JP2000267805A - Pointing device and mouse device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a pointing device and a mouse device capable of realizing control corresponding to the intention of an operator. SOLUTION: When a wrist does not touch the detection surface of an electrostatic sensor 15, that is, when an operator operates a mouse with the entire hand while floating the wrist in the air, a fast mode is set because the operator has intention of moving a cursor position on a display 12 relatively largely. When the wrist is brought into contact with the detection surface (operation reference surface) of the sensor 15, whether or not the wrist moves is further decided. In the case the wrist does not move, i.e., when the operator almost fixes the wrist and operates the mouse with fingertips alone, a slow mode is set because the operator has intention of wanting to perform relatively small movement of the cursor position on the display 12. In the case the wrist moves, i.e., when the operator performs slide movement of the entire hand, a medium speed mode is set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a pointing device and a mouse device, and more particularly, to a pointing device and a mouse device for moving a specific position displayed on a display means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pointing device, for example, a mouse is constructed so that a built-in mouse ball can be rotated with a movement of a main body in order to move a cursor position displayed on a display.

[0003] On the other hand, an operator may operate a mouse with a fingertip, or may operate a wrist, an arm, or the like. This is because the mouse only moves the amount of rotation of the mouse ball, and if it is desired to move the cursor position greatly, the amount of rotation of the mouse ball must be increased.

Recently, there has been proposed a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) that can arbitrarily set a movement amount of a cursor position corresponding to a rotation amount of a mouse ball.

[0005]

However, if the movement amount of the cursor position corresponding to the rotation amount of the mouse ball is set to be large, it becomes difficult to move the cursor position finely. Conversely, if the amount of movement of the cursor position corresponding to the amount of rotation of the mouse ball is set to be small, the mouse ball must be rotated more in order to move the cursor position significantly. As described above, the conventional pointing device cannot control a specific position such as a cursor position according to an operator's intention.

If the desired position is not reached even after the cursor is moved by moving the mouse body,
Lift the mouse back to the original position and repeat the same process, but it is troublesome to repeat the same process,
Also at this point, the specific position such as the cursor position cannot be controlled according to the intention of the operator.

Furthermore, the conventional mouse cannot reflect other intentions of the operator other than the purpose of moving the cursor position.

In addition, the conventional mouse does not accurately reflect the operator's intention to move a specific position along a line, for example, precisely, that is, the operator's intention to input a straight line. Can not.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to propose a pointing device and a mouse device that can realize control according to an operator's intention.

[0010]

To achieve the above object, a moving means according to the first aspect of the present invention moves a specific position displayed on a display means by moving an operation position.

[0011] The determining means determines whether or not the wrist used when moving the operation position is in contact with the operation reference plane.

If it is determined that the wrist is not in contact with the operation reference plane, the operator intends to relatively move the specific position displayed on the display means relatively,
It can be determined that the operation is performed with the entire hand. Conversely, if it is determined that the wrist is in contact with the operation reference plane, the operator is operating only with his fingertips in order to move the specific position displayed on the display unit relatively finely. Can be determined.

When the control means determines that the wrist is in contact with the operation reference plane by the determination means, the control means determines that the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the operation position by the movement means is equal to the operation amount of the wrist. Control is performed so as to be smaller than when it is determined that the reference surface is not in contact. That is, the control means
When the determining means determines that the wrist is not in contact with the operation reference plane (when it is desired to relatively move the specific position), the moving amount of the specific position corresponding to the unit moving amount of the operating position by the moving means Is the first amount, and when the determination means determines that the wrist is in contact with the operation reference plane (when the specific position is to be relatively finely moved), the unit movement amount of the operation position by the movement means Is controlled so that the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the second amount becomes a second amount smaller than the first amount.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the determining means determines that the wrist is in contact with the operation reference plane, it determines whether the wrist is moving on the operation reference plane. Is further determined.

Here, when the wrist is in contact with the operation reference plane and the wrist does not move on the operation reference plane, it can be determined that the operation is performed only with the fingertip. On the other hand, when the wrist is moving on the operation reference plane, it can be determined that the entire hand is slid. That is, in a state where the wrist is in contact with the operation reference plane, the operator wants to relatively finely move the specific position displayed on the display means.
To move the specific position displayed on the display means relatively largely without moving the wrist on the operation reference plane, the wrist is moved on the operation reference plane.

If the control means determines that the wrist has not moved on the operation reference plane, the control means determines that the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the operation position by the movement means is the wrist. Is controlled to be smaller than when it is determined that is moving on the operation reference plane. That is, when the determining means determines that the wrist is not moving on the operation reference plane (when the specific position is to be relatively finely moved) by the determining means, the unit moving amount of the operating position by the moving means is determined. When the moving amount of the specific position corresponding to is the third amount and the determining means determines that the wrist is moving on the operation reference plane (when the specific position is to be relatively finely moved), A movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the unit movement amount of the operation position by the movement means is larger than the third amount.
Is controlled to be the amount of Note that the third amount and the fourth amount are smaller than the first amount.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the moving means moves the operation position by moving the operation target.

