Coordinate input device having rotating bodies capable of rotating in a direction normal to the rotation of a wheel

• US 7,142,193 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2000
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Inventors: Hayama, Masanobu, Nakamura, Shuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Application Number:
  US09/478,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20020180701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,517 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/166, 345/156, 345/157, 345/165, 341/20
• US Class Current: 345/163
• 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 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A coordinate input device comprising a wheel operable through rotation includes a plurality of rotating bodies disposed along a circumferential edge of the wheel for rotation and a rotating body rotating state detection means for detecting the rotating state of the rotating bodies.

Claims

1. A coordinate input device having a polygonal wheel having plural sides, as a circumferential edge thereof, and which is rotatable about a first axis, comprising:

a plurality of rotating bodies, each of the rotating bodies disposed along a corresponding one of the plural sides and rotating along with the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel about the first axis and each of the rotating bodies rotatable about the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel as a second axis, which is different from the first axis such that the polygonal wheel and the plurality of rotating bodies rotate about the first axis;

rotating body rotating state detection means for detecting a rotating state of said rotating bodies;

wheel rotating state detection means for detecting a rotating state of said polygonal wheel;

a format change-over switch; and

data transmission means for transmitting information detected by each of said respective detection means as a set of operation instructions for a computer and adapted to effect transmission in a first format when said format change-over switch is not depressed and to effect another transmission in a second format when said format change-over switch is depressed.

2. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coordinate input device has a left click switch as a first switch and a right click switch as a second switch, said coordinate input device further comprising:

a third switch disposed as a lower portion of said polygonal wheel;

a wheel support portion having a construction to support said polygonal wheel and to allow said polygonal wheel to slide and adapted to drive said third switch by depressing said polygonal wheel downwardly; and

third switch operating state detection means for detecting the operating state of said third switch.

3. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said wheel support portion further comprises a ratchet construction on a side of said polygonal wheel, and wherein

said polygonal wheel is adapted to fit in said ratchet construction.

4. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein

an inner wall at a center of said respective rotating bodies through which said circumferential edge of said polygonal wheel is put has a locking construction, and wherein

said circumferential edge of said polygonal wheel is adapted to fit in a second locking construction.

5. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rotating body is of a cylindrical configuration.

6. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rotating body is of a spherical configuration.

7. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a surface of said rotating bodies is covered with a slip preventive material.

8. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a recess is formed in a surface of said rotating bodies.

9. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coordinate input device further comprises:

ball moving state detection means for detecting a moving state of a ball; and

click switch operating state detection means for detecting an operating state of a click switch.

10. A coordinate input device having a polygonal wheel having plural sides, as a circumferential edge thereof, and which is rotatable about a first axis, comprising:

a plurality of rotating bodies, each of the rotating bodies disposed along a corresponding one of the plural sides and rotating along with the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel about the first axis and each of the rotating bodies rotatable about the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel as a second axis, which is different from the first axis such that the polygonal wheel and the plurality of rotating bodies rotate about the first axis;

ball moving state detection means for detecting a moving state of a ball;

click switch operating state detection means for detecting an operating state of a click switch;

wheel rotating state detection means for detecting a rotating state of said polygonal wheel;

a format change-over switch; and

data transmission means for transmitting respective pieces of information detected by said respective detection means as a set of operation instructions for a computer and adapted to effect transmission in a first format when said format change-over switch is not depressed and to effect another transmission in a second format when said format change-over switch is depressed.

11. A coordinate input device having a polygonal wheel having plural sides, as a circumferential edge thereof, and which is rotatable about a first axis, comprising:

a plurality of rotating bodies, each of the rotating bodies disposed along a corresponding one of the plural sides and rotating along with the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel about the first axis and each of the rotating bodies rotatable about the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel as a second axis, which is different from the first axis such that the polygonal wheel and the plurality of rotating bodies rotate about the first axis;

rotating body rotating state detection means for detecting a rotating state of said rotating bodies;

a wheel rotating state detection unit detecting a rotating state of said polygonal wheel;

a format change-over switch; and

a data transmission unit transmitting information detected by each of said respective detection units as a set of operation instructions for a computer and adapted to effect transmission in a first format when said format change-over switch is not depressed and to effect another transmission in a second format when said format change-over switch is depressed.

12. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said coordinate input device has a left click switch as a first switch and a right click switch as a second switch, said coordinate input device further comprising:

a third switch disposed as a lower portion of said polygonal wheel;

a wheel support portion to support said polygonal wheel and to allow said polygonal wheel to slide and adapted to drive said third switch by depressing said polygonal wheel downwardly; and

a third switch operating state detection unit detecting the operating state of said third switch.

13. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said wheel support portion further comprises a ratchet construction on a side of said polygonal wheel, and wherein said polygonal wheel is adapted to fit in said ratchet construction.

14. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein an inner wall at a center of said respective rotating bodies through which said circumferential edge of said polygonal wheel is put has a locking construction, and wherein said circumferential edge of said polygonal wheel is adapted to fit in a second locking construction.

15. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said rotating body is of a cylindrical configuration.

16. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said rotating body is of a spherical configuration.

17. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein a surface of said rotating bodies is covered with a slip preventive material.

18. The coordinate input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein a recess is formed in a surface of said rotating bodies.

19. A coordinate input device having a polygonal wheel having plural sides, as a circumferential edge thereof, and which is rotatable about a first axis, comprising:

a plurality of rotating bodies, each of the rotating bodies disposed along a corresponding one of the plural sides and rotating along with the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel about the first axis and each of the rotating bodies rotatable about the corresponding one of the plural sides of said polygonal wheel as a second axis, which is different from the first axis such that the polygonal wheel and the plurality of rotating bodies rotate about the first axis;

a rotating body rotating state detection unit detecting a rotating state of said rotating bodies;

a ball moving state detection unit detecting a moving state of a ball;

a click switch operating state detection unit detecting an operating state of a click switch;

a wheel rotating state detection unit detecting a rotating state of said polygonal wheel;

a format change-over switch; and

a data transmission unit transmitting respective pieces of information detected by said respective detection units as a set of operation instructions for a computer and adapted to effect transmission in a first format when said format change-over switch is not depressed and to effect another transmission in a second format when said format change-over switch is depressed.