US 12,481,380 B2 · Motorized scroll wheel for an input device

Abstract

A peripheral device may include a body. The device may include a scroll wheel rotatably coupled with the body. The scroll wheel may include a ferromagnetic rotor. The rotor may be generally annular and may define an open interior. The rotor may define a first plurality of teeth arranged about a periphery of the open interior. The device may include a stator disposed within the open interior. The stator may define a second plurality of teeth that are alignable with the first plurality of teeth. The stator may include a plurality of electro-permanent magnets. Each of the electro-permanent magnets may be disposed within a conductive coil. The device may include a position sensor that is configured to detect an angular position of the rotor. The device may include control circuitry that controls delivery of current to the electro-permanent magnets of the stator to controls a speed of the scroll wheel.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A peripheral device comprising:

a body;
a wheel rotatably coupled to the body, the wheel at least partially exposed outside of the body such that a user may interact with the rotating wheel via a finger;
a motor comprising at least a first and second portion,
the first portion of the motor coupled to the wheel,
the second portion of the motor coupled to the body,
wherein the first and second portions of the motor are configured to interact with each other that enables the motor to provide a positive acceleration force to the wheel;
a sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the wheel;
and
a processor configured to:
receive input from the sensor related to the rotational speed of the wheel;
and
drive the motor to maintain rotation of the wheel at a speed imparted to the wheel by the user's finger.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Motorized scroll wheel for an input device

Life of this patent

Motorized scroll wheel for an input device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20