JP2009157709A - Pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To establish both the reduction of an installation space and operability. <P>SOLUTION: An X axial position sensor 20 is arranged at a horizontal edge site 24 extended from a casing corner 15 positioned at the operator side of a personal computer 10, and the contact of the finger of an operator along an edge is detected, and an X axial position detection signal is output. A Y axial position sensor 22 is arranged at a vertical edge site 26 extended from the casing corner 15, and the contact of the finger of the operator along the edge is detected, and a Y axial position detection signal is output. A pointer displayed at a display 16 is moved based on the X and Y axial position detection signals simultaneously obtained by the contact of the two fingers of the right hand with the X axial position sensor 20 and the Y axial position sensor 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a pointing device of an information processing apparatus that operates a pointer on a screen, and more particularly to a pointing device that moves a pointer on a screen by simultaneous operation of two fingers.

  Conventionally, in a portable notebook personal computer, a touch pad is mainly used as a pointing device for operating a pointer on a screen. The touch pad detects a contact position on a plane by a change in electrostatic capacitance or a change in pressure, and outputs a two-dimensional position detection signal indicating a horizontal and vertical coordinate position, and on the screen based on the position detection signal. The pointer is moved and displayed, and an operation equivalent to a mouse operation can be performed by operating the left switch or the right switch arranged close to the touch pad.

  By the way, in the past, notebook-type personal computers have been limited to downsizing to about B5 size in consideration of keyboard operability. However, in recent years, further improvements have been made without impairing keyboard operability. Miniaturization is achieved, for example, miniaturization such as A5 size is achieved.

  With the downsizing of such personal computers, the touchpad used in the past cannot be used due to its large installation area. Instead, the switch knob that requires less installation area can be operated in multiple directions. Multi-directional switches are used.

As a device for scrolling on the screen of a mobile phone, an X-axis direction scroll operation unit and a Y-axis direction scroll operation unit are arranged around the display screen, and normal screen scrolling is performed by operating the Y-axis direction scroll unit. It has also been proposed to perform screen menu switching and the like by operating an X-axis scroll operation unit (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2001-069223 A JP 2002-354111 A

  However, the multi-directional switch used as such a conventional pointing device has the advantage of requiring a small installation area, but the switch opening / closing time and frequency when the switch knob is pushed in the moving direction or Since the movement distance of the pointer on the screen is obtained from the finger pressure and displayed, the switch knob operation and the pointer movement speed on the screen do not necessarily correlate with each other, and the operability is inferior compared to the touchpad. It is bad.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to use a device in which an X-axis direction scroll operation unit and a Y-axis direction scroll operation unit are arranged around the display screen as a pointing device. However, a one-dimensional touch pad is attached to the flat surface around the display screen. Due to the arrangement, there is a problem that it is difficult to understand the touch pad by the blind touch of the finger, and it is difficult to move the finger along the touch pad.

  The X-axis direction scroll operation unit and the Y-axis direction scroll operation unit arranged around the display screen are assumed to be operated separately for display scrolling, and detect a two-dimensional position like a pointing device. Therefore, it is not planned to operate the X-axis direction scroll operation unit and the Y-axis direction scroll operation unit at the same time. Even if the X-axis direction scroll operation unit and the Y-axis direction scroll operation unit are used as a pointing device, the operability is improved. Is extremely bad.

  In particular, since the X-axis direction scroll operation unit and the Y-axis direction scroll operation unit are arranged around the display screen, the position is considerably far from the position where it can be operated with one hand such as a key button arranged on the main body side of the mobile phone. This is one of the factors that deteriorates the operability when diverted to a pointing device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device for an information processing apparatus that can achieve both reduction in installation space and improvement in operability.

The present invention relates to a pointing device of an information processing apparatus having a display unit having a display screen and an operation unit having key buttons.
An X-axis position sensor that is arranged at a horizontal edge portion extending from a case corner located on the operator side, detects contact of the operator's finger along the edge, and outputs a position detection signal in the X-axis direction;
A Y-axis position sensor that is disposed at a vertical edge portion extending from the corner of the housing, detects a contact of an operator's finger along the edge, and outputs a position detection signal in the Y-axis direction;
A pointer processing unit for moving a pointer displayed on the display screen based on X-axis and Y-axis position detection signals obtained simultaneously by contact of two fingers with the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor;
It is provided with.

  Here, the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor are arranged at a horizontal edge portion and a vertical edge portion sandwiching a casing corner that can be simultaneously contacted by two fingers of one hand.

