JP2004038316A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointing device such as a mouse having a smart shape and superior operability and using a small number of components. <P>SOLUTION: This input device is disposed with a lower member 30 as a casing, an upper member 20 attached over the lower member and floatingly disposed so as to swing relative to the lower member using a prescribed fulcrum 44 as a center, point indicating means 51 and 52 positioned inside the casing comprising the lower member and the upper member and detecting two-dimensional position, a first click means 61 performing a click when the upper member 20 is inclined in a first direction using the fulcrum as the center, and a second click means 62 performing the click when the upper member is inclined in a second direction approximately inverse to the first direction using the fulcrum as the center. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an input device suitable for being applied to a pointing device used by being connected to a computer device called a mouse or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various devices called a mouse have been commercialized as a pointing device that is connected to a computer device or the like and indicates a display position of a cursor (arrow) on a monitor screen.
[0003]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a general mouse. The mouse 1 is small enough to be held by hand, and is connected to a computer apparatus main body (not shown) by a cable 2. The bottom 3 of the mouse 1, generate data ball that rotates continuously in movement of the mouse 1 is disposed to detect the two-dimensional movement of the ball, and instructs position interlocked to the motion Then, it is sent to the computer device main body side. In the computer device, the position of the cursor on the monitor screen is moved in conjunction with the data based on the data in conjunction with the movement of the mouse. Some of the two-dimensional movement detection is configured not to detect the mechanical movement of the ball but to detect it optically.
[0004]
On the surface of the mouse 1, two click buttons 4L and 4R are arranged side by side. A so-called left-click operation can be performed by pressing the left click button 4L, and a so-called right-click operation can be performed by pressing the right click button 4R. The two click buttons are not operated simultaneously. The number of click buttons may be other than two. The use of the mouse having such a configuration has an effect that the operation of the computer device can be performed very easily.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, this type of conventional mouse has a problem that it is composed of a relatively large number of parts and the manufacturing cost is high. In other words, position detecting means for detecting a two-dimensional movement of the mouse itself, and a switch member which functions as a click button, must be incorporated in a single housing, to housing side to incorporate these members, It is necessary to prepare a member that functions as a button, and there is a problem that the number of components is large in terms of size and function.
[0006]
Also, as shown in FIG. 8, if the two click buttons 4L and 4R are arranged on the surface, there will be cuts and irregularities around the positions where the buttons are arranged. The shape of the mouse surface was not smart, and it was not a very good looking shape.
[0007]
In addition, two click buttons 4L, as displayed in Figure 8, 4R is, during operation is intended to press only one button one, there is no such thing as pressing two click buttons simultaneously, but simply two buttons because only are arranged, there are many cases would simultaneously pressing two buttons erroneously user, there is a problem that a wrong operation in this case.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device having a smart shape with a small number of parts and good operability.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The input device of the present invention includes, as a housing, a lower member, and an upper member mounted on the lower member and floated so as to be swingable about a predetermined fulcrum with respect to the lower member. Then, when the upper member is tilted in the first direction around the fulcrum, a position detecting means for detecting a two-dimensional position is provided inside the housing constituted by the lower member and the upper member. a first click means is performed when the substantially tilted in a second direction opposite the first direction upper member around the fulcrum, click placed the second click means to be performed Things.
[0010]
In the input device configured as described above, two click operations can be performed by selecting the direction in which the upper member constituting the housing of the device itself is inclined.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the entire configuration of the input device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view seen from a side. Here, it is configured as a pointing device called a mouse. The mouse 10 of the present example is connected to a personal computer (not shown) via a cable 12 pulled out from the end. In the following description, the front (right side in FIG. 2) side of the cable 12 of the mouse 10 is drawn out from the cable 12 is pulled out side to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 2) and the rear .
[0013]
In the mouse 10 of this example, an upper case 20 as an upper member and a lower case 30 as a lower member are joined to form a housing as a mouse body. However, the upper case 20 is arranged so as to be slightly floating with respect to the lower case 30, and is configured to be slightly swingable left and right around an internal fulcrum. Although a detailed configuration that can swing is described later, as shown in FIG. 2, a slight gap (for example, about 1 to 2 mm) is provided between the edge 31 of the lower case 30 and the edge 27 of the upper case 20. Is provided, and the upper case 20 can swing right and left within the range of the gap.
[0014]
An elongated opening 21 is formed on the front side of the surface of the upper case 20, and a part of the roller 11 protrudes from the opening 21. The roller 11 functions as scroll means for scrolling a monitor screen of a computer device to which the mouse 10 is connected. Further, the roller 11 itself is configured to be clickable by a pressing operation.
