JP2000099261A - Pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the pointing device which facilitates handwriting input with the same manipulating feeling as a pen type writing tool and which is suitable for size reduction and mobile environment, and which eliminates the need for a touch panel. SOLUTION: This device is formed in a pen shape on the whole and provided with a microtrack ball 1 atop rotatably in all circumferential directions. This device is provided with an optical encoder 2 which detects the rotation of the ball 1 and a signal processing circuit 3 which converts its detection signal to a cursor control signal. Further, two click buttons 7 are switches for inputting clock signals are provided. On the surface of the ball 1, a pattern of fine dots in a color different form the base color is formed. The encoder unit 2 has a light emitting element 3a which lightens up the ball 1 and a photodetector 3b which receives the reflected light from the ball 1 and optically detects the behavior of the dots accompanying the rotation of the ball 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a pointing device for inputting a cursor control signal for controlling the position of a cursor (including a pointer) on a display screen of an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer to the information processing apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pen-type pointing device formed in a pen shape as a whole.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Cursor position control methods using a conventional pointing device (hereinafter referred to as cursor control methods) are roughly classified into the following three types.

[0003] 1. This is a cursor control method using a mechanical encoder method or an optical encoder method, and a general mouse-type pointing device is used.

[0004] 2. This is a cursor control method using an electromagnetic induction method, in which a mouse-type or pen-type pointing device is used.

[0005] 3. This is a cursor control method using a touch panel method, in which a pen-type pointing device is used.

[0006]

However, the following problems have been pointed out in the conventional cursor control method as described above.

That is, in the above method 1, 1-1. It is very difficult to input handwritten characters.

1-2. It is not suitable for a mobile environment because it requires carrying a mouse.

1-3. In drawing applications,
The input of a regular polygon, the input of a fine figure, the input of a circuit symbol, a drafting symbol, and the like is complicated and difficult, resulting in a significant decrease in work efficiency.

1-4. Poor operability on low friction surface.

Further, in the above method 2, 2-1. The device constituting the pointing device becomes large.

2-2. The power consumption of the device is large.

2-3. costly.

Further, in the above method 3, 3-1. Since the touch panel is arranged on the display screen of the information processing device, the visibility of the display screen is reduced.

3-2. The pen tip of the pen pointing device is worn by the touch panel.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device having the following advantages in order to solve such a conventional problem.

1. It has the same operational feeling as a pen-type writing instrument.

2. Easy input of handwritten characters and figures can be realized.

3. It is suitable for downsizing the device.

4. Suitable for mobile environment.

5. Does not require a touch panel.

[0022]

According to the present invention, there is provided a pointing device for inputting a cursor control signal for controlling a position of a cursor on a display screen of an information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus. In the device, a ball which is formed in a pen shape as a whole and is provided at the tip of the pen-shaped pointing device so as to be rotatable in all circumferential directions, an encoder for detecting the rotational movement of the ball, and a detection signal of the encoder A signal processing circuit that converts a cursor control signal into a cursor control signal; and at least two switches for inputting a click signal for determining a specific operation at a position of a cursor on a display screen of the information processing device to the information processing device. Was adopted.

As a configuration for detecting the rotational movement of the ball, for example, a pattern of minute spots having a color different from the ground color is formed on the surface of the ball, and the encoder emits light to illuminate the ball. An optical encoder that includes an element and a light receiving element that receives light reflected from the ball, and optically detects the behavior of the spot as the ball rotates.

It is preferable that the rotational load of the ball can be adjusted. For this purpose, for example, an elastic member is brought into pressure contact with the ball, and the amount of compression of the elastic member is changed to adjust the rotational load of the ball.

