JP2002202850A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To actualize an input device which can generate a coordinate signal in addition to a two-dimensional coordinate signal without requiring any extra operation space. SOLUTION: The input device 1 is equipped with a detected body 2 which can be displaced around a specific fulcrum P and can rotate on an axis (m) of rotation penetrating the fulcrum P and detecting means S1, S2, S3, and S4 which detect the detected body 2 being displaced or rotated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device which enables a pointer operation of a display device or a control command of various electric devices such as a machine tool, a robot, a portable information terminal or a game machine, in particular, an xy two-dimensional coordinate signal. Another embodiment relates to an input device capable of generating a further coordinate signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) has been adopted to improve operability of a computer. Various coordinate input devices have been used as means for designating icons and the like on a display screen in order to facilitate GUI operations in a computer that is becoming more complicated. In particular, with the advent of portable computers such as laptops and notebooks, the form of coordinate input devices is diversifying.

[0003] A coordinate input device such as a mouse, which is designed to be operated on a desk, needs to secure an operation space when used. However, a portable computer such as a laptop type or a notebook type is often used outdoors or in a car without a table, and it is often difficult to secure a mouse operation space. Therefore, a trackball-type coordinate input device that can be downsized and does not require an operation space for use, or a coordinate input device of a type that detects a tilt angle difference by tilting a dome-shaped operation unit (hereinafter, “dome-type”) A “point-type coordinate input device” is being developed.

[0004] The dome point type coordinate input device is characterized in that it has good operability and is relatively easy to reduce in size and weight.
In addition to the use as a coordinate input device for a computer, the use as a control command device for various electric devices is expanding. For example, it is expected as a control command device in various scenes such as a machine tool, a robot, a transport machine, a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone, a medical device or a game machine.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the principle of a conventional dome point type coordinate input device. Generally, the dome point type coordinate input device 101 includes a magnet 2 cooperating with an operation unit.
And magnetic response elements S1, S2, S3 and S4, which are detection means for detecting the inclination of the magnet 2. The magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3, and S4 are elements that convert a magnetic field into a voltage and output the voltage, and are mounted on the substrate 3. As shown in FIG. 8, each magnetic reaction element S1, S2,
S3 and S4 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a reference point described later. That is, the magnetic transducers S1 and S2 are arranged in the X direction, and the magnetic transducers S3 and S4 are arranged in the Y direction.

The magnet 2 has a columnar shape and generates a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. The magnet 2 is arranged above the substrate 3 such that a normal line at a center point of the bottom surface of the magnet 2 penetrates perpendicularly to the substrate 3 at a reference point. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a conventional dome point type coordinate input device. Each magnetic reaction element S1, S2, S3 and S4
Is input to the microcomputer 4 via the differential amplifier circuit shown in FIG. In the dome point type coordinate input device shown in FIG. 8, the voltages output from the magnetically responsive elements S1 and S2 are differentially amplified and input to the microcomputer 4 as an output in the X direction. Similarly, the magnetic reaction element S3
And the voltage output at S4 is differentially amplified and input to the microcomputer 4 as an output of the Y-direction component. The microcomputer 4 generates an XY two-dimensional coordinate signal corresponding to the operation amount and the operation direction from the output of the X-direction component and the output of the Y-direction component, and outputs the coordinate signal to the host computer.

Note that R6X, R7X and R6Y
And R7Y are voltage dividing resistors. That is, when the range of the voltage input to the microcomputer 4 is, for example, 0 to 5 V, and when the magnet 2 is not operated, the reference voltage is 2.5 V
Is adjusted to be applied to the microcomputer 4. When the magnet 2 is not operated, that is, when the magnet 2 stands upright with respect to the substrate 3, the magnet 2
1, S2, S3 and S4 are equally spaced. Therefore, each of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S
Since the magnetic fields applied to 4 become substantially equal, the voltage values output by the respective magnetically responsive elements are also equal. Therefore, the output voltage of each of the magnetic reaction elements S1 and S2 is substantially zero even when the differential amplification is performed.
V, and the voltage applied to the microcomputer 4 is 2.5V.

On the other hand, when the magnet 2 is operated and tilted, the magnetic field applied to each of the magnetic responsive elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 changes, so that the voltage output from each magnetic responsive element changes. For example, when the magnet 2 is tilted in the positive direction of the X direction, the output voltage of the magnetic responsive element S1 becomes higher than the output voltage of the magnetic responsive element S2. The output voltages of the magnetic reaction elements S1 and S2 are differentially amplified, adjusted by a voltage dividing resistor, and then input to the microcomputer 4.

