JP2011243124A - Rotating ball type input device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotating ball type input device excellent in operability.SOLUTION: Inner periphery side push buttons 103a to 103d and outer periphery side push buttons 105a to 105d are arranged around a spherical body 101. A user can depress one or a plurality of push buttons while rotating the spherical body with a single thumb. A correction gain according to the number of depressed push buttons is generated. The moving distance of a cursor generated by the rotation of the spherical body is corrected with the correction gain. Accordingly, the excellent operability is achieved by simultaneously depressing more number of push buttons as the longer the moving distance when the cursor is moved for a longer distance, and only the spherical body is rotated when the cursor is moved for a shorter distance.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotating ball type input device that performs an input operation on an electronic device.

  As user interfaces for performing input operations on a computer, input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device are known. The pointing device is used for moving a cursor (also referred to as a pointer) displayed on the display or scrolling the screen, and performing an input operation on coordinates specified by the cursor on the screen. The pointing device includes a mouse, a touch pad, a pointing stick (also referred to as a track point), a track ball (also referred to as a jog ball), and the like. The trackball can be operated by rotating the ball at the same position using the fingertip or palm.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a mouse including a plurality of balls. Each mouse includes a sensor that detects the amount of rotation, and the amount of movement of the cursor is determined by the total output of each sensor. Therefore, if only the central ball is operated, the cursor can be moved finely, and if all the balls are operated simultaneously, the cursor can be accelerated and moved. Patent Document 2 discloses a track ball type pointing device suitable for a thin portable terminal device. This document describes that a plurality of track balls of the same size are arranged in a matrix, and integrated movement information is calculated from movement information detected by each track ball by a single rotation operation.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a track / ball coordinate input device that can move the cursor at high speed by variably controlling the ratio of the amount of movement of the cursor and the amount of rotation of the track / ball. This document describes that a spring is provided at the lower part of a rotating sphere and the rotating sphere is pressed while rotating, and the amount of vertical movement of the rotating sphere at that time is detected by a variable resistor. With such a configuration, the cursor is variably controlled by rotating while pushing the rotating sphere when moving the cursor over a long distance, and rotating without pressing the rotating sphere when moving the minute distance. Patent Document 4 discloses a track and ball apparatus that detects the rotation of a ball with a roller to which a magnet is attached and detects a change in magnetic flux caused by the magnet in a non-contact manner with a reed switch.

US 2009/0153484 Publication JP 2000-298548 A JP-A-5-303468 JP 2006-260179 A

  Since the track ball is formed in a small size and can be operated even with one finger, it is convenient for mounting on a small electronic device such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. In addition, it has an advantage that the amount of operation and the amount of movement of the cursor can be easily adjusted compared to a pointing stick using a strain sensor and a touch pad that detects the movement of a finger. However, for a trackball, when moving the cursor over a wide area of the display to stop it at an accurate position, or scrolling a large size screen such as a map and stopping at a predetermined display position and inputting it In addition, there is an operability problem that it is difficult to adjust the moving speed.

  For example, if the gain is set so that the moving distance of the cursor with respect to the amount of rotation of the ball becomes long, accurate positioning within a fine range of the cursor becomes difficult. On the contrary, if the gain is set to be small, a plurality of rotation operations are required to move the cursor over a long distance, and the cursor cannot be moved in a short time. As the ball size is increased, the operability problem can be improved. However, if the ball size is increased, the entire device becomes larger, which makes it difficult to mount it on a small electronic device. Furthermore, the trackball cannot respond to mouse gestures such as screen operations or activation of specific applications.

  In the inventions of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, since it is necessary to provide a plurality of sensors for detecting the ball and the amount of rotation, it is difficult to reduce the size to such an extent that it can be operated with one finger, and the mechanism is complicated. In the invention of Patent Document 3, it is necessary to perform a rotating operation and a pressing operation on the track ball at the same time, and it is difficult to adjust the pressure within a predetermined range while rotating the track ball. Further, since the pressure detection mechanism is provided under the track / ball, the size in the height direction becomes large.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotating ball type input device that is excellent in operability regardless of whether a cursor or a screen is moved over a long distance or a minute distance. A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotating ball type input device having a simple structure. A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotating ball type input device that can be miniaturized to the extent that it can be operated with one finger. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multi-function rotating ball type input device. A further object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus and a cursor moving method in which such a rotating ball type input device is mounted.

  The rotating ball type input device of the present invention includes a sphere whose operation surface is rotatably supported and a plurality of push buttons arranged around the sphere. The push button can be pressed while rotating the sphere with the same finger that rotates the sphere. A plurality of pressure detectors are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of push buttons. The rotation amount conversion unit outputs a movement amount of the cursor or the screen corresponding to the rotation amount of the sphere. The gain correction unit generates a correction gain based on outputs from the plurality of pressure detection units. The movement amount correcting unit corrects the movement amount with the correction gain and outputs the corrected movement amount.

  According to such a configuration, the output of the pressure detection unit is controlled by adjusting the pressing method of the push button such as the pressing force or the inclination of the contact surface of the finger with respect to the operation surface, and the cursor for the rotation amount of the sphere is controlled. Alternatively, the amount of screen movement can be adjusted. When the cursor or the screen is moved over a long distance, the correction gain can be increased. When the cursor or the screen is moved over a short distance, the pressing operation can be performed with the same finger as the finger that performs the rotation operation so as to decrease the correction gain. The pressure detection unit can be configured by a pressure sensor that measures the pressure applied to the push button, or a pressure switch that performs a switch operation when a pressing force equal to or higher than the operating pressure is applied to the push button.

  The rotating ball type input device according to the present invention adjusts the rotating direction and the rotating speed by pressing all or some of the plurality of push buttons with one finger while rotating the sphere. It is more difficult for the user to adjust the pressing force on the push button than to adjust the amount of rotation of the sphere. This tendency is particularly noticeable in portable electronic devices that are held and used by hand. However, the operation of switching the selected number of push buttons is relatively easy. Moreover, the operating pressure of the pressure switch is temporally stable compared to the pressure characteristics of the pressure sensor.

  Therefore, it is desirable to employ a pressure switch for the pressure detection unit, and to determine the correction gain according to the number of pressure detection units that are simultaneously switched. Since the correction gain is generated based on the number of pressure detection units, the larger the number of pressure detection units, the more various characteristics can be handled. The pressure switch is suitable for miniaturization because the input device can be realized with a simple structure compared to the pressure sensor, and the number of push buttons required to support various characteristics can be pressed with one finger. Can be arranged. The gain correction unit generates a correction gain that changes stepwise according to the number of pressure detection units that simultaneously perform switching operation, and that the difference in step varies depending on the number of pressure detection units that simultaneously perform switching operation. Can do.

