User-worn device with magnetic sensing of scroll control
The integration of a rotatable magnetic object and magnetometer system in user-worn devices enhances functionality by enabling scroll events and reducing costs, addressing limitations in detecting rotational movements and the need for separate devices.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025528287
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-24
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing user-worn devices with passive magnetometers are limited in detecting rotational movements of magnetic objects, restricting their functionality and requiring separate devices for additional functions, which increases manufacturing costs.
A user-worn device with a housing, scrolling feature, and rotatable magnetic object integrated into the device, allowing rotation about a magnetic object axis, coupled with magnetometers to track movements in five degrees of freedom and determine scroll events, enhancing functionality without additional magnetic objects.
Enables integration of scrolling functions into user-worn devices, expanding application fields and improving usability by associating different functions with a single device, reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact.
Smart Images

Figure 2025536645000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. EP22306732.3, filed November 24, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of determining and / or tracking the location of passive accessories, and more particularly to a user-worn device and a system for determining the operation of the user-worn device by a user. [Background technology]
[0003] In the technical field of location determination and / or tracking of devices held or worn by a user (i.e., user-worn devices), providing multiple magnetometers allows for measuring magnetic fields associated with magnetic objects disposed within or coupled to the user-worn device. User-worn devices using this technology may be electronically and / or electrically passive. More specifically, electrically passive means that the user-worn device may not include a power source (e.g., a battery) and / or a means for receiving power (e.g., wireless power transmission via an induction coil) to power the electronic functions of the user-worn device. Electronically passive means that no calculations or processing are performed (or occur) on the user-worn device. Magnetometer measurements enable determining and / or tracking the location of magnetic objects within a sensing volume generated by the multiple magnetometers. In some applications, the magnetic object may be disposed within a writing device (e.g., a stylus) that can be manipulated by a user on a writing substrate during user operation. The location of the writing device on the writing substrate can be determined based on the magnetic field measurements associated with the magnetic object.
[0004] In current applications, magnetic objects disposed within or coupled to a user-worn device can be approximated by a dipole, enabling location determination and / or tracking of the magnetic object within a sensing volume generated by multiple magnetometers. A magnetic object approximated as a dipole can generate a magnetic field that is rotationally symmetric about at least one axis. Such a magnetic object can be manipulated by a user within the sensing volume, enabling tracking of the magnetic object's movement and / or location determination in five degrees of freedom. The five degrees of freedom can include translation of the magnetic object (and the user-worn device to which the magnetic object is coupled) along three axes, a first rotation about a first axis, and a second rotation about a second axis. However, rotation of the magnetic object around at least one axis about which the magnetic field is rotationally symmetric may not be detectable. As a result, the application fields and areas of passive accessory location determination and / or tracking may be limited. More specifically, certain movements of the magnetic object and / or the user-worn device may not be detectable, limiting certain additional functions of the user-worn device.
[0005] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a user-worn device and a system for determining the operation of the user-worn device by a user that allows improved functionality in different application fields. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The present disclosure relates to a user-worn device as defined in claim 1 and to a system for determining the operation of a user-worn device by a user as defined in claim 13. The dependent claims set out embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a user-worn device is provided, comprising a housing, at least one scrolling feature, and at least one magnetic object. The user-worn device is operable on an interaction surface. The at least one magnetic object defines a magnetic moment vector. The at least one scrolling feature is movably coupled to the housing and actuable by a user. The at least one magnetic object is rotatably and / or translatably arranged relative to the housing. The at least one magnetic object is disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the scrolling feature such that activation of the scrolling feature causes rotation of the at least one magnetic object about a magnetic object rotation axis relative to the housing. This allows additional functionality to be integrated into the user-worn device, thereby expanding the application fields of the user-worn device. More specifically, a scrolling function can be integrated into the user-worn device. The scrolling function can be applied to a variety of different application fields. In embodiments, the scrolling function can include rotational and / or translational movement of a virtual object in a virtual environment associated with a user input. For example, the scrolling function can include scrolling through files or data, or rotational or translational movement of a virtual object associated with selecting an option from multiple options. The associated scrolling function may include rotating the body in the virtual environment and / or changing a viewpoint in the virtual environment. For example, the scrolling function may include one or more of moving a cursor in two opposite directions, moving a display element (e.g., a page, a cursor) that can be controlled by the user-worn device 100, directional steps, flipping through a menu, flipping through a selection list, or adjusting (e.g., increasing or decreasing) a parameter (e.g., a setting or configuration).This enables various new application areas for the user-worn device, such as, for example, a dial, a computer mouse scroll (e.g., a scroll wheel or a tiltable scroll button), a joystick, a control for an electronic device (e.g., an audio control or a visual control), a control for software settings or visualization (e.g., graphic software or design software), or a control for a computer game. More specifically, for example, the functionality of the user-worn device is improved without providing an additional magnetic object. In addition, manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to a user-worn device that does not integrate additional functions into one device and requires a separate device to control the additional functions. Furthermore, providing a scrolling feature allows a user to associate different functions (scroll functions) with the scrolling feature, thereby improving user usability.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a system for determining a user's manipulation of a user-worn device is provided. The system includes the user-worn device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and a plurality of magnetometers. The plurality of magnetometers are configured to generate a sensing volume. The plurality of magnetometers are further configured to measure a magnetic field associated with at least one magnetic object. The system is further configured to track movement of the at least one magnetic object with at least five degrees of freedom. The system is further configured to determine a scroll event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of the at least one magnetic object about a magnetic object rotation axis. This allows additional functionality to be integrated into the user-worn device and expands the application field of the user-worn device. More specifically, a scroll function can be integrated into the user-worn device. The system can provide a scroll function by associating the tracked movement of the magnetic object with a scroll event. In an embodiment, the term "scroll event" can refer to a control mode of a function in a virtual environment associated with a user input. The control mode can result in rotational and / or translational movement of a virtual object in the virtual environment. The function associated with the scroll event can represent a "scroll function." The scroll function can be applied to a variety of different application fields. In embodiments, a scrolling function may include rotational and / or translational movement of a virtual object in the virtual environment associated with a user input. For example, a scrolling function may include rotational or translational movement of a virtual object associated with scrolling through a file or data, selecting an option from multiple options, and associated scrolling functions include rotating a body in the virtual environment and / or changing a viewpoint in the virtual environment. For example, a scrolling function may include one or more of moving a cursor in two opposite directions, moving a display element (e.g., a page, a cursor) that can be controlled by the user-worn device 100, stepping in a direction, flipping through a menu, flipping through a selection list, or adjusting (e.g., increasing or decreasing) a parameter (e.g., a setting or configuration).This enables various new application areas for the user-worn device, such as, for example, a dial, a computer mouse scroll (e.g., a scroll wheel or a tiltable scroll button), a joystick, a control for an electronic device (e.g., an audio control or a visual control), a control for software settings or visualization (e.g., graphic software or design software), or a control for a computer game. More specifically, for example, the functionality of the user-worn device is improved without providing an additional magnetic object. In addition, manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to a user-worn device that does not integrate additional functions into one device and requires a separate device to control the additional functions. Furthermore, providing a scrolling feature allows a user to associate different functions (scroll functions) with the scrolling feature, thereby improving user usability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] Other features will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure. The drawings are intended to further explain the disclosure and enable those skilled in the art to practice it. However, these drawings are intended as non-limiting examples. Common reference symbols in different figures indicate similar or similar features. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a user-worn device and a system for determining operation of the user-worn device by a user, according to aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first configuration of a user-worn device with a magnetic object in an initial state. FIG. [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first configuration of a user-worn device with a magnetic object in an initial state. FIG. [Figure 3A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in a displaced state; FIG. [Figure 3B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in a displaced state; FIG. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second configuration of a user-worn device with a magnetic object in an initial state. [Figure 4B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a second configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in a displaced state. FIG. [Figure 4C] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second configuration of a user-worn device with a magnetic object in an initial state. [Figure 4D] 10 is a schematic chart illustrating an exemplary curve of a first rotation angle of a magnetic object of a second configuration of a user-worn device. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in an initial state. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in an initial state. [Figure 5C] 10 is a schematic diagram of a third configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in a displaced state. FIG. [Figure 6A] 10 is a schematic diagram of a transmission device with a gear transmission of a scrolling feature. FIG. [Figure 6B] 10 is a schematic diagram of a transmission device with a gear transmission of a scrolling feature. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram of a transmission device with a lever transmission of a scrolling feature. FIG. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fifth configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in an initial state. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fifth configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in an initial state. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fifth configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in a displaced state. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fifth configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object in a displaced state. [Figure 10A] 10 is a schematic diagram of a click feature transmission device. FIG. [Figure 10B] 10 is a schematic diagram of a click feature transmission device. FIG. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a sixth configuration of a user-worn device having two magnetic objects. [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a sixth configuration of a user-worn device having two magnetic objects. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a seventh configuration of a user-worn device having two magnetic objects. [Figure 12B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a seventh configuration of a user-worn device having two magnetic objects. [Figure 12C] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a seventh configuration of a user-worn device having two magnetic objects. [Figure 13A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an eighth configuration of a user-worn device having three magnetic objects. [Figure 13B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an eighth configuration of a user-worn device having three magnetic objects. [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fourth configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object. [Figure 14B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fourth configuration of a user-worn device having a magnetic object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of a user-worn device and a system for determining a user's manipulation of a user-worn device according to the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a user-worn device 100 and a system 10 for determining operation of the user-worn device 100 by a user U, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user-worn device 100 comprises a housing 101, at least one scrolling feature 140, and at least one magnetic object 110. The at least one scrolling feature 140 is movably coupled to the housing 101 and is actuatable by the user U. The at least one magnetic object 110 defines a magnetic moment vector 120 and is rotatably disposed relative to the housing 101. More specifically, the at least one magnetic object 110 can be modeled as the magnetic moment vector 120. However, it should be understood that the magnetic object 110 may be rotatably and / or translatably disposed relative to the housing 101. At least one magnetic object 110 is disposed within the housing 101 and is operably coupled to a scrolling feature 140 such that actuation of the scrolling feature 140 causes rotation of the at least one magnetic object 110 about a magnetic object rotation axis 112 relative to the housing 101. While FIG. 1 shows only one scrolling feature 140 coupled to the magnetic object 110, in other embodiments, the user-worn device 100 may include two or more scrolling features 140 operably coupled to respective magnetic objects 110. FIG. 1 also shows two click features 150. The click feature 150 may be operably coupled to the same magnetic object 110 or user-worn device 100 as the scrolling feature 140 is coupled to, or the click feature 150 may be operably coupled to a common additional magnetic object (not shown) or to one of each of two additional magnetic objects. In the schematic diagram of FIG. 1, only one magnetic object 110 is shown, but in other embodiments, the user-worn device 100 may include two or more magnetic objects 110 (see, for example, FIGS. 11, 12, and 13).Although two click features 150 are shown in Figure 1, the user-worn device 100 may generally include less than two, e.g., one or zero, or more than two, e.g., three, four, or more, click features 150. As further shown schematically in Figure 1, the user-worn device 100 is operable on an interaction surface 210. The scrolling feature 140 and / or the click feature 150 may generally be referred to as operation features of the user-worn device 100.
[0012] The user wearable device 100 may be electrically and / or electronically passive. More specifically, electrically passive means that the user wearable device 100 may not include a power source (e.g., a battery) and / or a means for receiving power (e.g., wireless power transmission via an induction coil) to power the functions (e.g., electronic functions) of the user wearable device 100. Electronically passive means that no computation or processing is performed (or occurs) on the user wearable device 100. This allows the user wearable device 100 to be easily recycled and reduces its impact on the environment. Specifically, if the magnetic object is a permanent magnet, the permanent magnet can be reused.
[0013] The term "magnetic object" may refer to an object that may include components made of a magnetic material, i.e., a material that has magnetic properties that are measurable by the plurality of magnetometers 300. The magnetic objects 110 may be permanent magnets. In embodiments, the magnetic objects 110 may be configured to generate a non-zero magnetic field. In embodiments, at least one magnetic object 110 may include a paramagnetic material or a diamagnetic material.
[0014] In embodiments, at least one magnetic object 110 may comprise a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material. In embodiments, the magnetic object 110 may comprise a longitudinal body extending along a body axis 116. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 may have a length measured along the body axis 116 of the longitudinal body and a width and a thickness measured perpendicular to the longitudinal body, whereby the length is greater than the width and thickness. In embodiments, the longitudinal body may have a cylindrical shape, whereby the body axis 116 is defined as the axis of the cylinder, e.g., the height (see FIG. 1 ). In embodiments, the body of the magnetic object 110 may not be longitudinal. For example, the length dimension along the body axis 116 may be shorter than the width and thickness. In such cases, the body may still have a cylindrical shape, whereby the body axis 116 may define the axis of the cylinder, e.g., the height. In embodiments, the magnetic object 110 may have a non-cylindrical body. For example, the magnetic object 110 may have a spherical shape. When the body of the magnetic object 110 has a spherical shape, the body axis 116 may be defined as extending through the center of the spherical shape.
[0015] The body axis 116 defines a magnetic moment vector 120. In other words, the magnetic object 110 is magnetized with a magnetization direction along the body axis 116. In embodiments, at least one magnetic object 110 can be axially magnetized along the body axis 116. The magnetization direction may represent the location of the north and south poles of the magnetic object 110. According to the magnetization direction, the magnetic object 110 can generate an associated magnetic field. Specifically, the magnetic object 110 can be configured to generate a symmetric magnetic field. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 can be configured to generate a rotationally symmetric magnetic field. Specifically, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 does not coincide with the body axis 116. The term "does not coincide" can be understood as "does not coincide." The term "does not coincide" can include embodiments in which the magnetic object rotation axis 112 intersects with the body axis 116.
[0016] The magnetic moment vector 120 indicates the magnetic object strength and / or magnetization direction. At least one magnetic object 110 may be approximated by a magnetic dipole. Specifically, approximation by a magnetic dipole may be suitable when the magnetic object 110 has a spherical shape. Approximation of at least one magnetic object 110 by a magnetic dipole may be particularly suitable when the magnetic object is separated from the magnetometers by a distance greater than the largest dimension of the magnetic object 110, particularly a distance greater than a multiple (e.g., at least four times) of the largest dimension of the magnetic object 110. At least one magnetic object 110 may include a center of a magnetic dipole. The center of the magnetic dipole may coincide with the center of mass of the at least one magnetic object 110. The magnetic moment vector 120 may extend along the body axis 116 and may pass through the center of mass of the magnetic object 110.
