JP2002091697A - Pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with a sensor and a contact point switch for generating a click signal and to simplify and miniaturize structure. SOLUTION: A pointing device detects the two-dimensional position of a magnet 5 on four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3 and 4, where two sensors are arranged on one of two orthogonal axes, based on the four magnetic sensors and signals from the four magnetic sensors. A lever 6 where the magnet 5 is fixed to a free ring 7 turnable with respect to a support frame is fitted. Two orthogonal axes 8 and 9 integrated with the free ring 7 move the lever 6 in an arbitrary direction with respect to the four magnetic sensors and the two-dimensional position of the magnet 5 is detected. Then, the magnet is brought close to the magnetic sensor by depressing the lever 6 by a finger. Consequently, the click signal is detected based on two magnetic sensor outputs.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an arbitrary position on a display screen used in a personal computer, a PDA (portable information terminal), a mobile phone, an input device of a game machine, a remote controller (remote control) of a video device, and the like. It relates to a pointing device as a man-machine interface for selecting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A pointing device generally includes a portion for detecting a signal for moving a pointer representing an arbitrary position on a screen, and a portion for generating a signal for determining a position indicated by the pointer. I have.

[0003]

However, in a pointing device using a magnetic sensor, in order to generate a signal for determining the position indicated by the pointer, a dedicated magnetic sensor is required separately from the two-dimensional position detecting sensor. Or a separate contact-type switch must be provided. Therefore, there are problems such as an increase in the number of components, difficulty in downsizing, and poor operability.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device that solves the above problems.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided four magnetic sensors arranged two on each of two orthogonal axes, and a position range detectable by the four magnetic sensors. And a magnet that moves inside, and performs a two-dimensional position detection of the magnet based on signals from the four magnetic sensors. In the pointing device, the magnet is attached to a surface formed by the four magnetic sensors. Moving means for moving in the approaching direction, and output means for outputting a click signal based on the outputs of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis when the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor by the moving means. It is characterized by having.

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the output means outputs a click signal based on an added output of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the output means outputs a click signal based on the larger one of the outputs of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the output means has a comparator for outputting a comparison result as the click signal. The output values of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis before approaching and the two values on the one axis when the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor.
The value between the output values of the two magnetic sensors is compared with the output values of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the output means includes an output value of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis before the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor. And comparing the output value of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis with the output value of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis when the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor. And a means for outputting a click signal based on the calculation result of the calculation means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there are provided four magnetic sensors arranged two on each of two orthogonal axes, and a magnet which moves within a position range detectable by the four magnetic sensors. Using a pointing device that performs two-dimensional position detection of the magnet based on signals from the four magnetic sensors, and moves the magnet in a direction approaching a surface formed by the four magnetic sensors. And move the two on the one axis when the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor.
A click signal is detected based on the outputs of the magnetic sensors.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, at the time of the detection, the output values of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis before the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor and the magnet detects the magnetic value. Comparing the value between the output values of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis when approaching the sensor with the output values of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis;
The comparison result is detected as the click signal.

[0012]

1 (a), 1 (b) and 1 (c) are perspective views of a mechanical portion of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (d) is a plan view thereof. Is shown.
FIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged cross section of a mechanical portion of the pointing device.

The sensor unit is on two axes orthogonal to each other, that is,
Two magnetic sensors 1 on the X axis and two on the Y axis
2 and 3, 4 are arranged such that the center of each sensor is located at the vertex of the square, and the four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, 4 are normally used (that is, in a state where the operator's hand is not touching).
The permanent magnets 5 are arranged so as to stop immediately above the center of the square formed by. As the magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, and 4, for example, Hall elements can be used. The permanent magnet 5 is fixed to a lower end of the lever 6. The middle part of the lever 6 is inside the universal ring 7. Swivel ring 7
Has a first shaft 8 crossing the center thereof fixed inside, and a second shaft 9 orthogonal to the first shaft 8 fixed to two outside positions. The second shaft 9 is supported in a groove in the support frame 10 (which is in fixed relation with the four magnetic sensors),
The universal ring 7 rotates about the second shaft 9. Lever 6
A groove is formed in the middle part of the groove in the axial direction.
The shaft 8 penetrates, and the other end of the spring 11 having one end fixed to the lever presses the penetrated portion of the shaft 8 so that the shaft 8 is pressed against the lower end of the groove of the lever 6. Accordingly, when the operator pushes the head 6A at the upper end of the lever 6 downward, the lever 6 moves downward against the pressure of the spring. That is, the permanent magnet 5 approaches the magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, and 4. When the operator releases the head 6A of the lever 6, the lever 6 returns to the original position by the pressure of the spring 11. That is, the permanent magnets 5 are magnetic sensors 1, 2, 2,
Move away from 3,4.

