further comprising a biasing member urging said scrolling member to a predetermined position.

30. The input device according to claim 29, wherein the biasing member is a torsion spring.

31. The input device according to claim 29, wherein the biasing member is a tension spring.

32. The input device according to claim 29 wherein the first axis and the second axis lie in a common plane.

33. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening; and

a scrolling assembly including a finger-engagable scrolling member, a carriage, and an assembly carrier, said finger-engagable scrolling member having a first portion extending through the opening in the housing and being endlessly rotatable relative to the carriage about a first axis, said carriage being tiltable with the finger-engagable scrolling member relative to the assembly carrier about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and said assembly carrier being movable within the housing with said finger-engagable scrolling member and said carriage; and

a rotation sensor having an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.

34. The input device according to claim 33, wherein said assembly carrier is pivotally movable within the housing with said finger-engagable scrolling member and said carriage.

35. The input device according to claim 34 wherein the first axis and the second axis lie in a common plane.

36. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening;

a finger-engagable scrolling member having a rotatable portion extending through the opening in the housing and being mounted relative to the housing to be endlessly rotatable about a first axis and tiltable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis;

a tilt sensor configured to sense the tilting of the finger-engagable control member;

a cover having an aperture therein, said portion of said scrolling member extends through said aperture, said scrolling cover being movable with the scrolling member when tilted about the second axis; and

a rotation sensor having an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.

37. The input device according to claim 36 wherein the rotatable portion rotates relative to said cover.

38. The input device according to claim 36 wherein the cover includes a convex and curved outer contour on opposing sides of the scrolling member.

39. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening;

a finger-engagable control member provided within said housing and having a portion thereof extending through said opening for manipulation by a user;

a rotation sensor contained within an area generally defined by the stationary portion and the rotatable portion of the finger-engagable control member; and

said finger-engagable control member having a portion endlessly rotatable about an axis of rotation, and said rotation sensor having an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

40. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:

a housing having at least one opening;

a finger-engagable control member having a rotatable portion extending through the opening in the housing and being mounted relative to the housing to be endlessly rotatable about a first axis and tiltable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and displaceable in a direction into the housing; and

a sensor arrangement for determining (i) rotation about the first axis, (ii) tilt about the second axis and (iii) displacement into the housing, said sensor arrangement having an encoder that transmits light in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.