TWM631717U - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

The inventive concept provides an input device. The input device may include a housing, a scroll wheel having an arresting surface, and a lever pivotable about a pivot axis between first and second lever arms of the lever for moving a first free end portion of the first lever arm to engage or disengage the arresting surface. The input device may further include a motion converter in engagement with a second free end portion of a second lever arm. The motion converter configured to convert a rotational movement of a rotary member of the motion converter into an output motion to move the second free end portion of the second lever arm so as to pivot the lever about the pivot axis for engaging or disengaging the first free end portion of the first lever arm and the arresting surface of the scroll wheel.

Description

input device

Embodiments relate generally to an input device, and in particular to an input device having a scroll wheel.

Input devices used to communicate with processor-based devices typically include multiple mice, trackballs, joysticks, handheld controllers, touchpads, keyboards, and the like. These input devices are typically used to provide input to a processor-based device so that a user can interact with a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application running on the processor-based device. The aforementioned input device may include a scroll wheel for the user to scroll through document lines or various graphic objects in the page of the application program. Conventional rollers typically only allow rolling at a single constant speed and/or the resistance of a single lever. However, depending on the type of application the user is using, from gaming applications to document processing applications, for example, an input device with a single speed and/or the resistance of a single lever of the scroll wheel may not be sufficient for the user to optimize the performance of each application, as the scrolling speed desired by users of different applications may vary from application to application.

According to various embodiments, an input device for communicating with a processor-based device is provided. The input device may include a housing. The input device may further include a scroll wheel that may be rotatably mounted on the housing with a portion of the scroll wheel exposed from the housing for a user of the input device to scroll the scroll wheel with the exposed portion of the scroll wheel. The roller may include a ring portion and a braking surface. The braking surface may extend along the inner circumference of the ring portion of the roller. The input device may further comprise a lever, which may be provided with a first lever arm and a second lever arm. The lever may be mounted on the housing such that the lever is pivotable about a pivot extending between the first lever arm and the second lever arm. Leverage can be Pivoting to move the first free end of the first lever arm engages the roller's braking surface to place the roller in the resistance wheel mode and disengages from the roller's braking surface to place the roller in the free wheel mode. The input device may further include a motion translator engageable with the second free end of the second lever arm. The motion converter may include a rotating member that rotates about an axis of rotation. The motion converter can be configured to convert the rotational motion of the rotating member into an output motion to move the second free end of the second lever arm to pivot for engaging or disengaging the first free end of the first lever arm and The lever around the pivot of the braking surface of the roller. The rotation member may include a first gear-shaped portion and a second gear-shaped portion arranged side by side along the rotation axis. The first gear-like portion may include a plurality of tooth-like structures for engaging the second free end of the second lever arm such that the second free end of the second lever arm follows the first gear-like structure. moving the second free end of the second lever arm in order to pivot the lever about the pivot axis. The second gear-like portion may include a plurality of asymmetrical teeth projecting radially along the circumference of the second gear-like portion for receiving input motion to rotate the rotating member.

100: Mouse

102: Cable

110: Shell

120: Covering Department

122: button

124: Cover Surface

129: button

130: Base

540: Roller

541: First axis

542: Braking Surface

543: Sawtooth

544: outer cylindrical surface

546: Gap

548: Ring Department

901: Assembly

945: Roller Bracket

947: Channel

960: Leverage

961: Pivot

963: 1st lever arm

964: First free end

965: Second lever arm

966: Second free end

970: Motion Converter

971: Rotation axis

975: Rotating Components

976: First gear

977: Teeth

978: Bonding Surfaces

978a: First engaging surface

978b: Second engaging surface

978c: Join Surface

979: Second gear

980: Bias Mechanism

981: Teeth

982: First End

984: Second End

981a: First Sidewall

981b: Second Sidewall

983: Offset member

985: User Input Unit

986: Linear Actuating Member

987: Engage Tab Member

988: Free End

In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally refer to the same parts in the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the following figures.

1A shows a perspective front view of an input device in the form of a mouse for communicating with a processor-based device, according to various embodiments.

1B shows an enlarged perspective front view of the front of the mouse of FIG. 1A, according to various embodiments.

2A and 2B show various views of the scroll wheel and motion converter assembly of the mouse of FIG. 1A, according to various embodiments.

3A shows a perspective view of a rotating member of the motion converter of the assembly of FIG. 2A engaged with a lever of the assembly in a freewheel mode, according to various embodiments.

3B shows a rotating mechanism of the assembly of FIG. 2A in freewheel mode, according to various embodiments Side view of parts, levers and rollers.

4A shows a perspective view of a lever of a rotating member of the motion converter of the assembly of FIG. 2A engaged with the assembly in a resistance wheel mode, according to various embodiments.

4B shows a side view of the rotating members, levers, and rollers of the assembly of FIG. 2A in a resistance wheel mode, according to various embodiments.

5A shows a side view of the assembly of FIG. 2A in freewheel mode with a biasing mechanism for applying a biasing force on a lever, according to various embodiments.

5B shows a side view of the assembly of FIG. 2A in a resistance wheel mode with a biasing mechanism, according to various embodiments.

The embodiments described below in the context of an apparatus are equally valid for the corresponding method and vice versa. In addition, it should be understood that the embodiments described below may be combined, for example, a portion of one embodiment may be combined with a portion of another embodiment.

It should be understood that the terms "over", "over", "top", "bottom", "downward", "side", "rear", "left", "right", "front", "Aside," "up," etc., are used in the following description to facilitate and aid understanding of relative positions or orientations, and are not intended to limit the orientation of any device, or structure or any portion of any device or structure. Also, the singular terms "a" and "the foregoing" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the word "or" is intended to include "and" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Various embodiments of input devices for communicating with processor-based devices, such as computers, have been provided to address at least some of the problems previously identified.

Various embodiments of the input device for communicating with the processor-based device may include a scroll wheel that allows the user to move from a predetermined maximum detent force (ie, resistance wheel mode) to zero detent force (ie, free wheel mode) mode) to change the stopping force acting on the rollers. According to various embodiments, the input device may include a mechanism configured to interact with the scroll wheel such that The scroll wheel can be switched between resistance wheel mode and free wheel mode. Therefore, the stopping force acting on the roller can be adjusted to a desired force by the user. In other words, the input device of various embodiments may include a mechanism or tool for the user to provide input motion (eg, via an input button, a click of a push button, or a push motion) so that the user can operate in resistance wheel mode and Switch the wheel between free wheel modes. Additionally, in resistance wheel mode, the mechanism or tool device may allow the user to provide input motion (eg, a click or push motion) to adjust or change the stop force in order to adjust the resistance of the wheel.