[0017] FIG. 1 further discloses a system 10 for determining a manipulation of a user-worn device 100 by a user U. The system 10 includes a user-worn device 100 according to any of the embodiments and / or features described herein. The system 10 further includes a plurality of magnetometers 300. The plurality of magnetometers 300 are configured to measure magnetic fields generated by at least one magnetic object 110. The plurality of magnetometers 300 are configured to measure magnetic fields associated with the at least one magnetic object 110. The system 10 can be further configured to determine a magnetic moment vector 120 and a position vector indicative of a position of the magnetic object 110. More specifically, the magnetic moment vector 120 and the position vector can be derived from the measured magnetic fields of the magnetic object 110 to represent the magnetic object 110. The system 10 is configured to track movement of the at least one magnetic object 110 in at least five degrees of freedom. The system 10 is further configured to determine a scroll event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of the at least one magnetic object 110 about a magnetic object rotation axis 112. In embodiments that include click manipulation feature 150, the system may be further configured to determine click events, as described further below. Scroll events and / or click events may generally be referred to as trigger events.
[0018] As outlined above, the term "scroll event" may refer to a control mode of a function in a virtual environment associated with a user input. The control mode may result in rotational and / or translational movement of a virtual object in the virtual environment. The function associated with a scroll event may represent a "scroll function." The scroll function may be applied to a variety of different applications. In embodiments, the scroll function may include rotational and / or translational movement of a virtual object in the virtual environment associated with a user input. For example, the scroll function may include scrolling through a file or data, or rotational or translational movement of a virtual object associated with selecting an option from multiple options. The associated scroll function may include rotating a body in the virtual environment and / or changing a viewpoint in the virtual environment. For example, the scroll function may include one or more of moving a cursor in two opposite directions, moving a display element (e.g., a page, a cursor) that can be controlled by the user-worn device 100, a step in a direction, flipping through a menu, flipping through a selection list, or adjusting (e.g., increasing or decreasing) a parameter (e.g., a setting or configuration). This enables a variety of new application areas for user-worn devices, such as dials, computer mouse scrolls (e.g., scroll wheels or tiltable scroll buttons), joysticks, controls for electronic devices (e.g., audio or visual controls), controls for software settings or visualizations (e.g., graphics software or design software), or controls for computer games.
[0019] A click event may include selecting an object, e.g., selecting an item, selecting a list, selecting an item on a list. A click event may trigger the following actions: A click event may trigger a click action, a select action, a drag action, and / or a drag-and-drop action of an item, object, or word. A click event may further trigger an action that provides additional information and / or properties of the selected object, item, or word.
[0020] The plurality of magnetometers 300 can be configured to generate a sensing volume. The sensing volume may have an elliptical shape. The plurality of magnetometers 300 may be associated with a magnetometer plane 310 (see FIG. 1 ). More specifically, the magnetometer plane 310 may be defined by a plane that may extend across a majority of the plurality of magnetometers 300. In some embodiments, the user-worn device 100 may be operable on an interaction surface 210. The interaction surface 210 may be defined within the sensing volume. The interaction surface 210 is oriented along a first surface axis x s , the second surface axis y s , and the vertical surface axis z s and more specifically, the axes may be orthogonal to each other (see, for example, FIG. 1). s and the second surface axis y s may be defined on the interaction surface 210. In an embodiment, multiple magnetometers 300 may be incorporated into a wall, furniture, a notebook, a keyboard, an electronic device, a screen or display, and / or a mouse pad.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 , the system 10 may have a reference coordinate system XYZ. The multiple magnetometers 300 may be associated with the reference coordinate system XYZ. The system 10 is configured to define the reference coordinate system XYZ for the multiple magnetometers 300. The reference coordinate system XYZ may include a first reference axis X, a second reference axis Y, and a vertical reference axis Z. The first reference axis X and the second reference axis Y may be orthogonal to each other. The vertical reference axis Z may be orthogonal to the first reference axis X and the second reference axis Y. The vertical reference axis Z may extend through the centers of the multiple magnetometers 300. In an embodiment, the first reference axis X and the second reference axis Y may be defined on the magnetometer plane 310. In this case, the vertical reference axis Z may be orthogonal to the magnetometer plane 310. The system 10 may be configured to determine a magnetic object location of at least one magnetic object 110 based on collected magnetic field measurements within the sensing volume relative to the reference coordinate system XYZ. The magnetic object location may include a magnetic object position and / or a magnetic object orientation relative to a reference coordinate system XYZ associated with at least one magnetic object 110.
[0022] As outlined above, the multiple magnetometers 300 can be configured to measure magnetic fields associated with the magnetic objects 110. Each magnetometer of the multiple magnetometers 300 can be configured to measure magnetic fields associated with at least one magnetic object 110 along a first reference axis X, a second reference axis Y, and / or a perpendicular reference axis Z. In other words, each magnetometer of the multiple magnetometers 300 can be configured to perform magnetic field measurements along one axis (i.e., one dimension), two axes (i.e., two dimensions), or three axes (i.e., three dimensions). The number of magnetometers provided can depend on the size of the interaction surface 210 on which the user-worn device 100 operates or the desired size of the sensing volume in which the user-worn device 100 operates. The multiple magnetometers 300 can be configured to collect magnetic field measurements associated with at least one magnetic object 110 up to a maximum measurement distance within the sensing volume. In an embodiment, the maximum measurement distance may be 18 cm, or more specifically, 15 cm. In other embodiments, the maximum measurement distance may be greater than 18 cm, for example about 30 cm, depending on the magnetic strength of the magnetic object 110 being measured or tracked. In an embodiment, the maximum measurement distance may be defined between the farthest point on the interaction surface 210 or within the sensing volume and the nearest magnetometer of the plurality of magnetometers 300.
[0023] The system 10 can be configured to determine an interaction surface location, which may indicate an interaction surface position, interaction surface orientation, and / or interaction surface distance relative to a reference coordinate system XYZ, and more specifically, relative to the magnetometer plane 310. For example, the system can be configured to determine the interaction surface location based on known interaction surface location data that defines the geometric position and / or geometric location of the interaction surface 210 relative to the reference coordinate system XYZ.
[0024] The user-worn device 100 and / or the at least one magnetic object 110 may be movable, i.e., freely movable within the reference coordinate system XYZ. In other words, during a user operation (i.e., an operation in which the user-worn device 100 and / or the at least one magnetic object 110 is manipulated by the user), the user-worn device 100 within the sensing volume and / or relative to the interaction surface 210 can be manipulated by the user U within the sensing volume. The manipulation of the user-worn device 100 may include manipulation of the location of the user-worn device 100 and / or manipulation of one or more manipulation features of the user-worn device 100 (e.g., one or more scroll manipulation features 140 and / or one or more click manipulation features 150). The manipulation of the location of the user-worn device 100 may include manipulation of the orientation of the user-worn device 100 and / or manipulation of the position of the user-worn device 100. The manipulation features may include one or more scroll manipulation features 140 and / or one or more click manipulation features 150.
[0025] The system 10 may further include at least one output interface 500 (see FIG. 1 ). The at least one output interface 500 may be configured to represent the user-worn device 100. More specifically, the at least one output interface 500 may be configured to visually reproduce the user-worn device 100 as a virtual object. The system 10 may be configured to reproduce manipulation of the user-worn device 100 as manipulation of the virtual object on the at least one output interface 500. The system 10 may be configured to visually reproduce scroll events and / or click events on the at least one output interface 500. In embodiments, the output interface 500 may be a display or a screen. A translation of the user-worn device 100 in a certain direction on the interaction surface 210 may be represented as a translation of the user-worn device 100 represented on the at least one output device 500.
[0026] The system 10 may further comprise a processing unit 400. In an embodiment, the system 10 may be connectable to the processing unit 400. The processing unit 400 may be configured to track movement of the at least one magnetic object 110 in at least five degrees of freedom. The processing unit 400 may further be configured to determine scroll events and / or click events. In an embodiment, the system 10 may comprise an electronic device. In an embodiment, the processing unit 400 may be integrated into the electronic device. In an embodiment, the electronic device may be a tablet, a mobile phone, a laptop, a computer, a virtual reality (VR) set, or a television.
[0027] In an embodiment, the electronic device may be a VR set, more specifically an XR headset, which may be a device configured to be worn on a user's head and allow the user to experience a virtual environment (virtual reality environment, or VR environment) in real life. In an embodiment, the user-worn device 100 may be reproduced as a virtual object in the virtual environment. In one embodiment, the user-worn device 100 may be displayed or played as a virtual object in the VR environment, allowing the user U to recognize where the user-worn device is located. Multiple magnetometers 300 may be provided to generate a sensing volume in which the user-worn device 100 is manipulated. The user-worn device location may indicate the orientation and / or position of the user-worn device 100 relative to a reference coordinate system XYZ, more specifically relative to the multiple magnetometers 300. The reference coordinate system XYZ may be fixed in the VR environment. The position and / or orientation of the user-worn device 100 may be calculated relative to the VR set, more specifically relative to the XR headset, and may be calculated, and in particular displayed, to the user via the XR headset. In embodiments, the reference coordinate system XYZ may be dynamically estimated from tracking of the VR environment of the XR headset. In embodiments, it may also be possible to provide additional tracking systems fixed to the magnetometers 300, such as IR tracking, electromagnetic tracking, or camera-based tracking. Scrolling and / or clicking events may generally be indicated as trigger events, and the triggered actions may also be represented in the VR environment, more specifically, displayed to the user U via a display located in the XR headset. The representation in the VR environment may be achieved by changing rendering parameters of the user-worn device 100, such as color or light, and / or adding specific sounds.In some embodiments, the interaction surface 210 may be modeled in a VR environment, displayed to the user via an XR headset, and / or used as input to represent an interaction between the user-worn device 100 in the VR environment and the interaction surface 210 (e.g., representing the user-worn device 100 being manipulated on the interaction surface 210 in the VR environment). In some embodiments, one or more output devices 500 may be represented as a virtual display or screen in the VR environment.
[0028] In an embodiment, the system 10, and more particularly the processing unit 400, may be configured to track the user-worn device 100 and / or the at least one magnetic object 110 over a period of time comprising multiple time samples. During user operation, the system 10 may be configured to track the movement and / or manipulation of the user-worn device 100 within the sensing volume and / or relative to the interaction surface 210 over a period of time. More particularly, the system 10 may be configured to determine the position and / or orientation of the at least one magnetic object 110 at each time sample and may store the determined location (or interaction) for each time sample.
[0029] Referring back to FIG. 1, the user-worn device 100 is configured in a device coordinate system x d , y d , z d The device coordinate system may have a first device axis x d and the first device axis x d A second device axis, y, perpendicular to d and the vertical device axis z d and a vertical device axis z d may be perpendicular to the device contact surface or point and / or perpendicular to the first device axis x d and the second device axis y dThe device contact surface or point may be a portion of the user-worn device 100 that may come into contact with the interaction surface 210 (i.e., in some embodiments, a surface along which the user-worn device 100 may be operated) during user operation.
[0030] In an embodiment, the user-worn device 100 may be a computer mouse (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) or a dial (not shown). The user-worn device 100 (e.g., a computer mouse or a dial) may comprise a contact surface when in contact with the interaction surface 210. More specifically, the first device axis x d and the second device axis y d may define a plane that is the bottom or underside of the user wearable device 100l. In an embodiment, the first device axis x d and the second device axis y d may define a plane parallel to the bottom or bottom surface of the user wearable device 100. The bottom or bottom surface may define a contact surface. In certain embodiments, the user wearable device 100 is configured to be placed and / or manipulated with the bottom surface resting on the interaction surface 210 when in use by a user. In embodiments, the user wearable device 100 is configured to be positioned and / or manipulated with the bottom surface resting on the interaction surface 210 along the first device axis x d and / or the second device axis y d , and is configured to be translated on the interaction surface 210 along
[0031] In other examples (not shown), the user-worn device may include a contact point (e.g., a stylus or other writing device with a writing tip that contacts the interaction surface 210 during a writing action). In other examples, the user-worn device 100 may operate within a sensing volume rather than on the interaction surface 210. In this case, the user-worn device 100 may be used as, for example, a pointer. In some embodiments, the device coordinate system may be defined within the geometric center of the user-worn device 100.
[0032] In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to determine the location of the user-worn device 100 based on the magnetic object locations and a first set of geometric parameters as described above. The first set of geometric parameters may include predefined geometric parameters that indicate the geometric position and geometric orientation of the at least one magnetic object 110 relative to the user-worn device 100, more specifically in an initial state of the at least one magnetic object 110 (the initial state is described below). In other words, the location of the user-worn device can be known based on the determined location of the at least one magnetic object 110 and knowledge of the arrangement of the at least one magnetic object 110 within the user-worn device 100 (more specifically, relative to the device coordinate system).
[0033] In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to determine the location of the user-worn device 100 relative to the interaction surface 210 based on the magnetic field measurements. Specifically, the system 10 can be configured to infer a contact location of the user-worn device 100 relative to the interaction surface 210. More specifically, the system 10 can be configured to infer a contact location of the user-worn device 100 relative to the interaction surface 210 based on the determined user-worn device location and the determined interaction surface location. In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to infer contact between the user-worn device 100 and the interaction surface 210 when the contact surface of the user-worn device is within a distance of up to 10 mm, specifically up to 5 mm, more specifically up to 2 mm or 1 mm, relative to the interaction surface 210. The distance is measured along a vertical surface axis z s can be measured along the
[0034] 1, the user-worn device 100 may be a computer mouse. However, in general, the user-worn device 100 may be a computer mouse, a keyboard, a toy, a stylus, or a dial.
[0035] As outlined above, actuation of the scrolling feature 140 causes rotation of the at least one magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 relative to the housing 101. Generally, the at least one scrolling feature 140 defines a scroll wheel rotation axis 142 a and a tiltable button rotation wheel axis 146 a. The at least one scrolling feature 140 is positioned and configured to rotate about the scroll wheel rotation axis 142 a and the tiltable button rotation wheel axis 146 a relative to the housing 101 when actuated by the user U. Specifically, the at least one scrolling feature 140 is rotatable in both directions about the scroll wheel rotation axis 142 a and the tiltable button rotation wheel axis 146 a. The scroll wheel rotation axis 142 a and the tiltable button rotation wheel axis 146 a may be parallel to the magnetic object rotation axis 112. Depending on the configuration, two different types of scrolling displacement of the magnetic object 110 between the initial state and the displaced state can be caused when the scrolling feature 140 is actuated.
[0036] The first type of scroll displacement may include embodiments in which the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is disposed non-parallel to the body axis 116 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13). In other words, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is disposed within the housing 110 at an angle relative to the body axis 116. Rotation of the at least one magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 thereby causes an angular displacement of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 between an initial state and a displaced state. The angular displacement between the initial state and the displaced state is determined by a first rotation angle α about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x In other words, the first rotation angle α x is the degree of angular displacement about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. In the embodiment, in the initial state, the first rotation angle α xmay be approximately 0. In embodiments having more than one magnetic object 110, the magnetic object pivot 112 is associated with the magnetic object 110 that is operatively coupled to the scrolling feature 140.
[0037] A second type of scrolling displacement may include embodiments in which the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is positioned parallel to, but not coincident with, the body axis 116 (see FIG. 14 ). In other words, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is positioned parallel to the body axis 116 within the housing 110. Rotation of at least one magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 thereby causes a translational displacement d of the body axis 116 between an initial state and a displaced state relative to the housing 101. In other words, the translational displacement d is the degree of movement of the magnetic object 110 perpendicular to the body axis 116 from the initial state to the displaced state relative to the housing 101. In embodiments having two or more magnetic objects 110, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is associated with a magnetic object 110 operably coupled to the scrolling feature 140.
