JP2007041713A - Pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointing device for improving the distinctiveness of selected coordinate positions when selecting coordinate positions on a screen. <P>SOLUTION: A coordinate operating position by an operation pin and a coordinate detecting position in an X-Y axial direction are set as different positions, and a coordinate operating input to the X-Y axial direction by the operation pin is transmitted through a link mechanism 14 to a coordinate position detection sensor in a case 7. The pointing device is provided with an operation load generating mechanism 41 for applying an operation load to an operation pin when selecting a pointer position by operating the operation coordinate position of the operation pin. When operating the operation pin, and operating the screen display position of a pointer, currents flow in a direction and magnitude corresponding to the operation coordinate position of the operation pin to a first motor 44 and a second motor 48, and an operation load is applied to the operation pin. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pointing device used when a coordinate position on a screen of a display device is selected and designated.

  Conventionally, when various buttons such as icons are selected and specified on a computer display screen, an operator operates the pointing device to move the pointer on the screen, and clicks the pointing device at a predetermined coordinate position. It is done in. Examples of this type of pointing device include a mouse, a joystick, and a trackball. When a display button on the screen is selected and specified by the pointing device, a program corresponding to the display button is executed by the computer.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of this type of pointing device 51. The pointing device 51 is provided with an operation unit 52 that is slidable in the vertical direction. On the surface of the operation unit 52, a pointer coordinate selection operation (XY direction operation) by an operator is detected at an absolute position. A touch panel 53 is provided as a sensor. A push switch 54 for detecting a coordinate position determining operation (pressing operation) by an operator is provided below the operation unit 52. When the coordinate position is selected and specified by the pointing device 51, first, the touch panel 53 is operated to be traced, and the pointer 56 (see FIG. 15) on the screen 55 is aligned with the display button 57, and the operation unit is operated in that position state. By pressing 52, the push switch 54 is turned on to determine the coordinate position on the screen.

  However, since the pointing device 51 has the touch panel 53 disposed on the surface of the operation unit 52, the operation force is applied to the panel surface (front surface) of the touch panel 53 when the operation unit 52 is pressed. Become. Therefore, when the operation unit 52 is pressed down with a strong force, an excessive load or an impact is applied to the panel surface of the touch panel 53, and the touch panel 53 may be damaged.

Therefore, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose a technique of detecting the coordinate selection operation of the pointer by the operator using the link mechanism instead of detecting the coordinate selection operation of the pointer by the touch panel 53 as described above. If this technique is used, the coordinate operation position and the coordinate detection position in the X-Y axis directions are different positions. Therefore, even if the push switch 54 is turned on to select and specify the coordinate position, the depression at that time The operation load does not directly act on the sensor of the coordinate position detection system, and it is difficult for an overload or the like to be applied to the sensor of the coordinate position detection system, and problems such as breakage are less likely to occur.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-81111 JP 60-241124 A JP-A-55-123779

  By the way, when the operator operates the selected coordinate position on the screen in the XY axis direction, whether or not the selected coordinate position is positioned on the display button 57 is checked by viewing the screen 55 and displaying the pointer 56. Confirm the position. Therefore, if the user does not look at the screen 55, the coordinate position selected by the user cannot be confirmed, and the operator feels bothered by the coordinate position selection operation. There has been a demand to improve the discrimination of the selected coordinate position when operating. In addition, when this type of pointing device 51 is mounted on the vehicle, if the discrimination at the selected coordinate position is low, the driver will be killed in matters other than driving. The demand for improvement is high.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device that can improve discrimination of a selected coordinate position when a coordinate position on a screen is selected.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the invention according to claim 1, the coordinate position on the screen is changed by selecting the coordinate position on the screen by changing the screen display position of the pointer, and performing the designation operation at the coordinate position. In a pointing device that selects and designates, a first operation unit that operates when selecting the coordinate position, and a second operation unit that functions as an operation surface of the first operation unit and operates when designating the coordinate position A coordinate position detection unit that detects an operation coordinate position of the first operation unit, a designation operation detection unit that detects a pressing operation of the second operation unit, and the operation when the first operation unit is operated. To the coordinate position detecting means, an operation load generating mechanism for generating an operation load on the first operation section, and the operation load generation mechanism generating an operation load on the first operation section. , The coordinates And summarized in that a control means for controlling the actuator of the operation load generating mechanism based on the detected value of 置検 detecting means.

  According to this invention, when the operation coordinate position of the first operation unit is operated and the selection coordinate position on the screen is selected, the coordinate position detection means detects the operation direction and the operation amount via the transmission mechanism. The pointer on the screen moves to the screen coordinate position corresponding to the operation coordinate position of the first operation unit. When the second operation unit is pressed and the coordinate position is designated, the designation operation detecting means detects the push operation, and the screen corresponds to a display button (icon, function button, etc.) of the designated coordinate position. Display the displayed contents.

