Input Device Including a Scroll Wheel Assembly for Manipulating an Image in Multiple Directions

Abstract

A scroll wheel assembly includes a rotatable member. Encoded rotation of the rotating member causes scrolling of an image on a display screen along an axis. An actuator is located within the rotational member. Pressure on different parts of the actuator causes scrolling of the image in opposing directions along a second axis. Pressure upon additional parts of the actuator can provide additional screen functions. Functions and commands caused by manipulation of the rotatable member or actuator may also be programmable.

1 . A device for manipulating an image on a display device screen, comprising: 
 an input device in communication with the display device screen, the input device including a housing having an opening defined therein;    an actuator positioned within the input device and at least partially protruding through the opening, the actuator having at least two actuated conditions in which distinguishable signals are generated; and    a rotational member surrounding the actuator and at least partially protruding through the opening, the rotational member being rotatable with respect to the housing and continuously rotatable through multiple complete revolutions, wherein the input device is configured such that:    placement of the actuator in a first actuated condition moves the image to the left,    placement of the actuator in a second actuated condition moves the image to the right,    rotation of the rotational member in a first direction moves the image up, and    rotation of the rotational member in a second direction moves the image down.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator has at least four actuated conditions in which distinguishable signals are generated, and wherein the input device is configured such that: 
 placement of the actuator in a third actuated condition enlarges the image, and    placement of the actuator in a fourth actuated condition reduces the image.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 placement of the actuator in the first actuated condition scrolls the image to the left at a first rate for an initial period of time, and scrolls the image to the left at a second rate for a succeeding period of time, and    placement of the actuator in the second actuated condition scrolls the image to the right at a first rate for an initial period of time, and scrolls the image to the right at a second rate for a succeeding period of time.    
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input device is configurable to transmit a signal corresponding to a first user-definable display function upon placement of the actuator in the first actuated condition.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein simultaneous actuation of a modifier key on a keyboard changes the screen effect caused by at least one of placement of the actuator in the first actuated condition, placement of the actuator in the second actuated condition, rotation of the rotational member in the first direction and rotation of the rotational member in the second direction.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input device is a computer mouse.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input device is a keyboard.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the actuator is placed in the first actuated condition by imposition of a first force in a first direction,    the actuator is placed in the second actuated condition by imposition of a second force in a second direction,    the actuator is placed in a modified first actuated condition by imposition of a third force in the first direction,    the actuator is placed in a modified second actuated condition by imposition of a fourth force in the second direction,    distinguishable signals are generated when the first force is imposed on the actuator in the first direction and when the third force is imposed on the actuator in the first direction,    distinguishable signals are generated when the second force is imposed on the actuator in the second direction and when the fourth force is imposed on the actuator in the second direction,    placement of the actuator in the first actuated condition scrolls the image to the left at a first rate, and placement of the actuator in the modified first actuated condition scrolls the image to the left at a second rate, and    placement of the actuator in the second actuated condition scrolls the image to the right at a third rate, and placement of the actuator in the modified second actuated condition scrolls the image to the right at a fourth rate.    
   
   
       9 . A computer mouse, comprising: 
 a housing sized and configured for manual movement by a user across a work surface so as to permit a corresponding movement of a cursor on a computer display, the housing having: 
 an upper surface for contact with a hand of a user and a lower surface for contact with the work surface, and  
 an opening defined therein;  
   a scroll wheel having a circumference, the scroll wheel: 
 protruding through the opening in the housing and exposing the entire circumference, and  
 being continuously rotatable, with respect to the housing, through multiple complete revolutions.  
   
   
   
       10 . The computer mouse of  claim 9 , wherein the scroll wheel protrudes through the opening in the housing at a transition between a steep curve on a side surface of the housing and a shallow curve on the upper surface of the housing.  
   
   
       11 . The computer mouse of  claim 10 , wherein less surface area of the scroll wheel is exposed on the portions of the scroll wheel nearer the lower surface than is exposed on the portions of the scroll wheel nearer the upper surface.  
   
   
       12 . The computer mouse of  claim 9 , further comprising a switch located within the scroll wheel, wherein 
 the opening is defined in the housing so as to be located between the thumb and index finger of a user hand positioned on the upper surface,    force exerted upon a first location on the switch generates a first switch signal,    force exerted upon a second location on the switch generates a second switch signal,    rotation of the scroll wheel in a first direction generates a first rotational signal,    rotation of the scroll wheel in a second direction generates a second rotational signal,    the first switch signal scrolls an image on a display device screen in a first direction along a first axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device,    the second switch signal scrolls an image in a second direction along the first axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device,    the first rotational signal scrolls an image in a first direction along a second axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device, and    the second rotational signal scrolls an image in a second direction along the second axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device.    
   
   
       13 . The computer mouse of  claim 12 , wherein 
 force exerted upon a third location on the switch generates a third switch signal that scrolls an image in the first direction along the second axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device,    force exerted upon a fourth location on the switch generates a fourth switch signal that scrolls an image in the second direction along the second axis when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device,    force exerted upon a location on the switch between the first and third locations generates a signal that, when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device, scrolls an image on the display device in a direction having components in the first direction on the first axis and in the first direction on the second axis, and    force exerted upon a location on the switch between the second and fourth locations generates a signal that, when the computer mouse is in communication with the display device, scrolls an image on the display device in a direction having components in the second direction on the first axis and in the second direction on the second axis.    
   
   
       14 . A computer mouse, comprising: 
 a housing sized and configured for manual movement by a user across a work surface so as to permit a corresponding movement of a cursor on a computer display, the housing having 
 an upper surface for contact with a hand of a user and a lower surface for contact with the work surface, and  
 an opening defined therein;  
   a scroll wheel protruding through the opening in the housing and being continuously rotatable, with respect to the housing, through multiple complete revolutions; and    a switch located within the scroll wheel, wherein 
 the switch is exposed for engagement independent of the scroll wheel,  
 the opening is defined in the housing so as to be located between the thumb and index finger of a user hand positioned on the upper surface,  
 force exerted upon a first location on the switch generates a first switch signal,  
 force exerted upon a second location on the switch generates a second switch signal,  
 rotation of the scroll wheel in a first direction generates a first rotational signal, and  
 rotation of the scroll wheel in a second direction generates a second rotational signal.  
   
   
   
       15 . The computer mouse of  claim 14 , further comprising first and second buttons located at a forward portion of the mouse and wherein, when the palm of a right hand of a human user is in contact with the housing upper surface, the first and second buttons are engageable by the right index finger of the user.