[0038] The following describes different exemplary configurations of the user-worn device 100 and associated system 10. In general, one or more aspects of an exemplary configuration may be combinable with one or more aspects of one or more other exemplary configurations.
[0039] First Exemplary Configuration 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b show a first exemplary configuration of the user-worn device 100. The first exemplary configuration is configured according to a first type of scroll displacement. The magnetic object rotation axis 112 is arranged not parallel to the body axis 116. In other words, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is arranged in the housing 110 at an angle relative to the body axis 116. Thereby, rotation of at least one magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 causes an angular displacement of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 between an initial state and a displaced state. The angular displacement between the initial state and the displaced state is determined by a first rotation angle α about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. xIn other words, the first rotation angle α x is the degree of angular displacement about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. In the embodiment, in the initial state, the first rotation angle α x may be approximately zero. The magnetic object rotation axis 112 is associated with a magnetic object 110 operatively coupled to a scrolling feature 140. FIGS. 2a and 2b show the scrolling feature 140 in an exemplary inactive position. FIGS. 3a and 3b show the scrolling feature 140 in an exemplary active position. In the inactive position of the scrolling feature 140, the at least one magnetic object 110 is in an exemplary initial state. In the active position of the scrolling feature 140, the at least one magnetic object 110 is in an exemplary displaced state.
[0040] 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b, the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the scrolling feature 140 may be coincident with the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 of the magnetic object 110. However, it should be understood that in variations of the first exemplary configuration, the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the scrolling feature 140 may be spaced apart from the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 of the magnetic object 110.
[0041] The scrolling feature 140 comprises a scroll wheel 142 defining a scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. In embodiments in which at least one scrolling feature 140 comprises a scroll wheel 142, the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a may also be referred to as the scroll wheel axis 142a. The scroll wheel 142 may be positioned and configured to rotate about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a relative to the housing 101 when actuated by a user U. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the scroll wheel 142.
[0042] Specifically, at least one magnetic object 110 may be directly coupled to the scroll wheel 142. For example, the magnetic object 110 may be attached at or centrally to the scroll wheel 142 (see, e.g., FIG. 2a). In aspects, the term "coupled" may be understood as "operably coupled," such that, for example, movement of the scrolling feature 140 results in movement of the at least one magnetic object 110. Directly coupled may be understood such that a 1° rotation of the scroll wheel 142 may result in a 1° rotation of the body axis 116.
[0043] In embodiments, the scrolling feature 140 may be indirectly coupled to at least one magnetic object 110. For example, the scrolling feature 140 may further comprise a transmission device 143. The scroll wheel 142 may be coupled to the magnetic object 110 via the transmission device 143. The transmission device 143 may be configured to increase the rotation of the magnetic object 110. In embodiments, the transmission device 143 may be configured to decrease the rotation of the magnetic object 110. In embodiments, the transmission device 143 may comprise a gear transmission 143a and / or a lever transmission 143b (see, e.g., FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 7).
[0044] Referring again to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 is aligned with the vertical device axis z d Specifically, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 is arranged perpendicular to the first device axis x d This may be the case when the user-worn device 100 is a computer mouse and / or when the second device axis y dThis can be particularly advantageous when the magnetic object 110 is positioned such that the magnetic object axis 112 is not parallel to and coincident with the body axis 116. As outlined above, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is not parallel to the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the scroll wheel 142, as shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 is positioned such that the body axis 116 is perpendicular to the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the scroll wheel 142. In embodiments, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is oblique to the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the scroll wheel 142.
[0045] Alternatively, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 may be aligned with the vertical device axis z d , whereas the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 is perpendicular to the vertical device axis z d More specifically, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 may be aligned parallel to the vertical device axis z d This may be the case when the user-worn device 100 is a dial and / or when the user-worn device 100 is a vertical device axis z d It may be particularly advantageous if the magnetic object 110 is positioned at the geometric center of the dial. The magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is not parallel to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is perpendicular to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142. The magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is perpendicular to the vertical device axis z. d In an embodiment, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is angled relative to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 and / or perpendicular to the vertical device axis z d The gyro may be arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the gyro.
[0046] As shown schematically in FIG. 2b, the scroll wheel 142 is rotatable in a first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. Furthermore, the scroll wheel 142 is rotatable in a second direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a that is opposite to the first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the scroll wheel 142 such that rotation of the scroll wheel 142 in the first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in the first direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the scroll wheel 142 such that rotation of the scroll wheel 142 in the second direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in the second direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 that is opposite to the first direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112.
[0047] As outlined above, rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 results in an angular displacement α of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 between the initial state and the displaced state. x The system 10 generates an angular displacement α of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x As further outlined above, the system 10 is configured to determine a scroll event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. The system 10 is configured to detect a first rotation angle α x The absolute value of the first rotation angle threshold α x,thThe system 10 may be further configured to determine a scroll event only when the scroll function exceeds the threshold value. Specifically, upon determining a scroll event, the system 10 may be configured to output a scroll step. A scroll step may involve, for example, one or more of moving a selection cursor from one position to an adjacent position, or moving a displayed element, e.g., a page or cursor, one step in a direction, or turning a menu or selection list one step, just to name a few examples, depending on the scroll function.
[0048] In the embodiment, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th may be set to a value greater than 0° to 15°. Specifically, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th may be set to a value between 0.5° and 10°. More specifically, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th may be set to a value between 1° and 5°. In some embodiments, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th may be set to a value of about 1°+ / −0.5°. For example, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th 3a and 3b show the first rotation angle threshold α about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x,th An angular displacement α in the first direction exceeds x In an embodiment, after determining a scroll event, the system 10 adjusts the first rotation angle α x can be configured to set the value of ? to 0. In other words, after determining the scroll event, the magnetic object 110 is defined to be in the initial state.
[0049] In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to distinguish between a scroll up event and a scroll down event. In an example, the system 10 can be configured to determine that a scroll event is a scroll up event when the body axis 116 is angularly displaced in a first direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 from an initial state to a displaced state. In an example, the system 10 can be configured to determine that a scroll event is a scroll down event when the body axis 116 is angularly displaced in a second direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 from an initial state to a displaced state. More specifically, the rotation of the body axis 116 in the first direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is determined by a first rotation angle α x In other words, the system 10 may be configured such that a rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 in a first direction results in a first rotation angle α x In an embodiment, the first rotation angle α x A positive value of α may be associated with a scroll up event. In other words, the system 10 adjusts the first rotation angle α x A positive value of α can be configured to be associated with a scroll up event. A rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 in a second direction is performed by a first rotation angle α x In other words, the system 10 may detect when a rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 in the second direction is greater than the first rotation angle α x In an embodiment, the first rotation angle α x A negative value of α may be associated with a scroll down event. In other words, the system 10 adjusts the first rotation angle α x After a scroll event (e.g., a scroll up event) is determined, the magnetic object 110 as shown in FIG. 3b moves with an angular displacement α x When the sensor is further moved in the first direction as shown by the reference arrow, the angular displacement α xThe value of increases (in a positive direction) from 0 and the first rotation angle threshold α x,th Similarly, after a scroll event (e.g., a scroll up event) is determined, when the magnetic object 110 as shown in FIG. 3b is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the angular displacement α x The value of decreases from 0 (in the negative direction) and the first rotation angle α x The absolute value of the first rotation angle threshold α x,th A scroll down event is determined when the
[0050] Specifically, the system 10 may be configured to output a scroll up step when a scroll up event is determined. The system 10 may be configured to output a scroll down step when a scroll down event is determined. As outlined above, the scroll step may involve a control operation according to a scrolling function. For example, a scroll up event, more specifically a scroll up step, may include moving a selection cursor in a displayed application from one position to an adjacent position in a first direction. Similarly, a scroll down event, more specifically a scroll down step, may include moving a selection cursor in a displayed application from one position to an adjacent position in a second direction opposite the first direction.
[0051] Second Exemplary Configuration 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d show a second exemplary configuration of the user-worn device 100. The second exemplary configuration is configured according to a first type of scroll displacement. The magnetic object rotation axis 112 is arranged not parallel to the body axis 116. In other words, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is arranged in the housing 110 at an angle relative to the body axis 116. Thus, rotation of at least one magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 causes an angular displacement of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 between an initial state and a displaced state. The angular displacement between the initial state and the displaced state is determined by a first rotation angle α about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x In other words, the first rotation angle α x is the degree of angular displacement of the magnetic object about the rotation axis 112. In the embodiment, in the initial state, the first rotation angle α x may be approximately zero. The magnetic object rotation axis 112 is associated with a magnetic object 110 operatively coupled to a scrolling feature 140. FIG. 4a shows the scrolling feature 140 in an exemplary unactuated position. FIG. 4b shows the scrolling feature 140 in an exemplary actuated position. In the unactuated position of the scrolling feature 140, the at least one magnetic object 110 is in an exemplary initial state. In the actuated position of the scrolling feature 140, the at least one magnetic object 110 is in an exemplary displaced state.
[0052] 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the scrolling feature 140 is parallel to and spaced apart from the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 of the magnetic object 110. However, it should be understood that in variations of the second exemplary configuration, the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the scrolling feature 140 may coincide with the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 of the magnetic object 110.
[0053] The scrolling feature 140 comprises a scroll wheel 142 defining a scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. In embodiments in which at least one scrolling feature 140 comprises a scroll wheel 142, the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a may also be referred to as the scroll wheel axis 142a. The scroll wheel 142 is positioned and configured to rotate about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a relative to the housing 101 when actuated by a user U. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the scroll wheel 142.
[0054] Specifically, the scroll wheel 142 includes a plurality of engagement features 144. The plurality of engagement features 144 are selectively engageable with at least one magnet 110 to cause rotation of the at least one magnetic object 110. Selectively engageable may be understood as only one of the respective engagement features 144 being coupled with the magnetic object 110 at a time.
[0055] In embodiments, the plurality of engagement features 144 may be circumferentially distributed on the scroll wheel 142 about the scroll wheel axis 142a. In examples, the plurality of engagement features 144 may include protrusions distributed circumferentially on the scroll wheel 142 about the scroll wheel axis 142a. The protrusions may extend radially inward and / or axially relative to the scroll wheel axis 142a. In embodiments, the engagement features 144 may be circumferentially spaced apart by an angular distance φ. Specifically, the engagement features 144 may be equally circumferentially spaced apart by the angular distance φ. In the example of FIGS. 4a-4c, the engagement features 144 may be circumferentially spaced apart by an angular distance φ of approximately 30°. In other examples, the angular distance φ may be greater or less. For example, the angular distance φ may be between 5° and 120°, specifically between 10° and 45°, and more specifically between 15° and 30°. In the example of FIGS. 4a-4c, the plurality of engagement features 144 includes twelve engagement features 144. In other examples, the number of engagement features 144 may be greater than or less than twelve. In examples, the plurality of engagement features 144 may include between 3 and 72 engagement features 144, specifically between 5 and 50 engagement features 144, and more specifically between 10 and 30 engagement features 144. In embodiments, the engagement features 144 are disposed on the rim of the scroll wheel 142 radially outward of the at least one magnetic object 110. In embodiments, the at least one magnetic object 110 may be disposed within the outer periphery of the scroll wheel 142. In embodiments, the at least one magnetic object 110 may be disposed axially adjacent to the scroll wheel 142. With respect to this section, "axial" and "radial" refer to the scroll wheel axis 142a.
[0056] More specifically, as the scroll wheel 142 rotates, one of the plurality of engagement features 144 is configured to engage the magnetic object 110 and urge the magnetic object 110 from the initial state to the displaced state (see FIG. 4b). Additionally, one of the plurality of engagement features 144 is configured to disengage the at least one magnetic object 110 when the displaced state reaches a trigger position. At the trigger position, the first rotation angle α x reaches a predetermined trigger angle. The trigger position, more specifically the predetermined trigger angle, may be understood as a displacement state of the magnetic object 110, more specifically the angular displacement of the body axis 116, relative to an initial state of the magnetic object 110, more specifically the initial state of the body axis 116. The trigger position, more specifically the predetermined trigger angle, may depend on, for example, one or more of the geometry of the engagement features 144, the number of engagement features 144, the angular distance φ, the geometry of the magnetic object 110, the location of the magnetic object rotation axis 112, and / or the positional location of the magnetic object 110 relative to the engagement features 144.
[0057] Referring again to FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 is aligned with the vertical device axis z d Specifically, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 is arranged perpendicular to the first device axis x d This may be the case when the user-worn device 100 is a computer mouse and / or when the second device axis y d1. This can be particularly advantageous when the magnetic object 110 has a body axis 116 pointing toward the front of the computer mouse. As outlined above, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is positioned so that it is not parallel to and does not coincide with the body axis 116. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned so that the body axis 116 is not parallel to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 is positioned so that the body axis 116 is perpendicular to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142. In embodiments, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned so that the body axis 116 is tilted relative to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142. In embodiments, the magnetic object 110, and more specifically the body axis 116, is, at least initially, aligned with the vertical device axis z. d Parallel to or perpendicular to the device axis z d Specifically, the body axis 116 may be arranged perpendicular to the vertical device axis z d When positioned orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the housing 101, the orientation of the housing 101 can be detected by the system 10.
[0058] Alternatively, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 may be aligned with the vertical device axis z d , whereas the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 is perpendicular to the vertical device axis z d More specifically, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 may be aligned parallel to the vertical device axis z d This may be the case when the user-worn device 100 is a dial and / or when the user-worn device 100 is a vertical device axis z dIt may be particularly advantageous if the magnetic object 110 is positioned at the geometric center of the dial. The magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is not parallel to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 is positioned such that the body axis 116 is perpendicular to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142. The magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is perpendicular to the vertical device axis z. d In an embodiment, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is angled relative to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 and / or perpendicular to the vertical device axis z d The gyro may be arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the gyro.
[0059] The scroll wheel 142 is rotatable in a first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. Furthermore, the scroll wheel 142 is rotatable in a second direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a that is opposite to the first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the scroll wheel 142 such that rotation of the scroll wheel 142 in the first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in the first direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the scroll wheel 142 such that rotation of the scroll wheel 142 in the second direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in the second direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 that is opposite to the first direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112.
[0060] In an embodiment, the at least one scrolling feature 140 further comprises a biasing mechanism 145. The biasing mechanism 145 can be coupled to the magnetic object 110. The biasing mechanism 145 can be configured to bias, specifically, reverse-rotate, the magnetic object 110 from the displaced state toward the initial state. For example, when one of the engagement features 144 biases the magnetic object 110, specifically, the body axis, to rotate in a first rotational direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112, the rotational force of the one of the engagement features 144 acting on the at least one magnetic object 110 exceeds the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 145 (see rotation from FIG. 4a to FIG. 4b).