[0009]

The dome point type coordinate input device according to the prior art is constructed by tilting the magnet 2 cooperating with the operation section in a desired direction as described above.
Although a dimensional coordinate signal can be generated, there is a problem in that it is not possible to generate a further coordinate signal required by various kinds of complicated application software and other electric devices on a computer.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can generate an additional coordinate signal in addition to a two-dimensional coordinate signal without requiring a special operation space.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, in a first aspect of the present invention, an input device is displaceable about a predetermined fulcrum and is rotated by a rotating shaft passing through the fulcrum. It comprises a rotatable object to be detected, and a detecting means for detecting the displacement or rotation of the object to be detected. The object has a circular bottom surface, the fulcrum is a point on the bottom surface eccentric from the center point of the bottom surface, and the rotation axis passes through the fulcrum perpendicular to the bottom surface. The detecting means is arranged on a substrate parallel to the bottom surface of the object to be detected in a steady state, at a symmetrical position with respect to an intersection between the rotation axis and the substrate.

[0012] In a second aspect of the present invention, the input device comprises a detection object having a circular bottom surface and having a rotation axis penetrating perpendicularly to the bottom surface at a point on the bottom surface eccentric from the center point of the bottom surface. And detection means for detecting the rotation of the object to be detected. The detection means is disposed on a substrate parallel to the bottom surface of the object to be detected, at a symmetrical position with respect to an intersection between the rotation axis and the substrate.

According to the present invention, the fulcrum is provided at a position different from the center point of the detection object having a circular bottom surface, and the operation state when the detection object is tilted or rotated with reference to the fulcrum can be detected. Since the detecting means is provided, it is possible to generate further coordinate signals in addition to the two-dimensional coordinate signals without requiring a special operation space.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a top view of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a magnet 2 serving as an object to be detected that is displaceable at a predetermined fulcrum P and is rotatable about a rotation axis passing through the fulcrum P
And magnetic response elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 as detecting means for detecting the displacement or rotation of the magnet 2.

The magnet 2 has a circular bottom surface, and generates a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. The magnet 2 is preferably cylindrical, but may be any as long as it has a circular bottom surface and forms a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. For example, it may be conical. The fulcrum P of the magnet 2 is located on a bottom surface different from the center point O of the circular bottom surface. That is, the fulcrum P and the center point O are located at a distance from each other by the distance OP.

As will be described later, the coordinate input device 1 of the present invention
When the operation unit (not shown) is operated with a finger, for example, the magnet 2 can be tilted in cooperation with the operation unit in any of four directions of ± xy with P as a fulcrum. , The magnet 2 can also be rotated in cooperation with the operation unit on a rotation axis m that penetrates perpendicularly to the bottom surface at the fulcrum P. Note that, for simplicity of description, the rotation directions of the magnet 2 are A and B, respectively, as shown in FIG.

The magnet 2 is provided so that the above-mentioned bottom surface is parallel to the substrate 3 when a steady state, which is a state before operation, is considered. After the inclination or rotation of the magnet 2 is completed, a mechanism for returning to the state before the operation as described later is provided.
Detection means for detecting displacement or rotation of the magnet 2 is provided below the magnet 2. In the present embodiment, four magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 are mounted on the substrate 3 as detection means. The detecting means only needs to be able to detect the displacement or rotation of the magnet 2, and for example, S
One magnetic reaction element having substantially the same size as the circle formed by 1, S2, S3 and S4 may be used.

Magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4
Converts the magnetic field into a voltage value and outputs the voltage value. Magnetic reaction element S
1, S2, S3 and S4 are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to an intersection Q between the rotation axis m and the substrate 3 as a reference point. For example, FIG.
When the coordinate input device 1 is viewed from above, the magnetic responsive element S4 is arranged near the position closest to the arc of the circle from the fulcrum P as shown in FIG. The magnetic responsive elements S1 and S2 are located near the intersection of a line k orthogonal to the line n connecting the magnetic responsive element S4 and the fulcrum P and passing through the fulcrum P and the arc of the circle, and the fulcrum P The distance between the fulcrum P and the magnetic responsive element S2 and the distance between the fulcrum P and the magnetic responsive element S2 are substantially equal to the distance between the fulcrum P and the magnetic responsive element S4. The magnetic responsive element S3 is disposed at a position on the line n and substantially symmetric with respect to the magnetic responsive element S4 with respect to the fulcrum P.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the outputs of the respective magnetically responsive elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 are input to the microcomputer 4 via the amplifier AMP. Microcomputer 4
The coordinate signal generation means realized in the
From each output of S1, S2, S3, and S4, for example, an XY two-dimensional coordinate signal or a further coordinate signal corresponding to the operation state of the magnet 2 is generated by a method described below and output to the host computer. In the conventional coordinate input device, for example, the circuit configuration includes a differential amplifier as shown in FIG. 9, but in the present embodiment, it can be realized with a simpler circuit configuration as shown in FIG. Therefore, the number of parts is small.

