JP2007102366A - Mouse - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of operational button members and switches of a mouse having a function equivalent to that of a conventional one to attain simple structure and cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: A mouse switches between a pointer movement signal output mode and a control signal output mode, which outputs prescribed control signals, with a mode-changing switch 11. The mouse outputs control signals, based on the movement direction and movement quantity of a traveling operation, while the control signal output mode is set. The control signals output left-clicking and right-clicking signals and also output scroll signals which scroll the display screen of a monitor horizontally or vertically. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mouse that is connected as a peripheral device of a personal computer and outputs a pointer movement signal for moving a pointer displayed on a monitor and a control signal such as a click signal for instructing a processing operation of the personal computer. .

  In personal computers, a cursor or mouse pointer that displays coordinate points on a screen displayed on an image display device (monitor) as a peripheral device is moved to an arbitrary position, a range is designated, and a display screen is scrolled. Generally, a mouse is connected and used as a position information input device for performing operations. A mouse generally has a case body composed of a combination of an upper half and a lower half, and a trackball is housed inside the case body so that a part of the outer peripheral surface is exposed outwardly from the bottom surface of the lower half. And an encoder that detects the amount and direction of rotation of the trackball, two left and right click buttons provided on the upper half side, and a signal cable that constitutes a connection portion between the personal computer and the like. .

  When the mouse is gripped and moved so as to enclose the case body, the trackball built in the case body rotates. The mouse detects the amount and direction of rotation of the trackball by an encoder, and outputs a pointer movement signal for moving the cursor and pointer from the encoder to the microcomputer side. In addition, when the click button is operated with the cursor or pointer reaching the designated position on the monitor, the mouse outputs a control signal and performs various operations such as input of various information corresponding to the screen.

  The mouse outputs a scroll signal for scrolling the display screen left and right or up and down when a spreadsheet or various documents are displayed on the monitor. In general, a mouse is provided with a scroll dial in which an outer peripheral part is exposed on an upper case, and the scroll screen is scrolled in the vertical direction by rotating the scroll dial. Note that the mouse moves the cursor on a GUI (graphical user interface) displayed on the screen to perform a click operation when scrolling in the left-right direction.

  Note that the mouse is equipped with a light source such as a light emitting diode instead of the trackball and encoder, and an optical encoder that receives the detection light emitted from the light source and reflected by the desk surface or the like. An optical mouse configured for optical detection is also provided. In such an optical mouse, the emitted light emitted from the light emitting diode is reflected from the slit provided on the bottom surface of the case body and is reflected by the desk surface, and the return light from the operation surface is detected by the optical encoder. The optical mouse outputs a control signal for moving the cursor and the mouse pointer to a predetermined position from the optical encoder to the microcomputer device. An optical mouse is also provided that includes infrared signal transmission means instead of a signal cable, and wirelessly transmits and receives signal transmission to and from a microcomputer device.

  By the way, in a mouse, in order to output a left click signal and a right click signal, generally, a left click button member and a right click button member are swingably assembled to the upper half, and a left click button member is disposed on the lower half side. Left click switch and right click switch pressed by the right click button member. In addition, the mouse | mouth provided with three sets of click button members and a click switch is provided as a thing for CAD (computer aided design).

As described above, the mouse is provided with a plurality of button members to achieve multi-functionality, while reducing the number of button members by narrowing down to the minimum necessary functions to reduce weight and size. ing. The mouse disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used by being pinched with a fingertip and can output a necessary signal. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a mouse that is multifunctional by detecting a state where it is lifted from the pad surface and outputting a click signal, for example, based on this detection signal. .
JP 2003-131806 A JP 2001-142636 A

  As described above, since the conventional general mouse includes at least two sets of click button members and click switches, the number of parts increases and the support structure of each click button member becomes complicated. For this reason, the conventional general mouse has a problem that it is difficult to reduce the cost and becomes large in order to achieve multiple functions. In addition, the conventional general mouse has a problem that there are significant restrictions on the arrangement of components and the design development of the case body.

  Although the mouse disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above is miniaturized, it requires a completely different operation from a conventional mouse, requires a considerable period of learning, and is difficult to use for the elderly and the like. There is a problem of becoming. Further, the mouse disclosed in Patent Document 2 requires a dedicated interface and software on the personal computer side, and thus has a problem that it is not versatile with respect to an existing personal computer.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mouse that reduces the number of operation button members and their switches to simplify the structure and reduce the cost, and has the same function as a conventional mouse.

A mouse according to the present invention that achieves this object is connected to a personal computer and outputs a pointer movement signal for moving a pointer displayed on a monitor and outputs a predetermined control signal for instructing the personal computer to perform a processing operation. It performs the same function as a conventional mouse. The mouse according to the present invention includes a changeover switch for switching between a pointer movement signal output mode for outputting a pointer movement signal to a personal computer and a control signal output mode for outputting a predetermined control signal. The pointer movement signal is output in the output mode. The mouse according to the present invention is switched to the control signal output mode by operating the changeover switch. When the mouse is slid on the pad surface in this state, the moving direction and the moving amount are detected in advance. A predetermined control signal assigned based on the movement direction and the movement amount is output.

  The mouse according to the present invention outputs, for example, a left click signal, a right click signal, and a scroll signal for scrolling the display screen of the monitor left and right or up and down as control signals.

  According to the mouse of the present invention, the switch for switching between the pointer movement signal output mode and the control signal output mode for outputting a predetermined control signal is provided, and the movement direction and movement assigned in advance in the state set in the control signal output mode. Since it is configured to output a predetermined control signal based on the quantity, the push button member and the switch can be reduced and the structure can be simplified in spite of the fact that the multi-function is supported. Become. Therefore, according to the mouse of the present invention, it is possible to further increase the number of functions while maintaining cost reduction and downsizing, and the degree of freedom is also improved in the arrangement of components and the design development of the case body. The

  Hereinafter, the best mode of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A mouse 1 shown as an embodiment is connected to a personal computer 2 to which peripheral devices such as a monitor 3 are connected, for example, by a USB cable 4 as shown in FIG. The mouse 1 is operated while the user grips the case body 5 having a generally oval shape as a whole and slides the pad surface as in the case of the conventional mouse, and the switching operation is performed. The mouse 1 outputs a predetermined control signal to the personal computer 2 by this sliding operation and switching operation. The mouse 1 is supplied with power from the personal computer 2 via the USB cable 4. The mouse 1 may be connected to the personal computer 2 wirelessly using, for example, infrared rays.

  Although the mouse 1 is not shown, a wiring board is provided in the case body 5, and chip parts, electronic parts, and the like constituting the control unit 6, the interface unit 7, the signal allocation memory unit 8, and the like are mounted on the wiring board. The mouse 1 is provided with a first encoder 9 and a second encoder 10 that output a detection signal of a movement amount and a movement direction based on a sliding operation on the pad surface to the control unit 6. The mouse 1 is provided with a mode switch 11 for outputting a mode switching signal to the control unit 6 as will be described in detail later. The mouse 1 instructs the personal computer 2 to perform a pointer movement signal output mode for outputting a pointer movement signal for moving a pointer displayed on the monitor 3 to an appropriate position, and a processing operation to the personal computer 2. Switching to a control signal output mode for outputting a control signal is performed. The mouse 1 is normally set to a pointer movement signal output mode, and outputs a pointer movement signal to the personal computer 2.

  The mouse 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like in which the control unit 6 performs a mode switching process to be described later and performs predetermined signal processing to output a pointer movement signal and a control signal to the personal computer 2 via the interface unit 7. Consists of. The mouse 1 causes the interface unit 7 to exchange predetermined signals with the personal computer 2 using a predetermined protocol.

  In the mouse 1, information in which control signals are assigned in accordance with the movement direction and the movement amount is stored in the signal assignment memory unit 8. The signal allocation memory unit 8 includes, as control signals, information on the left click signal and right click signal output by the operation of the left click button member and the right click button member provided in the conventional mouse, as well as the vertical and horizontal directions. Information of the scroll signal is stored in association with the movement direction and movement amount data of the mouse 1.

