JP2004078839A - Pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointing device that even an aged person or a physically handicapped person having disabled hands can easily handle without any need for delicate force adjustment or fine movement in the fingers such as a mouse and a trackball. <P>SOLUTION: The pointing device is connected to a computer and moves a pointer that is displayed on the display screen of the computer to an arbitrary position and sends a command corresponding to the position of the pointer to the computer. The pointing device comprises: a table that is subjected to roller support so that it can slide in a horizontal direction while being pressed downward; a slide operation section for moving the pointer according to the amount of travel and the travel direction by the slide operation of the table; and a switch operation section for sending a command corresponding to the position of the pointer on the display screen by switch operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pointing device that moves a pointer displayed on a display screen of a computer to an arbitrary position and sends an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer to the computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a pointing device that moves a pointer displayed on a display screen of a computer to an arbitrary position or sends an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer to a computer includes a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, a touch pad, and the like. .
[0003]
The mouse rotates the ball provided on the lower surface by grasping the main body by hand and sliding it on a desk or mouse pad, detecting the amount and direction of mouse movement from the rotation, and based on the detection result. The pointer displayed on the display screen can be moved. Also, by moving the pointer to an appropriate position and clicking the left and right key tops provided on the upper surface of the main body with the forefinger and the middle finger, respectively, an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer on the display screen can be given.
[0004]
The trackball is such that a bare ball provided on the upper surface side of the main body is directly rotated with a fingertip or the like, and the pointer is moved based on the amount and direction of the rotation. By clicking a switch separately provided on the upper surface of the main body, an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer is given. The principle is the same as a mouse.
[0005]
The joystick has a lever, and when the lever is tilted forward, backward, left, or right, the moving speed and direction of the pointer are determined from the tilt angle and direction. The click switch is provided on the upper end of the lever or on the main body where the lever is installed.
[0006]
In the touchpad, when the surface is pressed with a finger or the like, the opposing electrodes are energized with an internal gap therebetween, and the pointer is moved based on the change in the position where the current flows by rubbing the surface in that state. Things. By tapping the pad lightly, an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer can be given.
[0007]
These pointing devices have simple operation methods, so that they can grasp the operation feeling with a little practice. Therefore, the present invention contributes to the expansion of the number of personal computer users, together with the development of a graphic user interface that can operate the personal computer without touching the keyboard.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the operation of the pointing device as described above requires delicate control of the hands and fine movements, and is not always easy to handle for the handicapped elderly and disabled persons. For example, in order to move the pointer on the display screen smoothly with a mouse, it is necessary to smoothly slide the mouse on a flat surface such as a desk, but for people with disabilities it is difficult to grasp the mouse itself. In some cases, the mouse may be pressed too hard against the desk and cannot be moved smoothly, or the mouse may float and the ball may not make good contact with the flat part.
[0009]
To operate the trackball smoothly, it is necessary to finely move the fingertip to rotate the ball.In the case of a joystick, grab the lever and adjust the tilt angle of the lever to make the movement speed appropriate. It is necessary to make adjustments, and in the case of a touch pad, it is necessary to smoothly slide a fingertip on the surface of the pad. However, these operations are also very difficult for elderly people who are handicapped.
[0010]
Furthermore, the click operation of the switch also requires a fine movement of the fingertip, and especially the double click operation performed when starting the application needs to repeat this fine movement in a short time. This is still a very difficult operation for the disabled and disabled.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a pointing device that does not require a delicate force of a hand or a fine movement like a mouse or a trackball, and can be easily handled by a handicapped elderly person or a handicapped person. It is assumed that.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is connected to a computer, moves a pointer displayed on a display screen of the computer to an arbitrary position, and sends an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer to the computer. A pointing device,
A slide operation unit having a table supported by a roller so as to be slidable in a horizontal direction while being pressed downward, and a slide operation unit for moving the pointer according to a moving amount and a moving direction by the slide operation of the table; And a switch operating unit for transmitting an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer on the display screen.
[0013]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the pointer can be smoothly moved simply by the operator placing a part of the body such as the hand, the foot, and the elbow on the table supported by the roller and performing the sliding operation. Unlike a trackball or the like, there is no need for delicate force control or fine movement of the hand, and an effect of easily handling a handicapped elderly person or a handicapped person is achieved.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pointing device according to the first aspect, wherein the slide operation unit and the switch operation unit are separately formed and connected to each other.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the invention, the following operation and effect can be obtained in addition to the operation and effect of the first aspect of the invention. Because the slide operation unit and the switch operation unit are formed separately, for example, the slide operation unit is placed under the desk and operated by foot, and the switch operation unit is placed on the desk and operated by hand. These two operation units can be arranged according to the situation of the body.
[0016]
The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the table is provided with an attachment for detachably mounting an operation assisting tool for operating the table. Provide pointing devices.