[0061] When the displacement state reaches the trigger position, i.e., the first rotation angle α x reaches a predetermined trigger angle, one engagement feature 144 disengages the magnetic object 110, and the biasing mechanism 145 biases the magnetic object 110, specifically the body axis 116, to rotate in a second rotational direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 (see rotation from FIG. 4b to FIG. 4c). In other words, when the magnetic object 110 reaches the trigger position of FIG. 4b, each engagement feature 144 disengages the magnetic object 110, and the biasing mechanism rotates the magnetic object 110 back from the displaced state toward the initial state, as can be seen in FIG. 4c.
[0062] In embodiments, the engagement may be direct with the magnetic object 110 or indirectly via an engagement element. In examples, the engagement element, e.g., an extension, is disposed on the magnetic object 110. In embodiments, the scrolling feature 140 may be indirectly coupled to at least one magnetic object 110. For example, the scrolling feature 140 may further comprise a transmission device 143. The scroll wheel 142 and / or the plurality of engagement features 144 may be coupled to the magnetic object 110 via the transmission device 143. The transmission device 143 may be configured to increase the rotation of the magnetic object 110. In embodiments, the transmission device 143 may be configured to decrease the rotation of the magnetic object 110. In embodiments, the transmission device 143 may comprise a gear transmission 143a and / or a lever transmission 143b (see, e.g., FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 7).
[0063] As outlined above, rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 results in an angular displacement α of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 between the initial state and the displaced state. x The system 10 generates an angular displacement α of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x As further outlined above, the system 10 is configured to determine a scroll event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. Specifically, the system 10 associated with the user-worn device 100 in the second exemplary configuration can be configured to determine a scroll event when the magnetic object 110 rotates back from the trigger position toward the initial state.
[0064] In an embodiment, the system 10 rotates the rotor 10 at a first rotation angle α x The absolute value of x,dr A scroll event can be determined only when the angle of fall α x,drThe angle "a" may refer to the angular decrease after the engagement feature 144 disengages the magnetic object 110 as the magnetic object 110 rotates back toward the initial state. In other words, the magnetic object may fall or be biased back toward the initial state. Specifically, the system 10 may be configured to output a scroll step upon determining a scroll event. To name just a few examples, a scroll step may involve, for example, one or more of moving a selection cursor from one position to an adjacent position, or moving a displayed element, such as a page or cursor, one step in a direction, or flipping a menu or selection list one step, depending on the scroll function.
[0065] In the embodiment, the predetermined drop angle α x,dr may be set to a value greater than 0° to 15°. x,dr may be set to a value between 0.5° and 10°. More specifically, the predetermined drop angle α x,dr may be set to a value between 1° and 5°. In some embodiments, the predetermined drop angle α x,dr may be set to a value of about 1° + / - 0.5°. For example, the predetermined drop angle α x,dr 4c and 4d show the first rotation angle threshold α about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x,th An angular displacement α in the first direction exceeds x In an embodiment, after determining a scroll event, the system 10 adjusts the first rotation angle α x can be configured to set the value of ? to 0. In other words, after determining the scroll event, the magnetic object 110 is defined to be in the initial state.
[0066] In an embodiment, the system 10 may be configured to distinguish between a scroll up event and a scroll down event. In an example, the system 10 may be configured to determine that a scroll event is a scroll up event when the body axis 116 rotates counterclockwise in a second direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. In an example, the system 10 may be configured to determine that a scroll event is a scroll down event when the body axis 116 rotates counterclockwise in a first direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. More specifically, the rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 in a first direction is determined by a first rotation angle α x In other words, the system 10 may be configured such that a rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 in a first direction results in a first rotation angle α x In an embodiment, the system 10 may be configured to define a first rotation angle α x A predetermined drop angle α from the absolute value of x,dr The decrease in the first rotation angle α x The rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 in the second direction is determined to be a scroll up event when the ... x In other words, the system 10 may detect when a rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 in the second direction is greater than the first rotation angle α x In an embodiment, the system 10 may be configured to define a first rotation angle α x A predetermined drop angle α from the absolute value of x,dr The decrease in the first rotation angle α x The scroll event may be configured to be determined to be a scroll down event when the scroll down event results in a larger relative value of .
[0067] Specifically, the system 10 may be configured to output a scroll up step when a scroll up event is determined. The system 10 may be configured to output a scroll down step when a scroll down event is determined. As outlined above, the scroll step may involve a control operation according to a scrolling function. For example, a scroll up event, more specifically a scroll up step, may include moving a selection cursor in a displayed application from one position to an adjacent position in a first direction. Similarly, a scroll down event, more specifically a scroll down step, may include moving a selection cursor in a displayed application from one position to an adjacent position in a second direction opposite the first direction.
[0068] In an embodiment, the system 10 rotates the rotor 10 at a first rotation angle α x falls at a predetermined angle α within a predetermined fall time. x,dr It can be configured to determine a scroll event only when the time has decreased by . In an embodiment, the predetermined fall time may be set to 0 ms to 500 ms. Specifically, the predetermined fall time may be set to 5 ms to 250 ms. More specifically, the predetermined fall time may be set to 10 ms to 150 ms. It should be noted that "ms" is to be understood as "milliseconds."
[0069] In this regard, FIG. 4d shows the first rotation angle α relative to the time axis. x 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary curve of the first rotation angle α x 1. When the scroll wheel 142 begins to rotate in a first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a, one of the engagement features 144 engages the magnetic object 110, causing the magnetic object 110, and more specifically the body axis 116, to rotate in the first direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112. This causes the first rotation angle α xincreases until it reaches a trigger position where the engagement feature 144 disengages the magnetic object 110. This corresponds to time sample t1 in the chart of FIG. 4d. The biasing mechanism 145 then rotates the magnetic object 110 back towards the initial state within the time interval (t2-t1). In other words, the first rotation angle α x is reduced by counter-rotating the magnetic object 110. The first rotation angle α x The absolute value of this decrease is given by the drop angle α x,dr and the time interval (t2-t1) is within a predetermined fall time, the system 10 is configured to determine a scroll event. More specifically, the first rotation angle α x If the first rotation angle α decreases, the system 10 is configured to determine a scroll-up event. x may be set to 0. When the scroll wheel 142 further rotates in the first direction about the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a, the first rotation angle α x may increase again from 0 until it reaches the trigger position. In the example chart of FIG. 4d, three additional scroll-up events may be determined by the system 10. Next, when the scroll wheel 142 rotates in a second direction about the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a, the magnetic object 110, more specifically the body axis 116, may rotate in a second direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. The system 10 determines the first rotation angle α x may be determined to decrease from 0, i.e., may take a negative value. At time sample t3, the angular displacement of the magnetic object 110 reaches a trigger position where the engagement feature 144 disengages the magnetic object 110. The biasing mechanism 145 then rotates the magnetic object 110 back toward the initial state within a time interval (t3-t4). In other words, the first rotation angle α x is increased by counter-rotating the magnetic object 110. The first rotation angle α x This increase is proportional to the predetermined drop angle α x,drand the time interval (t3-t4) is within a predetermined fall time, the system 10 is configured to determine a scroll event. More specifically, the first rotation angle α x If increases, the system 10 is configured to determine a scroll down event.
[0070] Third Exemplary Configuration 5a, 5b, and 5c show a third exemplary configuration of the user-worn device 100. The third exemplary configuration is configured according to a first type of scroll displacement. The magnetic object rotation axis 112 is arranged not parallel to the body axis 116. In other words, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is arranged in the housing 110 at an angle relative to the body axis 116. Thus, rotation of at least one magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 causes an angular displacement of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 between an initial state and a displaced state. The angular displacement between the initial state and the displaced state is determined by a first rotation angle α about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x In other words, the first rotation angle α x is the degree of angular displacement about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. In the embodiment, in the initial state, the first rotation angle α x may be approximately 0. The magnetic object rotation axis 112 is associated with a magnetic object 110 operatively coupled to the scrolling feature 140. FIGS. 5a and 5b show the scrolling feature 140 in an exemplary inactive position. FIG. 5c shows the scrolling feature 140 in an exemplary active position. In the inactive position of the scrolling feature 140, the at least one magnetic object 110 is in an exemplary initial state. In the active position of the scrolling feature 140, the at least one magnetic object 110 is in an exemplary displaced state.
[0071] 5a, 5b, and 5c, the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the scrolling feature 140 may be coincident with the magnetic object rotation axis 112 of the magnetic object 110. However, it should be understood that in variations of the third exemplary configuration, the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the scrolling feature 140 may be spaced apart from and / or parallel to the magnetic object rotation axis 112 of the magnetic object 110.
[0072] The scrolling feature 140 comprises a tiltable button 146 defining a tiltable button rotation axis 146a. In embodiments in which at least one scrolling feature 140 comprises a tiltable button 146, the tiltable button rotation axis 146a may also be referred to as a tilt button axis 146a. The tiltable button 146 is configured and arranged to tilt about the tiltable button rotation axis 146a relative to the housing 101 when actuated by the user U. Specifically, the tiltable button 146 is configured and arranged to tilt about the tiltable button rotation axis 146a relative to the housing 101 between a neutral position and a maximum tilt position. Tilting may be understood as a subform of rotation. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the tiltable button 146. In the neutral position of the tiltable button 146, the at least one magnetic object 110 may be in an initial state (see FIGS. 5a and 5b). At the maximum tilt position of the tiltable button 146, the at least one magnetic object 110 may be at a maximum displacement (see FIG. 5c). In other words, at the maximum tilt position of the tiltable button 146, the body axis 116 may be at a maximum α x,may 5b and 5c, the biasing mechanism 147 includes two spring elements. In an embodiment, the biasing mechanism 147 may include at least one spring element (e.g., a coil spring) and / or at least a leaf spring beam.
[0073] Specifically, at least one magnetic object 110 may be directly coupled to the tiltable button 146. For example, the magnetic object 110 may be mounted at or centered on the tilt button axis 146a (see, e.g., FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c). In aspects, the term "coupled" may be understood as "operably coupled," such that, for example, movement of the scrolling feature 140 results in movement of the at least one magnetic object 110. Directly coupled may be understood such that a 1° rotation of the scroll wheel 142 can result in a 1° rotation of the body axis 116.
[0074] Instead of being directly coupled, the scrolling feature 140 may be indirectly coupled to the at least one magnetic object 110. For example, the scrolling feature 140 may further comprise a transmission device 143. The tiltable button 146 may be coupled to the magnetic object 110 via the transmission device 143. The transmission device 143 may be configured to increase the rotation of the magnetic object 110. Alternatively, the transmission device 143 may be configured to decrease the rotation of the magnetic object 110. In embodiments, the transmission device 143 may comprise a gear transmission 143a and / or a lever transmission 143b (see, e.g., FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7).
[0075] Referring again to FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c, the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146 is aligned with the vertical device axis z d Specifically, the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the scroll wheel 142 is perpendicular to the first device axis x d This may be the case when the user-worn device 100 is a computer mouse and / or when the second device axis y dThis can be particularly advantageous when the magnetic object 110 has a body axis 116 pointing toward the front of the computer mouse. As outlined above, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is positioned so that it is not parallel to and coincident with the body axis 116. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned so that the body axis 116 is not parallel to the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 is positioned so that the body axis 116 is perpendicular to the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146. Alternatively, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned so that the body axis 116 is angled relative to the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146.
[0076] Alternatively, the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146 may be aligned with the vertical device axis z d , whereas the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146 is disposed perpendicular to the vertical device axis z d More specifically, the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146 may be aligned parallel to the vertical device axis z d This may be the case when the user-worn device 100 is a dial and / or when the user-worn device 100 is a vertical device axis z d It may be particularly advantageous if the magnetic object 110 is positioned at the geometric center of the dial. The magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is not parallel to the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is perpendicular to the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146. The magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is not parallel to the vertical device axis z d Alternatively, the magnetic object 110 can be positioned such that the body axis 116 is tilted relative to the tiltable button rotation axis 146a of the tiltable button 146 and / or perpendicular to the vertical device axis z d The stator 10 may be arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the stator 10 .
[0077] As shown schematically in FIG. 5b, the tiltable button 146 is rotatable in a first direction about the tiltable button rotation axis 146a. Additionally, the tiltable button 146 is rotatable in a second direction about the tiltable button rotation axis 146a that is opposite to the first direction about the tiltable button rotation axis 146a. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the tiltable button 146 such that rotation of the tiltable button 146 in the first direction about the tiltable button rotation axis 146a causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in the first direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the tiltable button 146 such that rotation of the tiltable button 146 in the second direction about the tiltable button rotation axis 146a causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in the second direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 that is opposite to the first direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112.
[0078] As outlined above, rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 results in an angular displacement α of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 between the initial state and the displaced state. x The system 10 generates an angular displacement α of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x As further outlined above, the system 10 is configured to determine a scroll event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. The system 10 is configured to detect a first rotation angle α x The absolute value of the first rotation angle threshold α x,th The scroll event may be further configured to be determined only when the scroll event exceeds the threshold.
[0079] In the embodiment, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th may be set to a value greater than 0° to 15°. Specifically, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th may be set to a value between 0.5° and 10°. More specifically, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th may be set to a value between 1° and 5°. In some embodiments, the first rotation angle threshold α x,thmay be set to a value of about 1°+ / −0.5°. For example, the first rotation angle threshold α x,th 3a and 3b show the first rotation angle threshold α about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. x,th An angular displacement α in the first direction exceeds x In an embodiment, the system 10 rotates the tiltable button 146 at a first rotation angle α after the neutral position. x can be configured to set the value to 0.
[0080] Specifically, the system 10 associated with the user-worn device 100 in the third exemplary configuration can be configured to output the initiation of a scrolling movement upon determining a scroll event. The system 10 may determine a first rotation angle (α x ) is below a predetermined stop value. In an embodiment, the predetermined stop value is a first rotation angle threshold α x,th Scrolling may be understood as continuously performing a scrolling function at a predetermined speed, e.g., moving a displayed page or cursor in a certain direction at a predetermined speed. In an embodiment, scrolling may be understood as repeatedly outputting a scrolling step, e.g., one scrolling step, at a predetermined time interval.
[0081] In an embodiment, the system 10 rotates the rotor 10 at a first rotation angle α x In other words, the predetermined speed of the scrolling movement can be configured to be output when the absolute value of the first rotation angle α x The system 10 can increase the current speed by a factor related to the increment of the first rotation angle α x , the absolute value of the first rotation angle α decreases. x, may be decreased by a factor related to the decrease in . If the scrolling movement includes repeatedly outputting scrolling steps, acceleration may result in increasing the number of scrolling steps output per time interval and / or decreasing the time interval per output of several scrolling steps. Similarly, acceleration may result in decreasing the number of scrolling steps output per time interval and / or increasing the time interval per output of several scrolling steps.
