Logitech International has been granted a patent for a peripheral device featuring a scroll wheel with a ferromagnetic rotor and a stator containing electro-permanent magnets. The device includes a position sensor and control circuitry to adjust the scroll wheel’s speed based on user input and detected angular position. GlobalData’s report on Logitech International gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Logitech International, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Logitech International's grant share as of June 2024 was 73%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Electromagnetic scroll wheel control for peripheral devices

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Logitech International SA

The granted patent US12032760B2 describes a sophisticated peripheral device featuring a scroll wheel that integrates advanced magnetic technology for enhanced user interaction. The device comprises a body and a rotatable scroll wheel, which includes a ferromagnetic rotor with an annular shape and an open interior. This rotor is equipped with a first set of teeth that align with a second set of teeth on a stator positioned within the rotor. The stator contains at least one permanent magnet and multiple electro-permanent magnets, each housed within a conductive coil. A position sensor detects the angular position of the rotor, while control circuitry manages the delivery of current pulses to the electro-permanent magnets, enabling the scroll wheel to rotate based on user input and predefined speed ranges.

Additionally, the patent outlines various functionalities of the control circuitry, including the ability to adjust the scroll wheel's speed based on user input and to stop the rotation when a screen's end is reached. The position sensor operates at a high sampling rate of at least 10 kHz, ensuring precise tracking of the scroll wheel's movement. The device also features an electric motor with two portions, one connected to the scroll wheel and the other to the body, allowing for dynamic control over the scroll wheel's acceleration, deceleration, and speed relative to external inputs. This innovative design aims to enhance user experience by providing responsive and adaptable scrolling capabilities, making it suitable for various computer peripheral applications.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Logitech International, buy the report here.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.