JP2002108556A - Pointer control method and recording medium with its control program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability, and to realize miniaturization by realizing a pointer moving operation, click operation, and drag operation by operating one operating part. SOLUTION: In this pointer control method of a pointing device for moving and controlling a pointer displayed on a screen by a pointer operation corresponding to the inclination of an operating part, a click operation corresponding to the pushing of the operating part, and a drag operation corresponding to the combination of the pushing and inclination of the operating part, the outputs of plural sensors arranged at the pointing device which detect a pressure or displacement when the operating part is pushed are read, and when at least half of the outputs of the sensors is beyond a threshold within a prescribed time, a click ON signal is outputted, and when the outputs of the sensors are returned to an initial value by releasing the operating part, a click OFF signal is outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointer control method for a pointing device used for a personal computer, a portable terminal, a game machine, and the like, which performs a moving operation, a clicking operation, and a dragging operation of a pointer indicating a position on a display, and a method thereof. The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a control program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical pointing device of the related art has a structure in which an operation section for moving a pointer displayed on a display screen and a push button switch provided separately are combined in many cases. There are a mouse type, a stick type, a slide type and the like for easy operation.

In these conventional pointing device control methods, for example, when a moving operation unit is operated in an arbitrary direction, information on a moving direction and a moving amount is output, and a pointer on a display screen moves. By pressing and releasing the push button switch, ON / OFF information of the push button switch is output, and a click operation at the current position of the pointer is performed. Further, a method is employed in which a drag operation is performed by operating a moving operation unit while pressing a push button switch.

[0004]

However, as described above, the conventional pointing device is provided with the pointer moving operation section and the push button switch provided separately, and when the click operation is performed, the operation of pressing the push button switch is performed. When performing a drag operation, it is necessary to operate both the moving operation unit and the push button switch, and the operation of transferring a finger from the moving operation unit to the push button switch or an operation with two fingers must be performed. It was very complicated and inconvenient.

[0005] Therefore, creation of a pointing device having the functions of the conventional moving operation unit and push button switch in one operation unit has been demanded, and at the same time, a method of efficiently controlling the new pointing device has been demanded.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and improves operability by realizing a moving operation, a clicking operation and a dragging operation of a pointer by operating a single operation unit. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a pointer of a pointing device aiming at miniaturization.

That is, the pointing and moving the pointer displayed on the screen by a pointer operation according to the tilt of the operation unit, a click operation by pressing the operation unit, and a drag operation by a combination of the pressing and tilting of the operation unit. A pointer control method for a device, wherein when an operation unit is pushed, an output of a sensor for detecting a pressure or a displacement provided in a plurality of pointing devices is read, and at least half or more of the outputs of the sensor reach a threshold value within a predetermined time. Is exceeded, click ON signal is output, and when the output of the sensor returns to the initial value by releasing the operation unit, click OF
This is a pointer control method for outputting an F signal.

Further, when the pointer operating section is pushed, the outputs of the sensors for detecting pressure or displacement provided in the pointing device are read, and it is determined from the output of the sensor that the operating section has not been pressed for a predetermined time or more. Then, the movement of the pointer is prohibited, and when there is an input to at least one of the plurality of sensors based on the output of the sensor, it is determined that the operation unit is being pressed, and the operation of the plurality of sensors is determined within a predetermined time from the output of the sensor. When at least half of the inputs are input, it is determined that the operation unit is pressed in the vertical direction. When at least half of the outputs of the sensors exceed a threshold value within a predetermined time, a click ON signal is output, and the output of the sensors is output. This is a pointer control method that outputs a click OFF signal when is returned to the initial value and permits the movement of the pointer.

Further, when the operation unit is pushed, the outputs of a plurality of sensors for detecting pressure or displacement provided in the pointing device are read, and it is determined from the output of the sensor that the operation unit has not been pressed for a predetermined time or more. When the movement of the pointer is prohibited and at least one of the plurality of sensors has an input from the output of the sensor, it is determined that the operation unit is pressed, and at least one of the plurality of sensors is determined within a predetermined time from the output of the sensor. When there is an input in more than half, it is determined that the operation unit is pressed in the vertical direction, and when at least half or more of the output of the sensor exceeds a threshold value within a predetermined time, a click ON signal is output, and from the output of the sensor, , At least one of the plurality of sensors continuously after a predetermined time has elapsed.
When there is an input to the individual, it is determined that the operation unit is pressed,
This is a pointer control method for permitting the movement of the pointer, outputting a click OFF signal when the output of the sensor returns to the initial value, and permitting the movement of the pointer.

