JP2002157084A - Track ball device, and device for setting parameter using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely output biaxial-directional pulse signals in response to a manipulated variable, and to impart a switching function. SOLUTION: This track ball device 1A has a spherical track ball 4 of which the one portion of the spherical surface is exposed toward an opening part 3a of a front panel 3 in a casing 2 of an electronic equipment, to be rotatable and pushed down in all the direction. Two pairs of encoders 8 are provided outside the ball 4 to contact with an outer circumferential face of the ball 4 and to output pulse signals in response to moving amounts along two axial directions orthogonal in the ball 4. A click mechanism 9 for stepping the ball 4 in every prescribed rotation of the ball 4 is provided in the encoder 8. A micro-switch 21 for detecting the presence of the push-down of the ball 4 is just in an underside of the ball 4. A spring roller 22 is provided outside the ball 4, to pressure-contact with the outer circumferential face of the ball 4 for supporting, and to be applied with energizing force along a direction restored to its original position when the push-down for the ball 4 is released.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used for electronic equipment such as a mobile radio tester and a signal analyzer (spectrum analyzer), and is used to select a parameter setting item by moving a cursor on a parameter setting display screen. The present invention relates to a trackball device that outputs a signal for performing parameter setting and numerical value setting of a selected parameter setting item and a parameter setting device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, various electronic devices such as a mobile radio tester and a spectrum analyzer are provided with an encoder for manually setting various parameters such as frequency setting, level setting, and other adjustment of a display system. The encoder is provided with a rotation knob exposed from the surface of the front panel of the housing, and outputs a pulse signal according to the rotation amount of the rotation knob. By rotating the rotary knob of the encoder, the cursor is moved to the parameter setting item to be set, and the frequency setting and the level setting are performed in combination with a Set key (confirmation key) provided separately from the encoder. Various parameters such as are set. In addition, although the encoder and the pressing unit are conventionally integrated, the cursor moves only in one direction.

As an example, on a parameter setting display screen 51 shown in FIG. 6, twelve parameter setting items (parameter groups) 52 (52a to 521) are displayed arranged vertically and horizontally. It is assumed that the cursor is positioned on the parameter setting item 52b in the hatched portion. When moving the cursor to the next parameter setting item 52d from this state and setting a desired parameter, the rotation knob of the encoder is rotated clockwise by a rotation angle corresponding to the movement amount of two parameters. . As a result, the cursor located at the parameter setting item 52b in the hatched portion moves to the next parameter setting item 52d. When the Set key (or the encoder) is pressed in this state, the parameter setting item 5 where the cursor is located is set.
2d is selected and switched to a setting window menu screen (hereinafter abbreviated as a menu screen) as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). Then, while the menu screen 53 is displayed, the rotation knob of the encoder is rotated by a predetermined amount to select a desired parameter on the menu screen 53,
Alternatively, after setting by inputting a desired numerical value, a parameter or a numerical value is determined by pressing a Set key (or an encoder). Further, there is also a means for selecting a setting content displayed below by moving a cursor to a corresponding portion in a pull-down menu and pressing a Set key (or an encoder).

As an alternative to the above-mentioned encoder, a combination of a cross key (up / down / left / right arrow keys) and a Set key (confirmation key) provided on a front panel of a housing is used in the technical field of measuring instruments. Have been.

[0005]

However, in the conventional configuration using both the encoder and the Set key, not only the number of components increases but also the click feeling of the encoder when moving the cursor is small, so that the desired parameter setting item is required. It was difficult to move the cursor up to it. In addition, since the encoder for moving the cursor and the switch for setting the parameters are not integrated but configured separately, there is a problem that the operation is difficult. In addition, since the cursor is moved by the encoder, the movement of the cursor is limited to the left, right, up, and down uniaxial directions on the display screen, and when the cursor is moved to the target parameter setting item, it passes through all the cursors. However, there is a problem that it takes time to move the cursor.

In particular, when a large number (for example, 40 to 50) of parameter setting items are displayed on one screen, such as a mobile radio tester, and all settings can be performed on one screen,
In the configuration using the above-described conventional encoder, when moving the cursor at the current position to the diagonal position, all the cursors in the middle must be passed, and it takes time to move the cursor. It takes extra time to set.