  In this way, the configuration in which the increment of the correction gain by one push button is made variable according to the number of push buttons that have been switched at the same time, the relationship between the pressing force and the correction gain matches the desired operation feeling for the user. Can be made. The plurality of push buttons may be composed of a plurality of inner peripheral push buttons arranged around the sphere and a plurality of outer peripheral push buttons arranged around the outer periphery thereof. The plurality of inner peripheral push buttons and the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons may be arranged on concentric circles centered on a sphere.

  When the operation surface composed of a sphere, a plurality of inner peripheral push buttons and a plurality of outer peripheral push buttons is formed in a dome shape, and each push button is formed by a spherical protrusion, It becomes easy to perform an operation of switching a predetermined number of push buttons by adjusting the inclination angle of the finger pad with respect to the operation surface. The protrusion having a spherical surface includes a shape obtained by cutting a part of a sphere, a shape obtained by cutting a part of a spheroid, and a shape formed by rotating a parabola or a hyperbola. The gain correction unit changes the correction gain stepwise along the first straight line when the plurality of inner peripheral push buttons switch one by one, and the plurality of inner peripheral push buttons The correction gain can be generated so that the correction gain when the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons are switched one by one after the switch operation is changed stepwise along the second straight line.

  At this time, the difference between the first straight line and the second straight line corresponds to a bias for the correction gain corresponding to each of the plurality of inner peripheral push buttons. In this way, by applying a bias to the entire inner peripheral push button, the movement amount correction unit can easily generate a correction movement amount corresponding to a good operation feeling of the user. When there is no need to identify the inner-side push button that has been switched, the pressure detectors corresponding to each of the inner-side push buttons are composed of resistive elements electrically connected in parallel. If the number of pressure detection units that perform the switch operation is specified from the value of the combined resistance, a structure with a small number of wires can be obtained.

  The operation mode changing unit determines which of the rotation operation of the sphere and the switch operation of any of the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons is received first after the reset. When a rotation operation is detected first, a normal mode signal indicating the normal mode for moving the cursor is output. When a switch operation is detected first, the screen display method is changed or the menu selection screen is displayed. A specific mode signal indicating the mode can be output. Changing the display method of the screen can include changing the display position by scrolling, changing the display direction by rotating, or changing the display range by selecting a scale. The operation mode changing unit detects the sphere and push button before and after the operation to change the operation mode, so that the input device can be used for a multifunctional application corresponding to a mouse gesture.

  In this case, the plurality of inner peripheral push buttons and the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons include a light emitting element, and when receiving a specific mode signal, the outer peripheral push buttons and the plurality of inner push buttons that are switched are operated. By including a light emitting element control unit that emits all the peripheral push buttons in the same color, the user can easily recognize the change of the operation mode and the change contents. By providing a click switch that operates with a pressing force larger than the pressing force at which the inner peripheral push button and the outer peripheral push button switch, the cursor can be moved and input operations can be performed without moving one finger. It can be performed.

  Arrange multiple outer peripheral push buttons in the opening formed in the housing of the electronic device at a position lower than the surface of the housing so that each can be operated using the bending of the surrounding housing Thus, it is possible to prevent an unintended transition to a specific mode by touching the outer peripheral push button before the sphere. In order to prevent the unintended transition to the specific mode, the outer peripheral push button may be switched with a stronger pressing force.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotating ball type input device that is excellent in operability regardless of whether the cursor or screen is moved over a long distance or a minute distance. Further, according to the present invention, a rotating ball type input device having a simple structure can be provided. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotating ball type input device that can be miniaturized to the extent that it can be operated with one finger. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a multifunctional rotary ball type input device could be provided. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus and a cursor moving method in which such a rotating ball type input device is mounted.

It is a figure which shows the external shape of the portable electronic device which mounts the rotating ball type | mold input device concerning this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline external shape of a rotating ball type input device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the main structures of a rotating ball type input device. It is a side view of the position corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the pattern of the push button which is performing switch operation. It is a figure explaining the switch operation of the push button of the inner peripheral side. It is a figure explaining switch operation of a push button of the perimeter side. It is a functional block diagram explaining the structure of the control circuit of a rotating ball type input device. It is a figure explaining the data structure of the reference table which matched the number of push buttons which are switching simultaneously, and correction gain. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a rotating ball type input device. It is a side view which shows the structure of the other rotating ball type input device characterized by a click switch.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outer shape of a portable electronic device in which the rotating ball type input device according to the present embodiment is mounted. The portable electronic device 10 is a small electronic device such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. A portable electronic device 10 includes a display 11 and a rotating ball type input device (hereinafter simply referred to as an input device) 100. A cursor 13 indicating the current input position is displayed on the display 11. The user can operate the input device 100 to move the cursor 13 to a predetermined position and perform an input operation on the portable electronic device 10. Further, the user can operate the input device 100 to change the display method such as the size of the screen displayed on the display 11, the display direction, or the display position in the entire screen.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic outer shape of the input device 100. 2A is a side view, and FIG. 2B is a plan view seen from the operation surface 108 side. The input device 100 includes a single sphere 101 in which the operation surface 108 can rotate in all directions and eight push buttons 103a to 103d and 105a to 105d arranged around the sphere 101. The input device 100 is disposed in a circular opening 21 formed on the surface of the casing 15 of the portable electronic device 10 and has a structure in which the operation surface 108 is exposed so that it can be operated with a finger.

  The input device 100 is so small that the sphere 101 and a plurality of push buttons can be simultaneously operated with the thumb 180 or only one other finger. The four inner peripheral push buttons 103 a to 103 d are arranged on the circumference centered on the sphere 101 in a plane and at equal intervals around the sphere 101. The four outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference centered on the sphere 101 and around the outer periphery of the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d. .

  Each push button incorporates a light emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors, and is formed by a protrusion having a shape such that the surface touched by a finger becomes a part of a spherical surface or a shape close thereto. The input device 100 receives a rotational force in an arbitrary direction with respect to the sphere 101 and a downward pressure on each push button (hereinafter referred to as a pressing force) as an operation amount from the finger 180. Each push button that receives a pressing force equal to or greater than a predetermined value performs a switch operation as will be described later by a physical displacement based on the pressing force. The input device 100 according to the present embodiment can move the cursor 13 by the rotation operation of the sphere 101, and further adjust the movement speed by the switch operation of each push button performed while the sphere 101 is rotating. The cursor 13 can be moved.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the top of the sphere 101, the tops of the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d, and the tops of the outer push buttons 105a to 105d form a dome-shaped operation surface 108. Thus, height adjustment and planar positioning are performed. That is, the top of the sphere 101 is at the highest position, the top of the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d is at the lowest position, and the top of the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d is at an intermediate height. Exists in the position. Since the operation surface 108 is formed in a dome shape, when the finger is pressed against the operation surface 108 from above, the finger contacts the sphere 101 first, and then the push buttons 103a to 103d on the inner peripheral side are touched. Finally, the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d are contacted.

  Spacing (level difference) between the top of the sphere 101 and the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d, and the distance between the top of the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d and the top of the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d. As an example, the height difference is 1.2 millimeters. Therefore, the user can rotate the sphere 101 by sliding the thumb 180 without touching any push buttons. Alternatively, the user can rotate the sphere 101 by sliding the thumb 180 with a pressing force that does not switch any of the push buttons.

  When the operation surface 108 is pressed with the thumb 180 while rotating the sphere 101, the belly of the thumb 180 is deformed and the push buttons 103a to 103d on the inner peripheral side can be switched. Further, when the operation surface 108 is pressed with the thumb 180 while rotating the sphere 101, the belly of the thumb 180 is further deformed to the sphere 101, the inner peripheral push buttons 103 a to 103 d and the outer peripheral push buttons 105 a to 105 d. Switch operation can be performed.

  Then, the number of push buttons that perform a switch operation while rotating the sphere 101 is selected by inclining the contact surface of the thumb 180 against the input device 100 in various directions while applying a pressing force of a predetermined value or more. Can do. The input device 100 has a plurality of push buttons 105a on the outer peripheral side so that all the push buttons can be pressed at once with the thumb 180 and is sized to slide and rotate the sphere 101. The diameter D defined by ˜105d is set to 15 mm or less. The diameter D in the planar direction for simultaneously performing the rotation operation and the pressing operation with one thumb can be preferably 10 mm to 15 mm. By adopting the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the input device 100 can be miniaturized to such an extent that it is suitable for such an operation.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the main structure of the input device 100. FIG. 4 is a side view of the position of the arrow AA in FIG. 4 also shows a casing 15 of the portable electronic device 10 and a case 141 of the input device 100 that are not depicted in FIG. In FIG. 4, the sphere unit 121 supports the sphere 101 so that it can rotate in any direction. The roller 123a shown as a representative rotates by receiving rotational force from the sphere 101 shifted to the left when the sphere 101 is rotated counterclockwise. The roller 123b rotates by receiving rotational force from the sphere 101 shifted to the right when the sphere 101 is rotated clockwise.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the rollers are arranged only in two directions of the sphere 101, but actually four rollers are arranged so as to surround the lower part of the sphere 101 from four directions. Since the sphere 101 shifts in the rotation direction when rotating, one or two rollers arranged in the rotation direction rotate simultaneously with the sphere 101. Therefore, the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the sphere 101 can be detected by detecting the rotation amount for each roller. The rotation amount of the sphere 101 is an amount corresponding to the rotation angle in the rotation direction of the sphere 101 or the length of the surface of the sphere 101 corresponding to the rotation angle.

  Each roller is provided with a ring-shaped magnet in which N poles and S poles are alternately arranged at a predetermined angle pitch. The detection units 127a and 127b corresponding to the rollers 123a and 123b are arranged at positions where the magnetic flux of the ring-shaped magnet can be detected, and the rotation of the rollers 123a and 123b is detected as a change in the magnetic flux and converted into an electrical pulse. The detection units corresponding to the other two rollers also generate electrical pulses according to the rotation of the corresponding rollers. The number of pulses generated by each detection unit corresponds to a component in the X direction or a component in the Y direction with respect to the rotation amount in the rotation direction of the sphere 101.

  The input device 100 can detect the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the sphere 101 by the pulses from the four detection units. A cantilever spring 125 to which a click switch 129 is attached elastically supports the sphere 101. When the spherical body 101 is pressed with a pressing force of a predetermined value or more, the cantilever spring 125 is elastically deformed, and the click switch 129 is operated. The click switch 129 is used for input or dragging to the system at the position of the cursor 13. The pressing force at which the click switch 129 operates is set to be larger than the pressing force at which each push button performs the switch operation. The circuit board 131 includes a control circuit 200 (see FIG. 8) for processing signals input through the sphere 101 and the push buttons and outputting them to the system of the portable electronic device 10.

  In FIG. 3, a flat upper inner ring 107 made of conductive plastic is disposed around the spherical unit 121. The four inner-side push buttons 103a to 103d are attached to the upper inner ring 107 at an interval of 90 degrees. Around the outer periphery of the upper inner peripheral ring 107, flat upper peripheral rings 109a to 109d that are divided into four parts and are formed of conductive plastic are arranged. The outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d are attached to the upper outer peripheral rings 109a to 109d one by one at regular intervals at positions rotated 45 degrees from the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d.

  A flat lower inner ring 117 made of conductive plastic is disposed below the upper inner ring 107. Four resistance elements 113a to 113d having the same height are attached to the lower inner ring 117 at positions corresponding to the push buttons 103a to 103d. Furthermore, four elastic members 114a to 114d formed of springs or elastic rubber are attached to the lower inner ring 117 between the resistance elements 113a to 113d. The elastic members 114a to 114d have the same height and are higher than the resistance elements 113a to 113d, respectively, so that the upper inner ring 107 is maintained at a predetermined distance from the resistance elements 113a to 113d. Functions as a supporting spacer.

  When the upper inner ring 107 is supported by the elastic members 114a to 114d, a predetermined space is secured between the resistance elements 113a to 113d and the upper inner ring 107. The upper inner ring 107 is formed of an elastic material, and a pressing force equal to or greater than a predetermined value with one finger of any one of the push buttons 103a to 103d or two or more arbitrarily selected push buttons 103a to 103d. Is pushed in due to elastic deformation of the elastic members 114a to 114, the resistance elements 113a to 113d corresponding to the pushed push buttons 103a to 103d and the upper inner ring 107 come into contact with each other at one place or a plurality of places.

  Therefore, the elastic members 114a to 114d define an operating pressure when the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d are pressed and a switching operation is performed by the contact between the resistance elements 113a to 113d and the upper inner ring 107. When the pressing force of the push buttons 103a to 103d disappears, the upper inner ring 107 and the resistance elements 113a to 113d are separated by the restoring action of the elastic members 114a to 114d and the upper inner ring 107, and the switch operation is reset.

  The four resistance elements 113a to 113d are selected to have the same resistance value. When any one of the push buttons 103a to 103d performs a switch operation, the upper inner ring 107 and the lower inner ring 117 are electrically connected with a constant resistance value. The control circuit 200 of the circuit board 131 performs a switching operation at the same time by measuring the combined resistance of the resistance elements 113a to 113 connected in parallel between the upper inner ring 107 and the lower inner ring 117. The number of push buttons 103a to 103d can be recognized.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, only the number of push buttons simultaneously performing the switch operation is used to correct the gain, and therefore, the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d that have performed the switch operation are individually set. There is no need to specify. The push buttons 103a to 103d on the inner peripheral side can be individually provided with switches, but the number of wires can be reduced by adopting a method of measuring the combined resistance.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the switch operation of the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d. 6A shows a state before the switch operation, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the push buttons 103b and 103c are pressed simultaneously to perform the switch operation. When any one or more of the inner peripheral side push buttons 103a to 103d are pressed, the corresponding elastic members 114a to 114d are elastically deformed and the upper inner peripheral ring 107 is also elastically deformed. Only the plurality of push buttons 103a to 103d are switched.

  Returning to FIG. 3, flat lower peripheral rings 119a to 119d, which are divided into four parts and made of conductive plastic, are arranged below the upper outer peripheral ring 107. Four resistance elements 115a to 115d having the same height are attached to the lower outer peripheral rings 119a to 119d at positions corresponding to the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d, respectively. Further, eight elastic members 116a to 116h formed of springs or elastic rubber are attached to the lower inner peripheral rings 119a to 119d on both sides of the resistance elements 115a to 115d.

  The elastic members 116a to 116h are the same height as each other and higher than the resistance elements 115a to 115d, and the upper outer peripheral rings 109a to 109d are spaced apart from the lower inner peripheral rings 119a to 119d by a predetermined distance. It functions as a spacer that supports to maintain. When the upper outer peripheral rings 109a to 109d are supported by the corresponding elastic members 116a to 116h, a predetermined space is secured between the resistance elements 115a to 115d and the upper outer peripheral rings 119a to 119d.

  When one of the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d is pushed in with a pressing force of a predetermined value or more, the corresponding elastic members 116a to 116h are elastically deformed and the resistance elements 115a to 115d corresponding to the pushed push buttons Upper outer peripheral rings 109a to 109d come into contact with each other. The elastic members 116a to 116d define an operating pressure at which the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d perform a switching operation.

  When the pressing force disappears, the push buttons 105a to 105d are restored to their original positions by the restoring action of the elastic members 116a to 116h, and the switch operation is reset. The control circuit 200 of the circuit board 131 measures the electrical resistances between the respective upper outer peripheral rings 109a to 109d and the corresponding lower outer peripheral rings 119a to 119, thereby enabling the push buttons 105a to 105d that are switched to operate. Can be identified.

  In the present embodiment, only the number of push buttons that are simultaneously operated for switching is used to correct the gain. Therefore, for that purpose, it is necessary to specify the push buttons 105a to 105d on the outer peripheral side that perform the switch operation. There is no. However, in this embodiment, the input device 100 is provided with many functions for mouse gestures by specifying the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d that have been switched. The function of the input device 100 will be described later.

  The height and elastic modulus of the elastic members 114a to 114d attached to the lower inner ring 117 and the height and elastic modulus of the elastic members 116a to 116h attached to the lower outer rings 119a to 119d are set to substantially the same value. Yes. However, the elastic coefficient and / or height of both may be set to different values. Since there is a difference of 1.2 millimeters between the height of the top of the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d and the height of the top of the outer push buttons 105a to 150d, the operation surface of the thumb 180 When the operation surface 108 is gradually pushed in with equal pressure without inclining the contact surface with respect to 108, first, the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d are switched.

  At this time, the thumb 180 receives a feeling of pressure due to the elasticity of the elastic members 114a to 114d from the push buttons 103a to 103d on the inner peripheral side. When the thumb 180 is further pushed in with a stronger pressing force, the belly of the finger is further deformed and the push buttons 105a to 105d on the outer peripheral side perform a switching operation. At this time, when the push buttons 105a to 105d on the outer peripheral side of the thumb 180 are pressed, only the inner push buttons 103a to 103d are initially switched by the elasticity of the elastic members 116a to 116h. Receive the same degree of pressure. When the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d perform a switching operation, the portions where the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d are pressed receive a stronger sense of pressure due to the elasticity of the elastic members 114a to 114d.

  By making the operation surface 108 into a dome shape or appropriately setting the height and elastic coefficient of the elastic member in this way, the user can determine the angle of the contact surface of the thumb 180 and the pressing force based on the feeling of pressure received from the push button. The number of push buttons that change the pressure and activate the switch can be selected. After the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d and the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d are switched, the click switch 129 is operated when the pressing force is further increased.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a push button pattern that is simultaneously switching. The pattern in FIG. 5A shows a state where the thumb 180 is in contact with only the sphere 101 and none of the push buttons is switched. In this state, it is possible to input only by rotating the sphere 101. 5B to 5I, the contact surface of the thumb 180 with respect to the operation surface 108 is tilted while applying a pressing force, and 1 to 8 push buttons are pressed simultaneously with the sphere 101. This shows a state where each push button is switched.

  The pattern of FIG. 5 is an exemplification, and the pattern of the push button that simultaneously performs the switching operation is not limited to that shown in FIG. Then, the thumb 180 slides while depressing the operation surface 108 and transitions between patterns as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5I, so that a push operation that simultaneously performs a switch operation while rotating the sphere 101 is performed. You can maintain or change the number of buttons. In order to perform the rotation operation and the pressing operation on the input device 100 at the same time, the user slides on the operation surface 108 while tilting the contact surface of the thumb 180 in various directions.

  In order to perform the switch operation by pressing only the selected number of push buttons with a pressing force equal to or higher than the operation pressure, the elastic member is used when the switch operation is performed regardless of the direction in which the contact surface of the thumb 180 is inclined. It is desirable to receive the same feeling of pressure. When the push button is a flat pad, the friction when the thumb 180 is slid is large, and it is expected that it becomes difficult to apply a stable pressing force by changing the pressing force when sliding. Furthermore, in the case of a flat pad, the point of action of the pressing force is not always at the center, and it is expected that adjustment of the pressing force will be difficult.

  In the present embodiment, the portion of the push button touched by the finger is a projection having a spherical shape or a shape close to a spherical surface. Since the spherical protrusion has a small contact area regardless of the direction in which the contact surface of the thumb 180 is inclined, the contact surface of the thumb 180 can be given a substantially constant feeling of pressure with respect to a predetermined pressing force. . Furthermore, since the frictional force during sliding is small, a stable pressing force can be applied.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the switch operation of the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d. The outer peripheral push buttons 105 a to 105 d are arranged inside the vertical surface 18 of the circular opening formed in the housing 15, and the top of the push buttons 105 a to 105 d is connected to the boundary 17 between the inclined surface 16 and the vertical surface 18 of the housing 15. It is almost the same position. Therefore, when the thumb 108 is slid along the surface 19 of the housing 15, the switch operation is performed by pressing the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d before the spherical body 101 or the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d. The structure is difficult to prevent.

  In a general method of operating the input device 100, the entire operation surface 108 is pressed from above with the thumb 180 and then slid. The rotation of the sphere 101 and each push- Press the button. Therefore, in this general operation method, the rotational operation of the sphere 101 always precedes the rotational relationship between the rotational operation of the sphere 101 and the switch operation of the push buttons 105a to 105d on the outer peripheral side.

  Here, if the casing 15 is formed such that when the inclined surface 16 of the casing 15 is pressed with the tip of the thumb 180, the inclined surface 16 and the surface 19 in the vicinity thereof are elastically deformed slightly downward, With the thumb 180, any one of the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d can be switched before the rotating operation of the sphere 101 or the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d are divided into upper outer peripheral rings 109a to 109d and lower outer peripheral rings 119a to 119d so that switching operations can be individually recognized. Therefore, it is possible to identify the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d that have been previously switched, and change the operation mode so that the input device 100 can cope with many functions.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control circuit 200 formed on the circuit board 131 of the input device 100. The rotation amount conversion unit 201 generates direction information indicating an operation direction from the number of pulses in the X direction and / or the Y direction received from one or two detection units 127, and rotates the sphere 101 with a predetermined gain. A movement amount of the cursor 13 corresponding to the amount or a movement amount of the screen to be scrolled is generated. The gain is an amount corresponding to the magnification of the moving amount of the cursor or the moving amount of the scrolling screen with respect to the rotation amount of the sphere.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined gain held by the rotation amount conversion unit 201 is set to the lowest value, and the gain is increased by the number of push buttons that perform the switching operation at the same time. The rotation amount conversion unit 201 may detect the rotation speed of the sphere 101 by counting the number of pulses received per unit time, and correct the gain by a known method according to the rotation speed. For example, when the sphere 101 rotates by the same rotation amount at different rotation speeds, the predetermined gain may be corrected so that the moving distance of the cursor 13 becomes longer as the rotation speed increases.

  The movement amount generated by the rotation amount conversion unit 201 is amplified by the movement amount correction unit 203 and output to the interface 47 in accordance with the number of push buttons that are simultaneously switched. Since the gain is lowest when the sphere 101 rotates with none of the push buttons being switched, the input device 100 performs fine adjustment of the position of the cursor 13 or display when scrolling the screen. Operates suitable for fine adjustment of the position. Setting the gain to the minimum when the switch operation is not performed matches the human natural sense of finely adjusting the distance when the pressing force is weak.

  The rotation amount conversion unit 201 outputs a rotation operation signal to the operation mode change unit 205 while the sphere 101 rotates and receives a pulse. The operation mode change unit 205 receives a rotation operation signal from the rotation amount conversion unit 201 and receives a switch operation signal from the switch operation detection unit 211. When any one of the push buttons 105a to 105d on the outer peripheral side performs a switch operation, the switch operation detection unit 211 outputs the switch operation signal to the operation mode change unit 205 together with information for specifying the push button each time. . That is, the operation mode change unit 205 can identify the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d that have performed the switch operation when receiving the switch operation signal.

  The operation mode change unit 205 determines whether the rotation operation signal and the switch operation signal received after resetting are output, and outputs a mode signal to the interface 47. The operation mode changing unit 205 resets the operation mode changing unit 205 when it is determined that the operation mode changing unit 205 receives neither the rotation operation signal nor the switch operation signal for a predetermined time. The mode signal includes a normal mode signal for operating the input device 100 in the normal mode and a specific mode signal for operating in the specific mode. The operation mode changing unit 205 outputs a normal mode signal to the interface 47 when receiving a rotation operation signal first after reset. The operation mode changing unit 205 outputs a specific mode signal to the interface 47 when the switch operation signal is received first after reset.

  The normal mode refers to an operation mode in which information about the movement of the cursor 13 by the input device 100 is output to the system. In the specific mode, the input device 100 changes the display position by scrolling the screen, changes the display direction by rotating the screen, changes the display range by selecting the scale of the screen, and displays a menu screen for selecting an application to be started. An operation mode in which information to be performed is output to the system.

  The specific mode signal includes a scroll mode signal, a rotation mode signal, a scale mode signal, and a menu mode signal corresponding to the type of operation mode. A scroll mode signal is assigned to the push button 105a on the outer peripheral side, a rotation mode signal is assigned to the push button 105b, a scale mode signal is assigned to the push button 105c, and the push button A menu mode signal is assigned to 105d.

  The operation mode change unit 205 receives a click signal from the click switch 129. The operation mode changing unit 205 resets the specific mode and receives the click signal twice in a predetermined time from the click switch 129 while outputting the specific mode signal to the interface 47, and resets the specific mode. Normal mode signal is output to When the operation mode change unit 205 does not receive the rotation operation signal and the switch operation signal for a certain period of time, the operation mode change unit 205 resets the current operation mode to stop the output of the mode signal, and then receives the rotation operation signal or the switch operation received first. One of the mode signals is output based on the signal.

  When the LED control unit 207 receives the specific mode signal from the operation mode changing unit 205, the outer peripheral push button and the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d that have been switched are all in the same color. Make it emit light. For example, when the push button 105a performs a switch operation, the push button 105a and the push buttons 103a to 103d are caused to emit red light. Further, when the push button 105b performs a switching operation, the push button 105b and the push buttons 103a to 103d are made to emit green light. Thus, the user can easily recognize the start of the specific mode and its type by causing the LEDs of the push button to emit light with different emission colors.

  The switch operation detection unit 209 outputs to the gain correction unit 213 the number of push buttons 103a to 103d that are simultaneously switching in the range of 1 to 4. The switch operation detection unit 211 outputs information on the push button and a switch operation signal to the operation mode change unit 205 when any one of the push buttons 105a to 105d on the outer peripheral side performs a switch operation. The number of push buttons 105 a to 105 d that are simultaneously switched in four ranges is output to the gain correction unit 213.

  The reference table 215 holds data in which the number of push buttons that are simultaneously switching and the correction gain are associated with each other, and can be referred to by the gain correction unit 213. The data structure of the reference table 215 will be described later with reference to FIG. The gain correction unit 213 calculates the total number of push buttons simultaneously performing the switch operation from the number of push buttons received from the switch operation detection unit 209 and the number of push buttons received from the switch operation detection unit 211.

  The gain correction unit 213 refers to the reference table 215, acquires correction gains corresponding to the total number of push buttons that are simultaneously switching, and outputs them to the movement amount correction unit 203. The correction gain corresponds to a magnification with respect to the movement amount received from the rotation amount conversion unit 201 or a variable amount instead of a predetermined gain held by the rotation amount conversion unit 201. The movement amount correction unit 203 corrects the movement amount received from the rotation amount conversion unit 201 with the correction gain received from the gain correction unit 213 to generate a correction movement amount, and outputs the correction movement amount together with the direction information to the interface 47.

  The interface 47 receives the corrected movement amount and direction information from the movement amount correction unit 203, receives a click signal from the click switch 129, further receives a mode signal from the operation mode change unit 205, and receives an input processing unit 51 of the electronic device 10. Output to. When the input processing unit 51 receives the normal mode signal, the input processing unit 51 performs processing for the portable electronic device 10 to move the cursor 13 based on the corrected movement amount and the direction information. When receiving the specific mode signal, the input processing unit 51 performs various processes for the portable electronic device 10 to change the screen display method based on the type of the specific mode, the corrected movement amount, and the direction information.

  The input processing unit 51 that has received the scroll mode signal converts the corrected movement amount and direction information received from the movement amount correction unit 203 into a signal for scrolling the screen in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. At this time, the input processing unit 51 can use the corrected movement amount as information for determining the scroll speed of the screen and the direction information as information for determining the scroll direction of the screen. The input processing unit 51 that has received the rotation mode signal converts the corrected movement amount and direction information received from the movement amount correction unit 203 into a signal for rotating the screen to the right or left. At this time, the input processing unit 51 can use the corrected movement amount as information for determining the rotation speed of the screen, and can use the direction information as information for determining the rotation direction of the screen.

  The input processing unit 51 that has received the scale mode signal converts the correction movement amount received from the movement amount correction unit 203 into a signal for enlarging or reducing the screen. At this time, the input processing unit 51 can use the correction movement amount as information for determining the speed of enlargement or reduction of the screen, and can use the direction information as information for selecting enlargement or reduction. Upon receiving the menu mode signal, the input processing unit 51 displays a predefined menu screen on the display 11 in a small window, and converts the direction information received from the movement amount correcting unit 203 into a signal for selecting a menu item. . At this time, the input processing unit 51 can use the corrected movement amount as information for selecting a menu item.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the reference table 215 in which the number of push buttons simultaneously performing the switching operation and the correction gain are associated with each other. FIG. 9A shows an example in which the gain increment C3 per push button is variable, and FIG. 9B shows the inner circumference side with the gain increment C1 per push button being constant. An example is shown in which a bias is applied to the gain of all of the push buttons 103a to 103d.

  The horizontal axis indicates the characteristic of simultaneously operating the push button including the pressing force applied to the operation surface of the input device 100 and the angle of the finger contact surface, and the vertical axis indicates the correction gain output by the gain correction unit 213. . It can also be said that the horizontal axis corresponds to the state of only the rotation operation of the sphere 101 by the thumb 180 and the change of the pressing force and the contact surface that increase the push button that performs the switching operation one by one. On the horizontal axis, until the pressing force is P1, none of the push buttons perform the switch operation, so the correction gain is 1.

  At this time, the movement amount correction unit 203 outputs the movement amount generated by the rotation amount conversion unit 201 to the interface 47 without correction. That is, the gain with respect to the rotation amount of the sphere 101 is a predetermined gain held by the rotation amount conversion unit 201. When the pressing force exceeds P1, the correction gain increases due to the switch operation of the push button. The correction gain in the range where the pressing force exceeds P1 corresponds to the magnification of the correction movement amount with respect to the movement amount output by the rotation amount conversion unit 201.

  By tilting the abdominal contact surface of the thumb 180 while applying a pressing force exceeding P1, one to four inner peripheral pushes in a pattern as illustrated in FIGS. 5 (B) to (E) The buttons 103a to 103d can be switched. Further, all the push buttons 103a to 103d on the inner peripheral side are switched while applying a pressing force exceeding P2, and further 1 to 4 in a pattern as illustrated in FIGS. 5 (F) to (I). The outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d can be switched.

  A line 255 in FIG. 9A shows how the correction gain increases stepwise along the straight line 251 by the same increment C1 as the number of push buttons simultaneously performing switching increases by one. Show. The number displayed on each stair step indicates the number of push buttons operating simultaneously. The user feels that the operability of the cursor 13 is better when the correction gain is smaller than the straight line 251 at the middle portion of the pressing force as in the line 253. In other words, when the user moves the cursor for a long distance, the pressing force is increased and the cursor is moved as fast as possible. If the gain decreases, the cursor may move appropriately.

  In order to respond to such a user request, the reference table 215 stores a step-like correction gain as indicated by a line 257. Line 257 is such that the correction gain increment C3 per push button increases as the number of push buttons that are simultaneously switched increases so that the correction gain varies along line 253 indicating the user's request. Is set to be variable. Further, in line 257, a bias of increment C2 is applied to the amount of movement when the pressing force when none of the push buttons is switched is P1 or less, so that line 257 approaches line 253. Yes. The bias C2 increases the amount of movement generated by the rotation amount conversion unit 201 when none of the push buttons is switching.

