Patent ID: 7616188

Claim:
An input device for scrolling comprising: a rotatable member; a rocking member configured to support the rotatable member and allow rotation of the rotatable member with respect to the rocking member, the rocking member being supported to rock from side to side to provide sideways tilting of the rotatable member; at least one tilting switch disposed near the rocking member and configured to be activated by sideways rocking of the rocking member and sideways tilting of the rotatable member; a back support configured to rotatably support a back-rocking portion of the rocking member, the back rocking portion having a surface that contacts a surface of the back support, wherein the rocking member is further configured to pivot downward relative to the back support, and wherein the contacting surfaces of the back support and back rocking portion are configured to move relative to one another if the rocking member is tilted sideways, and to move relative to one another if the rocking member is pivoted downward relative to the back support; and a front support configured to rotatably support a front-rocking portion of the rocking member in a depressed position, the front-rocking portion having a surface that faces a surface of the front support, wherein the facing surfaces are configured to contact and move relative to one another if the rocking member is tilted sideways, and to move relative to one another if the rocking member is pivot downward relative to the back support.