Patent ID: 6563490
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A third-axis input device of a mouse comprising:a roller rotatably mounted on a roller stage and projecting through an opening formed in a cover of a mouse, said roller stage being mounted on a base of said mouse, said roller having a closed lateral surface and a recess formed therein; a ring member formed on said roller within said recess, said ring member being positioned coaxially with said roller, a plurality of tooth-shaped strips being formed on said ring member, each of said tooth-shaped strips being spaced apart an equal distance each from the other, said tooth-shaped strips defining an annular surface on said roller extending circumferentially about a rotation axis of said roller; and, an optical transceiver, said optical transceiver being disposed to project light radially towards said ring member, whereby said tooth-shaped strips of said rig member reflect said light back to said optical transceiver, said receiving said reflected light and generating a signal corresponding to a rotational state of said roller.