JP2004078799A - Input device and computer device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device in which information relating to mouse and full keyboard operations can be input with a few switch operations. <P>SOLUTION: The input device 10 which is used by supporting with both hands of a user comprises a plurality of switch means 11, 12, 15, and 16 provided on the both surfaces of the device, a scanning means which periodically inputs on-off conditions of the switch means, a reservation means which reserves the current on pattern information when detecting off-conditions of any of the switch means, and an output means which outputs an output code corresponding to the reservation information if a reservation information exists and deletes the reservation information, or does nothing if the reservation information does not exist, when detecting on-conditions of any of the switch means. The device is held with both hands, therefore, information which is the same information input by a mouse or full keyboard can be input while standing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly, to an input device capable of inputting information related to operation of a full keyboard and a mouse with a small number of switch operations, and a computer device including the input device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A full keyboard and a mouse are generally used as input devices in desktop personal computers (PCs) and notebook PCs that have become widespread in recent years.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a full keyboard is large and inconvenient to carry, and it is difficult to use it without a desk or the like while standing, it is impossible to adjust the arrangement of keys, etc., and it requires a lot of labor to learn. was there. In addition, there is another problem that when using both a mouse and a keyboard, it is necessary to move a hand.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device and an input method capable of solving the above-mentioned problems of the related art and inputting information on the operation of a full keyboard and a mouse with a small number of switch operations.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The input device of the present invention is a plate-shaped input device used and supported by both hands of a user, and includes a plurality of switch means disposed on both sides of the device, and on / off state information of the plurality of switch means. A scanning unit for periodically inputting, a reservation unit for reserving current on-pattern information when an on state of any of the plurality of switch units is detected, and an off state of any of the plurality of switch units. Output means for generating and outputting an output code corresponding to the reservation information when there is the reservation information and erasing the reservation information when there is the reservation information; and performing no operation when there is no reservation information. It is characterized by the following.
[0006]
According to the present invention, a large number of characters can be input by a combination of a plurality of operations using operation / input means such as a switch. Further, the shape and the input pattern can be adjusted / changed, and the character is held with both hands, so that a character similar to a full keyboard can be input while standing.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a front view and a rear view showing the shape of the input device of the present invention. The input device 10 has a substantially rectangular plate shape, and four key switches 11 (Ka, Kb, Ma, Mb) for the left thumb and four key switches for the right thumb are provided on the front side (a) of the input device 10. 12 (M1, M2, M3, M4), three LEDs 13 (NumL, CapsL, EX) and a power switch 14 are arranged.
[0008]
On the rear side (b) of the input device 10, five key switches 15 (K1 to K5) for fingers other than the left thumb and five key switches 16 (K6 to K0) for fingers other than the right thumb are arranged. Have been. Note that two key switches (K1, K2 and K6, K7) are assigned to the index finger, respectively.
[0009]
A USB connector 17 is provided on the side surface (lower surface) for connection to a PC or the like serving as a parent device via a USB cable 18. The input device 10 of the present invention is used by sandwiching the input device 10 from both sides with the left and right palms. Therefore, both side surfaces of the device are depressed to match the shape of the hand.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a hardware configuration of the input device of the present invention. The one-chip microcomputer 30 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, an interrupt control circuit, parallel / serial and USB input / output ports, a clock oscillation circuit, and the like, and executes processing described later. As such a computer 30, for example, 16C765 (registered trademark) manufactured by Microchip Technology (registered trademark) can be used.
[0011]
The power switch 14 is turned off at the center, switched to power supply from the USB on the left, and switched to power supply from the built-in battery 41 on the right. By applying a power supply voltage to the digital input terminal of the computer 30 in the case of USB, it is possible to recognize which power supply the computer 30 is using. Further, the power is supplied to the wireless transmission / reception unit 40 only when it is driven by a battery, but it may be connected to the same power line as the computer 30. In order to implement the present invention, any one of the USB and the wireless transmission / reception unit is required. The crystal oscillator 45 and the two capacitors 46 and 47 are connected to a built-in clock oscillation circuit.
[0012]
The acceleration sensor IC 31 is an IC in which a two-axis acceleration sensor and peripheral circuits are integrated, and outputs, for example, outputs Sx and Sy of the respective axis sensors as PWM signals. Note that ADXL202 (registered trademark) of Analog Devices (registered trademark) can be used as such an acceleration sensor IC. The output signals Sx and Sy of the sensors are connected to a digital input terminal of a computer 30. The computer 30 detects the pulse width by sampling by a timer interrupt, as will be described in detail later.
