JP2009282565A - Mouse device and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mouse device for, even when the finger of a user is not brought into contact with a mouse button, feeding back the circumstances of a mouse operation including the occurrence of an event having a certain temporal length to a user with a natural tactile. <P>SOLUTION: A mouse device 10 includes one or more actuators to achieve a tactile feedback function. Each of the actuators 11, 12 and 13 linearly moves a movable member (support leg) between a storage position and a protruding position where it protrudes from a bottom wall 304 of a casing 300 to the base face side in response to an instruction from an information processor. Thus, the movable member as the support leg is moved (expanded/contracted) between the storage position and the protrusion position so that it is possible to change the height of the mouse device 10 from the base face, and to change the scale of friction (slipperiness, scratchy feeling) between the base face and the mouse device 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mouse device that functions as an input device of an information processing apparatus, and an information processing system that includes the information processing apparatus and the mouse device.

  In general, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer has a graphical user interface. A mouse cursor is displayed on the display screen of the information processing apparatus. The position of the mouse cursor on the display screen is moved according to the movement operation of the mouse device by the user. The user can instruct the software executed by the information processing apparatus to execute various actions by moving the mouse cursor onto a predetermined object on the display screen by moving the mouse device.

  Recently, a mouse equipped with a tactile feedback function has been developed. Patent Document 1 discloses a mouse having a mechanism for transmitting an inertial force such as a pulse or vibration to a user via the mouse housing. An actuator is provided in the mouse housing. By moving the movable part of the actuator along the vertical direction in the housing, inertial forces such as pulses and vibrations can be transmitted to the user via the mouse housing.

Patent Document 2 discloses a mouse that feeds back tactile information to a user by lifting a mouse button. In this mouse, the mouse button is lifted when the pointer moves to a specific position on the display screen.
Utility Model Registration No. 3084433 JP 2001-202195 A

  However, as in Patent Document 1, the configuration using an inertial force such as pulse or vibration for tactile feedback provides feedback to the user of the occurrence of an instantaneous event that the mouse cursor has moved to a specific location. It is suitable for the user, but an event with a certain length of time (for example, a situation where the mouse cursor continues to exist at a specific location or a situation where a drag operation is performed) Not suitable for feedback. Because, in order to feed back an event with a certain length of time, a physical force such as a pulse or vibration must be repeatedly generated during the period when the event occurs. This is because this may give an unnatural feeling to the user.

  The technique of Patent Document 2 assumes that the user's finger is always in contact with the mouse button, and feeds back tactile information to the user when the user's finger is not touching the mouse button. I can't.

  Therefore, even when the user's finger is not touching the mouse button, a new tactile feedback can be fed back to the user with a natural tactile sensation including the occurrence of an event having a certain length of time. Realization of a tactile feedback function is necessary.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and even when the user's finger is not touching the mouse button, the situation of the mouse operation including the occurrence of an event having a certain length of time. An object of the present invention is to provide a mouse device and an information processing system that can feed back a user with a natural tactile sense.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a mouse device that functions as an input device of an information processing apparatus, and detects movement of the mouse device on a housing and a two-dimensional base surface. A position between an object on the display screen and a movement detection means for transmitting a movement signal indicating the movement to the information processing apparatus; a mouse cursor that moves on the display screen of the information processing apparatus in response to the movement signal; An actuator that moves the movable member between a housing position and a protruding position protruding from the bottom wall of the housing to the base surface side in response to an instruction transmitted from the information processing device based on a relationship; It is characterized by comprising.

  The present invention is also an information processing system including an information processing apparatus and a mouse device that functions as an input device of the information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus is an input of the mouse device that is input from the mouse device. A graphical user interface for moving the position of the mouse cursor on the display screen in response to a movement signal indicating movement; and touching the mouse device based on a positional relationship between the mouse cursor and the object on the display screen The mouse device is configured to transmit a feedback instruction, and the mouse device detects movement of the mouse device on a housing and a two-dimensional base surface, and the movement signal is transmitted based on the detection result. A movement detection means for transmitting to the apparatus, and a tactile feedback instruction transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Flip and, a movable member, a housing position, characterized by comprising an actuator to move between the bottom wall of the housing of a protruding position protruding in the base surface.

  Further, the present invention is an information processing system including an information processing apparatus and a mouse device that functions as an input device of the information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus is input from the mouse device. A graphical user interface for moving the position of the mouse cursor on the display screen in response to a movement signal indicating the movement of the mouse, and providing a tactile feedback instruction based on the positional relationship between the mouse cursor and the object on the display screen The mouse device is configured to output, and the mouse device detects movement of the mouse device on a housing and a mouse pad, and transmits the movement signal to the information processing device based on the detection result And at least one of the mouse device and the mouse pad has a front Depending on the tactile feedback indication, wherein the electromagnet generates electromagnetic force for controlling the suction force or repulsive force between the mouse pad and the mouse device is provided.

  According to the present invention, even when the user's finger is not touching the mouse button, the situation of the mouse operation including the occurrence of an event having a certain length of time is fed back to the user by natural tactile sense. Can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a mouse device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mouse device 10 functions as an input device for an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. The mouse device 10 is a pointing device for controlling the position of a cursor (mouse cursor) on the display screen, pressing a button on the display screen, and the like.

  The mouse device 10 detects the movement of the mouse device 10 on a two-dimensional base surface such as a desk or a mouse pad, and transmits a movement signal indicating the detected movement to the information processing apparatus. The mouse device 10 is a paptic mouse having a tactile feedback function, and can inform the user of the operation status of the mouse device 10 by the user by tactile feedback. In this embodiment, by changing the mouse operation feeling given to the user, the mouse operation status such as the mouse cursor position moving to a specific position on the display screen is fed back to the user. In order to realize the tactile feedback function, the mouse device 10 includes one or more actuators built in the housing 300.

  That is, the mouse device 10 includes a housing 300, a left mouse button 301, a right mouse button 302, a scroll wheel 303, and the like. The housing 300 has a size that can be grasped by a user's hand. In order to allow the mouse device 10 to move smoothly on a two-dimensional base surface such as a desk or a mouse pad, the bottom surface of the housing 300 (the back surface of the bottom wall) has a substantially flat shape. An actuator for realizing a tactile feedback function is provided in the housing 300. FIG. 1 shows an example in which three actuators 11, 12, and 13 are provided in the housing.

  Each of these actuators 11, 12, and 13 is provided on the surface of the bottom wall 304 of the housing 300, for example. Each of the actuators 11, 12, and 13 has a movable member that can function as a support leg (foot) of the mouse device 10. This movable member is attached to each actuator 11, 12, 13 so as to be movable along a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the base surface (horizontal plane). In response to a tactile feedback instruction from the information processing apparatus, each of the actuators 11, 12, and 13 can move the support leg along the vertical direction. The support leg is realized by, for example, a cylindrical or prismatic rod, or a protrusion.

  Each of the actuators 11, 12, and 13 linearly moves the movable member (support leg) between an accommodation position and a projecting position that projects from the bottom wall 304 of the housing 300 to the base surface side. The bottom surface 304 of the housing 300 is provided with through holes for penetrating the support legs at positions corresponding to the actuators 11, 12, and 13. Each of the actuators 11, 12, and 13 moves the movable member between the housing position and the protruding position through the through hole. The housing position is the initial position (reference position) of the movable member. As the accommodation position, a position where the movable member does not contact the base surface can be used.

  Each of the actuators 11, 12, and 13 includes a fixed portion attached to, for example, the bottom wall 304 of the housing 300 and the above-described movable member attached so as to move in the vertical direction with respect to the fixed portion. obtain. This movable member functions as the above-mentioned support leg.

  As described above, the height of the mouse device 10 from the base surface is changed by moving (stretching) the movable member as the support leg between the accommodation position and the protruding position, or the base surface and the mouse device 10 It is possible to change the magnitude of friction (slipperiness, catching feeling) between the two.

  For example, the movable member is set to one of two positions, that is, a housing position and a protruding position. In this case, the height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 can change between a first height corresponding to the accommodation position and a second height corresponding to the protruding position.

  The height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 is higher at the second height corresponding to the protruding position than at the first height corresponding to the accommodation position. When the change in height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 is used as tactile feedback, the entire movable member may be accommodated in the housing 300 or a part of the movable member ( (Tip portion) may protrude from the bottom wall 304 of the housing 300 to the base surface side.

