Virtual Scroll Control for High-Speed Precision Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices, such as mice with scroll wheels, are limited by mechanical design constraints that restrict scrolling speed and user control, making it difficult to achieve desired scrolling speeds or resistance levels for various applications.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a user-adjustable roller mechanism that allows smooth transition between resistive-wheeling and free-wheeling modes, enabling finer control over detent force and scrolling resistance through a rotatable auxiliary wheel and lever mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the angular velocity of the scroll wheel is increased to achieve faster scrolling speed, then the scrolling speed is improved, but the mechanical design constraints (size, weight, cost) prevent achieving the desired maximum speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical scroll wheel system with an optical tracking system. A light source illuminates a surface, and an optical sensor detects the reflected light patterns to determine motion. This substitution eliminates the need for a physical scroll wheel, allowing for higher scrolling speeds without being constrained by mechanical design limitations such as size, weight, and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the user's input and the scrolling output. Instead of direct mechanical contact through a scroll wheel, the system uses light reflection patterns from a surface to mediate the detection of motion. This intermediary approach enables more flexible and higher-speed scrolling control without mechanical constraints.
2Ease of operation
If the detent force of the scroll wheel is adjusted to provide finer control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mechanical design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical detent force adjustment mechanism with an optical detection system. Instead of using physical features on a scroll wheel to provide tactile feedback and control precision, the system uses optical patterns reflected from a surface to detect motion increments. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical detent structures while maintaining or improving control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of detection from mechanical position/displacement to optical reflection patterns. By analyzing changes in light reflection characteristics, the system can detect motion with high precision without requiring mechanical detent features. This parameter change simplifies the overall device design while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An input device (900) may include a rotatable member (952), a virtual scroll controller (912) and a host interface block (906). The virtual scroll controller (912) may be configured to select a virtual scroll state from a plurality of virtual scroll states based on a rotational velocity of the rotatable member (952). Each virtual scroll state may be associated with a respective output function. The virtual scroll controller (912) may be further configured to compute an output velocity according to the output function associated with the selected virtual scroll state. The virtual scroll controller (912) may be further configured to generate a virtual position count (928) based on the computed output velocity. The host interface block (906) may be configured to send the generated virtual position count (928) to a computing device connected to the input device (900).