According to various embodiments, a user may adjust the ratchet mechanism by providing input motion to rotate a rotating member of the ratchet mechanism to control the detent force applied to the rollers. According to various embodiments, a user may adjust the ratchet mechanism to rotate the rotating member via a push button such that rotating the rotating member may adjust the detent force applied to the rollers.

Accordingly, various embodiments of an input device for communicating with a processor-based device may include a stop mechanism having a rotation member that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The stop mechanism can convert the rotational movement of the rotating member into an output movement for controlling the stop force applied to the roller or switching between a resistance wheel mode and a free wheel mode.

1A shows a perspective front view of an input device in the form of a mouse 100 for communicating with a processor-based device, according to various embodiments. FIG. 1B shows an enlarged perspective front view of the front of the mouse 100 of FIG. 1A , according to various embodiments. In addition to the form of mouse 100 as shown in the various figures, input devices according to various embodiments may also be in the form of trackballs, joysticks, handheld controllers, trackpads, keyboards, computer mice, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , an input device in the form of a mouse 100 may include a housing 110 . The housing 110 may be an outer shell of the mouse 100 . In addition, the housing 110 may include a cover part 120 and a base part 130 . The cover part 120 and the base part 130 may be two separate parts of the housing 110 . The cover portion 120 of the housing 110 may be a top cover of the housing of the mouse 100 . The base 130 of the housing 110 may be the bottom cover of the housing of the mouse 100 . According to various embodiments, when the cover portion 120 and the base portion 130 are assembled together, the housing 110 may define an interior cavity to accommodate or encapsulate the internal components of the mouse 100 .

According to various embodiments, the internal elements of mouse 100 may include electronic circuit assemblies, motion detection assemblies, and various mechanical assemblies configured to operate mouse 100 . The electronic circuit assembly may comprise a printed circuit board, or any other suitable electronic circuit. The electronic circuit assembly may be connected to a processor-based device, such as a computer, via cable 102 . The motion detection assembly may include an optical sensor, or a laser sensor, or a trackball mechanism, or any other electronic or mechanical component configured to detect motion of the mouse 100 . The motion detection assembly can be further configured to communicate with the electronic circuit module such that the detected motion of the mouse 100 can be transmitted to a processor-based device connectable to the mouse 100 .

In addition, the cover portion 120 of the housing 110 may include one or more buttons 122 . One or more buttons 122 may be configured to interact with the electronic circuit assembly of mouse 100 for a user to provide input to a processor-based device to which mouse 100 may be connected via clicking of one or more buttons 122 . The one or more buttons 122 may comprise click buttons, push buttons, or any combination of suitable buttons. One or more buttons 122 may be located in any desired area of the cover 120 as desired.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the mouse 100 may include a scroll wheel 540 . According to various embodiments, scroll wheel 540 may be configured for a user to perform scrolling of pages of an application program running in the processor-based device to which mouse 100 is connected. For example, a user may use the scroll wheel 540 to scroll through file lines or various graphical objects in an application page. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the roller 540 may be mounted (eg, rotatably mounted) on the housing 110 in the following manner: so as to be rotatable about the first axis 541 ( FIG. 2B ) and so as to partially The ground is exposed from the housing 110 for access by a user of the mouse 100 . In other words, the scroll wheel 540 may be rotatably mounted on the housing 110 in a manner such that a part or a portion of the scroll wheel 540 is exposed from the housing 110 for the user of the mouse 100 (ie, the input device) to use the scroll wheel The exposed portion of 540 rolls the wheel 540 . Therefore, the scroll wheel 540 may be rotatably mounted on the cover part 120 of the housing 110 of the mouse 100 . Also, a portion of the scroll wheel 540 may be exposed through the covering surface 124 of the covering part 120 of the housing 110 of the mouse 100 . In addition to this, the scroll wheel 540 may be located between the two main buttons 122 located on the cover of the housing 110 of the mouse 100 The front portion of the cover surface 124 of the portion 120 . The scroll wheel 540 may also be at least substantially perpendicular to the cover surface 124 of the cover portion 120 of the housing 110 of the mouse 100, so that the first axis 541 of the rotation axis of the scroll wheel 540 may be at least substantially parallel to the scroll wheel 540 that can be mounted to the cover. A portion of the covering surface 124 of the portion 120 . Therefore, the user can rotate the scroll wheel 540 by swiping a finger along the circumference of the scroll wheel 540 along the covering surface 124 of the covering portion 120 of the housing 110 of the mouse 100 .

According to various embodiments, the scroll wheel 540 may also be mounted to other portions or other surfaces of the housing 110 of the mouse 100 . For example, the rollers 540 may be mounted to a side portion or side surface of the housing 110 .

According to various embodiments, the housing 110 of the mouse 100 may include a base surface on the base 130 of the housing 110 . The base surface can be configured to face the tracking surface on which the mouse 100 can be placed. Accordingly, the base surface 134 of the housing 110 may be the outer surface of the substantially flat section of the base 130 of the housing 110 . Thus, the mouse 100 may be placed such that the base surface 134 of the base 130 of the housing 110 is substantially flat or substantially parallel to a mouse pad, desktop, or any other suitable tracking surface on which the mouse 100 may be used.

In addition, the base 130 of the housing 110 of the mouse 100 may include a window (not shown). The window may be an opening or a transparent portion of the base 130 . Thus, the window may allow the motion detection assembly of the mouse 100 to detect relative motion between the mouse 100 and the tracking surface on which the mouse 100 may be placed or moved.

2A and 2B show various views of the assembly 901 and motion translator 970 for the scroll wheel 540 of the mouse 100, according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, assembly 901 can include rollers 540 mounted on roller brackets 945 that can be reversely mounted (eg, removably or securely mounted to the housing 110 ) in such a way that a portion of rollers 540 is exposed from housing 110 ) The base 130 of the housing 110 of the mouse 100 of FIG. 1A is for the user of the mouse 100 to use the exposed portion of the scroll wheel 540 to roll the aforementioned scroll wheel 540, while the holding portion of the scroll wheel 540 and the scroll wheel bracket 945 can be accommodated in the scroll wheel 540. Cavity enclosed by housing 110 Inside. Accordingly, the rollers 540 may be rotatably mounted on the housing 110 , for example, by the roller brackets 945 .