[0013]
The acceleration sensor described above detects acceleration in two directions perpendicular to each other on a plane parallel to the surface of the chip. When the chip is mounted parallel to the surface of the input device 10 and the input device is held at an angle, the gravitational acceleration is superimposed on the output. Therefore, in the embodiment, the mouse is moved by the acceleration sensor output only when the acceleration sensor mouse button is turned on, the acceleration value when the button is turned on is stored as an offset value, and the acceleration detected thereafter is stored. The gravitational acceleration is canceled by subtracting from the value. In addition, since the input device is normally used by being held obliquely, the acceleration sensor may be mounted so that the acceleration sensor is substantially horizontal when held at an angle.
[0014]
Outputs of the key switch input circuits 50 and 53 each including 18 key switches 51 and a pull-up resistor 52 are connected to a digital input terminal of the computer 30. Further, three digital output terminals of the computer 30 are connected to the display LED 61 (13) via the resistor 60.
[0015]
The two USB input / output terminals of the computer 30 are connected to the USB connector 32 (17) via the resistors 33 and 34. In order to recognize the input device of the present invention as a low-speed device, a 3.3 V output from the computer 30 is connected to the D- side of the USB terminal via the resistor 35.
[0016]
The wireless transmission / reception unit 40 is a unit conforming to a wireless interface specification such as the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, and is connected to the computer 30 via, for example, a serial interface terminal. Such units are commercially available.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the control program in the input device of the present invention. This program starts when the power switch is turned on. In S10, the contents of registers and memories, the state of input / output circuits, and the like are initialized. In S11, it is determined whether or not a USB connection is established (= wireless connection). If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S12. If the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to S13. In S12, negotiation with the parent device (PC) is performed based on the USB standard. In S13, negotiation with the parent device (PC) is performed based on a wireless connection standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).
[0018]
In S14, the current state is displayed on the state display LED 13. In S15, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous key input process. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to S16, but if affirmative, the process proceeds to S1. In S1, a key input process shown in FIG. 4 is executed.
In S16, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous mouse process. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to S17, but if affirmative, the process proceeds to S2. In S2, a mouse process shown in FIG. 6 is executed.
[0019]
In S17, it is determined whether or not data has been received from the parent device. If the result is negative, the process returns to S14, but if affirmative, the process proceeds to S18. In S18, the output code conversion table data of a predetermined format transmitted from the master unit is received. The conversion table is transmitted when the user sets / changes the content in the master unit (PC) to an arbitrary content and issues a download instruction to the input device 10.
[0020]
The contents of the conversion table define, for example, code data to be output for an arbitrary combination of key switches as operation means. When a plurality of modes are provided, there are as many tables as there are modes. A code not used as an output code is assigned as a code for internal control of an input device such as a mode transition or an extended function.
In S19, the received table data is written into, for example, an EEPROM in the computer 30.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the key input process of S1. In S20, the state of each key switch is read from the input port. In S21, it is determined whether or not the read state is a repeat (REP) pattern. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S22, but if negative, the process proceeds to S23. In order to immediately start the repeat operation when the repeat pattern is turned on, an operation pattern including the repeat pattern is not assigned to another character.
[0022]
In S23, it is compared with the switch state information read in the immediately preceding process, and in S24, it is determined whether or not there is a switch that has changed from on to off, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to S36. However, if affirmative, the process proceeds to S25. In S25, it is determined whether or not there is a reservation, for example, based on whether or not the content of the reservation register is other than 0. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to S36, but if affirmative, the process proceeds to S26. .
[0023]
In S26, code information to be output is determined with reference to the conversion table based on the contents of the reservation register, the contents of the mode register, and the contents of the flag register.
[0024]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a conversion table in the input device of the present invention. This embodiment discloses an example having two modes, an alphanumeric mode (upper) and a number (number) mode (lower). In each mode, a code to be output for a combination when one or zero keys are respectively turned on from the set of K1 to K5, K6 to K0, and Ka to Kb is indicated by a corresponding character. . Although not employed in this table, a pattern in which a plurality of keys are turned on in each of the above sets, such as turning on K2 and K3 simultaneously, may be adopted.
[0025]
When the user inputs, for example, "A", only K1 (left index finger) is turned on and then turned off. When "7" is input, K1 (left index finger), K8 (right middle finger), and Kb (left thumb) are turned on in an arbitrary order, and then any key is turned off.