[0082] In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to distinguish between a scroll up event and a scroll down event. In an example, the system 10 can be configured to determine that a scroll event is a scroll up event when the body axis 116 is angularly displaced in a first direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 from an initial state to a displaced state. In an example, the system 10 can be configured to determine that a scroll event is a scroll down event when the body axis 116 is angularly displaced in a second direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 from an initial state to a displaced state. More specifically, the rotation of the body axis 116 in the first direction about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is determined by a first rotation angle α x In other words, the system 10 may be configured such that a rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 in a first direction results in a first rotation angle α x In an embodiment, the first rotation angle α x A positive value of α may be associated with a scroll up event. In other words, the system 10 adjusts the first rotation angle α x A positive value of α can be configured to be associated with a scroll up event. A rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 in a second direction is performed by a first rotation angle α x In other words, the system 10 may detect when a rotation of the body axis 116 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 in the second direction is greater than the first rotation angle α xIn an embodiment, the first rotation angle α x A negative value of α may be associated with a scroll down event. In other words, the system 10 adjusts the first rotation angle α x For example, as shown in FIG. 5c, when the magnetic object 110 rotates past the first rotation angle threshold α x,th A scroll up event is determined when the magnetic object rotates in a first direction about the rotation axis 112 exceeding .gtoreq..times ...
[0083] Specifically, the system 10 may be configured to output a scroll-up movement upon determining a scroll-up event. The system 10 may be configured to output a scroll-down movement upon determining a scroll-down event. As outlined above, a scroll movement may involve a control action corresponding to a scrolling function. For example, a scroll-up event, more specifically a scroll-up movement, may include moving a selection cursor within a displayed application in a first direction at a predetermined or current speed. Similarly, a scroll-down event, more specifically a scroll-down movement, may include moving a selection cursor within a displayed application in a second direction opposite the first direction at a predetermined or current speed.
[0084] Fourth Exemplary Configuration 14a and 14b show a fourth exemplary configuration of the user-worn device 100. The fourth exemplary configuration is configured according to a second type of scrolling displacement. The magnetic object rotation axis 112 is arranged parallel to the body axis 116 but not coincident with the body axis 116 (see FIG. 14). In other words, the magnetic object rotation axis 112 is arranged parallel to the body axis 116 within the housing 110. Thus, rotation of at least one magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 causes a translational displacement d of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 between an initial state and a displaced state. In other words, the translational displacement d is the degree of movement of the magnetic object 110 perpendicular to the body axis 116 from the initial state to the displaced state relative to the housing 101. The magnetic object rotation axis 112 is associated with a magnetic object 110 operably coupled to the scrolling feature 140.
[0085] 14a-14b, the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the scrolling feature 140 may coincide with the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 of the magnetic object 110. The magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is parallel to the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the at least one scrolling feature 140. More specifically, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is spaced apart from the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a of the at least one scrolling feature 140. In other words, the magnetic object 110 may be positioned such that the body axis 116 is parallel to and spaced apart from the magnetic object axis of rotation 112.
[0086] 14a-14b, the scrolling feature 140 may include a scroll wheel 142 defining a scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. In embodiments in which at least one scrolling feature 140 includes a scroll wheel 142, the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a may also be referred to as the scroll wheel axis 142a. The scroll wheel 142 may be positioned and configured to rotate relative to the housing 101 about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a when actuated by a user U.
[0087] The magnetic objects 110 are coupled to the scroll wheel 142. Specifically, the magnetic objects 110 are directly coupled to the scroll wheel 142. In embodiments, the magnetic objects 110 may be attached to the scroll wheel 142 radially away from the scroll wheel axis 142a. In embodiments, at least one magnetic object 110 may be attached to or near the inner circumferential surface of the scroll wheel 142. In aspects, the term "coupled" may be understood to mean "operably coupled," for example, such that movement of the scrolling feature 140 results in movement of the at least one magnetic object 110. With respect to the fourth exemplary configuration, directly coupled may be understood to mean that the magnetic objects 110 are fixedly attached to the scroll wheel 142.
[0088] As shown schematically in FIGS. 14a and 14b, the scroll wheel 142 is rotatable in a first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. Furthermore, the scroll wheel 142 is rotatable in a second direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a that is opposite to the first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the scroll wheel 142 such that rotation of the scroll wheel 142 in the first direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in the first direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112. The magnetic object 110 is coupled to the scroll wheel 142 such that rotation of the scroll wheel 142 in the second direction about the scroll wheel axis of rotation 142a causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in the second direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 that is opposite to the first direction about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112.
[0089] Referring again to FIGS. 14a and 14b, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 is aligned with the vertical device axis z d Specifically, the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142 is arranged perpendicular to the first device axis x d This may be the case when the user-worn device 100 is a computer mouse and / or when the second device axis y d 14a and 14b, the magnetic object 110 may be arranged so that the body axis 116 is parallel to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142. Alternatively, the magnetic object 110 may be arranged so that the body axis 116 is tilted relative to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142, specifically as long as the body of the magnetic object 110 is spaced apart from the magnetic object rotation axis 112. As outlined above, the magnetic object 110 may be arranged so that the body axis 116 is parallel to the scroll wheel rotation axis 142a of the scroll wheel 142, specifically as long as the body of the magnetic object 110 is spaced apart from the magnetic object rotation axis 112.
[0090] As outlined above, rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 causes a translational displacement d of the body axis 116 between an initial state and a displaced state relative to the housing 101. As further outlined above, the system 10 is configured to determine a scroll event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. Specifically, the system 10 associated with the user-worn device 100 in the fourth exemplary configuration is configured to detect a translational displacement d of the body axis 116 when the magnetic object 110 rotates about the magnetic object rotation axis 112. The system 10 can be further configured to determine a scroll event only when the translational displacement d exceeds a predetermined threshold distance. In an example, the predetermined threshold distance may include an absolute movement distance of the body axis 116 between the initial state and the displaced state in a reference coordinate system XYZ defined by the multiple magnetometers 300. In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to determine a scroll event only when the translational displacement d includes a circular motion, i.e., a translation along a circular path. The circular path may be contained in a plane orthogonal to the body axis 116. Specifically, upon determining a scroll event, the system 10 may be configured to output a scroll step. A scroll step may involve, for example, one or more of moving a selection cursor from one position to an adjacent position, or moving a displayed element, e.g., a page or cursor, one step in a direction, or turning a menu or selection list one step, depending on the scroll function, to name just a few examples.
[0091] In an embodiment, the system 10 calculates a displacement d between the initial state and the displaced state relative to a first device axis x. d , the second device axis y d , and / or the vertical device axis z d Specifically, when the first device axis x d , the second device axis y d , and / or the vertical device axis z dThe scroll event may be configured to be determined only when the scroll event consists of a predetermined value of translation along the
[0092] The system 10 is configured to d and / or the second device axis y d and / or the vertical device axis z d The system 10 may be configured to determine whether a scroll event is a scroll up event or a scroll down event based on a predetermined value of translation along . The system 10 may be configured to set the value of the translation displacement d to 0 upon detecting a scroll event. Specifically, the system 10 may be configured to output a scroll up step upon determining a scroll up event. The system 10 may be configured to output a scroll down step upon determining a scroll down event. As outlined above, a scroll step may involve a control operation according to a scroll function. For example, a scroll up event, more specifically a scroll up step, may include moving a selection cursor in a displayed application from one position to an adjacent position in a first direction. Similarly, a scroll down event, more specifically a scroll down step, may include moving a selection cursor in a displayed application from one position to an adjacent position in a second direction opposite the first direction.
[0093] In a variation of the fourth exemplary configuration, the scroll wheel 142 can be configured similarly to that of the third exemplary configuration. Specifically, the scroll wheel 142 may include a plurality of engagement features 144. The plurality of engagement features 144 are selectively engageable with at least one magnet 110 to cause rotation of the at least one magnetic object 110. Selectively engageable may be understood to mean that only one of the respective engagement features 144 couples with the magnetic object 110 at a time. In embodiments, the plurality of engagement features 144 may be circumferentially distributed on the scroll wheel 142 about the scroll wheel axis 142a. In examples, the plurality of engagement features 144 may include protrusions distributed circumferentially on the scroll wheel 142 about the scroll wheel axis 142a. The protrusions may extend radially inward and / or axially relative to the scroll wheel axis 142a. In embodiments, the engagement features 144 may be spaced apart circumferentially by an angular distance φ. Specifically, the engagement features 144 may be equally spaced apart in the circumferential direction by an angular distance φ. The engagement features 144 may be spaced apart in the circumferential direction by an angular distance φ of about 30°. In other embodiments, the angular distance φ may be greater or less. For example, the angular distance φ may be between 5° and 120°, specifically between 10° and 45°, and more specifically between 15° and 30°. The plurality of engagement features 144 may include 12 engagement features 144. In other embodiments, the number of engagement features 144 may be greater or less than 12. In embodiments, the plurality of engagement features 144 may include between 3 and 72 engagement features 144, specifically between 5 and 50 engagement features 144, and more specifically between 10 and 30 engagement features 144. In an embodiment, the engagement feature 144 is disposed on the rim of the scroll wheel 142 radially outward of the at least one magnetic object 110. In an embodiment, the at least one magnetic object 110 may be disposed within the outer periphery of the scroll wheel 142. In an embodiment, the at least one magnetic object 110 may be disposed axially adjacent to the scroll wheel 142.For purposes of this section, "axial" and "radial" refer to the scroll wheel axis 142a. More specifically, as the scroll wheel 142 rotates, one of the engagement features 144 is configured to engage the magnetic object 110 and bias the magnetic object 110 from an initial state to a displaced state. Additionally, one of the engagement features 144 is configured to disengage at least one magnetic object 110 when the displaced state reaches a trigger position. At the trigger position, a translational displacement d reaches a predetermined trigger distance. The trigger position, more specifically, the predetermined trigger distance, can be understood as the displacement state of the magnetic object 110, more specifically, the translational displacement of the body axis 116, relative to the initial state of the magnetic object 110, more specifically, the initial state of the body axis 116. The trigger position, or more specifically the predetermined trigger distance, may depend on, for example, one or more of the geometric shape of the engagement feature 144, the number of engagement features 144, the angular distance φ, the geometric shape of the magnetic object 110, the location of the magnetic object rotation axis 112, the circular path that the magnetic object 110 can move about the magnetic object rotation axis 112, and / or the positional location of the magnetic object 110 relative to the engagement feature 144.
[0094] The fifth through eighth exemplary configurations according to Figures 1, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 12c, 13a, and 13b relate to embodiments that include a click feature 150. These embodiments that include a click feature 150 can be combined with one or more aspects of any of the previously described exemplary configurations that describe a scroll feature 140. Before describing the specific details of each exemplary configuration, common features will first be described.
[0095] As shown in Figures 1, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 12c, 13a, 13b, the user-worn device 100 may further comprise at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b movably coupled to the housing 101 and actuatable by the user U. At least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c may be operably coupled to the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b. In some embodiments, the magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c operably coupled to the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b may be the same magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c coupled to the scrolling feature 140 or an additional magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c. The at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c is operably coupled to the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b such that actuation of the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b causes rotation and / or translation of the at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c relative to the housing 101.
[0096] In embodiments, the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b may be movably disposed relative to the housing 101 between a neutral position and at least one of a first actuation position and a second actuation position. The at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b may include a biasing mechanism 155. The biasing mechanism 155 may be configured to bias the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b toward the neutral position. In embodiments, the biasing mechanism 155 may include at least one spring element, for example, two spring elements as shown in FIGS. 8b and 9b. In embodiments, the biasing mechanism 155 may include a feedback element. The feedback element may be configured to provide audible and / or tactile feedback to the user U. In embodiments, the feedback element may be configured to provide audible and / or tactile feedback when the first actuation position and / or the second actuation position is reached. In an embodiment, the feedback element may include a clicker.
[0097] In embodiments, at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c may be coupled to at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b. Specifically, at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c may be directly coupled to at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b.
[0098] Specifically, at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c may be directly coupled to the scroll wheel 142. For example, the magnetic object 110 may be attached at or in the center of the scroll wheel 142 (see, e.g., FIG. 2a). In aspects, the term "coupled" may be understood as "operably coupled," such that, for example, movement of the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b results in movement of the at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c.
[0099] Instead of being directly coupled, the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b may be indirectly coupled to the at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c. For example, the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b may further comprise a transmission device 153. The at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b may be coupled to the at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c via the transmission device 153. The transmission device 153 may be configured to increase the rotation and / or translation of the at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c. Alternatively, the transmission device 153 may be configured to decrease the rotation and / or translation of the at least one magnetic object 110, 110a, 110b, 110c. In embodiments, the transmission device 153 may include a gear transmission 153a and / or a lever transmission 153b (see, e.g., FIGS. 10a and 10b). In embodiments with a gear transmission, the at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b may be coupled to a drive gear, which may be rotatable about a drive gear axis 154 such that actuation of the at least one click feature 150 causes rotation of the drive gear, which in turn causes rotation of a driven gear coupled to the at least one magnetic object 110.
[0100] Fifth Exemplary Configuration 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b illustrate a fifth exemplary configuration in which the user-worn device 100 includes a click feature 150 that includes two operating surfaces 150a and 150b, specifically, a first operating surface 150a and a second operating surface 150b. Alternatively, two separate click features 150 may be provided, providing the first operating surface 150a and the second operating surface 150b and operable by the user U. Activating the click feature 150 via the first operating surface 150a moves the click feature 150 from the neutral position to a first actuated position (see FIGS. 9a and 9b). Activating the click feature 150 via the second operating surface 150b moves the click feature 150 from the neutral position to a second actuated position (not shown).
[0101] In a fifth exemplary configuration, the same magnetic object 110 operably coupled to the scrolling feature 140 is also coupled to the clicking feature 150. The magnetic object 110 is operably coupled to the clicking features 150, 150a, 150b such that actuation of at least one clicking feature 150 causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 about a second rotation axis 114 relative to the housing 101. The second rotation axis 114 is orthogonal to the magnetic object rotation axis 112. Additionally, the second rotation axis 114 may not coincide with the body axis 116. Furthermore, the second rotation axis 114 may be orthogonal to the magnetic object rotation axis 112 such that rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the second rotation axis 114 from an initial state to a displaced state of the body axis 116 relative to the housing 101 is greater than a second rotation angle α. y The second rotation axis 114 may not be parallel to the body axis 116, causing an angular displacement along the second rotation angle α. The term "not coincident" may be understood as "not identical." In an embodiment, the second rotation axis 114 may intersect with the body axis 116. In other words, the second rotation angle α y is the degree of angular displacement of the magnetic object 110, specifically the body axis 116, about the second axis of rotation 114. In an embodiment, the body axis 116 may be orthogonal to the second axis of rotation 114. In an embodiment, the second axis of rotation 114 may intersect the body axis 116, specifically the second axis of rotation 114 may intersect the center of mass of the magnetic object 110.