  The X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor may be arranged at each of a horizontal edge portion and a vertical edge portion extending from two casing corners located on the operator side.

  In addition, the X-axis position sensor is disposed at a horizontal edge portion between two housing corners located on the operator side, and the Y-axis position sensor is disposed at each of the vertical edge portions extending from the two housing corners. You may arrange in.

  A left switch and a right switch used for controlling the pointer are provided at the left and right horizontal edge portions with respect to the X-axis position sensor.

  For example, the X-axis position sensor is supported by movably pushing both ends of the X-axis position sensor, a left switch and a right switch are arranged inside both ends of the X-axis position sensor, and the left switch is pushed by pushing the left or right end of the X-axis position sensor. Alternatively, a switch structure for operating the right switch is provided.

  The X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor have a curved shape corresponding to the rounded edge of the housing.

  An information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is a portable computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, or an external keyboard.

The present invention relates to a pointing device provided on a keyboard externally attached to an information processing device by cable connection.
An X-axis position sensor that is arranged at a horizontal edge portion extending from a case corner located on the operator side, detects contact of the operator's finger along the edge, and outputs a position detection signal in the X-axis direction;
A Y-axis position sensor that is disposed at a vertical edge portion extending from the corner of the housing, detects a contact of an operator's finger along the edge, and outputs a position detection signal in the Y-axis direction;
An interface circuit unit for outputting an X-axis and a Y-axis position detection signal to the outside simultaneously obtained by contact of two fingers with the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor;
With
Further, the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor are arranged at a horizontal edge portion and a vertical edge portion sandwiching a casing corner that can be simultaneously contacted by two fingers of one hand.

  According to the present invention, an X-axis position sensor and a Y-axis position sensor are provided at each of a horizontal edge portion and a vertical edge portion extending from a case corner located on the operator side in a personal computer, a mobile phone, or an external keyboard. Since it controls the pointer on the screen by detecting the contact of the operator's finger along the edge and outputting the position detection signals in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, two fingers in one hand, for example, By touching the thumb and index finger of the right hand to the X-axis position sensor and Y-axis position sensor that are placed across the right-hand front corner of the device casing, the finger is opened or closed along the edge, so that blind touch is possible. However, it is possible to smoothly and accurately linearly move along the edge by the feeling that the belly of the finger hits the edge, and the X-axis position sensor can be moved naturally by using two fingers simultaneously. Can operate the axial position sensor at the same time, it is possible to obtain very good operation feeling anyone.

  In addition, the X-axis position sensor and Y-axis position sensor are placed on the horizontal edge part and vertical edge part extending from the case corner where two fingers of one hand can reach at the same time across the case corner. It is not necessary to secure a space, and since the case edge portion that is not used originally is used, it can be easily and easily mounted even if the device is downsized, which is far more than a notebook personal computer. Even for a small mobile phone, it is not necessary to secure a special installation space, and it can be implemented using an empty space that originally exists.

  In addition, by providing a left switch and a right switch corresponding to the X-axis position sensor arranged at the horizontal edge part, appropriate screen control can be easily performed by the switch operation after moving the pointer to the operation part on the screen. It can be easily performed, and an operation equivalent to a mouse operation can be easily realized.

In addition, in a stop-type personal computer, a pointer on a display screen is operated with a mouse. However, according to the present invention, a pointing device that can be operated with two fingers with one hand is provided on an external keyboard. This eliminates the need for a mouse, making it easy and easy to perform pointing operations as one of the keyboard operations, eliminating the need for a space to operate the mouse on the desk, and providing a direct sense of touch with the movement of two fingers and a blind touch. You can operate the pointer on the display screen.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a pointing device according to the present invention for a personal computer. In FIG. 1, a notebook type personal computer 10 has a keyboard 14 disposed on a main body 12 and a display 16 disposed inside a lid that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 12.

  The pointing device 18 according to the present embodiment is provided at the case corner 15 at the right end on the front side of the main body 12. That is, the pointing device 18 of the present embodiment arranges the X-axis position sensor 20 at the horizontal edge portion 24 that extends in the horizontal direction from the casing corner 15, and at the same time, the vertical edge that extends in the vertical direction from the casing corner 15. A Y-axis position sensor 22 is disposed in the part 26.

  The X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 detect contact of the operator's finger along the edge and output position detection signals in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. As a specific example of the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22, for example, a one-dimensional touch pad can be used, and for example, a capacitive type structure is used as a position detection structure by finger contact.