[0007] An encoder incorporating a switch is also known, but it cannot solve the problem that the movement of the cursor is limited to one axis in the left-right or up-down direction on the display screen, and it takes time to move the cursor. Was.

Further, in the configuration using the cross key and the Set key together, not only the number of components increases, but also the cross key → Se
The four steps of t key (open window) → cross key → set key (decision) are set by different key operations, so when moving the cursor, move the cross key up and down until the cursor reaches the target parameter setting item It is necessary to keep pressing left and right, and the operability is poor, time-consuming, and not suitable for continuously changing parameters.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a trackball device capable of reliably outputting a pulse signal in two axial directions according to an operation amount and having a switch function. By using the trackball device, it is possible to perform vertical and horizontal cursor movement, numerical input, parameter selection and determination by a series of operations, and to quickly and reliably select and securely select parameters on the display screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a parameter setting device that can be changed and determined and that can improve operability.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a trackball setting device according to the present invention comprises:
A spherical rotating body 4 rotatable and depressable in all directions, a click mechanism 9 for moderating the rotation of the rotating body for every fixed amount of rotation of the rotating body, and movement of the rotating body in two orthogonal axes directions Two sets of encoder mechanisms 5 including an encoder 8 having a rotation amount detecting means 16 for outputting a pulse signal corresponding to the amount.
Press detection means 6 for detecting whether or not the rotating body is pressed
And urging means 7 for urging the rotating body to return to its original position when the pressing of the rotating body is released.

A parameter setting device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a parameter setting device using the trackball device of the first aspect, wherein the parameter setting device outputs an output from the encoder mechanism in response to a rotation operation of the rotating body. Means 35 for controlling the movement of the cursor on the display screen to the position of a target parameter setting item based on a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the rotating body in two orthogonal axes directions.

A parameter setting device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the parameter setting device according to the second aspect, wherein the output of the encoder mechanism 5 is output when the rotation of the rotating body 4 is clicked by the click mechanism 9 for one click. The cursor is controlled to move to the position of the next adjacent parameter setting item based on the pulse signal to be inputted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the parameter setting device according to the second or third aspect, a cursor on the display screen is positioned based on a press signal input from the press detecting means. It is characterized by controlling parameter setting and numerical value setting of the selected parameter setting item.

In the present invention, the cursor is moved on the display screen by rotating the rotating body 4 in which the parameter setting items (parameter group) arranged vertically and horizontally on the display screen are limited to two vertical and horizontal operations. Can be selected, and parameters can be changed and set based on a detection signal by pressing the rotating body 4 itself.
Further, by giving the rotating body 4 a click feeling, the parameter selection by the cursor movement is ensured.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic apparatus equipped with a trackball device according to the present invention on a front panel, and FIG.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a trackball device, and FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of an encoder mechanism of the trackball device of the present invention.

The trackball device 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment described below is used for electronic equipment such as a mobile radio tester or a signal analyzer (spectrum analyzer). As shown in FIG. 2B, a trackball device 1A generally includes a front panel 3 of a housing 2 of an electronic device.
And a track ball (hereinafter, abbreviated as a ball) 4, an encoder mechanism 5, a press detection means 6, and an urging means 7.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ball 4 is a spherical rotating body having a certain weight.
In a state where a part of the spherical surface is exposed in an opening 3 a formed in the front panel 3 of the housing 2, it is provided so as to be rotatable and depressable in all directions. Rubber is used as the material of the surface of the ball 4 to increase the coefficient of friction with the roller 11 of the encoder mechanism 5 and the spring roller 22 as the urging means 7 described later in detail. In addition, even if the ball 4 is not made of rubber, the contact portion with the encoder may be made of rubber. That is, it is sufficient that either the surface of the ball 4 or the contact portion between the ball 4 and the encoder is made of rubber.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the encoder mechanism 5 comprises a rotation amount detecting means 1 for outputting a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the ball 4 in two orthogonal directions (X and Y directions).
6, two encoders 8 (first encoder 8a,
A second encoder 8b) and a click mechanism 9 (9a, 9b) provided in each encoder 8a, 8b as shown in FIG.
b) is integrally provided.

