JP2001142636A - Mouse and computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mouse that is excellent in operability. SOLUTION: This mouse has a pressure sensor 11 detecting that the mouse is lifted from a mouse pad surface. The sensor 11 is provided on the bottom face of the mouse, i.e., the face that is brought into contact with the mouse pad surface. This computer can execute specific processing when the mouse is lifted because the sensor 11 detects that the mouse is lifted and sends the detection results to the computer to which the mouse is connected. That is, the computer can perform processing that is different from the processing performed usually at the time when one of the buttons of the mouse is operated. Thus, the mouse can be effectively utilized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mouse used as an input device of a computer or the like, and more particularly to a technique for improving the operability of the mouse.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A mouse is widely used as an input device of a computer. The mouse includes a freely movable ball, an X-direction movement detector that detects the amount of movement of the ball in the X-axis direction, and a Y that detects the amount of movement of the ball in the Y-axis direction.
A direction movement detection unit, a left click detection unit that detects pressing of a left click button, a right click detection unit that detects pressing of a right click button, and an interface unit that controls transmission of data to the host computer. I have.

[0003] In general, a mouse is used by placing a mouse cursor on a selection button or an icon of a menu displayed on a display device of a computer and pressing a left click button or a right click button. Further, a different process may be executed by changing the way of pressing the left click button (for example, double click or triple click).

[0004]

The mouse has a feature that a beginner can easily use the mouse because the mouse pointer can be easily moved and positioned. In addition, since the number of buttons is limited, there is also a feature that an operation error hardly occurs.

Recently, a mouse provided with a scroll button for scrolling a screen between both click buttons, and a mouse provided with three or more click buttons have been sold.

However, since the conventional mouse can only move and operate the buttons on the two-dimensional plane, there is a problem that the number of processes that can be selected and instructed by the mouse is limited. Therefore, in order to select a large number of processes with the mouse, the number of processes to be selected at one time must be limited by making the selection menu screen a hierarchical structure, and the desired process cannot be quickly selected. There was a problem.

Also, by changing the operation method of the mouse,
Although the number of selectable processes can be increased, there is also a problem that it is difficult for a person who is not used to operating a mouse to perform a double click or a triple click.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mouse and a computer having excellent operability.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a moving direction of a mouse pointer displayed on a display device of a computer device is designated, and the processing of the computer device is performed. The mouse to be selected is provided with a floating detecting means for detecting whether or not the mouse is lifted from the mouse pad surface.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the mouse is lifted from the mouse pad surface, it is possible to specify to execute some specific processing, and the mouse can be effectively used.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the pressure sensor detects whether or not the mouse has been lifted, a small mouse can be realized at low cost.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the detection is performed up to the direction in which the mouse is lifted, different processing can be executed for each direction in which the mouse is lifted.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the direction in which the mouse is lifted is detected by the acceleration sensor or the angular velocity sensor, the direction can be detected with extremely high accuracy.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the operation of lifting the mouse is performed, a process different from a normal button operation can be executed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the operation of lifting the mouse is performed, the same processing as the processing of simultaneously pressing a plurality of keys is performed, so that the burden on the user is reduced.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when the direction of lifting the mouse is changed, the direction of scrolling is changed. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a button dedicated to scrolling, and the cost of the mouse can be reduced.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a mouse according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) The mouse according to the first embodiment is characterized in that it is detected that the mouse is lifted above the mouse pad surface.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the mouse according to the first embodiment. The mouse shown in FIG. 1 has a ball 1 that can move freely on a two-dimensional plane, like a conventional mouse.
And rollers 2x and 2y arranged in two axial directions orthogonal to each other and rotating in accordance with the rotation of the ball 1, an encoder 3 attached to the rotating shaft of the roller 2x and detecting the moving amount of the ball 1 in the X-axis direction. An encoder 4 attached to the rotating shaft of the roller 2y for detecting the amount of movement of the ball 1 in the Y-axis direction, a left-click detecting section 5 for detecting pressing of a left-click button, and a right-click for detecting pressing of a right-click button. A detection unit 6 and an interface unit 7 for transmitting detection signals from the encoders 3 and 4 and both click detection units 5 and 6 to a host computer (not shown) are provided.

The encoders 3 and 4 have an encoder plate 8 in which a plurality of slits are formed at equal intervals, and a light projecting element 9 and a light receiving element 10 arranged on both sides of the encoder plate 8. The light projected from the light emitting element 9 passes through a slit (not shown) of the encoder plate 8 and passes through the light receiving element 10.
Is received by the The light receiving element 10 receives or does not receive light from the light projecting element 9 depending on the presence or absence of the slit of the encoder plate 8. Therefore, by counting the number of times light is received, the amount of rotation of the encoders 3 and 4 and thus the amount of movement of the ball 1 can be detected.

In addition, the mouse shown in FIG. 1 has a pressure sensor 11 for detecting that the mouse is lifted from the mouse pad surface.
Is characterized by having The pressure sensor 11 is provided on the bottom surface of the mouse, that is, on the surface in contact with the mouse pad surface.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the pressure sensor 11. The pressure sensor 11 of FIG.
4 is formed on the bottom surface 5 of the mouse.
0 is fixed via an adhesive 22.

The pressure sensor 11 shown in FIG. 2 utilizes the phenomenon that when a force is applied to a semiconductor crystal from the outside, the crystal is distorted, the mobility of carriers changes, and the electric resistance of the crystal changes. Such a phenomenon is called a piezoresistance effect.

Assuming that the piezoresistance coefficient is k, the force applied from the outside is P, the resistivity is ρ, the resistance value is R, and the gauge constant is G, the relationship of equation (1) holds.

ΔR / R = (Δρ / ρ) kP = G · ε (1) FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the pressure sensor 11 of FIG. The four diffused resistors R1 to R4 on the Si diaphragm 21 constitute a resistor bridge circuit 23. Resistance bridge circuit 2
3 while the input voltage Vin is applied between the terminals a and b, the output voltage Vout is applied between the terminals c and d of the resistance bridge circuit 23.
Take out.

When pressure is applied in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, the resistance of each resistor constituting the resistance bridge circuit 23 changes. If the resistances R1 and R3 change by (+ ΔR), respectively, and the resistances R2 and R4 change by (−ΔR), the relationship of the expression (2) is established between the input and output voltages Vin and Vout.

Vout / Vin = ΔR / R (2) Since a linear relationship is established between the pressure applied to the diaphragm 21 and the resistivity, the pressure is detected by detecting the output voltage Vout. be able to.

Since the pressure sensor 11 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the bottom of the mouse, when the user lifts the mouse,
The pressure detected by the pressure sensor 11 changes. The pressure detection signal of the pressure sensor 11 is transmitted to a host computer (not shown) via the interface unit 7 together with the output signals of the left and right click detection units 6 and 7 and the detection signals of the encoders 3 and 4.

Upon receiving a signal indicating that the mouse has been lifted from the mouse pad surface, the host computer executes a predetermined process.

The execution of the processing may be started at the time when the mouse is lifted off the mouse pad surface, or when the mouse is lifted off the mouse pad surface and then lowered again on the mouse pad surface. It may be a starting point.

The type of processing to be performed when the mouse is lifted from the mouse pad surface is not particularly limited. However, processing different from the processing performed when the left or click button is pressed is assigned. Is desirable. In particular, in order to prevent a user's operation error, it is desirable to assign an intuitively understandable process. For example, when a plurality of window screens are displayed, a function of switching between windows by lifting the mouse from the mouse pad surface can be considered.

Further, the processing which has conventionally been instructed by simultaneously operating a plurality of keys may be instructed by lifting the mouse from the mouse pad surface. More specifically, execution of a process of starting the Japanese input system, a process of opening and closing a window screen, a process of changing the size of a window screen, and the like may be instructed by an operation of lifting the mouse from the mouse pad surface.

Furthermore, the operation of lifting the mouse from the surface of the mouse pad can be executed without much force, and the operation does not take much time. Therefore, processing that is frequently used in a game or the like and agility in operation are required. It can also be used to instruct processing to be performed.

The position where the pressure sensor 11 is provided is desirably at a position along the longitudinal center line of the mouse as shown by the dashed line in FIG. One of the reasons is that the mouse can be judged to be lifted from the mouse pad surface not only when lifting the entire bottom of the mouse from the mouse pad surface but also when lifting only the right or left side of the mouse from the mouse pad surface. That's why. Another reason is that the pressure sensor 1 is located at a position deviated from the center line in FIG.
This is because, when 1 is provided, there is a difference in the detection capability of the pressure sensor 11 when the mouse is tilted to the right and when the mouse is tilted to the left.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the pressure sensor 11 is provided on the bottom surface of the mouse, and the pressure sensor 11
The computer detects that the mouse has been lifted, and transmits the detection result to the computer connected to the mouse.
Specific processing can be performed. That is, a process different from the process performed when a mouse button is operated can be performed. Thereby, the mouse can be effectively used.