  Further, the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 are arranged at positions where the two corners of the right hand and the index finger can simultaneously contact the housing corner 15. The thumb and forefinger are applied to the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 of the pointing device 18 of the present embodiment disposed at the case corner 15 and moved along the edge, so that the display 16 is moved. The installed pointer 11 can be moved on the screen.

  That is, when the thumb is moved along the X-axis position sensor 20, the pointer 11 moves in the horizontal direction in conjunction with the movement of the thumb. The pointer 11 moves in the vertical direction on the screen according to the movement of the index finger along the Y-axis position sensor 22.

  When the thumb with respect to the X-axis position sensor 20 and the index finger with respect to the Y-axis position sensor 22 are moved simultaneously, the pointer 11 moves to a position corresponding to the two-dimensional coordinate position (X, Y) determined by the movement of both fingers. For example, when the thumb is moved on the pointing device 18 and the index finger is moved forward as viewed from the operator, the pointer 11 moves obliquely upward, and when the index finger is simultaneously moved forward, the pointer 11 is moved obliquely downward. .

  Furthermore, in the X-axis position sensor 20 in the present embodiment, the built-in right switch and left switch can be operated by operating either one of both ends, and the pointer 11 is moved on the display 16. Later, when the left end or right end of the X-axis position sensor 20 is pushed in, the corresponding switch is operated, and the control operation using the control mark positioned by the pointer is enabled.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement structure of the X-axis position sensor 20 in the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view seen from the plane, and FIG. Sectional drawing from the side surface used is shown.

  In FIG. 2A, a sensor storage portion 34 is provided at the horizontal edge portion 24 extending from the front right corner case corner 15-1 of the main body 12 of the personal computer, and the X-axis position sensor 20 is provided in the sensor storage portion 34. Is housed.

  The X-axis position sensor 20 is mounted on the circuit board 28, and the IC chip 30 and the connector 32 are simultaneously mounted on the circuit board 28. The IC chip 30 generates a position signal indicating the coordinate position of the X axis from the electrode detection signal based on the capacitance method in the X axis position sensor 20 and is connected to the connector 32. The flexible chip shown in FIG. Signals are transferred to the computer circuit via the cable 44.

  In this embodiment, in order to enable the switch operation by operating both ends of the X-axis position sensor 20, the right switch 38 and the left switch 40 are disposed inside both ends of the sensor storage portion 34, and the switch knobs are arranged. It is taken out to the sensor storage part 34.

  The X-axis position sensor 20 can be pushed inward on the left and right ends with the central portion as a fulcrum. For this reason, a pair of rubber domes 36 are arranged inside the right switch 38 and the left switch 40 of the sensor housing 34. And support it horizontally.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the X-axis position sensor 20 has a support portion 48 protruding on the bottom side, and this support portion 48 is fixed to the fixed portion 50 provided in the sensor storage portion 34 by a support shaft 46. It is pivotably attached.

  For this reason, after moving the pointer 11 on the display 16 by moving the thumb along the edge of the X-axis position sensor 20, the left side of the X-axis position sensor 20 is moved to the left when the left-click is desired as in the case of the mouse. When pushed in, the X-axis position sensor 20 supported by the rubber dome 36 is pushed inward on the left end with the support shaft 46 in FIG. 2B as the center, and the switch knob of the left switch 40 can be turned on. Conversely, if the right switch 38 is to be operated, the right side of the X-axis position sensor 20 may be pushed.

  Here, in the center of the X-axis position sensor 20, there is provided a marker 42 with a round recess that can be detected by the touch of a finger, and the right switch 38 can be operated by pressing the right side of the marker 42. If the left side of 42 is pushed, the left switch 40 can be operated.

  By providing the marker 42 in the center of the X-axis position sensor 20 in this way, the cursor is moved by the blind touch of the finger, and the switch operation when the pointer 11 is moved to the operation position can also be performed by the blind touch. Therefore, the marker 42 is detected with a finger, and the right side or the left side of the marker 42 can be operated only by the touch of the finger.

  The marker 42 is a round depression in the present embodiment, but may be a protrusion that can be detected by the touch of the finger as long as it does not hinder the movement of the finger along the edge of the X-axis position sensor 20.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a capacitance type sensor structure in the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 provided in the pointing device 18 of FIG. A capacitance type position sensor used in the present embodiment is known as a one-dimensional touch pad adopting a capacitance method.