  In the input device 100, the operation surface 108 has a dome shape as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 (F), when the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d switch in normal operation, the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d have already switched. Can be assumed. The correction gain of FIG. 9B, which shows another example using this feature, is the bias of the decrement C3 with respect to the entire inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d without changing the step increment C1. , So that the line 259 approaches the line 253.

  When the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d are switched one by one, the correction gain increases stepwise along a straight line 261 parallel to the straight line 251 as indicated by a line 259. When the number of push buttons that simultaneously perform switching operations is five or more, the correction gain of the line 259 matches the correction gain of the line 255. The reference table 215 stores the correction gain of the line 257 or the line 259 in association with the number of push buttons that simultaneously perform the switching operation.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input device 100. In block 301, the input device 100 is operating in a normal mode or a specific mode. In block 303, the operation mode changing unit 205 maintains the current operation mode and outputs the same mode signal to the interface 47 as long as the rotation operation signal or the switch operation signal is received at a predetermined time. If neither the rotation operation signal nor the switch operation signal is received within the predetermined time, the operation mode changing unit 205 resets the current operation mode and moves to block 305. When the operation mode is reset, the mode signal from the operation mode changing unit 205 to the interface 47 and the input processing unit 51 is stopped.

  In block 305, the operation mode change unit 205 determines whether a rotation operation signal or a switch operation signal has been received. When the rotation operation signal is received, the process proceeds to block 307, and the operation mode changing unit 205 outputs a normal mode signal to the input processing unit 51 through the interface 47. Thereafter, the input processing unit 51 performs processing for moving the cursor 13 with respect to the correction movement amount and the direction information received from the interface 47.

  In block 309, the user moves the cursor 13 by rotating only the sphere 101 with the thumb 107 or simultaneously performing the rotation operation of the sphere 101 and the push button pressing operation. After the cursor 13 has been moved to a predetermined position, the sphere 101 can be pressed hard and the click switch 129 can be switched once to input or drag the system. In block 311, the gain correction unit 213 acquires a correction gain corresponding to the number of push buttons simultaneously pressed from the reference table 215, and sends it to the movement amount correction unit 203. In block 313, the input processing unit 213 performs movement processing of the cursor 13 based on the corrected movement amount and direction information received from the interface 47.

  When only the rotation operation of the sphere 101 or the number of push buttons that perform the switch operation is small, the movement amount correction unit 203 outputs a small correction movement amount to the interface 47 with respect to a predetermined rotation amount. Can easily perform fine positioning of the cursor 13. The movement amount correction unit 203 outputs a larger correction movement amount to the interface 47 with respect to a predetermined rotation amount as the pressing force increases and the number of push buttons simultaneously performing the switch operation increases. The distance can be easily moved. Thereafter, returning to block 303, the operation mode changing unit 205 maintains the normal mode or resets the operation mode.

  When the operation mode changing unit 205 receives the switch operation signal in block 305, the process proceeds to block 331. In block 331, the operation mode changing unit 205 outputs one of the four specific mode signals to the input processing unit 51 through the interface 47. Thereafter, the input processing unit 51 changes the display position by scrolling the screen, changes the display direction by rotating the screen, and selects the display range by selecting the scale of the screen with respect to the corrected movement amount and direction information received from the interface 47. Process for changing or selecting a menu item.

  In block 333, in response to the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d to which the LED processing unit 207 performs the switching operation, any one of the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d and all the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d. The 103d LED is lit in the same color. In block 335, the user who recognizes the current operation mode by turning on the LED rotates only the sphere 101 with the thumb 107, or performs the rotation operation of the sphere 101 and the switch operation of the push button at the same time. Perform the operation.

  The block 337 acquires a correction gain corresponding to the number of push buttons simultaneously pressed by the gain correction unit 213 from the reference table 215 and sends the correction gain to the movement amount correction unit 203 as in the case of the block 311. In block 339, the input processing unit 51 performs a specific mode process for changing the screen display method or selecting a menu based on the corrected movement amount and direction information received from the interface 47.

  The movement amount correction unit 203 outputs a small correction movement amount with respect to a predetermined rotation amount to the interface 47 when only the rotation operation of the sphere 101 is performed or when the number of push buttons that perform the switching operation is small. The screen movement speed can be slowed for scroll operations, the screen rotation speed can be slow for rotation operations, and the scale change speed can be slow for enlargement or reduction operations. The movement amount correction unit 203 outputs a larger correction movement amount with respect to a predetermined rotation amount as the pressing force increases and the number of push buttons simultaneously performing the switch operation increases, so the user increases the screen change speed. be able to.

  In block 341, the operation mode changing unit 343 determines whether two click signals have been received from the click switch 129 within a predetermined time. When two are received, the process moves to block 307, and the operation mode changing unit 205 outputs a normal mode signal to the interface 47 to shift to the normal mode. If two click signals are not received, the process proceeds to block 303 to maintain the current operation mode or reset the operation mode.

  FIG. 2 shows an example in which the inner peripheral push buttons 103 a to 103 d and the outer peripheral push buttons 105 a to 105 d of the input device 100 are arranged concentrically with respect to the center of the sphere 101. However, the push buttons do not necessarily have to be arranged concentrically. For example, it can be determined in consideration of an arrangement suitable for right-handed use and left-handed use. Alternatively, in the case where the operation is performed with the index finger instead of the thumb 180, a suitable arrangement can be made.

  In the input device 100 shown in FIG. 4, the click switch 129 operates by pressing the sphere 101, but an input device 400 including a click switch having a different structure is shown in FIG. 11. Unlike the input device 100, the input device 400 is provided with a click switch 151 on the lower surface of the case 141 of the input device 400 in place of the cantilever spring 125, and the case 141 includes elastic members 153 a and 153 b from the bottom surface of the housing 15. I support it. The elastic members 153a and 153b are pushed when only the sphere 101 is pressed, when only one or more push buttons are pressed, or when the sphere 101 and one or more push buttons are pressed simultaneously. The elastic modulus is set so that the click button 151 operates after the button.

  In FIG. 7, the outer peripheral push buttons 105 a to 105 d are arranged at positions lower than the surface 19 around the casing 15 in order to select a specific mode, whereby the sphere 101 and the inner peripheral push button 103 a. Although an example in which the structure is more difficult to press than that of ˜103d has been described, the elastic members 116a to 116h that determine the operating pressure of the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d determine the operating pressure of the inner peripheral push button. The same function can also be realized by making it stronger than the elastic members 114a to 114d.

