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Input device including a scroll wheel assembly for manipulating an image in multiple directionsInput device including a scroll wheel assembly for manipulating an image in multiple directions description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060192759, Input device including a scroll wheel assembly for manipulating an image in multiple directions. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 10/183,993, filed Jun. 28, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an input device including an assembly for moving an image in multiple directions on a display screen. More particularly, the present invention relates to a scroll wheel assembly that, when part of a peripheral or integral input device that is operatively connected to a host computer, can move an image in multiple axes relative to the display screen. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The viewable contents of a computer file, such as a text document, spreadsheet, digital photograph, Web page, or other image rendered on a conventional display screen, may possess a size exceeding the viewable boundaries of the display screen. To address this issue, an individual may utilize a scrolling method to scroll the image relative to the display screen. Scrolling, as used herein and as is known in the art, describes the movement of an image relative to a display screen in a particular direction. For example, "scrolling down" generally describes moving the viewable contents of a file (such as a text document or image) relative to a display screen so as to produce an effect of moving down in the document or image. Similarly, the terms scroll up, scroll left and scroll right relate to moving the viewable contents of a file relative to a screen so as to produce an effect of moving a document or image up, left, and right, respectively. The term scrolling as used herein also includes panning, which is the automatic and/or continuous scrolling of an image, often in response to a single command or input. [0004] Scroll wheels have been provided on computer mice, and have been used by computer operators to move an image on a display screen. A scroll wheel assembly typically includes a rotatable scroll wheel and a sensor to measure and encode rotation. Typically, the scroll wheel is located within a housing of a mouse or other peripheral computer device. A portion of the scroll wheel protrudes upwardly out of an opening in the housing, and is rotated in order to vertically scroll the image displayed on the screen. An example of a mouse including a known scroll wheel assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,661, entitled "Z-ENCODER MECHANISM" which is hereby fully incorporated by reference. [0005] In operation, a conventional scroll wheel is normally rotated about a transversely extending axis secured within a housing. An encoder wheel is coupled to the scroll wheel and rotates when the scroll wheel rotates. As the scroll wheel is rotated, an encoder senses the rotation of the encoder wheel, and delivers a corresponding signal to a host computer. That signal can be used to move an image, as is known in the art and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,661. Notably, this allows a user to scroll the image without changing the position of the mouse and/or the cursor, and instead only requires rotating the scroll wheel (versus the entire mouse or other device) with a thumb or finger. However, displayable portions of spreadsheets and many other types of documents and screen images are often wider than the display screen, and the user must also scroll horizontally across the screen to see the entire file. When the user needs to move the image horizontally across the display screen, the user must typically perform additional steps beyond what is required for vertical scrolling. This can include locating a graphical user interface in the form of a horizontal scroll bar (usually located near the bottom of the display), positioning the cursor on the scroll bar, and then rotating the wheel. Locating the scroll bar can be very difficult for people with bad eyesight, small display screens and/or poor hand-eye coordination. Using a horizontal scroll bar also requires a user to shift his or her gaze from the portion of the document being viewed, and then relocate that portion after horizontal scrolling. Even if the size of the horizontal scroll bar and/or the screen resolution can be adjusted, the user must nevertheless perform additional pointing tasks which are more time-consuming and mentally intensive than simply rotating a wheel or pushing a button. Alternative graphically assisted tools for horizontal scrolling (e.g., positioning a cursor over a horizontal scroll bar, selecting the scroll bar, and moving the cursor) also require cursor repositioning, and have similar drawbacks. [0006] Microside Corporation of Miami, Fla. offers a "Micro Scroll II" mouse that permits a user to scroll an image in multiple perpendicular directions. This mouse includes a first rotatable wheel for scrolling an image up and down, and a second, separate rotatable wheel for scrolling an image left and right. The rotatable wheels are oriented so they extend and rotate in planes that are perpendicular to each other. The two scroll wheels are independently operable. However, this arrangement has drawbacks. The two wheels take up limited space on the upper surface area on the mouse, which could be used for supporting the hand of the user or for additional input keys. Further, the two wheels are relatively small in size so as to accommodate both wheels on the upper surface of the mouse. The smaller sized scroll wheels make the scrolling more difficult to control. Additionally, the location of the horizontal scroll wheel can be inconvenient for effective control. Further, with this design, it might be difficult for some users to easily reach and manipulate both of the wheels. [0007] Accordingly, there remains a need for improved input devices facilitating scrolling in multiple directions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention allows a user to conveniently scroll a screen image, in multiple directions, with simple thumb or finger movements. In one embodiment, the invention includes a scroll wheel assembly having a rotatable member attached to a device for sensing and encoding rotational motion. The encoded rotational motion in turn causes scrolling of an image on a display screen along an axis. Positioned within the rotatable member is an actuator that, in response to pressure on different parts of the actuator, can scroll the image along a second axis. The scroll wheel assembly can be used in a mouse, in a keyboard, in a trackball, in an internet appliance, in a notebook computer, in a tablet computer, in a pocket computer, in a Personal Digital Assistant, and in other applications where multidirectional scrolling is desired or useful. Pressure upon additional parts of the actuator can, in some embodiments, provide additional screen functions. Functions and commands corresponding to manipulation of the actuator and/or rotatable member may also be programmable. [0009] In one embodiment, the invention includes an input device that is in communication with the display device screen. The input device has a housing with an opening defined therein. An actuator is positioned within the input device, and at least part of that actuator protrudes through the opening. The actuator has at least two actuated conditions. Distinguishable signals are generated in those actuated conditions. A rotational member surrounds the actuator, and also protrudes at least partially through the opening. The rotational member is rotatable with respect to the housing, and continuously rotatable through multiple complete revolutions. [0010] Further advantages and features of the invention are set forth in the detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 illustrates one input device according to the present invention for scrolling an image in multiple directions on a display screen of a host computer; [0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a scroll wheel assembly according to the present invention; [0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the scroll wheel assembly of FIG. 2; [0014] FIG. 4 is partial cross section, in partially schematic form, of the scroll wheel assembly of FIG. 3; [0015] FIG. 5 is partial cross section similar to FIG. 4, but showing button 24 in an actuated condition; [0016] FIGS. 6 and 7 are partially schematic, partial cut-away views of various mounting arrangements for the scroll wheel assembly of the invention within a computer mouse; [0017] FIG. 8 is a drawing of a scroll wheel assembly according to the present invention as part of a keyboard; and [0018] FIGS. 9A-9D show an another embodiment of a scroll wheel assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Continue reading about Input device including a scroll wheel assembly for manipulating an image in multiple directions... Full patent description for Input device including a scroll wheel assembly for manipulating an image in multiple directions Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Input device including a scroll wheel assembly for manipulating an image in multiple directions patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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