[0015]
The left and right sides of the position where the roller 11 protrudes from the opening 21 of the upper case 20 are configured to function as a left click portion 20L and a right click portion 20R. That is, as already described, the upper case 20 is located a configuration capable slightly swung to the left and right around the inside of the fulcrum, by pushing the left click portion 20L of the upper case 20, is tilted upper case 20 slightly to the left In such a case, a left-click operation can be performed. Similarly, when the right click part 20R of the upper case 20 is pressed and the upper case 20 is slightly inclined rightward, a right click operation can be performed.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mouse 10 of the present example. The upper case 20 and the lower case 30 are each formed by resin molding, and an inner case 40 is disposed between the upper case 20 and the lower case 30. On the lower case 30, the substrate 50 and lists, Its substrate 50, a light emitting diode 51, is attached the circuit components such as the light receiving unit 52 constituted by an integrated circuit, receiving and light emitting diode 51 A circuit component such as the unit 52 functions as a position designation unit.
[0017]
That is, the bottom surface 32 of the lower case 30 is configured substantially planar to the approximate center of the bottom surface 32, Yes and holes to emit light from the light-emitting diode 51 (not shown) is provided, the emitted light the state of the return light to detect the light receiving unit 52, a relative positional change between the bottom 32 and the proximity or contact with the surface of the mouse 10 is detected by the light receiving unit 52, to specify the position on the two-dimensional It is configured to generate data. The data specifying the generated position is sent to the computer apparatus main body via the cable 12.
[0018]
A connector 53 for connecting a cable is attached to the board 50, and an end of the cable 12 is connected via the connector 53. In FIG. 3, the cable 12 is omitted. On the front side of the lower case 30, a bearing portion 54 is integrally formed of resin, and the shaft of the roller 11 is rotatably held by the bearing portion 54. A switch 57 is disposed directly below one extension 54 of the shaft of the roller 11, and is configured to be clicked by pressing the switch 57 when a pressing force acts on the roller 11 from outside. Further, the other end of the shaft of the roller 11, is attached rotation detector 55 detects the rotation of the roller 11, in accordance with the rotation detection amount, to generate a scroll signal for scrolling the monitor screen It is like that. The rotation detector 55 and the switch 57 are arranged on the substrate 50.
[0019]
Further, a left-click switch 61 and a right-click switch 62 are disposed on the left and right of the position where the roller 11 is disposed on the substrate 50. The upper of each click switches 61 and 62, the operation unit 61a, 61b is Yes arranged, the operating part 61a, by 61b is depressed, each of the switches 61 and 62 is switched, left click or right A signal indicating that the click operation has been performed is output. In the assembled state as a mouse, the operation unit 61a, 61b of the switches 61 and 62, in contact projections 22, 23 of the upper case 20 to be described later, in conjunction with the slight inclination in the lateral direction of the upper case 20 Thus, a click signal is output from each of the switches 61 and 62.
[0020]
The inner case 40 is placed on the lower case 30 so as to cover the lower case 30. The inner case 40 is also formed of resin, and the outer step portion 41 is shaped to cover the edge 31 of the lower case 30. As shown in FIG. 3, protrusions 41a and 41b are provided on the left and right sides of the rear side of the step portion 41. The projections 41a and 41b function as regulating members that regulate the swing of the upper case 20. The operation state regulated by the protrusions 41a and 41b will be described later.
[0021]
At a position slightly forward of the center of the inner case 40, a convex portion 44 having a height of about several mm is provided. The projection 44 functions as a fulcrum for supporting the upper case 20 when assembled as a mouse. An elongated opening 42 is provided in the inner case 40 in front of the protrusion 44, and the roller 11 is disposed in the opening 42. Openings 45 and 46 having relatively large areas are provided on the left and right of the opening 42. The openings 45 and 46 are designed to overlap the positions of the upper case 20 where the projections 22 and 23 are arranged when the upper case 20 is attached. Further, the rear end of the opening 45 and 46 (pawl contact portion 45a, 46a), when the upper case 20 is mounted, the pawl 25, 26 of the upper case 20 side is engaged.
[0022]
Further, a through hole 43 is provided behind the convex portion 44 of the inner case 40, and the pin 24 of the upper case 20 fits into the through hole 43 when the upper case 20 is attached. It is.
[0023]
As shown by a broken line in FIG. 3, the upper case 20 has projections 22 and 23 formed on the inner side (lower side) of the opening 21 and a pin 24 formed on the inner side on the rear side. is there. Further, near the projections 22 and 23, claws 25 and 26 are formed in an upright state.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the upper case 20 is mounted on the upper side of the inner case 40 configured as described above. A slight gap is formed between the step portion 41 at the edge of the inner case 40 and the edge portion 27 of the upper case 20.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the upper case 20 is attached, as viewed from a side surface in cross section. Pin 24 of the upper case 20 fits into the through hole 43 of the inner case 40, further pawl 25, the pawl contact portion 45a of the opening 45, 46 of the inner case 40, it is engaged with the 46a (FIG. 5, only the right claw 26 and the opening 46 are visible). However, the claws 25 and 26 are locked in a state where the claw contact portions 45a and 46a have some play. Here, the protrusion 44 of the inner case 40 comes into contact with the inside of the upper case 20 and is attached to the inner case 40 in a state where the upper case 20 can swing about the protrusion 44 as a fulcrum. The upper case 20 does not come off from the inner case 40 unless the hooks 25 and 26 are released from the hooks 45a and 46a.
[0026]
The inner case 40 is configured to be fixed to the lower case 20 by screws (not shown). Alternatively, the inner case 40 may be fixed to the lower case 20 with an adhesive.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in FIG. 1) of the assembled mouse 10 in the vicinity of the position where the roller 11 is arranged. Inside of the right and left projections 22, 23 of the upper case 20 is in a state in contact with the operating portion 61a and 62a the surface of the substrate 50 left click switch 61 is disposed on and right-click switch 62.
[0028]
In this state, for example, a left click portion 20L of the upper case 20 (Left side of the roller 11), by pressing the user with a finger in the direction the arrow PL, the upper case 20 in FIG. 3, the convex portion 44 shown in FIG. 5 With the fulcrum as a fulcrum, the projection 22 depresses the operation part 61a of the left click switch 61, the switch 22 is switched, and the switch 61 outputs a left click signal.
[0029]
Also, the right-click portion 20R of the upper case 20 (the right side of the roller 11), that the user in the direction indicated by the arrow PR presses with a finger, the upper case 20 in FIG. 3, the convex portion 44 shown in FIG. 5 fulcrum As a result, the protrusion 23 pushes the operating portion 62a of the right-click switch 62, the switch 62 is switched, and the switch 62 outputs a right-click signal.
[0030]
Note that the range in which the upper case 20 is inclined left and right during such an operation is a range of a gap between the edge portion 27 of the upper case 20 and the step portion 41 of the inner case 40 (this gap is, for example, about several mm). Yes, very slight movement.
[0031]
Thus mouse 10 of the present embodiment, the side left and right of the roller 11 positions of the upper case 20, and functions as a left click portion and the right-click section, as the housing shape, the left and right click, etc. separate button It is only necessary to prepare the integrated upper case 20 as compared with the case where the parts are arranged, which leads to a reduction in the number of parts and a simplification of the configuration. Also, because they are not disposed and separate buttons for clicking, will be no cuts or irregularities around the left click portion or the right-click section, that much surface of the mouse on the casing 20 is constituted in a smart design It has the effect of being excellent in terms of quality.
[0032]
Further, the left and right click operations are performed by tilting the upper case 20 to one and the other with the convex portion 44 disposed substantially at the center as a fulcrum, so that there is almost no possibility that the two click operations are performed simultaneously. A malfunction in which two click operations are performed simultaneously can be effectively prevented.
[0033]
In the case of the mouse 10 of this example, as shown in FIG. 3, protrusions 41 a and 41 b are provided on the left and right behind the step portion 41 of the inner case 40. The simultaneous execution of two click operations can be more effectively prevented. That is, when showing the actual state of use in FIG. 7, for example when operating with the right hand, place the right index finger on the left click portion 20L of the upper case 20, place the middle finger on the roller 11, the upper ring finger casing The user performs the operation corresponding to each finger by placing it on the right-click portion 20R of 20.
[0034]
By the way, when the palm hits the back of the upper case 20 and the left click part 20L or the right click part 20R is pressed with the index finger or the ring finger, the back of the upper case 20 is strongly pushed with the palm. It cannot be said that the button 20 is slightly distorted, and the click switch on the opposite side of the click portion that has been pressed is not pressed at all.
[0035]
Here in the case of this example, the left and right rear of the stepped portion 41 of the inner case 40, the projections 41a, that there is 41b, hold down the left click portion 20L or right-click portion 20R with the index finger or ring finger, even if swiping the rear of the upper case 20 in the palm, almost no inclination of the upper case 20 in the rearward of the protrusion 44 is fulcrum pushed two click switches 61 and 62 at the same time Such a situation can be prevented more effectively.
[0036]
In the configuration described so far, the inner case 40 is provided separately from the lower case 30, and the upper case 20 is attached to the inner case 40. However, the convex portion 44 serving as a fulcrum, the upper case 20 If the mechanism for holding the inner case 40 can be integrally formed on the lower case 30 side, the structure in which the inner case 40 is omitted may be adopted.