Further, the lever 6 rotates about the first shaft 8. Therefore, when the operator moves the head 6 of the lever 6
When a fingertip or the like is attached to A and the head 6A is moved back and forth and right and left, the lever 6 rotates around the first shaft 8 and the free ring 7 rotates around the second shaft 9 so that The permanent magnet 5 moves within a position range detectable by the four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, and 4 in accordance with the movement of the head 6A, and approaches or moves away from each magnetic sensor. Become.

As shown in FIG. 3, the four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, 4 are driven by a magnetic sensor drive circuit 12, and the detection outputs of the two magnetic sensors 1, 2 on the X axis are subtracted. The difference signal x1 between the two detection outputs is output from the subtractor 13. Similarly, the detection outputs of the two magnetic sensors 3 and 4 on the Y axis are supplied to a subtractor 14,
The difference signal y1 between the two detection outputs is output from the subtractor 14.
Further, the adder 15 extracts the sum signal z1 of the outputs of the two magnetic sensors on the X axis or the sum signal z1 of the outputs of the two magnetic sensors on the Y axis (in the example of FIG. Magnetic sensors 3 and 4).

Here, FIG. 4 shows a change in magnetic flux density in the magnetic sensor when the permanent magnet 5 is placed directly above the magnetic sensor (on the center) and the permanent magnet is moved horizontally (in the Y-axis direction). . In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the moving distance (unit: mm), and the vertical axis indicates the magnetic flux density (mT). From FIG. 4, it can be seen that the magnetic flux density decreases as the distance from the top increases, and the output voltage of the magnetic sensor becomes proportional to this. Further, two curves A and B in FIG.
Indicates magnetic flux densities at different distances between the magnetic sensor and the permanent magnet immediately above the magnetic sensor, and when the normal time is B, the permanent magnet approaches the magnetic sensor by pressing the lever. At this time, it becomes like A, and it can be seen that within a certain distance from directly above the magnetic sensor, A has a larger magnetic flux density than B.

FIG. 5 is a graph in which the horizontal axis represents the distance that the permanent magnet has moved on the Y axis from the center of the square formed by the four magnetic sensors, and the vertical axis represents the output of the magnetic sensor. Output of two magnetic sensors. Permanent magnet is Y
When it is displaced to one side on the axis and just above the magnetic sensor on one side, the output of the magnetic sensor on the one side becomes maximum, and the permanent magnet is displaced to the other side on the Y axis. When the magnetic sensor comes directly above the magnetic sensor on the other side, the output of the magnetic sensor on the other side becomes maximum.

FIG. 6 shows the output y1 of the subtractor when the horizontal axis is the distance of the permanent magnet moved on the Y axis from the center of the square formed by the four magnetic sensors, and the vertical axis is the output of the subtractor.
Is represented. Usually, the characteristics of the two magnetic sensors on the Y axis are almost the same, and the two curves in FIG. 5 are symmetrical, so that the output of the subtractor is almost a straight line. If the output of the magnetic sensor is very small, the subtractor may have an amplification function as needed.

Similarly, by subtracting the outputs of the two magnetic sensors on the X axis, x1 can be obtained. When the lever is moved at an arbitrary angle in any direction of 360 degrees, the signals x1, y1 obtained at that time are permanently changed. The position of the center of the magnetic field of the magnet can be known, and the pointer on the screen can be moved in response to the signal. In FIG. 3, the movement of the permanent magnet in response to the lever operation is visually associated with the position of the pointer on the screen, and the output of the magnetic sensor 1 to which the permanent magnet approaches when the lever is tilted to the left is indicated as (left). When the lever is tilted to the right, the output of the magnetic sensor 2 to which the permanent magnet approaches is indicated as (right), when the lever is tilted down, the output of the magnetic sensor 3 to which the permanent magnet approaches is indicated as (down), and when the lever is tilted upward, The output of the magnetic sensor 4 approaching the permanent magnet is shown as (up). Furthermore, from this information, if the pointer on the screen is moved in the direction of tilting the lever at a speed corresponding to the distance from the center of the square formed by the four magnetic sensors of the permanent magnet, the pointer movement matching the lever operation feeling Becomes possible.

