JP2007164587A - Mouse pad and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To utilize information by drastically improving the function of a mouse pad and storing various information. <P>SOLUTION: A single or a plurality of IC tags 5 are attached to a mouse pad main body 2, then desired information can be stored in the IC tags 5. The mouse pad 1 with the IC tags 5 mounted therein is used as an information processing system that combines a mouse 40 provided with a reader for reading information of the IC tags 5 and a personal computer 50 for displaying the information read by the mouse 40 on the screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunctional mouse pad and an information processing system using the same.

  The mouse pad is used to move the mouse smoothly, to help the trackball on the mouse roll, and to move the computer cursor accurately. Various types have been put to practical use, such as a resin layer provided with an elastic layer such as a foamed urethane layer underneath. Some of these conventional mouse pads have been proposed to prevent the adhering of floating dust and to be cleaned by the wiping effect.

  As described above, the conventional mouse pad has a function of assisting the smooth movement of the mouse and the rolling of the trackball. However, some of the other mouse pads have been proposed. (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-10-124252

  What is described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is provided with a concave portion on the surface of the mouse pad, and a numeric keypad unit fitted into the concave portion. Even if there is no numeric keyboard, the numeric keypad of the mouse pad is used. It is said that numerical information can be input.

  The mouse pad described in Patent Document 1 has a function that allows numerical information to be input using the mouse pad in addition to the original function of helping to move the mouse, and is more convenient than a conventional mouse pad. It is thought that. However, in reality, it is presumed that there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated due to the attachment of the numeric keypad unit, and the price is significantly increased. In addition, since only numerical information can be input, it cannot be said that the function is sufficiently satisfactory.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to greatly improve the function of a conventional mouse pad so that various information can be appropriately input.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. First, the mouse pad according to claim 1 is characterized in that one or a plurality of IC tags are attached to the mouse pad main body. The mouse pad according to claim 2 is characterized in that sales promotion data such as company information and product information is recorded on the IC tag in the mouse pad according to claim 1.

  Next, the IC tag according to claim 3 is provided with a fixing means for the mouse pad. The IC tag holding sheet according to claim 4 is characterized in that a plurality of the IC tags according to claim 3 are attached to the sheet.

  Furthermore, the information processing system according to claim 5 includes a mouse pad to which an IC tag is attached, a mouse having a reader for reading information stored in the IC tag of the mouse pad, and information read by the mouse. And a personal computer displayed on the screen. In addition, the invention described in claim 6 is configured such that the information on the personal computer screen can be recorded on the IC tag of the mouse pad via the mouse in the invention described in claim 3 above.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the mouse pad itself can be used as an information source, and an IC tag for transmitting information by wireless communication is attached to the mouse pad, and various information is stored in the IC tag. To be able to keep. Therefore, the information stored in the IC tag can be effectively utilized by reading it with a reader, preferably a reader attached to the mouse. If the information for advertising and sales promotion is stored in the IC tag attached to the mouse pad as in the invention described in claim 2, the person using the mouse pad reads the information, so that it is effective. Can advertise.

  Next, since the IC tag according to claim 3 is provided with a fixing means for the mouse pad, it can be easily attached to the mouse pad by utilizing the fixing means. For this reason, if an IC tag storing various information is supplied for attachment to a mouse pad, it is convenient for a consumer to attach it to his / her own mouse pad and use it. The IC tag holding sheet according to claim 4 is a sheet in which a plurality of IC tags according to claim 3 are held in a common sheet, and can hold a minute IC tag so as not to be lost. Any IC tag or all IC tags can be selected and attached to the mouse pad, which is convenient.

  Furthermore, an information processing system according to claim 5 is an image in which a mouse pad to which the IC tag is attached, a mouse having a reader for reading information stored in the IC tag, and information read by the mouse are displayed. It is possible to read the information stored in the IC tag of the mouse pad as appropriate and use it for information processing by the computer, which is practically convenient. Furthermore, since the invention according to claim 6 is configured so that the information on the personal computer screen can be recorded on the IC tag of the mouse pad via the mouse, the information on the IC tag can be appropriately rewritten or added. It becomes more convenient practically.

  The embodiments shown in the drawings will be specifically described below. FIG. 1 illustrates a mouse pad according to the present invention. In this mouse pad 1, an IC tag 5 is attached to a mouse pad main body 2. Specifically, the IC tag 5 is embedded in the mouse pad main body 2 so as not to be exposed on the surface. The mounting position of the IC tag 5 is preferably on the back side of the mouse pad body 2. In this case, it may be directly attached to the back surface of the mouse pad main body 2, but it is preferable to form a minute recess on the back surface of the mouse pad main body 2 and fit and fix it there. This is to prevent the mouse from sliding, but in some cases, it may be attached to the surface of the mouse pad. In this case, it is preferable to cover the surface of the IC tag 5 with a smooth sheet.

  The mouse pad main body 2 is made of various conventionally known materials. For example, a flexible resin molded into a sheet, a rubber molded into a sheet, an acrylic resin plate, a plastic sheet, Some use paper laminates. In short, any device that can accurately follow the movement of the mouse and rotate it without sliding the ball of the mouse is acceptable.

  The IC tag 5 is also referred to as a wireless tag or an electronic tag because information written on the IC tag 5 is read by a reader using wireless communication. This type of IC tag includes an active type that incorporates a battery as a power source, but a widely used type of product identification is a passive type that uses radio waves from a reader as a power source. The IC tag 5 in the illustrated example is also a passive type. IC tags are classified into close contact type, proximity type, proximity type, remote type, and the like depending on the distance from the reader at the time of reading. In the present invention, proximity type or proximity type IC tags are preferable.

  Recently, the information stored in IC tags has become quite large. In addition to product identification symbols that have been widely used in the past, sales such as timetables, telephone books, simple dictionaries and maps, etc. It is now possible to store information such as data for promotion. The present invention makes it possible to easily read and use information stored in such an IC tag or to record desired information on the IC tag.

  As a method for attaching the IC tag 5, it is convenient to fix it with an adhesive (including an adhesive). Specifically, it is preferable that the mouse pad main body 2 is provided with a minute recess, and the IC tag 5 is fitted and fixed thereto. The IC tag 5 may be embedded in the mouse pad by attaching a surface sheet from above, or the IC tag 5 may be embedded in an intermediate layer of the mouse pad in some cases. It is convenient to attach a plurality of IC tags 5 to one mouse pad 1 and read them selectively. In this case, it is desirable to place a heading or mark so that the contents of the IC tag 5 can be understood at the position where the IC tag 5 is embedded on the surface of the mouse pad main body.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the information processing system of the present invention, the IC tag 5 and the reader 10. The IC tag 5 includes an antenna 20 for wireless communication, a modem circuit 21, a control circuit 22, and the like. A power supply circuit 23 and a memory 24 are provided. In the power supply circuit 23, the antenna 20 is a coil, rectifies a current due to electromagnetic induction generated in the coil, and supplies a predetermined voltage to the control circuit 22. The control circuit 22 is activated by the voltage from the power supply circuit 23, reads information stored in the memory 24, and performs wireless communication with the reader via the modem circuit 21. Although the identification ID of the IC tag 5 is also stored in the memory 24, the identification ID for identifying each IC tag 5 can be omitted depending on the application or the like.

  On the other hand, the reader 10 includes an antenna 30, a modem circuit 31, a control circuit 32, and a power supply circuit 33. The power supply circuit 33 of the reader 10 supplies power such as a battery and a capacitor to the control circuit 32, and the control circuit 32 communicates with the IC tag 5 wirelessly based on a command input from the operation device 35. The reader 10 is attached to the mouse 40 and is used by being connected to a personal computer 50, for example. A general reader that reads information from the IC tag 5 needs to be provided with operation means including push buttons and keys, a display such as a liquid crystal, and an alarm. In this embodiment, the reader is used for operating a personal computer. These can be omitted by incorporating them in the mouse. That is, a mouse click button can be used as the operation means of the reader 10, and a display of a personal computer can be used as the display. The mouse 40 may be separately provided with a switch (for example, a button switch) for operating the reader 10. In this way, erroneous operation can be prevented. In wireless communication between the reader 10 and the IC tag 5, it is also possible to detect the identification ID stored in the memory of the IC tag 5 and communicate with the target IC tag.

  Since this mouse pad 1 has an IC tag 5 attached to the mouse pad body 2, this IC tag 5 can be used as an information source. For example, the mouse pad 1 can be used as an advertising medium. That is, if the mouse pad 1 storing product advertisements or company advertisements is distributed in the memory of the IC tag 5, the person who uses the mouse pad 1 reads the contents, so that a large advertisement effect can be expected. .

  It is also possible to record support data for operating the personal computer on the IC tag 5 of the mouse pad 1 and use it as a support tool for operating the personal computer. For example, if the format for spreadsheets and the format for conference documents are recorded on the IC tag 5 of the mouse pad 1, the mouse can be operated without having to select and display these on the personal computer screen. This is convenient because it can be read directly from the IC tag 5 and can be easily displayed on the screen. Further, it is possible to easily change the use mode of the personal computer, for example, switching between kana input and romaji input when creating a document, using the IC tag 5.

  Further, the information recorded on the map or the sightseeing spot on the IC tag 5 of the mouse pad 1 can be used as a souvenir for a party or a sightseeing spot. In addition, if a beautiful picture or photo is recorded on the IC tag 5, it can be expected to heal tired eyes on a personal computer monitor.

  The memory of the IC tag 5 attached to the mouse pad 1 is not limited to the ROM, and it is also effective to provide a RAM. With such a readable / writable memory, it is possible to directly read and store personal computer image information, etc., and to rewrite, add, and correct stored information as needed. Therefore, the use as an information source is further expanded.

  Next, the simplest method of attaching the IC tag 5 to the mouse pad is a method of attaching with an adhesive (adhesive). For this reason, it is convenient to apply an adhesive in advance to one side of the IC tag 5 as a means for attaching to the mouse pad body 2. In this case, the release paper 61 may be pasted on the adhesive layer 60. Since the IC tag 5 is a minute object, a circular or polygonal mount (for example, a sheet of synthetic resin or the like) 62 having a size larger than that of the IC tag is attached to one side of the IC tag. It is convenient to apply the adhesive for fixing to the mouse pad body 2 on the outer surface of the mount. As for the size of the mount, an outer diameter of about several millimeters to several tens of millimeters is sufficient. As shown in FIG. 4, a release paper 61 that covers the adhesive layer 60 may be attached to the one before being attached to the mouse pad. Thus, the thing which attached the mount of the moderate size to IC tag 5 is applicable also to the IC tag used for other uses. For example, as is widely used in the past, if an IC tag attached to a product or personal belongings is attached to a mount with an adhesive (adhesive) as described above, handling and management will be easier and lost. Etc. can also be prevented.

  Furthermore, handling minute IC tags individually in the distribution process or the like is cumbersome and may be lost. In order to avoid this, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable to attach a plurality of IC tags 5 having different storage contents provided with fixing means to the mouse pad body 2 to a common sheet 70. As the material of the sheet 70, an appropriate material such as paper, wood, plastic, metal, or the like can be used. If the IC tag holding sheet 70 holding the plurality of IC tags 5 is sold and the customer appropriately removes the IC tag 5 from the sheet and attaches it to the mouse pad body 2, there is no risk of loss or the like. A plurality of IC tags storing various information can be easily selected and attached. It is also possible to attach the IC tag holding sheet 70 holding the plurality of IC tags to the mouse pad main body 2 as it is. In this case, the adhesive layer 60 may be provided on the back surface of the IC tag holding sheet 70 and protected with the release paper 61. As described above, if a plurality of IC tags 5 attached in advance to one sheet 70 is attached to the mouse pad main body 2, a plurality of IC tags can be attached simultaneously with a simple operation, which is very convenient.

  In the above description, the ball type mouse has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the same applies to an optical mouse that has recently been widely used.

  As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can effectively use a mouse pad, which has been a simple accessory for operating a personal computer, as an information source that can be taken into a computer, for various businesses and hobbies. Useful and convenient.

It is an external view of a mouse pad. FIG. It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of an information processing system. It is sectional drawing showing the example which provided the mount in IC tag. It is explanatory drawing of an IC tag holding sheet.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mouse pad 2 Mouse pad main body 5 IC tag 40 Mouse 50 Personal computer 60 Adhesive layer 61 Release paper 70 Sheet

Claims (6)

A mouse pad having one or more IC tags attached to the mouse pad body. The mouse pad according to claim 1, wherein sales promotion data such as company information and product information is recorded on the IC tag. An IC tag comprising a fixing means for a mouse pad. An IC tag holding sheet comprising a plurality of the IC tags according to claim 3 attached to the sheet. Information processing system comprising: a mouse pad to which an IC tag is attached; a mouse having a reader for reading information stored in the IC tag of the mouse pad; and a personal computer for displaying information read by the mouse on a screen . The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein information on a personal computer screen can be recorded on an IC tag of a mouse pad via a mouse.

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