According to various embodiments, the roller bracket 945 may be coupled to the base 130 of the housing 110 . Thus, according to various embodiments, the roller bracket 945 may be a separate body or component from the base 130 of the housing 110 . According to various other embodiments, the roller bracket 945 may be integrally formed with the base 130 of the housing 110 , and the roller bracket 945 may form an integral part of the base 130 of the housing 110 .

As shown, the scroll wheel 540 of the mouse 100 may include a braking surface 542 extending circumferentially about a first axis 541 (which is the axis of rotation of the scroll wheel 540). The scroll wheel 540 of the mouse 100 may include a ring portion 548 . The braking surface 542 may be or may be provided at the inner surface (or inner cylindrical surface) of the ring portion 548 of the roller 540 . Accordingly, the roller 540 of the mouse 100 may include a ring portion 548 and a braking surface 542 , wherein the braking surface 542 extends along the inner circumference of the ring portion 548 . The braking surface 542 may be toward (or facing) the center of the ring portion 548 . The braking surface 542 may extend circumferentially along the inner surface of the ring portion 548 , or may be disposed along the inner surface of the ring portion 548 , or may form the inner surface of the ring portion 548 . As an example, according to various embodiments, the ring portion 548 may comprise a metallic material or may be a metallic ring portion 548 , which may be a separate entity or portion from the braking surface 542 . Thus, according to various embodiments, the ring portion 548 may be integrated (eg, united or assembled) with the braking surface 542, for example, by gluing (eg, using an adhesive) the ring portion 548 and the braking surface 542 together , or join the ring portion 548 and the braking surface 542 together via an interference fit between the two components or via an insert molding method. According to various other embodiments, the ring portion 548 and the braking surface 542 may be integrally formed. For example, according to various other embodiments, the ring portion 548 and the braking surface 542 may be a single entity or component that may, for example, be made of plastic or a metallic material, or may comprise plastic (eg, a polymer ) or metallic materials.

Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the ring portion 548 of the roller 540 may include an outer surface (or outer cylindrical surface 544). The outer surface may extend along the outer circumference of the ring portion 548 and may be oriented (facing) outwardly away from the center of the ring portion 548 . The outer cylindrical surface 544 of the roller 540 may be textured for gripping, It is convenient for the user to rotate the roller 540 . According to various embodiments, the center of the ring portion 548 may coincide with the first axis 541 (ie, the axis of rotation of the roller 540).

Referring to FIG. 2A , the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 may include a plurality of serrations 543 . As shown, the plurality of serrations 543 may be pointed or V-shaped or tapered. According to various other embodiments, the plurality of saw teeth 543 may, for example, be rounded or curved (not shown). Between each pair of adjacent serrations 543 may be notches 546 for finger engagement or rod-like extensions of levers 960, as described below.

According to various embodiments, the mouse 100 may further include a lever 960 , which may be provided with a first lever arm 963 and a second lever arm 965 . The lever 960 may be mounted on the housing 110 . According to various embodiments, the lever 960 may be integrated or mounted to the roller bracket 945 . Therefore, the lever 960 may also be mounted to the base 130 of the housing 110 via the roller bracket 945 between the first lever arm 963 and the second lever arm 965 . The lever 960 may be pivotally mounted to the roller bracket 945 so as to pivot about a pivot axis extending between the first lever arm 963 and the second lever arm 965 .

The lever 960 may be mounted to the housing 110 such that the pivot axis 961 of the lever 960 extends at least substantially perpendicular to the first lever arm 963 and the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 . Thus, the lever 960 may be pivotable about the pivot shaft 961 with the first lever arm 963 on one side of the pivot shaft 961 and the second lever arm 965 on the other side of the pivot shaft 961 . As shown, the first lever arm 963 and the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 of the assembly 901 may form or extend along a substantially straight line. In other words, both the first lever arm 963 and the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 may extend along the longitudinal axis of the lever 960 . However, the assembly 901 is not limited thereto. For example, according to various other embodiments, assembly 901 may include or may be compatible with another lever.

Additionally, the lever 960 may be mounted to the base 130 of the housing 110 in a manner such as to be received within the cavity enclosed by the housing 110 . The lever 960 may also be pivotally mounted to the base 130 of the housing 110 between the first lever arm 963 and the second lever arm 965 (eg, via the roller bracket 945). Thus, the lever 960 can be wound relative to the base 130 of the housing 110 and the roller bracket 945 The pivot shaft 961 can be pivoted.

According to various embodiments, the pivot axis 961 of the lever 960 and the first axis 541 (the first axis 541 being the rotation axis of the roller 540 ) may be at least substantially parallel to each other.

According to various embodiments, lever 960 may be pivotable about pivot 961 to move first free end 964 of first lever arm 963 into engagement with braking surface 542 of roller 540 (eg, via a first The finger or rod-like extension of the lever arm 963, as previously described) to place the roller 540 in a resistance wheel mode, or disengage from the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to place the roller 540 in a free wheel mode. Thus, according to various embodiments, the fingers of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 may be configured to fit into the respective gaps 546 between respective two adjacent serrations of the plurality of serrations 543 of the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 middle. Thus, the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 can interact via the fingers of the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 160 with the notch 546 of the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 . The lock engages the rollers 540 .

According to various embodiments, the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 may be configured to engage the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 with an engagement force to actuate rotation of the roller 540 with a corresponding actuation force. Thus, the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 can contact or interact with the roller 540 to slow or delay or resist or suppress the rotation of the actuating roller 540 . Thus, when the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 engages the braking surface 542 of the roller 540, the roller 540 may be in a resistance wheel mode. On the other hand, where the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 is in a disengaged state, where the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 does not engage the braking surface 542, the roller 540 is freewheeling model. In other words, according to various embodiments, the lever 960 may be pivotable to move the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 to disengage the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to place the roller 540 in freewheeling mode, and may The first free end 964 pivoted to move the first lever arm 963 into engagement with the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to place the roller 540 in the resistance wheel mode. According to various embodiments, the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 may be in contact via a ratchet arrangement or friction Engage the rollers 540 .