When the determining means determines that the wrist is moving on the operation reference plane, it further determines whether the wrist is moving together with the operated object.

Here, when the wrist is moving together with the operation target, it can be determined that the entire hand is slid. On the other hand, when the wrist is not moving together with the operated object, it can be determined that the operated object is slightly moved. That is, in a state where the wrist moves on the operation reference plane, the operator does not move the wrist together with the operated object and wants to move the specific position displayed on the display means relatively finely. When it is desired to move the displayed specific position relatively largely, the wrist is moved together with the operation target.

If the control means determines that the wrist has not moved together with the object to be operated, the control means determines that the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the operation position by the movement means is the wrist. Is controlled to be smaller than when it is determined that the object is moving together with the operated object. That is, when the control means determines that the wrist is moving together with the operated object by the determining means (when it is desired to relatively move the specific position relatively), the control means determines the amount of movement of the operation position by the moving means. When the movement amount of the corresponding specific position is the fifth amount and the determination means determines that the wrist is not moving together with the operated object (when the specific position is to be relatively finely moved), Control is performed such that the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the unit movement amount of the operation position by the moving means is a sixth amount smaller than the fifth amount. Note that the fifth amount and the sixth amount are larger than the third amount and smaller than the first amount.

As described above, when it is desired to move the specific position relatively finely, the moving amount of the specific position corresponding to the moving amount of the operating position by the moving means is larger than when the specific position is moved relatively large. Is made smaller, so that the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the operation position is
Control can be performed according to the operator's intention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first moving means moves a specific position displayed on the display means by moving a mouse ball, and the second moving means is displayed on the display means. Is moved by relatively moving at least one of the main body and the operation reference plane.

The determining means determines whether the main body is lifted.

Here, when the operator lifts the main body, there is a case where even if the specific position is moved by moving the mouse ball, the specific position cannot be moved to the desired position yet, and the operator wants to further move. In this case, the intention of the operator cannot be reflected simply by moving the mouse ball further to move the specific position.

If the control means determines that the main body has not been lifted by the determining means, the control means controls the specific position based on the amount of movement of the mouse ball by the first moving means. When it is determined that the object is lifted, the specific position is controlled based on the relative movement amount of at least one of the main body and the operation reference plane by the second moving means.

As described above, when it is determined that the main body is lifted, the specific position is controlled based on the relative movement amount of at least one of the main body and the operation reference plane. However, the specific position can be moved, and the specific position displayed on the display means can be controlled according to the intention of the operator.

Here, the control means includes:
When the specific position is controlled based on the relative movement amount, the control may be performed so that the movement amount of the specific position is larger than when the specific position is controlled based on the movement amount of the mouse ball.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the detecting means detects a tilt state of the main body. Here, a plurality of mouse balls are provided at a plurality of locations on the main body, and the detecting means detects an inclined state of the main body by detecting which of the plurality of mouse balls is moving.

The instruction means instructs processing determined according to the tilt state of the main body detected by the detection means. here,
Moving means for moving the specific position displayed on the display means by moving the mouse ball is provided, and the above processing is performed by determining the magnitude of the moving amount of the specific position corresponding to the moving amount of the mouse ball by the moving means. It is a process to set. That is, the instructing means determines the magnitude of the moving amount of the specific position corresponding to the moving amount of the mouse ball by the moving means in accordance with the tilt state of the main body detected by the detecting means, and instructs.

As described above, since the processing determined in accordance with the tilt state of the main body by the operator is instructed, the intention of the operator can be reflected.

In the invention according to claim 7, a plurality of mouse balls are arranged at a plurality of positions on the main body.

The detecting means detects the amount of movement of the plurality of mouse balls.

The calculating means calculates, based on the moving amounts of the plurality of mouse balls detected by the detecting means, a moving amount of the predetermined index portion of the main body as a moving amount of the specific position displayed on the display means. Is calculated.

As described above, a plurality of mouse balls are arranged at a plurality of positions on the main body, and based on the amount of movement of the plurality of mouse balls, the amount of movement of a specific position displayed on the display means is calculated as follows.
Since the amount of movement of the predetermined index portion of the main body is calculated, if the predetermined index portion of the main body is moved, for example, along a line to be moved, a specific position displayed on the display means is obtained. It can be accurately moved along the line. Therefore, it is possible to reflect the operator's intention to accurately move the specific position displayed on the display means, for example, along the line.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of mouse balls are arranged at a plurality of positions on the main body. The plurality of mouse balls include a specific mouse ball for moving a specific position displayed on the display means.