  In the capacitive sensor structure, first, the base layer 54 is curvedly formed inside, and one charged electrode 56 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the base layer 54. Subsequently, after forming the dielectric layer 58 as an insulating layer, the detection electrode 60 is formed outside the dielectric layer 58. A plurality of detection electrodes 60 are arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and the interval between the detection electrodes 60 determines the resolution of position detection. A dielectric layer 62 that functions as a protective layer and an insulating layer is formed outside the detection electrode 60.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the capacitance type position sensor of the present embodiment in an exploded manner. As is clear from FIG. 4, following the base layer 54 curved from the inside, a charged electrode 56 linearized in the longitudinal direction is disposed, and a dielectric layer 58 is disposed next to the charged electrode 56. A plurality of detection electrodes 60 are arranged at regular intervals, and a dielectric layer 62 is formed on the outer side.

  The interval and the number of the detection electrodes 60 determine the resolution of the position sensor in the present embodiment. Usually, the number of detection electrodes in a touch pad used in a personal computer is about 18 horizontal and 16 vertical. Even in this embodiment, the number of detection electrodes 60 used for the X-axis position sensor 20 is correspondingly 18 and the number of detection electrodes 60 used for the Y-axis position sensor 22 is about 16. That's fine. Of course, the number of detection electrodes 60 can be set to an appropriate number corresponding to the length and position resolution of the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a mounting state of the detection electrode on the circuit board in the capacitive position sensor used in the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, by disposing the position sensor with respect to the circuit board 28, the detection electrode 60 is connected to the pattern of the circuit board 28 by soldering, and the IC mounted on the circuit board 28 through the pattern of the circuit board 28. Each is connected to the chip 30.

  FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a detection electrode and a charge electrode in a capacitive position sensor. In the capacitive type position sensor, the charging electrode 56 is arranged in the longitudinal direction via a dielectric with respect to the detection electrodes 60 arranged at regular intervals in the bending direction, so that FIG. As shown, a minute capacitor is formed at the intersection of the two.

  In the capacitive position sensor shown in the present embodiment, an AC voltage of, for example, about 100 to 200 KHz is constantly applied to the charging electrode 56, and a capacitor composed of the charging electrode 56 and the detection electrode 60 is connected to an AC voltage. Connect between source and ground. In this state, when a dielectric such as a human finger approaches the sensor, the capacitance between the sensor and the ground changes, and the alternating current flows from the charged electrode 56 to the ground via the detection electrode 60 closest to the position where the finger contacts. The current changes. Therefore, a position detection signal based on the contact of the finger is obtained from a change in the DC voltage obtained by detecting the AC voltage generated at the detection electrode 60, and a position code indicating the sensor position is output.

  Further, in the capacitive position sensor according to the present embodiment, a signal rise time associated with the increase in the capacitance of the capacitor when a pulse voltage of a predetermined frequency is applied instead of the alternating voltage applied to the charging electrode 56 and a finger is touched. A method may be employed in which the position detection signal is output from the delay of the time.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the capacitance method of the present embodiment. The charging electrode 56 is made into a comb-like electrode corresponding to the detection electrode 60, and the relative area of the electrode is increased. The electrostatic capacitance formed between the charging electrode 56 and the detection electrode 60 is increased to increase the capacitance change caused by finger contact to improve the S / N ratio of the position detection signal.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement structure of the Y-axis position sensor in the embodiment of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view seen from the plane, and FIG. The cross-sectional view seen from is shown.

  In the Y-axis position sensor 22 of FIG. 8, the sensor storage portion 64 is formed in the vertical edge portion 26 extending from the housing corner 15-1 of the main body 12, and the Y-axis position mounted on the circuit board 28 here. The sensor 22 is fixedly installed.

  On the circuit board 28, an IC chip 30 and a connector 32 are mounted in addition to the Y-axis position sensor 22. The Y-axis position sensor 22 has the same structure as that except for the right switch 38 and the left switch 40 of the X-axis position sensor 20 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the embodiment of FIG. In FIG. 9, the personal computer 10 is provided with a CPU 66, and a device interface 76 for connecting a RAM 70, a ROM 72, a hard disk drive 74, a keyboard 78 and a display 80, and a network adapter 82 are connected to a bus 68 of the CPU 66. .

  In addition, in this embodiment, a pointing circuit unit 84 is newly provided. The pointing circuit unit 84 is provided with the right switch 38 and the left switch 40 together with the X-axis position sensor 20, and the X-axis position sensor 20, the right switch 38, and the left switch 40 are connected to the determination circuit unit 88.

