Input device including a wheel assembly for scrolling an image in multiple directions
First Claim
1. 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 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, the first portion having a first annular surface comprising a radial inner surface; and
a second portion comprising a second annular surface comprising a radial outer peripheral surface, the radial inner surface of the first annular surface overlapping the radial outer peripheral surface of the second annular surface to form interfacing annular surfaces, the first portion being rotatable with respect to the second portion;
said finger-engagable control member being tiltable relative to said housing, said finger-engagable control member including a centrally disposed ring raised from the interfacing annular surfaces; and
a tilt sensing system that determines when said control member, including its first and second portions, is pivoted relative to the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axis.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
71 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:
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a housing having at least one opening; and 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, the first portion having a first annular surface comprising a radial inner surface; and a second portion comprising a second annular surface comprising a radial outer peripheral surface, the radial inner surface of the first annular surface overlapping the radial outer peripheral surface of the second annular surface to form interfacing annular surfaces, the first portion being rotatable with respect to the second portion; said finger-engagable control member being tiltable relative to said housing, said finger-engagable control member including a centrally disposed ring raised from the interfacing annular surfaces; and a tilt sensing system that determines when said control member, including its first and second portions, is pivoted relative to the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:
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a housing having at least one opening; a finger-engagable control member having a non-rotatable portion and a rotatable portion, the finger-engagable control member being provided within said housing and having a portion thereof extending through said opening for manipulation by a user, the rotatable portion having a first annular surface comprising a radial inner surface, the non-rotatable portion comprising a second annular surface comprising a radial outer peripheral surface, the radial inner surface of the first annular surface overlapping the radial outer peripheral surface of the second annular surface to form interfacing annular surfaces; and a rotation sensor contained within an area generally defined by the non-rotatable portion and the rotatable portion of the finger-engagable control member, wherein the finger-engagable control member includes an area generally defined by the non-rotatable portion, relative to an axis of rotation, and a portion rotatable about the axis and rotatable relative to the stationary portion; and wherein said non rotatable portion and said rotatable portion are pivotable together about a tilt axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An input device for scrolling an image relative to an image display screen, said device comprising:
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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, the first portion having a first annular surface comprising a radial inner surface, the second portion comprising a second annular surface comprising a radial outer peripheral surface, the radial inner surface of the first annular surface overlapping the outer peripheral surface of the second annular surface to form interfacing annular surfaces, wherein said first and second portions are tiltable together about a tilt axis; a tilt sensing arrangement configured to sense the tilting of the first and second portions; and
;a biasing member urging said first and second portions to a predetermined position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification