JP2001109573A - Pointing device capable of being operated in all directions or in low-gravity environment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointing device which can be operated in all directions of 360 deg. and manufactured with ease, are excellently mass-produced, made low- priced, and good in operability, and contributes to an increase in efficiency as a pointing device (position input device with a rotating spherical body) which is connected to a computer and uses a spherical body making an indication by moving a mark displayed as an image. SOLUTION: A spherical body is restrained by a known detecting device and an elastic body which is represented by a spring, etc., and not affected by gravity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for enabling a pointing device function using a sphere to be operated in all directions or a low gravity environment, and to a device for improving workability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, a conventional pointing device using a sphere has a structure in which the amount of rotational movement of the sphere is detected depending on the weight of the sphere. Therefore, the weight of the sphere at an angle from the vertical direction to the supine direction is reduced. It does not work because it is not accurately transmitted to the device that detects or detects the rotation of the sphere. Second, there is no structure that functions to restrict the sphere stored in the housing in a three-dimensional direction and function. Third, the operation is interrupted by the pointer movement and the click operation. Fourth, among the pointing devices that use spheres, mice require a generally flat surface that pairs with the sphere. Does not fulfill the function depending on the shape. There is no pointing device that uses a sphere with a simple structure that satisfies the first to fourth requirements with a simple structure.

[0003]

A first object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device using a sphere having a simple structure which operates in all directions of 360 degrees regardless of the weight of the sphere (including a pseudo sphere). The second problem is that writing or drawing work such as drafting, painting, writing, etc., used a writing tool before a computer, but when using a computer to operate CAD / CG, etc., which performs the same work, pointing using a sphere is used. The traditional handwriting operation using the device could not be performed. In school children, a mouse is a typical means of replacing writing on a computer.
There was no writing operability device having a simple structure such as drawing. Providing these devices with excellent writing operability. Third, there has been no pointing device that uses a simple sphere that functions from the vertical direction to the supine direction without using an assisting tool for bedridden operators such as the elderly and the physically handicapped.
Providing these devices with excellent operability. A fourth problem is that a pointing device using a sphere moves and moves a pointer.
It is a device that passes commands to the computer by stopping and clicking, but if you are unfamiliar with the operation, moving and stopping the pointer on the screen (moving the moving distance 0) is a series of operations, but the operation is interrupted when you click Poor operability. Provision of a device that enables a series of operability as much as possible. Fifth, to provide a pointing device that uses a sphere having the same operability even when operated with either the left or right hand.

[0004]

The first means holds the position of a sphere by using a restoring force of an elastic body not influenced by gravity, such as a spring, so that the sphere can be used in a 360-degree direction. The second means is to provide a switch acting on a vector in the direction of the center axis of the housing so as not to hinder the operation of gripping the writing instrument, and to depress it in the center axis direction of the housing (for example, to apply a force on the axis. Operation to put pressure on the pen tip) to secure the operation result equivalent to a click. The third means copes with a simple method without using a complicated structure using a rotation correction device so that a general mouse operation can be performed with either the left or right hand.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides a three-dimensional sphere by using a restoring force of an elastic part which is not influenced by gravity, such as one or a plurality of springs, in a 360-degree direction. The result of calculation by transmitting the movement distance of the surface to the rotation of the sphere is transmitted to the computer. In order to improve operability, a device that detects clicks is attached on the center axis of the housing in addition to the normal click buttons.

[0006] The central axis in the longitudinal direction of the housing is called the central axis. When simply referred to as the central axis, it refers to the central axis of the housing.
The plane refers to a plane perpendicular to the central axis or a plane that is not a plane. The direction in which the sphere contacts a flat or non-planar surface is called downward. A spring refers to an elastic body that is not affected by gravity, such as a spring. A rotor is a device that has the function of transmitting the rotation of a sphere-like solid to a calculation unit, and a contact type or non-contact type is known depending on the method, but a device that decomposes the rotation of a sphere into a vector in the orthogonal direction. Say A roller with a spring refers to a roller having a function of pressing a sphere by using a restoring force of an elastic body which is not influenced by gravity represented by a spring or the like. Bezel refers to a device that can be stopped at any angle.

The position of the sphere is held in a planar direction by the rotor 5, the rotor 6, and the spring-loaded roller 7, or by a plurality of spring-loaded rollers 7. Zero, one, or a plurality of different spheres are suppressed in the downward direction of the central axis 1 by a spring 8 provided at a position where the vector acts in the direction of the central axis 1. As described above, the orientation in the 360-degree direction is dealt with. FIG.
Shows the above contents as a schematic diagram.

A switch 9 for detecting or detecting pressing by a vector in the central axis 1 direction is added. When the sphere 3 moves in the plane direction, the upward vector on the center axis 1 of the sphere 3 is not transmitted to the switch 9 due to the elastic force of the spring 8.
Only the rotation is transmitted to the rotor 5. The switch 9 presses the bottom plate 14 when the upward vector pressing the sphere 3 is determined by determining the position of the sphere in the plane direction. At this time, the vector in the direction of the central axis 1 passes through the center of gravity of the sphere 3 and the sphere 4, and does not physically rotate.

The function of 0007 and the switch 9 make it possible to substitute the button of a one-button mouse, and the buttonless mouse is obtained.

In order to cope with the mouse function of a plurality of buttons, one or a plurality of switches 13 are arranged on the side surface of the housing in a direction parallel to the central axis 1 so as to be symmetrical from either left or right.

At this time, first, the operation can be performed by either the right or left hand, and second, the position of the switch 13 on the side of the housing and the plane position of the switch 13 and the holder 18 at the time of operation in the moving direction of the sphere depend on the size of the finger. A shift occurs due to the difference.
In order to ensure operability other than general operability such as operating the housing upside down, a bezel 12 is added to provide a device for correcting individual deviation. FIG. 4 shows the bezel 1 of the holder 18.
2 shows a view of No. 2 from above. FIG. 5 shows the bezel 1 on the detection unit side.
2 is shown.

A device 5 for detecting and detecting the result of transmitting an arbitrary movement on a plane to the rotation of one or more spheres,
A rotating rotor type, an optical type, and other known methods are used.
As the device 16 for transmitting the result of detection and detection to the computer as described above, a wired type, a wireless type such as radio waves and infrared rays, or other known methods are used.

The function of holding the sphere 4 is as follows.
And the reclining force of the spring 8, the supine direction functions even in a low gravity or weightless environment such as underwater or outer space. When the number of spheres is one, a known XY arrangement of rotors is used. However, in a combination of an even number of spheres, the signs are reversed because the spheres rotate in the opposite direction.
This correspondence is sufficient if the positions of the rotor 5 and the rotor 6 are arranged in the positive and negative directions of rotation, or processing is performed by an arithmetic unit interlocked with the rotor 5 and the rotor 6. The arbitrary trajectory of the plane is decomposed in the X and Y directions by the rotation of the sphere and is synthesized by the calculation unit, but the arbitrary trajectory of the three-dimensional surface is decomposed in the X and Y directions in addition to the above. If the larger value of each of the rotations is adopted, the value in the Z direction can be obtained, and the trajectory in the three-dimensional space can be secured with a simple structure. By providing a well-known waterproof ring or the like at the connection portion of the housing 15 or the plurality of sphere contact portions, it becomes possible to be waterproof during rainfall or underwater operation.

[0014]

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, 18 is a holder unit, 19 is a detection unit and a calculation unit, 20 is a transmission unit, and 21 is a power supply unit. The portions 20 and 21 need only function, so they may be located anywhere, and may be omitted depending on the application.

FIG. 6 is a sketch drawing showing a state in which a known sphere used for a mouse is inclined at an angle of about 30 degrees.