  In the control circuit 200 of FIG. 8, the example in which the movement amount correction unit 203 corrects the movement amount output from the rotation amount conversion unit 201 with the correction gain has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The movement amount correction unit 203 may directly convert the pulse received from the detection unit 127 into a movement amount with a correction gain. In addition, after the transition to the specific mode, the example in which the number of switch operations of the outer peripheral push buttons 105a to 105d is also used to generate the correction gain has been described. Since gain adjustment is not necessary, only the inner peripheral push buttons 103a to 103d may be used to generate a correction gain. Also, part of the processing performed by the control circuit 200 described with reference to FIG. 8 may be performed by the input processing unit 51, and part of the processing performed by the input processing unit 51 may be performed by the control circuit 200.

  The correction gain shown in FIG. 9 increases the movement amount generated by the rotation amount conversion unit 201 with the predetermined gain set to the minimum according to the number of push buttons that are simultaneously switched. In another example, the correction amount may be such that the movement amount generated by the rotation amount conversion unit 201 with the predetermined gain set to the maximum is decreased according to the number of push buttons that are simultaneously switched.

  The example in which the correction gain is generated based on the number of push buttons that perform the switching operation has been described so far, but a pressure sensor is provided instead of the resistance element of FIG. 3 to generate the correction gain based on the magnitude of the pressure. You may do it. In this case, the correction gain can be the sum of the outputs of the pressure sensors. An example in which the input device 100 is mounted on a portable electronic device has been shown so far. However, the input device 100 may be mounted on a notebook personal computer or a separate keyboard for a desktop personal computer. It is also possible to do. The rotating ball type input device 100 can also be configured as an independent input device that is used by being connected to an electronic device through an interface such as USB or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  Although the present invention has been described with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and is known so far as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. It goes without saying that any configuration can be adopted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic device 15 ... Housing | casing 100, 400 ... Rotary ball-type input device 101 ... Sphere 103a-103d, 105a-105d ... Push button 107 ... Upper inner periphery ring 108 ... Operation surface 109a-109d ... Upper outer periphery ring 113a- 113d, 115a-115d ... resistive elements 114a-114d, 116a-116d ... elastic member 117 ... lower inner ring 119a-119d ... lower outer ring 121 ... sphere unit 127a, 127b ... detector 200 ... control circuit

Claims (15)

A rotating ball type input device for performing an input operation on an electronic device including a display,
A sphere rotatably supported;
A rotation amount conversion unit that outputs a movement amount of a cursor or a screen corresponding to the rotation amount of the sphere;
A plurality of push buttons that are arranged around the sphere and can be pressed while rotating the sphere with the same finger;
A plurality of pressure detectors provided corresponding to each of the plurality of push buttons;
A gain correction unit that generates a correction gain based on outputs of the plurality of pressure detection units;
A rotary ball type input device having a movement amount correction unit that outputs the corrected movement amount by correcting the movement amount with the correction gain.   The rotary ball type input device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure detection unit performs a switch operation when a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the push button.   The rotating ball type input device according to claim 2, wherein the gain correction unit determines the correction gain according to the number of the pressure detection units that are simultaneously switched.   The correction is such that the correction gain changes stepwise according to the number of pressure detectors that are simultaneously switched, and the gain correction unit is such that the increment of the step varies depending on the number of pressure detectors that are simultaneously switched. The rotating ball type input device according to claim 3, which generates a gain.   A plurality of push buttons on the inner circumference side where the plurality of push buttons are arranged around the sphere and a plurality of push buttons on the outer circumference side arranged around the outside of the plurality of push buttons on the inner circumference side The rotary ball type input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which is configured by a button.   An operation surface composed of the sphere, the plurality of inner peripheral push buttons and the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons is formed in a dome shape, and the surface of each push button is a spherical protrusion. The rotating ball type input device according to claim 5 formed.   The gain correcting unit changes the correction gain stepwise along a first straight line when the plurality of inner peripheral push buttons switch one by one, and the plurality of inner peripheral push buttons -The correction gain is generated so that the correction gain changes stepwise along the second straight line when the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons switch one by one after all the buttons have been switched. The rotating ball type input device according to claim 5 or 6.   The rotating ball according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the pressure detector corresponding to each of the plurality of inner peripheral push buttons is composed of a resistance element electrically connected in parallel. Type input device.   After the reset, when the rotation operation of the sphere is detected first, the operation is performed in the normal mode in which the cursor is moved based on the movement amount, and the switch operation of any of the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons is performed first. The rotating ball type input device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising an operation mode changing unit that operates in a specific mode that changes a display method of the screen based on the amount of movement when detected. The plurality of inner peripheral push buttons and the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons include a light emitting element,
10. The light emitting device control unit according to claim 9, further comprising: a light emitting element control unit configured to emit light of the outer peripheral side push button and the plurality of inner peripheral side push buttons that have performed the switch operation in the same color when operating in the specific mode. Rotating ball type input device.   11. The rotating ball mold according to claim 5, further comprising: a click switch that operates with a pressing force greater than a pressing force with which the inner peripheral push button and the outer peripheral push button perform a switch operation. Input device.   The rotating ball type input device is disposed in an opening formed in a housing of the electronic device, and the plurality of outer peripheral push buttons can be operated using the bending of the surrounding housing. The rotary ball type input device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, which is disposed at a position lower than a surface of the housing. An electronic apparatus comprising a display and the rotating ball type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. An input device composed of a sphere and a plurality of push buttons arranged around the sphere moves a cursor displayed on a display,
Generating a number of pulses corresponding to the amount of rotation of the sphere;
Generating a pressure signal in response to pressing of the plurality of push buttons by the same finger that has been rotated on the sphere;
Generating a correction gain in response to the pressure signal;
Generating a movement amount based on the correction gain and the number of pulses;
Moving the cursor by the amount of movement. An input system for an electronic device including a display,
A detector that outputs a number of pulses corresponding to the amount of rotation of the sphere;
A plurality of push buttons arranged in a range that can be pressed with one finger around the sphere;
A gain correction unit that generates a correction gain in response to pressing of the plurality of push buttons;
A movement amount generation unit that generates a movement amount of a cursor based on the correction gain and the number of pulses;
An input system having an input processing unit that performs a movement process of the cursor with the movement amount.

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