  When the first operation unit is operated, the control unit obtains the operation coordinate position of the first operation unit based on the detection value of the coordinate position detection unit, and the operation load corresponding to the operation coordinate position is the first operation unit. As described above, the control means controls the actuator of the operation load generating mechanism to generate an operation load on the first operation unit. Therefore, when the first operation unit is operated, the operation sensation of the first operation unit changes according to the operation coordinate position, and the rough position of the pointer on the screen can be grasped with the operation sensation at that time. Therefore, the discriminability of the operation coordinate position (selected coordinate position on the screen) of the first operation unit is improved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the operation load generating mechanism is configured to apply an operation load to the first operation unit using two of the actuators, and the control The means obtains the XY operation coordinate position of the first operation section based on the detection value of the coordinate position detection means, and the operation load corresponding to the XY coordinate position is generated in combination by the two actuators. The gist is to make it.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the invention, since the operation load is applied to the first operation portion with a value corresponding to the XY operation coordinate position, the operation load is an X-axis coordinate value. And the operation amount of the Y-axis coordinate value are determined from two parameters. Therefore, since the operation load is applied with a value that matches the operation coordinate position of the first operation unit, the discrimination of the operation coordinate position (selected coordinate position on the screen) of the first operation unit is further improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the operation coordinate position of the first operation unit is associated with the vector and magnitude of the operation load to be applied at the operation coordinate position. Storage means for storing the map data, wherein the control means obtains a vector and a magnitude of the operation load to be applied with reference to the map data, and the operation load generation mechanism based on the vector and the magnitude The gist of this is to generate a load.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, map data relating the operation coordinate position of the first operation section and the vector and magnitude of the operation load is stored in the storage means. When applying the operation load, the control means sets the vector and magnitude of the operation load by referring to the map data. Therefore, it is possible to set the operation load with a simple process, for example, compared to the case where the vector and the magnitude of the operation load are obtained by a calculation formula or the like, and the time required for setting the operation load can be shortened. Become.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the control means includes the first operation unit for aligning the pointer with a display button on a screen. The gist of the invention is to apply an operation load to the first operation unit so that the pointer is sucked into the display button and the coordinates change with a feeling when operated.

  According to this invention, in addition to the operation of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the pointer is aligned with the display button, the pointer is sucked into the display button with a feeling of being sucked. Since the coordinates change, the pointer can be quickly moved to a desired display button.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the control means includes the first operation unit for aligning the pointer with a display button on a screen. The gist of the present invention is that when the operation is performed, the value of the operation load is set to increase as the pointer position before alignment moves away from the display button of the alignment destination.

  According to this invention, in addition to the operation of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, if the distance between the pointer position before alignment and the display button of the alignment destination is large, An operation load that is larger by that amount is applied to the first operation unit. Accordingly, even if the pointer is far from the display button of the alignment destination, a large operation load is applied to the first operation unit at that time, so that even if the pointer is away from the display button, the desired operation load is applied. It becomes possible to move the pointer to the display button more quickly.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmission mechanism has a structure in which a plurality of arms are connected and is rotatable around its own support shaft. The coordinate position detecting means is disposed on one of the case of the device and the link mechanism, and on the other of the case and the link mechanism, and is operated by the link mechanism. A detection unit that detects the detection unit via the detected unit, and a member disposed on the link mechanism side of the detection unit and the detected unit is configured such that the operation point of the first operation unit and the support shaft The gist is that it is connected to the link mechanism on a straight line connecting the fixed point.

  According to this invention, in addition to the operation of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the operation amount of the first operation unit when selecting the operation coordinate position and the sensing point of the coordinate position detection means The amount of movement has a similar relationship. Therefore, the operation area (maximum operation range) of the first operation unit and the detection surface area of the coordinate position detection unit do not have to be the same, and the detection surface area of the coordinate position detection unit is smaller than the operation area of the first operation unit. Can be small. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the coordinate detection means, and it is possible to reduce the size of the pointing device.

  According to the present invention,

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pointing device embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the computer 1. The computer 1 is a device that performs various data processing in accordance with a program stored therein, an arithmetic control device 2 that performs operations, instructions, control, and the like during data processing, and an input that is used when data is input to the computer 1. A device 3 and a display device 4 for displaying characters and graphics are provided. The input device 3 of this example is composed of a keyboard, for example, and the display device 4 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal.

  The computer 1 selects and operates the coordinate position (XY coordinate position) of the pointer 5 displayed on the screen 4a of the display device 4, or performs a designation operation (enter operation) with the pointer 5 at a desired coordinate position on the screen 4a. A pointing device 6 that is operated when performing the operation is provided. The pointing device 6 is connected to the arithmetic and control unit 2 via a cable 6a, and can output various data and signals to the arithmetic and control unit 2 when operated by an operator.

  2 is a plan sectional view of the pointing device 6, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the pointing device 6, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pointing device 6. The pointing device 6 includes a case 7 having a substantially box-shaped outer shape, and a first housing portion 8 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for housing various components is formed in the upper portion of the case 7. The inside of the first accommodating portion 8 can be opened by removing the plate-like cover 7b from the case main body 7a.

  Near the end of the case 7, a switch housing portion 10 to which a push switch (enter switch) 9 is attached is recessed. The push switch 9 is a switch operated when a coordinate position on the screen 4 a is designated (enter operation), and is in an attached state in which the upper surface is exposed to the outside of the case 7. The push switch 9 includes a panel portion 11 attached to the case 7 in a state of being relatively movable in the height direction of the case 7 (the Z-axis direction in FIGS. 3 and 4), and an attachment located below the panel portion 11. And a switch circuit 12 fixed to the case 7 in a state. The panel unit 11 corresponds to a second operation unit, and the switch circuit 12 corresponds to designated operation detection means (electronic circuit).

  The switch circuit 12 includes a switch main body 12a having a switch contact function and a printed board 12b on which various electronic circuits of the switch circuit 12 are mounted. When the panel unit 11 is pushed down (in the direction of arrow Z1 in FIG. 4), the push switch 9 is pushed down by the knob 12c of the switch body 12a, and the push switch 9 is turned on. On the other hand, when the pushing operation of the panel portion 11 is released, the knob 12c is moved upward by the urging force of the urging member (not shown) inside the switch, and the panel portion 11 returns to the original position, and the push switch 9 is turned off.

  In the first accommodating portion 8, a link mechanism 14 composed of a plurality of arms 13a,. The link mechanism 14 of this example has a structure in which four linear arms 13a to 13d are connected in a rhombus (pantograph) shape, and may be bent at four joints 15a to 15d which are connecting portions of the arms 13a to 13d. Is possible. In the link mechanism 14, a shaft 16 extending from the arm 13c is supported by the case 7, and is rotatable around the joint 15a along the XY plane. The link mechanism 14 corresponds to a transmission mechanism.

  Of the four arms 13a to 13d, one of the two arms 13a and 13b not connected to the joint 15a (in this example, the arm 13a) has a shape that is longer by a predetermined amount than the other arms 13b to 13d. Moreover, the opening part 17 is the width direction of the case 7 (X-axis direction of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) in the side part of the 1st accommodating part 8, ie, the side part (right end part of FIG. 4) by the side of the switch accommodating part. It is formed over the entire area. The arm 13a is connected to the arm 13b by a joint 15b located in the middle thereof, and the distal end side of the arm 13a protrudes from the opening portion 17 to the outside of the first accommodating portion 8.

  An operation pin 18 that is operated by a finger or the like when the coordinate position on the screen 4a is selected and designated by the pointer 5 is attached to the distal end portion of the arm 13a. The operation pin 18 has a large-diameter portion head portion 18a and a small-diameter portion shaft portion 18b. The shaft portion 18b is inserted into a hole 13e (see FIG. 4) formed at the tip of the arm 13a and is moved downward. It is fixedly attached to the arm 13a in a state of protruding a predetermined amount. The rotation axis R1 of the shaft 16 and the operation axis R2 of the operation pin 18 are set substantially in parallel. When the coordinate position in the XY axis direction is selected and operated with the operation pin 18, the upper surface of the panel unit 11 functions as the operation surface 19. The operation pin 18 corresponds to the first operation unit.

  When selecting a coordinate position on the screen 4a, a finger is placed on the head 18a of the operation pin 18, and the operation pin 18 is moved on the operation surface 19 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. This is done by changing Further, when the coordinate position displayed by the pointer 5 is designated (enter operation), the operation pin 18 is pushed downward with a finger, and the panel portion 11 is slid down on the shaft portion 18b of the operation pin 18. This is done by turning on the push switch 9.

  When the operation pin 18 is operated in the XY axis direction between the other arm (the arm 13b in this example) of the four arms that are not connected to the joint 15a (the arm 13b in this example) and the case 7. A coordinate position detection sensor 20 for detecting the operation direction and the operation amount is attached in a state accommodated in the case 7. The coordinate position detection sensor 20 corresponds to coordinate position detection means.

  The coordinate position detection sensor 20 is a sensor that detects an operation of the operation pin 18 in the X-Y axis direction at a relative position. For example, an optical sensor is used. The optical coordinate position detection sensor 20 includes a plate-shaped plate 21 and a sensor unit 22 that detects the operation direction and the operation amount of the operation pin 18 by irradiating the plate 21 with light and receiving the reflected light. Become. When the operation pin 18 is operated along the XY plane, the coordinate position detection sensor 20 detects a movement amount and a movement direction by the sensor unit 22 scanning a continuous image of reflected light at a predetermined cycle speed. . The plate 21 corresponds to the detected part, and the sensor part 22 corresponds to the electronic circuit (detecting part).

  In the coordinate position detection sensor 20, the plate 21 is connected to the arm 13 b of the link mechanism 14, and the sensor unit 22 is attached and fixed to the case 7. The plate 21 is guided by a rail 23 formed on the inner surface of the case 7 and is supported by the first plate 21a that is relatively movable in the Y-axis direction and is relatively movable in the X-axis direction. The second plate 21b is connected to the arm 13b through a pin 24 so as to be relatively rotatable. Accordingly, when the operation pin 18 is operated in the X-Y axis direction, the plates 21 a and 21 b move in the movement direction and the movement amount according to the operation pin 18, so that the sensor unit 22 passes through the plate 21. Thus, the operation direction and the operation amount of the operation pin 18 can be detected.

  The sensor unit 22 includes a sensing unit 22a that irradiates the plate 21 with light and receives the reflected light, and a printed board 22b (see FIG. 4) on which various electronic circuits of the sensor unit 22 are mounted. In the case 7, a second housing portion 25 (see FIG. 4) is formed below the first housing portion 8 in a state of being partitioned from the first housing portion 8. In the sensor unit 22, the printed circuit board 22 b is accommodated in the second accommodating part 25 with the detection surface 22 c of the sensing part 22 a exposed to the first accommodating part 8. The sensing part 22a is sealed by being fixedly attached to the case 7 without any gap.

  The coordinate position detection sensor 20 has a straight line L (see FIG. 5) connecting the fixed point Ta of the shaft 16 and the operation point Tb of the operation pin 18 so that the operation amount when the operation pin 18 is operated is input as a value of similarity. 2), the second plate 21b is connected to the link mechanism 14 (arm 13b) at the upper position. That is, the second plate 21b is attached to the pin 24 positioned on the straight line L connecting the fixed point Ta and the operation point Tb in a state in which the second plate 21b can be relatively rotated. The coordinate position detection sensor 20 detects the operation direction and the operation amount of the operation pin 18 by the sensing unit 22a with the center position of the pin 24 as a sensing point P (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  Therefore, when the operation pin 18 is operated in the X-Y axis direction, the sensing point P takes a movement that follows the operation of the operation pin 18 with a movement amount reduced with respect to the operation amount of the operation pin 18. For example, when there is a 3: 1 similarity between the operation amount of the operation pin 18 and the movement amount of the sensing point P, when the operation pin 18 is operated in the XY direction, it is shown in FIG. Thus, the sensing point P draws a movement trajectory having the same shape but a third of the operation trajectory (rotation trajectory) of the operation pin 18, and this is detected by the sensing unit 22a.

  FIG. 6 is an electrical configuration diagram of the computer 1 and the pointing device 6. The pointing device 6 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 26, a read-only memory (ROM) 27, a random-access memory (RAM) 28, and an interface 29. These devices are connected to each other through a bus 30. A cable 6 a extending from the arithmetic and control unit 2 is connected to the interface 29. The CPU 26 uses the RAM 28 as a work area to execute the program in the ROM 27 to operate the pointing device 6, and outputs the relative position data D and the ON signal Son to the arithmetic control device 2 via the cable 6 a. The CPU 26 corresponds to control means.

  The arithmetic and control unit 2 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, and an interface 34, and these devices are connected to each other through a bus 35. The CPU 31 is connected to the input device 3, the display device 4, and the pointing device 6 through the bus 30 and the interface 29. The CPU 31 operates the computer 1 by executing the program in the ROM 32 by using the RAM 33 as a work area.

  The program in the ROM 32 includes a display control program for controlling the display position and display state of the pointer 5 on the screen 4a and the display content of the screen 4a based on various data and signals input from the pointing device 6. This display control program changes the selected coordinate position on the screen 4a by moving the pointer 5 when a coordinate position selection operation is performed with the pointing device 6, and when the coordinate position designation operation is performed with the pointing device 6. In addition, the program is a program for displaying on the screen 4a a display screen corresponding to the designated display button 42 (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

  When the CPU 31 inputs the relative position data D from the pointing device 6 via the interface 34, the CPU 31 sets the selected coordinate position, that is, the screen display position of the pointer 5 based on the movement amount and the movement direction data in the relative position data D. To do. Then, the CPU 31 outputs the display data (display command) to the display device 4 via the interface 34, and displays the pointer 5 on the screen 4a at the display position corresponding to each value of the movement amount and the movement direction. That is, the direction in which the pointer 5 is to be moved is determined from the information on the moving direction included in the relative position data D, and how much the pointer 5 is to be moved is determined from the information on the moving amount included in the relative position data D. .

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the display position of the pointer 5 at the time of inputting the relative position is set so as to move a predetermined amount of movement with respect to the movement amount K1 when the operation pin 18 is slid. . Therefore, the relationship between the movement amount K1 when the operation pin 18 slides (that is, the movement amount detected by the coordinate position detection sensor 20) and the change amount K2 of the pointer position on the screen 4a is, for example, 1: 3. In this case, when the slide operation is performed on the operation pin 18, the pointer 5 on the screen 4a moves a distance K2 (= 3 × K1) that is three times the movement amount K1 at the time of the slide movement.

  When the push switch 9 is turned on and the on signal Son is input from the pointing device 6, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the pointer 5 is displayed on the display button 42 of the screen 4a. This determination is performed by determining whether the XY coordinate value of the pointer 5 is included in any of the XY coordinate values displayed on the display button 42 as shown in FIG. If the pointer 5 is displayed over the display button 42 on the screen 4a, the CPU 31 executes a program corresponding to the display button 42 and displays a display screen corresponding to the program on the screen 4a.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first waterproof wall 36 extending downward (in the direction of arrow Z <b> 1 in FIG. 4) is formed on the periphery of the panel portion 11 so as to extend. The first waterproof wall 36 protrudes from the entire periphery of the panel portion 11 and surrounds the switch circuit 12 from the periphery. Accordingly, the first waterproof wall 36 functions to prevent water (conductor) entering the case 7 from the clearance 37 around the panel portion 11 from reaching the switch circuit 12.