It is preferable that the cursor control signal and the click signal are transmitted to the information processing device by wireless communication so that a connection cable between the information processing device and the information processing device is eliminated. As a configuration therefor, for example, a battery as a power supply is built in the pointing device body, and an optical communication element that transmits a cursor control signal and a click signal as an optical pulse signal to the information processing apparatus is provided.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a pen-type pointing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the pointing device of the first embodiment. As shown here,
The device main body 4 of the pointing device is formed in a pen shape as a whole, and a micro track ball (hereinafter, simply referred to as a ball) 1 is provided at the tip 4a so as to be rotatable in all circumferential directions.

A cylindrical grip 6 made of rubber is fitted to a portion of the device body 4 near the tip 4a.

Further, two click buttons 7 are provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion 4a of the device body 4, and are exposed from the grip portion 6 so that the operator can perform a pressing operation with a fingertip. Like the click button of the mouse-type pointing device, the click button 7 sends a click signal for determining a specific operation at the position of the cursor on the display screen of the information processing device to which the pointing device is connected to the information processing device. It is for input.

A rotational load adjusting dial 9b for adjusting the rotational load of the ball 1 via an adjusting mechanism described later is rotatably provided at an intermediate portion of the device body 4.

Further, a connection cable 5 for connecting a pointing device to an information processing device such as a personal computer (not shown) is connected to a rear end of the device main body 4.

Next, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the tip of the pointing device.

In FIG. 2, the ball 1 is caulked and held at the tip of a tip 4a of a device body 4 formed by drawing a metal pipe so as to be rotatable in all circumferential directions. The material of the ball 1 is preferably made of, for example, hard silicon rubber or a steel ball coated with silicon rubber, and a good rotation followability with respect to a locus at the time of writing input can be obtained due to the friction property of the silicon rubber.

In the tip 4a of the device body 4, a conical coil spring 8 is incorporated on the + y direction side of the ball 1 (the direction from the tip to the rear end along the central axis of the device body 4). The part is pressed against the ball 1. Further, a cylindrical rotational load adjusting unit 9 is incorporated on the + y direction side of the conical coil spring 8, and the rear end of the conical coil spring 8 is pressed against this. The aforementioned rotational load adjusting dial 9b is formed at the + y direction side end of the rotational load adjusting unit 9.

Here, a female thread portion 4b is formed on the inner wall of the device main body 4. A male screw portion 9 a is formed on an outer wall of the rotation load adjusting unit 9. And
The rotation load adjusting unit 9 is configured such that the male screw portion 9a is
b, and fitted into the device body 4.
Therefore, when the operator rotates the rotational load adjusting dial 9b to rotate the rotational load adjusting unit 9 with respect to the device main body 4, the unit 9 is displaced in the + y direction or in the opposite direction to compress the conical coil spring 8. By changing the amount, the pressing force with which the conical coil spring 8 is pressed against the ball 1 can be changed, and the rotational load of the ball 1 can be arbitrarily adjusted. The adjustment can realize a wide range of good writing responsiveness from writing on a low friction surface to writing on a high friction surface according to the preference of the operator.

On the other hand, the load adjustment unit 9 includes the signal processing circuit 3, the light emitting element 3a, the light receiving element 3b, and the diffractive optical element 3
and an optical encoder unit 2 composed of a component such as c.

The silicon rubber used for the ball 1 contains, for example, metal powder or oxide powder as a material for forming a fine spot pattern (not shown) on the surface of the ball 1. As for the color of the material forming the pattern of minute spots, it is preferable to select the color of the ground on the surface of the ball 1, that is, a color different from the color of the silicone rubber, in particular, a contrasting color to the silicone rubber.

In this way, the ball 1 is illuminated by the light emitting element 3a of the optical encoder unit 2, and the light reflected from the ball 1 is received by the light receiving element 3b via the diffractive optical element 3c. The behavior of the minute spots associated with the rotation is detected. The detection signal is converted into a cursor control signal by the signal processing circuit 3 and input to an information processing device such as a personal computer via the connection cable 5.

For example, two sets of the light emitting element 3a and the light receiving element 3b are mounted, and the signal processing circuit 3 is configured as a differential amplifier for comparing and amplifying the output signals of the two light receiving elements 3b and converting them into a cursor control signal. Is also good.