[0102] The magnetic object 110 may be coupled to the click feature 150, 150a, 150b such that the magnetic object 110 is in an initial state when the click feature 150, 150a, 150b is in a neutral position. In other words, the second rotation angle α y The value of the second rotation angle α may be defined as 0 when the click feature 150, 150a, 150b is in the neutral position. Specifically, the system may define the second rotation angle α y The value of is configured to be 0.
[0103] In an embodiment, movement of the click feature 150, 150a toward the first actuation position causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in a first direction about the second axis of rotation 114 (see FIGS. 9a and 9b). Movement of the click feature 150, 150b toward the second actuation position causes rotation of the magnetic object 110 in a second direction about the second axis of rotation 114, opposite to the first direction about the second axis of rotation 114. In an embodiment, the at least one click feature 150 may include a first click feature 150a, e.g., a left-click button, which is actuatable from a neutral position to a first actuation position, e.g., a left click. The first click feature 150a may cause rotation of the at least one magnetic object 110 in a first direction about the second axis of rotation 114. In an embodiment, the at least one click feature 150 may include a second click feature 150b, e.g., a right-click button, actuatable from a neutral position to a second actuation position, e.g., a right-click, that may rotate the at least one magnetic object 110 about the second rotation axis 114 in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
[0104] In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to detect angular displacement of the body axis 116 about the second axis of rotation 114. The system 10 can be configured to determine a click event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of the magnetic object 110 about the second axis of rotation 114. As outlined above, a click event can include a selection of an object, e.g., selecting an item, selecting a list, or selecting an item on a list. A click event can trigger the following actions: a click action, a selection action, a drag action, and / or a drag-and-drop action of an item, object, or word. A click event can further trigger an action that provides additional information and / or properties of the selected object, item, or word.
[0105] The system 10 rotates at a second rotation angle α y The absolute value of the second rotation angle threshold α y,th In the embodiment, a click event is determined only when the second rotation angle threshold α y,th may be set to a value greater than 0° to 15°. Specifically, the second rotation angle threshold α y,th may be set to a value between 0.5° and 10°. More specifically, the second rotation angle threshold α y,th may be set to a value between 1° and 5°. For example, the second rotation angle threshold α y,th may be set to a value of about 1°±0.5°.
[0106] In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to distinguish between a first click function and a second click function. In an example, the system 10 can be configured to determine that a click event is a first click function when the body shaft 116 is angularly displaced in a first direction about the second rotation axis 114 from an initial state to a displaced state. In an example, the system 10 can be configured to determine that a click event is a second click function when the body shaft 116 is angularly displaced in a second direction about the second rotation axis 114 from an initial state to a displaced state. More specifically, the rotation of the body shaft 116 in the first direction about the second rotation axis 114 is determined by a second rotation angle α. y In other words, the system 10 may be configured such that rotation of the body axis 116 about the second axis of rotation 114 in the first direction results in a positive value of the second rotation angle α y In an embodiment, the second rotation angle α y A positive value of α may be associated with a first click function. In other words, the system 10 adjusts the second rotation angle α y A positive value of α can be configured to be associated with a first click function. Rotation of the body axis 116 about the first second axis 114 in a second direction is achieved by a second rotation angle α y In other words, the system 10 may be configured such that rotation of the body axis 116 about the second axis of rotation 114 in the second direction results in a negative value of α. y In an embodiment, the second rotation angle α y A negative value of α may be associated with a second click function. In other words, the system 10 adjusts the second rotation angle α y The system 10 may be configured to associate a negative value of α with the second click function. In embodiments, the first click function and the second click function may be associated with different functions of the click event. In embodiments, the system 10 may be configured to associate a second rotation angle α with the neutral position of the at least one click operation feature 150, 150a, 150b. y can be configured to set the value to 0.
[0107] Sixth Exemplary Configuration 11a and 11b show a sixth exemplary configuration of the user wearable device 100. Compared to the fifth exemplary configuration, the user wearable device 100 includes two magnetic objects 110a and 110b. The two magnetic objects 110a and 110b include a first magnetic object 110 and a second magnetic object 110 and a second magnetic object 110b, respectively, that define a first magnetic moment vector 120a along a first body axis 116a and a second magnetic moment vector 120b along a second body axis 116b. The first magnetic object 110a and the second magnetic object 110b are spaced apart from each other within the housing 101 of the user wearable device 100. In an embodiment, the first magnetic object 110a and the second magnetic object 110b may be arranged in different orientations within the housing 101 of the user wearable device 100. The provision of a second magnetic object can increase the reliability of the user-worn device 100 and the associated system 10. Furthermore, the risk of incorrectly identifying a rotation of the housing 101 as a click or scroll event can be prevented or at least reduced.
[0108] In embodiments, the first magnetic body 110a may comprise a body, specifically a longitudinal body, extending along a first body axis 116a. The first body axis 116a may define a first magnetic moment vector 120a of the first magnetic body 110a. The second magnetic body 110b may comprise a body, specifically a longitudinal body, extending along a second body axis 116b. The second body axis 116b may define a second magnetic moment vector 120b of the second magnetic body 110b.
[0109] In an embodiment, the two magnetic objects 110, 110a, 110b are separated from each other by a predetermined minimum distance. In an embodiment, the predetermined minimum distance may be defined between the dipole centers / centroids of each of the two magnetic objects 110, 110a, 110b. In an embodiment, the predetermined minimum distance is greater than half the median distance between two adjacent magnetometers of the plurality of magnetometers 300. In an embodiment, the median distance between two adjacent magnetometers is measured between their respective centers.
[0110] 11a and 11b, the first magnetic object 110a is fixedly coupled to the housing 101. In other words, the first magnetic object 110a is immovably disposed within the housing 101. The second magnetic object 110b is translatably and / or rotatably disposed relative to the housing 101 and the first magnetic object 110a. Specifically, the second magnetic object 110, 110b may be rotatable about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 and / or the second rotation axis 114, as described hereinabove and shown in FIGS. 1-10. Specifically, the second magnetic object 110b may be operably coupled to the scrolling feature 140 and the clicking feature 150, 150a, 150b. Actuation of the at least one scroll feature 140 can cause rotation of the second magnetic object 110b about the magnetic object rotation axis 112 relative to the housing 101. Actuation of the at least one click feature 150 can cause rotation of the second magnetic object 110b about the second rotation axis 114 relative to the housing 101.
[0111] In an embodiment, the first magnetic object 110a, more specifically the first magnetic moment vector 120a, may be oriented in a first direction, and the second magnetic object 110b, more specifically the second magnetic moment vector 120b, may be oriented in a second direction. In an embodiment, the first and second directions may be oblique, more specifically orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, the first direction may point toward the second magnetic object 110b, more specifically toward the center of mass of the second magnetic object 110b, or the second direction may point toward the first magnetic object 110a, more specifically toward the center of mass of the first magnetic object 110a. In an embodiment, the first magnetic object 110a and the second magnetic object 110b may have different magnetic strengths.
[0112] Compared to the system 10 associated with the user-worn device 100 of the fifth exemplary configuration, the system 10 associated with the user-worn device 100 of the sixth exemplary configuration can be configured to detect a scroll event only if the tracked movement of the second magnetic object 110b includes a change in the orientation of the second magnetic moment vector 120b relative to the first magnetic moment vector 120a. In other words, the system 10 can be configured to detect a scroll event only if the tracked movement of the second magnetic object 110b includes a change in the orientation of the second body axis 116b of the second magnetic object 110b relative to the first body axis 116a of the first magnetic object 110a. In an embodiment, the system 10 can be configured to detect a click event only if the tracked movement of the second magnetic object 110b includes a change in the orientation of the second magnetic moment vector 120b relative to the first magnetic moment vector 120a. In other words, the system 10 can be configured to detect a click event only if the tracked movement of the second magnetic object 110b includes a change in orientation of the second body axis 116b of the second magnetic object 110b relative to the first body axis 116a of the first magnetic object 110a.
[0113] Seventh Exemplary Configuration 12a and 12b illustrate a seventh exemplary configuration of the user wearable device 100. Compared to the fifth exemplary configuration, the user wearable device 100 includes two magnetic objects 110a and 110b. The two magnetic objects 110a and 110b include a first magnetic object 110a defining a first magnetic moment vector 120a along a first body axis 116a and a second magnetic object 110b defining a second magnetic moment vector 120b along a second body axis 116b. The first magnetic object 110a and the second magnetic object 110b are spaced apart from each other within the housing 101 of the user wearable device 100. In an embodiment, the first magnetic object 110a and the second magnetic object 110b may be arranged in different orientations within the housing 101 of the user wearable device 100. The provision of a second magnetic object can increase the reliability of the user-worn device 100 and the associated system 10. Furthermore, the risk of incorrectly identifying a rotation of the housing 101 as a click or scroll event can be prevented or at least reduced.
[0114] In embodiments, the first magnetic body 110a may comprise a body, specifically a longitudinal body, extending along a first body axis 116a. The first body axis 116a may define a first magnetic moment vector 120a of the first magnetic body 110a. The second magnetic body 110b may comprise a body, specifically a longitudinal body, extending along a second body axis 116b. The second body axis 116b may define a second magnetic moment vector 120b of the second magnetic body 110b.
[0115] In an embodiment, the two magnetic objects 110, 110a, 110b are separated from each other by a predetermined minimum distance. In an embodiment, the predetermined minimum distance may be defined between the dipole centers / centroids of each of the two magnetic objects 110, 110a, 110b. In an embodiment, the predetermined minimum distance is greater than half the median distance between two adjacent magnetometers of the plurality of magnetometers 300. In an embodiment, the median distance between two adjacent magnetometers is measured between their respective centers.
[0116] In the seventh exemplary configuration according to FIGS. 12a and 12b, the first magnetic object 110a is arranged to be translatable and / or rotatable with respect to the housing 101. The second magnetic object 110b is arranged to be translatable and / or rotatable with respect to the housing 101. In an embodiment, the second magnetic object 110b may be arranged to be translatable and / or rotatable with respect to the first magnetic object 110a. The first magnetic object 110a may be operably coupled to the scrolling feature 140. Specifically, the first magnetic object 110a may be operably coupled only to the scrolling feature 140. The second magnetic object 110b may be operably coupled to at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b. Specifically, the second magnetic object 110b may be operably coupled only to at least one click feature 150, 150a, 150b.
[0117] Specifically, the first magnetic object 110a may be rotatable about a magnetic object axis of rotation 112, as previously described herein and illustrated in Figures 1-7. Actuation of the at least one scrolling feature 140 may cause rotation of the first magnetic object 110a about the magnetic object axis of rotation 112 relative to the housing 101.
[0118] Specifically, the second magnetic object 110, 110b may be rotatable about a second axis of rotation 114, as described previously herein and shown in Figures 8-12. Actuation of the at least one click feature 150 may cause rotation of the second magnetic object 110b about the second axis of rotation 114 relative to the housing 101.
[0119] Eighth Exemplary Configuration 13a and 13b illustrate an eighth exemplary configuration of the user-worn device 100. Compared to the fifth exemplary configuration, the user-worn device 100 includes three magnetic objects 110a, 110b, and 110c. The three magnetic objects 110a, 110b, and 110c include a first magnetic object 110, 110a defining a first magnetic moment vector 120a along a first body axis 116a, a second magnetic object 110, 110b defining a second magnetic moment vector 120b along a second body axis 116b, and a third magnetic object 110, 110c defining a third magnetic moment vector 120c along a third body axis 116c. The three magnetic objects 110a, 110b, and 110c are spaced apart from one another within the housing 101 of the user-worn device 100. In embodiments, the three magnetic objects 110a, 110b, 110c may be positioned at different orientations within the housing 101 of the user-worn device 100. The provision of a third magnetic object may increase the reliability of the user-worn device 100 and the associated system 10. Furthermore, the risk of incorrectly identifying a rotation of the housing 101 as a click or scroll event may be prevented or at least reduced.
[0120] In embodiments, the first magnetic substance 110a may comprise a body, specifically a longitudinal body, extending along a first body axis 116a. The first body axis 116a may define a first magnetic moment vector 120a of the first magnetic substance 110a. The second magnetic substance 110b may comprise a body, specifically a longitudinal body, extending along a second body axis 116b. The second body axis 116b may define a second magnetic moment vector 120b of the second magnetic substance 110b. The third magnetic substance 110c may comprise a body, specifically a longitudinal body, extending along a third body axis 116c. The third body axis 116c may define a third magnetic moment vector 120c of the third magnetic substance 110c.
[0121] In an embodiment, the three magnetic objects 110a, 110b, 110c are separated from one another by a predetermined minimum distance. In an embodiment, the predetermined minimum distance may be defined between the dipole centers / centroids of each of the three magnetic objects 110a, 110b, 110c. In an embodiment, the predetermined minimum distance is greater than half the median distance between two adjacent magnetometers of the plurality of magnetometers 300. In an embodiment, the median distance between two adjacent magnetometers is measured between their respective centers.
[0122] 13a-13b, the first magnetic object 110a is translatably and / or rotatably arranged relative to the housing 101. The second magnetic object 110b is translatably and / or rotatably arranged relative to the housing 101. The third magnetic object 110c is translatably and / or rotatably arranged relative to the housing 101. In embodiments, one or more of the first magnetic object 110a, the second magnetic object 110b, and the third magnetic object 110c may be translatably and / or rotatably arranged relative to one or both of the three magnetic objects 110a, 110b, and 110c. The first magnetic object 110a may be operably coupled to the scrolling feature 140. Specifically, the first magnetic object 110a may be operably coupled only to the scrolling feature 140.
[0123] The at least one click feature 150 may include a first click feature 150 a and a second click feature 150 b. The first click feature 150 a, e.g., a left-click button, may be actuable from a neutral position to a first actuation position, e.g., a left click. The second click feature 150 b, e.g., a right-click button, may be actuable from a neutral position to a second actuation position, e.g., a right-click.
[0124] The second magnetic object 110b can be operably coupled to the first click feature 150a. Specifically, the second magnetic object 110b can be operably coupled only to the first click feature 150a. The third magnetic object 110c can be operably coupled to the second click feature 150b. Specifically, the second magnetic object 110b can be operably coupled only to the second click feature 150b. Actuation of the first click feature 150a can cause translation of the second magnetic object 110b, resulting in a translational displacement t of the second body axis 116b relative to the housing 101 from an initial state to a displaced state. Actuation of the second click feature 150b can cause translation of the third magnetic object 110b, resulting in a translational displacement t of the third body axis 116b relative to the housing 101 from an initial state to a displaced state. Specifically, the translational displacement t of the body axes 116b, 116c may be perpendicular to the body axes 116b, 116c. In the neutral position of the at least one click feature 150, more specifically the first click feature 150a, the second magnetic object 110b is in an initial state. In the first actuation position of the at least one click feature 150, more specifically the first click feature 150a, the second magnetic object 110b is in a displaced state. In the neutral position of the at least one click feature 150, more specifically the second click feature 150b, the third magnetic object 110c is in an initial state. In the first actuation position of the at least one click feature 150, more specifically the second click feature 150b, the third magnetic object 110c is in a displaced state.