  Between the inner wall of the switch accommodating part 10 and the 1st waterproof wall 36, the 1st flow path 38 which discharges | emits the water (conductor) which entered the case 7 from the clearance 37 around the panel part 11 out of the case 7 is provided. Is formed. The first flow passage 38 is formed over the entire periphery of the panel portion 11, and the passage width of the first flow passage 38 is set to a width that allows the panel portion 11 to slide in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a second waterproof wall 39 is formed in the opening portion 17 of the case 7 at a position below the arm 13 a. The second waterproof wall 39 plays a role of suppressing water (conductor) from entering the first housing portion 8 (in the case 7), and the width direction of the case 7 (X-axis direction in FIGS. 3 and 4). ). A second flow passage 40 is formed in the case 7 at a position between the opening portion 17 and the coordinate position detection sensor 20 (sensor unit 22). The second flow passage 40 plays a role of discharging water (conductor) that has entered the first housing portion 8 to the outside of the case 7, and is provided so as to extend in the height direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 3). ing. The second flow passage 40 is formed over the entire width direction of the case 7 (X-axis direction in FIGS. 3 and 4).

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the push switch 9. A plurality of locking claws 11 a projecting outward are formed at the tip (lower end) of the first waterproof wall 36. The locking claws 11a of this example are each formed in two on each of the walls 36a, 36b facing each other (FIG. 9 shows only two of the first waterproof walls 36a). A plurality of locking grooves 7 c are formed on the inner wall of the case 7 at positions facing the locking claws 11 a.

  Therefore, when the operation pin 18 is pushed in and the panel portion 11 is pressed, the locking claw 11a is guided to the locking groove 7c, and the downward movement of the panel portion 11 is allowed. On the other hand, when the finger is released from the operation pin 18 and the pressing operation of the panel unit 11 is released, the panel unit 11 moves upward along with the return operation of the switch circuit 12 (the return operation of the knob 13c). When the locking claw 11a is locked in the locking groove 7c during this movement process, further upward movement is restricted.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the operation load generating mechanism 41. The pointing device 6 includes an operation load generating mechanism 41 that applies an operation load to the operation pin 18 when the operation coordinate position of the operation pin 18 is operated to select a pointer position. The operation load generating mechanism 41 of this example is a mechanism that applies an operation load according to the operation coordinate position of the operation pin 18, and moves the operation pin 18 to the operation coordinate position corresponding to the display button 42 on the screen 4a. Assist.

  The operation load generating mechanism 41 will be described below. First, the shaft 16 extends downward from the bottom surface of the base end of the arm 13c at the position of the joint 15a, and the shaft 16 has a gear having a diameter larger than that of the shaft 16. 43 is fixedly attached to a concentric shaft. The case 7 is provided with a first motor 44 that applies an operation load to the operation pins 18. For example, a DC motor is used as the first motor 44, and a motor gear 44 b fixed to the tip of the motor shaft 44 a is engaged with the gear 43. Therefore, when the first motor 44 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the arm 13c via the motor gear 44b, the gear 43, and the shaft 16, and the arm 13c rotates about the axis of the shaft 16.

  An insertion hole 45 is provided at the base end of the arm 13d at a position corresponding to the joint 15a, and the shaft 16 is inserted into the insertion hole 45 in a state in which the shaft 16 is relatively rotatable. A shaft 46 extends downward on the lower surface of the base end of the arm 13d. A gear 47 having a diameter larger than that of the shaft 46 is attached and fixed to the tip of the shaft 46 in a concentric shape. The insertion hole 45 is formed across the arm 13 d, the shaft 46 and the gear 47. The arm 13d is in an attached state in which the shaft 46 is inserted into the hole 7d of the case 7 and the edge of the hole 7d enters the recess 13f formed between the arm 13d and the gear 47.

  The case 7 is provided with a second motor 48 that applies an operation load to the operation pin 18. For example, a DC motor is used as the second motor 48, and a motor gear 48 b fixed to the tip of the motor shaft 48 a is engaged with the gear 47. Therefore, when the second motor 48 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the arm 13d via the motor gear 48b, the gear 47, and the shaft 46, and the arm 13d rotates about the axis of the shaft 46. The first motor 44 and the second motor 48 correspond to actuators.

  11A is a screen diagram of the display device 4, and FIG. 11B is an image diagram of map data M for generating an operation load. The ROM 27 stores map data M that is used when the CPU 26 determines the operation load. The map data M is a data group used when obtaining the vector and magnitude of the operation load at the XY coordinate position (X-axis coordinate value and Y-axis coordinate value) of the operation pin 18, and is shown in FIG. Thus, the XY coordinate is the operation coordinate position of the operation pin 18, and the Z axis is written in the ROM 27 as a three-dimensional map of operation load calculation data (hereinafter referred to as operation load calculation data).