Each of the encoders 8a and 8b has a cylindrical roller 11 which comes into contact with the surface of the ball 4. The roller 11 has a shaft portion made of, for example, plastic,
It can be easily rotated by friction with the ball 4. The length of the shaft of the roller 11 is adjusted to match the size (diameter) of the ball 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical slit member 12 having an opening 12a facing outward is fixed to one end of the roller 11. A plurality of slits 12b are formed over the entire circumference at regular intervals on the outer peripheral portion of the slit member 12 on the opening 12a side. On the surface of the opening 12a of the slit member 12, which is perpendicular to the roller 11, irregularities 12c are integrally formed in a circular shape at regular intervals (intervals equivalent to the slits 12b).

At the end of the roller 11 outside the slit member 12, a housing 14 is provided on the roller 11 via a bearing 13. At the bottom of the housing 14,
The slit 12b of the slit member 12 is
One opening hole 15 (15a, 15b) is formed.
The lower two apertures 15a are provided with a light projector 16a made of, for example, a light emitting diode, and the upper two apertures 15b are provided with a light receiver 1 made of, for example, a phototransistor.
6b is provided. Note that, in FIG.
5a and 15b are shown, but actually the opening hole 1
5a and 15b are formed side by side. The two sets of the light projector 16a and the light receiver 16b constitute a rotation amount detecting means 16 for detecting the rotation amount of the roller 11, and are inserted and fixed in the opening hole 15 so as to sandwich the slit 12b of the slit member 12. .

As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 17 having a predetermined depth is formed in the upper portion of the housing 14 so that the uneven portion 12c of the slit member 12 is desired. A spherical body 20 made of, for example, a steel ball is inserted into the opening hole 17 with a stepped cylindrical seat mold 19 in which a spring (a helical spring) 18 as an urging means is inserted through a shaft portion. Is provided so as to be pressed against the uneven portion 12c of the slit member 12 by the urging force. That is, a part of the sphere 20 is exposed from the opening hole 17, and the sphere 20 is provided in the opening hole 17 while being pressed by the urging force of the spring 18 between the uneven portion 12 c of the slit member 12 and the seat mold 19. Thus, the click mechanism 9 (9a, 9a,
9b) is configured. The uneven portion 12c of the slit member 12, the seat mold 19 of the opening hole 17, and the spring 18
The rotation of the ball 4 is subdued by rubbing with the sphere 20 supported by the roller 11 in accordance with the rotation of the roller 11, and a click feeling is brought out. In this example, one click is set when the roller 11 is rotated by the operation of the ball 4 and the sphere 20 moves on one uneven portion 12 c of the slit member 12. In addition, a larger click feeling can be obtained by increasing the strength of the spring 18 as the urging means.

The press detection means 6 detects whether or not the ball 4 has been pressed. In the example of FIG. 2B, the press detection unit 6 is configured by the microswitch 21. The micro switch 21 is turned on when the ball 4 is pressed and the operating piece 21a is pressed, outputs a signal indicating that the ball 4 is pressed, and is turned off when the ball 4 is at the normal position (home position). Is disposed on the printed circuit board 10 as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the urging means 7 is constituted by a spring roller 22 which presses and contacts the surface of the ball 4 to support the ball 4. The spring roller 22 includes a roller 22a that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the ball 4 by contacting the ball 4, a support member 22c having a shaft 22b that supports the roller 22a, and a roller 22a.
Is made of a spring 22d that applies an urging force so as to press the ball 4 against the ball 4 to make a pressure contact. The spring roller 22 exerts an urging force for returning the ball 4 to its original position (home position) when the pressing of the ball 4 is released, and supports the ball 4 by pressing contact from the outside. The center is positioned.

Next, FIG. 4 is a view showing a second embodiment of the trackball apparatus according to the present invention. Note that the same components as those of the trackball device 1A of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The trackball device 1B shown in FIG. 4 is the same as the trackball device 1A of the first embodiment except for the structure of the press detection means 6 for detecting the press of the ball 4.

In the trackball device 1B (1) shown in FIG. 4, a light projector 25a opposed to the printed circuit board 10 is provided.
The press detection unit 6 is constituted by the press detection sensor 25 including the light receiving device 25b and the light receiver 25b. In the press detection sensor 25,
When the ball 4 is not pressed, that is, when the ball 4 is in the normal position (home position),
The light emitted from 5a is directly received by the light receiver 25b. On the other hand, when the ball 4 is pressed, the light emitted from the light projector 25a is blocked by the ball 4, and the amount of light received by the light receiver 25b decreases. And
The press detection sensor 25 detects whether the ball 4 has been pressed according to the amount of light received by the light receiver 25b.