The signal processing circuit 3 is connected to two switches (not shown) for detecting the pressing of the click buttons 7, that is, a push button switch that uses the click button 7 as a push button. When the operator presses the click button 7 at a desired position on the display screen of the processing device, the press is detected by the switch, and a click signal is input to the information processing device. .

According to the pointing device of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, the operator holds the ball 1 in his / her hand and operates the ball 1 at the tip so that the top surface (planar surface) of a sheet-like or plate-like suitable object on a desk can be obtained. ) To move the pointing device in an arbitrary direction within a plane including the direction of the arrow + x in FIG. 2, whereby the ball 1 rotates with the movement. The rotational movement is detected via the light emitting element 3a, the light receiving element 3b, and the diffractive optical element 3c, and the detection signal is converted into a cursor control signal by the signal processing circuit 3 and input to the information processing device. Thus, the position of the cursor on the display screen of the information processing device can be controlled as desired, and depending on the application of the information processing device, input of handwritten characters, figures, and the like can be performed. In addition, a click signal is input to the information processing device by operating the click button 7, and a desired operation input can be performed.

With the pointing device of the present embodiment as described above, the operator can control the movement and position of the cursor with the same operational feeling as a pen-type writing instrument.
In addition, it is particularly suitable for inputting handwritten characters and figures.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred example of the use of the pointing device of the present embodiment. With a conventional pointing device and drawing application, input of a regular polygon, a circuit symbol, a drawing symbol, and the like has been complicated and difficult. On the other hand, if the pointing device of the present embodiment is used, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the figure of the drafting template 15 can be easily input by tracing in the same manner as when using a pen-type writing instrument. .

The pointing device of the present embodiment is more suitable for miniaturization than a conventional mouse-type pointing device, and is therefore suitable for a mobile environment. Also, since no touch panel is required,
The visibility of the display screen is not reduced by the touch panel, and the tip of the pointing device is not worn by the touch panel. Further, the rotational movement of the ball 1 is detected by an optical encoder. However, since the optical encoder consumes less power, when the information processing apparatus using the pointing device is a mobile personal computer or the like powered by a battery, the battery is It has little effect on the life of the device and is also suitable for mobile environments.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, parts common or corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description of the common parts is omitted.

FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the pointing device of the second embodiment. As shown here, the pointing device of the present embodiment does not have a connection cable for connecting to an information processing device such as a host computer, and uses a wireless communication, specifically, an optical communication (infrared communication) to control a cursor. A control signal and a click signal are transmitted to the information processing device.

For this purpose, as shown in a partially cutaway side view of FIG. 5, an optical communication element 12 for performing infrared communication with the information processing apparatus is built in the rear end of the device main body 4. The optical communication element 12 is connected via a flexible cable 13 to the optical encoder unit 2, which is not shown here but is built in the distal end side of the device body 4. A conical diffusion mirror 14 is disposed above the optical communication element 12 so that the optical pulse signal emitted by the optical communication element 12 can be efficiently diffused to the outside and radiated. Conversely, an optical pulse signal emitted from the information processing device is reflected by the conical diffuser 14 and guided to the optical communication element 12.

The device main body 4 is arranged such that the infrared transmission filter 14 covers the optical communication element 12 and the conical diffusion mirror 14.
At the rear end. Further, in order to enable wireless communication, a battery 11 as a power supply for supplying power to the entire electric circuit of the pointing device is built in a rear portion of the device main body 4.

The configuration of the present embodiment other than the above-described portions is common to the first embodiment.