The holder 18 serves as a guide for holding the sphere 3 on the central axis 1 and does not move in a plane in the housing 15. In addition, a structure is adopted in which zero, one, a plurality of spheres or other devices stored in the housing 15 do not easily fall off.

It is preferable to use a well-known smooth material for smoothly sliding the sphere or a well-known roller device for smoothly rotating the sphere for the entire holder portion 18 or the portions 10 and 11 which come into contact with the sphere 3. This does not apply when it is physically impossible due to the size of the above or when alternative means are available.

The positional relationship between the plurality of switches 13 and the like positioned longitudinally in the direction of the central axis 1 on the outer surface of the housing 15 and the plane perpendicular to the long axis of the sphere 3 or other device for preventing the holder from falling off is determined by the user. May vary depending on the body dimensions and the way of handling the housing. A device 12 capable of arbitrarily fixing the plane angle in order to correct the above angle is provided. However, in the case where it is physically impossible due to the size of the entire housing 15 or when alternative means are obtained, this is not the case. Not.

The position of one or a plurality of spheres stored in the housing 15 is on the central axis 1 in the case of one, and the spheres are in contact with each other in order to transmit mutual rotation in the case of a plurality. And approximately on the central axis 1.

The sphere 3 has a plane 2 or a plane 2
Any movement above is detected directly. When there is no other sphere in the direction of the central axis 1, the rotation is directly transmitted to the device 5 or 6 for detecting or detecting the rotation of the sphere. Central axis 1
When another sphere 4 or the like exists in the direction, it has a role of holding the position of the other sphere on the central axis 1 by the repulsive force of the spring 9.

The detecting or detecting device 5 is fixed to the housing by a bottom plate 14 fixed to the housing 15 or a portion having a function equivalent thereto. The detection / detection device is free to move only in the direction of the central axis 1 and moves 24 in FIG.
Although a means for restraining the movement in the plane direction such as described above is used, it is not limited to the case where it is physically impossible due to the size of the entire housing or the case where an alternative means is obtained.

The rotation of the sphere 3 is transmitted directly to a known sensing or detection device 5 or 6 if no other spheres are present. If another sphere exists, the rotation of the sphere 3 is transmitted to the device 5 or 6 fixed to the housing 15 via the rotation of the other sphere 4.

The switch 9 is separated by a spring 8 except when it is pressed. As the switch used by the switch 9 or 13 corresponding to the click operation when the entire housing 15 is pressed below the center axis 1, a known device such as an on / off switch, a pressure-sensitive switch, and a pen pressure detection switch is used.

The device 5 and the device 6 for detecting / detecting the rotation of the sphere 3 at the portion 19, the spring-loaded roller 7, or the plurality of spring-loaded rollers 7 have a role of preventing the sphere from dropping or moving in a plane direction.

The sphere is held in the central axis direction by the action of the holding device in the plane direction of 0024 and the spring 8 acting on the central axis 1 of the 0023.

Due to the combination of the rotor 5 and the rotor 6 or the spring-loaded roller 7 or the plurality of spring-loaded rollers 7 and the vector on the central axis, which restrict the plane direction, the sphere can move the housing vertically or supine or in a low gravity environment or the like. , The camera can be used in the 360-degree direction.

The bottom plate 9 serves to press a switch that functions in the direction of the central axis. The hollow pipe-like portion 22 that holds the spring 8 prevents the switch that functions in the central axis direction from hitting the bottom and also functions as a barrier against damage to the sensor unit when the housing falls. This does not apply when it is physically impossible due to the size of the entire housing or when alternative means are available.

A fixing member 23 such as a screw for fixing the spring 8 and the hollow pipe-like portion 22 has a role of adjusting a stroke until the on / off of the switch 9 functioning in the direction of the central axis 1 functions.

[0029]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects.

The present invention provides a new pointing device that can be used in a 360-degree direction so that a computer can be operated in the same manner as a conventional mouse, regardless of a smooth surface or desk work.