Next, generation of an input signal in the input device of the present invention will be described. Table 1 shows that the magnet 2 is ± x with respect to the fulcrum P.
Each of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 when tilted in any one of the four directions y or rotated in any one of the rotation directions A or B with respect to the rotation axis m.
Indicates a change in the voltage value output from the switch.

[0021]

[Table 1]

As described above, the input device 1 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can operate the magnet 2 to incline in four directions ±± xy with P as a fulcrum, or to rotate around the rotation axis m. Is possible. By operating the magnet 2, the outputs of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 change. In the present invention, an XY two-dimensional coordinate signal or a further coordinate signal is generated based on this change state.

In the input device according to the present invention, an XY two-dimensional coordinate signal is generated when the magnet 2 is tilted, and further coordinate signals are generated when the magnet 2 is rotated. For example, the input signal is a signal related to the rotation direction and the rotation amount (hereinafter, referred to as “rotation signal”). First, each of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 when the magnet 2 is tilted
Will be described. As described above, the magnet 2 can be inclined in any of four directions of ± xy with P as a fulcrum. However, the distance between the magnet 2 and each of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 changes depending on the inclination direction. Therefore, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to each of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 changes. Therefore, each magnetic reaction element S1,
The output voltage values of S2, S3 and S4 also change.

For example, consider the case where the magnet 2 is inclined in the plus x direction. In this case, the magnet 2 and the magnetic reaction element S1
And the distance from the magnetic field becomes smaller, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic reaction element S1 increases. On the other hand, the distance between the magnet 2 and the magnetic responsive element S2 increases, so that the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S2 decreases. On the other hand, since the distance between the magnet 2 and the magnetic responsive elements S3 and S4 hardly changes, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive elements S3 and S4 hardly changes. Therefore, the magnetic reaction element S1
The output voltage value of the magnetic reaction element S2 decreases and the output voltage value of the magnetic reaction element S2 decreases, but the output voltage values of both the magnetic reaction elements S3 and S4 hardly change.

Next, changes in the output voltage values of the respective magnetically responsive elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 when the magnet 2 is rotated will be described. As described above, the magnet 2 generates a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface, and is rotatable about a rotation axis m vertically penetrating at the fulcrum P. The bottom area of the magnet 2 that forms the magnetic field applied to each of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3, and S4 changes depending on the rotation direction. That is, the magnet 2 is driven by the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3, and S3 depending on the rotation direction.
4, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied changes. Therefore, the output voltage value of each magnetic reaction element S1, S2, S3 and S4 also changes.

For example, consider the case where the magnet 2 is rotated in the rotation direction A. As the magnet 2 rotates in the direction A, the bottom area of the magnet 2 forming the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S1 increases, so that the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S1 increases. Further, since the bottom area of the magnet 2 forming the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S2 is reduced, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S2 is reduced.
Since the bottom area of the magnet 3 forming the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S3 decreases, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S3 decreases. Further, since the bottom area of the magnet 3 forming the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S4 increases, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S3 increases.

Consider a case where the magnet 2 is rotated in the rotation direction B. As the magnet 2 rotates in the B direction, the bottom area of the magnet 2 that forms the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S1 decreases, so that the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S1 decreases. Further, since the bottom area of the magnet 2 forming the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S2 increases, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S2 increases. Since the bottom area of the magnet 3 forming the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S3 decreases, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S3 decreases. Further, since the bottom area of the magnet 3 forming the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S4 increases, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic responsive element S3 increases.

Therefore, when the magnet 2 is rotated in the rotation direction A, the output voltage values of the magnetic responsive elements S1 and S4 increase and the output voltage values of the magnetic responsive elements S2 and S3 decrease. On the other hand, when the magnet 2 is rotated in the rotation direction B, the output voltage values of the magnetic reaction elements S2 and S4 increase, and the output voltage values of the magnetic reaction elements S1 and S3 decrease. From the above, the magnet 2 was operated to tilt in any of the four directions ± xy with P as a fulcrum, or to rotate in either the rotation direction A or B with m as the rotation axis. Table 1 is obtained by summarizing changes in output voltage values of the respective magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4.

As shown in Table 1, there are a total of six operating states of the magnet 2, and the magnetic responsive element S
The combinations of changes in the output voltage values of 1, S2, S3 and S4 are different for each operation state. Therefore, a signal to be output to the host computer can be generated based on the change state of the output voltage value of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3, and S4. That is, when the magnet 2 is tilted in any one of the four directions ± xy, the coordinate signal generation means implemented in the microcomputer 4 generates a coordinate signal corresponding to the deviation ± xy. In addition, each magnetic reaction element S
When the changes of the output voltage values of 1, S2, S3 and S4 are “increase”, “decrease”, “decrease” and “increase”, the rotation signal in the rotation direction A is “decrease” and “increase” , “Decrease” and “increase”, a rotation signal in the rotation direction B is generated so as to have a rotation amount corresponding to each increase amount and each decrease amount.

As described above, the microcomputer 4 generates a coordinate signal or an input signal corresponding to a predetermined tilt amount or rotation amount from the change amount of the output voltage value of each of the magnetic reaction elements S1, S2, S3 and S4. I do. Incidentally, for example, the amount of movement of the cursor on the display screen of the computer indicated by the coordinate signal, the amount of rotation of the target on the display screen of the computer indicated by the rotation signal,
Each of them may be proportional to the tilt time or rotation time of the magnet 2. Further, the inclination amount and rotation amount of the magnet 2 are
It may correspond to the moving speed of the cursor on the display screen of the computer or the rotation speed of the target on the display screen of the computer.

Incidentally, the input device 1 according to the present invention comprises:
Each of the magnetic responsive elements S1, S2, S3 and S4 is mounted on the substrate 3 as described above. Since the magnetic responsive element can detect a change in the magnetic field in a non-contact manner, each magnetic responsive element S
The surface of the substrate 3 on which 1, S2, S3 and S4 are mounted may be coated with a coating material (not shown) such as a resin such as silicon or a film such as PET.
In addition to the magnetically responsive elements, various electronic components such as a central processing unit, resistors, and capacitors are mounted on the substrate 3. If the substrate including these is coated with a coating material, the input device according to the present invention can be used. For example, it can be used in places where there is a risk of exposure to moisture or oil.
For example, it can be said to be particularly effective when used as an input device of a machine tool.

Next, a specific embodiment in which the input device according to the present invention is realized as a dome pointer type coordinate input device of a computer will be described. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotation mechanism of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The dome 11 is an operation unit of the input device 1. The user operates the input device 1 by inclining the dome 11 with a finger or picking and rotating the dome 11 with a finger. As will be described later, the magnet 2 cooperates with the dome 11. As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the input device 1 of the present invention, the magnet 2, that is, the dome 11 can be rotated in either the rotation direction A or B, but FIG. The rotation mechanism for this is shown.

The holder 13 holds the slider 12 rotatably. The holder 13 is fixed to the substrate 3 via a spring 14 and a housing 15 described later. A stopper 23 is provided outside the slider 12, and a stopper 24 is provided inside the holder 13. The stoppers 23 and 24 inform the user of the limit when the dome 11 is to be picked and rotated. In the present embodiment, the limit rotation angle is, for example, ± 90 degrees. This limit rotation angle does not limit the present invention. If the dome 11 is forcibly rotated beyond the limit rotation angle by a finger, the stopper 23 is caught by the stopper 24, and cannot be further rotated. Although the number of the stoppers 23 and 24 is two in this embodiment, any other number may be used.

As a mechanism for returning to the state before the operation after the rotation is completed, the spring 25 includes the stopper 23 and the stopper 24.
Is joined between A recess 32 is provided inside the slider 12.
Are provided, and the recess 32 is further provided with a magnet hole 33. The magnet 2 is inserted into the magnet hole 33. The magnet hole 33 is provided such that the axis passing through the center point O of the magnet 2 is shifted from the rotation axis m passing through the fulcrum P as described above.

A rib 2 is provided inside the dome 11 serving as an operation unit.
1 and a projection 31 are provided. Concave part 3 of slider 12
2, the projection 31 of the dome 11 is fitted. Therefore, when the user operates the dome 11, the magnets 2 inserted in the magnet holes 33 in the holder 12 cooperate. Now, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the input device 1 of the present invention, the magnet 2, that is, the dome 11, can be inclined in any of four directions of ± xy. For this purpose, for example, four ribs 21 are provided as guide lines for inclining the dome 11 along any of four directions of ± xy. The number of the ribs 21 is not limited to this, and may be another number. The rib 21 is slidable along a groove 22 provided in the housing 15 described later. The rib 21 is
The rib 21 is sized so that it does not catch on the housing 15 when the dome 11 is picked and rotated with a finger.

A spring 14 is provided outside the holder 13. The uppermost portion 34 of the spring 14 contacts the upper surface 35 inside the dome 11. When the dome 11 is tilted with a finger, the spring 14 bends. When the finger is separated from the dome 11, the dome 11 returns to the state before the operation due to the repulsive force of the spring 14. The housing 1 is located outside the spring 14.
5 are provided. For example, four grooves 22 are provided on the side surface of the housing 15. The number of grooves 22 is at least rib 2
It suffices that the number is greater than the number of 1. The above-mentioned dome 11 covers the upper part of the housing 15. When the dome 11 is tilted with a finger, the rib 21 slides along the groove 22. When the rib 21 does not fit in the groove 22, the dome 11 cannot be inclined, and therefore, the dome 11 cannot be inclined while rotating.

On the substrate 3, the magnetically responsive elements S1, S2, S
3 and S4 are implemented in locations as described with reference to FIGS. That is, the magnet hole 33
A rotation axis m passing through a fulcrum P at a position different from the center point O of the magnet 2 inserted into the
Are installed symmetrically with respect to. In addition to the magnetically responsive elements S1, S2, S3, and S4, various electronic components such as a central processing unit, resistors, capacitors, and the like are mounted on the substrate 3. The covering material 16 (FIG. 4)
(Not shown). The housing 15 is fixed on a coated covering 16.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the housing 1
5 is provided with a stopper 27 at the upper edge portion 26 thereof.
7 is caught on the rib 21 of the dome 11, thereby preventing rotation beyond the above-mentioned limit rotation angle. Therefore, the stopper 23 of the slider 12 and the stopper 24 of the holder 13 described with reference to FIGS. Further, a spring (not shown) as a mechanism for returning to a predetermined position after the rotation operation is connected between the rib 21 and the stopper 27. The number of the stoppers 23 and 24 is two in this embodiment, but may be another number. The other structure is as described with reference to FIGS.

Although the dome point type coordinate input device has been described above, the input device of the present invention can also be realized as a joystick type input device for controlling commands of a machine tool or a game machine. In this case, the dome 11 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 or 7 may be replaced with a long cylindrical stick. Other configurations are the same as those in FIGS.

As described above, according to the input device of the present invention, the fulcrum is provided at a position different from the center point of the object having a circular bottom, and the object is tilted or rotated with reference to the fulcrum. Since there is a detecting means capable of detecting the operation state when the operation is performed, no special operation space is required, and
Further coordinate signals can be generated in addition to the dimensional coordinate signals.

If the substrate on which the detecting means is mounted is coated with a coating material, the field to which the input device according to the present invention can be applied is further expanded. Further, rust and breakage of the substrate can be prevented. In the embodiment described here, four detecting means for detecting the displacement or rotation of the object to be detected are provided, but the number is not limited to the present invention, and at least three means may be provided. In this case, each input signal may be calculated using, for example, space vector theory.

By the way, as a modified example of the above-described input device, the input device may be realized to generate an input signal only in the rotation direction. In this case, in FIG. 1 and FIG.
May be realized by a mechanism capable of rotating with a rotation axis m that penetrates in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface, and generating an input signal for only the rotation direction A or B in Table 1. It will be understood by those skilled in the art.

As a modified example, the magnet 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be made movable in the vertical direction in addition to the tilt or rotation, and a coordinate signal in the z-axis direction may be generated.
In the present embodiment, by using a magnet as the object to be detected and a magnetic responsive element as the detecting means,
The displacement or rotation of the object to be detected can be detected magnetically. However, another structure may be used as long as the displacement or rotation of the detection target can be detected in a non-contact manner.

For example, an object having a light emitting element which emits light in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface as a detection object and a light receiving element for detecting the light emission are combined to optically control the displacement or rotation of the detection object. It may be detected. In this case, the light intensity received by the light receiving element corresponds to the intensity of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic responsive element described here. Further, for example, an object having an electric field generating means for forming an electrostatic field in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface as a detection object and a detection means for detecting the electrostatic field are combined, and the object is electrically displaced or moved. The rotation may be detected. In this case, the electric field strength detected by the detecting means corresponds to the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic responsive element described here.