  The discrimination circuit unit 88 detects a detection current from the detection electrode obtained by contact of the finger with the X-axis position sensor 20, and generates an X-axis position signal indicating a position in the X-axis direction, specifically, a position coordinate code. The data is output to the pointer processing unit 92 of the CPU 66 via the bus 68.

  The pointing circuit unit 84 is provided with a Y-axis position sensor 22 and a discriminating circuit unit 90. The Y-axis position signal detected based on the detection current of the detection electrode obtained by the finger contact with the Y-axis position sensor 22, that is, The Y-axis position code is output to the pointer processing unit 92 of the CPU 66 via the bus 68.

  The pointer processing unit 92 of the CPU 66 receives the X-axis and Y-axis position detection codes from the pointing circuit unit 84 of the present embodiment and performs a process of moving the pointer on the display 80. The pointer processing unit 92 may be implemented as an application or an OS function.

  FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the discrimination circuit unit 90 provided in the pointing circuit unit 84 of FIG. In FIG. 10, the discrimination circuit 90 is provided with a detection circuit 94 corresponding to the capacitors C1 to Cn formed corresponding to the detection electrodes of the Y-axis position sensor 22, and an alternating current from the alternating current power supply 95 by finger contact is provided. A DC signal that detects an increase in current, that is, a position detection signal that rises from the L level to the H level is output to the encoder 96.

  The encoder 96 converts the position detection signal from the detection circuit 94 into a position code in the Y-axis direction corresponding to the arrangement of the corresponding capacitors C1 to Cn, and outputs the position code to the pointer processing unit 92 of the CPU 66 shown in FIG. .

  In the discrimination circuit section 88 on the X-axis position sensor 20 side in FIG. 9, the detection circuit 94 and the encoder 96 shown in FIG. 10 are the same, but in addition to this, the right switch 38 and the left switch 40 A function of detecting a switch and outputting a switch detection signal is additionally provided.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the pointing device according to the present invention intended for a personal computer. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, pointing devices 18-1 and 18-2 are provided at the right corner 15-1 and the left corner 15-2 on the operation side of the main body 12 of the personal computer 10, respectively. .

  The pointing device 18-1 includes an X-axis position sensor 20-1 and a Y-axis position sensor 22-1, and the pointing device 18-2 similarly includes an X-axis position sensor 20-2 and a Y-axis position sensor 22-2. This has the same sensor structure of, for example, a capacitance type as shown in the embodiment of FIG.

  As described above, when the pointing devices 18-1 and 18-2 are provided at the two housing corners 15-1 and 15-2 of the main body 12 of the personal computer 10, the pointing device is selected depending on whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. What is necessary is just to use 18-1 and 18-2 properly.

  That is, if the user is a right-handed user, the pointer 11 on the display 16 is moved by applying the thumb and index finger of the right hand to the pointing device 18-1 and moving along the edge. For left-handed users, the pointer 11 on the display 16 is moved by placing the thumb and index finger of the left hand on the pointing device 18-2.

  Further, regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed, the user can place the pointer 11 on the display 16 by placing the right hand on the pointing device 18-1, placing the left hand on the pointing device 18-2, and operating both thumbs and index fingers. It can also be operated.

  This is because it is easy to close and open as the thumb and index finger of the right or left hand, but the reverse operation of opening one finger and closing the other is usually very difficult. Become.

  For this reason, taking the pointing device 18-1 as an example, in the operation of opening and closing the thumb and forefinger at the same time, the pointer 11 is moved from the upper left to the lower left on the display 16 as indicated by the arrow A. It becomes a movement to move to. On the other hand, when the pointing device 18-1 is used to move the pointer 11 from the upper right to the lower left as shown by the broken arrow B, the other finger is opened at the same time as one finger is opened. The opposite movement of closing must be done, and this kind of finger movement is possible if the wrist is rotated while the angle between two fingers is fixed, but it requires practice and may be difficult for beginners .

  Therefore, if the pointing devices 18-1 and 18-2 are used with both hands, the arrow A or B can be moved only by opening and closing the finger. That is, when the right hand thumb and index finger are closed or opened with respect to the pointing device 18-1, the diagonal movement of the arrow A can be easily performed, and the left hand thumb and index finger are closed or opened with the pointing device 18-2. If operated, the movement indicated by the dotted arrow B on the display 16 can be realized.

  The movement of the pointer 11 for simultaneously operating the two pointing devices 18-1 and 18-2 is based on the position detection signals from the two position sensors at the same time in the pointer processing unit 92 of the CPU shown in FIG. Each movement vector is generated, and the movement of the pointer 11 may be processed as the combined vector.