[0037]
Further, in the above embodiment, an example has been described of an input device constructed as a mouse, for example, a ball arranged on the upper side or the like of the housing constituting the input device is rotated by the operation of the user, on a two-dimensional The same configuration may be adopted when two click units are arranged on an input device configured as a so-called trackball having a position specifying unit for specifying the position of the above. Further, the present invention is also applicable to a case where the clicking unit is arranged on a pointing device having another configuration.
[0038]
Further, in the above embodiment has been constructed as a mouse is placed a roller to scroll the monitor screen may be configured as an input device for no roller for scrolling shape.
[0039]
Furthermore, in the embodiment described above has been configured as an input device for connecting such a computer apparatus main body by a cable, may be configured as a so-called wireless type input device that performs the apparatus body side by wireless communication.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, two click operations can be performed by selecting the direction in which the upper member constituting the housing of the device itself is inclined. Therefore, there is no need for a button member separate from the upper member, and the configuration of the input device can be simplified accordingly. In addition, there is no cut or unevenness around the position of the button, and the surface of the input device is smartly configured accordingly, which has an effect of being excellent in design. Further, the slope of the upper member around the fulcrum, since the click operation is performed, there is almost no possibility that two click operation is performed at the same time, it can be effectively prevented from malfunctioning two click operation is performed at the same time.
[0041]
In this case, the bottom surface of the lower member is formed in a substantially planar shape, and the position designating means detects a relative position change between the planar bottom surface and the approaching or contacting surface, and designates a two-dimensional position. By doing so, by moving the housing, a mouse that can specify a two-dimensional position can be configured, and a mouse that can perform two click operations can be satisfactorily configured.
[0042]
Further, a roller for performing a scroll instruction is disposed between the first click means and the second click means, and a part of the roller is configured to protrude from the surface of the upper member. It can be configured as an input device that can also perform
[0043]
Further, by providing an internal member to be put on the lower member and providing a projection on the surface of the internal member to form a predetermined fulcrum, the fulcrum for supporting the upper member can be easily and satisfactorily formed.
[0044]
Further, a regulating member for regulating the swing of the upper member, and disposed at a predetermined position between the lower member and the upper member, and a click of the first click means, and clicks the second click means can not be simultaneously With such a restriction, simultaneous operation of the two click means can be more effectively prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration example of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the input device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper case and an inner case of the input device of FIG. 1 are combined;
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of a side surface of the input device of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional mouse.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... mouse, 2 ... cable, 3 ... bottom, 4L, 4R ... click button, 10 ... mouse, 11 ... roller, 12 ... cable, 20 ... upper case, 20L ... left click part, 20R ... right click part, 21 ... opening, 22 and 23 ... projection, 24 ... pin 25 ... pawl, 27 ... edge, 30 ... lower case, 31 ... edge, 32 ... bottom surface, 40 ... inner case, 41 ... stepped portion, 41a, 41b ... protrusion, 42 ... opening, 43 ... through hole, 44 ... protrusion, 45, 46 ... opening, 45a, 46a ... pawl contact portion, 50 ... substrate, 51 ... light-emitting diode, 52 ... light-receiving member, 53 ... connector, 54 ... bearing portion, 55 ... rotation detector, 56 ... roller extension, 57 ... switch, 61 ... left click switch, 61a ... operation unit, 62 ... right-click switch, 62a ... operating unit

Claims (5)

The housing has a lower member, and an upper member mounted on the lower member and floated so as to be able to swing around a predetermined fulcrum with respect to the lower member,
Inside the housing composed of the lower member and the upper member,
Position designation means for designating a position in two dimensions,
First click means for performing a click when the upper member is inclined in a first direction about the fulcrum;
An input device in which second click means for performing a click when the upper member is tilted about the fulcrum in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction is arranged. The input device according to claim 1,
The bottom surface of the lower member is formed in a substantially planar shape, and the position designating means detects a relative positional change between the planar bottom surface and a surface approaching or in contact with the lower surface, and designates a two-dimensional position. Input device. The input device according to claim 1,
Between the first click means and the second click means, the roller for performing the scroll instruction is arranged, a part of the roller, the input device so as to protrude from the surface of the upper member. The input device according to claim 1,
An internal member that is put on the lower member,
An input device in which a projection is provided on the surface of the internal member to form the predetermined fulcrum. The input device according to claim 1,
The regulating member for regulating the swing of the upper member, and arranged at a predetermined position between said lower member and the upper member, and click according to the first click means, and the click by the second click means Input devices that are restricted so that they cannot be used at the same time.

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