  When the operation pin 18 is operated, the CPU 26 refers to the map data M, and calculates the operation load calculation data corresponding to the XY coordinate position of the operation pin 18 at that time, that is, the generated load necessary for the X and Y axes. Is derived. Then, the CPU 26 calculates a current value (a magnitude and direction of the current) for generating these operation loads in the X and Y axis directions in a composite manner by the two motors 44 and 48, and calculates the current value for each motor. The operation load is generated on the operation pin 18 according to the XY coordinate position. Further, the map data M in this example is set to a value that applies an operation load to the operation pin 18 so that the pointer 5 moves to be sucked into the display button 42 when the pointer 5 is aligned with the display button 42. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the map data M is set for each menu screen 49 displayed on the screen 4a. That is, when the hiragana input mode menu screen 49a shown in FIG. 11A is displayed on the screen 4a, the map data Ma shown in FIG. 11B is used. When the menu selection screen 49b shown in FIG. 12A is displayed on the screen 4a, the map data Mb shown in FIG. 12B is used. As can be seen from FIG. 12 (b), the position where the operation load is greatly separated from the display button 42 is set to a larger value than the other coordinate positions.

Next, the operation of the pointing device 6 of this example will be described.
When the coordinate position on the screen 4a is selected and operated, the operation pin 18 is operated on the operation surface 19 in the XY axis direction to position the pointer 5 at a predetermined screen display position. The operation of the pin 18 is transmitted to the coordinate position detection sensor 20 via the link mechanism 14. The coordinate position detection sensor 20 detects the operation direction and the operation amount of the operation pin 18 in the XY axis direction at its sensing point P, and outputs the relative position data D to the arithmetic and control unit 2. The arithmetic and control unit 2 controls the display position of the pointer 5 based on the relative position data D, and displays the pointer 5 at the screen display position according to the operation of the operator.

  By the way, when starting to use the pointing device 6, the CPU 26 first determines the menu screen 49 on the screen 4a, and sets the use map to the map data M corresponding to the menu screen 49 in the display state. Further, the CPU 26 sequentially monitors the XY coordinate position of the operation pin 18 based on the relative position data D while the pointing device 6 is in use.

  When the operation pin 18 is operated, the CPU 26 refers to the map data M in the ROM 27, obtains load calculation data at the XY coordinate position, that is, operation loads necessary for the X and Y axes, and is necessary for this. Current value calculation for generating a complex operation load by the two motors 44 and 48 is performed, and the current value is supplied to the motors 44 and 48. For example, when the operation pin 18 takes the operation coordinate position P1 shown in FIG. 11B, the waveform inclination in the X-axis direction is positive and the waveform inclination in the Y-axis direction is negative. A current is supplied to the first motor 44 in a magnitude corresponding to the X coordinate position, and a current in the reverse direction is supplied to the second motor 48 in a magnitude corresponding to the Y coordinate position.

  When the pointer 5 overlaps the display button 42 such as an icon or a function button, the operation pin 18 is pushed downward in the display position state. Then, it is pushed by the shaft portion 18b of the operation pin 18 and the panel portion 11 moves downward, the push switch 9 is turned on, and the icon or function button whose position is designated by the pointer 5 is selected and designated. Therefore, the CPU 26 executes a program corresponding to the icon or function button selected and designated by the pointer 5, and a display screen corresponding to the program is displayed on the screen 4a.

  Next, processing executed when the CPU 26 applies an operation load to the operation pin 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart is always executed at a predetermined cycle interval after the computer 1 is powered on, for example.

In step 100, a menu screen 49 is displayed on the screen 4a.
In step 101, the map used for setting the operation load is set to map data M corresponding to the menu screen 49 displayed on the screen 4a.

In step 102, the operation coordinate position of the operation pin 18, that is, the screen display position of the pointer 5 is calculated based on the detection value of the coordinate position detection sensor 20.
In step 103, the magnitude and direction of the current required for the motors 44 and 48 are calculated with reference to the map data M.

  In step 104, the current having the magnitude and direction calculated in step 103 is supplied to the motors 44 and 48. As a result, a current having a magnitude and direction calculated based on the map data M is sent to the first motor 44 and the second motor 48, and depends on the XY coordinate position of the operation pin 18, that is, the screen display position of the pointer 5. An operation load is applied to the operation pin 18.

  In step 105, it is determined whether or not the menu screen 49 of the screen 4a has been changed. If there is a change in the menu screen 49, the process proceeds to step 100, and if there is no change in the menu screen 49, the process proceeds to step 102.

  In this example, when the operation pin 18 is operated, a motor current having a magnitude and direction calculated based on the map data M is supplied to the first motor 44 and the second motor 48, and the X− An operation load corresponding to the Y coordinate position is applied. For this reason, when the pointer 5 is aligned with the display button 42, the operation pin 18 is moved to the position corresponding to the display button 42 so that the pointer 5 is sucked. Thus, the discriminability of the pointer display position on the screen 4a is improved. Further, when the operation pin 18 is operated, an auxiliary force (assist force) is applied by the first motor 44 and the second motor 48, and it is effective in quickly selecting a desired display button 42.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When selecting the screen display position of the pointer 5 with the operation pin 18, an operation load is applied to the operation pin 18 by the first motor 44 and the second motor 48, and the pointer 5 is displayed on the display button 42 on the screen 4a. A feeling of operation that is sucked into the operation pin 18 is generated. Accordingly, the display position of the pointer 5 can be roughly grasped by the operation feeling of the operation pin 18, and the distinguishability of the pointer display position on the screen 4a can be improved. Further, when the operation pin 18 is operated, an auxiliary force is applied to the operation pin 18 by the first motor 44 and the second motor 48, so that the desired display button 42 can be quickly selected and determined from the coordinate selection. It is possible to shorten the time required for the process.