  In the position sensor of FIG. 6, the case where one charging electrode 56 is arranged is taken as an example, but a plurality of charging electrodes 56 are arranged and formed at the intersection with the detection electrode 60. You may make it increase a detection resolution with respect to a finger contact by increasing a capacitor | condenser.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a pointing device according to the present invention for portable speech. 12A is a front view of the mobile phone 100, FIG. 12B is a side view, and FIG. 12C is a bottom view.

  In the mobile phone 100 of FIG. 12, a key operation unit 104 is provided at the lower part of the main body 102, and a display 106 is provided at the upper part. In the present embodiment, the pointing device 108 is provided on the edge portion of the mobile phone 100 sandwiching the lower right casing corner 115 of the main body 102 in the present embodiment.

  The pointing device 108 is provided with the X-axis position sensor 20 at the horizontal edge portion 124 extending from the housing corner 115 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 at the vertical edge portion 126 extending from the housing corner 115. The X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 use, for example, a capacitance type curved touch pad, as in the embodiment of the personal computer 10 of FIG.

  Further, the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 are arranged at positions where the user can operate the thumb and the index finger at the same time when the user opens the thumb and the index finger of the right hand to the casing corner 115.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement structure of the X-axis position sensor in the embodiment of FIG. 12. FIG. 13 (A) is a cross-sectional view seen from the plane, and FIG. The sectional view seen from the side is shown.

  The arrangement structure of the X-axis position sensor 20 in FIG. 13 is the same as that of the X-axis position sensor 20 provided in the personal computer shown in FIG. 2 except that the housing to be installed is the main body 102 of the mobile phone 100. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used. In the X-axis position sensor of FIG. 13, a right switch 38 and a left switch 40 are arranged behind both sides of the sensor storage portion 34, and the X-axis position sensor is supported by the rotation of the rubber dome 36 and the support shaft 46. When either one of the end portions is pushed in, the corresponding right switch 38 or left switch 40 can be turned on.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration in the embodiment of FIG. In FIG. 14, the mobile phone includes a CPU 166 as a control unit inside, a RAM 170 for a bus 168 from the CPU 166, a ROM 172, a flash ROM 173 as a nonvolatile memory, and a wireless circuit unit 174 including an antenna 175, A device interface 176 for connecting the key operation unit 104, the display 106, the voice input / output unit 107, and the vibrator 110 is connected.

  In addition to such a normal circuit as the mobile phone 100, in this embodiment, a pointing circuit unit 84 is further provided. The pointing circuit unit 84 is provided with the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 and connected to the determination circuit units 88 and 90, respectively. Further, a right switch 38 and a left switch 40 are provided on the X-axis position sensor 20 side, and input to the determination circuit unit 88.

  The discriminating circuit units 88 and 90 detect an increase in the alternating current flowing through the detection electrode corresponding to the contact position of the finger with respect to the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 and convert it into a direct current, thereby converting the X-axis and A position detection signal in the Y-axis direction is generated, converted into a position code in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and output to the pointer processing unit 92 provided in the CPU 166. The details of the pointing circuit unit 84 are basically the same as those of the personal computer 10 shown in FIGS.

  As described above, the cellular phone 100 is also moved by simultaneously applying the thumb and index finger of the right hand to the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 arranged with the casing corner 115 of the main body 102 sandwiched as shown in FIG. The pointer 11 on the display 106 can be moved in the direction intended by the user. In addition, when the pointer 11 is moved and positioned in a specific operation image, a click operation is performed by a push operation for operating, for example, the left switch of the X-axis position sensor 20, and e.g. mail transmission using the display screen is performed. Control processing is possible.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the present invention for a cellular phone. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the X-axis position sensor 20 is disposed between two case corners 115-1 and 115-2 on the near side of the main body 102 of the mobile phone 100, and at the same time, the case corner 115. The Y-axis position sensors 22-1 and 22-2 are arranged on both sides of the -1 and 115-2.

As described above, the Y-axis position sensors 22-1 and 22-2 are provided at two locations on both sides of one X-axis position sensor 20, so that the operation with the thumb and index finger of the right hand and the operation with the thumb and index finger of the left hand can be performed. Either of them can be handled. In addition to simultaneously operating the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22-1 with the same right hand, the X-axis position sensor 20 is operated with the right hand and the Y-axis position sensor 22-2 is simultaneously operated with the left hand. Usage is also possible.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the present invention for an external keyboard. In FIG. 16, a keyboard 200 is taken as an example of a Japanese keyboard, and the pointing device 218 of the present invention is provided in a case corner 215 located on the right side of the front side of the main body 202.

  In the pointing device 218, the X-axis position sensor 20 is disposed at a horizontal edge portion 224 extending from the housing corner 215, and the Y-axis position sensor 22 is disposed at a vertical edge portion 226 extending from the housing corner 215. The X-axis position sensor 20 has the same sensor structure as that provided in the personal computer 10 shown in FIG. 2, and the Y-axis position sensor 22 has the same sensor structure as that provided in the personal computer 10 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration in the embodiment of FIG. In FIG. 17, the keyboard is provided with a keyboard circuit unit 210 and an interface circuit unit 220, and exchange of key code signals according to various key operations shown in FIG. 16 is performed with a desktop computer body connected to the keyboard. Is going.

  In addition, in this embodiment, a pointing circuit unit 84 is newly provided. In the pointing circuit unit 84 of FIG. 17, discrimination circuit units 88 and 90 are provided corresponding to the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22, respectively, and the X-axis direction and the Y-axis corresponding to the position detection signal are provided. A position code indicating the detection position in the axial direction is sent from the interface circuit 220 to the computer main body connected by cable.

  Further, a right switch 38 and a left switch 40 are provided on the X-axis position sensor 20 side. The right switch 38 and the left switch 40 are turned on by pushing one end of the X-axis position sensor 20, and the switch signal is sent from the discrimination circuit unit 88 to the interface circuit. The data is output to the computer main body side via the unit 22.

  In the keyboard 200, as shown in FIG. 16, since a large number of keys are arranged in the vicinity of the pointing device 218, the X axis position sensor 20 is not provided with a left switch or a right switch. These appropriate keys may be used as the right switch and the left switch in the pointing device 218.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the present invention for an external keyboard. The keyboard 200 of FIG. 18 is characterized in that pointing devices 218-1 and 218-2 are provided at two case corners 215-1 and 215-2 on the front side of the main body 202.

  In other words, the X-axis position sensor 20-1 and the Y-axis position sensor 22-1 are provided at the edge portions in the horizontal and vertical directions across the right case corner 215-1, while the left case corner 215- is provided. An X-axis position sensor 20-2 and a Y-axis position sensor 22-2 are provided at edge portions in the horizontal and vertical directions with 2 therebetween.

  Thus, by providing the pointing devices 218-1 and 218-2 at the two case corners 215-1 and 215-2 on the near side of the keyboard 200, it is possible for both right-handed users and left-handed users. An available pointing device can be realized. Further, regardless of whether the subject is right-handed or left-handed, the two pointing devices 218-1 and 218-2 are simultaneously operated using the thumb and index finger of both hands, as in the embodiment of the personal computer 10 in FIG. The movement of the pointer 11 on a simple display can be created.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the pointing device of the present invention is applied to a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone, and an external keyboard is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display is performed. The present invention can be applied as it is to PDAs, portable game machines, other information device terminals, and input / output devices that need to operate a pointer on the screen.

  In the above embodiment, the X-axis position sensor 20 is integrally provided with a switch structure that can operate the right switch and the left switch. It is assumed that the right switch and the left switch for click are provided separately.

  In the above-described embodiment, the X-axis position sensor 20 and the Y-axis position sensor 22 are exemplified by capacitive sensor structures. A sensor structure used as a touch pad having an appropriate method such as an electromagnetic induction method can be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case of moving the pointer on the display screen is taken as an example, but the same is true for a cursor other than the pointer.

The present invention includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values shown in the above-described embodiments.

An explanatory view showing an embodiment of a pointing device according to the present invention for a personal computer Explanatory drawing which showed the arrangement structure of the X-axis position sensor in this embodiment of FIG. Sectional drawing which showed the capacitance type sensor structure in this embodiment Explanatory drawing which decomposed | disassembled and showed the electrostatic capacitance type position sensor of a figure Explanatory drawing showing the mounting state of the capacitive position sensor on the circuit board Explanatory drawing showing the relationship between the sensing electrode and the charging electrode in the capacitive position sensor Explanatory drawing which showed other embodiment of the electrostatic capacitance type position sensor of a figure Explanatory drawing which showed the arrangement structure of the Y-axis position sensor in embodiment of FIG. Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the discrimination circuit unit of FIG. An explanatory view showing another embodiment of the present invention for a personal computer An explanatory view showing an embodiment of a pointing device according to the present invention for a cellular phone FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement structure of the X-axis position sensor in the present embodiment of FIG. The block diagram which showed the hardware constitutions of embodiment of FIG. Explanatory drawing showing another embodiment of the present invention for a cellular phone An explanatory view showing an embodiment of a pointing device according to the present invention for an external keyboard The block diagram which showed the hardware constitutions of embodiment of FIG. An explanatory view showing another embodiment of the present invention for an external keyboard