  Further, when the change in the magnitude of friction between the base surface and the mouse device 10 is used as tactile feedback, the movable member does not contact the base surface at the storage position, and the movable member does not contact the base surface at the protruding position. What is necessary is just to control the attachment position of a movable member or the expansion-contraction operation | movement of a movable member so that a surface may be contacted.

  Further, a plurality of members (movable members) having different frictional resistance coefficients may be selectively contracted. Thereby, the expression power of the change of the magnitude | size of the friction between a base surface and the mouse device 10 can also be raised more. In this case, for example, the tip portions of the three movable members corresponding to the actuators 11, 12, and 13 may be configured by members having different frictional resistance coefficients.

  Here, a configuration example for realizing haptic feedback that can be used in the present embodiment will be described.

  (1) The height of the mouse device 10 from the desk surface is switched by switching the height of the movable member (foot) with the actuator. This method is suitable for an optical mouse or the like.

  (2) The movable member (foot) is taken in and out by the actuator, and the friction (ease of slipping, catching feeling) between the mouse 10 and the desk surface is switched. Thus, the method using the friction of the foot can be applied to either an optical mouse or a mechanical mouse. In this case, a plurality of movable members (foot) having different frictional resistance coefficients may be selectively put in and out depending on the actuator.

  (3) Actuator control may be performed electrically (using electromagnets, piezoelectric elements, etc.), or actuator control may be performed using air pressure.

  (4) A dedicated mouse pad and mouse device 10 are used in combination, an electromagnet is provided on at least one of the mouse pad side and the mouse device 10 side, and the attractive force or repulsive force between the dedicated mouse pad and the mouse device 10 is controlled. To do. For example, the mouse device 10 is controlled by adjusting the attractive force or the repulsive force between the dedicated mouse pad and the mouse device 10 by controlling the generation of the electromagnetic force of each of the electromagnets provided on the mouse pad side and the mouse 10 side. The height from the base plane can also be switched. Further, for example, by controlling the generation of the electromagnetic force of each of the electromagnets provided on the mouse pad side and the mouse device 10 side, friction between the mouse device 10 and the desk surface (ease of slipping and catching feeling) can be reduced. You can also switch. Further, for example, by controlling the generation of the electromagnetic force of each of the electromagnets provided on the mouse pad side and the mouse device 10 side, the weight of the mouse device 10 changes (becomes lighter or heavier) to the user. You can make it feel.

  Further, as an interface for transmitting a tactile feedback instruction from the information processing apparatus to the mouse device 10, the following interface can be used.

  (1) A standard interface (USB, wireless communication, infrared communication, etc.) for connecting a personal computer and a mouse is also used for transmission of tactile feedback instructions.

  (2) A standard interface such as USB is used for another channel exclusively for transmitting a tactile feedback instruction from the personal computer to the mouse device 10.

  (3) An interface dedicated to tactile feedback instruction is added to the main body of the personal computer.

  (4) The actuator in the mouse device 10 is driven using air pressure. In this case, a pump may be built in the main body of the personal computer. The personal computer and the mouse device 10 are connected by a tube for introducing air pressure. An external pump may be used. In this case, a standard interface (such as USB) or a dedicated interface can be used for instructions from the personal computer to the external pump. The external pump and the mouse device 10 are connected by a tube for introducing air pressure.

  (5) When the dedicated mouse pad and the mouse device 10 are used in combination, an instruction from the personal computer to the dedicated mouse pad can be performed using a standard interface (USB or the like) or a dedicated interface. Further, an external controller may be provided, and the external controller may control both the dedicated mouse pad and the mouse device 10 in accordance with an instruction from the personal computer.

  Next, the configuration on the information processing apparatus side will be described.

  The information processing apparatus includes a graphical user interface that moves the position of the mouse cursor on the display screen in accordance with a movement signal indicating movement of the mouse device 10 input from the mouse device 10. Further, the information processing apparatus has a function of transmitting a tactile feedback instruction to the mouse device 10 based on the positional relationship between the mouse cursor and the object on the display screen. For example, when the mouse cursor moves to a specific location on the display screen, the software executed by the information processing apparatus can detect the height of the mouse device 10 relative to the base surface or the friction between the mouse device 10 and the base surface. A tactile feedback instruction for changing the size or the like is transmitted to the mouse device 10.