According to various embodiments, the mouse 100 may further include a motion converter 970 . According to various embodiments, the motion converter 970 may be integrated into or mounted to the roller bracket 945 , which may be attached to or may be integrated into the base 130 of the housing 110 of the mouse 100 . According to various embodiments, the motion converter 970 may be disposed within the cavity enclosed by the housing 110 . The motion converter 970 may include a rotating member 975 configured to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 971 of the rotating member 975 . The motion converter 970 can be configured to convert the rotational motion of the rotating member 975 into an output motion to move the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 to pivot the lever 960 about the pivot axis 961 to For engaging or disengaging the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 and the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 . The motion converter 970 and the lever 960 may be arranged on the roller bracket 945 or relative to the housing 110 of the mouse 100 such that the rotation axis 971 of the rotation member 975 and the pivot axis 961 of the lever 960 may be substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, according to various embodiments, the first shaft 541 (the rotation shaft of the roller 540 ), the rotation shaft 971 of the rotation member 975 and the pivot shaft 961 of the lever 960 may be substantially parallel to each other.

According to various embodiments, the motion converter 970 may be connected to or engaged with the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 . For example, according to various embodiments, the rotating member 975 of the motion converter 970 may be connected to or engaged with the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 . Thus, the motion converter 970 may apply an output force at the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 via the output motion of the motion converter 970 (eg, converted from rotational motion of the rotating member 975). In other words, the output motion of the motion converter 970 may move the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 .

According to various embodiments, the motion translator 970 may be configured to apply output motion (eg, from rotational motion of the rotating member 975 ) to the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 to cause the lever 960 to wrap around Pivot 961 pivots to correspondingly adjust the engagement force exerted by the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 on the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 so that the The corresponding actuation force applied to the roller 540 can be adjusted accordingly via the rotation of the rotating member 975 of the motion converter 970 . Thus, the output motion exerted on the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 may generate or produce a moment that rotates the lever 960 about the pivot 961 such that the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 has a moment The engagement force that a free end 964 exerts on the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 can vary within a range that depends on the degree of output motion being applied.

According to various embodiments, output motion applied to the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 (eg, translation of rotational motion from the rotating member 975 ) may cause the lever 960 to pivot about the pivot axis 961 such that The first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 can be completely disengaged from the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 . Thereby, the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 does not exert an engaging force on the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 .

Thus, when the first free end portion 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 is completely disengaged from the braking surface 542 of the roller 540, the roller 540 may be in freewheel mode. On the other hand, the roller 540 can be in the adjustable resistance wheel mode whenever the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 is applied with an engaging force that can be adjusted or varied on the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 . Thus, according to various embodiments, the roller 540 may exert an output motion at the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 by controlling the controlled rotation of the rotating member 975 of the motion converter 970 (eg, From the degree of rotational movement of the rotating member 975), the scroll wheel 540 can be adjusted between different scroll wheel modes. The rolling resistance/braking force of the roller 540 can also be adjusted, for example, by controlling the controlled rotation of the rotating member 975 of the motion converter 970 to control the second free end of the second lever arm 965 applied to the lever 960 The degree of output motion of the 966 to increase or decrease the rolling resistance/braking force of the rollers 540.

Accordingly, the motion converter 970 may be configured to convert the rotational motion of the rotating member 975 about the rotational axis 971 into an output motion for moving the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 so as to cause the lever 960 to rotate about The pivot 961 pivots to engage or disengage the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 and the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to engage or disengage the freewheel Swap between mode and resistance wheel mode. In other words, the motion converter 970 can be configured to convert rotational motion about the rotational axis 971 (eg, of the rotational member 975 of the motion converter 970 ) into output motion to move the second lever arm 965 Free end 966 to pivot lever 960 about pivot 961 to engage or disengage first free end 964 of first lever arm 963 and braking surface 542 of roller 540 .

3A shows a perspective view of rotating member 975 of motion converter 970 engaged with lever 960 in freewheel mode, according to various embodiments; FIG. 3B shows rotating member 975, lever 960, and rollers in freewheel mode, according to various embodiments 540; FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the rotating member 975 of the lever 960 in the resistance wheel mode according to various embodiments; and FIG. 4B shows the rotating member 975, the lever 960 in the resistance wheel mode according to various embodiments and side view of the scroll wheel 540.

Referring to FIG. 3A , according to various embodiments, the rotating member 975 of the assembly 901 may include a first gear-like portion 976 . The rotation shaft 971 may pass through the center of the first gear-shaped part 976 so that when the rotation member 975 rotates around the rotation shaft 971 , the first gear-shaped part 976 rotates around the rotation shaft 971 . As shown, the first gear-like portion 976 may include a plurality of tooth-like structures 977 . According to various embodiments, the contours of the plurality of toothed structures 977 may form a continuous surface that may act as a cam surface for when the rotating member 975 engages or contacts the second free end 966 with the rotating member 975 of the motion converter 970 When rotated (eg, constant or uninterrupted contact), the second lever arm 965 is caused to follow. According to various embodiments, the continuous surface of the plurality of tooth-like structures 977 of the first gear-like portion 976 may provide an undulating profile to serve as a cam surface. According to various embodiments, the continuous surface may include a region serving as an engagement surface that is configured or used to engage the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 . Furthermore, different engagement surfaces 978 may be provided or arranged at different radial distances away from the rotational axis 971 of the rotational member 975 . Referring to FIG. 3A , according to various embodiments, the first engagement surface 978a may be located at the end of each tooth 977 of the plurality of teeth 977 of the first gear 976 of the rotating member 975 , which may be away from the rotation The first radial distance of the shaft 971 . Furthermore, according to various implementations For example, the second engagement surface 978b may be in a recess between the two toothed structures 977, which may be located a second radial distance away from the axis of rotation 971. According to various embodiments, the first radial distance and the second radial distance may be different radial distances from each other.

