JP3144668B2 - 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, and more particularly, to an input device suitable for a small computer device such as a laptop type or a notebook type.

An input device has the property of being an accessory of a computer, and it is desirable that the number of input devices prepared by a user is small.

[0003] For this reason, it is desirable that the input device be capable of inputting different types of information with one device.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 shows an example of use of an input device in a conventional small computer device. Reference numeral 10 denotes a small-sized computer device, which has a display unit 12 having a display screen 11 and a keyboard unit 14 having a key top 13.

In order to reduce the size of the computer device 10, the keyboard section 14 does not have a numeric keypad.

In this computer device 10, a numeric keypad 20 and a mouse 30 are connected to the side of the keyboard unit 14 as needed.

The numeric keyboard 20 is used to input numerical data with good operability, for example, when using spreadsheet software.

The mouse 30 is used to input coordinate position data on the display screen 11 and move the cursor.

As shown in FIG. 13, the numeric keypad 20 has a main body 21 and numeric keys 22 on the upper surface thereof.

As shown in FIG. 12, the mouse 30 has a main body 31, a ball 32 on the bottom surface, and function selection keys 33 on the upper surface.

The ten keyboard 20 and the mouse 30 are not operated simultaneously.

[0012]

The conventional numeric keypad 20 can input numerical data, but cannot input coordinate position data.

The conventional mouse 30 can input coordinate position data but cannot input numerical data.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, the user of the computer device 10 needs to prepare two input devices, ie, a numeric keyboard 20 and a mouse 30. There is a problem that the number of input devices as products increases.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that solves the above-mentioned problems in view of the fact that numerical data and coordinate position data are not input simultaneously.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device having a size which can be gripped by an operator and has a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface has a first planar bottom portion and a second planar shape. The first planar bottom surface and the second planar bottom surface are arranged such that when one planar bottom surface is arranged on a support, the other planar bottom surface is An input device main body having a predetermined angle so as to be inclined in a direction away from the support table, and a portion corresponding to the first planar bottom portion of the upper surface of the input device main body, which is operated and operated. A numeric keypad that generates numerical data when it is pressed, and a ball that protrudes from the second planar bottom surface and rotates to generate coordinate position data on the display screen. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the input device main body includes:
The first planar bottom portion is substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the first planar bottom portion is disposed at a portion near the rear end face in the longitudinal direction of the input device main body, and the second planar bottom portion is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the input device main body. The upper and lower portions are arranged closer to the front end surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first mode in which the transfer of numerical data is permitted and the transfer of coordinate position data is not permitted, or the transfer of coordinate position data is permitted and the transfer of numerical data is prohibited. The data transfer control means for setting the mode to the second mode and a switching means for switching the mode of the data transfer control means are further provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an operator has a size that can be gripped and has a bottom surface, and the bottom surface includes a first planar bottom surface portion and a second planar bottom surface portion, The first planar bottom portion and the second planar bottom portion are arranged such that when one planar bottom portion is placed on the support, the other planar bottom portion is separated from the support. An input device body inclined at a predetermined angle and disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the input device body corresponding to the first planar bottom portion, and when operated, numerical data is provided. A numeric keypad to be generated and a ball protruding from the second planar bottom surface portion, and a ball that rotates to generate coordinate position data, allow transfer of numerical data, and disable transfer of coordinate position data The first mode or the transfer of coordinate position data is allowed, and the transfer of numerical data A data transfer control means for the second mode to disable, and switching means for switching modes of the data transfer control means, said switching means,
The attitude of the input device main body is between an attitude when the first planar bottom face is opposed to the support and an attitude when the second planar bottom is opposed to the support. It is configured to operate when changed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the input device main body includes:
The first planar bottom portion is substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the first planar bottom portion is disposed at a portion near the rear end face in the longitudinal direction of the input device main body, and the second planar bottom portion is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the input device main body. The upper and lower portions are arranged closer to the front end surface.

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the input device has a configuration in which the bottom surface of the input device body has a first flat bottom surface and a second flat bottom surface forming a predetermined angle, and the input device takes two postures. In the state in which the ball acting in such a manner as to protrude from the second planar bottom portion, when the first planar bottom portion faces the support, the ball is floated from the support to stabilize the sitting of the input device, When the second planar bottom portion is opposed to the support, the ball acts to contact the support for the first time.

