JP2730503B2 - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device,
In particular, it relates to a coordinate input device having both a mouse function and a trackball function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a computer system, a cursor displayed on a display is moved in a vertical or horizontal direction by pressing a predetermined key on a keyboard. Since the keyboard operation can only move up, down, left, and right in a straight line, for example, to move in a diagonal direction from a certain starting point, move in the X direction and then in the Y direction to reach the target coordinate point. Was hanging.

For this reason, as one of the methods for performing this coordinate input operation at high speed, for example, a coordinate device called a mouse has been created. This mouse is a small box-shaped input device that has a rotating ball at the bottom and is small enough to fit in the palm of the hand.
Referring to FIG. 4, which shows general functional blocks of the mouse device, the mouse is placed on a coordinate board (desk surface) and moved to a desired position, whereby the ball 21 rotates,
An X-axis roller 22 and a Y-axis roller 23 for detecting the moving direction and the moving distance; pulse generators 24 and 25 for generating pulses according to the rotation speeds of the rollers 22 and 23; And actuator detectors 27a and 27b for detecting the output of the actuator and sending it to a computer.

This mouse is small enough to fit in the palm of the hand, and is moved while holding the mouse body on both sides with the thumb and the little finger, and the actuator is operated instantaneously by selectively using the remaining three fingers. In order to achieve this, components that are easy to use ergonomically are arranged.

[0005] Another method is a coordinate device called a trackball, which has a shape in which the above-mentioned vertical positional relationship of the mouse is reversed, and the mouse moves and rotates the trackball while making contact with the desk surface. On the other hand, since there is no need to move the coordinate device input itself by rolling the ball by hand, there is an advantage that the operation space is much smaller. The built-in mechanism and function are the same as the mouse.

Further, an example of a coordinate input device having the function of combining the mouse and the trackball is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-1.
No. 59614. Referring to FIG. 5 which shows a perspective view of the coordinate input device described in the publication, a main body 33 having a rollable trackball 31 exposed at the center of one surface and a support ring 32 at the position of the ball.
A raised portion 34 disposed at an edge portion of the main body 33 opposed to the trackball 31 to support the device when used in a mouse mode, and provided on both side surfaces of the main body 33. Actuators 35a and 35b for selecting a predetermined item or instructing a predetermined operation.

When this coordinate input device is used as either a mouse or a trackball, it has been switched by placing the device upside down.

[0008] For example, when arranged in a vertical positional relationship as shown in FIG. 5, it is set on a desk as a trackball, and when the user rotates the trackball, the trackball is moved to a cursor or a display object on a display screen. Is moved, and the actuator is pressed to select an item.

On the other hand, when used as a mouse, the trackball is arranged so as to be on the lower surface (bottom surface) so that the raised portion supports the main body and the trackball contacts the desk surface. When the device is moved relative to the desk surface, the ball rotates and sends a signal to the computer. The rotation direction is opposite to that of the mouse, but is reversed by logic means.

[0010]

The above-mentioned conventional coordinate input device which doubles as a mouse and a trackball can be used as either a mouse or a trackball by arranging the device itself upside down and placing it on the desk surface. Function switching.

Therefore, in order to stabilize the operation in the trackball function mode, the opposite surface is formed flat. Therefore, if the upper and lower surfaces are reversed and the mouse function mode is set, this flat surface becomes the upper side. It is not possible to obtain the feeling that it fits in the palm of the mouse device, which is a characteristic feature of the mouse device, and that there is no uncomfortable feeling even after a long operation.

Further, since the actuators are provided on both the left and right sides, in the mouse function mode, the operability of operating the actuator with the thumb and the little finger while grasping the entire mouse device and quickly moving the mouse device in any direction is ergonomic. From the point of view, there is a sense of incompatibility in the operability, unlike the conventional feeling of operating with the remaining three fingers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and has means for blocking contact between a trackball and an upper surface of a desk. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate input device which is used as a mouse and a trackball, and which can provide a feeling that there is no uncomfortable feeling even after a long operation.

A feature of the coordinate input device of the present invention is that it has both a trackball function mode and a mouse function mode as a position designation function for moving a cursor displayed on a display screen to designate a desired screen coordinate position . The trackball and its support which can be rolled approximately at the center.
Holding means are provided and a plurality of actuators are provided near the edge.
In a coordinate input device having a device main body provided with a switch, an actuator button for depressing the switch is provided.
Is attached and covers the entire upper part of the device main body.
Removable dual-purpose upper cover and the upper cover
Predetermined from one end to the other end along the curved surface of the surface
The main body and the upper cover
A caterpillar-shaped belt made of a regular elastic body
To function as the trackball function mode
When the device with the upper cover removed
The contact between the coordinate board on which the main body is placed and the trackball
The caterpillar-shaped belt is attached to the
The truck passing through the bottom of the main body and exposed to the bottom
Push the ball up into the device body and
It has a structure in which the hole for the trackball is closed.
There to be Rukoto.