  As the above-mentioned “specific place”, a place on the display screen where the shape of the mouse cursor itself is changed by software may be used. Specifically, window boundaries, places where text can be entered, and the like are “specific places”. A tactile feedback instruction is transmitted to the mouse device 10 by the software of the information processing apparatus in synchronization with a change in the shape of the mouse cursor on the display screen, that is, visual feedback. Even when the shape of the mouse cursor itself does not change, for example, when the mouse cursor moves to an object such as a selectable icon or a pressable button, the display on the object side is usually changed ( Object color changes, object shape changes, new buttons appear, explanations appear, etc.). In synchronization with such a change in display on the object side, that is, visual feedback, the software of the information processing apparatus can transmit a tactile feedback instruction to the mouse device 10. Further, a tactile feedback instruction may be transmitted from the software of the information processing apparatus to the mouse device 10 in conjunction with the drag operation by the mouse device 10.

  For example, when the user moves the mouse device 10 to move the mouse cursor on the display screen onto an object (window boundary, text input available area, icon, button, etc.) on the display screen, or drag operation (an icon) When the mouse operation for copying and pasting or cutting and pasting is started by moving and moving to another icon, the software instructs to raise the foot of the mouse device 10 or to increase the friction force. Is transmitted to the mouse device 10. In response to the tactile feedback instruction, each of the actuators 11, 12, and 13 moves the movable member (foot) from the accommodation position to the protruding position. As a result, for example, the height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 can be increased, or the friction between the mouse device 10 and the base surface can be increased. While the mouse cursor is on the object or during a drag operation, the height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 is high or between the mouse device 10 and the base surface. Will continue to be maintained in a state of high friction. As a result, the user keeps the mouse cursor on the object depending on the height of the mouse device 10 or the weight of the mouse device 10 (hardness of sliding), or the drag operation is being executed, etc. I can feel.

  When the user moves the mouse device 10 to move the mouse cursor on the display screen away from the object on the display screen or when the drag operation is terminated, the software instructs the user to lower the foot of the mouse device 10 or friction force. A tactile feedback instruction including a down instruction is transmitted to the mouse device 10. In response to the tactile feedback instruction, each of the actuators 11, 12, and 13 moves the movable member (foot) from the protruding position to the accommodation position.

  Next, a configuration example of the mouse device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The mouse device 10 includes a USB interface 21, an optical sensor 22, an actuator controller 23, and the like in addition to the actuators 11 and 12 described above. The USB interface 21, the optical sensor 22, and the actuator controller 23 are provided in the housing 300 described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 does not show the actuator 13 described in FIG. 1 and the movable member corresponding to the actuator 13, but in reality, all the actuators and movable members are provided in the mouse device 10.

  The USB interface 21 is a host interface for executing communication with a personal computer (PC) 1 that is a host device. The optical sensor 22 is a sensor including a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element. The optical sensor 22 detects the movement (movement amount) of the mouse device 10 in the horizontal plane, that is, on the two-dimensional base surface 2, and sends a movement signal indicating the detected movement (movement amount) via the USB interface 21. To the personal computer (PC) 1. Specifically, the optical sensor 22 outputs two-dimensional movement amount information indicating the movement amount of the mouse device 10 in each of the horizontal direction (X) and the vertical direction (Y).

  The actuator controller 23 receives a haptic feedback instruction from the personal computer (PC) 1 via the USB interface 21 and controls the actuators 11 and 12 and an actuator 13 (not shown) according to the received haptic feedback instruction.

  The actuator 11 linearly moves the movable member (foot) 111 disposed on the bottom surface of the housing of the mouse device 10 along the direction perpendicular to the base surface 2 (vertical direction), thereby moving the movable member 111 to the accommodation position. Or set to the protruding position. Similarly, the actuator 12 linearly moves a movable member (foot) 112 disposed on the bottom surface of the housing of the mouse device 10 along a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the base surface 2, thereby moving the movable member (foot). ) 111 is set to the storage position or the protruding position.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, the height of the mouse device 10 from the desk surface is changed by extending and contracting the movable member (foot) by the actuator, to the user (operator) holding the mouse device 10. The operation to convey that feeling will be explained.