[0017]
According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the following operation and effect can be obtained. An operation assisting tool having a shape that is easy for the operator to use can be mounted by the mounting tool, and the operability of the table can be further improved. Further, when the operator changes, only the operation assisting tool needs to be exchanged, and one pointing device can be shared by a plurality of persons.
[0018]
The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that the switch operation unit is provided with a switch that gives the same instruction as a double-click operation by one-touch operation. 3. The pointing device according to any one of (3) and (3), is provided.
[0019]
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the functions and effects of the first to third aspects, the following operation and effect are achieved. Since the same instruction as when a double-click operation is performed can be given by a one-touch operation, even an elderly person who can perform only a slow operation can surely issue a double-click instruction.
[0020]
The invention described in claim 5 is a pointing device that is connected to a computer, moves a pointer displayed on a display screen of the computer to an arbitrary position, and sends an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer to the computer. So,
A housing, a plate floatingly supported by the first urging member in a horizontal state on the housing, a plurality of rollers disposed on an upper surface of the plate, and a plurality of rollers supported by the plurality of rollers and extending horizontally. A table slidably operated, a movement detector mounted below the table, and a pad floatingly supported in a horizontal state by a second biasing member so as to face a detector formed on the bottom surface of the movement detector And
When the table is pressed downward, the movement detection body and the pad are in contact with each other, and the movement detection body can detect a movement amount of the table by the movement detection body,
A pointing device is provided, wherein the pointer is moved according to a moving amount and a moving direction of the table in the detectable state.
[0021]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the pointer can be smoothly moved simply by the operator placing a part of the body such as the hand, the foot, the elbow or the like on the roller-supported table and performing the sliding operation. In addition, since both the plate supporting the table on which the movement detector is mounted and the pad abutting on the movement detector are both floatingly supported, even if a large pressing force is applied to the table, the contact state between the movement detector and the pad is maintained. Is properly maintained, and no malfunction or breakage of the movement detector is caused.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0023]
1 to 8 show an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention. The pointing device 1 according to the present invention includes a slide operation unit 2 for moving a pointer displayed on the screen of the display D of the computer C to an arbitrary position on the screen, and a pointer operation device connected to the slide operation unit 2 and for displaying a pointer on the screen of the display D. The switch operation unit 3 sends instructions corresponding to the position to the computer C, the cable 4 connects the slide operation unit 2 to the computer C, and the cable 5 connects the slide operation unit 2 and the switch operation unit 3 (FIG. 8). .
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the slide operation unit 2 includes a housing 21 and a table 22 supported on the upper surface side of the housing 21 and slidable in the horizontal direction H, in appearance. . An operation pad 221 made of a resilient resin material is detachably attached to the upper surface of the table 22, and an operation aid for sliding the table is detachably attached to the upper surface of the operation pad 221. A magic fastener 221a is provided as a mounting tool for mounting. Attaching operation assisting tools having a shape that is easy for the operator to use improves the operability of the table, and allows the operator to change only the operating assisting tools and share it with multiple persons when the operator changes. .
[0025]
FIG. 1B illustrates a state in which the table 22 is removed from the slide operation unit 2. Roller through-holes 211a for projecting upwardly four (plural) rollers 23 that support the table 22 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction H are provided on an upper cover 211 of the housing 21, and a lower surface of the table 22. A support rod through-hole 211b is formed to penetrate the support rod 24 attached to extend straight down from the center.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. A support 25 is provided at each of the four corners inside the rectangular column-shaped housing 21, and a spring receiver 25a for supporting a spring 26 as a first urging member is formed on the upper surface thereof. A plate 27 is floatingly supported above the spring 26 in a horizontal state. The upper surface of the plate 27 is provided with the plurality of rollers 23 described above, and has a through hole 27a for allowing the support rod 24 to pass therethrough.
[0027]
A bracket 28a for attaching the movement detection body 28 is fixed to the tip of the support rod 24 extending downward from the table 22. The bottom surface of the movement detecting body 28 is flat, and is mounted so that a rotating ball 28b as a detecting portion projects. The rotating state of the rotating ball 28b is grasped by a combination encoder (not shown) built in the movement detecting body 28. The rotation state ascertained by the combination encoder is also input to a controller (not shown) incorporated in the movement detector 28, and displayed on the screen of the display D of the computer C from the controller according to the rotation state of the rotation ball 28b. The information is converted and output as information that can move the pointer to an arbitrary position.
[0028]
On the bottom surface 212 of the housing 21, the pad 29 is horizontally supported by a spring 29a as a second urging member so that the pad 29 faces the bottom surface of the movement detection body 28 and the rotating ball 28b. The pad 29 has a two-layer structure, and includes a hard panel 291 directly supported by a spring 29a and a soft panel 292 formed of an elastic resin material and adhered to the upper surface of the hard panel 291. The surface of the soft panel 292 is processed so that the bottom surface of the movement detection body 28 slides easily on the upper surface of the pad 29 and the rotating ball 28b rolls easily when the spring 26 abuts on the pad 29 in a compressed state. Have been.