The ten-key is set on the first of the upper surfaces of the input device main body.
The arrangement arranged at the portion corresponding to the flat bottom surface portion does not impair the stability of the seat of the input device even when the ten-key is hit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the configuration in which the second flat bottom surface portion is disposed near the tip end surface acts so that the ball comes into contact with the support base by tilting the input device body forward.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the data transfer control means and the switching means are provided so that the coordinate position data is not transferred when the numerical data is input, and the numerical data is not transferred when the coordinate position data is input. .

The switching means according to claim 4 operates when the attitude of the input device main body is changed, so that it is unnecessary to operate the switching means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the configuration in which the second flat bottom portion is disposed near the tip end surface acts so that the ball comes into contact with the support base by tilting the input device body forward.

[0027]

【Example】

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an input device 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The input device 40 is a housing-shaped input device main body 4.
1, numeric keypad 42, ball 43, function selection key _44-1 ,
44 _-2 , a changeover switch 45 and the like.

The input device main body 41 is formed by combining a lower cover 46 and an upper cover 47, and has a front end face 48 and a rear end face 49, an upper face 50 and a bottom face 51, and a left side face 52 and a right side face 53. And has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length L is larger than the width W.

The width W has such a size that the user can easily hold it.

The bottom surface 51 is located on the rear end side 49 in the direction of the length L.
A first planar bottom portion 51a occupying approximately 2/3 of the distance;
The second flat bottom surface 51b occupies about 1/3 of the front end side 48.

The first planar bottom portion 51a is substantially parallel to the upper surface 50.

The second planar bottom surface 51b is at an angle α (about 15 degrees) with respect to a surface 51c extending from the first planar bottom surface 51a, and is inclined obliquely upward as viewed from the rear end side 49. It is inclined.

That is, the first planar bottom portion 51a and the second planar bottom portion 51b form an angle β (about 255 degrees).

The numeric keypad 42 is provided at a portion of the upper surface 50 near the rear end surface 49, that is, at a portion 50a corresponding to the first planar bottom portion 51a.

The function selection keys _44-1 and _44-2 are
Of these, it is provided at a position near the distal end surface 48.

As shown in FIG. 4, rubber foot portions 54 _-1 and 54 _-2 are provided on the first planar bottom surface portion 51a near each corner.
And the feet 55 _-1 and 55 _-1 are formed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5B, the input device
Rubber foot 54 in_-1Switching means near
Switch 45 is attached. Switching
The tip of the operating piece 45a of the switch 45 is a U-shaped part 45b.
Is the rubber foot 54 of the bottom surface 51 _-1From the opening 56 near
Sticking out. The switch 45 is a normally open type,
In FIG. 5B, the switch 45 is off.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG.
The ball 43 is provided in the center of the second planar bottom portion 51b so as to be accommodated in the case 57. A part of the ball 43 protrudes from the second planar bottom surface portion 51b by a dimension a. Here, the above-mentioned angle α (β) and the protrusion dimension a are:
The lowermost position of the ball 43 is determined to be located above the extension surface 51c by the dimension b.

A roller 58 is provided substantially in contact with the ball 43. The roller 58 operates a rotary encoder (not shown).

On the second flat bottom surface 51b, four feet 59 _{-1 to} 59 _-1 coated with Teflon (registered trademark) are provided at positions surrounding the ball 43 in order to improve slip.
_-4 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, two cables 60 and 61 are bundled and pulled out from the distal end face 48 of the input device 40. A numeric keypad connector socket _62-1 is connected to a distal end of the cable 60, and a mouse connector socket _62-2 is connected to a distal end of the cable 61. [Circuit Configuration] A circuit shown in the block diagram of FIG.

The circuit has a circuit section 7 for inputting numerical data.
0 and a circuit section 71 for inputting coordinate position data.

The circuit section 70 includes a key matrix circuit 72
, A decoding circuit 73, a numeric keypad CPU 74 for encoding for serial transfer, and a buffer circuit 75. The buffer circuit 75 is one of the cables 60 in FIG.
Connected to

The circuit section 71 includes a movement amount detection circuit 76, a function selection switch circuit 77, a mouse CPU 78, and a buffer circuit 79.

The buffer circuit 79 is connected to the cable 6 in FIG.
Connected to 1.

Input port 80 of numeric keypad CPU 74
And the input port 81 of the mouse CPU 78 are connected to the changeover switch 45.

The numeric keypad 74 and the mouse 78 constitute data transfer control means.

Therefore, the input device 40 has a structure in which the numeric keypad and the mouse are integrated.

