JP3001031B2 - Facial operation 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 an input device capable of inputting data from a personal computer or the like by operating the face without using hands.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Input devices such as keyboards, mice, trackballs, and other computers that require high sensitivity, such as computers and personal computers, are difficult to use when hands cannot be used due to operating environment conditions, injuries or natural traits. Operation was extremely difficult.

[0003]

In order to avoid the drawbacks of conventional input devices, recent advances in personal computer operating systems have made it possible for most input devices such as mice and trackballs to perform most processing. In consideration of this, we have developed an input device that reflects the intended movement of an operator who cannot use his hands with practical controllability only by the movement of the facial muscles and neck, and intends to provide the same device as a mouse etc. It is.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a trackball which can be connected to a personal computer or the like and which can be operated by an upward movement from an operator's neck, a pedestal or a case. And the like, a frame that can be attached to the head or face, and a switch that can be connected to the personal computer or the like. The switch is attached to the frame so that the switch can be turned on and off by the movement of the muscles of the face of the operator to constitute a face operation input device.

[0005]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, even a person who cannot operate with his / her hands operates the trackball by moving up from the neck and turns on / off the switch by the movement of the facial muscles.
F.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

In the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a free arm which is detachably fixed to a pedestal 6 of a portable personal computer 13 by a mounting bracket. An outlet to which the connector 5 of the switch input unit 8 is detachably attached and a left / right switch 9 are attached, and a truck that can be operated by a movement upward from the operator's neck as the coordinate input unit 7 is provided at the tip end. A ball 2 is mounted. Reference numeral 10 denotes a connector connected to an outlet of the portable personal computer 13 connected to the trackball 2 and the switch input unit 8. The switch input unit 8 can be attached to the head or the face. In the embodiment of the present invention, the eyeglass type frame 3 can be attached to the face, and the frame 3 is turned on by the movement of the operator's facial muscles. The switch 4 is connected to the connector 5 attached to the left and right so that the switch can be turned off.

In the face operation input device having the above-mentioned structure, the universal arm 1 is mounted on the pedestal 6 of the portable personal computer 13 by a mounting bracket, and the connector 10 is connected to the portable personal computer 13.
To the outlet. In this state, the trackball 2 of the coordinate input unit 7 is operated by the upward movement from the neck of the operator, and the switches 4 and 4 of the switch input unit 8 are turned ON and OFF by the movement of the facial muscles of the operator. Input operation.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the flexible arm 1 is provided with an electric connection portion 11 connected to the outlet of the personal computer at the base thereof, and a connector 5 of the switch input portion 8 provided at the tip of the universal arm 1. Is detachably connected,
And engaging pieces 12, 12, 1 which can be attached to eyeglasses.
The same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in the face operation input device thus formed in that the frame 3 having the frames 2 and 12 is used.

In implementing the present invention, the following changes are also used in combination. (A) The coordinate input unit 7 and the switch input unit 8 are used as independent input devices. (B) The universal arm 1 is replaced with a component having another structure having a degree of freedom in position setting, such as a rod antenna or a bending link mechanism. (C) The base of the universal arm 1 is provided as a product fixed to a pedestal, a case, or the like by a method capable of being detached or stored. (D) The trackball 2 has a structure in which the attachment portion at the tip of the universal arm 1 is detachable so that any commercially available product can be used, and the switch input portion can be separated from the attachment portion by a connector or the like. (E) Conversely, in order to simplify the configuration, the switch is omitted as a dedicated trackball, and the function is completely substituted by the switch of the frame unit. (F) Further, in each of (d) and (e), the connector for each input section is also omitted, and integrated by a cable to make a non-separable connection state. (G) The frame 3 or the switch 4 replaces the frame 3 with another part having a function of fixing to the head, such as goggles, a helmet, or a headphone, or as an engagement means for combining with the same. Have it directly. (H) A switch or the like for switching the switch 4 between left and right is inserted in the middle of the circuit according to operational conditions. (I) The cable of the trackball 2 is passed through the free arm 1. (4) The switch 4 has a function of sliding or rolling the contact portion with the face, a structure that can be operated lightly and reliably, and withstands corrosion due to sweat, fat, cosmetics, etc., in relation to the movement of the facial muscles. It is also desirable that the switch be provided with a click so that an appropriate switch response is returned to the operator. However, a switch having a simple push-button structure can be used as long as it has the characteristic of appropriately overcoming these conditions and individual differences among operators.

[0011]

As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained in the present invention.

(1) It can be connected to a personal computer or the like,
A trackball that can be operated by upward movement from the operator's neck, a free arm that can be detachably fixed to a pedestal or a case, a frame that can be attached to the head or face, the personal computer, etc. The trackball is attached to the distal end of the free arm, and the switch is attached to the frame so that the switch can be turned ON and OFF by the movement of the muscles of the operator's face. Because it is attached, the trackball can be operated by moving up from the neck, and the switch is turned ON and OFF by the movement of the facial muscles
F operation can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a function as an input device that can be freely operated even under conditions where hands cannot be used. In addition, as a means of rehabilitation of a handicapped person, the use of a personal computer or the like as a useful tool can be greatly expanded.

(2) According to the above (1), since the operation can be performed by the upward movement of the neck and the movement of the facial muscles, the operation can be performed relatively easily, no long-term training is required, and a short-term use is possible. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a use state of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Free arm, 2: Trackball, 3: Frame, 4: Switch, 5: Connector, 6: Pedestal, 7: Coordinate input section, 8: Switch input section, 9: Left / right switch, 10: Connector, 11: Electrical connection part, 12: engagement piece, 13: portable personal computer.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A trackball which can be connected to a personal computer or the like and which can be operated by an upward movement from an operator's neck, a free arm which can be detachably fixed to a pedestal or a case, etc., and a head And a switch that can be connected to the personal computer or the like. The trackball is mounted on the tip of the free arm, and the switch is used to move the muscles of the operator's face. A face operation input device, which is attached to the frame so as to be able to be turned ON and OFF. 2. An electric connection portion which can be connected to a personal computer or the like, a trackball which can be operated by an upward movement from an operator's neck, is connected to the electric connection portion, and a base portion has the electric connection portion. A connection part is mounted so that it can be connected to the electric connection part via a free arm provided with a trackball at the tip, a frame that can be attached to the head or face, and a tip of the free arm. A face operation input device, wherein the switch is attached to the frame so that the switch can be turned on and off by the movement of a facial muscle by an operator.