As shown in FIG. 3A , according to various embodiments, the first radial distance may be greater than the second radial distance measured from the axis of rotation 971 of the rotating member 975 such that the first engagement surface 978a is about the same rotation away from the second engagement surface 978b The shaft 971 is further away from the rotation shaft 971 of the rotation member 975 . Therefore, the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 is moved further away from the rotating member 975 of the rotating shaft 971 when the second free end 966 is engaged (or contacted) with the first engagement surface 978a. The lever 960 may be in a position where the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 is disengaged from the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 (shown in FIG. 3B ). In other words, when the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 is engaged with the first engagement surface 978a, the lever 960 can pivot away from the roller 540 at the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 The braking surface 542 is removed from the position of the braking surface 542, thereby being in freewheeling mode. Thus, according to various embodiments, the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 that engages with the first engagement surface 978a of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 may correspond to a lever rotated into configuration. Thereby, the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 is disengaged from the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 so that the roller 540 is in free wheel mode.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4A , according to various embodiments, when the second free end 966 is engaged with the second engagement surface 978b such that the second free end 966 is closer to the rotation axis 971 of the rotation member 975, the lever 960 may The first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 is in a configuration in which the first free end 964 of the lever 960 can engage or actuate the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 (shown in FIG. 4B ). In other words, when the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 is engaged with the second engagement surface 978b of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975, the lever 960 may be in the position of the first lever arm 963 The first free end 964 can pivot to engage or prevent the position of the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to be in a resistance wheel mode. Therefore, according to various embodiments, with the rotating member 975 The second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 to which the second engagement surface 978b of the first gear-like portion 976 engages may correspond to the lever 960 pivoted to such a position. Thereby, the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 engages the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to place the roller 540 in the resistance wheel mode.

According to various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A , the first engagement surface 978a and the second engagement surface 978b of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 may be arranged or arranged in an alternating manner around the axis of rotation of the rotating member 975 971.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of tooth-like structures 977 of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 may additionally comprise at least one intermediate (or additional) engagement surface (not shown) provided at the first engagement surface 978a At an intermediate radial distance between the first radial distance of and the second radial distance of the second engagement surface 978b, measured from the axis of rotation 971 of the rotating member 975. Thus, according to various embodiments, the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 that engages the intermediate engagement surface of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 may correspond to the position into which the lever 960 is pivoted, whereby the first The first free end 964 of a lever arm 963 engages the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to place the roller 540 in the resistance wheel mode. However, the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 may engage the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 with lower resistance (corresponding to a weaker blocking or "grabbing" force), which is more suitable for use by the user The experienced rolling motion of the roller 540 is greater than the resistance produced by the resistive-wheeling mode, which corresponds to the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 and the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 The second engagement surface 978b of the engagement (as described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B ). Thus, according to various embodiments, there may be a plurality of intermediate engagement surfaces disposed at different radial distances from each other as measured from the rotational axis 971 of the rotating member 975, the plurality of intermediate engagement surfaces corresponding to different levels of Rolling resistance of the rollers 540 . According to various embodiments, one or more intermediate engagement surfaces may be provided between respective first engagement surfaces 978a and respective second engagement surfaces 978b of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 . For example, according to various embodiments, the plurality of engagement surfaces 978 may be along rotation about the rotating member 975 The first rotational direction of the shaft 971 is arranged in the following order: a first engagement surface 978a, an intermediate engagement surface (not shown), a second engagement surface 978b, an intermediate engagement surface, a first engagement surface 978a, . . . and the like. According to various other embodiments, one or more intermediate engagement surfaces (ie, corresponding to different levels of resistance) may be provided between a pair of adjacent (or closest) first engagement surfaces 978a, or a pair of adjacent between the second engagement surfaces 978b. For example, according to various other embodiments, the plurality of engagement surfaces 978 may be arranged in the following order along a first rotational direction about the rotational axis 971 of the rotating member 975: first engagement surface 978a, intermediate engagement surface, first engagement surface 978a, second engagement surface 978b, one or more intermediate engagement surfaces, second engagement surface 978b, first engagement surface 978a, one or more intermediate engagement surfaces, first engagement surface 978a...etc. According to various embodiments, the plurality of engagement surfaces 978 may be arranged in any other order, wherein immediately adjacent engagement surfaces are at different radial distances from each other as measured from the axis of rotation 971 .

According to various embodiments, the plurality of tooth-like structures 977 of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 may include connecting surfaces 978c that connect or abut at different radial distances from each other (ie, relative to the axis of rotation 971 ). ( For example, sliding motion, or travel), from one engagement surface 978 to the other engagement surface 978 arranged at different radial distances from each other measured from the rotation axis 971 . Thus, each connecting surface 978c may be sloped or inclined to connect two adjacent engaging surfaces 978 at different radial distances from the axis of rotation 971 .

Thus, as described above, according to various embodiments, the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotational member 975 of the motion converter 970 may include a plurality of tooth-like structures 977 that are configured or used to engage the second lever arm 965 . The second free end 966 so that the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 follows the contour or outer edge of the plurality of teeth 977 of the first gear-like portion 976 . Thus, when the rotating member 975 is rotated, the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 can be moved to pivot the lever 960 about the pivot 961 between the resistance wheel mode and the free wheel mode.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 4A , according to various embodiments, the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 may be at a first segment of the rotating shaft 971 of the rotating member 975 . Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the rotating member 975 may further include a second gear-like portion 979 , which may be located at the second segment of the rotating shaft 971 of the rotating member 975 . According to various embodiments, the first section of the rotating shaft 971 and the second section of the rotating shaft 971 may be side by side along the rotating shaft 971 . Therefore, the first gear-shaped portion 976 of the rotating member 975 and the second gear-shaped portion 979 of the rotating member 975 can be arranged side by side along the rotating shaft 971 . As shown, the second gear-like portion 979 can be adjacent to and abut against the first gear-like portion 976 according to various embodiments. Accordingly, the first gear-like portion 976 and the second gear-like portion 979 may be integral (eg, integrally formed) with each other. According to various other embodiments, the first gear-like portion 976 and the second gear-like portion 979 can be integrated together (eg, connected or assembled), for example, the first gear-like portion 976 and the second gear-like portion 979 can be Integrate together, eg, via gluing (eg, using an adhesive) together the first gear-like portion 976 and the second gear-like portion 979 , or via between the first gear-like portion 976 and the second gear-like portion 979 The interference fit or snap fit of the first gear-like portion 976 and the second gear-like portion 979 are connected together.