  The upper side of FIG. 3 shows the height from the base surface 2 of the mouse device 10 corresponding to the case where the movable members 111 and 112 are located at the storage positions. The actuator 13 and the movable member corresponding to the actuator 13 are not shown in the figure, but in reality, all the movable members are located at the accommodation position. Although FIG. 3 shows a case where the movable member is in contact with the base surface 2, the movable member is not necessarily in contact with the base surface 2.

  The lower side of FIG. 3 shows the height from the base surface 2 of the mouse device 10 corresponding to the case where each movable member is located at the protruding position. Since each movable member protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing of the mouse device 10, the height of the mouse device 10 with respect to the base surface 2 is higher than when each movable member is in the accommodation position. The change in height may be, for example, about 1 millimeter or several millimeters.

  A normal mouse detects the amount of movement of the mouse in the horizontal plane and sends a movement signal indicating the amount of movement to the computer via the USB interface. In the present embodiment, the mouse device 10 expands and contracts the movable member of each actuator in accordance with an instruction (height instruction) received from the computer 1 via the USB interface in addition to the function of sending a movement signal to the computer 1. And move the mouse device in the height direction.

  Control of the height of the mouse device 10 may be, for example, binary (ON (projecting position) and OFF (accommodating position)). Further, for example, when the mouse cursor moves to a special place on the display screen, each actuator may be controlled so as to repeat on and off at high speed.

  Next, the relationship between the position of the mouse cursor in the display screen and the change in the height of the mouse device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As the mouse device 10 moves on the base plane (horizontal plane), the position of the mouse cursor on the display screen changes. The software changes the shape of the mouse cursor according to the position of the mouse cursor on the display screen. Synchronously with changing the shape of the mouse cursor, the software sends an instruction to the mouse device 10 to change its height. Even when the shape of the mouse cursor is not changed, the software causes the mouse device 10 to trigger the fact that the mouse cursor has moved to a special location (for example, the mouse cursor has moved to a position where something can be selected). Send instructions to change its height.

  For example, it is assumed that the mouse cursor moves across the window boundary as indicated by the line A-A ′ in FIG. 4 by the movement operation of the mouse device 10 by the user. In this case, when the mouse cursor moves on the window boundary, the shape of the mouse cursor is changed. At this time, the height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 is increased. As a result, it is possible to give the user a natural haptic feedback as if the mouse cursor crosses a window boundary having a certain height. Similarly, even when the mouse cursor moves on a plurality of buttons as indicated by the line BB ′ in FIG. 4 by the movement operation of the mouse device 10 by the user, the mouse device is moved each time the mouse cursor moves on the button. The height from the base surface of 10 increases, and the height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 decreases every time the mouse cursor is released from the button. Thereby, the user can feel the height of the place (button) which can be selected.

  Next, a tactile feedback instruction issue process executed by software will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the software detects that the mouse cursor has moved to a specific location on the display screen (YES in step S11), the software provides a tactile feedback instructing to extend the leg (increase the height from the base surface of the mouse device). An instruction is transmitted to the mouse device 10 (step S12). In response to the tactile feedback instruction, the mouse device 10 moves the movable member to the protruding position by controlling each actuator. Thereby, the height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 is increased. Then, when it is detected that the mouse cursor has moved away from the specific location on the display screen (YES in step S13), the software senses that the foot should be contracted (the height from the base surface of the mouse device is lowered). A feedback instruction is transmitted to the mouse device 10 (step S14). In response to the tactile feedback instruction, the mouse device 10 moves the movable member to the accommodation position by controlling each actuator. Thereby, the height from the base surface of the mouse device 10 is lowered.

  Next, an example of arrangement positions of the movable members 111, 112, 113 corresponding to the three actuators 11, 12, 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the mouse device 10. A through hole 111 a is provided in the center of the front side of the bottom surface of the mouse device 10. The movable member 111 of the actuator 11 is disposed so as to protrude to the outside through the through hole 111a. Through holes 112a and 113a are also provided at the left end and the right end on the rear side of the bottom surface of the mouse device 10, respectively. The movable member 112 of the actuator 12 is disposed so as to protrude outside through the through hole 112a, and the movable member 113 of the actuator 13 is disposed so as to protrude outside through the through hole 113a. Reference numerals 201 to 203 are sliding portions arranged on the bottom surface to make the mouse device 10 slip easily on the base surface.