According to the pointing device of the present embodiment having the above-described structure, the operator holds the ball 1 in his / her hand and operates the ball 1 at the tip so that the top surface (planar surface) of a sheet-like or plate-like suitable object on a desk is obtained. ), The pointing device is moved to rotate the ball 1 with the movement. The rotational movement is detected via the light emitting element 3a, the light receiving element 3b, and the diffractive optical element 3c of the optical encoder unit 2, and the detection signal is converted into a cursor control signal by the signal processing circuit 3. Further, the cursor control signal is guided to the optical communication element 12 via the flexible cable 13, converted into an optical pulse signal, and transmitted to the information processing device. A click signal generated by operating the click button 7 is also guided to the optical communication element 12, converted into an optical pulse signal, and transmitted to the information processing device.

According to the pointing device of the present embodiment as described above, since the cursor control signal and the click signal are transmitted by optical communication (infrared communication), the cable connected to the information processing apparatus can be eliminated. First
The operability is better than in the case of the embodiment.

[0053]

As is clear from the above description, according to the pointing device of the present invention, the pointing device is formed in a pen shape as a whole, and the ball is provided at the tip thereof so as to be rotatable in all circumferential directions. When the pointing device is moved by holding the tip of the ball in contact with a plane and moving the pointing device, the rotation of the ball accompanying the movement is detected by the encoder, and the detection signal is transmitted to the cursor control signal by the signal processing circuit. Is input to the information processing device, so that the cursor can be moved and controlled with the same operational feeling as a pen-type writing instrument, and handwritten characters and figures can be easily input, using commercially available templates. As a result, it is possible to easily input figures, circuit symbols, drafting symbols, and the like. Further, as compared with a conventional mouse-type pointing device, it is suitable for miniaturization, and thus is suitable for a mobile environment. In addition, since a touch panel is not required, the visibility of the display screen on which an input is made with the pointing device is good, and there is no need for replacement by wear of the tip of the pointing device.

Further, a pattern of minute spots of a color different from the ground color is formed on the surface of the ball,
By using an optical encoder that optically detects the behavior of the spots associated with the rotation of the ball, power consumption can be reduced, which is also suitable for a mobile environment.

Further, since the rotational load of the ball can be adjusted by changing the amount of compression of the elastic member pressed against the ball, it is possible for the operator to select from writing on a low friction surface to writing on a high friction surface. Accordingly, wide and good writing sensitivity can be realized.

Further, by incorporating a battery as a power supply and transmitting a cursor control signal and a click signal to the information processing device by optical communication, a cable connected to the information processing device is eliminated, and operability is further improved. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure around a distal end portion of the pointing device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage example of the pointing device.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a pointing device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partially broken side view showing the structure of the pointing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Micro track ball 2 Optical encoder unit 3 Signal processing circuit 4 Device body 5 Connection cable 6 Grip part 7 Click button 8 Conical coil spring 9 Rotational load adjustment unit 10 Infrared transmission filter 11 Battery of power supply 12 Optical communication element 13 Flexible cable 14 Conical Diffusing mirror 15 drafting template

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pointing device for inputting a cursor control signal for controlling a position of a cursor on a display screen of an information processing device to the information processing device, wherein the pointing device is formed in a pen shape as a whole. A ball provided at the tip end so as to be rotatable in all circumferential directions; an encoder for detecting the rotational movement of the ball; a signal processing circuit for converting a detection signal of the encoder into the cursor control signal; A pointing device, comprising: at least two switches for inputting a click signal for determining a specific operation at a position of a cursor on a display screen to the information processing device. 2. A pattern of minute spots having a color different from the color of the ground on the surface of the ball is formed on the surface of the ball, the encoder comprising: a light emitting element for illuminating the ball;
The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device is an optical encoder that has a light receiving element that receives light reflected from the ball, and optically detects behavior of the spot as the ball rotates. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an elastic member that presses against said ball, and rotational load adjusting means for adjusting a rotational load of said ball by changing a compression amount of said elastic member. A pointing device as described. 4. A pointing device body having a built-in battery as a power supply, and an optical communication element for transmitting the cursor control signal and the click signal as an optical pulse signal to the information processing apparatus. Any one of claims 1 to 3
A pointing device according to the item.