Rotary input device

A rotary input device, comprising

• a base;
• a cover having a cap portion and a side wall vertically extending from the cap portion;
• a column surrounded by the side wall and having a first end for connecting to the base and a second end for connecting to the cover;
• one or more first magnets surrounding the column and configured on either the base or the cover;
• one or more second magnets surrounding the first magnets and configured on the other of the base or the cover;
• a plurality of magnetic sensors configured on a lateral surface of the column;
• and
• a signal processing circuit coupled to the plurality of magnetic sensors,
• wherein when the cover is rotated relative to the base, the following operation will be performed:
• the magnets rotate around the column and the magnetic sensors;
• the magnetic sensors sense a plurality of magnetic signals having different values correspondingly;
• and
• the signal processing circuit determines a relative rotation direction of the cover and the base according to the plurality of magnetic signals sensed by the magnetic sensors, and outputs a clockwise rotation signal or a counterclockwise rotation signal,
• wherein when the cover is moved horizontally or obliquely relative to the base, the following operation will be performed:
• a portion of the first magnets are moved close to the column, and the magnetic sensors sense the magnetic signals of the part of the magnetic sensors to be decreased;
• the other portion of the first magnets are moved away from the column, and the magnetic sensors sense the magnetic signals of the other portion of the magnetic sensors to be increased;
• and
• the signal processing circuit determines a relative movement direction of the cover and the base according to the plurality of magnetic signals sensed by the magnetic sensors, and outputs a movement signal.