FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for use with rotary input devices. More particular in the device having a relative output, which is controlled by rotation of a rotary input device such a rotary encoder.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Rotary inputs, such as knobs, also referred as rotary encoders, are common in a multitude of everyday devices. Historically, rotary inputs have been mechanically linked to the component they control.
In Rotary knobs of Analog devices, any indication of the present setting is provided by markings on the housing of the device where the rotary input is installed.
For example, in a conventional analog radio, the volume control includes a knob with alignment markings on the front panel of the radio. When the knob is rotated, alignment of a mark on the knob with one of the marks on the panel indicates the volume setting. In such a configuration, it is obvious to the user of the radio, how to increase the volume; typically, clockwise rotation of the knob increases the volume.
Rotary encoders in computing devices
The rotary knobs in digital devices are normally referred as rotary encoders as they generate encoded data. The configuration of the rotary encoder in a conventional digital device may be different than the configuration of an analog device. For example, many conventional digital electronic devices, such as those found in homes, automobiles, and portable devices, include a display for displaying the state of the device. The display includes information corresponding to the position of the rotary encoder. The rotary encoder's location, relative to the display provides the user with an indication of which direction to turn the rotary encoder, to increment a setting. For example, in an automotive radio with a conventional digital display the fader control is typically represented by a bar graph with the front of the car to the left and the rear to the right. The middle of the graph represents an equal balance

between the front and rear speakers of the car. The bar graph is typically located above the rotary encoder, so that by turning the knob clockwise, the signal and the corresponding bar graph is shifted towards the rear of the car. If the spatial relationship between the control and the display is not well designed, the direction that the user is supposed to turn the rotary encoder may be ambiguous, i.e., the user will be unsure whether to turn the rotary encoder clockwise or counter clockwise to set the required parameter.
There are many selection methods. The Rotary encoders are also used to select items from a list from a menu. The list may be displayed in hohzontal direction or vertical direction.
In one conventional interface design, a virtual knob displayed in the interface provides the user with a visual cue regarding, how to move the physical knob located on the console. The physical rotary encoder, is vertically aligned with and located below the screen and is turned based on the representation shown on the screen, i.e., a clockwise motion implies rightward movement; a counterclockwise motion implies a leftward movement (for horizontal lists). While this combination provides an intuitive interface, it also requires a large display in order to display both the menu items and the virtual knob. In some sections of the interface, the virtual knob is not displayed. If the rotary encoder, is placed below (or above) the display, the position of the encoder indicates which direction to turn the encoder, to select form a horizontal list; if the encoder is placed beside the display, the position indicates which direction to turn the encoder for a vertical list. However, if the encoder is placed below (or above) the display, it is unclear in which direction to turn the encoder to select from a vertical list. Similariy, if the encoder is placed next to the display, it is unclear in which direction to turn the knob to select from a horizontal list
As electronic devices continue to evolve, the complexity and number of features they include continues to increase. The increase in complexity makes it difficult to place a number of rotary input locations that provide the user with visual cues for how to operate the device. Additionally, the size of the devices and of the displays for providing information and navigational cues to the user continues to decrease.

The decrease in size makes it difficult or impossible to provide a virtual knob in the display to provide a visual cue.
Rotary encoders are extensively used in many products, to vary some parameters. Very common applications are consumer goods like Radios, amplifiers, coolers, air-conditioners. Also in most of the Car Radios and Car navigation systems rotary knobs are used for setting user preferred parameters or for selecting the menu items from list.
In radios, the rotary knobs are used to increase or decrease different parameters like volume, bass, treble, fader, balance etc.
Refer the figures (1) for illustration.
In Fig. 1, the parameter 15 indicates the current volume setting.
Behavior of the rotary encoder is such that turning the encoder in one direction will increase the parameter and turning the same encoder in opposite direction will decrease the parameter.
Fig. 2 illustrates the vertical menu selector.
In Fig. 2. the box indicates the cursor and indicates the menu item is selected. The user can use the rotary encoder to move the cursor up or down to select the required item.
When the rotary encoder is used to select items from a menu list, turning of encoder will select an item to left or right in horizontal list or item above or below in a vertical list, from the present position of the cursor.
Fig. 3 illustrates the horizontal menu selector.
The behavior of the rotary encoder movement is not standardized across different products, across different manufacturers, but fixed for one device.

This will lead to some confusion and inconvenience to the user when he is using products from different manufacturers or using with left hand instead of right hand.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a control to a device having a relative output. The output of the device is controlled by rotation of an encoder, such that the direction of the relative output is configurable by the user for a given direction of the rotary encoder.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a device and methods for the user to have a flexible behavior for the rotary encoder.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates volume setting according to prior art.
Fig. 2 illustrates the vertical menu selector according to prior art.
Fig. 3 illustrates the horizontal menu selector according to prior art.
Fig.4 illustrates the configuring the rotary encoder using hardware and software
according to present invention.
Fig. 5 illustrates the flowchart of configuring the encoder using hardware and
software according to present invention.
Fig. 6 illustrates a software menu provided for the user for configuring the behavior
of rotary encoder according to present invention
Fig. 7 illustrates the flowchart of configuration using only software (in this case
switches S1, S2 and S3 are not required).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides the possibility to the user to configure the behavior of Rotary input such as rotary encoder, according to his personal needs, using simple switches with two positions or using a menu.