The detecting means detects the moving amounts of the plurality of mouse balls.

The calculating means calculates the turning radius of the main body based on the moving amounts of the plurality of mouse balls detected by the detecting means.

The control means controls the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the specific mouse ball to be an amount determined by the turning radius calculated by the calculation means.

Here, the smaller the movement amount of the specific position is, the smaller the turning radius of the main body becomes. That is,
When the operator wants to move the specific position finely, the wrist is fixed and the main body is moved only with the fingertip, so the turning radius of the main body is small, and conversely, when the specific position is to be moved largely, Since the main body is moved by the entire hand, the turning radius of the main body is increased.

As described above, the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the specific mouse ball is set to the amount determined by the turning radius of the main body, so that the intention of the operator is reflected. Can be.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of mouse balls are arranged at a plurality of positions on the main body. The plurality of mouse balls include a specific mouse ball for moving a specific position displayed on the display means.

The detecting means detects the moving amounts of the plurality of mouse balls.

The calculating means calculates the turning radius of the main body based on the moving amounts of the plurality of mouse balls detected by the detecting means.

Then, the correcting means corrects the locus of the specific position corresponding to the locus of the specific mouse ball having a curvature smaller than a predetermined value based on the turning radius calculated by the calculating means so as to be a straight line.

Here, in order to move the mouse ball so that the locus of the specific position displayed on the display means is a straight line, the locus of the specific mouse ball also needs to be a straight line.

However, when the operator moves the mouse body only with his fingertip, the palm becomes the center of rotation,
The trajectory of a specific mouse ball is curved, and when the mouse body is moved by hand, the elbow becomes the center of rotation, and the trajectory of the specific mouse ball tends to be curved. That is, a curve having a curvature smaller than a predetermined value, which should be a straight line, is input.

On the other hand, the radius of the curve of the locus of the specific mouse ball when the mouse body is moved only by the fingertip is smaller than the radius of the curve of the locus of the specific mouse ball when the mouse body is moved by hand. short.

Therefore, based on the turning radius calculated by the calculating means, it is possible to correct the trajectory of the specific position corresponding to the trajectory of the specific mouse ball having a curvature smaller than the predetermined value to be a straight line.

As described above, the trajectory at the specific position corresponding to the trajectory having a curvature smaller than the predetermined value of the specific mouse ball is corrected to be a straight line based on the turning radius calculated by the calculating means. Can be reflected by the operator who intends to move.

[0050]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a display system for a vehicle.

FIG. 1 shows a display system 10 for a vehicle.
1 shows the overall configuration of FIG. The display system 10 for a vehicle is for operating a plurality of auxiliary equipments attached to a vehicle, such as an air conditioner, an audio system, and a navigation system. The display 12 is a display unit, and the touch operation input device 1 is a pointing device.
4 (hereinafter referred to as a touch tracer).

The display 12 is arranged at the center of the instrument panel, which can be easily recognized by the driver and the passenger, and displays the operation status of the air conditioner and audio, the guidance map screen of the navigation system, and the like. A predetermined screen is displayed according to operation input information from the touch tracer 14.

The touch tracer 14 is arranged at a place where the driver can easily operate the device, for example, an armrest of a driver's seat door, a center console, or the like. Is performed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the touch tracer 14 has an input pad 16 as an operation surface having an area defined in the center corresponding to the display area (screen) of the display 12. Selection buttons for selecting various modes are arranged around the pad 16. As these selection buttons, a current location button 18, a destination button 20, a menu button 22, an air conditioner button 24, an audio button 26, and an image quality button 28 are provided.
By pressing these mode selection buttons,
A screen corresponding to the selected mode is displayed on the display 12. Further, when an operation tool such as a finger operates the input pad, a position where the wrist contacts, for example, the input pad 16.
The electrostatic sensor 15 is arranged at a position facing the selection button arrangement position around the circle. The electrostatic sensor 15 can detect whether the wrist is in contact with the detection surface (operation reference surface) and detect the position of the center of gravity of the wrist. In addition, whether or not the wrist is moving can be determined based on whether or not the position of the center of gravity has moved. In addition, instead of the electrostatic sensor,
A pad switch, slide switch, pressure sensor, or the like may be provided.

Next, the internal structure of the touch tracer 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a part of the touch tracer 14 cut away, and FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view showing a part of the touch tracer 14 cut away.

The touch tracer 14 has an outer frame formed by an outer casing 32 and an outer casing 34, and a printed wiring board 36 is disposed on the outer casing 34 serving as a bottom surface of the touch tracer 14, and a printed wiring board 38 is disposed above the printed wiring board 36. Have been. A touch switch 40 is mounted in the center of the printed wiring board 36, and a compression coil spring 42 is provided. The compression coil spring 42 is provided so as to be inserted around the touch switch 40, The input pad 16 is urged in the direction of arrow M in FIG. Touch switch 4
Reference numeral 0 denotes a switch for determining a position with respect to a position touched on the input pad 16, and a touch operation is performed by touching a desired position on the input pad 16 and then pressing the input pad 16. The switch of the switch 40 is turned on.