  In addition, the structure which arrange | positions a movable member (foot) only to one of the front side or the back side of the bottom face of the mouse device 10 may be sufficient. In this case, when the movable member moves to the protruding position, the height from the base surface of only one of the front part and the rear part of the mouse device 10 is increased.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, the size of friction between the mouse device 10 and the base surface is changed by extending and contracting the movable member (foot) by the actuator, and the user holding the mouse device 10 Describes how to convey the senses.

  For example, it is assumed that a drag operation for copy and paste is performed. In this case, when a drag operation (copy) is started to move the icon, each movable member protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing 300, so that the resistance (friction) between the mouse device 10 and the base surface is large. Become. Thereby, the user can feel the weight of the mouse device 10. When the drag operation is finished (paste), each movable member moves to the accommodation position. Thereby, the resistance (friction) between the mouse device 10 and the base surface is reduced, and the user can feel the mouse device 10 lightly.

  In addition to the drag operation, each movable member is moved to the protruding position in response to the movement of the mouse cursor onto the object on the display screen, and the resistance (friction) between the mouse device 10 and the base surface is moved. In response to the mouse cursor moving away from the object, each movable member may be moved to the accommodation position to reduce the resistance (friction) between the mouse device 10 and the base surface.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, at least one of the mouse device 10 and the mouse pad is an electromagnetic force for controlling a suction force or a repulsive force between the mouse pad and the mouse device 10 in response to a tactile feedback instruction. An example in which an electromagnet that generates the above is provided will be described.

  The system configuration in FIG. 8 assumes a case where both the mouse pad 100 and the mouse device 10 are controlled by an external controller 200.

  An electromagnet 101 for generating electromagnetic force is provided in the mouse pad 100. Similarly, electromagnets 201 and 202 for generating electromagnetic force are also provided in the housing of the mouse device 10. The controller 200 responds to a tactile feedback instruction (an instruction to lighten the mouse, an instruction to increase the weight of the mouse) transmitted from the personal computer (PC) 1 to the electromagnet 101 in the mouse pad 100 and the electromagnet 201 in the mouse device 10. 202 is turned on / off. Thereby, a force sense (sensation in which the weight of the mouse device 10 changes) can be transmitted to the user using the suction force and the repulsive force (repulsive force) between the mouse device 10 and the mouse pad 100. For example, when the mouse cursor moves over an object on the display screen, the controller 200 responds to a tactile feedback instruction (an instruction to make the mouse heavy) transmitted from the personal computer (PC) 1 and the mouse device 10 and the mouse pad. The electromagnet 101 in the mouse pad 100 and the electromagnets 201 and 202 in the mouse device 10 are controlled so that an attractive force is generated between the electromagnet 100 and the mouse device 10. Similarly, when the mouse cursor moves away from the object on the display screen, the controller 200 responds to a tactile feedback instruction (instruction to lighten the mouse) transmitted from the personal computer (PC) 1 and the mouse device 10 and the mouse pad. The electromagnet 101 in the mouse pad 100 and the electromagnets 201 and 202 in the mouse device 10 are respectively controlled so that a repulsive force is generated between them.

  In addition, the structure using only suction | attraction force may be sufficient. In this case, an electromagnet may be provided only on one of the mouse device 10 or the mouse pad 100, and only a magnetic material such as iron may be provided on the other. The controller 200 may be built in the personal computer (PC) 1.

  As described above, the present embodiment is a case where the user's finger does not touch the mouse button due to a configuration that changes the height of the foot or the friction of the mouse device or a configuration that uses electromagnetic force. However, it is possible to feed back the situation of mouse operation including the occurrence of an event having a certain length of time to the user by natural tactile sense.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the mouse device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the mouse device of the embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the tactile feedback using the change of the height from the base surface of the mouse device of the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the relationship between the position of the mouse cursor which moves with the movement operation of the mouse device of the embodiment, and the height from the base surface of a mouse device. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a procedure of tactile feedback instruction issue processing executed by the information processing apparatus to which the mouse device of the embodiment is applied. The bottom view of the mouse device of the embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the tactile feedback using the resistance of the foot | leg of the mouse device of the embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the tactile feedback using the combination of the mouse device and mouse pad of the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mouse device, 11, 12, 13 ... Actuator, 21 ... USB interface, 22 ... Optical sensor, 23 ... Actuator controller, 100 ... Mouse pad, 111, 112, 113 ... Movable member (foot), 300 ... Housing.