The stopper member 2 is provided immediately below the ball 4 on the printed circuit board 10 at a predetermined distance from the ball 4.
6 are provided. When the ball 4 is pressed, the stopper member 26 gives the operator a feeling of pressing.

Next, FIG. 5 shows the trackball device 1 described above.
It is a block configuration diagram of a parameter setting device 31 using (1A or 1B).

The parameter setting device 31 selects one parameter setting item from a plurality of parameter setting items and performs parameter setting or numerical value setting of the selected parameter setting item, as shown in FIG. , A trackball device 1 (1A or 1B) serving as an operation input unit,
First encoder click detection circuit 32, second encoder click detection circuit 33, trackball press detection circuit 3
4, a control circuit 35 and a display 37 are provided.

The first encoder click detection circuit 32, the second encoder click detection circuit 33, and the control circuit 35 constitute a cursor control means 38, and the trackball depression detection circuit 34 and the control circuit 35 constitute a parameter setting means 39. are doing.

The first encoder click detection circuit 32
The pulse signal output from the first encoder 8a is detected, and the detected pulse signal is input to the control circuit 35 as position information in the X direction.

The second encoder click detection circuit 33
The pulse signal output from the second encoder 8b is detected, and the detected pulse signal is input to the control circuit 35 as position information in the Y direction.

The track ball press detection circuit 34 uses the signal detected by the press detection means 6 as a press signal to control the control circuit 3.
5 is input.

The control circuit 35 recognizes the parameter selection items displayed on the display 37 and the display position of each parameter in the parameter selection items. The display position information at that time is stored in advance as table data for each screen displayed on the display 37.

Further, the control circuit 35 controls the X, Y input from the first and second encoder click detection circuits 32, 33.
The movement of the cursor on the display screen of the display 37 is controlled in accordance with the position information in the direction. That is, X input from the first and second encoder click detection circuits 32 and 33,
The position information in the Y direction is used as cursor information, and the movement of the cursor is controlled so as to move to an adjacent display position for a predetermined rotation angle (one click) of the cursor information.

Further, when a setting window menu screen (hereinafter abbreviated as a menu screen) is displayed on the display 37, the control circuit 35 receives an input from the first and second encoder click detection circuits 32 and 33. Based on the position information (cursor information) in the X and Y directions, the display of the display 37 is controlled to change the position of the "parameter" or "numerical value" by one for each click of the cursor.

When the control circuit 35 receives a press signal from the trackball press detection circuit 35, the control unit 35 changes the parameter selection items, parameters, and numerical values at which the cursor on the display screen of the display 37 is located at that time. The selection is confirmed and the display on the display 37 is controlled. For example, when a press signal is input from the trackball press detection circuit 35 in a state where the parameter setting items are displayed as shown in FIG. 6 and the cursor is positioned at the parameter selection item,
The display of the display 37 is controlled to display a menu screen as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. For example, when the menu screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed and a pressing signal is input from the trackball pressing detection circuit 35 in a state where the cursor is positioned at “C800MHZ”, “C800MHZ” is definitely displayed. Display 37 to do
Is controlled.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display 37 is provided on the front panel 3 of the casing 2 in parallel with the trackball device 1. The display 37 is controlled for display based on the control of the control circuit 35, and displays a plurality of predetermined parameter selection items including a cursor display (display of a parameter setting display screen shown in FIG. 6) and a menu screen. Is displayed.

In the parameter setting device 31 configured as described above, the following operations are executed by operating the trackball device 1. (1) When the ball 4 is rotated in the horizontal (vertical) direction, the cursor moves to the next parameter with one click, or one data moves with one click. (2) When the ball 4 is pressed from the front, the mode is switched to a numerical value input or a parameter change mode with one press, or a parameter or a numerical value is determined.

Next, the trackball device 1 (1A or 1A)
The operation when B) is used for the parameter setting device 31 will be described.

