Patent ID: 7170493
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A third axis input device used in a mouse, comprising: a wheel holder mounted on a bottom board inside said mouse; a roller, said roller having a closed outer side, an inner side, and a receiving open chamber in said inner side; an encoding wheel mounted inside said roller and pivoted with said roller to said wheel holder, said encoding wheel having a mechanical tooth form; and a locating plate coupled to the inner side of said roller for enabling said roller to be pivoted with said encoding wheel to said wheel holder, said locating plate holding a plurality of probes respectively disposed in contact with the tooth form of said encoding wheel and adapted to output a signal indicative of direction and amount of rotation of said encoding wheel and said roller; wherein said roller has a center axle hole and a plurality of pins equiangularly spaced around said center axle hole for securing said encoding wheel.