  In the mouse 1, the case body 5 is configured by combining an upper half 12 and a lower half 13 made of synthetic resin as shown in FIG. 2. Although the details of the mouse 1 are omitted, the rear end side is supported in a swingable manner in a cantilevered state at the front portion of the upper half 12 (the side from which the USB cable 4 is pulled out), and substantially the same surface as the case body 5 The operation button member 14 of the mode changeover switch 11 is provided. When the operation button member 14 is pressed, it opens and closes the mode change switch 11 including a tact switch mounted on the wiring board and outputs a mode change signal to the control unit 6.

  In the mouse 1, the control unit 6 is switched from the pointer movement signal output mode to the control signal output mode based on the mode switching signal. When the mouse 1 is slid on the pad surface in the setting state of the control signal output mode, the movement direction and movement from the first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 to the control unit 6 will be described later. A pulse signal based on the quantity is input. In the mouse 1, the control unit 6 calls the information described above from the signal allocation memory unit 8 in accordance with the input of the pulse signal, performs comparison processing, and determines a click signal and a scroll signal. The mouse 1 outputs the determined control signal to the personal computer 2 via the interface unit 7.

  Although not described in detail for the mouse 1, a part of the outer peripheral portion is exposed outwardly from a circular opening formed in the lower half 13 inside the case body 5, and the trackball 15 is rotatably stored. ing. In the mouse 1, the first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 are arranged in the outer periphery of the trackball 15 with an angle difference of 90 ° from each other inside the case body 5.

  Although not described in detail, the first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 are each provided on a roller that rotates in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the trackball 15, and a plurality of optical elements arranged on the support shafts of these rollers and arranged in the rotational direction. The rotating plate is formed with a slit, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged with the rotating plate interposed therebetween. Like the conventional mouse, the first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 are rotated through a roller and a support shaft, respectively, when the mouse 1 is slid on the pad surface and the trackball 15 rotates. The board rotates. The first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 output a pulse signal to the control unit 6 when the optical slit crosses between the light emitting element and the light receiving element in accordance with the rotation operation of the rotating plate. In the mouse 1, the control unit 6 counts the number of pulses output from the first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 and performs predetermined signal processing, thereby outputting a pointer movement signal based on the movement direction and the movement amount. To do.

  Note that the mouse 1 receives the light emitting diode and the detection light emitted from the light emitting diode and reflected by the pad surface, instead of the configuration of the first encoder 9, the second encoder 10 and the trackball 15 described above. Of course, it may be an optical mouse composed of an optical encoder.

  In the mouse 1, the mode switch 11 is operated by pressing the operation button member 14 at an appropriate position on the pad surface, and a mode switch signal is output from the mode switch 11 to the control unit 6. . In the mouse 1, the control unit 6 switches from the pointer movement signal output mode to the control signal output mode based on the mode switching signal. In the mouse 1 in the control signal output mode setting state, for example, the left click signal, the right click signal, and the display screen of the monitor 3 are left and right with respect to the personal computer 2 based on the moving direction and moving amount by the sliding operation. Alternatively, a scroll signal for scrolling up and down is output.

  That is, in the mouse 1, as in the pointer movement signal output mode, the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal are transmitted from the first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 by the sliding operation even in the setting state of the control signal output mode. Is output to the control unit 6. In the mouse 1, the control unit 6 performs signal processing of the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal to detect the moving direction and the moving amount of the sliding operation. The mouse 1 selects a predetermined control signal stored in the signal allocation memory unit 8 based on the detection result and outputs the control signal to the personal computer 2.

  In the mouse 1, a left click signal is assigned to the signal allocation memory unit 8 for the sliding operation moved from a1 to a2 in the upper left direction as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. As indicated by the arrow b, a right click signal is assigned and registered for the sliding operation moved from b1 to b2 in the upper right direction. Further, in the mouse 1, a left scroll signal is assigned to the signal allocation memory unit 8 for the sliding operation moved from c1 to c2 in the left direction as indicated by an arrow c in FIG. In the figure, a right scroll signal is assigned and registered for a sliding operation moved from d1 to d2 in the right direction as indicated by an arrow d. Further, in the mouse 1, an up scroll signal is assigned to the signal allocation memory unit 8 for the sliding operation moved from e1 to e2 upward as indicated by an arrow e in FIG. In the drawing, as shown by an arrow f, a downward scroll signal is assigned and registered for the sliding operation moved downward from f1 to f2.

