3D roller key
AssigneeSoniontech A/S
InventorsMichael Deruginsky, Soren Ravnkilde
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to encoder-switch assemblies, such as electromechanical roller-key assemblies comprising an encoder part and two or more actuator switches. The encoder part operates in accordance to magnetic, optical and/or electromechanical principles and provides one or several electrical output signals indicating the instantaneous change of angular position of a rotating roller or tuning wheel. The actuator switches provide two or more electrical output signals indicating a plurality of positions of the roller-key or wheel of the assembly.
Claims34
A roller-key assembly comprising,
- a carrier,
- a roller member supported by the carrier and being rotatably mounted in relation to the carrier,
- a coding member engaging the roller member in a manner so as to rotate when the roller member rotates,
- the carrier being mounted in a supporting structure and being at least partly displaceable relative to the supporting structure so as to render the roller member displaceable from an initial position to a selected displaced position of at least two predetermined displaced positions,
- means for detecting rotation of the coding member in relation to the supporting structure,
- means for generating a return spring force that returns the roller member to the initial position from the selected displaced position, and
- switching means being adapted to indicate the selected displaced position of the roller member.
A hand-held electronic apparatus comprising a roller-key assembly according to any of the preceding claims.
A method of navigating on an electronic display displaying one or more items by moving an indicator between items, said method comprising the steps of
- providing a rotably mounted roller member displaceable from an initial position to a selected displaced position of at least two predetermined displaced positions,
- rotating the roller member in a first or a second direction,
- detecting rotation of a coding member engaging the roller member in a manner so as to rotate when the roller member rotates,
- moving the indicator between items in a first or second direction in response to the detected rotation of the roller member,
- applying a predetermined force to a first or second part of the roller member,
- detecting the displaced position of the roller member, and
- moving the indicator between items in a third or fourth direction in response to the selected displaced position of the roller member.
A method of selecting an option on an electronic display displaying one or more items at least one of which comprises two options, said method comprising the steps of
- providing a rotably mounted roller member displaceable from an initial position to a selected displaced position of at least two predetermined displaced positions,
- rotating the roller member in a first or a second direction,
- detecting rotation of a coding member engaging the roller member in a manner so as to rotate when the roller member rotates,
- moving between items in a first or second direction in response to the detected rotation of the roller member,
- applying a predetermined force to a first or second part of the roller member,
- detecting the displaced position of the roller member, and
- selecting a first or a second option in response to the selected displaced position of the roller member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.