According to various embodiments, the second gear-like portion 979 is configured to receive an input motion or force to rotate the rotating member 975 . For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A , according to various embodiments, the second gear-like portion 979 may include a plurality of teeth 981 that project radially along the circumference of the second gear-like portion 979 of the rotating member 975 (eg, asymmetrical teeth). Teeth 981 (eg, asymmetric teeth) may be configured to receive input motion or force acting on at least one tooth 981 (eg, asymmetric teeth) to rotate or to rotate rotating member 975 . For example, the input motion or force may push the teeth 981 of the rotating member 975 (eg, along a linear path in a direction tangential to the circumference of the second gear-like portion 979 ) to rotate the rotating member 975 . Each tooth 981 (eg, asymmetrical tooth) may include a first side wall 981 a that may be substantially parallel to a radial direction extending from the axis of rotation 971 . Furthermore, the first side wall(s) 981a of all the teeth 981 (eg asymmetric teeth) may be arranged to face the first (or the same) rotational direction around the rotational axis 971 of the rotational member 975 . In addition, each Teeth 981 (eg, asymmetric teeth can include a second side wall 981b opposite the first side wall 981a of the tooth 981. The second side wall 981b of each tooth 981 can be inclined or curved relative to the first side wall 981a of the tooth 981. For example Said, as shown, the second side wall 981b of each tooth 981 may be positioned or arranged at an acute angle relative to the first side wall 981a of the tooth 981. According to various embodiments, the plurality of teeth 981 may be identical to each other (eg, substantially Therefore, according to various embodiments, the apex of each tooth 981 (ie, the junction between the first side wall 981a and the second side wall 981b ) may have a radial distance from the axis of rotation 971 of the rotating member 975 that is the same as the remaining The distance of one or more teeth 981 is the same. According to various embodiments, the second gear-like portion 979 may be similar to a ratchet gear.

According to various other embodiments, the second gear-like portion 979 may be integrally formed with the first gear-like portion 976 to form the rotating member 975 . Therefore, the first gear-like portion 976 and the second gear-like portion 979 can be rotated as a single rotating member 975 in a synchronized manner. Thereby, providing an input motion or force to rotate the second gear-like portion 979 can simultaneously rotate the first gear-like portion 976 .

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A , according to various embodiments, each engagement surface 978 (eg, the first engagement surface(s) 978a , the second engagement surface(s) of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 Surface 978b, and/or the engaging surface(s) (not shown) and the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960, respectively, may be constructed or shaped to inter-engage or inter-mate, respectively, Thus, the lever 960 can be held (eg, releasably held or releasable) when there is no or sufficient (in other words, less than a predetermined threshold) input motion or input force applied to the rotating member 975 (eg, attempting to rotate the rotating member 975 ). fixed) in place (eg, in the desired mode). Accordingly, each engagement surface 978 may be shaped to correspond to the shape of the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 to interface with each other to maintain the position of the lever 960 previously described. For example, as shown, according to various embodiments, each engagement surface 978 of the first gear-like portion 976 of the rotating member 975 may include or may define a concave (or concave) surface portion that is formed by a set of concave surface portions. state to receive and/or intermesh or engage with a corresponding convex (or convex) surface portion of the second free end portion 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 .

Referring back to FIGS. 2A and 2B , according to various embodiments, the assembly 901 may include a user input unit 985 that may include a linear actuation member 986 . User input unit 985 may be mounted to or supported by roller bracket 945 to provide input motion (eg, linear motion) to rotating member 975 via linear actuation member 986 to rotate rotating member 975 . For example, the linear actuation member 986 may engage or contact the first side wall 981a of one tooth 981 of the tooth portion. When the linear actuating member 986 is moved by the linear motion, the second gear-like portion 979 of the rotating member 975 pushes the teeth 981 of the rotating member 975 , thereby rotating the rotating member 975 . Thus, according to various embodiments, the roller bracket 945 may include a straight channel 947 (eg, substantially straight) configured to support and/or slidably receive therein and/or guide a linear actuation member therealong 986. In other words, the user input unit 985 of the linear actuation member 986 can move along an actuation distance corresponding to the depth or length of the channel 947 .

According to various embodiments, linear actuation member 986 may be biased by actuation member-biasing member 983 in or toward an extended (or unpressed) position relative to channel 947 or roller bracket 945 (or to the position of the mouse 100 ). housing 110). For example, the user input unit 985 may include an actuation member-biasing member 983, such as a spring (eg, a compression spring) or any other suitable elastic material (eg, foam, high resilience foam, memory foam), consistent with linear The actuating member 986 is engaged and disposed within or inside the roller bracket 945 in a manner that urges the linear actuating member 986 to move from an extended (undepressed) position to a retracted (eg, depressed) position such that the actuating member-biasing member 983 can return the linear actuation member 986 to the extended (undepressed) position when the downforce is removed. According to various embodiments, the user input unit 985 may further include a locking mechanism (eg, a double push mechanism, or any other suitable locking or latching mechanism, etc.) configured to releasably lock the linear actuation member 986 Remains in a retracted (eg, depression relative to channel 947 or roller bracket 945 (or housing 110 of mouse 100 ) when linear actuation member 986 is depressed from an extended position to a retracted position).

According to various embodiments, the user input unit 985 may further include an engagement tab member 987 configured to be connected in series (in other words, simultaneously) and/or with the wire The sexual actuation members 986 move together (in other words, along and alongside). According to various embodiments, the engagement tab member 987 may engage with the linear actuation member 986 and/or a portion of the biasing member 983 (eg, the top or upper portion of the biasing member 983 , or the biasing member next to or adjacent to the linear actuation member 986 ) part of 983). According to various embodiments, the engagement tab member 987 may project or extend from one side of the linear actuation member 986 . According to various embodiments, the user input unit 985 may be positioned such that the engagement tab member 987 may be proximate the second gear-like portion 979 of the rotating member 975, eg, proximate the plurality of teeth 981 (eg, the asymmetric second gear-like portion 979 teeth) such that the teeth 981 (eg, asymmetric teeth) are in (or obstructed) a path (eg, an actuation path) that engages the tab member 987 . Thus, as the linear actuation member 986 moves (eg, is depressed) through the actuation distance, the engagement tab member 987 may engage and push (eg, along the actuation path) the one tooth 981 of the second gear 979 The first side wall 981a rotates the rotating member 975 around the rotating shaft 971. According to various embodiments, the engagement tab members 987 may be in the form of posts or rods or fingers or rods or any other suitable component.