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment, an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor (gyro) is provided in a mouse in place of the pressure sensor 11, so that the mouse can be detected up to the lifting direction. is there.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the mouse according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The mouse of FIG. 5 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1 except that the mouse has an acceleration sensor 31 instead of the pressure sensor 11.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the acceleration sensor 31 of FIG. The acceleration sensor 31 shown in FIG. 5 includes a fixed support column 32 provided at a central portion and a weight 33 provided at a peripheral portion.
And four beams 34 that support the fixed column 32 and the weight 33, and can detect acceleration in three axial directions.

If the mass of the weight 33 in FIG. 6 is m, the spring constant of the beam 34 is k, and the viscous damping constant of the damper is rf, an acceleration a is applied to the weight 33.
Works, and the weight 33 is displaced in the direction in which the beam 34 is extended.

In the steady state, the weight 33 stops when the inertia force ma and the restoring force kx of the spring are displaced by a distance x = ma / k. The displacement x of the beam 34 in a predetermined direction is
It is represented by x = ma / k.

The acceleration sensor 31 shown in FIG.
The weight 33 is supported, and acceleration in the three axial directions can be detected by detecting a change in stress generated in the beam 34 due to the displacement of the weight 33 by a piezoresistance effect.

The mouse shown in FIG. 5 uses an acceleration sensor 31 to detect in which direction the mouse is lifted from the mouse pad surface. In the case of the first embodiment, it is only possible to determine whether or not the mouse has been lifted. However, if the three-axis direction acceleration sensor 31 is provided as in the second embodiment, the mouse is lifted in which direction and at what speed. Can be detected.

That is, in the second embodiment, three-dimensional position detection can be performed using a mouse that can only detect two-dimensional positions. For this reason, it becomes possible to substitute a joystick.

However, when the mouse is operated while floating from the mouse pad surface, there is no reference position.
Accurate positioning is difficult, and it is easy to cause erroneous operation. Therefore, it is desirable to set a certain error range to limit the direction in which the position is detected. For example, it is conceivable to detect two directions, that is, when the mouse is moved forward and backward and when the mouse is moved left and right.

When the acceleration sensor 31 is used so that the left side and the right side can be accurately distinguished, the scroll direction can be switched between when the mouse is tilted to the right and when the mouse is tilted to the left.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing a predetermined event (for example, activation of a specific application software) when the mouse having the built-in acceleration sensor 31 is tilted left and right by a predetermined angle or more. is there.

First, it is determined whether or not the acceleration sensor 31 detects a tilt of the mouse in the left-right direction (step S1). When the inclination is detected, it is determined whether the inclination angle θ has exceeded the first reference angle θ1 (FIG. 8A) in the left direction (step S2). This first reference angle θ1
Is a reference angle for judging inclination to the left. If the inclination angle θ exceeds the first reference angle θ1, the predetermined first angle
Is executed (step S3).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S2 is NO, the inclination angle θ is shifted rightward to the second reference angle θ2 (FIG. 8).
It is determined whether (b)) has been exceeded (step S4).
The second reference angle θ2 is a reference angle for determining the rightward inclination. If the inclination angle θ exceeds the second reference angle θ2, a predetermined second event is executed (step S5).

If the determination in step S1 or S4 is NO, the process from step S1 is repeated.

The first and second events may be the same type of event or different types of event.
Further, these events may be arbitrarily set and changed according to a user's instruction.

Further, the first and second reference angles θ1, θ2
The optimal angle may be set according to the type of the acceleration sensor 31 and the like. However, the first and second reference angles θ
If the value of 1, θ2 is set too small, an event may be started unintentionally and erroneously. Therefore, it is not desirable to set the value too small.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the acceleration sensor 31 is provided inside the mouse, it is possible to accurately detect that the mouse is tilted, and to execute a predetermined event simply by tilting the mouse. can do.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as when two or more operation buttons are newly provided in the conventional mouse can be obtained. This is effective when a large number of operation buttons are required. By using the mouse of the second embodiment, the same operation can be performed without using a large and expensive input device such as a joystick, so that the user can enjoy the game easily and comfortably. Become.

It is to be noted that, instead of the acceleration sensor capable of detecting acceleration in three axial directions as shown in FIG.
An acceleration sensor capable of detecting an axial acceleration may be used. When an acceleration sensor that can detect acceleration in one axis direction is used, the same effect as the pressure sensor of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the above-described second embodiment, an example in which the acceleration sensor 31 is used has been described. However, an angular velocity sensor (gyro) may be used instead of the acceleration sensor 31.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of a vibrating gyroscope. The vibrating gyroscope of FIG. 9 has a U-shaped vibrating body 41.
A driving piezoelectric element 42 formed on each of the opposing surfaces of the vibrating body 41, a plate-shaped detecting piece 43 formed at the tip of the vibrating body 41 so as to be orthogonal to the surface of the vibrating body 41, And a detecting piezoelectric element 44 formed on the main surface of the piece 43.

When a driving signal is applied to the driving piezoelectric element 42, the vibrating body 41 bends and vibrates in a direction perpendicular to its main surface, but the detecting piece 43 vibrates in a direction parallel to its main surface. The piezoelectric element for use 44 does not bend. Therefore,
The detecting piezoelectric element 44 does not output a signal.

When the vibrating body 41 rotates about the axis of the vibrating gyroscope in this state, a Coriolis force is generated in a direction orthogonal to the bending vibration of the vibrating body 41. Due to this Coriolis force, the detecting piece 43 bends, and the detecting piezoelectric element 44 also bends. Therefore, by measuring the output signal from the detecting piezoelectric element 44, the applied rotational angular velocity can be detected.

By using a vibrating gyroscope as shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to accurately detect that the mouse has been lifted from the mouse pad surface. Also, when the vibration gyro of FIG. 9 is provided in the mouse, the same processing as in FIG.
A predetermined event can be executed by detecting the tilt of the mouse.

By the way, in the case of the mouse of the first and second embodiments, when the user unintentionally lifts the mouse, there is a possibility that undesired processing may be performed without permission. For this reason, the user may be allowed to arbitrarily change the setting of whether or not to detect that the mouse is lifted.

[0061]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when the mouse is lifted from the mouse pad surface, some specific processing is performed when the mouse is lifted. be able to. In other words, the operation of lifting the mouse is the same as when the mouse button is clicked.
Available as Therefore, the mouse can be effectively used.

In addition, if it is possible to detect the direction in which the mouse is lifted, the operation of lifting the mouse can be performed.
The execution of a plurality of processes can be switched, and the mouse can be used more effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a mouse according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a pressure sensor.

FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the pressure sensor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a bottom surface of a mouse.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a mouse according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of the acceleration sensor of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating execution control of an event using an acceleration sensor.

8A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the mouse is tilted to the left, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the mouse is tilted to the right.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of a vibration gyro.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ball 2x, 2y Roller 3, 4 Encoder 5 Left Click Detector 6 Right Click Detector 7 Interface 8 Encoder Plate 9 Light Emitting Element 10 Light Receiving Element 11 Pressure Sensor 21 Si Diaphragm 22 Adhesive 23 Resistance Bridge Circuit

Claims (7)

[Claims] A floating detection device for indicating a moving direction of a mouse pointer displayed on a display device of a computer device and detecting whether or not the mouse device is lifted from a mouse pad surface in a mouse for selecting a process of the computer device. A mouse comprising means. 2. The mouse according to claim 1, wherein said floating detecting means is a pressure sensor attached to a surface in contact with a mouse pad surface. 3. A floating detecting means for indicating a moving direction of a mouse pointer displayed on a display device of a computer device and detecting a direction lifted from a mouse pad surface in a mouse for selecting a process of the computer device. A mouse comprising: a mouse; 4. The mouse according to claim 3, wherein said floating detecting means is an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor. 5. A computer to which a mouse according to claim 1, wherein a button provided on said mouse is operated when said lifting detection means detects lifting of said mouse. A computer that performs a different process from the case. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the lifting of the mouse is detected by the floating detecting means, the same processing as the processing performed when a plurality of keys are operated at the same time is executed. Computer. 7. The computer to which the mouse according to claim 3 is connected, wherein when the lifting detection means detects the lifting of the mouse, the scroll direction is switched according to the lifting direction of the mouse. A computer characterized by the above-mentioned.