Patent ID: 8446366

Claim:
A control device comprising: a multi-mode roller having at least two modes of operation including a smooth-roller mode and a ratchet-roller mode; wherein smooth roller mode is characterized by the multi-mode roller continuing to rotate subsequent to a user-applying an initial force to the multi-mode roller, the multi-mode roller operable to scroll a document displayed on a computer display while the multi-mode roller continues to rotate without the user continuously pushing the multi-mode roller; wherein ratchet-roller mode is characterized by the multi-mode roller rotating with a ratcheting motion produced by a spring configured to push a bearing into contact with a corrugated surface of the multi-mode roller, and rotating the multi-mode roller requires the user to continuously push the multi-mode roller; and a switch coupled to the multi-mode roller and operable to place the multi-mode roller in one of the at least two modes of operation.