[0026]
Returning to FIG. 4, in S27, it is determined whether or not the conversion result (output code) based on the table is “Numlock”. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S28 and the mode flag (0: alphabetic mode, 1 : Numerical mode), but if not, the process moves to S29. In S29, it is determined whether the conversion result is “shift”, “ctrl”, or “alt”. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S30, but if negative, the process proceeds to S32.
[0027]
In S30, the content of the flag corresponding to "shift", "ctrl" or "alt" is inverted, and in S31, an ON or OFF key code signal corresponding to the flag is output based on the content of the flag.
[0028]
In S32, the ON signal and the OFF signal of the output code determined in S26 are output to the master unit, and the output code information and the state of the flag are stored in a specific register or the like for repeat processing. In S33, if any of the three flags “shift”, “ctrl”, and “alt” are on, they are turned off, and the corresponding off signal is output.
[0029]
In S34, the reservation is cleared by, for example, writing 0 to the reservation register. In S35, it is determined whether or not there is any switch that has been turned on. If the result is affirmative, the process shifts to S36 to update the reservation information by overwriting the current switch state in the reservation register. In S37, the current switch state is stored for the next key input process.
[0030]
In S38, it is determined whether or not any of the cursor keys (M1 to M4) is on. If the determination result is affirmative, a cursor key code corresponding to the on key in S39 is output. I do. However, when the Mb key is on, the cursor key code is not output because the instruction is to move the mouse cursor.
[0031]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the repeat processing in S22. In S50, data is read from the register storing the output code, and an ON signal and an OFF signal are sequentially output to the parent device. In S51, a timer for measuring the output cycle is started. In S52, it is determined whether or not the timer has timed out. If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S50, but if negative, the process proceeds to S53. In S53, the switch state is read, and it is determined whether the state has changed from the repeat pattern. If the result is negative, the process returns to S52, but if the result is affirmative, the repeat process ends.
[0032]
FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a switch operation example of the input device of the present invention. In this example, the key switches of Kb, K6, and K1 are sequentially turned on, then K6 is turned off, K7 is turned on, K7 is turned off, and K1 is turned off. First, the reservation information is updated when each key is turned on, and the reservation information is "b16" when K1 is turned on.
[0033]
Next, when K6 is turned off, a code (corresponding to "5" in the example of FIG. 9) corresponding to the reservation information is output, and the reservation information is cleared. Therefore, nothing is output when the next K6 is turned off. Next, when K7 is turned on, "17" is reserved, and when K7 is turned off, a code corresponding to "F" is output.
[0034]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the mouse processing in S2. In this embodiment, the mouse cursor is moved based on the acceleration sensor only when the acceleration mouse key (Ma) is on. When the cursor mouse key (Mb) is on, the mouse cursor is moved based on the cursor keys (M1 to M4).
[0035]
In S60, it is determined whether or not the acceleration mouse key (Ma) is on. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S61; if negative, the process proceeds to S64. In S61, the acceleration values Ax and Ay read into the memory are read out by an interrupt process described later, and the offset values Ox and Oy stored for canceling the gravitational acceleration are respectively subtracted. In S62, the subtraction result is added to each integral value, and the integral value is updated.
[0036]
In S63, a mouse movement signal is generated based on the value of the integration value. That is, when the integral value is large, a large number of mouse movement signals are generated and the mouse is moved quickly. When the integrated value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, no mouse movement signal is generated.
[0037]
In S64, it is determined whether or not the cursor mouse key (Mb) is on. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S67, but if negative, the process proceeds to S65. In S65, the acceleration values Ax and Ay are read, and overwritten and stored as offset values Ox and Oy. In S66, the integral value of each axis is reset to zero.
[0038]
In S67, it is determined whether or not any of the cursor keys (M1 to M4) is on. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S68, but if negative, the process proceeds to S69. In S68, a mouse movement signal in a direction corresponding to the turned-on cursor key is generated.
[0039]
In S69, it is determined whether or not the mouse button is on. In the input device of the present invention, the mouse buttons also serve, for example, the K6 and K7 keys, and when the acceleration mouse key (Ma) or the cursor mouse key (Mb) is on, the K6 and K7 keys are used as the left mouse button. Regarded as the right mouse button. When the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S70, and when the result is negative, the process proceeds to S71.
[0040]
In S70, it is determined whether or not the ON button was OFF in the previous processing based on the state information stored in the previous processing, and if the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S72 to output an ON signal. In S71, it is determined based on the state information stored in the previous processing whether or not any of the buttons was ON in the previous processing, and if the determination result is affirmative, the flow shifts to S73 to output an OFF signal. .