Further, instead of the <br/> belts caterpillar-like made of an elastic body, a substantially larger opening than the track ball the top cover itself is exposed on the device body portion upper surface with having a hook mechanism the contrast Chikatsu other end to end is used cap circle cylinder became a flange shape, when caused to function as the mouse function mode, prior to the cap
The opening is covered with the trackball exposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body, and the trackball is accommodated therein.
And a part of the stored trackball on the bottom
Said top cover being exposed from the hole portion is locked to the body, when the function as the trackball function mode, the said opening of the cap of the bottom surface of the device <br/> body portion The trackball inserted from the hole and exposed on the bottom surface is accommodated in the cap.
Then, the stored trackball is placed inside the device main body.
The flange-shaped portion the by the thickness of track of by the flange-like portions on <br/> gel pressing to become the bottom surface and the same surface
Blocked with Kuboru bottom contact with the coordinate board, and press
The lifted trackball is inserted into the opening of the cap.
Ru can have a structure that upset in portion.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

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

FIG. 1A shows a first example of a coordinate input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mouse function mode showing the embodiment of FIG.
(B) is a rear view thereof. 2A is a perspective view in a trackball function mode, FIG. 2B is a rear view thereof, and FIG. 2C is a bottom view thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), this coordinate input device comprises an apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as a main body).
Referred) 1, an actuator switch (described later) and the upper cover 3 covering the main body portion 1 actuator button 2 is attached depressing a predetermined frictional resistance has and top been placed one end the body portion of the upper cover 3 1 the first hook 4a, is set to 4a of 4b locking the top cover to the main body 1 a belt-like elastic body (hereinafter, a belt to which the other end is fixed to the rear surface is disposed on the front surface of the main body portion 1 of 5) and a signal cable 6.

That is, in this configuration, the cover 3 functions as a mouse device with the cover 3 attached to the main body by the belt 5.

On the other hand, FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2
With reference to (c), the coordinate input device moves the belt 5 to the bottom surface of the main body and sets both ends of the belt 5 on the second hooks 4b provided on the front surface of the main body portion 1 so that the trackball 7 is moved from the bottom surface. An object of the present invention is to block the exposure, block the contact between the desk surface on which the coordinate input device is placed and the trackball, and to function as a trackball device with the upper cover 3 removed.

The front and back surfaces of the belt 5 are formed into a caterpillar-like unevenness, and a frictional resistance with the ball moving surface is generated. Therefore, when the ball 7 is manually operated, the main body 1 is positioned. Acts so as not to cause displacement.

That is, on the upper surface of the main body 1 from which the cover 3 is removed, a trackball 7 which can be rolled and a pointing ring 8 thereof are disposed substantially at the center, and an edge of the upper surface of the main body 1 ( Multiple actuator switches near the front)
2a and 2b are provided.

When the coordinate input device having the above-described configuration is used as a mouse function, the upper cover 3 is set on the apparatus main body 1 with the belt 5 first. To move it on a predetermined desk surface in a desired direction. By this operation, the trackball 7 is rotated, and the moving direction and the moving distance are detected by the X-axis roller and the Y-axis roller by an internal circuit operation of a known technique. A pulse is generated from a pulse generator according to the number of rotations of the roller, and is output to a computer. Accession with the two or three remaining fingers to select or predetermined operation of a predetermined item
When an instruction is given by selectively pressing the tutor button , the output of the actuator switch is detected by the actuator detector and transmitted to the computer.

Since these operations and the outer shape of the device are the same as those of a conventional mouse device, the user can feel that the device fits in the palm of the user and does not feel uncomfortable even after a long operation.

On the other hand, when using this coordinate input device as a trackball function, first, the hook 4
Remove the belt 5 from a, return it to the front via the back and bottom, and set it on the hook 4b. At this time, the belt 5 is turned upside down, but has the same caterpillar-like unevenness on both sides, so that it fits smoothly along the outer shape of the apparatus, and a predetermined frictional resistance is obtained on the desk top.

By performing the above-described treatment, the trackball 7 exposed on the bottom surface is closed inside, and the upper cover 3
Is removed and the top surface of the main body 1 is exposed, and then placed on the desk top surface. Rotate the ball with the palm of the hand to move the cursor on the display screen to the desired position, and use the remaining two or three fingers to selectively press the actuator switch, as in the mouse function, to perform a predetermined item. Is selected or a predetermined operation is instructed.

At this time, since the belt 5 passing through the bottom surface has a predetermined frictional resistance on the desk surface as described above, the apparatus main body maintains a stable state even when the ball is operated.

In the first embodiment described above,
Although the belt 5 is set between the front and back of the main body 1, it may be set between both sides.

The belt 5 described above may be, for example, rubber, synthetic resin, or a cloth belt and rubber bonded together, as long as the material has elasticity that can be freely bent.

Although the caterpillar-shaped irregularities formed on both the front and back surfaces of the belt 5 are formed in the central portion of the belt 5 by a predetermined width as shown in the figure, they may be formed on the entire front and back surfaces of the belt.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a second embodiment in a mouse function mode, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a trackball function mode.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the difference from the first embodiment is that, in the mouse function mode, the belt 5 used in the first embodiment is not used, and the front edge of the upper cover 3 is not used. A hook mechanism 4c for covering and fixing the upper cover 3 to the main body 1 is provided at the portion and the rear edge, and further, an opening portion of a cap 10 to be described later is stored with the trackball 7 covered. It is.