Rotary encoders are often mounted upon panels and other supporting structures in order that a user may control an electrical/electronic device. It is common for a portion of the encoder to be on one side of the panel (the user side) and another portion of the encoder to be on the other side of the panel (the inside). In many instances, the only portion of an encoder, that is on the user's side of the panel is a section of the shaft and a knob or other actuating means. Generally, the bulk of the encoder is on the inside of the panel.
There are different types of rotary encoders available in the market.
Ex. Electro-mechanical, optical etc. These rotary encoders generate encoded outputs based on the position/movement of the shaft which is part of the rotary encoder. These outputs may be relative codes or absolute codes.
Fig.4 illustrates configuring the encoder using Hardware and Software according to present invention.
The output of the rotary encoder is connected to the microcontrollers /microprocessors. The microcontroller/microprocessor receives the input from the rotary encoder, processes it based on user requirement.
To make the steps easy to understand, each of the input device such as switch (81, S2, S3), is associated to one type of relative output of the device:
> SI is associated to control the continuous output of the device
> S2 is associated to cursor movement in horizontal lists
> S3 is associated to cursor movement in vertical lists
The microcontroller/microprocessor receives input from the rotary encoder; it checks the switches S1, S2 and S3 for their positions, i.e. to see whether the switches are in closed or in open state.
Referring to Fig 4 and 5, an example of various positions and controls are described herein:

 Switch S1 is dosed: the encoder movement in clockwise will result in increase of the continuous output of the device
 Switch S1 is open: the encoder movement in clockwise will result in decrease of the continuous output of the device
 Switch S2 is closed: the encoder movement in clockwise will move cursor to right in horizontal list
 Switch S2 is open: the encoder movement in clockwise will move cursor to left in horizontal list
 Switch S3 is closed: the encoder movement in clockwise will move cursor up in vertical list
 Switch S3 is open: the encoder movement in clockwise will move cursor down in vertical list
 With the above steps it should be clear that if the user wishes to change the behavior of the rotary encoder, he needs to just change the switch positions as per his requirements.
 The configurability may also be provided to the user through a simple menu as shown in Fig 6 and Fig 7.
The Fig 6 shows a menu for the user to configure the rotary encoder according to his requirements. The menu contains the options for different configurations of the rotary encoder. The user will be able to configure by a simple method of checking or un-checking the options displayed. The number of options /types of options displayed can be varied or changed and is not limited to only 3 options as shown in the figure.
The Fig 7 shows the flowchart explaining the sequence of steps involved while using a software menu to configure the rotary encoder.
To facilitate the description of the inventive system and the novel method, the device has been described in terms of examples and it shall be appreciated that these are provided for the purpose of illustration only and that various modifications are feasible without departing from the inventive concept.

WE CLAIM:
1. A device having a relative output, which is controlled by rotation of a rotary encoder, characterized in that, direction of the relative output in reaction to rotation of the rotary encoder in first direction can be configured using an input means.
2. A device according to claiml, wherein the relative output is position of a cursor on a screen.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the cursor position is configured in reaction to a rotation of the rotary encoder, so that if rotary encoder is rotated in clockwise direction the cursor moves up and if turned anticlockwise the cursor moves down or if rotary encoder is rotated in clockwise direction the cursor moves down and if turned anticlockwise the cursor moves up.
4. A device according to claim 2 wherein the cursor position is configured in reaction to a rotation of the rotary encoder so that if rotary encoder is rotated in clockwise direction the cursor moves right and if turned anticlockwise the cursor moves left or if rotary encoder is rotated in clockwise direction the cursor moves left and if turned anticlockwise the cursor moves right.
5. A device according to claiml, wherein the relative output is a continuous output between a maximum and a minimum value, if the rotary encoder is rotated in clockwise direction, the continuous output is increased in the direction of the maximum value and if turned anticlockwise, the continuous output is decreased in the direction of the minimum value or if the rotary encoder is rotated in clockwise direction, the continuous output is decreased in the direction of the minimum value and if turned anticlockwise, the continuous output is increased in the direction of the maximum value.
6. A device according to claim 1, further comprises of a processor to which at least one input means is connected.

7. A device according to claim1, the input means is a dual state switch or a software menu.
8. A method for a device having a relative output which is controlled by rotation of a rotary encoder, involves configuring direction of the relative output in reaction to rotation of the rotary encoder in first direction.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the relative output is position of a cursor on a screen.
10. A method according to claim 8, claim 9 wherein the cursor position is configured in reaction to a rotation of the rotary knob so that if rotary knob is rotated in clockwise direction the cursor moves up and if turned anticlockwise the cursor moves down or if rotary knob is rotated in clockwise direction the cursor moves down and if turned anticlockwise the cursor moves up.
11. A method according to claim 8, claim 9 wherein the cursor position is configured in reaction to a rotation of the rotary knob so that if rotary knob is rotated in clockwise direction the cursor moves right and if turned anticlockwise the cursor moves left or if rotary knob is rotated in clockwise direction the cursor moves left and if turned anticlockwise the cursor moves right.
12. A method according to claim 8, claim 9, wherein the relative output is a continuous output between a maximum and a minimum value, if the rotary encoder is rotated in clockwise direction, the continuous output is increased in the direction of the maximum value and if turned anticlockwise, the continuous output is decreased in the direction of the minimum value or if the rotary encoder is rotated in clockwise direction, the continuous output is decreased in the direction of the minimum value and if turned anticlockwise, the continuous output is increased in the direction of the maximum value.
13. A method according to claim 8, configuring direction of the relative output in reaction to rotation of the rotary encoder in first direction, by receiving an input from an input means.

14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the input means is a dual state switch or a software menu.
Dated on this the 16th day of August 2007.