{
  "patent_number": "US 12585346",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Mouse with Two Angled Scroll Wheels for Sideways Feedback",
  "original_title": "Double-wheel assembly",
  "summary": "This patent describes a pointing device, like a computer mouse, that uses two scroll wheels, one of which is angled to allow for both vertical scrolling and a unique sideways haptic feedback when scrolled.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a pointing device, such as a computer mouse, equipped with two scroll wheels. A \"first scroll wheel\" handles typical up-and-down scrolling, controlling a \"first movement\" of an object on a screen in a \"first direction\" (Claim 1). The innovation lies with a \"second scroll wheel,\" which is positioned at a \"non-90 degree angle\" (for example, between 15 and 35 degrees, Claim 11) relative to the first wheel. When a user scrolls this second wheel in the usual forward/backward manner, it generates a signal for a \"second movement\" of the object, often horizontally, and also provides a unique \"haptic feedback\" (a physical sensation like a nudge or vibration) in a direction \"substantially perpendicular\" to the user's scrolling motion (Claim 1). For instance, scrolling the angled wheel forward might move a spreadsheet horizontally while providing a subtle sideways click or resistance.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "A pointing device that only has a single scroll wheel for all movements.",
    "A second scroll wheel that is positioned at a 90-degree angle relative to the first scroll wheel.",
    "Haptic feedback that is not substantially perpendicular to the user's primary scroll manipulation direction.",
    "A pointing device where the second scroll wheel does not provide any haptic feedback.",
    "A second scroll wheel whose movement signal does not correspond to its non-90 degree arrangement.",
    "A second scroll wheel that is not coaxially arranged with the first scroll wheel, if that is the claimed configuration."
  ],
  "filed": "2024-11-08",
  "granted": "2026-03-24",
  "expires": "2044-11-08",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Microsoft Technology Licensing",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/microsoft-technology-licensing",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Masaaki Fukumoto",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/masaaki-fukumoto"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "software",
    "telecommunications",
    "gaming"
  ],
  "abstract": "Implementations of the subject matter described herein provide a solution in which a quick and comfortable operation can be achieved while providing the improved intuitiveness. In the solution, a scroll assembly for use with a pointing device is provided. The scroll assembly comprises: a first scroll member for controlling a first movement of an object on a user interface; and at least one second scroll member for controlling a second movement of the object on the user interface, the second scroll member being adapted to, in response to an operation applied substantially in the first direction, rotate and provide a haptic feedback in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12585346/double-wheel-assembly",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12585346/double-wheel-assembly/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12585346",
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}