JP3111107B2 - Information 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 information input device provided with a trackball functioning as a pointer for a display screen and a keyboard having a plurality of input keys.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As information processing apparatuses equipped with microcomputers have become more and more multifunctional, a function menu displayed on a display has to be quickly selected and graphics work has been simplified for the purpose of working on paper and the like. 2. Description of the Related Art An information input device including a trackball capable of specifying two-dimensional coordinates on a display at one time is known. In this type of information input device, a keyboard and a so-called mouse incorporating a trackball are separately provided, or both the keyboard 31 and the trackball 32 are connected as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). Some are mounted on the same operation panel to save space.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional information input device, input through a keyboard and input through a trackball are both effective. For example, it is not limited to an input system using a trackball. could not.

Accordingly, in the case of the information input device shown in FIG. 6A, the trackball 32 must be operated so that an undesired input is not made by touching the keyboard 31, so that it is impossible for the operator. This poses a problem that a proper posture is forced, and the work efficiency is reduced.

In the case of the information input device shown in FIG. 6B, the trackball 32 is arranged in front of the keyboard 31. Therefore, an extra space behind the keyboard 31 and a space for disposing the trackball 32 are required. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the information input device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a plurality of input keys are provided.
Is displayed through the contact input means in which the
An input means with a sphere that gives instructions to the screen is integrated on the operation surface
In an information input device having an operation unit arranged in a
An input switching unit connected to the sphere of the sphere input unit and generating a selection signal in response to pressing of the sphere; and when the selection signal is input from the input switching unit, the input by the sphere input unit is input. Interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal to be enabled; and when the selection signal is input from the input switching means after generating the interrupt signal by the interrupt signal generating means,
And an interrupt canceling means for invalidating the input by the information input device.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for validating the input by the sphere input means is provided, so that the input by the sphere input means is enabled only when necessary. it can. That is, for example, when the work is temporarily interrupted, only the input system is turned off and the input system is restored when necessary, so that the work can be immediately resumed.
Operability of the information input device is improved.

Further, the input is made using the input means with a sphere.
Interrupt signal is generated by the interrupt signal generation means
Input switching means for giving an instruction to
Because it was provided in contact with the
Interrupt signal generation means via input switching means
Can generate an interrupt signal. As a result,
The operability of the information input device can be further improved.
You.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information input device according to the present invention has an input system via a trackball 1 and an input system via a keyboard 3. When the input via the keyboard 3 is valid, the input via the trackball 1 is also valid at the same time as in the prior art.

The trackball 1 functions as a pointer for designating two-dimensional coordinates on a display (not shown), and is connected to a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) via a trackball interface 4. The keyboard 3 has a plurality of input keys (not shown) including an input switching key 3 a for switching between valid and invalid input via the keyboard 3, and is connected to the CPU via the keyboard interface 5.

The trackball interface 4 converts the two-dimensional information output from the trackball 1 into serial data and sends the serial data to the CPU.
put-Output Interface).

Next, the configuration of the interrupt signal generator 6 will be described. The interrupt signal generator 6 includes IC1 and IC2 forming a D flip-flop, IC3 forming an exclusive OR circuit, IC4 forming an OR circuit, and IC5 forming a three-state buffer. Is operated to disable the input via the keyboard 3 and generate an interrupt signal for enabling the input by the trackball 1.

Each data terminal D of the IC1 and IC2
Is the microswitch 2 connected to the trackball 1
Of the IC3, and also to one input terminal of the IC3. The ON / OFF terminal of the micro switch 2 is pulled up to 5 V via a resistor. The output terminal Q of IC1 is C
It is connected to the PU and sends a trackball status signal to be described later to the CPU. The inverted output terminal Q of IC2 is connected to the other input terminal of IC3.

The output of IC3 is connected to the clock input terminal of IC1 and to one input terminal of IC4. The output of IC4 is connected to the control terminal of IC5. The input terminal of IC5 is grounded and the output is C
PU, and an interrupt signal to be described later
Send to PU. Note that the IC5 only needs to output a low-level signal only when the output of the IC4 is at the low level.

Finally, the clock input terminal of IC2 and IC
The other input terminal 4 is connected to the output of the CPU and receives an input signal and a keyboard input ignoring signal, which will be described later.