[0125] The system 10 can be configured to detect a translational displacement t of the body axes 116b, 116c and determine a click event when the translational displacement t exceeds a predetermined threshold distance.
[0126] In an embodiment, the system 10 calculates a displacement t between the initial state and the displaced state relative to a first device axis x. d , the second device axis y d , and / or the vertical device axis zd Specifically, when the first device axis x d , the second device axis y d , and / or the vertical device axis z d The click event may be configured to be determined only when the click event consists of a predetermined value of translation along the
[0127] In a variation of the eighth exemplary configuration, only two magnetic objects 110a, 110b may be provided. The second magnetic object 110b may be coupled to both of the operation features 150a, 150b. In the first actuation position of the at least one click operation feature 150, 150a, 150b, the translational displacement t is greater than the translational displacement t of the at least one click operation feature 150 in the second actuation position. In other words, the at least one click operation feature 150, 150a, 150b may be configured to cause a greater translational displacement of the second magnetic object 110b when actuated to the first actuation position than when actuated to the second actuation position. For example, the at least one click operation feature 150, 150a, 150b may include a lever mechanism to achieve the different translational displacements.
[0128] While the present disclosure has been described above and is defined in the appended claims, it should be understood that the present disclosure can also be defined according to the following embodiments. 1. A user-worn device (100) operable on an interaction surface (210), comprising: a housing (101); at least one scrolling feature (140) movably coupled to the housing (101) and actuatable by a user (U); at least one magnetic object (110) defining a magnetic moment vector (120) and arranged rotatably and / or translatably relative to the housing (101); Equipped with At least one magnetic object (110) is disposed within the housing (101) and operatively coupled to the scrolling feature (140) such that actuation of the scrolling feature (140) causes rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) about a magnetic object rotation axis (112) relative to the housing (101); A user-worn device (100). 2. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 1, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) has a longitudinal body extending along a body axis (116) that defines a magnetic moment vector (120), and in particular, the magnetic object rotation axis (112) does not coincide with the body axis (116). 3. The magnetic object rotation axis (112) is such that the rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) about the magnetic object rotation axis (112) is such that the rotation of the body axis (116) relative to the housing (101) is from an initial state to a displaced state through a first rotation angle (α x 3. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 2, wherein the body axis (116) is not parallel to the body axis (116) so as to cause angular displacement along the body axis (116). 4. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 2, wherein the magnetic object rotation axis (112) is parallel to the body axis (116) such that rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) around the magnetic object rotation axis (112) causes a translational displacement (d) perpendicular to the body axis (116) from an initial state of the body axis (116) relative to the housing (101) to a displaced state. 5. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) is in an initial state when at least one scrolling feature (140) is not activated. 6. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein at least one scrolling feature (140) defines a rotation axis (142a, 146a), and the at least one scrolling feature (140) is arranged and configured to rotate about the rotation axis (142a, 146a) relative to the housing (101) when actuated by a user (U). 7. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 6, wherein the rotation axes (142a, 146a) are parallel to the magnetic object rotation axis (112). 8. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the rotation axis (142a, 146a) coincides with the magnetic object rotation axis (112). 9. A user-worn device (100) according to any one of embodiments 6 to 8, when at least dependent on embodiment 2, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) is arranged such that its body axis (116) is not parallel to the rotation axis (142a, 146a) of at least one scrolling feature (140), and in particular, at least one magnetic object (110) is arranged such that its body axis (116) is perpendicular to the rotation axis (142a, 146a) of at least one scrolling feature (140). 10. A user-worn device (100) according to any one of embodiments 6 to 9, wherein, when at least dependent on embodiment 3, rotation of at least one scrolling feature (140) in a first direction around a rotation axis (142a, 146a) causes rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) in a first direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112), and rotation of at least one scrolling feature (140) in a second direction around the rotation axis (142a, 146a) opposite to the first direction around the rotation axis (142a, 146a) causes rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) in a second direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112) opposite to the first direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112). 11. When dependent on at least embodiment 6, a user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein at least one scrolling feature (140) comprises a scroll wheel (142) defining a scroll wheel rotation axis (142a), and at least one magnetic object (110) is coupled to the scroll wheel (142), in particular directly coupled thereto. 12. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 11, wherein the scroll wheel (142) has a plurality of engagement features (144) selectively engageable with at least one magnet (110) to cause rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110). 13. According to at least embodiment 3, when the scroll wheel (142) rotates, one of the engagement features (144) is configured to engage with the at least one magnetic object (110) and urge the at least one magnetic object (110) from an initial state to a displaced state, specifically to rotate the at least one magnetic object (110); One of the plurality of engagement features (144) rotates at a first rotation angle (α x and disengaging the at least one magnetic object (110) when the displacement state reaches a trigger position where the magnetic object (110) reaches a predetermined trigger angle. 13. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 12. 14. When dependent on at least embodiment 3, the user-worn device (100) described in embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the at least one scrolling feature (140) further comprises a biasing mechanism (145) coupled to the at least one magnetic object (110), and the biasing mechanism (145) is configured to bias, specifically reverse-rotate, the at least one magnetic object (110) from the displaced state toward the initial state. 15. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 12 to 14, wherein the plurality of engagement features (144) comprise protrusions distributed circumferentially on the scroll wheel (142) around the scroll wheel axis (142a). 16. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 11 to 15, wherein at least one scrolling feature (140) further comprises a transmission device (143), and the scroll wheel (142) is coupled to at least one magnetic object (110) via the transmission device (143). 17. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 16, wherein the transmission device (143) is configured to increase the rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110). 18. The user-worn device (100) according to embodiment 16 or 17, wherein the transmission device (143) comprises a gear transmission (143a) and / or a lever transmission (143b). 19. A user-worn device (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, when dependent at least on embodiment 6, wherein at least one scrolling feature (140) comprises a tiltable button (146) defining a tiltable button rotation axis (146a), and the tiltable button (146) is tiltably arranged around the tiltable button rotation axis (146a) relative to the housing (101) between a neutral position and a maximum tilt position. 20. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 19, when at least dependent on embodiment 3, wherein at a neutral position of the tiltable button (146), at least one magnetic object (110) is in an initial state, and at a maximum tilt position of the tiltable button (146), at least one magnetic object (110) is in a maximum displacement state. 21. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 19 or 20, wherein at least one scrolling feature (140) is coupled to a tiltable button (146) and includes a biasing mechanism (147) configured to tiltably bias the tiltable button (146) toward a neutral position. 22. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 19 to 21, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) is coupled, specifically directly coupled, to the tiltable button (146). 23. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 19 to 22, wherein at least one scrolling feature (140) further comprises a transmission device (143), and the tiltable button (146) is coupled to at least one magnetic object (110) via the transmission device (143). 24. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 23, wherein the transmission device (143) is configured to increase the rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110). 25. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 23 or 24, wherein the transmission device (143) comprises a gear transmission (143a) and / or a lever transmission (143b). 26. A user-worn device (100) according to any one of embodiments 6 to 8, when at least dependent on embodiment 2, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) is arranged so that its body axis (116) is parallel to the scroll wheel rotation axis (142a) of at least one scrolling feature (140), and in particular, at least one magnetic object (110) is arranged so that its body axis (116) is away from the scroll wheel rotation axis (142a) of at least one scrolling feature (140). 27. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 6 to 8 or 26, when at least dependent on embodiment 4, wherein rotation of at least one scrolling feature (140) in a first direction around the scroll wheel rotation axis (142a) causes rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) in a first direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112), and rotation of at least one scrolling feature (140) in a second direction around the scroll wheel rotation axis (142a) opposite to the first direction around the scroll wheel rotation axis (142a) causes rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) in a second direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112) opposite to the first direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112). 28. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 26 or 27, wherein at least one scrolling feature (140) comprises a scroll wheel (142) defining a scroll wheel rotation axis (142a), and at least one magnetic object (110) is coupled to the scroll wheel (142), in particular directly coupled to the scroll wheel (142). 29. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 1 to 28, wherein the user-worn device (100) is movably coupled to the housing (101) and further comprises at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) that is operable by the user (U), and the at least one magnetic object (110) is further operably coupled to the at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) such that activation of the at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) causes rotation and / or translation of the at least one magnetic object (110) relative to the housing (101). 30. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 29, wherein at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) is movably arranged relative to the housing (101) between a neutral position and at least one of a first operating position and a second operating position, and the at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) is provided with a biasing mechanism (155) configured to bias the at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) toward the neutral position. 31. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 29 or 30, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) is coupled, specifically directly coupled, to at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b). 32. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 29 or 30, wherein at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) further comprises a transmission device (153), and at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) is coupled to at least one magnetic object (110) via the transmission device (143). 33. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 32, wherein the transmission device (153) is configured to increase the rotation and / or translation of at least one magnetic object (110). 34. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 32 or 33, wherein the transmission device (153) comprises a gear transmission (153a) and / or a lever transmission (153b). 35. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 29 to 34, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) is operably coupled to at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) such that activation of the at least one click operation feature (150) causes rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) around a second rotation axis (114) relative to the housing (101), the second rotation axis (114) being perpendicular to the magnetic object rotation axis (112). 36. At least according to embodiment 2, the second rotation axis (114) does not coincide with the main body axis (116); The second rotation axis (114) is such that the rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) about the ... y ) not parallel to the body axis (116) to cause angular displacement along 36. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 35. 37. When dependent on at least embodiment 30, a user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 36, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) is coupled to at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) such that the at least one magnetic object (110) is in an initial state when the at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) is in a neutral position. 38. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 36 or 37, when at least dependent on embodiment 30, wherein movement of at least one click operation feature (150, 150a) toward a first operating position causes rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) in a first direction around a second rotation axis (114), and movement of at least one click operation feature (150, 150b) toward a second operating position causes rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) in a second direction around the second rotation axis (114), opposite to the first direction around the second rotation axis (114). 39. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 29 to 38, comprising at least two magnetic objects (110, 110a, 110b, 110c) including a first magnetic object (110a) defining a first magnetic moment vector (120a) and a second magnetic object (110b) defining a second magnetic moment vector (120b), wherein the first magnetic object (110a) and the second magnetic object (110b) are arranged apart from each other and in different orientations within the housing (101) of the user-worn device (100). 40. A user-worn device (100) according to embodiment 39, wherein at least two magnetic objects (110, 110a, 110b, 110c) are separated from each other by a predetermined minimum distance. 41. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 40, wherein the predetermined minimum distance is greater than half the median distance between two adjacent magnetometers of a plurality of magnetometers (300) configured to generate a sensing volume and to measure a magnetic field associated with at least one magnetic object (110). 42. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 39 to 41, wherein a first magnetic object (110a) is fixedly connected to the housing (101) and a second magnetic object (110b) is arranged to be translatable and / or rotatable relative to the housing (101) and the first magnetic object (110a). 43. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 42, wherein a second magnetic object (110b) is operably coupled to a scrolling feature (140) and at least one clicking feature (150, 150a, 150b). 44. A user-worn device (100) described in any one of embodiments 39 to 41, wherein the first magnetic object (110a) is arranged so as to be translatable and / or rotatable relative to the housing (101), and the second magnetic object (110b) is arranged so as to be translatable and / or rotatable relative to the housing (101) and the first magnetic object (110a). 45. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 44, wherein a first magnetic object (110a) is operably coupled to a scrolling feature (140) and a second magnetic object (110b) is operably coupled to at least one clicking feature (150, 150a, 150b), and specifically, activation of the scrolling feature (140) causes rotation of the first magnetic object (110a) around a magnetic object rotation axis (112) relative to the housing (101). 46. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 45, wherein activation of at least one click operation feature (150) causes rotation of the second magnetic object (110b) about a second rotation axis (114) relative to the housing (101). 47. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 45, when dependent at least on embodiment 2, wherein activation of at least one click operation feature (150) causes translation of the second magnetic object (110b), thereby resulting in a translational displacement (t) of the body axis (116b) from an initial state to a displaced state relative to the housing (101). 48. When subject to at least embodiment 30, In the neutral position of the at least one click feature (150), the second magnetic object (110b) is in an initial state, and in one of the first activation position or the second activation position of the at least one click feature (150), the second magnetic object (110b) is in a displaced state; and / or a translational displacement (t) in a first actuation position of the at least one click feature (150) is greater than a translational displacement (t) in a second actuation position of the at least one click feature (150); 48. A user-worn device (100) as described in embodiment 47. 49. The housing (101) is d ) and the first device axis (x d The second device axis (y d ) and the first device axis (x d ) and the second device axis (y d ) perpendicular to the plane defined by the vertical device axis (z d ) and in particular At least according to embodiment 6, the rotation axis (142a, 146a) of at least one scrolling feature (140) is oriented along the vertical device axis (z d ), and in particular, the rotation axes (142a, 146a) are arranged parallel to the vertical device axis (z d 49. A user-worn device (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 48, which conforms to the above. 50. At least according to embodiment 2, the body axis (116) of at least one magnetic object (110) is perpendicular to the device axis (z d 50. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 49, wherein the user-worn device (100) is arranged perpendicular to the first and second electrodes (110). 51. According to at least embodiment 6, the rotation axis (142a, 146a) of at least one scrolling feature (140) is oriented along a vertical device axis (z d 50. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 49, wherein the user-worn device (100) is arranged perpendicular to the first and second electrodes (110). 52. At least according to embodiment 2, the body axis (116) of at least one magnetic object (110) is aligned with the vertical device axis (z d 52. The user-worn device (100) of embodiment 49 or 51, wherein the user-worn device (100) is arranged parallel to or perpendicular to the 53. First device axis (x d ) and the second device axis (y d) defines a bottom plane of the user-wearable device (100), and in particular, when used by a user, the user-wearable device (100) is configured to be positioned and / or operated with its bottom surface resting on the interaction surface (210), a user-wearable device (100) as described in any one of embodiments 49 to 52. 54. The user-worn device (100) is d ) and / or the second device axis (y d 54. A user-worn device (100) according to any one of embodiments 49 to 53, configured to be translated on the interaction surface (210) along the axis of the user-worn device (100). 