The outer casing 34 is provided with a substantially T-shaped member 34a for suppressing the outer periphery of the input pad 16 against the bias of the compression coil spring 42. The shape 34a is formed by pressing an arbitrary position of the input pad 16 to operate the touch switch 40.
Is turned on, it acts as a fulcrum of the input pad 16.

On the printed wiring board 38, an optical sensor unit as a position detecting means is mounted. In this optical sensor unit, a plurality of LEDs 44 and phototransistors 46 are arranged to face each other so as to form a parallel optical axis, and the LEDs 44 and phototransistors 46 are connected to an electric circuit of a printed wiring board 38. The LED 44 and the phototransistor 46 are configured to be covered with a light shielding member 48 that shields the adjacent LED 44 and the phototransistor 46, respectively. Other parts are shielded from light by this light shielding member 48.

A plurality of operation switches 50 are mounted on the printed wiring board 38, and the corresponding operation switches 50 are turned on in response to operations on the selection buttons 18 to 28 for selecting various modes described above. It is supposed to.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the display system 10. As shown in FIG. The display system 10 includes an LED 44 disposed on the touch tracer 14,
The phototransistor 46, the touch switch 40, and the operation switch 50 are connected to a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) 60.
The control unit 62 for controlling auxiliary equipment such as an air conditioner, audio, and a navigation system, the display 12,
And the electrostatic sensor 15 are connected.

FIG. 6 shows a mode setting processing routine according to the first embodiment.

At step 64 in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the wrist is in contact with the detection surface (operation reference surface) of the electrostatic sensor 15 based on the output of the electrostatic sensor 15. When the wrist is not in contact with the detection surface (operation reference surface) of the electrostatic sensor 15, that is, when the operator is lifting the wrist and operating with the entire hand, the cursor position on the display 12 is relatively shifted. Step 6
At 6, the high-speed mode is set.

If the wrist is in contact with the detection surface (operation reference surface) of the electrostatic sensor 15, it is determined in step 68 whether the wrist is moving based on the output of the electrostatic sensor 15. to decide. If the wrist is not moving, that is, if the operator is operating with only the fingertip while substantially fixing the wrist, the cursor position on the display 12 is intended to be relatively slightly moved, In step 70, the low speed mode is set.

If the wrist is moving, that is, if the operator is sliding the entire hand, the medium speed mode is set at step 72.

Steps 66 to 72 correspond to the control of the control means of the first and second aspects.

Here, the high-speed mode, the medium-speed mode, and the low-speed mode mean that the movement amount of the cursor position on the display 12 corresponding to the unit movement amount of the finger position (operation position) is large (first amount), Medium (fourth amount (second amount)), small (third amount (second amount)), that is, the moving speed of the cursor position on the display 12 corresponding to the unit moving speed of the finger position is: High speed, medium speed, low speed.

The touch tracer has been described above as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The screen touch switch, track pad, track ball, linear encoder, rotary encoder, jog shuttle dial, joy pad, pressure-sensitive type The present invention is similarly applicable to a jog stick, a movable jog stick, a slide volume, a rotary volume, and the like. In this case, the pressure sensor or the like is provided at a position where the wrist contacts the example of operating the device.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the cursor position is to be relatively finely moved, the moving speed is lower than when the cursor position is to be relatively largely moved. Therefore, the moving speed of the cursor position can be controlled according to the intention of the operator. That is, it is possible to detect a movement of the operator's unconscious hand and realize a natural control of the moving speed of the cursor position according to the sensitivity of the operation.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, a mouse 76 having a mouse ball 92 (see also FIG. 8) connected to a personal computer 74 will be described as an example.

A palm rest 80 is rotatably supported by the mouse 76 via a shaft 78. The mouse 76 according to the present embodiment includes a palm rest 8 for the mouse.
A relative position sensor 83 for detecting a relative movement amount of 0 is provided. In addition, the mouse ball 92, the X encoder 94, the Y
The encoder 96 constitutes a first moving means of the present invention, and the relative position sensor 83 constitutes a second moving means.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control system of the mouse 76 has a control unit 84. The control unit 84 includes an input / output unit 86, a calculation unit 88, and a memory 90. The input / output unit 86 includes click switches 98 and 100, an X encoder 94 for inputting a predetermined relative movement amount (rotation amount) of the mouse ball 92 in the X direction, and a Y direction (perpendicular to the X direction) of the mouse ball 92. Direction) relative movement amount (rotation amount)
, A relative encoder 83 and a personal computer 74 are connected. The relative movement amount (rotation amount) of the mouse ball 92 in the X and Y directions is input from the mouse 76 to the personal computer 74.

FIG. 9 shows a mode setting processing routine of the mouse device according to the second embodiment. In step 116 of FIG. 9, it is determined from the output of the relative position sensor 83 whether or not the palm rest is relatively moving.
If it is determined that the palm rest is moving, the mouse 76 is lifted with a finger by determining at step 118 whether or not the mouse ball is moving from the outputs of the X encoder 94 and the Y encoder 96. It is determined whether or not. Note that a mechanical switch that detects the pushing up of the mouse ball may be provided, and whether the mouse 76 is lifted by a finger may be determined based on the ON / OFF state of the mechanical switch.

When the mouse 76 is lifted by a finger, the cursor position cannot be moved to a desired position even if the mouse ball is moved to move the cursor position.
This is a case where the user wants to move further. In this case, the intention of the operator cannot be reflected simply by moving the mouse ball further to move the specific position.

When the palm rest is moving and the mouse 76 is lifted by a finger, the wrist is fixed to the palm rest (further, for example, a desk or the like on which the mouse is placed), and the mouse 76 is Are lifted, a slow repetition mode is set at step 122. That is, even if the mouse 76 is lifted and the mouse ball does not rotate, the cursor position is moved based on the relative movement amount and the movement direction of the palm rest 80 with respect to the mouse.

On the other hand, when the mouse 76 is not lifted by the finger (and the palm rest is relatively moving), the wrist is fixed to the palm rest and the mouse 76 is operated by the fingertip. , Step 120
Use to set the low-speed mode.

If it is determined in step 116 that the palm rest has not moved, it is determined in step 124 whether or not the mouse 76 has been lifted by the finger as described above.

When the palm rest has not moved and the mouse 76 has been lifted with a finger, the palm rest has not moved, so that the mouse 76 and the palm rest 80 are lifted and moved by hand. Also in this case, even if the cursor position is moved by moving the mouse ball, the cursor position cannot be moved to a desired position yet.
Although the operator wants to further move the cursor, the operator wants to move the cursor position more, so that it can be determined that the mouse 76 and the palm rest 80 are lifted and moved.

Then, the palm rest has not moved,
If the mouse 76 is lifted with a finger, a fast repetition mode is set at step 126. That is, the cursor position is moved based on the relative movement amount of the palm rest 80 with respect to the mouse, but the movement amount of the cursor position with respect to the unit relative movement amount of the palm rest 80 is made larger than in the slow repetition mode in step 122.

When the mouse 76 is not lifted with a finger (and the palm rest is not relatively moved), the wrist is lifted from the palm rest (further, for example, a desk or the like on which the mouse is arranged) and the hand is lifted. It can be determined that the mouse is operated as a whole, and in this case, step 128
To set the normal mode (the moving amount of the cursor position per unit moving amount of the mouse ball is larger than that in the low-speed mode).

Here, the fast repetition mode and the slow repetition mode are released when the ball comes into contact with the ground.

As described above, when it is determined that the main body is lifted, the cursor position is moved based on the relative movement amount of the palm rest 80 with respect to the mouse.
Even when the mouse ball is not moving, the cursor position can be moved, and control according to the intention of the operator can be realized.

Steps 120, 122, 126,
128 corresponds to the control of the control means of claim 4. Note that the processes of steps 120, 122, 126, and 128 may be executed by the control unit 84 of the mouse 76, as described above, or may be executed by the personal computer.

Although the palm rest is used in the second embodiment described above, the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 10, a mouse pad 85 may be used instead of the palm rest.

In this case, the mouse pad 85 communicates with the mouse 76 in a wired or wireless manner, and the amount of relative movement of the mouse pad 85 with respect to the mouse, ie, the relative position of the center of gravity of the wrist on the mouse pad 85 with respect to the mouse. A sensor for detecting the amount of movement is provided.

In the above description, the mouse pad and the personal computer may be connected instead of the mouse and the personal computer. Further, the power to the mouse body may be supplied by electromagnetic coupling with the mouse pad.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the above-described second embodiment, and therefore, only different portions will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the mouse 7 according to the present embodiment
6A shows two mouse balls 92, one each before and after.
F and 92R. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the control system of the mouse 76A according to the present embodiment is different in that each of the mouse balls 92F and 92R includes X encoders 94F and 94R and Y encoders 96F and 96R.

FIG. 13 shows a mode setting processing routine of the mouse device according to the third embodiment. FIG.
In step 130 of 3, it is determined whether or not the movement amount has been input only from the mouse ball 92 </ b> F disposed on the front side.
As described above, the mouse 76A has one mouse ball 92F and 92R at the front and rear, respectively. Therefore, when the movement amount is input only from the mouse ball 92F disposed on the front side, the mouse 76A This is the case where it is inclined forward. Therefore, in step 130, it is substantially determined whether or not the mouse 76A is tilted forward.

If the moving amount has not been input only from the mouse ball 92F disposed on the front side, the process proceeds to step 13
At 2, it is determined whether or not the movement amount has been input only from the mouse ball 92R disposed on the rear side. That is, the mouse 76
It is determined whether or not A is inclined rearward.

If the movement amount is input only from the mouse ball 92F placed on the front side, at step 134,
Set the high-speed mode, the mouse ball 9 placed on the rear side
If the movement amount is input only from 2R, step 1
At 36, the low speed mode is set, and when the movement amount is input from the mouse balls 92F, 92R disposed on the front side and the rear side, the medium speed mode is set at step 138.

Steps 134, 136, 138
Corresponds to the processing of the command means in claim 6. Note that, as described above, the processing of steps 134, 136, and 138 may be executed by the mouse 76 or may be executed by the personal computer.

In the example described above, the movement amount of the cursor position corresponding to the movement amount of the mouse ball is set by the mouse ball for which the movement amount is input. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the processing may be performed as shown in FIG.

That is, the mouse ball 92 arranged on the front side
If the movement amount is input only from F, step 14
0, a mode for scrolling the window displayed on the screen of the display of the personal computer is set. If the moving amount is input only from the mouse ball 92R arranged on the rear side, the menu is changed to step 142. When the mode to be selected is set and the movement amount is input from the mouse balls 92F and 92R arranged on the front side and the rear side, in step 144, the cursor is returned, that is, the cursor position is set in accordance with the movement of the mouse ball. May be returned to the mode in which is moved.

Steps 140, 142, 144
Corresponds to the processing of the command means in claim 6. Note that the processing of steps 140, 142, and 144 may be executed by the mouse 76 side or the personal computer side as described above.

As described above, since the processing determined in accordance with the tilt state of the main body by the operator is instructed, the intention of the operator can be reflected.

The above-described modes are merely examples, and further different processing may be executed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bottom surface of the mouse is a single plane, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. The rear surface 76BR may be formed so that the rear surface 76BF and the mouse can be easily rearward tilted.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a total of two mouse balls 92F and 92R, one each for the front and rear, are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a single mouse ball may be provided as shown in FIG. Here, when a single mouse ball is provided, the front tilting surface 76BF and the rear tilting surface 76BR so that the mouse can easily tilt forward and the mouse can easily tilt backward.
17, and a front tilt switch 146 that is turned on when the mouse is tilted forward and a rear tilt switch 148 that is turned on when the mouse is tilted rearward as shown in FIG.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the above-described third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the operation principle of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 18A, when a single mouse ball is provided, when the mouse moves from a position indicated by a solid line to a position indicated by an imaginary line, the X displacement of the mouse ball is changed. And Y displacement are input.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18B, two mouse balls F and R, one each for the front and rear, are provided, so that the mouse moves from the position indicated by the solid line to the imaginary line. When the mouse has moved to the position indicated by, the X displacement and the Y displacement of each mouse ball are input.

Therefore, the trajectories of the mouse balls F and R,
(See also FIG. 18C), and the X displacement and the Y displacement of each mouse ball are synthesized (average)
Then, the locus of the middle position of each mouse ball can be calculated.

Further, when a single mouse ball is provided, it is not possible to determine the direction of the mouse and the direction in which the mouse is moving. In this case, since the direction of the mouse is known, the coordinates of an arbitrary position can be calculated from the X displacement and the Y displacement of each mouse ball. Further, the turning radius and the turning center of the mouse can be calculated from the trajectories of the mouse balls F and R.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19 (A), a corner portion of the mouse 76 is formed as a protrusion as an indicator portion 75A, or a protrusion is drawn out as a marker portion 75A at the corner portion of the mouse 76. As shown in FIG. 19B, an opening is formed in the center of the mouse 76 as an index portion 75B.

As described above, since the coordinates of an arbitrary position can be calculated from the X displacement and Y displacement of each mouse ball, the index portion 75A or the index portion can be calculated from the X displacement and Y displacement of each mouse ball. The coordinates of the part 75B are calculated and input to the personal computer.

That is, the index portion 75A or the index portion 75B
Is moved along a line (for example, a straight line (or a curved line)) as shown in FIGS. 19 (A) and 19 (B).
A line can be easily input, and the cursor position can be moved linearly.

As described above, the two mouse balls are arranged, and the moving amount of the predetermined index portion of the main body is calculated as the moving amount of the cursor position based on the moving amount of the two mouse balls. Is moved along the line, the cursor position can be accurately moved along the line, and the operator attempts to move the cursor position accurately along the line. Can be reflected.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described fourth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the cursor position is moved based on the movement of the mouse ball arranged on the front side. Then, the moving amount of the cursor position corresponding to the unit moving amount of the mouse ball arranged on the front side is set based on the turning radius of the main body.

FIG. 20 shows a mode setting processing routine of the mouse device according to the present embodiment. In step 152 in FIG. 20, the turning radius R of the mouse is calculated from the trajectories of the mouse balls F and R.

Here, the smaller the movement amount of the cursor position is, the smaller the turning radius of the main body becomes. That is, when the operator wants to move the cursor position finely, the wrist is fixed and the main body is moved only with the fingertip.
The turning radius of the main body is reduced, and conversely, when it is desired to move the cursor position largely, the main body is moved with the entire hand, so that the turning radius of the main body is increased.

Therefore, it is determined in step 154 whether or not the turning radius R is equal to or greater than the threshold value R0. If the turning radius R is equal to or greater than the threshold value R0, the high speed mode is set in step 156. If the turning radius R is less than the threshold value R0,
At step 158, the low speed mode is set.

Steps 156 and 158 correspond to the control of the control means. Step 15
6 and 158 may be executed by the mouse side or the personal computer side as described above.

In the present embodiment, two types of high-speed mode and low-speed mode are set, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of speed modes are set according to a plurality of turning radii. Alternatively, the speed may be controlled so as to increase as the turning radius increases.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the above-described fifth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 21 shows a horizontal correction processing routine of the mouse device according to the sixth embodiment.

In step 164, the amount of movement of the mouse ball (the locus of a predetermined distance or more) (see FIG. 22C) is acquired. In step 166, the turning radius R is calculated as described above, and the turning radius R is calculated. However, it is determined whether or not the trajectory is a substantially horizontal trajectory by determining whether or not the trajectory longer than the predetermined distance is equal to or greater than a threshold value that can be determined as a substantially horizontal trajectory. That is, it is determined whether the curvature of the locus is less than a predetermined value.

If it can be determined that the trajectory is a curve, the process is terminated. If it can be determined that the trajectory is substantially a straight line, in step 168, the turning radius R is equal to or larger than the threshold value R0. It is determined whether or not the turning radius R is equal to the threshold value R0.
In the above case, the small correction table (see FIG. 22B) is selected in step 170, and if the turning radius R is smaller than the threshold value R0, the large correction table (see FIG. (Refer to (A)).

That is, when the turning radius is small, the curvature of the locus is larger than when the turning radius is large. Therefore, when the turning radius is small, a large correction table (see FIG. 22A) having a higher degree of correction is selected than when the turning radius is large.

Then, in step 174, the correction value of the Y value corresponding to each X value is read from the selected correction table, and the Y value is corrected, and the Y value is corrected. The corrected Y value is output to a personal computer.

Steps 170 to 174 correspond to the control of the control means. Step 170
As described above, the processing of steps 174 to 174 may be executed by the mouse or by the personal computer.

As described above, the trajectory of the cursor position corresponding to the trajectory of the curvature smaller than the predetermined value of the mouse ball is corrected based on the turning radius so as to be a straight line. The intention can be reflected.

In this embodiment, two types of tables, a large correction table and a small correction table, are stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of correction tables are stored according to a plurality of turning radii. Memorize and correct the locus of the cursor position corresponding to the locus of curvature less than the predetermined value of the mouse ball so as to be a straight line, or correspond to the locus of curvature of less than the predetermined value of the mouse ball based on the turning radius. The trajectory of the cursor position may be corrected so as to be a straight line.

It should be noted that the sixth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in the sixth embodiment.
A plurality of the processes of the embodiments may be combined.

[0125]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the specific position is to be relatively finely moved, the moving amount of the operation position by the moving means is smaller than when the specific position is to be relatively largely moved. Since the movement amount of the corresponding specific position is reduced, the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the operation position can be controlled according to the intention of the operator.

According to the present invention, when it is determined that the main body is lifted, the specific position is controlled based on the amount of relative movement of the main body with respect to the operation reference plane. Can be moved, and the specific position displayed on the display means can be controlled according to the intention of the operator.

The present invention has an effect that the command determined by the operator according to the tilting state of the main body is commanded, so that the intention of the operator can be reflected.

According to the present invention, a plurality of mouse balls are arranged at a plurality of positions on the main body, and a predetermined position of the main body is determined as a position for designating a specific position displayed on the display means based on the amount of movement of the plurality of mouse balls. Since the moving amount of the index portion is calculated, if a predetermined index portion of the main body is moved, for example, along a line to be moved, a specific position displayed on the display means is moved along the line. It can be moved with high accuracy. Therefore, there is an effect that the intention of the operator to accurately move the specific position displayed on the display means, for example, along the line can be reflected.