Claims (11)

A mouse device that functions as an input device for an information processing apparatus,
A housing,
Movement detection means for detecting movement of the mouse device on a two-dimensional base surface and transmitting a movement signal indicating the detected movement to the information processing apparatus;
A movable member in response to an instruction transmitted from the information processing device based on a positional relationship between a mouse cursor that moves on the display screen of the information processing device in response to the movement signal and an object on the display screen A mouse device comprising: a housing position; and an actuator that moves between a housing position and a projecting position that projects from the bottom wall of the housing toward the base surface.   The height from the base surface of the mouse device changes in response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus as the movable member moves between the accommodation position and the protruding position. Item 2. A mouse device according to item 1.   The movable member is set to one of the two positions of the storage position and the protruding position, and the height of the mouse device from the base surface is a first corresponding to the case where the movable member is positioned at the storage position. 3. The mouse device according to claim 2, wherein the mouse device changes between a height and a second height corresponding to a case where the movable member is located at the protruding position.   The movable member does not contact the base surface at the storage position, and the movable member contacts the base surface at the protruding position, so that the magnitude of friction between the mouse device and the base surface is increased. The mouse device according to claim 1, wherein the mouse device changes according to an instruction from the information processing apparatus.   5. The movable member includes a plurality of members having different frictional resistance coefficients, and the plurality of members are selectively moved between the housing position and the protruding position by the actuator. Mouse device. An information processing system including an information processing apparatus and a mouse device that functions as an input device of the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes a graphical user interface that moves a position of a mouse cursor on a display screen in accordance with a movement signal that is input from the mouse device and indicates movement of the mouse device, and the mouse cursor and the display Configured to transmit a tactile feedback instruction to the mouse device based on a positional relationship with an object on the screen;
The mouse device is
A housing,
Movement detection means for detecting movement of the mouse device on a two-dimensional base surface and transmitting the movement signal to the information processing apparatus based on the detection result;
In accordance with a tactile feedback instruction transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the movable member includes an actuator that moves between a housing position and a protruding position that protrudes from the bottom wall of the housing to the base surface side. An information processing system characterized by   The height from the base surface of the mouse device changes in response to a tactile feedback instruction from the information processing apparatus as the movable member moves between the accommodation position and the protruding position. The information processing system according to claim 6.   The movable member is set to one of the two positions of the storage position and the protruding position, and the height of the mouse device from the base surface is a first corresponding to the case where the movable member is positioned at the storage position. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the information processing system changes between a height of the second position and a second height corresponding to a case where the movable member is located at the protruding position.   The movable member does not contact the base surface at the storage position, and the movable member contacts the base surface at the protruding position, so that the magnitude of friction between the mouse device and the base surface is increased. The mouse device according to claim 6, which changes according to a tactile feedback instruction from the information processing apparatus. An information processing system including an information processing apparatus and a mouse device that functions as an input device of the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes a graphical user interface that moves a position of a mouse cursor on a display screen in accordance with a movement signal that is input from the mouse device and indicates movement of the mouse device, and the mouse cursor and the display It is configured to output haptic feedback instructions based on the positional relationship between objects on the screen,
The mouse device is
A housing,
Movement detection means for detecting movement of the mouse device on a mouse pad and transmitting the movement signal to the information processing device based on the detection result;
At least one of the mouse device and the mouse pad is provided with an electromagnet that generates an electromagnetic force for controlling an attractive force or a repulsive force between the mouse pad and the mouse device in response to the tactile feedback instruction. An information processing system characterized by   A first electromagnet and a second electromagnet are provided in the mouse pad and the housing of the mouse device, respectively, and the electromagnetic force generated from the first electromagnet and the first electromagnet in response to the tactile feedback instruction. The information processing system according to claim 10, further comprising control means for controlling electromagnetic forces generated from the two electromagnets.

Images