According to various embodiments, each tooth 981 of the second gear-like portion 979 of the rotating member 975 (eg, the apex of each tooth or vane, etc.) may be diametrically connected to the rotating member 975 of the engagement surface 978 of the first gear-like portion 976 . Align them to the ground. Furthermore, the plurality of teeth 981 of the second gear-like portion 979, along with the corresponding radially aligned corresponding engagement surfaces 978, may be spaced from each other at regular (or equal) intervals around the axis of rotation 971. Thus, each actuation (eg, depression) of the linear actuation member 986 may correspond to or result in a single change or transition in mode, eg, from a free wheel mode to a drag wheel mode, or from a drag wheel mode to a free wheel mode Wheel patterns, or transitions between resistance wheel patterns for different resistances, etc.

According to various embodiments, the linear actuation member 986 may be depressed by using a button mounted on the housing 110 of the mouse 100 (eg, the button 129 of the mouse 100 shown in FIG. 1 ) to depress the linear actuation member 986 . Free end 988 (eg, tip or upper end) to actuate. For example, a button 129 (eg, a push button) of the mouse 100 may be configured to engage and actuate the linear actuation member 986 each time the button 129 is pressed.

FIG. 5A shows a side view of assembly 901 in freewheel mode according to various embodiments Figure, biasing mechanism 980 is mounted to roller bracket 945 to apply a biasing force on first lever arm 963; and Figure 5B shows a side view of assembly 901 in resistance wheel mode according to various embodiments, biasing mechanism 980 is to exert a biasing force on the first lever arm 963 .

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , assembly 901 may include biasing mechanism 980 mounted or secured to roller bracket 945 . As shown, according to various embodiments, the first end 982 of the biasing mechanism 980 may engage or mount to the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 and the second end 984 of the biasing mechanism 980 may engage or mount to the roller bracket 945. The biasing mechanism 980 may be configured to apply or operate a biasing force on the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 in a direction toward the braking surface 542 so as to cause the first free end of the first lever arm 963 to 964 is biased toward the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 . Thus, the biasing mechanism 980 engaged with the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960, along with the rotating member 975 engaged with the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960, is in a particular or intended mode (eg, free wheel mode or drag wheel mode). ) can be used to prevent loosening of the mechanism (eg, lever 960, and any intermediate components between rotating member 975 and biasing mechanism 980). Thus, when the assembly 901 is in the resistance wheel mode, the biasing mechanism 980 engaged with the first lever arm 963 can also be used to clamp or secure the first lever arm 963 to the braking surface 542 to prevent the assembly 901 from escaping from the Inadvertently out of drag wheel mode. As shown, according to various embodiments, the biasing mechanism 980 may be or include a spring, such as a torsion spring or a lever spring, or the like.

Thus, according to various embodiments, the motion converter 970 may be configured to impart an output motion (ie, conversion from rotational motion of the rotating member 975 of the motion converter 970 ) to the second freedom of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 end 966 to pivot the lever 960 about the pivot 961 to counteract the biasing force applied by the biasing mechanism 980 on the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 to correspondingly The engagement force exerted by the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 on the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 is adjusted to prevent rotation of the roller 540 . Thus, due to the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 980, the rolling resistance/limiting force of the roller 540 may be applied to the lever 960 by controlling the controlled rotation of the rotating member 975 via the motion converter 970. The degree of output movement of the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 is adjusted in a controlled manner.

Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the output motion applied to the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 (ie, converted from the rotational motion of the rotational member 975 of the motion converter 970 ) may be about a pivot axis 961 pivots so that the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 of the lever 960 can be completely disengaged from the braking surface 542 of the roller 540, whereby the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 980 may no longer cause the first free end 964 of the lever 960 to disengage. The first free end 964 of a lever arm 963 applies an engaging force to the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 . Thus, the motion translator 970 can move the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 to pivot the lever 960 about the pivot axis 961 to correspondingly counteract the force exerted on the lever 960 by the biasing mechanism 980 The biasing force on the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 to disengage the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to change the roller 540 to freewheel mode. Thus, the rolling resistance of the roller 540 can be controlled by the controlled rotation of the rotating member 975 of the motion converter 970 by controlling the output applied by the motion converter 970 to the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 of the lever 960 . The degree varies between a free wheel mode and a predetermined maximum resistance wheel mode.

According to various embodiments, an input device for communicating with a processor-based device is provided. The input device may include a housing 110 . The input device may further include a scroll wheel 540 , which may be rotatably mounted on the housing 110 in such a manner that a portion of the scroll wheel 540 is exposed from the casing 110 , allowing a user of the input device to use the exposed portion of the scroll wheel 540 to roll the scroll wheel 540 . Roller 540 may include a ring portion 548 and a braking surface 542 . The braking surface 542 may be the inner surface of the ring portion 548 . The input device may further include a lever 960, the lever 960 may be provided with a first lever arm 963 and a second lever arm 965, the lever 960 is mounted on the housing 110 so that the lever can pivot about the first lever arm 963 and A pivot 961 extends between the second lever arms 965 . The lever 960 is pivotable to move the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 into engagement with the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 to place the roller 540 in resistance wheel mode and disengage from the braking surface 542 of the roller 540, to place the scroll wheel 540 in free wheel mode. The input device may further include a motion converter 970 which is connected to the second bar The second free end 966 of the lever arm 965 is engaged. The motion converter 970 may include a rotation member 975 that is rotatable about a rotation axis 971 . The motion converter 970 can be configured to convert the rotational motion of the rotating member 975 into an output motion to move the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 to pivot the second lever for engaging or disengaging the first lever arm 963. A free end 964 and a lever 960 of the braking surface 542 of the roller 540 around the pivot 961. The rotating member 975 may include a first gear-like portion 976 and a second gear-like portion 979 arranged side by side along the rotating shaft 971 . The first gear-like portion 976 may include a plurality of tooth-like structures 977 for engaging the second free end portion 966 of the second lever arm 965 such that the second free end portion of the second lever arm 965 966 moves the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 following the contour of the plurality of teeth 977 of the first gear 976 to pivot the lever 960 about the pivot 961 . The second gear-like portion 979 may include a plurality of asymmetrical teeth 981 radially projecting along the circumference of the second gear-like portion 979 for receiving input motion to rotate the rotating member 975

According to various embodiments, the pivot axis 961 of the lever 960 and the rotation axis 971 of the rotation member 975 of the motion converter 970 are at least substantially parallel to each other.