  (2) Since an operation load having a value corresponding to the XY coordinate is applied to the operation pin 18, two parameters, the X coordinate and the Y coordinate, are used when determining the operation load. Therefore, since the operation load is applied to the operation pin 18 with a value corresponding to the operation coordinate position of the operation pin 18, it is possible to ensure high discrimination with respect to the operation coordinate position of the operation pin 18.

  (3) The map data M in which the vector and magnitude of the operation load are set in the XY coordinate position of the operation pin 18 is prepared in the ROM 27, and the map data M is referred to when the operation load is applied to the operation pin 18. To set the value of the operation load. Therefore, for example, the operation load can be set by a simple process as compared with the case where the vector and the magnitude of the operation load are obtained by a calculation formula, and the setting time can be shortened when setting the operation load.

  (4) The operation load is set so that the value of the operation load increases in proportion to the distance from the display button 42. Accordingly, even when the pointer 5 is far from the display button 42 to be aligned, a large operation load is applied to the operation pin 18 at the time of alignment, so that the pointer 5 moves to the display button 42 more quickly. Thus, it is effective in further shortening the time required for the selection operation when aligning the pointer 5.

  (5) The operation amount when the operation pin 18 is operated in the XY direction is input to the coordinate position detection sensor 20 by the link mechanism 14 with a similar relationship. Accordingly, the area Sa (see FIG. 2) of the detection surface 22c of the coordinate position detection sensor 20 is smaller than the operation area (maximum operation range: two-dot chain line region in FIG. 2) Sb of the operation pin 18. The size of the position detection sensor 20 can be reduced, and consequently the size of the pointing device 6 can be reduced.

  (6) Since the input of the operation pin 18 is transmitted to the coordinate position detection sensor 20 via the link mechanism 14, the coordinate position detection sensor 20 is not an expensive touch panel, but an inexpensive relative position detection system sensor. Can be used. Therefore, the cost required for the sensor of the coordinate position detection system can be reduced, and the cost of the pointing device 6 can be reduced.

  (7) A structure is employed in which the operation of the operation pin 18 in the XY axis direction is transmitted to the coordinate position detection sensor 20 via the link mechanism 14, and the coordinate operation position of the operation pin 18 and the coordinate in the XY axis direction are adopted. The detection position was a separate position. Therefore, the first waterproof wall 36, the second waterproof wall 39, the second flow passage 40, and the like can be provided, and the waterproofness of the pointing device 6 can be improved. In addition, since the coordinate position detection sensor 20 is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 25 in the case 7, the coordinate position detection sensor 20 is in an attached state covered with the case 7, and water or the like adheres to the coordinate position detection sensor 20. This makes it difficult to cause malfunction or failure in the coordinate position detection sensor 20. Further, since the coordinate position detection sensor 20 is provided with a seal structure, it is difficult for water to enter the printed circuit board 22b from around the sensing unit 22a, and the coordinate position detection sensor 20 is highly waterproof. Contributes to ensuring safety.

In addition, embodiment is not limited to the said structure, You may change into the following aspects.
The coordinate position calculation of the operation pin 18 is not necessarily performed by the CPU 26 on the pointing device 6 side. For example, the pointing device 6 may capture the coordinate position calculated on the calculation control device 2 side from the calculation control device 2.

-An actuator is not limited to a motor, For example, you may use other drive sources, such as a pneumatic cylinder.
The operation load calculation is not limited to referring to the map data M, but may be a calculation method using a calculation formula.

  The coordinate position detection sensor 20 is not limited to a sensor using an optical sensor, and may be a linear encoder, for example. The coordinate position detection sensor 20 is not limited to a sensor that detects a relative position, and may be a sensor that detects the operation position of the operation pin 18 as an absolute position using a touch panel, for example.

  The coordinate position detection sensor 20 is not limited to the plate 21 being attached to the link mechanism 14 and the sensor unit 22 being attached to the case 7, and this may be the reverse attachment position.

  -A transmission mechanism is not limited to the link mechanism 14 which connected several arm 13a-13d in the shape of a pantograph, For example, the arm type transmission mechanism which consists of one linear arm may be sufficient. In the case of an arm type transmission mechanism, an operation pin 18 is attached to the distal end of the arm, and the coordinate position detection sensor 20 is disposed at the proximal end.

  The operation pin 18 is not limited to a pin shape, and the shape of the operation pin 18 is not particularly limited as long as the panel portion 11 can be pushed. Further, the operation pin 18 is not limited to being a separate member from the arm 13a, and may be formed integrally with the arm 13a.

  The pointer display is not limited to moving at a constant speed when the operation pin 18 is slid, and for example, the movement speed may be changed according to the amount of movement when the operation pin 18 is slid.

The pointing device 6 is not limited to being connected by wire using the cable 6a, and the communication format may be wireless.
The pointing device 6 of this example is not limited to being employed in a general-purpose personal computer, and may be employed in, for example, a car navigation system for a vehicle. In this case, the pointer display control device of this example performs alignment of the pointer displayed on the display screen of the car navigation system. In addition, the pointer display control device of this example is not limited to this type of car navigation system, and if the display device has a display device and displays a pointer on the screen, the adoption target is There is no particular limitation.