Hereinafter, when a plurality of parameter setting items 52 are displayed vertically and horizontally on the parameter setting display screen 51 as shown in FIG. 6, the cursor moving order for each item selectable by the cursor will be described. In the following description, the operation direction of the ball 4 is shown in FIG.
This is a case where (a) is performed as a front.

Selection of Parameter Selection Items In the parameter setting display screen 51, the moving order of the cursor indicating the selected setting item is shown below.

(1) When the ball 4 is rotated downward (upward) If a parameter exists below (upper) the row where the cursor is currently located, the parameter moves to that. If not present, right (left)
Move the cursor to the top (bottom) of the line. At this time,
The X coordinate of the new cursor (left of the cursor) is set as a reference X coordinate. For example, when the ball 4 is turned downward on the parameter setting display screen 51 of FIG. 6, the cursor moves in the direction indicated by the solid arrow.

(2) When the ball 4 is rotated in the right direction (left direction) If a parameter exists to the right (left) of the line where the cursor is currently located, the ball 4 is moved there. If not present, below (top)
Move the cursor to the far left (right) of the line. At this time,
The X coordinate of the new cursor (left of the cursor) is set as a reference X coordinate. For example, in the parameter setting display screen 51 of FIG. 6, when the ball 4 is turned rightward, the cursor moves in the direction indicated by the broken arrow.

Parameter Selection and Numerical Value Input on Menu Screen When the ball 4 is pressed while the cursor is positioned at a predetermined parameter setting item 52 on the parameter setting display screen 51 shown in FIG. 6, the parameter setting at which the cursor is positioned A menu screen 53 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is displayed on the item 52.

First, when a predetermined parameter is selected while the parameter setting display screen 51 is displayed, the following operations (1) to (4) are executed. (1) Cursor movement: When there are a plurality of parameters, the cursor is moved to the parameter to be changed by rotating the ball 4. (2) Parameter change mode: The ball 4 is pressed while the cursor is positioned on the parameter to be changed.
(The menu screen 53 is displayed.) (3) Parameter change: The numerical value is incremented by the rotation of the ball 4. Rotate the ball 4 to the right: Click to move to the lower parameter. Rotate ball 4 counterclockwise: Click to move to upper parameter. Rotate the ball 4 downward: click to move to the lower parameter. Rotate ball 4 upward: Move to upper parameter by one click. (4) Determining parameters: When the desired parameters are reached, the ball 4 is pressed.

When a numerical value is input while the parameter setting display screen 51 is displayed, the following (1)
The operations of (4) to (4) are executed. (1) Cursor movement: When there are a plurality of parameters, the cursor is moved to the parameter to be changed by rotating the ball 4. (2) Numerical value change mode: The ball 4 is pressed while the cursor is positioned on the changed parameter. (The menu screen 53 is displayed.) (3) Change of numerical value: The numerical value is incremented by the rotation of the ball 4. Rotate the ball 4 rightward: Increment in the + direction by one click. Rotate the ball 4 counterclockwise: decrement in the negative direction by one click. Rotate the ball 4 downward: Increment in + direction by one click. Rotate the ball 4 upward: decrement in the negative direction by one click. (4) Determination of numerical value: When the desired numerical value is reached, the ball 4 is pressed.

As described above, the trackball device 1 of this embodiment
According to (1A, 1B), a sufficient click feeling is obtained by the click mechanism 9 built in the encoder mechanism 5 at the time of the rotation operation of the ball 4, and the rotation operation of the ball 4 allows the ball 4 to rotate in two orthogonal directions (X , Y direction) can be reliably output. Moreover,
The ball 4 itself can be pressed, and the presence / absence of pressing of the ball 4 is detected based on a detection signal of the pressing detection means 6 including the microswitch 21 and the pressing detection sensor 25 (light emitter 25a and light receiver 25b). Since the output is performed, the operation can be performed with a switch function.

According to the parameter setting device 31 employing the trackball device 1, the signals of the two sets of encoders 8a and 8b incorporated in the trackball device 1 are converted into position information (cursor information) in the X and Y directions. And a signal from the press detection means 6 when the ball 4 is pressed is used as a signal for determining a parameter selection item, a parameter, and a numerical value where the cursor on the display screen of the display 37 is located. it can.

