Dual-mode rotatable input device

• US 8,040,331 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2008
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hill, Andrew, Zucker, David Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Agustin; Peter Vincent
• Application Number:
  US12/344,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20100164908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/184
• 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

Abstract

Embodiments related to dual mode rotatable input devices that permit both resistive and non-resistive rotation are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a stationary hub, a rotatable member rotatable around the stationary hub, and a resistive rotation mechanism forming an interface between the stationary hub and the rotatable member. The resistive rotation mechanism comprises a resistive surface and a movable interface member configured to selectively contact the resistive surface, wherein the resistive surface and the movable interface member move relative to one another with rotation of the rotatable member. The resistive mechanism further comprises a biasing mechanism that urges the movable interface member into engagement with the resistive surface when a rotational velocity of the rotatable member is below a threshold velocity, and allows separation of the interface member and the resistive surface when the rotational velocity of the rotatable member is above the threshold velocity.

Claims

1. A rotatable input device for an electronic device, the input device comprising:

a stationary hub;

a rotatable member rotatable around the stationary hub by a user;

a resistive rotation mechanism forming an interface between the stationary hub and the rotatable member, the resistive rotation mechanism comprising a resistive surface and a movable interface member configured to selectively interface with the resistive surface, wherein the resistive surface and the movable interface member are configured to move relative to one another with rotation of the rotatable member; and

a biasing mechanism configured to urge the movable interface member into engagement with the resistive surface when a rotational velocity of the rotatable member is below a threshold velocity, and to separate the interface member and the resistive surface when the rotational velocity of the rotatable member is above the threshold velocity.

2. The rotatable input device of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises a scroll wheel on a computer mouse.

3. The rotatable input device of claim 1, wherein the resistive surface comprises a detent formed in a surface of the stationary hub.

4. The rotatable input device of claim 3, wherein the movable interface member comprises a bearing disposed in a bearing holder formed in the rotatable member, the bearing holder comprising an opening facing the resistive surface.

5. The rotatable input device of claim 3, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a magnet located within the stationary hub adjacent to the detent.

6. The rotatable input device of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of detents formed in the surface of the stationary hub.

7. The rotatable input device of claim 6, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a magnet with a first pole located adjacent a first detent and a second pole located adjacent a second detent.

8. The rotatable input device of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a magnet.

9. The rotatable input device of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring.

10. A computer mouse, comprising:

a scroll wheel rotatable by a user of the computer mouse;

an indexed surface and a movable interface member associated with the scroll wheel, wherein rotation of the scroll wheel causes relative movement between the indexed surface and the movable interface member; and

a biasing mechanism configured to urge the movable interface member and indexed surface into engagement when a rotational velocity of the scroll wheel is below a threshold velocity, and to allow the movable interface member and the indexed surface to separate when the rotational velocity of the scroll wheel is above the threshold velocity.

11. The computer mouse of claim 10, wherein the scroll wheel comprises a rotatable member and a stationary hub, and wherein the indexed surface comprises a detent formed in a surface of the stationary hub.

12. The computer mouse of claim 11, wherein the rotatable member comprises a bearing holder with an opening facing the indexed surface, and wherein the movable interface member comprises a bearing located within the bearing holder.

13. The computer mouse of claim 12, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a magnet located within the stationary hub adjacent to the detent.

14. The computer mouse of claim 13, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a magnet with a first pole located adjacent a first detent and a second pole located adjacent a second detent.

15. The computer mouse of claim 10, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring.

16. A computer mouse, comprising:

a body; and

a scroll wheel coupled to body, the scroll wheel comprising;

a stationary hub coupled to the body and configured to remain stationary relative to the body during scroll wheel use;

a detent formed in the stationary hub;

a magnet disposed within the stationary hub at a location adjacent to the detent;

a rotatable wheel member disposed around the stationary hub and comprising an internal space having an opening facing the stationary hub; and

a movable interface member disposed in the internal space.

17. The computer mouse of claim 16, wherein the movable interface member comprises a bearing.

18. The computer mouse of claim 16, further comprising one or more of a magnetic detector or inductive detector configured to track motion of the scroll wheel via movement of the movable interface member through a magnetic field emanating from the magnet.

19. The computer mouse of claim 16, wherein the internal space has an axial direction that is offset from a central plane of the scroll wheel.

20. The computer mouse of claim 16, wherein the internal space has an axial direction that is parallel to a central plane of the scroll wheel.