[0010] Further, when the operation unit is pushed, the output of a sensor for detecting pressure or displacement provided in a plurality of pointing devices is read, and it is determined from the output of the sensor that the operation unit has not been pressed for a predetermined time or more. When the movement of the pointer is prohibited and at least one of the plurality of sensors has an input from the output of the sensor, it is determined that the operation unit is pressed, and at least one of the plurality of sensors is determined within a predetermined time from the output of the sensor. When there is an input in more than half, it is determined that the operation unit is pressed in the vertical direction, and when at least half or more of the output of the sensor exceeds a threshold value within a predetermined time, a click ON signal is output, and from the output of the sensor, , At least one of the plurality of sensors continuously after a predetermined time has elapsed.
When there is an input to the individual, it is determined that the operation unit is pressed,
A pointer control method for permitting the movement of a pointer and outputting a click-off signal when a state in which the operation unit has not been pressed from a sensor output for a predetermined time has elapsed while the movement of the pointer is permitted during the click-on signal. It is.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a control program for executing the pointer control method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the present invention, what kind of operation has been performed on an operation unit of a pointing device is determined based on the output of a sensor for detecting pressure or displacement provided in one operation unit of the pointing device. The present invention relates to a method for controlling a moving operation, a clicking operation, and a drag operation of a pointer displayed on a screen.

A pointing device used to carry out the pointer control method according to the present invention has an operation section and a plurality of pressure-sensitive elements below the operation section, and tilts the operation section by licking and pushes the operation section in the vertical direction. Thus, any device may be used as long as the pressure-sensitive element located in that direction has a function of sensing pressure or displacement.

FIG. 1 shows a typical configuration example of a pointing device used for implementing the pointer control method according to the present invention. Contact substrate 8 having contact electrode 6 on the upper surface
Is provided with a plurality of pressure-sensitive elements 5 on the contact electrode side via a spacer 7, and further thereon,
An operation unit 1 composed of a push button 2 made of resin that comes into contact with a finger, a pusher 3 made of rubber, and a support 4 made of rubber
Is provided around a flexible thin member.

When the edge of the operation section is slid and pushed down, one or two pressure-sensitive elements in the input direction sense the pressure, and the operation is performed based on the difference in the pressure applied to each pressure-sensitive element. When the entire operation unit is vertically pressed to a predetermined pressure or more, the support column 4 is distorted, and three or more of the pressure-sensitive elements sense the pressure, so that the operation unit can be detected. You can know the pushing.

The operation section of the present invention may have any configuration and shape used for a general push button switch. For example, as shown in FIG.
An operation unit having a shape such as a joystick can also be used.

The pressure-sensitive element of the present invention can be used as long as it can detect the magnitude and displacement of the pressure inputted by the pushing and tilting of the operating section and can sense the input to the operating section by the output voltage. For example, a sensor in which a light-emitting element such as an LED and a light-emitting element such as a photodiode or a phototransistor are combined with a pressure-sensitive ink, a pressure-sensitive rubber, a Hall element, a capacitance sensor, or a light-emitting element.

Examples of the present invention will be described below in more detail. By incorporating a pressure-sensitive element, the moving amount and moving speed of the pointer can be changed according to the magnitude and displacement of the pressure applied by tilting the operation unit in any direction. By combining the applied pressures, the moving amount and moving direction of the pointer are finally determined, and the moving operation of the pointer can be controlled.

Hereinafter, the flowchart (1) to FIG.
According to (6), a control method of the click operation / drag operation will be described. Hereinafter, steps 1.0 to 3.1 in parentheses correspond to steps 1.0 to 3.1 in the claims. "Flow chart (1)": Movement of the pointer is permitted (step 1.0), and the output of the sensor is read (step
1.1), it is determined whether there is an input to the sensor, that is, whether or not the sensor is operated. If it is operated, it returns to the beginning. When there is no input to all the sensors, that is, when no operation is performed, the process waits for a state to be maintained for a predetermined time (step 1.2), prohibits the movement of the pointer, and proceeds to (step 1.3).

"Flowchart (2)": It is determined whether or not there is an input to any of the sensors, that is, whether or not the sensor is operated (step 1.4). Proceed to.

"Flowchart (3)": Thereafter, whether or not there is an input to more than half of all sensors within a predetermined time;
In other words, determine whether the operation is vertical
(Step 1.5) When it is determined that the operation is not performed in the vertical direction, the process returns to the operation. When it is determined that the operation is performed in the vertical direction, the operation proceeds to the operation.

"Flowchart (4)": Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a half or more of all sensors have an input of a predetermined value or more within a predetermined time, that is, whether or not a certain amount of operation has been performed in the vertical direction. If it is determined that the operation has not been performed in the direction for a certain amount or more, the process returns to step. If it is determined that the operation has been performed in the vertical direction for a certain amount or more, the same signal as when the click button is pressed is output (step 2.).
0).

"Flowchart (5)": Determines whether any sensor has an input, that is, whether it is operated, and outputs a signal similar to that when the click button is released when not operated. Return to (Step
3.0). When operated, the duration of the operation state is counted. If no operation is made within a predetermined time, the same signal as when the click button is released is output and the process returns to step 3.0. When the operation is being performed, the movement of the pointer is permitted, and the same signal as when the drag operation is performed is output (step 2.1).

"Flowchart (6)": It is determined whether or not there is an input to any of the sensors, that is, whether or not an operation is being performed. When the operation is not performed, it is confirmed that the non-operation state has continued for a predetermined time or more, and the same signal as when the click button is released is output and the process returns to step 3.1.