Provide a familiar computer operation in a low gravity environment.

With a simple structure enabling a 360-degree writing-like housing, operability of calligraphy, painting, and the like that require creative consciousness is improved. This creates a new market in the computer industry where writing operations were difficult to achieve.

For the computer peripherals manufacturing industry, where ideas have been exhausted, the addition of new functions in addition to known devices creates new industrial fields.

A writing instrument-shaped input device represented by a tablet has a complicated structure and cannot be manufactured at low cost. However, it is easy to manufacture, mass-produce, and lower the cost by partially improving and combining known devices. It has good operability and contributes to efficiency UP.

In school children, the input operation of a pointing device using a sphere with the palm down can be operated like a writing instrument.

In order to improve the operation of holding the writing instrument, a switch for capturing a vector acting in the direction of the center axis of the housing is provided, and an operation equivalent to a click by pressing down (applying a force on the axis) on the center axis of the housing can be secured. A buttonless pointing device is born.

Common operability can be obtained with either the left or right hand.

A pointing device using a sphere is
Although it is used as a pair with a relatively flat surface due to the structure of its housing and cannot be separated from gravity, the present invention is structurally and geometrically one-piece.
Contact is possible only at points. Any surface other than a perforated hole-like space that produces sufficient friction to rotate the sphere and hinders the rotation of the sphere functions.

By using software for synthesizing XYZ axes, three-dimensional measurement can be performed with a simple structure in other industries.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the entire apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a vector holding a sphere.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a rotor 5 and a rotor 6 and a spring-loaded roller 7 for holding a sphere in a plane in a "device for detecting a result of transmitting a movement distance on a plane to the rotation of a sphere" in a direction of a central axis from below the base. It is CC sectional drawing which shows the Example.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of the embodiment when the angle correction device 12 is viewed from above the holder unit 18.

FIG. 5 is a BB cross-sectional view showing the embodiment of the angle correction device 12 as viewed from below a detection / detection unit 19.

FIG. 6 is a sketch drawing showing an embodiment inclined at an angle of about 30 degrees.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the detection / detection unit is viewed from above. This is an embodiment of a switch 9 provided in the center axis direction shown in FIG. 3, a spring having a downward holding force in the center axis direction, a cylindrical device for protecting the bottom contact, and the like. .

8 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E of the embodiment showing the bottom plate for pressing the switch shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an external front view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an external side view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an external rear view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Central axis 2 Surface with which sphere contacts 3 Sphere 3 4 Sphere 4 5 Rotor. A device that transmits the rotation of the sphere to the detection unit 6 Rotor. A device for transmitting the rotation of the sphere to the detection unit 7 A roller with a spring 8 A spring 9 A switch that functions in the direction of the central axis 10 A claw of a holder 11 A claw of a holder 12 A bezel. A device that can be stopped at any angle. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Switch 14 Bottom plate 15 Case 16 Detecting or detecting device 17 Power supply unit 18 Holder unit 19 Detecting or detecting device 20 Transmitting unit 21 Power supply unit 22 Hollow pipe 23 Screw 24 Cut

Claims (5)

[Claims] A function for transmitting an arbitrary trajectory to a computer by using a rotation of a sphere or a pseudo sphere (a device such as a mouse or a trackball); A device having a structure characterized in that measurement of a continuous surface or a discontinuous surface in a three-dimensional space can be performed in all directions or in a low-gravity environment, etc., regardless of the direction of an axis used by a housing; and Production method. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a switch corresponding to a vector action line in the direction of the central axis is depressed so that an operation equivalent to a click having one or more buttons to be clicked can be substituted. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein there is one or more. 3. The angle correction device according to claim 2, wherein common operability is enabled with either of the right and left hands. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the sphere or the pseudo sphere is measured for an X-direction component, a Y-direction component, and a Z-direction component. 5. The method of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4.
Parts or devices necessary for constructing the device and a manufacturing method.