[0029]
In FIG. 2, since a plate 27 supporting the table 22 with the rollers 23 is pushed upward by a spring 26, the movement detector 28 attached to the table 22 and the pad 29 are separated from each other. However, when the operator places a hand or foot on the table 22 and presses the table 22 downward (arrow V), the spring 26 is pressed and contracted as shown in FIG. And the pad 29 abut. As a result, the rotating ball 28b can roll, and the movement of the table 22 can be detected by the movement detector 28.
[0030]
Therefore, when the table 22 is slid in the horizontal direction H in a state where the movement of the table 22 can be detected, the moving amount and the moving direction of the table 22 can be detected. Information that can move the displayed pointer to an arbitrary position is generated. This information is sent to the computer C via the lead wire 28c and the cable 4 connected thereto. The plug 4a of the cable 4 is inserted into the computer C.
[0031]
Note that even if the load applied in the direction of the arrow V applied by the operator is large and the spring 26 contracts to bring the plate 27 to the bottom of the support 25, the pad 29 against which the movement detector 28 abuts remains The stroke of the spring 29a is set so that the spring 29a does not bottom on the bottom surface 212 of the body 21. Therefore, the contact pressure between the movement detection body 28 and the pad 29 is not excessive, and the movement detection body 28 does not malfunction or break.
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows a handle 61, a glove 62, a sandal 63, and an elbow holder 64 as examples of operation aids attached to the upper surface of the table 22 via the magic fastener 221a. These are provided with a magic fastener to be attached to the magic fastener 221a. By attaching the operation assisting tools 61 to 64, the hands and feet of the operator are fixed to the table 22, and the operability of the table can be improved. In addition, by appropriately replacing the operation assisting tools 61 to 64, a person who operates the slide operation unit 2 by hand, a person who operates with the foot, and a person who operates with the elbow can share one pointing device 1. .
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, the switch operation unit 3 mainly includes a housing 31, keyboard-like switch panels 32, 33, and 34 provided to cover the upper surface of the housing 31, and switch panels 32 and 33. , 34, are arranged below the switches 35, 36, 37.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the switch panels 32, 33, and 34 are covered with pad members 32a, 33a, and 34a formed of a resilient resin material. One ends of the members 33b, 34b are fixedly supported by spring-like members 32c, 33c, 34c fixed to the cross member 38 bridged over the housing 31. When the operator pushes the switch panels 32, 33, and 34 on the upper surfaces, the spring-like members 32c, 33c, and 34c bend, and the free ends of the switch panels 32, 33, and 34 bow (arrow X). Is released, the original state is restored (arrow Y).
[0035]
The switch panels 32, 33, and 34 are provided with pressing rods 32d, 33d, and 34d extending downward, and switches 35, 36, and 37 are supported at positions facing the pressing rods via a panel 39. I have. The switches 35 and 37 send instructions corresponding to so-called left clicks and right clicks to the computer C when the button portions 35a and 37a provided on the upper surface are pressed, respectively. The switch 36 is a reciprocating switch supported by a spring 36a, and is an instruction corresponding to a left-click, that is, a double-click operation, twice at the time when the switch is pressed downward and thereafter when the switch is released from the pressed state and restored to the original state. Send the same instructions as when
[0036]
That is, the switch panels 32, 33, and 34 are pressed once to perform a one-touch operation, thereby acting on the switches 35, 36, and 37 to generate signals. These signals are sent to the slide operation unit 2 via the lead wires 35b, 36b, 37b and the cable 5 connected thereto, and together with information for moving the pointer from the slide operation unit 2, the computer C performs a left single click, a left double click, This is sent as a right single-click instruction.
[0037]
Therefore, fine movement of the fingertip is not required as in the case of pressing a key top provided in a conventional mouse, and an instruction similar to a double-click operation in which a switch operation is repeated in a short time is given by one-touch operation. Therefore, anyone can operate it easily.
[0038]
FIG. 8 shows an example of a method of using the pointing device 1 according to the above-described embodiment. The operator O operates the slide operation unit 2 with his / her feet and operates the switch operation unit 3 with his / her hands while watching the display screen of the computer C placed on the work table T. Since the slide operation unit 2 and the switch operation unit 3 are separately formed in separate housings 21 and 31, respectively, the arrangement of these operation units can be changed according to the physical condition of the operator O. For example, the slide operation unit 2 may be operated with the elbow and the switch operation unit 3 may be operated with the foot.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, the pointing device 1 (slide operation unit 2) and the computer C, and the slide operation unit 2 and the switch operation unit 3 are connected by the cable 4, but if they are wirelessly connected using infrared rays or the like, the cable can be connected. The restriction due to the existence is eliminated, and the operation units can be more freely arranged.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, as the movement detector 28 of the slide operation unit 2, one that mechanically detects the movement of the table 22 from the rotating ball 28 b and the encoder is used. May be used that optically detects the movement of the object.