  In the mouse 1 configured as described above, the first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 perform the first operation by holding the case body 5 and performing the sliding operation on the pad surface as described above. The 1 pulse signal and the second pulse signal are output to the control unit 6. In the mouse 1, the control unit 6 performs predetermined signal processing on the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal. The mouse 1 is set to a pointer movement signal output mode in a normal usage mode, and outputs a pointer movement signal to the personal computer 2 via the interface unit 7 in accordance with the movement direction and movement amount. The mouse pointer is moved to a predetermined position on the screen 3.

  In the mouse 1, the operation button member 14 is pressed to operate the mode switching switch 11 so that the control unit 6 switches from the pointer movement signal output mode to the control signal output mode. In the mouse 1, the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal are respectively transmitted from the first encoder 9 and the second encoder 10 by performing a sliding operation, for example, in the upper left direction in the set state of the control signal output mode. 6 is output. In the mouse 1, the control unit 6 performs signal processing of the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal, detects that a predetermined amount has been moved in the upper left direction, and starts from the assignment control signal of the signal allocation memory unit 8. Select a click signal. In the mouse 1, this left click signal is output to the personal computer 2 via the interface unit 7 so that a predetermined control operation is performed.

  In the mouse 1, the predetermined control signal described above is output to the personal computer 2 by moving in a predetermined direction in the set state of the control signal output mode.

  In the mouse 1, as described above, the left click signal, the right click signal, and the scroll signal for scrolling the display screen of the monitor 3 left and right or up and down are output by the single operation button member 14 and the mode switch 11. Is possible. Accordingly, in the mouse 1, the left and right click switches and scroll switches that have been conventionally provided for outputting each control signal can be reduced and the structure can be simplified. The mouse 1 can be further multifunctional while maintaining cost reduction and downsizing, and the degree of freedom is improved in the arrangement of the constituent members and the design development of the case body.

  In the mouse 1, as described above, the left click signal, the right click signal, and the left / right / up / down scroll signals are assigned to the movement direction and the movement amount that are slid in the control signal output mode setting state. Of course, it is not limited to the assignment of the control signal. Further, in the mouse 1, an appropriate control signal may be assigned based on another movement direction and the movement amount.

  In addition, in the mouse 1, a sliding operation in each movement direction is identified by a predetermined movement amount to prevent a malfunction. For example, a left click signal assigned by a slight movement operation in the upper left direction is used. Of course, the amount of movement may be set individually in accordance with the control signal assigned so as to be output.

  In the mouse 1, the allocation information of each control signal is stored in advance in the signal allocation memory unit 8 and provided. For example, the moving direction and the control signal to be allocated are set simultaneously with the initial setting of the personal computer 2. Of course, it may be configured as follows.

It is a block diagram of a mouse shown as an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the same mouse. It is explanatory drawing of the moving direction and moving amount by which the control signal in the same mouse is allocated.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mouse 2 Personal computer 3 Monitor 4 USB cable 5 Case body 6 Control part 7 Interface part 8 Signal allocation memory part 9 1st encoder 10 2nd encoder 11 Mode changeover switch 12 Upper half 13 Lower half 14 Operation button member 15 Track ball

Claims (3)

In a mouse that is connected to a personal computer and outputs a pointer movement signal for moving a pointer displayed on a monitor, and a control signal that instructs a processing operation of the personal computer,
A switch for switching between a pointer movement signal output mode for outputting the pointer movement signal and a control signal output mode for outputting a predetermined control signal;
A mouse characterized by detecting a movement direction and a movement amount in a state where the changeover switch is operated to switch to the control signal output mode and outputting a predetermined control signal assigned thereto.   The mouse according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is a left click signal, a right click signal, and a scroll signal for scrolling a display screen of the monitor left and right or up and down. The mouse according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the changeover switch is one switch provided in an upper half.

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