[0046]

As described above, according to the input device of the present invention, the fulcrum is provided at a position different from the center point of the object having a circular bottom, and the object is inclined with respect to the fulcrum. Or because it has a detection means that can detect the operation state when rotated, without requiring a special operation space,
Further coordinate signals can be generated in addition to the two-dimensional coordinate signals.

The input device of the present invention can detect the tilted state or the rotated state of the object to be detected in a non-contact manner, has a simple structure, is easy to reduce in size, and has a small number of parts. It is also easy to coat the substrate on which the detecting means is mounted using a resin or a film. Therefore, it is possible to prevent rust and breakage of the substrate. Thus, the input device of the present invention has an advantage that the use environment is not limited.

Specifically, the input device of the present invention can be realized as a dome pointer type coordinate input device of a computer. In particular, it is effective for a coordinate input device in a portable computer such as a laptop type or a notebook type. Further, according to the input device of the present invention, since a rotation signal can be generated as a further coordinate signal, for example, a 3D image can be easily rotated on a display screen of a computer.

The input device of the present invention can also be realized as a joystick type input device for commanding control of a machine tool or a game machine. Further, when the input device according to the present invention is used as a control command device of a machine tool that is often used in a bad environment, a large operation space is not required, and moisture and oil can be cut off, which is particularly effective. It can be said that.

The input device according to the present invention can also be used as an operation means of an information portable terminal because it can be easily miniaturized as described above. For example, it can be applied to a screen scroll operation or a menu selection operation. Can be.
Further, the input device according to the present invention is also applicable as an input device of a game machine. Since a signal for instructing the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation can be generated, it is particularly effective for a simulation game for a car or an airplane.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a rotation mechanism of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a principle configuration diagram of a conventional dome point type coordinate input device.

FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration diagram of a conventional dome point type coordinate input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input device 2 ... Magnet 3 ... Substrate 4 ... Microcomputer 11 ... Dome 12 ... Slider 13 ... Holder 14 ... Spring 15 ... Housing 16 ... Coating material 21 ... Rib 22 ... Grooves 23, 24, 27 ... Stopper 25 ... Spring 31 ... Projection part 32 ... Concave part 33 ... Magnet hole S1, S2, S3, S4 ... Magnetic reaction element m ... Rotary axis O ... Center point P ... Support point

Claims (10)

[Claims] An object to be detected that is displaceable about a predetermined fulcrum and is rotatable about a rotation axis passing through the fulcrum, and detection means for detecting displacement or rotation of the object to be detected.
An input device comprising: 2. The object has a circular bottom surface, the fulcrum is a point on the bottom surface eccentric from a center point of the bottom surface, and the rotation axis passes through the fulcrum perpendicular to the bottom surface. The input device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein said detection means is arranged on a substrate parallel to said bottom surface of said detection target in a steady state, at a symmetrical position with respect to an intersection between said rotation axis and said substrate. apparatus. 4. The input device according to claim 3, further comprising a coordinate signal generating unit that converts a change in output of each of the detecting units when the object to be detected is displaced or rotated to generate a coordinate signal. 5. The coordinate signal generating means generates a coordinate signal indicating an XY coordinate by converting the output change of each of the detecting means caused when the object to be detected is tilted with respect to each of the detecting means. The input device according to claim 4, wherein the output change of each of the detection units, which is generated when the object to be detected is rotated about the rotation axis, is converted to generate a further coordinate signal. 6. A detection object having a circular bottom surface and having a rotation axis perpendicularly penetrating the bottom surface at a point on the bottom surface eccentric from a center point of the bottom surface, and rotating the detection object. An input device, comprising: a detection unit for detecting. 7. The input device according to claim 6, wherein the detection means is disposed on a substrate parallel to the bottom surface of the object to be detected, at a symmetrical position with respect to an intersection between the rotation axis and the substrate. 8. The input device according to claim 7, further comprising a coordinate signal generation unit that converts a change in output of each of the detection units when the detection target rotates, and generates a coordinate signal. 9. The object to be detected is a magnet that forms a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface, and the detecting unit is a magnetic responsive element that converts a magnetic field into a voltage value and outputs the voltage value. The input device according to any one of claims 8 to 13. 10. The input device according to claim 2, wherein a surface of the substrate on which the detection unit is mounted is coated with a coating material.