Input device including a wheel assembly for scrolling an image in multiple directions

Abstract

A computer input device having a housing and an engagable scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is rotatable about an axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The rotatable member is laterally movable relative to the housing. A sensor is preferably positioned within the housing for sensing lateral movement of the rotatable member. In response to sensed lateral movement of the rotatable member, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. The scrolling speed can be affected relative to the amount of displacement of the rotatable member and/or the amount of time that the rotatable member is displaced a predetermined amount. The computer input device having the rotatable member may take the form of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackbal device, or another type of computer input device.

1 . A method of scrolling an image relative to a display screen using an input device having a housing and a member that is rotatable and pivotal relative to the housing, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving input for pivotally moving the rotatable member relative to a plane in which said member is rotatable;   sensing relative changes in lateral pressure applied to the member; and   controlling a rate of scrolling of an image on the display screen responsive the step of sensing.   
   
   
       2 . The method of scrolling as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said step of pivotally moving the rotatable member includes the step of pivoting the rotatable member about an axis that extends parallel to said plane. 
   
   
       3 . The method of scrolling as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said step of pivotally moving includes the step of applying pressure to a surface of the rotatable member. 
   
   
       4 . The method of scrolling as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said controlling step includes horizontally scrolling the image in response to the pivotally moving step; and wherein said method further includes the step of vertically scrolling the image in response to rotation of the rotatable member. 
   
   
       5 . An electronic input device configured for scrolling of an image relative to a display screen in first and second perpendicular scrolling directions comprising:
 a housing;   a scroll wheel being rotatable relative to the housing about an axis to cause scrolling of the image in the first direction, and said scrolling wheel being pivotally displaceable relative to the housing to cause scrolling of the image in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.   
   
   
       6 . The electronic input device according to  claim 5 , wherein said electronic input device is configured to provide a signal corresponding to vertical scrolling of an image in said first direction when said rotatable member is rotated about the axis and to provide a signal corresponding to horizontal scrolling in said second direction of an image when said rotatable member is pivotally displaced relative to the housing. 
   
   
       7 . The electronic input device according to  claim 5 , wherein said computer input device is a computer mouse. 
   
   
       8 . The electronic input device according to  claim 5 , wherein said computer input device is a keyboard. 
   
   
       9 . A peripheral electronic input device for scrolling an image across a display screen in perpendicular directions, said device comprising:
 a housing;   a scroll wheel assembly, said scroll wheel assembly including a rotatable member that is laterally movable relative to said housing, and a sensor positioned within said housing for sensing lateral movement of the rotatable member; the sensor including at least one linear extendable member which is engageable with the rotatable member so as to provide a rate of change of said lateral movement; and   a sensing system coupled to said sensor, said sensing system being configured to generate a signal to scroll the image across the display screen.   
   
   
       10 . The input device according to  claim 9 , wherein said rotatable member is laterally movable along a shaft extending within said opening. 
   
   
       11 . The input device according to  claim 9 , wherein said sensing system is configured to provide a signal corresponding to vertical scrolling of an image when said rotatable member is rotated about an axis and to provide a signal corresponding to horizontal scrolling when said rotatable member is laterally moved relative to the housing based on said sensor. 
   
   
       12 . The input device according to  claim 9 , further comprising a support member assembly pivotable with the rotatable member, said supporting member assembly including laterally extending arms, wherein said sensing system is configured to contact opposing lateral sides of the support member when the rotatable member is moved laterally.