The pointer 5 does not necessarily have an arrow pattern, and the selection state may be notified by changing the color display of an icon or a function button, for example.
The pointing device 6 is not necessarily provided with the push switch 9, and the enter operation can be performed with the enter key of the input device 3, and therefore the push switch 9 may be omitted.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(1) In any one of Claims 1-6, the protective mechanism which suppresses the conductor adhesion to the electronic circuit of at least one of the said coordinate position detection means and the said designation | designated operation detection means was provided.

  (2) In a pointing device that selects and operates the coordinate position on the screen by changing the screen display position of the pointer, the operation unit operated when selecting the coordinate position, and the coordinates for detecting the operation coordinate position of the operation unit A position detecting unit; a transmission mechanism capable of transmitting the operation to the coordinate position detecting unit when the operating unit is operated; an operating load generating mechanism for generating an operating load on the operating unit; and the operating load generating mechanism And a control unit that controls an actuator of the operation load generation mechanism based on a detection value of the coordinate position detection unit so that an operation load is generated in the operation unit. In this case, in the pointing device that can perform only the selection operation of the screen coordinate position, it is possible to improve the distinguishability of the selected coordinate position when the coordinate position on the screen is selected.

The lineblock diagram showing the outline of the computer in one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the pointing device. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of a pointing device. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pointing device. The top view explaining the operation state when a link mechanism rotates. The electrical block diagram of a computer. The screen figure explaining the display position transition of the pointer at the time of coordinate position operation. The screen figure which shows the display state of the screen at the time of performing enter operation with a pointer. The perspective view which expanded the push switch part of the pointing device. The schematic cross section which shows the structure of the operation load generation mechanism. FIG. 11A is a screen diagram of the display device, and FIG. 11B is an image diagram of map data M for generating an operation load. FIG. 11A is a screen diagram of the display device, and FIG. 11B is an image diagram of map data M for generating an operation load. The flowchart performed when CPU gives the operation load to an operation pin. The fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional pointing device. Similarly, the screen figure of the conventional display screen.

Explanation of symbols

  4a ... screen, 5 ... pointer, 6 ... pointing device, 7 ... case, 11 ... panel unit as second operation unit, 12 ... switch circuit as designated operation detecting means (electronic circuit), 13a-13d ... arm, 14 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Link mechanism as a transmission mechanism, 16 ... Shaft as a support shaft, 18 ... Operation pin as a first operation part, 19 ... Operation surface, 20 ... Coordinate position detection sensor as coordinate position detection means, 21 ... Detected part As a plate, 22 as a sensor unit as an electronic circuit (detection unit), 26 as a CPU as a control means, 41 as an operation load generating mechanism, 42 as a display button, 44 as a first motor as an actuator, 48 as an actuator The second motor, M (Ma, Mb) ... map data, P1 ... operation coordinate position, Ta ... fixed point, Tb ... operation point, L ... straight line.

Claims (6)

In a pointing device that selects and designates a coordinate position on the screen by changing the screen display position of the pointer, and performing a designation operation at the coordinate position,
A first operation unit operated when selecting the coordinate position;
A second operation unit that functions as an operation surface of the first operation unit and is operated when designating the coordinate position;
Coordinate position detecting means for detecting an operation coordinate position of the first operation unit;
A designated operation detecting means for detecting a pressing operation of the second operation unit;
A transmission mechanism capable of transmitting the operation to the coordinate position detection means when the first operation unit is operated;
An operation load generating mechanism for generating an operation load in the first operation section;
Control means for controlling an actuator of the operation load generation mechanism based on a detection value of the coordinate position detection means so that the operation load generation mechanism generates an operation load on the first operation section. And pointing device. The operation load generation mechanism is configured to apply an operation load to the first operation unit using two actuators,
The control unit obtains an XY operation coordinate position of the first operation unit based on a detection value of the coordinate position detection unit, and combines an operation load corresponding to the XY coordinate position with the two actuators. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device is generated. Storage means storing map data that associates the operation coordinate position of the first operation unit with the vector and magnitude of the operation load to be applied at the operation coordinate position;
The control means obtains a vector and a magnitude of the operation load to be applied with reference to the map data, and generates a load on the operation load generation mechanism based on the vector and the magnitude. Item 3. The pointing device according to Item 1 or 2.   The control means is configured such that when the first operation unit is operated to align the pointer with the display button on the screen, the coordinate is changed with a feeling that the pointer is sucked into the display button. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein an operation load is applied to the operation unit.   When the first operation unit is operated to align the pointer with the display button on the screen, the control means operates as the pointer position before alignment moves away from the display button of the alignment destination. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pointing device is set so as to increase a load value. The transmission mechanism is
A link mechanism having a structure in which a plurality of arms are connected and capable of rotating around its own support shaft,
The coordinate position detecting means includes
A detected part disposed in one of the case of the device and the link mechanism;
A detector that is disposed on the other of the case and the link mechanism, and that detects an operation of the link mechanism via the detected portion;
Of the detection unit and the detected unit, a member disposed on the link mechanism side is connected to the link mechanism on a straight line connecting the operation point of the first operation unit and the fixed point of the support shaft. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

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