Explanation of symbols

10: Personal computer 11: Pointer 12, 102: Main body 14, 78: Keyboard 15, 15-1, 15-2, 115, 215, 215-1, 215-2: Case corner 16, 80, 106: Display 18 , 18-1, 18-2, 108, 218, 218-1, 218-2: Pointing device 20, 20-1, 20-2: X-axis position sensor 22, 22-1, 22-2: Y-axis position Sensors 24, 124, 224: Horizontal edge portions 26, 26-1, 26-2, 126, 126-1, 126-2, 226: Vertical edge portions 28: Circuit board 30: IC chip 32: Connectors 34, 64: Sensor housing part 36: Rubber dome 38: Right switch 40: Left switch 42: Marker 44: Flexible cable 46: Support shaft 48: Support part 50: Fixing part 5 : Stop portion 54: substrate layer 58: dielectric layer 56: charge electrode 60: the detection electrode 62: dielectric layer 64: sensor container 66, 166: CPU
68, 168: Bus 70, 170: RAM
72,172,173: ROM
74: Hard disk drive 76, 176: Device interface 82: Network adapter 84: Pointing circuit unit 88, 90: Discrimination circuit unit 92: Pointer processing unit 94: Detection circuit 95: AC power supply 96: Encoder 104: Key operation unit 100: Mobile Telephone 107: Voice input / output unit 110: Vibrator 173: Flash ROM
174: Radio circuit unit 175: Antenna 200: External keyboard 210: Keyboard circuit 220: Interface circuit unit

Claims (9)

In a pointing device of an information processing apparatus having a display unit with a display screen and an operation unit with key buttons,
An X-axis position sensor that is arranged at a horizontal edge portion extending from a case corner located on the operator side, detects contact of the operator's finger along the edge, and outputs a position detection signal in the X-axis direction;
A Y-axis position sensor that is disposed at a vertical edge portion extending from the case corner, detects a contact of an operator's finger along the edge, and outputs a position detection signal in the Y-axis direction;
A pointer processing unit that moves a pointer displayed on the display screen based on X-axis and Y-axis position detection signals obtained simultaneously by contact of two fingers with the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor When,
A pointing device comprising:
2. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor are arranged at a horizontal edge portion and a vertical edge portion sandwiching the casing corner that can be simultaneously contacted by two fingers of one hand. A pointing device characterized by that.
The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor are arranged in each of a horizontal edge portion and a vertical edge portion extending from two case corners located on an operator side. A pointing device characterized by that.
The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the X-axis position sensor is disposed at a horizontal edge portion between two housing corners located on the operator side, and the Y-axis position sensor is disposed at the two housings. A pointing device characterized by being arranged at each of vertical edge portions extending from a body corner.
2. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein a left switch and a right switch used for controlling the pointer are provided at left and right horizontal edge portions with respect to the X-axis position sensor.
2. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the X-axis position sensor are supported so as to be movable by being pushed into a housing, and a left switch and a right switch are disposed inside both ends of the X-axis position sensor, A pointing device comprising a switch structure for operating the left switch or the right switch by pushing the left end or the right end of the shaft position sensor.
The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor have a curved shape corresponding to a rounded edge of the housing.
The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a portable computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, or a portable game machine.
In a pointing device provided on a keyboard externally attached to an information processing device by cable connection,
An X-axis position sensor that is arranged at a horizontal edge portion extending from a case corner located on the operator side, detects contact of the operator's finger along the edge, and outputs a position detection signal in the X-axis direction;
A Y-axis position sensor that is disposed at a vertical edge portion extending from the case corner, detects a contact of an operator's finger along the edge, and outputs a position detection signal in the Y-axis direction;
An interface circuit unit for outputting an X-axis and a Y-axis position detection signal obtained externally by contact of two fingers to the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor;
With
Further, the X-axis position sensor and the Y-axis position sensor are arranged at a horizontal edge portion and a vertical edge portion sandwiching the casing corner that can be simultaneously contacted by two fingers of one hand.

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