According to various embodiments, the contours of the plurality of tooth-like structures 977 of the first gear-like portion 976 may define: (a) a first engagement surface 978a on each tooth disposed at a first radial distance away from the axis of rotation 971 A top end of the like structure 977, wherein the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 engaging the first engagement surface 978a corresponds to the lever 960 that rotates such that the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 is in contact with the roller The braking surface 542 of the 540 engages so that the roller 540 is in resistance wheel mode; A groove in which the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 engaged with the second engagement surface 978b corresponds to the pivoted lever 960 such that the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 is free from the The braking surface 542 is disengaged so that the roller 540 is in freewheeling mode.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of tooth-like structures 977 of the first gear-like portion 976 may be One-step definition: Another engagement surface, which is disposed at an intermediate radial distance between the first radial distance and the second radial distance, away from the axis of rotation 971 .

According to various embodiments, the connecting surface 978c may connect to each adjacent pair of the first and second bonding surfaces 978a and 978b.

According to various embodiments, each of the first engagement surface 978a and each of the second engagement surfaces 978b are shaped to correspond to the shape of the second free end 966 of the second lever arm 965 to intermesh to retain the lever 960 s position.

According to various embodiments, the input device may further comprise a biasing member 983 configured to apply a biasing force in the direction of the first free end 964 of the first lever arm 963 towards the braking surface 542 .

According to various embodiments, the input device may further include a user input unit 985 including a linear actuation member 986 configured to engage with the rotational member 975 and transmit the input motion to rotation member 975 to rotate the rotation member 975 around the rotation axis 971 .

According to various embodiments, the user input unit 985 may further include a button for actuating the linear actuation member 986 .

According to various embodiments, the user input unit 985 may further include a locking mechanism configured to releasably retain the linear actuation member 986 in a retracted position relative to the housing 110 .

Although the present creation has been specifically shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, Variations in form and detail. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the equivalents and scope of the claims are hereby embraced.

540: Roller

542: Braking Surface

543: Sawtooth

544: outer cylindrical surface

546: Gap

548: Ring Department

901: Assembly

945: Roller Bracket

947: Channel

961: Pivot

963: 1st lever arm

970: Motion Converter

971: Rotation axis

975: Rotating Components

985: User Input Unit

986: Linear Actuating Member

987: Engage Tab Member

988: Free End

Claims (10)

An input device for communicating with a processor-based device, the aforementioned input device comprising: case; a roller, which is rotatably mounted on the housing in such a way that a part of the roller is exposed from the housing, for the user of the input device to use the exposed part of the roller to roll the roller, and the roller comprises a ring portion and a braking surface, wherein the braking surface extends along the inner circumference of the ring portion; A lever, which is provided with a first lever arm and a second lever arm, and the lever is mounted on the housing, so that the lever can be pivoted around the extending between the first lever arm and the second lever arm. pivot, wherein the lever is pivotable to move the first free end of the first lever arm into engagement with the braking surface of the roller so that the roller is in resistance wheel mode, and from the The braking surface is disengaged so that the aforementioned rollers are in freewheel mode; and a motion converter engaged with the second free end of the second lever arm, the motion converter comprising a rotating member rotatable about an axis of rotation, the motion converter being configured to convert the rotational motion of the rotating member into an output movement to move the second free end of the second lever arm in order to pivot around the pivot for engaging or disengaging the first free end of the first lever arm and the braking surface of the roller the aforementioned lever, Wherein, the rotating member includes a first gear-shaped portion and a second gear-shaped portion arranged side by side along the rotating shaft, Wherein, the first gear-like portion includes a plurality of tooth-like structures, and the plurality of the tooth-like structures are used to engage the second free end of the second lever arm, so that the second free end of the second lever arm moving the aforesaid second free end of the aforesaid second lever arm following the contour of the aforesaid tooth-like structures of the aforesaid first gear-like portion in order to pivot the aforesaid lever about the aforesaid pivot axis, Wherein, the second gear-shaped portion includes a plurality of asymmetric teeth radially projecting along the circumference of the second gear-shaped portion, and the plurality of asymmetric teeth are used for receiving input motion to rotate the rotating member. The input device of claim 1, wherein the pivot axis of the lever and the rotation axis of the rotation member of the motion converter are at least substantially parallel to each other. The input device of claim 1, wherein the contours of the plurality of tooth-like structures of the first gear-like portion define: a first engagement surface at the apex of each of the aforesaid tooth-like structures disposed at a first radial distance away from the aforesaid axis of rotation, wherein the aforesaid second free end of the aforesaid second lever arm engaging the aforesaid first engagement surface a portion corresponding to the aforementioned lever pivoted such that the aforementioned first free end portion of the aforementioned first lever arm engages the aforementioned braking surface of the aforementioned roller so that the aforementioned roller is in the aforementioned resistance wheel mode; and A second engagement surface located in a groove between two aforesaid tooth-like structures arranged at a second radial distance away from the aforesaid axis of rotation, wherein the aforesaid second lever arm of the aforesaid second engagement surface engages with the aforesaid second engagement surface The second free end corresponds to the aforementioned lever pivoted such that the aforementioned first free end portion of the aforementioned first lever arm disengages from the aforementioned braking surface of the aforementioned roller, so that the aforementioned roller is in the aforementioned free wheel mode. The input device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of the tooth-like structures of the first gear-like portion are further defined: Another engagement surface, disposed at an intermediate radial distance between the aforementioned first radial distance and the aforementioned second radial distance, is remote from the aforementioned rotation axis. The input device of claim 3, wherein the connecting surface is connected to the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface. The input device of claim 3, wherein each of the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface is shaped to correspond to the shape of the second free end of the second lever arm so as to mutually interact with each other. Then hold the position of the aforementioned lever. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member configured to exert a biasing force on the first free end of the first lever arm in a direction toward the braking surface. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a user input unit including a linear actuation member configured to engage the rotational member and transmit the input motion to The rotating member is configured to rotate about the rotating shaft. The input device of claim 8, wherein the user input unit further comprises a button for actuating the linear actuating member. The input device of claim 8, wherein the user input unit further comprises a locking mechanism configured to releasably retain the linear actuation member in a retracted position relative to the housing.

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