The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description of the configuration and operation will be omitted.

The coordinate input device having the above-described configuration has a first
There is no need to set the belt 5 in the second embodiment, and the operability is the same as in the first embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, the difference from the first embodiment is that the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the track function mode.
In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the trackball 7 exposed on the bottom surface is closed by the belt 5, the cap 10 is pushed into the hole 9 on the bottom surface so that the flange portion 10a is flush with the bottom surface. The bottom of the trackball 7 entering the opening of the cap 10 is pushed up by the thickness of the collar portion 10a by the thickness of the collar portion 10a so as to block contact with the desk top surface, and the collar portion 10a is the same as the bottom surface. That is, the peripheral edge of the hole 9 is indented inside the main body in advance so as to form a surface. Generally, the accommodation mechanism of the trackball 7 is a mechanism having a play so that the center position moves in the vertical direction to some extent, so that the trackball 7 is pushed up by the above-described cap 10 by the thickness of the flange-shaped portion 10a. There is no problem.

The other configuration is the same as that in the trackball function mode in the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the configuration and operation is omitted.

In this embodiment having the above configuration,
As described above, since the contact between the trackball 7 and the desk top surface is blocked by the cap 10, the mouse function has the same feeling and appearance as before, so that there is no uncomfortable feeling for the operator. There is an advantage that there is no friction at the time and durability, and that the ball is supported by the opening in the trackball function, so that the stability of the ball is good.

[0040]

As described above, the coordinate input device according to the present invention has both the mouse function and the trackball function by itself, so that when the mouse function is converted to the trackball function, the trackball and the deskball are used. Means for blocking contact with the upper surface are provided. As this means, the elastic belt that fixes the upper cover to the main body at the time of the mouse function is moved to the bottom of the main body,
A configuration in which both ends are set on hooks provided on the front or side surfaces of the main body to block contact with the desk top surface, and an opening of a cylindrical cap having one end opened in a flange shape is opened on the bottom surface of the main body. By pushing up the ball over the ball exposed from the hole that was made, it is equipped with either a configuration to cut off the contact with the desk top surface at the flange-shaped portion, which is a characteristic feature of the conventional mouse device, It is possible to provide a coordinate input device that is used as a mouse and a trackball that fits in the palm and can provide a feeling that there is no uncomfortable feeling even after a long operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a coordinate input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a mouse function mode. (B) is a rear view thereof.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view in a trackball function mode. (B) is a rear view thereof. (C) is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating a mouse function mode according to a second embodiment. (B) is a perspective view in a trackball function mode.

FIG. 4 is a general functional block diagram of a mouse device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a conventional coordinate input device having both a mouse function and a trackball function.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,33 Device body 2 Actuator buttons 2a , 2b , 26a , 26b Actuator switches
Ji 35a, 35b actuator 3 top cover 4a, 4b hook 5 the belt 6 code 7,21,31 trackball 8,32 ring 9 hole 10 cap 10a flanged portion 2 2 X-axis roller 23 Y-axis rollers 24 and 25 the pulse generator 27a , 27b actuator detector 34a, 34b ridge

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] The present invention has a trackball function mode and a mouse function mode as a position designation function for designating a desired screen coordinate position by moving a cursor displayed on a display screen, and can be moved to a substantially central portion. G
A rack ball and its supporting means are provided and duplicated near the edge.
The main unit with the number of actuator switches
Depressing the switch in the coordinate input device having
Actuator button is attached and the device
Removable curved top cover over the entire upper body
And from one end along the curved surface of the upper cover upper surface
It is arranged with a predetermined width up to the other end on the opposite side, and
And a caterpillar made of an elastic body for fixing the upper cover
And a track- shaped function module.
When functioning as a card, remove the top cover
The coordinate panel surface on which the device body is placed in the
Use the caterpillar so as to block contact with the trackball.
A belt-like belt passes through the bottom of the device body and
Push the exposed trackball into the device body
Raise and close the hole for the trackball housing on the bottom
In the coordinate input device according to claim Rukoto that have a structure that is provided. 2. A bell- shaped bell made of an elastic body.
Instead of bets, the said device body portion and the track cap Cylindrical substantially the Chikatsu other end to a large opening one end becomes a flange-like than the ball exposed to the upper surface together with the upper cover itself has a hook mechanism is used, when the function as the mouse function mode, when housing the trackball said open <br/> opening of the cap in its inside covered with the track ball exposed to the apparatus main body portion upper surface
In both cases, a part of the stored trackball is in front of the bottom
Said top cover being exposed from Kiana portion is locked to the body, when the function as the trackball function mode, inserting the opening of the cap from the hole of the bottom surface of the apparatus body While accommodating the trackball exposed on the bottom inside the cap,
Place the stored trackball inside the device body
By pushing up the flange-shaped portion so as to be flush with the bottom surface, the track plate is increased by the thickness of the flange-shaped portion.
Blocked with Lumpur bottom contact with the coordinate board, and the press
When the track ball is bent in the opening of the cap,
In the coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the chromatic the upset structures.