JP2001290587A - Track pad device able to be clicked - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To do dragging operation and clicking operation with a natural operation feeling. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a support material 53 which supports a track pad 51 and a click switch 52 which turns on by the movement of the support material 53, and one end of the support material 53 is fixed to a part of the outer periphery of the track pad 51 while the other end of the support member 53 is movable to below the track pad 51. When a pressing force is applied to the track pad 51, the support material 53 moves down around one end of the support material 53 as a fulcrum to turn on the click switch 51, and the pressing force is ceased, the support material 53 returns to its original position, thus constituting the track pad device 5 which is able to be clicked.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a track pad device used for a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a trackpad which is currently mainstream is of a type in which a click switch is independent. The operation is performed by sliding a trackpad with an index finger to move a pointer and turning on the click switch with a thumb. Therefore, when dragging, such as drawing or copying a file, the operation is far from the sensation of the mouse, and the operation is awkward.

[0003] Other types of trackpads include a type in which a pressure-sensitive element is sandwiched between trackpad surfaces and a tapping operation is considered as clicking. In this operation, the finger moves momentarily away from the trackpad surface at the time of the click, so that the click point is shifted and it is difficult to perform an accurate click. In addition, the trackpad placed in front of the keyboard of the notebook computer touches the back of the hand (particularly around the base of the thumb) during key operation, or the key touch vibrates, causing the personal computer to click. Erroneously, and an unexpected operation result may be caused.

[0004]

<A> The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and enables a drag operation and a click operation to be performed with a natural operation feeling. <B> Further, the present invention enables a drag operation and a click operation to be performed with one finger.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a support member for supporting a track pad and applying a force so as to be held at a predetermined position; A click switch that is turned on by movement of the material, wherein when a pressing force is applied to the track pad, the click switch is turned on, and when the pressing force is released, the support material returns to the original position. A possible trackpad device, or a support member that supports the trackpad, and a click switch that is turned on by movement of the support member, one end of the support member is fixed to a part of the outer periphery of the trackpad, and The other part of the material can be moved below the track pad, and when a pressing force is applied to the track pad, the support material moves downward with one end of the support material as a fulcrum and clicks. Turns on the pitch, when releasing the pressing force, the support member, characterized in that the return to the original position, and clickable track pad apparatus.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<A> Track Pad Device The track pad device 5 includes a track pad 51 and a click switch 52 used in the personal computer 1.
And is arranged on the same surface as the keyboard 2 of the personal computer 1 as shown in FIG. In this example, the trackpad device 5 is disposed at the center of the armrest 4 in front of the keyboard 2 so that the surface of the armrest 4 and the surface of the trackpad 51 substantially match. FIG.
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the portion of the track pad device 5 of FIG.

<B> Supporting Material The track pad device 5 includes a supporting material 53 for supporting the track pad 51. One end of the support member 53 is fixed to the housing of the personal computer 1. In FIG. 1B, one end on the right side of the support member 53 is fixed on the lower surface in front of the armrest 4 (operator side of the personal computer).

[0009] The support member 53 is configured such that, when the other portion is pressed downward (in a direction away from the surface of the armrest) with the portion fixed by the armrest 4 as a fulcrum 56, the other portion moves downward. Are located. The support member is given a force so as to be held at a predetermined position, and has a property of returning to the original position when the pressing force is released. For this purpose, for example, the support member 53 may be made of an elastic material, or an elastic member such as a spring may be attached to the support material 53. Thereby, even if the track pad 51 is pressed strongly downward (in the direction of the inside of the personal computer), the same operation as when the support material 53 is pressed downward occurs.

In FIG. 1B, the support member 53 has a button portion 54 surrounding the track pad 51 and disposed between the track pad 51 and the armrest 4. The button portion 54 can fix the horizontal movement of the track pad. When the button portion 54 is pressed downward, the support member 5 can be pressed without pressing the track pad 51.
3 can be pushed down.

In order to prevent portions other than the fulcrum 56 of the support member 53 from moving downward too much, and to keep the stroke depth constant, a holding claw 41 is provided. Hold down nail 41
No matter where it is attached, it is sufficient that the downward movement of the other part of the support member 53 is limited. In FIG. It is attached to suppress movement.

A cable 58 for transmitting a signal from the track pad 51 to the personal computer 1 passes through a wiring hole 57 formed in the support member 53. The cable 58
It is separated from the support member 53 and is connected to the printed circuit board 3 on which electric components of the computer 1 arranged below are arranged. The support member 53 is made of a resin such as plastic, and can use its elasticity. Further, the button portion 54 and the internal protrusion 55 can be integrally formed.

<C> Click Switch The click switch 52 is a switch for clicking when the personal computer 1 is used. The click switch 52 is arranged such that when the support member 53 is moved downward, the click switch 52 is turned on. FIG.
In (b), the click switch 52 is connected to the printed circuit board 3.
Are located in An internal protrusion 55 is provided on the lower surface of the support member 53 to facilitate turning on the click switch 52.

<D> Example of Using Track Pad Device The movement of the pointer is traced with a forefinger or the like in the same manner as when the normal track pad 51 is used. At the time of clicking, the finger is pressed down for a moment without releasing the finger from the track pad 51. At the time of pressing, the track pad 51 may be kept pressed down with a finger. When dragging, hold down the trackpad surface with your finger and trace the surface.

At the time of a click, the support member 53 moves downward around the fulcrum 56, and the click switch 52 is turned on. The pressing force gives a force to turn on the click switch 52 to the track pad. In the case of only dragging, the finger is moved on the track pad 51 so that the click switch 52 is not turned on.

As described above, the drag operation can be performed with only one finger, and a natural operation feeling close to a one-button mouse can be obtained. Also, the depth is limited to the trackpad portion as compared to the form in which the button and the trackpad are independent.

[0017]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. <A> According to the present invention, a drag operation and a click operation can be performed with a natural operation feeling. <B> In the present invention, a drag operation and a click operation can be performed with one finger. <C> In the present invention, a drag operation can be performed with only one finger, and a natural operation feeling close to a one-button mouse can be obtained. <D> Also, in the present invention, the depth is only the track pad portion as compared with a type in which the button and the track pad are independent.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a clickable trackpad device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer 2 ... Keyboard 3 ... Printed circuit board 4 ... Armrest 41 ... Hold down nail 5 ... Trackpad device 51 ... Trackpad 52 ... Click switch 53 ... Supporting material 54 ..Button part 55..Inner protrusion 56..Support point 57..Wiring hole 58..Cable

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A track pad comprising: a support member that supports a track pad and is provided with a force so as to be held at a predetermined position; and a click switch that is turned on by movement of the support member. The clickable track pad device is characterized in that a click switch is turned on when a button is provided, and when the pressing force is released, the support member returns to its original position.