FIG. 7 shows the output z of the adder 15 when the abscissa represents the distance that the permanent magnet has moved on the Y-axis from the center of the square formed by the four magnetic sensors, and the ordinate represents the adder output.
1 is represented. This output z1 is input to one input terminal of the comparator 16. When the lever is depressed, the output of the magnetic sensor increases because the permanent magnet approaches the magnetic sensor, and z1 changes from the solid line to the dashed line.
At this time, when the stroke to be pressed is large and the minimum value of the signal at the time of pressing is larger than the maximum value of the signal at the normal time at any position in the movable range, the threshold inputted to the other end of the comparator 16 is set. If the drive level Vref is set between them as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 7, pressing of the lever from any position in the movable range can be detected as clicking.

On the other hand, if the stroke of pressing the lever cannot be made large due to the necessity of miniaturization, the maximum value of the signal level in the normal state becomes less than the minimum value of the signal level in the pressing state, and z1 is shown in FIG. Such a change. In this case, correct press detection cannot be performed depending on the position at the time of press, but Vref is set to a value indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 8 by using a structure in which the pressable range is limited to the vicinity of the center of the square where the signal is large. Setting this to can solve this problem. Normally, the above-mentioned method is not necessary because the structure is complicated in order for the permanent magnet to be pressed smoothly even at a position deviated from the center of the quadrilateral because the structure is complicated.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This embodiment uses a selector 17 instead of the adder 15 of FIG. FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the selector 17. That is, as shown in FIG.
The two magnetic sensor outputs on the Y axis (or on the X axis) are compared, and the larger one of the two magnetic sensor outputs is switched by the switch 19 according to the polarity (+ or −) of the output from the comparator 18. Select the output of comparator 1
6 to one input terminal. FIG. 11 shows the output z2 of the selector 17 when the horizontal axis is the distance that the permanent magnet has moved on the Y axis from the center of the square formed by the four magnetic sensors, and the vertical axis is the selector output. . Comparator 16
By setting the threshold level Vref between the normal state and the signal level at the time of pressing as shown by the dotted line, the click signal can be detected.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This embodiment uses the output of the adder 15 of FIG.
Is converted into digital data and a click signal is detected by digital data processing.

As shown in FIG. 12, the output of the adder 15 or the output of the selector 17 is converted into digital data by an A / D converter 20 and input to a computer system. This computer system includes a CPU 21,
A ROM 22 storing a control program for detecting a click signal executed by the CPU 21;
1 as a work area, and an A / D converter 20
An interface 24 for inputting output data from
And an interface 25 for outputting a click signal.

In the ROM 22 or the RAM 23, FIG.
Digital data corresponding to the threshold level Vref indicated by the dotted line is stored in advance, and the CPU 21 outputs the output data from the A / D converter 20 and the stored digital data corresponding to the threshold level Vref. Is compared with the output data from the A / D converter 20, and the stored threshold level Vre
When it is larger than the digital data corresponding to f, a click signal is output.

The output data from the A / D converter 20 is input to a digital comparator composed of a logic circuit, where it is compared with digital data corresponding to the threshold level Vref to generate a click signal. Can be detected and output.

FIGS. 13 (a), 13 (b) and 13 (c) are cross-sectional views of another mechanical portion of the pointing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 (d) is a plan view of the same. .
This mechanism can be applied to the above embodiments instead of the mechanism of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, two points on the X-axis and on the Y-axis
The four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, 4 arranged one by one are fixed, and a cylinder 27 having a predetermined height is
Is fixed, and a ring-shaped support frame 28 is fixed to the upper end of the cylinder 27.

A circular slide frame 29 is arranged inside the cylinder 27, and three or more feet 30 are provided around the lower side of the slide frame 28, and each foot 30 penetrates the substrate 26. Therefore, the slide frame 28 can move up and down with respect to the substrate 26 while maintaining a state parallel to the substrate 26. Reference numeral 31 denotes a disk that slides on the upper surface of the slide frame 29. A button 32 is formed on the upper surface of the disk so as to project from a center hole of the support frame 28, and the permanent magnet 5 is embedded on the lower surface. ing.