Next, a description will be given of a configuration in which the validity / invalidity of the input via the trackball 1 can be switched by applying a predetermined operation to the trackball 1. In this embodiment, as one configuration example, a toggle (double) switch that sequentially switches between valid / invalid each time the trackball 1 is pushed down and released is used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the trackball 1 is
The lower hemisphere portion is housed in the holder 12 and is supported so as to be freely rotatable.
And a pedestal 13 that supports the holder 12 through the, and a toggle switch including the microswitch 2 is provided inside the holder 12.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a holder 12 is supported by a pedestal 13 via a spring 14, as shown in a specific example of a toggle switch. A rotation engaging portion 15 is attached near the bottom of the holder 12, and the vertical movement of the holder 12 is converted into rotation of the rotation engaging portion 15. The rotary engaging portion 15 is formed with two axially symmetrical arrow blades, and is formed at the corner of the upper contact portion 2 a constituting the microswitch 2 and the protrusion 16 provided on the pedestal 13. It is shaped to engage. The upper contact portion 2a is a lever supported by the pedestal 13. When the corner portion is pushed up by the arrow blade portion, the upper contact portion 2a comes into contact with the lower contact portion 2b constituting the microswitch 2.

In the above configuration, first, the operation of the toggle switch will be described. FIG. 5A shows the OFF state of the microswitch 2. The arrow blade portion of the rotation engagement portion 15 is located in the up-down direction, and is not engaged anywhere. In this state, as shown in FIG.
1 is pressed down, the holder 12 is lowered and the rotation engagement portion 1 is lowered.
5 rotates a little. As a result, the lower arrow blade portion is the protrusion 1
6, so that the holder 12 does not go down any further.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), when the ball 11 is released, the holder 12 is pushed back by the spring 14, and the upper arrow blade engages the corner of the upper contact 2a. As a result, the corner is lifted, and the upper contact 2a contacts the lower contact 2b, so that the microswitch 2 is turned on. The ON state of the microswitch 2 continues until the ball 11 is pressed down again.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5D, when the ball 11 is pushed down again, the rotation engaging portion 15 rotates again, and the engagement between the upper arrow blade portion and the corner portion of the upper contact portion 2a is established. Missing. When the ball 11 is released, the state returns to the OFF state shown in FIG.

As described above, the first depression of the ball 11 turns on the microswitch 2 and turns the microswitch 2 on.
Micro switch 2 is turned off by the second depression
State. Therefore, when the input via the keyboard 3 is disabled, the input via the trackball 1 can be enabled by a simple operation when necessary.

Next, an operation in which the interrupt signal generating section 6 generates an interrupt signal when the microswitch 2 is turned on will be described. This interrupt signal is
After that, the CPU can accept an input through the trackball 1.

First, when the input switch key 3a provided on the keyboard 3 is operated to invalidate the input via the keyboard 3, the CPU which receives the invalidation instruction via the keyboard interface 5, as shown in FIG. Then, a low-level keyboard input ignore signal is output to one input terminal of the IC4.

Here, when the trackball 1 is operated and the microswitch 2 is turned on as described above, FIG.
As shown in (a), a signal A (corresponding to a "selection signal" according to claim 1 ) that switches from a high level to a low level is sent to the data terminal D of the IC 1 and
3 is input. As a result, the two inputs of IC3 become low level, and as shown in FIG.
Is a signal that switches from high level to low level.
1 and the other input terminal of IC4.

Then, the output of the IC 4 goes to a low level, and as shown in FIG. 2E, the IC 5 receives a low-level interrupt signal based on the low-level input, that is, the "interrupt" according to claim 1. "Signal" to the CPU. When the CPU receives this interrupt signal,
As shown in FIG. 2F, a low-level INTACK signal indicating that an interrupt has been received is output to the clock input terminal of IC2.

Then, when the INT signal rises from the low level to the high level, the IC 2 latches the signal A, so that the signal B output from the IC 2 changes to the high level as shown in FIG. As a result, the signal C also changes to high level, so that the output of IC4 changes to high level and the output of IC5 floats.

On the other hand, in synchronization with the rise of signal C, IC1
Also latches signal A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2G, the IC 1 sends a low-level track ball status signal to the CPU indicating that the input by the track ball 1 is possible. When the CPU receives the low-level trackball status signal, the CPU executes an interrupt routine to be described later in order to accept an input from the trackball 1, so that an input via the trackball 1 can be performed.

When the input via the trackball 1 is terminated when the input via the keyboard 3 is invalid,
The trackball 1 is operated again, and the microswitch 2 is turned off as described above. As a result, the signal A changes to a high level and the signal C changes to a low level. Then I
Since the output of C4 goes low and the IC5 goes three-state ON, a low-level interrupt signal is input to the CPU again.

In response to this, the CPU outputs an into-ac signal in the same manner as described above.
C1 latches the high-level signal A, and a high-level trackball status signal is input to the CPU. As a result, the execution of the above-described interrupt routine ends.

Next, when the input via the keyboard 3 is activated by operating the input switching key 3a, the CPU which receives the valid instruction via the keyboard interface 5
As shown in FIG. 2D, the keyboard input ignore signal output to the IC 4 is changed to a high level. If the keyboard input ignore signal is at a high level, the output of IC4 always goes to a high level.
And the interrupt signal generation unit 6 does not generate an interrupt signal.

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

When the input via the keyboard 3 is valid, the interrupt signal generator 6 does not generate an interrupt signal as described above. The interrupt routine as described above is not executed. Instead, the key controller always performs the key scan, and the CPU always receives the output of the trackball interface 4.

As described above, the information input device of this embodiment is
By operating the input switching key 3a, the validity / invalidity of the input via the keyboard 3 can be appropriately switched. Further, since the interrupt signal generation unit 6 is provided, even when the input via the keyboard 3 is disabled, the input via the trackball 1 is enabled at the same time when the input via the trackball 1 is desired. be able to. This prevents erroneous input while the work by the information input device is temporarily suspended.

When the input via the trackball 1 is valid, the input via the keyboard 3 is invalid. Therefore, regardless of the arrangement of the keyboard 3, the operator can take the most comfortable posture. For example, the work can be performed also by the posture in which a hand or the like is placed on the keyboard 3.

Further, when the input via the keyboard 3 is disabled, the trackball 1 itself is provided with a toggle switch capable of appropriately switching the validity / invalidity of the input via the trackball 1, so that the operability of the switching is provided. Is further improved.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information input device comprising:
As described above, it is connected to the spherical body with input means, with spheres
An input for generating a selection signal for selecting an input using the input means.
The selection signal is input from the force switching means and the input switching means.
When input, the input by the contact input means is invalidated.
And an interrupt that makes the input by the input means with a sphere valid
And an interrupt signal generating means for generating only an interrupt signal .

Therefore, since the interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for validating the input by the sphere input means is provided, the input by the sphere input means can be made effective only when necessary. That is, for example, when work is temporarily interrupted, only the input system is turned off.
Since the operation can be immediately resumed by setting the state to the F state and returning the input system when necessary, the operability of the information input device is improved.

A predetermined operation is applied to the input means with a sphere.
Interrupt signal generation means via input switching means
Can generate an interrupt signal.
If the operability of the information input device can be further improved
The above effect is also achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a configuration of an information input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing various signals input / output between constituent members of the information input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a trackball .
FIG.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are provided on a trackball.
That schematically shows the configuration and operation of the toggle switch
FIG.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a conventional information input device.
It is a perspective view showing an example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Trackball (input means with a sphere) 2 Micro switch (second input switching means) 3 Keyboard (contact input means) 3a Input switching key (input switching means and first input switching means) 6 Interrupt signal generator (interrupt signal generation) means)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A contact input means in which a plurality of input keys are arranged.
Sphere that gives instructions to the display screen via rotation of the sphere
An operation unit in which the force means and the operation unit are integrally arranged on the operation surface;
In the information input device, input switching means connected to the sphere of the input means with a sphere, and generates a selection signal in response to pressing of the sphere, when the selection signal is input from the input switching means, the sphere Interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for validating an input by the input means; and input means with a sphere when the selection signal is input from the input switching means after the interrupt signal is generated by the interrupt signal generating means. To disable input by
Information input apparatus characterized by and a write release means.