Thus, the user can move the cursor to a desired parameter setting item from a plurality of parameter setting items (parameter groups) 52 which are arranged vertically and horizontally on the display screen of the display device 27 and select the parameter setting item. In addition, each time the ball 4 is clicked, the cursor sequentially moves to the next parameter arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that the cursor can be easily moved to the target parameter setting item.
It is possible to reduce erroneous operation due to insufficient movement or excessive movement of the cursor as in the related art.

Also, for example, even if the target parameter selection item is located diagonally away from the parameter selection item where the cursor is currently located, the cursor is moved to the target position without passing through all the cursors. Therefore, the time for moving the cursor can be reduced, and the time required for the setting can be reduced by that much as compared with the related art.

As described above, the parameter setting device 3 of this embodiment
According to No. 1, erroneous operation can be reduced and operability can be improved, the cursor can be moved in the biaxial direction by the minimum necessary to shorten the setting time, and all parameters on the display screen can be selected quickly and reliably. -Can be changed and decided.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the movement of the cursor on the display screen using the trackball device 1
Although the example of performing parameter setting and numerical value input has been described, for example, even when scrolling the screen by displaying more parameter setting items on the display screen or displaying the parameter setting items according to the measurement result. The screen can be scrolled according to the amount of vertical and horizontal rotation of the ball 4 of the trackball device 1.

[0055]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the trackball apparatus of the present invention, a sufficient click feeling can be obtained by the click mechanism provided in the encoder mechanism at the time of rotating operation of the rotating body, and the orthogonality of the rotating body can be obtained. Thus, it is possible to reliably output a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of movement in the two axial directions. In addition, since the rotating body itself can be pressed and the presence or absence of the pressing of the rotating body is detected and a signal is output, the rotating body can be operated with a switch function.

According to the parameter setting device employing the trackball device, signals from two sets of encoders incorporated in the trackball device are used as cursor position information, and a press detection means when the rotating body is pressed. Can be used as a signal for determining the parameter selection items, parameters, and numerical values at which the cursor on the display screen is located. Thereby, the cursor can be quickly moved to a desired parameter setting item from among a plurality of parameter setting items on the display screen and selected. In addition, since the cursor can be sequentially moved to the next parameter for each click operation of the rotating body, erroneous operation due to insufficient or excessive movement of the cursor is reduced, and all parameters on the display screen can be quickly and reliably changed. Can be selected / changed and determined.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic apparatus equipped with a trackball device according to the present invention on a front panel.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a first embodiment of a trackball device.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of an encoder mechanism of the trackball device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the trackball device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a parameter setting device using a trackball device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a moving state of a cursor on a parameter setting display screen in which a plurality of parameter setting items are arranged and displayed.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show menu screens displayed when parameter setting items are selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 (1A, 1B): Trackball device, 4: Ball (rotating body), 5: Encoder mechanism, 6: Press detection means,
7 ... biasing means, 8 (8a, 8b) ... encoder, 9 (9
a, 9b): click mechanism, 16: rotation amount detecting means, 3
1 ... Parameter setting device, 35 ... Control circuit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A spherical rotating body (4) rotatable and depressable in all directions, a click mechanism (9) for moderating the rotation of the rotating body for every constant rotation amount of the rotating body, and the rotating mechanism Two sets of encoder mechanisms (5) each including an encoder (8) having rotation amount detecting means (16) for outputting a pulse signal according to the amount of movement of the body in two orthogonal directions, and pressing the rotating body Press detection means (6) for detecting the presence or absence of
And a biasing means (7) for biasing the rotating body to return to its original position when the pressing of the rotating body is released. 2. A parameter setting device (31) using the trackball device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the parameter setting device (31) outputs from the encoder mechanism (5) in response to a rotation operation of the rotating body (4). Means for controlling a movement of a cursor on a display screen to a position of a target parameter setting item based on a pulse signal corresponding to a moving amount of the rotating body in two orthogonal axes directions (35). Setting device. 3. When the rotation of the rotating body (4) is clicked by one click by the click mechanism (9), the cursor is positioned next to the cursor based on a pulse signal output from the encoder mechanism (5). 3. The parameter setting device according to claim 2, wherein the movement is controlled to the position of the parameter setting item. 4. A parameter setting and a numerical value setting of a parameter setting item selected by positioning a cursor on the display screen based on a pressing signal input from the pressing detecting means (6). The parameter setting device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein