JP3059953U - Mouse with information function - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] Means for transmitting to an operator what should be displayed on a display screen due to, for example, activation of a screen saver, for example, when the above-mentioned arrival of an e-mail or the like is not displayed. I will provide a. SOLUTION: A mouse connected to a computer is provided with information means which operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, and this information means is transmitted to a computer operator that the specific signal is output. Thus, the arrival of an e-mail or the like can be transmitted to the operator even when the screen saver or the like is activated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention relates to an information input device used for inputting various types of information to a computer, and more specifically, to an information function for notifying a computer operator that the computer has output a specific signal. This is related to a mouse, keyboard and the like.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 As typical information input devices for inputting various types of information into a computer, there are a mouse and a keyboard. Of these information input devices, regarding a mouse, a mouse is a device that generally inputs its own position to a computer using the amount of front, rear, left, and right operations when the computer operator moves on a plane at hand. And does not have a function to transmit information to the operator.

[0003] Now that the importance of collecting and transmitting information has become more and more important, the use of the Internet, e-mail, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as "e-mail, etc.") has become increasingly popular. For example, compared to information collection and transmission means such as telephones, e-mail etc. have the advantage that they can exchange information at the same time as the other party and send information to multiple other parties at the same time. Anyone can receive and send information at any time. For this reason, e-mail etc. are used at any time, and operators who want to know the arrival of e-mail etc. as soon as possible are set to display the arrival of e-mail etc. on the computer screen in real time Often do.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 On the other hand, if a still image is continuously displayed on a computer screen for a long time, the image may be burned to the screen. In order to prevent this burn-in, a computer is often provided with a function called a screen saver that switches a still image to a preset moving image. This screen saver is a necessary function to protect the screen, but while the screen saver is operating, the operator cannot know the arrival of the aforementioned e-mail or the like. In addition, a power saving function may be set so that the signal to the display screen is cut off after the specified time has elapsed, and the display on the display screen is cut off. The power saving function also serves as a screen saver that reduces the power consumption of the display screen and prevents burn-in on the display screen. The problem to be solved by the present invention is that if the display screen does not indicate the information that should be displayed, for example, because of the operation of the screen saver, for example, the above-mentioned arrival information of e-mail etc. The purpose is to provide a means of communicating to the public.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventor provided a function of transmitting information to the operator using a mouse or keyboard, which is normally used for inputting information to the computer, and thereby the display screen of the computer was Information can be transmitted to the operator even when is not operating. The detailed configuration is described in another section.

[0006]Configuration of the device according to claim 1  A mouse according to the invention described in claim 1 (hereinafter referred to as a “mouse of claim 1”) is a mouse connected to a computer, and an information means that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer. Wherein the information means is configured to transmit the output of the specific signal to a computer operator. Information means means any means by which the operator can directly or indirectly recognize the occurrence (presence) of a specific signal by the action of his five senses. Such means include, for example, visually recognizable light emitting means and aurally recognizable sound generating means.

[0007]Action and effect of the device according to claim 1  The mouse according to the first aspect of the invention has an effect that when the specific signal is output from the computer, the information means is activated and the fact that the specific signal is output is transmitted to the computer operator. The operator who knows that the specific signal has been output can take an action according to the specific signal. That is, if the specific signal indicates, for example, the arrival of an e-mail, the operator can know the fact of the arrival without looking at the display screen of the computer, and if necessary, immediately read the contents of the e-mail. Can be seen. The operation and effect of the mouse of the first aspect is particularly effective when the screen saver function, the power saving function, and the like are operating.

[0008]Configuration of the device according to claim 2  The mouse according to the invention described in claim 2 (hereinafter, referred to as “mouse of claim 2”) is obtained by adding a limitation to the configuration of the mouse of claim 1. That is, the mouse according to claim 2 is a mouse connected to a computer, comprising information means that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information means determines that the specific signal has been output. It is characterized by being configured to visually or / and audibly transmit to a computer operator. That is, the information means of the mouse according to claim 2 is limited to the case where only the visual means or the auditory means are provided, or the case where both the visual means and the auditory means are provided.

[0009]Function and effect of the invention described in claim 2  The mouse according to the second aspect basically has the same function and effect as the mouse according to the first aspect, but the recognition of the operator is limited to visual or auditory, or both.

[0010]Configuration of the device according to claim 3  The mouse according to the invention described in claim 3 (hereinafter referred to as “the mouse of claim 3”) is a mouse in which a limitation is added to the mouse of claim 1. That is, the mouse according to claim 3 is a mouse connected to a computer, comprising information means operating based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information signal is output to the information means. It is characterized by including at least one of a light emitting device, a liquid crystal display device, and a sound generating device for transmitting the information to a computer operator. Examples of the “light emitting device” include a device including an LED (light emitting diode), and examples of the “liquid crystal display device” include a device configured to display a message indicating that an e-mail or the like has arrived, As an example of the “sound generating device”, there is a device configured to output a message indicating that an e-mail or the like has arrived. In the above example, the light emitting diode may be continuously lit or blinked. Of these devices, "including any one of the devices" means that any of these devices may be provided alone or a combination of any two of them may be provided. It means that all three may be provided.

[0011]Operation and effect of the invention according to claim 3  The mouse of the third aspect has basically the same operation and effect as the mouse of the first aspect, but the recognition mode of the operator differs depending on the configuration of the information means.

[0012]Configuration of the device according to claim 4  The mouse according to the invention described in claim 4 (hereinafter, referred to as “mouse of claim 4”) is obtained by adding a limitation to the configuration of the mouse of claim 3. That is, the mouse according to claim 4 is a mouse connected to a computer, comprising information means operating based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the specific signal is output to the information means. A light emitting device (for example, the above-described light emitting diode) for visually transmitting the information to a computer operator is provided. And the light of the light emitting device is visible from outside through the transparent synthetic resin. "Transparent" includes translucent and may be colored or colorless. `` Passing through '' a transparent synthetic resin means that the mouse case is transparent so that light can be seen from the outside. This includes the case where the light incident from the end face (edge) of the synthetic resin is visible from the outside.

[0013]Operation and effect of the invention described in claim 4  The mouse of the fourth aspect produces basically the same effect as the mouse of the third aspect. The information means of the mouse according to claim 4 is configured so that the light of the light emitting device can be seen from the outside through the transparent synthetic resin, so that the operator can specify the light even in a dark place as well as a bright place. The presence of the signal can be recognized.

[0014]Structure of the device according to claim 5  The mouse according to the invention described in claim 5 (hereinafter referred to as “mouse of claim 5”) is a mouse in which a limitation is added to the mouse of claim 3 or 4. That is, the mouse according to claim 5 is a mouse connected to a computer, comprising information means operating based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the specific signal is output to the information means. A light emitting device for transmitting the information to a computer operator is provided, and a mouse case constituting an appearance of the mouse is formed in a form imitating an animal or a human, and the light emitting device is provided in an eye of the animal or the human. Light is emitted from the corresponding portion, that is, the eyes are configured to shine. The “form that imitates animals or humans” corresponds to, for example, the case where a portrait of an animal or a human is represented in the form itself, the form of a hero in a manga or a story, or the case where the form represents an imaginary creature. .

[0015]Function and effect of the device according to claim 5  The mouse of claim 5 produces basically the same action and effect as the action and effect of the mouse of claim 3 or 4. In addition, since the eyes of the mouse or the human eye in the mouse case are illuminated, a decorative and decorative effect can be expected.

[0016]Configuration of the device according to claim 6  The mouse according to the invention described in claim 6 (hereinafter referred to as “mouse of claim 6”) is obtained by adding a limitation to the configuration of the mouse of claim 1. That is, the mouse according to claim 6 is a mouse connected to a computer, comprising: information means that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the specific signal is output to the information means. This is characterized in that a radio wave transmitting device for transmitting the information to the computer operator via the receiving device is provided. It is preferable that the radio wave transmitting device is constituted by a specified low power device that does not require a radio station license.

[0017]Function and effect of the device according to claim 6  According to the mouse of the sixth aspect, in addition to the operation and effect of the mouse of the first aspect, the fact that the specific signal is output is transmitted to the receiving device by a radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitting device provided in the mouse. As a result, the output of the specific signal is transmitted to the operator via the receiving device.

[0018]Configuration of the device according to claim 7  An information input device according to the invention described in claim 7 (hereinafter, referred to as an “input device of claim 7”) is an information input device connected to a computer and based on a specific signal output from the computer. It is characterized by comprising information means for operating, wherein the information means is configured to transmit the output of the specific signal to a computer operator. "Information input means" is a general term for a device for inputting some information to a computer such as a mouse, a keyboard or a scanner.

[0019]Function and effect of the invention according to claim 7  According to the input device of the seventh aspect, when the specific signal is output from the computer, the information means is activated and the fact that the specific signal is output is transmitted to the computer operator. The operator who knows that the specific signal has been output can take an action according to the specific signal. That is, if the specific signal indicates, for example, the arrival of an e-mail, the operator knows the fact of the arrival without looking at the display screen of the computer, and immediately sends the e-mail if necessary. You can see the contents. The operation and effect of the mouse of the first aspect is particularly effective when the screen saver function, the power saving function, and the like are operating.

[0020]Terminology  The meaning of the terms used in the section for solving the problems will be described. For terms other than these terms, the meanings defined elsewhere in this section shall be applied to each claim to the extent possible in nature. The method of “connection” between the computer and the mouse may be any method that enables the function of the mouse as an information input device, such as a method of electrically connecting the two with a mouse. However, there are, for example, high-frequency, low-frequency, and optical methods. Incorporation into a computer is also included in the mouse connection method. "Specific signal" refers to a signal for notifying an operator that an e-mail has newly arrived, for example. The “output” of the specific signal means that the specific signal has been output in the past and that the specific signal has been continuously output.

[0021]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 Next, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mouse connected to a computer, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the mouse. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the mouse of the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a mouse of the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a mouse imitating an animal.

[0022]First embodiment  As shown in FIG. 1, the mouse 1 is connected to the computer 7 by a cable 3 in order to input the amount of front, rear, left, and right movement when the operator moves on a plane at hand. The computer 7 has a program (screen saver) for preventing the "burn-in" phenomenon, which is a characteristic of the display (display screen) 7d of the computer 7, and cuts off the signal to the display 7d after a designated time has elapsed. A power saving function program for cutting off the display on the display 7d is set, and a mail display function for constantly displaying the arrival of e-mail and the like on the display 7d is set together with various application programs. Have been. Reference numeral 5 denotes a keyboard (information input device) connected to the computer 7, and if necessary, an information input device such as a scanner can be connected, although not shown. The cable 3 in the present embodiment incorporates a signal cable 3s for outputting a specific signal (described later) from the computer 7 to the mouse 1.

[0023]Mouse configuration  The mouse 1 shown in FIG. 2 generally includes a mouse case 10c forming an external appearance, 10e forming an internal electric part, and a mechanical part 10m (not shown). The mouse case 10c is made of an injection-molded transparent acrylic resin, and an electric part 10e and an electric part (information means) 10m incorporated therein can be seen from the outside. The mechanical part 10m is not different from the mechanical part of a general-purpose mouse, and therefore its description is omitted. Here, the mouse case 10c and the electric part 10e will be mainly described.

The mouse case 10 according to the first embodiment is made of a transparent acrylic resin as described above, and is constituted by an LED (a part of the electric part 10 e). This is because the light when the light emitting diode (LED) 12 is turned on can be seen from the outside. The electric part 10e is configured to operate according to the specific signal output from the computer, and the electric part 10e that has received the specific signal turns on the LED 12 to notify the operator of the computer 7 that the specific signal has been output. It is supposed to. The electric part 10e has a built-in battery 14 for lighting the LED 12, etc., but may be configured to supply power from the computer 7. The reason why the transparent acrylic resin is used as the material is to scatter the light of the LED 12 internally by utilizing the properties of the acrylic resin, thereby causing the entire mouse case 10 to emit light. In this case, care should be taken that the color of the mouse case 10 and the color of the LED 12 are compatible (for example, similar colors) in consideration of both wavelengths. If the compatibility is poor, light hardly passes through the acrylic resin, so that the mouse case 10c cannot be sufficiently illuminated. In addition, when the LED 12 is configured to blink, the operator can easily catch the eyes, so that more effective information transmission can be expected. Further, in the present embodiment, only one LED 12 is provided, but a plurality of LEDs 12 may be provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the mouse case 10 is formed in a form imitating an animal or a human, and the LEDs 12 and 12 are arranged at portions corresponding to the eyes of the animal or the human to emit light. May be. In addition to animals and humans, the mouse case 10 can be configured to imitate popular anime characters and the like. Recently, computers are often used as educational toys, but mice with a shape that makes children happy can remove the image of studying, which can be expected to have the effect of making children's learning last longer. .

[0026]Operation of the first embodiment  The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the power of the computer 7 is turned on, and other applications are started up together with the mail display function as necessary. When the mail display function is activated, it is first checked whether or not the mouse 1 is connected (S1). If it is confirmed that the mouse 1 is connected, the process proceeds to S3. Is displayed on the display screen 7d and the program is terminated (S21). In S3, it is checked whether the modem (not shown) built in the computer 7 is operating normally. If the operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to S5. If the operation is not confirmed, "The modem does not operate. Is displayed on the display screen 7d (S23), and the process returns to S1. In S5, the arrival of an e-mail or the like is confirmed, and if it has arrived, the process proceeds to S7, and if not, the confirmation of arrival is repeated. In S7, it is checked whether or not the screen saver is activated. If the screen saver is activated, the process proceeds to S9, and if not, the process proceeds to S31. In S31, if the power saving function is activated, the process proceeds to S9, and if not, the process proceeds to step S33 for displaying the arrival of mail.

In S31, if the power saving function is not activated, a display signal indicating the arrival of an e-mail or the like is output (S33), and “New mail has arrived” is displayed on the display screen 7d. (S35). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether the e-mail or the like has been opened, and if it has been opened, the process returns to S35, and if it has been opened, the program ends (S37).

[0028]Output of specific signal  On the other hand, in S9, since the mail arrival display cannot be performed on the display screen 7d by the screen saver (S7) or the power saving function (S31), the specific signal is output. The specific signal is sent to the electric part 10e of the mouse 1 via the cable 3s to turn on the LED 12 and to notify the operator of the arrival of an e-mail or the like. On the other hand, after outputting the specific signal in S9, it is checked whether or not the arriving e-mail or the like has been opened (S11). If it has been opened, the output of the specific signal is stopped (S13) and the program ends. . On the other hand, if the e-mail or the like is not opened, that is, if the e-mail has not been read or if there is an unread e-mail among a plurality of e-mails, the process returns to S9 to continue outputting the specific signal.

[0029]Second embodiment  A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the second embodiment, the same members and members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same names and reference numerals, and the description of these members is omitted to avoid duplication. Omitted. The mouse 2 of the second embodiment is different from the mouse 1 of the first embodiment in that the former mouse case 20c is made of non-transparent synthetic resin, The device 21 and the liquid crystal display device 23 are provided. The LED 12 is arranged so that the tip thereof faces a small hole provided in the mouse 2, whereby the light emission of the LED 12 is visible from the outside. The mouse 2 has the above three types of information means. However, even if the manufacturer and the operator prefer to leave at least one type of information means and omit the other two types of information means. Good. That is, for example, only the LED 12 and the sound generator 21 may be provided to omit the liquid crystal display device 23, or only the liquid crystal display device 23 may be provided to omit other information means. In the former case, visual and auditory transmission will be possible, and in the latter case, it will be possible to transmit only to the operator without being known to a third party.

[0030]Configuration of sound generator  The voice generator 21 is configured by a low-frequency transmitter, a device for generating a specific voice message or music (not shown), and the like, and generates a low-frequency sound, voice, music, and the like by receiving a specific signal. It has become. It is preferable to set the type, volume, and the like of voices and messages on the computer 7 side.

[0031]Structure of liquid crystal display  The liquid crystal display device 23 is configured to display a specific message such as “mail has arrived” when receiving the specific signal. The contents and display method of the message may be set on the computer 7 side. As a display method, for example, a still character or a moving character may be used, or a picture may be displayed if the display screen is space-capable.

[0032]Third embodiment  A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the third embodiment, description of members common to members of other embodiments will be omitted, and only different members will be described. In the third embodiment, the mouse 4 has a built-in specific power-saving radio wave transmitting device 4t that is activated by a specific signal, and the receiving device 4r that receives a weak electric wave radiated from the mouse operates to emit the LED 12. It is configured so that It goes without saying that information means other than the LED 12 can be provided in the receiving device 4r. According to the third embodiment, it is possible to receive notification that an electronic mail or the like has arrived via the receiving device 4r regardless of where the operator is located within a range where the weak radio wave of the radio wave transmitting device 4t reaches. Thus, the range of action of the operator can be made wider than in the other embodiments. Optical communication may be used instead of radio wave communication.

[0033]Modified example  Although the description so far has focused on a mouse, the idea of the present invention can be applied to information input devices other than a mouse. For example, an LED 12k provided on the right shoulder of the keyboard 5 shown in FIG. 1 can be used as information means. Further, in the present embodiment, the specific signal is used for displaying the arrival of an e-mail or the like. It is also possible to make the means transmit the date and time or the passage of time to the operator.

[0034]

[Effect of the invention]

 According to the invention described in each claim, specific information can be transmitted to a computer operator even when a screen saver, a power saving function, or the like is operating.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mouse connected to a computer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a mouse.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a mouse according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a mouse according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a mouse imitating an animal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 mouse 2 mouse 3 cable 3s signal cable 4 mouse 4t radio wave transmitting device 4r receiving device 5 keyboard 7 computer 7d display (display screen) 10c mouse case 10e electrical part 10m mechanical part 12 LED (light emitting diode) 12k LED 14 battery 20c mouse case 21 sound generator 23 liquid crystal display

Claims (7)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. A mouse connected to a computer, comprising: information means that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information means notifies a computer operator that the specific signal has been output. A mouse configured to communicate. 2. A mouse connected to a computer, comprising: information means that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information means notifies a computer operator that the specific signal has been output. A mouse configured to transmit visually or / and aurally. 3. A mouse connected to a computer, comprising: information means that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information means indicates that the specific signal has been output by a computer operator. A mouse comprising at least one of a light-emitting device, a liquid crystal display device, and a sound generation device for transmitting to a mouse. 4. A mouse connected to a computer, comprising: an information unit that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information unit includes a computer operator that outputs the specific signal. A light emitting device for visually transmitting the light to the mouse is provided, and the mouse case forming the appearance of the mouse is entirely or partially made of a transparent synthetic resin, and the light emitting device is provided through the transparent synthetic resin. A mouse, characterized in that the light is configured to be visible from the outside. 5. A mouse connected to a computer, comprising: information means that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information means indicates that the specific signal has been output by a computer operator. A light emitting device for transmitting the light to the mouse; a mouse case constituting the appearance of the mouse is formed in a form imitating an animal or a human; and the light emitting device emits light from a portion corresponding to the animal or the human eye. A mouse characterized in that it is configured to: 6. A mouse connected to a computer, comprising: information means that operates based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information means includes:
A mouse provided with a radio wave transmitting device for transmitting a signal to a computer operator via a receiving device. 7. An information input device connected to a computer, comprising: information means operating based on a specific signal output from the computer, wherein the information means operates the computer to output the specific signal. An information input device, which is configured to transmit the information to a person.