Scroll wheel assembly for scrolling an image in multiple directions

Abstract

A scroll wheel assembly for computer input device having a housing. The scroll wheel assembly includes a housing and an engagable scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is rotatable with a shaft to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scroll wheel is laterally tiltable relative to the housing and the shaft. A sensor is preferably positioned within the housing for sensing tilting of the rotatable member. In response to sensed tilting movement of the rotatable member, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. 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.

Description

[0001] This application is a Continuation application and claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 11 / 094,259, filed Mar. 31, 2005 which is a Continuation application and claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 382,652, filed Mar. 7, 2003, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an input device including an assembly for scrolling an image in multiple directions relative to a display screen. More particularly, the present invention relates to a peripheral input device, such as a mouse or a keyboard, that may be operatively connected to a host computer and includes a scroll wheel assembly that can move an image in multiple axes relative to a display screen. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Scroll wheels have been provided on computer mice and used by computer operators to move an image relative to a display screen of a host computer. A scroll wheel assembly includes a rotatable scroll wheel and a sensor that are typic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] One aspect of the present invention relates to a peripheral device for use with a computer to scroll an image relative to an image display screen along perpendicular axes. The device comprises a housing that has at least one opening. The device also comprises a scroll wheel assembly that is provided within the housing. The scroll wheel assembly includes a rotatable member positioned within the opening of the housing. The rotatable member is rotatable about an axis that extends within the housing and is laterally pivotable within the opening relative to the housing. The scroll wheel assembly also includes a movement sensing system that determines when the rotatable member is pivoted laterally relative to the housing. A ball joint is used to facilitate movement of the scroll wheel in the different directions.

[0012] The device according to the present invention makes it easy for a user to scroll an image both horizontally and vertically relative to a display screen without repositioning the peripheral device. Additionally, the wheel movements and / or configuration of the scroll wheel assembly of the present invention to cause scrolling in the perpendicular directions eliminate problems and frustrations that may result from using the prior art devices.

Problems solved by technology

When the user needs to move the image horizontally across the display screen, the user must typically stop what he or she is doing and perform a number of tedious and potentially frustrating steps.

Locating the scroll bar can be very difficult for people with bad eyesight, small display screens and / or poor hand-eye coordination.

As a result, the user will waste time and delay the completion of his project while fumbling to find the bottom horizontal scroll bar.

These delays can cause the user great frustration and unnecessary stress that is magnified when he or she is operating under a deadline.

Or, when using the mouse wheel, the image will move vertically relative to the display screen and erroneously change the displayed image.

These errors will force the user to take additional steps to reposition the desired image on the display screen.

Unfortunately, repositioning an image can lead to errors if the image is being amended.

As a result, he may amend the wrong section of the image.

However, this arrangement has drawbacks as the two wheels takes up valuable upper surface area on the mouse which could be used for supporting the hand of the user or for additional input keys.

The smaller sized scroll wheels make the scrolling more difficult to control.

Additionally, the location of the horizontal scroll wheel is inconvenient for effective control.

Further, with this design, it is difficult to easily reach and manipulate one of the wheels, as he or she must reposition his or her hand on the mouse to avoid reaching without awkwardly finger manipulation

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