[0041]
In this embodiment, the magic fastener 221a is used as a fixture for the table 22 of the slide operation unit 2. However, a magnet, a clip, a hook, or the like may be used as long as the operation aid can be securely fixed and can be easily attached and detached. It may be used. The elastic operation pad 221 is provided so that the bones do not feel pain when the body part of the operator put on the table 22 is an elbow or the like. You may do it. Although the table 22 is a flat plate, the present invention is not limited to this shape. For example, the table 22 may be box-shaped and the operation aid may be fitted therein.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, a keyboard type is used as the switch operation unit 3, but another type may be used. For example, you can perform normal click operation by lightly holding down with a pad type, squeezing in a grip shape, or lightly bending a hand, finger, neck, etc. mounted in a flexible stick shape, double click operation , These operations may be repeated twice.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, when the operator does not press the table 22 downward, the movement detection body 28 and the pad 29 are separated from each other, and are set so as to contact only when pressed downward, but from the beginning. It may be in a contact state. In short, it is sufficient that the movement of the table 22 can be reliably detected without the bottom of the movement detecting body 28 in a state where the table 22 is pressed downward.
[0044]
The pointing device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the pointing device according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the operator can smoothly move the pointer simply by placing a part of the body on the table supported by the roller and performing a sliding operation. Therefore, it is possible to provide an effect that an elderly person or a handicapped person who is handicapped can be easily handled.
[0046]
According to the pointing device of the second aspect, since the slide operation unit and the switch operation unit are formed separately, these two operation units can be arranged according to the physical condition of the operator.
[0047]
According to the pointing device of the third aspect, an operation assisting tool having a shape that is easy for the operator to use can be attached, the operability of the table can be improved, and only the operation assisting tool is used when the operator changes. Can be exchanged and shared by multiple people.
[0048]
According to the pointing device of the fourth aspect, even an elderly person who can only operate slowly can surely give a double-click instruction.
[0049]
According to the pointing device of the fifth aspect, even if a large pressing force is applied to the table, the contact state between the movement detection body and the pad is appropriately maintained, and malfunction or breakage of the movement detection body occurs. There can be an effect that there is no.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slide operation unit of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) shows a state where a table is removed.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a table is pressed downward by an operator in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation assisting tool attached to a table of a slide operation unit.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a switch operation unit of the pointing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a view showing a state where a pad material is removed as viewed from C in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of using the pointing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pointing device 2 Slide operation part 3 Switch operation part 4 Cable 5 Cable 21 Housing 22 Table 23 Roller 26 Spring (first biasing member)
27 Plate 28b Rotating ball (detection unit)
28 Movement detecting body 29a Spring (second biasing member)
29 pad 31 housing 32, 33, 34 switch panel 35, 36, 37 switch 61 grip (operation aid)
62 gloves (operation aids)
63 sandals (operation aids)
64 Elbow holder (operation aid)
221a Magic fastener 221 Operation pad C Computer D Display

Claims (5)

A pointing device connected to a computer, which moves a pointer displayed on a display screen of the computer to an arbitrary position, and sends an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer to the computer,
A slide operation unit having a table supported by a roller so as to be slidable in a horizontal direction while being pressed downward, and a slide operation unit for moving the pointer according to a moving amount and a moving direction by the slide operation of the table; A switch operation unit for transmitting an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer on the display screen. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the slide operation unit and the switch operation unit are formed separately and connected to each other. 3. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the table is provided with a fixture for detachably mounting an operation aid for operating the table. 4. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switch operation unit is provided with a switch that gives the same instruction as a double-click operation by performing a one-touch operation. A pointing device connected to a computer, which moves a pointer displayed on a display screen of the computer to an arbitrary position, and sends an instruction corresponding to the position of the pointer to the computer,
A housing, a plate floatingly supported by the first urging member in a horizontal state on the housing, a plurality of rollers disposed on an upper surface of the plate, and a plurality of rollers supported by the plurality of rollers and extending horizontally. A table slidably operated, a movement detector mounted below the table, and a pad floatingly supported in a horizontal state by a second biasing member so as to face a detector formed on the bottom surface of the movement detector And
When the table is pressed downward, the movement detection body and the pad come into contact with each other, and the movement detection body detects the movement amount of the table,
A pointing device, wherein the pointer is moved according to a moving amount and a moving direction of the table in the detectable state.

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