With the above processing, for example, while the acceleration mouse key (Ma) is on, if the input device is moved back and forth and left and right, the mouse cursor follows this.
[0041]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the timer interrupt processing. This program is started by a timer interrupt of a predetermined cycle. In S80, it is determined whether or not the X-axis PWM output signal Sx of the acceleration sensor IC is 1; if the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S81; if negative, the process proceeds to S82. In S81, 1 is added to the count data Cx.
[0042]
In S82, it is determined whether or not the count data Cx is 0. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S85, but if negative, the process proceeds to S83. In S83, the count data Cx is updated by overwriting the acceleration value Ax. In S84, Cx is reset to 0. In S85 to S89, the same processing as in S80 to S84 is performed for the Y axis. With the above processing, the current acceleration value is always stored in Ax and Ay.
[0043]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, the present invention may have the following modifications. In the embodiment, the acceleration is integrated in S62 of the flowchart of FIG. 6, and the moving speed of the mouse is controlled according to the integrated value. However, when the gravitational acceleration is used, even if the input device is simply inclined, the acceleration output changes. Therefore, the processing of S62 may be deleted, and the moving speed of the mouse may be controlled by the acceleration value itself. In this case, the mouse cursor moves by tilting the input device in the direction in which the mouse cursor is to be moved.
[0044]
In the embodiment, in order to realize the repeat function, an embodiment in which a repeat pattern is provided and the immediately preceding output is repeated when turned on is disclosed. However, as another method, the same pattern is used for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). The repeat operation may be started by continuing to turn on, or the repeat may be started by turning on the same code output three times in a short time.
[0045]
In the embodiment, the example in which the code is output when the pattern is turned off is disclosed.However, it is determined whether the pattern is a final pattern or an intermediate pattern to which no further on is added. You may make it.
In the embodiment, the example in which the acceleration sensor is used is disclosed. However, a known pad or joystick may be provided instead of the acceleration sensor as the mouse operating means. In this case, the character cursor can be moved by a pad or a joystick.
[0046]
In the embodiment, an example in which the input device is connected to a personal computer is disclosed. However, the input device of the present invention can be connected to or incorporated in any device that requires information input, such as a personal computer, a PDA, and a mobile phone. It is.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to input a large number of characters by a combination of a plurality of operations using operation / input means such as a switch and a touch sensor, and further to adjust the shape and the input pattern. / Change is possible, and since it is held with both hands, it is possible to input characters similar to those of a full keyboard while standing. Further, by customizing the conversion table, there is an effect that, for example, even a person who can operate only a part of the fingers can operate the PC.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view and a rear view showing the shape of an input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a hardware configuration of the input device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of a control program of the input device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a key input process of S1.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of a repeat process in S22.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of a mouse process in S2.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of a timer interrupt process.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a switch operation example of the input device of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a conversion table in the input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Input device, 11, 12 ... Key switch, 13 ... LED, 14 ... Power switch, 15, 16 ... Key switch, 17 ... USB connector, 18 ... USB cable, 30 ... Microcomputer, 31 ... Acceleration sensor IC, 32 ... USB connector, 33, 34, 35 ... resistor, 40 ... wireless transmission / reception unit, 41 ... battery, 43 ... capacitor, 45 ... crystal oscillator, 46, 47 ... capacitor, 50, 53 ... switch input circuit, 51 ... key switch , 52: pull-up resistor, 60: resistor, 61: LED for display

Claims (5)

A plate-shaped input device used and supported by the user with both hands,
A plurality of switch means arranged on both sides of the device;
Scanning means for periodically inputting on / off state information of the plurality of switch means, and reservation means for reserving current on-pattern information when an on state of any of the plurality of switch means is detected,
If any of the plurality of switch units is detected to be off, if there is reservation information, an output code corresponding to the reservation information is generated and output, and the reservation information is deleted, and there is no reservation information. An input device comprising: an output unit that does nothing in a case. The input device according to claim 1, wherein alphabets corresponding to Japanese vowels are assigned to five switches corresponding to one hand on one surface of the device. Further, acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration in two directions of the device,
Integrating means for integrating the detected accelerations in the two directions, respectively;
2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a mouse signal output unit that outputs a mouse movement signal corresponding to the integration value during a predetermined period. 2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a repeat unit for repeatedly outputting the immediately preceding output code at a predetermined cycle when the on / off state of the operation unit is detected to be a specific pattern. . A computer device comprising the input device according to claim 1.

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