By incorporating a recording medium in which a program for performing the above-described control is recorded in a pointing device, one pointer can be moved, clicked, and dragged by operating one operation unit.
The pointer control method as described above is realized by a pointer control program, and is provided by being recorded on a recording medium.

[0026]

By using the control method of the present invention, the operation of moving the pointer, the clicking operation, and the dragging operation can be efficiently realized by the operation of one operation unit provided on the pointing device. Comfortable operation becomes possible. Further, since the pointing device has a simple configuration and can be miniaturized, it can be used for small electronic devices and portable electronic devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a typical longitudinal sectional view of a pointing device used to carry out the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view and a longitudinal sectional view of an operation unit of a pointing device used to carry out the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 2 Push button 3 Pusher 4 Prop 5 Pressure sensitive element 6 Contact electrode 7 Spacer 8 Contact board

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pointing device for moving and controlling a pointer displayed on a screen by a pointer operation according to a tilt of an operation unit, a click operation by a push operation of the operation unit, and a drag operation by a combination of the push operation and the tilt of the operation unit. A pointer control method for a device, comprising: a step of permitting movement of the pointer (1.0); and a step of reading an output of a sensor for detecting pressure or displacement provided in a plurality of pointing devices when the operation unit is pushed. , At least half or more of the sensor output within a predetermined time,
Step of outputting a click ON signal when the threshold value is exceeded
(2.0) and a step (3.0) of outputting a click-off signal when the output of the sensor returns to an initial value by releasing the operation unit. 2. A pointing device for moving and controlling a pointer displayed on a screen by a pointer operation according to a tilt of the operation unit, a click operation by pushing the operation unit, and a drag operation by a combination of the pushing and tilting of the operation unit. A pointer control method for a device, comprising: a step of permitting movement of the pointer (1.0); and a step of reading an output of a sensor for detecting pressure or displacement provided in a plurality of pointing devices when the operation unit is pushed. A step (1.2) of judging from the output of the sensor that the operation unit has not been pressed for a predetermined time or more; a step (1.3) of prohibiting the movement of the pointer; and at least one of a plurality of sensors based on the output of the sensor.
When there is an input, the operation unit determines that the operation unit is pressed (1.4) .From the output of the sensor, if there is an input to at least half or more of the plurality of sensors within a predetermined time, the operation unit is Step (1.5) of determining that the sensor is pressed in the direction, and at least half or more of the sensor outputs within a predetermined time period,
Step of outputting click ON signal when exceeding threshold
(2.0) and a step (3.0) of outputting a click-off signal when the output of the sensor returns to an initial value by releasing the operation unit. 3. A combination of a pointer operation according to a tilt of an operation unit of a pointing device having one operation unit, a click operation by pressing an operation unit, and a push operation and a tilt of the operation unit. A pointer control method of a pointing device for moving and controlling by a drag operation according to (1), wherein a step of permitting the movement of the pointer (1.0) is provided. Reading the output of the sensor (1.1), determining from the sensor output that the operation unit has not been pressed for a predetermined time or longer (1.2), inhibiting the movement of the pointer (1.3), , At least one of the plurality of sensors
When there is an input, the operation unit determines that the operation unit is pressed (1.4) .From the output of the sensor, if there is an input to at least half or more of the plurality of sensors within a predetermined time, the operation unit is Step (1.5) of determining that the sensor is pressed in the direction, and at least half or more of the sensor outputs within a predetermined time period,
Step of outputting a click ON signal when the threshold value is exceeded
(2.0), when at least one of the plurality of sensors continuously receives an input after a predetermined time has elapsed from the output of the sensor, it is determined that the operation unit is being pushed, and the movement of the pointer is permitted. (2.1) and a step (3.0) of outputting a click OFF signal when the output of the sensor returns to an initial value by releasing the operation unit. 4. A combination of a pointer operation according to a tilt of an operation unit of a pointing device having one operation unit, a click operation by a pressing operation of the operation unit, and a pressing operation and a tilting of the operation unit. A pointer control method of a pointing device for moving and controlling by a drag operation according to (1), wherein a step of permitting the movement of the pointer (1.0) is provided. Reading the output of the sensor (1.1), determining from the sensor output that the operation unit has not been pressed for a predetermined time or longer (1.2), inhibiting the movement of the pointer (1.3), , At least one of the plurality of sensors
When there is an input, the operation unit determines that the operation unit is pressed (1.4) .From the output of the sensor, if there is an input to at least half or more of the plurality of sensors within a predetermined time, the operation unit is Step (1.5) of determining that the sensor is pressed in the direction, and at least half or more of the sensor outputs within a predetermined time period,
Step of outputting a click ON signal when the threshold value is exceeded
(2.0), when there is an input to at least one of the plurality of sensors continuously after a predetermined time has elapsed from the output of the sensor, it is determined that the operation unit is being pushed, and the step of permitting the movement of the pointer is performed. (2.1) and a step (3.1) of outputting a click-off signal when a state in which the operation unit has not been pressed from the output of the sensor has passed for a predetermined time when the movement of the pointer is permitted during the click-on signal. A pointer control method, comprising: 5. A recording medium on which a control program for executing the pointer control method according to claim 1 is recorded.