Patent ID: 7295187
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An electronic apparatus comprising: an input device including first signal-generating-means; a housing having an opening for mounting said input device; a cover, detachable from said housing, for fixing said input device when installed in said opening of said housing; and second signal-generating-means provided inside said housing, said second signal-generating-means functioning in combination with said first signal-generating-means, wherein a plurality of projections are provided inside said housing, said cover includes a ring-shaped flat plate and a plurality of L-shaped poles projecting downward from an outer border of the bottom surface of said flat plate, and a groove is provided in an outer side of respective one of said plurality of L-shaped poles to engage with respective one of said plurality of projections, wherein said first signal-generating-means and said second signal-generating-means form a trackball device, wherein said trackball device includes a ball, a base, two X rollers and two Y rollers provided inside said base, and rotation of said ball makes said X rollers and Y rollers rotate, and if said ball is pushed down, said ball pushes a push switch provided on a wiring board disposed in a lower portion of said base, wherein said first signal-generating-means of said trackball device includes a magnet, and said second signal-generating-means of said trackball device includes a magnetic sensor, wherein said trackball device comprises: the ball; four round rollers each disposed orthogonal to said ball, each of said rollers facing said ball across a clearance and having a recessed and projected part at a part thereof which contacts said ball, the four round rollers constitute said X rollers and Y rollers; and said magnet rotatably fixed to one end of each of said rollers to serve as said first signal-generating-means, wherein said magnet rotates in accordance with rotation of one of said four rollers that contacts said ball, thereby changing magnetism when said ball is rolled.