55. The user-worn device (100) of any one of embodiments 1 to 54, wherein the user-worn device (100) is electrically and / or electronically passive. 56. A user-worn device (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 55, wherein the magnetic object (110) is configured to generate a symmetric magnetic field. 57. The user-worn device (100) of any one of embodiments 1 to 56, wherein at least one magnetic object (110) is a permanent magnet. 58. The user-wearable device (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 57, wherein the user-wearable device (100) is a computer mouse, a keyboard, a toy, a stylus, or a dial. 59. A system (10) for determining operation of a user-worn device (100) by a user (U), comprising: A user-worn device (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 58; a plurality of magnetometers (300) configured to generate a sensing volume and configured to measure a magnetic field associated with at least one magnetic object (110); Equipped with the system (10) is configured to track the movement of at least one magnetic object (110) in at least five degrees of freedom; The system (10) is configured to determine a scroll event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) about a magnetic object rotation axis (112). System (10). 60. According to at least embodiment 3, the magnetic object detects an angular displacement of the body axis (116) about the rotation axis (112) and calculates a first rotation angle (α x ) is greater than the first rotation angle threshold (α x,th 59. The system (10) of claim 58, wherein the system (10) is configured to determine a scroll event only when the scroll event exceeds the threshold value. 61. First rotation angle threshold (α x,th 61. The system (10) of embodiment 60, wherein the angle θ is set to a value of >0° to 15°, particularly 0.5° to 10°, and more particularly 1° to 5°. 62. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 59 to 61, when at least dependent on embodiment 10, configured to determine that a scroll event is a scroll-up event when the body axis (116) is angularly displaced in a first direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112), and to determine that a scroll event is a scroll-down event when the body axis (116) is angularly displaced in a second direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112). 63. At least according to embodiment 10, the rotation of the body axis (116) about the magnetic object rotation axis (112) in a first direction is performed by a first rotation angle (α x ) and the first rotation angle (α x ) is associated with a scroll up event, The rotation of the body axis (116) about the magnetic object rotation axis (112) in a second direction is determined by a first rotation angle (α x ) and the first rotation angle (α x ) are associated with scroll down events. 63. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 59 to 62. 64. According to at least embodiment 13, at the trigger position, the first rotation angle (α x) is the first rotation angle threshold (α x,th 64. The system (10) according to any one of embodiments 60 to 63, wherein the number of the first and second electrodes is 1 or more. 65. A system (10) according to embodiment 59, when at least dependent on embodiment 13, configured to detect angular displacement of the body axis (116) and determine a scroll event when at least one magnetic object (110) rotates backward from the trigger position towards the initial state. 66. First rotation angle (α x ) is the absolute value of the predetermined drop angle (α x,dr 66. The system (10) of embodiment 65, wherein the system (10) is configured to determine a scroll event only when the value of the scroll event decreases by . 67.Prescribed fall angle (α x,dr 67. The system (10) of embodiment 66, wherein the angle θ is set to a value of >0° to 15°, particularly 0.5° to 10°, and more particularly 1° to 5°. 68. First rotation angle (α x ) falls at a predetermined angle (α x,dr 68. The system (10) of embodiment 66 or 67, configured to determine a scroll event only when the value of the scroll bar decreases by . 69. The system (10) of embodiment 68, wherein the predetermined fall time is set to 0 ms to 500 ms, specifically 5 ms to 250 ms, and more specifically 10 ms to 150 ms. 70. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 65 to 69, when at least dependent on embodiment 10, configured to determine that a scroll event is a scroll-up event when the main body axis (116) is rotated in a second direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112), and to determine that a scroll event is a scroll-down event when the main body axis (116) is rotated in a first direction around the magnetic object rotation axis (112). 71. At least according to embodiment 10, the magnetic object is rotated in a first direction about the axis of rotation (112) of the body (116) by a first rotation angle (α x ) yields a positive value of Rotation of the body axis (116) about the magnetic object rotation axis (112) in a second direction is performed through a first rotation angle (α x ), which leads to negative values of A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 65 to 70. 72. First rotation angle (α x ) from the absolute value of the predetermined drop angle (α x,dr ) decreases with the first rotation angle (α x ) the scroll event is determined to be a scroll up event when the scroll up event results in a smaller relative value of the scroll up event; The first rotation angle (α x ) from the absolute value of the predetermined drop angle (α x,dr ) decreases with the first rotation angle (α x ) the scroll event is determined to be a scroll down event, It is configured as follows: 72. The system (10) of embodiment 71. 73. After determining the scroll event, the first rotation angle (α x 73. The system (10) of any one of embodiments 59 to 72, wherein the system (10) is configured to set the value of (a) to 0. 74. When a scroll event is detected, the start of the scroll movement is output and the first rotation angle (α x 64. The system (10) according to any one of embodiments 59 to 63, wherein the system (10) is configured to output a suspension of scrolling when it is determined that the absolute value of (i.e., ... 75. According to at least embodiment 60, the predetermined stop value is set to a value greater than or equal to a first rotation angle threshold (α x,th 75. The system (10) of embodiment 74, wherein: 76. First rotation angle (α x When the absolute value of the first rotation angle (α x 76. The system (10) of embodiment 74 or 75, configured to output a deceleration of the scrolling movement when the absolute value of (a) decreases. 77. In the neutral position of the tiltable button (146), a first rotation angle (α x77. The system (10) of any one of embodiments 74 to 76, wherein the system (10) is configured to set the value of (a) to 0. 78. A system (10) as described in embodiment 59, when dependent at least on embodiment 4, configured to detect a translational displacement (d) of the body axis (116) and determine a scroll event only when the translational displacement (d) exceeds a predetermined threshold distance. 79. According to at least embodiment 48, the translational displacement (d) between the initial state and the displaced state is d ), the second device axis (y d ), and / or the vertical device axis (z d 79. The system (10) of embodiment 78, wherein the system (10) is configured to determine a scroll event only when the scroll event consists of a predetermined value of translation along the 80. First device axis (x d ), the second device axis (y d ), and / or the vertical device axis (z d 80. The system (10) of embodiment 79, configured to determine whether a scroll event is a scroll up event or a scroll down event based on a predetermined value of translation along the 81. A system (10) described in any one of embodiments 78 to 80, configured to set the value of the translational displacement (d) to 0 upon detecting a scroll event. 82. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 59 to 81, at least when dependent on embodiment 35, configured to detect angular displacement of the body axis (116) about the second rotation axis (114), and further configured to determine a click event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of at least one magnetic object (110) about the second rotation axis (114). 83. At least when according to embodiment 36, the second rotation angle (α y ) is the second rotation angle threshold (α y,th 83. The system (10) of embodiment 82, wherein the system (10) is configured to determine a click event only when the value of the threshold (T) exceeds the threshold (T). 84. Second rotation angle threshold (αy,th 84. The system (10) of embodiment 83, wherein the angle θ is set to >0° to 15°, specifically 0.5° to 10°, and more specifically 1° to 5°. 85. At least according to embodiment 38, the rotation of the body axis (116) about the second rotation axis (114) in the first direction is performed through a second rotation angle (α y ) and the second rotation angle (α y ) is associated with the first click function, Rotation of the body axis (116) about the second axis of rotation (114) in a second direction is performed through a second rotation angle (α y ) and the second rotation angle (α y ) is associated with the second click function. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 82 to 84. 86. According to at least embodiment 30, in the neutral position of at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b), a second rotation angle (α y 85. The system (10) of any one of embodiments 82 to 84, wherein the system (10) is configured to set the value of (a) to 0. 87. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 59 to 86, when dependent at least on embodiment 42, configured to detect a scroll event and / or a click event only if the tracked movement of the second magnetic object (110b) includes a change in orientation of the second magnetic moment vector (120b) of the second magnetic object (110b) relative to the first magnetic moment vector (120a) of the first magnetic object (110a). 88. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 59 to 81, when dependent at least on embodiment 46, configured to detect a translational displacement (t) of the body axis (116b) of the second magnetic object (110b) and determine a click event when the translational displacement (t) exceeds a predetermined threshold distance. 89. According to at least embodiment 48, the translational displacement (t) between the initial state and the displaced state is d ), the second device axis (y d), and / or the vertical device axis (z d 89. The system (10) of embodiment 88, configured to determine a click event only when the click event consists of a predetermined value of translation along the 90. A system (10) described in any one of embodiments 59 to 89, wherein the system (10) comprises or is connectable to a processing unit (400) configured to track the movement of at least one magnetic object (110) in at least five degrees of freedom and configured to determine scroll events and / or click events. 91. A system (10) described in any one of embodiments 59 to 90, wherein the system (10) is configured to determine the location of the user-worn device (100) relative to the interaction surface (210) based on magnetic field measurements, and in particular, the system (10) is configured to estimate the contact location of the user-worn device (100) relative to the interaction surface (210). 92. A system (10) described in any one of embodiments 59 to 91, wherein the system (10) comprises at least one output interface (500), the at least one output interface (500) being configured to represent the user-worn device (100), and more specifically, the at least one output interface (500) being configured to visually reproduce the user-worn device (100) as a virtual object. 93. A system (10) as described in embodiment 92, wherein the system (10) is configured to reproduce the manipulation of a user-worn device (100) on an interaction surface (210) as the manipulation of a virtual object on at least one output interface (500). 94. The system (10) of embodiment 92 or 93, wherein the system (10) is configured to visually reproduce scroll events and / or click events on the output interface (500). 95. The system (10) of any one of embodiments 92 to 94, wherein the output interface (500) is a display or screen. 96. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 59 to 95, when at least dependent on embodiment 90, wherein the system (10) comprises an electronic device and the processing unit (400) is integrated into the electronic device. 97. When at least dependent on embodiment 92, the system (10) described in embodiment 96, wherein the output interface (500) is integrated into an electronic device. 98. A system (10) according to any one of embodiments 59 to 97, wherein the plurality of magnetometers (300) are integrated into a wall, furniture, notebook, keyboard, electronic device, screen or display, and / or mouse pad.
Claims
1. A user-worn device (100) operable on an interaction surface (210), comprising: a housing (101); at least one scrolling feature (140) movably coupled to said housing (101) and operable by a user (U); at least one magnetic object (110) defining a magnetic moment vector (120) and arranged rotatably and / or translatably relative to said housing (101); Equipped with the at least one magnetic object (110) is disposed within the housing (101) and is operatively coupled to the scrolling feature (140) such that actuation of the scrolling feature (140) causes rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) about a magnetic object rotation axis (112) relative to the housing (101); A user-worn device (100).
2. The at least one magnetic object (110) comprises a body extending along a body axis (116) that defines the magnetic moment vector (120), and the magnetic object rotation axis (112) is such that rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) about the magnetic object rotation axis (112) is such that a first rotation angle (α) of the body axis (116) relative to the housing (101) from an initial state to a displaced state is greater than a first rotation angle (α) of the body axis (116) relative to the housing (101). x 2. The user-worn device (100) of claim 1, wherein the magnetic object rotation axis (112) is not parallel to the body axis (116) so as to cause angular displacement along the body axis (116), and in particular, the magnetic object rotation axis (112) is not coincident with the body axis (116).
3. 2. The user-worn device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic object (110) comprises a body extending along a body axis (116) that defines the magnetic moment vector (120), the magnetic object rotation axis (112) is parallel to the body axis (116) such that rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) about the magnetic object rotation axis (112) causes a translational displacement (d) perpendicular to the body axis (116) from an initial state of the body axis (116) to a displaced state relative to the housing (101), and the magnetic object rotation axis (112) does not coincide with the body axis (116).
4. 4. The user-worn device (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one scrolling feature (140) comprises a scroll wheel (142) defining a scroll wheel rotation axis (142a), the scroll wheel (142) being arranged and configured to rotate about the scroll wheel rotation axis (142a) relative to the housing (101) when actuated by the user (U), and the at least one magnetic object (110) is coupled, in particular directly coupled, to the scroll wheel (142).
5. 5. The user-worn device (100) of claim 4, wherein the scroll wheel (142) comprises a plurality of engagement features (144) selectively engageable with the at least one magnet (110) to cause the rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110).
6. When dependent on at least claim 2, the at least one scrolling feature (140) further comprises a biasing mechanism (145) coupled to the at least one magnetic object (110), the biasing mechanism (145) configured to bias, specifically reverse-rotate, the at least one magnetic object (110) from the displaced state toward the initial state.
7. 4. The user wearable device of claim 1, wherein, when dependent at least on claim 5, the at least one scrolling feature comprises a tiltable button defining a tiltable button axis of rotation, the tiltable button being arranged and configured to rotate about the tiltable button axis of rotation relative to the housing when actuated by the user, the tiltable button being arranged to be tiltable about the tiltable button axis of rotation relative to the housing between a neutral position and a maximum tilt position.
8. 8. The user-worn device of claim 7, wherein the at least one scrolling feature comprises a biasing mechanism coupled to the tiltable button and configured to tiltably bias the tiltable button toward the neutral position.
9. When dependent at least on claim 3, the user-worn device (100) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one scrolling feature (140) is arranged and configured to be rotatable relative to the housing (101) when actuated by the user (U), and the at least one magnetic object (110) is arranged such that the body axis (116) is parallel to the scroll wheel rotation axis (142a) of the at least one scrolling feature (140), and in particular, the at least one magnetic object (110) is arranged such that the body axis (116) is away from the scroll wheel rotation axis (142a) of the at least one scrolling feature (140).
10. The user-worn device (100) of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) movably coupled to the housing (101) and operable by a user (U), and the at least one magnetic object (110) is further operably coupled to the at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) such that activation of the at least one click operation feature (150, 150a, 150b) causes rotation and / or translation of the at least one magnetic object (110) relative to the housing (101).
11. The at least one magnetic object (110) is operably coupled to the at least one click feature (150, 150a, 150b) such that actuation of the at least one click feature (150) causes rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) about a second axis of rotation (114) relative to the housing (101), the second axis of rotation (114) being orthogonal to the magnetic object axis of rotation (112), and in particular the second rotation axis (114) does not coincide with the body axis (116); The second rotation axis (114) is such that the rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) about the second rotation axis (114) is a second rotation angle (α) from an initial state to a displaced state of the body axis (116) relative to the housing (101). y 11. The user wearable device (100) of claim 10, wherein the body axis (116) is not parallel to the body axis (116) to cause angular displacement along the body axis (116).
12. The device comprises at least two magnetic objects (110, 110a, 110b, 110c) including a first magnetic object (110a) defining a first magnetic moment vector (120a) and a second magnetic object (110b) defining a second magnetic moment vector (120b), the first magnetic object (110a) and the second magnetic object (110b) being arranged in different orientations and spaced apart from each other within the housing (101) of the user-worn device, and in particular 12. The user-worn device (100) of claim 10 or 11, wherein the first magnetic object (110a) is operably coupled to the scrolling feature (140) and the second magnetic object (110b) is operably coupled to the at least one clicking feature (150, 150a, 150b).
13. A system (10) for determining operation of a user-worn device (100) by a user (U), comprising: A user-worn device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a plurality of magnetometers (300) configured to generate a sensing volume and configured to measure a magnetic field associated with the at least one magnetic object (110); Equipped with the system (10) is configured to track the movement of the at least one magnetic object (110) in at least five degrees of freedom; The system (10) is configured to determine a scroll event when the tracked movement includes a rotation of the at least one magnetic object (110) around the magnetic object rotation axis (112).
14. At least when dependent on claim 2, the angular displacement of the body axis (116) about the magnetic object rotation axis (112) is detected, and the first rotation angle (α x ) is greater than the first rotation angle threshold (α x,th 14. The system (10) of claim 13, configured to determine a scroll event only when a value of the scroll event exceeds a value of the scroll event.
15. 15. The system (10) of claim 13 or 14, comprising or connectable to a processing unit (400) configured to track movement of the at least one magnetic object (110) in at least five degrees of freedom and configured to determine scroll and / or click events.