According to the present invention, the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the specific mouse ball is set to the amount determined by the turning radius of the main body, so that the intention of the operator is reflected. Has the effect of being able to

According to the present invention, since the trajectory at a specific position corresponding to the trajectory of a curvature smaller than a predetermined value of a specific mouse ball is corrected to be a straight line based on the turning radius calculated by the calculating means, the straight line is corrected. Has the effect that the intention of the operator who wants to move is reflected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a touch tracer.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway front view of the touch tracer.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the touch and the racer in a cutaway manner.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the display system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a mode setting processing routine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mouse device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a mouse device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a mode setting processing routine of the mouse device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mouse device according to a modification.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a mouse device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a mouse device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a mode setting processing routine of the mouse device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a mode setting processing routine of a mouse device according to a modification.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a mouse device according to another modification.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a mouse device according to still another modification.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a mouse device according to a modification of FIG.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the principle of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a mouse device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a mode setting processing routine of the mouse device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a horizontal correction processing routine of the mouse device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating horizontal correction processing of the mouse device according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 display 14 touch tracer 60 microcomputer 76 mouse 92 mouse ball 92F mouse ball 92R mouse ball 94 X encoder 96 Y encoder 83 relative position sensor 75A indicator portion 75B indicator portion

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A moving means for moving a specific position displayed on a display means by moving an operation position, and whether a wrist used for moving the operation position is in contact with an operation reference plane. Determining means for determining whether or not the wrist is in contact with the operation reference plane by the determining means, the moving amount of the specific position corresponding to the moving amount of the operating position by the moving means, the wrist is Control means for controlling the operation reference surface to be smaller than when it is determined that the operation reference surface is not in contact with the operation reference surface. 2. When the determination means determines that the wrist is in contact with the operation reference plane, the determination means further determines whether the wrist is moving on the operation reference plane. By the means, when it is determined that the wrist has not moved on the operation reference plane, the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to the movement amount of the operation position by the moving means, the wrist has moved on the operation reference plane The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device is controlled to be smaller than when it is determined that the pointing device is present. 3. The moving means moves the operation position by moving an object to be operated, and the determining means determines that the wrist is moving when the wrist is moving on an operation reference plane. The control unit further determines whether the wrist is moving together with the operated object. If the determination unit determines that the wrist is not moved together with the operated object, the control unit moves the operation position by the moving unit. The pointing device according to claim 2, wherein the movement amount of the specific position corresponding to (i) is controlled so as to be smaller than when it is determined that the wrist is moving together with the operated object. 4. A first moving means for moving a specific position displayed on the display means by moving a mouse ball, and a specific position displayed on the display means is displayed on at least one of the main body and the operation reference plane. Second moving means for moving by relatively moving; determining means for determining whether the main body is lifted; and determining that the main body is not lifted by the determining means, The position is controlled based on the amount of movement of the mouse ball by the first moving means. If the judging means judges that the main body is lifted, the specific position is controlled by the main body and the operation by the second moving means. Control means for controlling based on at least one relative movement amount of the reference plane. 5. The control unit controls the specific position based on the relative movement amount when controlling the specific position based on the relative movement amount.
5. The mouse device according to claim 4, wherein control is performed such that a movement amount of the specific position is increased. 6. A plurality of mouse balls provided at a plurality of positions of a main body, a moving means for moving a specific position displayed on a display means by moving the mouse ball, and any one of the plurality of mouse balls. Detecting whether the main body is moving, and detecting the inclination of the main body; and detecting the magnitude of the moving amount of the specific position corresponding to the moving amount of the mouse ball by the moving unit. A mouse device comprising: command means for determining and giving a command according to the tilt state of the main body. 7. A plurality of mouse balls arranged at a plurality of positions of a main body, a detecting means for detecting a moving amount of the plurality of mouse balls, and a moving amount of the plurality of mouse balls detected by the detecting means. And a calculating means for calculating a moving amount of a predetermined index portion of the main body as a moving amount corresponding to the moving amount of the specific position displayed on the display means. 8. A plurality of mouse balls, including a specific mouse ball for moving a specific position displayed on the display means, arranged at a plurality of positions of the main body, and detecting a movement amount of the plurality of mouse balls. Detecting means; calculating means for calculating a turning radius of the main body based on the moving amounts of the plurality of mouse balls detected by the detecting means; moving amount at a specific position corresponding to the moving amount of the specific mouse ball And a control means for controlling the amount to be determined by the turning radius calculated by the calculation means. 9. Detecting a plurality of mouse balls, including a specific mouse ball for moving a specific position displayed on the display means, arranged at a plurality of positions of the main body, and detecting a movement amount of the plurality of mouse balls. Detecting means; calculating means for calculating a turning radius of the main body based on the movement amounts of the plurality of mouse balls detected by the detecting means; and And a correcting means for correcting the locus of the specific position corresponding to the locus whose curvature of the mouse ball is less than a predetermined value to be a straight line.