A first spring 33 is provided between each of the four peripheral portions of the disk 31 and the inner peripheral portion of the upper surface of the slide frame 29. When the button 32 is not touched, the permanent magnet is positioned on the center of the square formed by the four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, and 4. By touching, disk 3
1 slides on the slide frame 29 against the pressure of the spring 33. As a result, the permanent magnet 5 moves within a position range that can be detected by the four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, and 4. Moving toward or away from the magnetic sensor. When the operator leaves the button 32, the permanent magnet returns to a position above the center of the square formed by the four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Further, a second spring 3 is provided between each of four lower peripheral portions of the slide frame 29 and the upper surface of the substrate 26.
The slide frame 29 is pressed against the lower surface of the support frame 28 in a state where the operator does not touch the button 32 by the pressure of the spring 34, and the operator touches the button 32, By pushing it down, the permanent magnet 5 descends together with the slide frame 29 and the disk 31 to approach the four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, 4. When the operator moves away from the button 32, the permanent magnet moves away from the four magnetic sensors 1, 2, 3, 4 to the farthest position.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since a sensor or a contact switch for generating a click signal indicating a signal for determining the position indicated by the pointer is not required, the structure is simplified and the size can be reduced. Further, according to the present invention, the movement and click of the pointer can be executed with, for example, one finger.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mechanical part of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a mechanical part of the pointing device.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a change in magnetic flux density in the magnetic sensor when the permanent magnet is moved horizontally (Y-axis direction).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating outputs of two magnetic sensors when a permanent magnet moves on the Y axis from the center of a square formed by four magnetic sensors.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an output y1 of a subtractor when a permanent magnet moves on the Y-axis from the center of a square formed by four magnetic sensors.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an output z1 of an adder when a permanent magnet moves on the Y axis from the center of a square formed by four magnetic sensors.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the output z1 of the adder when the permanent magnet moves on the Y axis from the center of the square formed by four magnetic sensors.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a selector.

FIG. 11 shows the output z2 of the selector when the permanent magnet moves on the Y axis from the center of the square formed by the four magnetic sensors.
FIG.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of a part of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another mechanical portion of the pointing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3, 4 Magnetic sensor 5 Permanent magnet 6 Lever 7 Free ring 8 First axis 9 Second axis

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G05G 9/047 G05G 9/047

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic head comprising: four magnetic sensors arranged two on each of two orthogonal axes; and a magnet that moves within a position range detectable by the four magnetic sensors. A pointing device that performs two-dimensional position detection of the magnet based on signals from four magnetic sensors; a moving unit that moves the magnet in a direction approaching a surface formed by the four magnetic sensors; Output means for outputting a click signal based on outputs of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis when the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor by moving means. 2. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a click signal based on an added output of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis. 3. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a click signal based on the larger one of the outputs of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis. pointing device. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit includes a comparator that outputs a comparison result as the click signal, wherein the comparator is configured to output the comparison result before the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor. The value between the output values of the two magnetic sensors on one axis and the output values of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis when the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor, A pointing device characterized by comparing output values of the above two magnetic sensors. 5. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the output value of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis before the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor, and the output value of the magnet is determined by the magnet. Calculating means for comparing a value between the output values of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis when approaching the magnetic sensor with the output values of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis; Means for outputting a click signal based on the calculation result of the calculation means. 6. A magnetic sensor comprising: four magnetic sensors arranged two on each of two orthogonal axes; and a magnet that moves within a position range detectable by the four magnetic sensors. Using a pointing device that performs two-dimensional position detection of the magnet based on signals from four magnetic sensors, moving the magnet in a direction approaching a surface formed by the four magnetic sensors, Detecting a click signal based on the outputs of the two magnetic sensors on the one axis when the sensor approaches the magnetic sensor. 7. The magnetic sensor according to claim 6, wherein, at the time of the detection, output values of two magnetic sensors on the one axis before the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor and the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor. Between the output values of the two magnetic sensors on one axis of
A click signal detection method for a pointing device, comprising: comparing output values of two magnetic sensors on the one axis with each other; and detecting a comparison result as the click signal.