The basic attitude of the input device 40, that is, the attitude it takes when placed, is a horizontal attitude in which the first flat bottom portion 51a faces a table as a support base as shown in FIG. [Switching of CPU] Switching between the CPU for numeric keypad 74 and the CPU for mouse 78 will now be described.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart of an operation of the numeric keypad CPU 74 for determining whether or not to perform data transfer.
M (not shown).

FIG. 7B is a flowchart of an operation of the mouse CPU 78 for judging whether or not to perform data transfer.
(Not shown).

[0053] CPU74 first performs the operations of steps S _1, the level of the input port 80 determines whether Lo (Low).

[0054] If the determination result is NO, the operation of step S ₁ again.

If the judgment result is YES, step S
₂ is performed, and ten keys 4 of the input device 40 shown in FIG.
The numerical data input by the operation 2 and output from the decoding circuit 73 is transferred to the buffer circuit 75.

Meanwhile, CPU 78, first performs the operation in step S _10, the level of the input port 81 is Hi (Hig
h) is determined.

[0057] If the determination result is NO, again, perform the operation of step S _10.

If the judgment result is YES, step S
By performing the operation of _M , the coordinate position data output from the movement amount detection circuit 76 and the function selection switch circuit 77 is transferred to the buffer circuit 79 by the operation in the mode shown in FIG.

The changeover switch 45 sets the CPU 74 to the CP
Because U78 and U78 are commonly used, that is, CP
Since the same switch 45 is used for the U74 and the CPU 78, the operation of the flowchart of FIG.
The operation in the flowchart of FIG. 7B is performed in synchronization.

When the switch 45 is on, the levels of the input ports 80 and 81 are both Lo, and the CPU
Result of determination in step S ₁ of 74 YES, the judgment result of step S ₁₀ of CPU78 is NO, the input device 40
Is a first mode in which the transfer of numerical data is allowed (allowed) and the transfer of coordinate position data is disabled (prohibited).

When the switch 45 is off, contrary to the above, the levels of the input ports 80 and 81 are both Hi, and the determination result of the CPU 74 in step S ₁ is NO,
The determination result of step S ₁₀ of CPU78 is YES,
The input device 40 permits (prohibits) the transfer of the coordinate position data and disables (prohibits) the transfer of the numerical data.
Mode.

The setting of Hi and L ₀ may be either.

[Operation] Next, the operation of the input device 40 having the above configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the input device 40 is connected to the connector portion of the keyboard portion 14 of the computer device 10 by inserting the connector socket _62-1 and the connector socket _62-2 into the connector portion. Used when placed on top.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the input device 40 includes the feet 54 _-1 , 54 _-2 , 54-1 of the first flat bottom surface 51 a.
55 _-1 and 55 _-2 are placed in contact with the table 90.

Numerical Data Input Operation As shown in FIG. 9, the numerical data input operation is performed when the input device 40 is in the horizontal posture as the basic posture.
This is performed by lightly nipping the input device main body 51 between the thumb and the little finger and performing an operation of tapping the numeric keypad 42 with another finger.

In this horizontal posture, since the ball 43 is floating from the table 90, the input device main body 41 is stably seated without rattling.

Further, since the numeric keypad 42 is disposed in the portion 50a of the upper surface 50 of the input device main body 41 corresponding to the first planar bottom surface portion 51a, even if the numeric keypad 42 is hit, this force is applied to the foot. The input device main body 41 received by 54 _-1 , 54 _-2 , 55 _-1 , and 55 _-2 does not tilt forward and does not rattle.

Therefore, the above numerical data input operation is performed stably.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the U-shaped portion 45b is relatively pressed by the table 90, and
5a is moving up, and the switch 45 is turned on.

As a result, in FIG. 6, the level of the input port 80 of the CPU 74 and the level of the input port 81 of the CPU 78 are both Lo.

Therefore, in FIG. 7, the result of determination in step S ₁ is YES, the operation in step S ₂ is performed, and the numerical data input by hitting the numeric key 42 is transferred to the buffer circuit 75, and the It is input to the computer device 10.

[0073] On the other hand, the judgment result of step S ₁₀ is operation of NO, Step S ₁₁ is not performed.

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
Is floating from the table 90 and is originally hard to move, but even if the ball moves due to an impact,
Or, even if the function selection keys 44 _-1 and 44 _-2 are pressed by mistake, the data input by this is not transferred to the buffer circuit 79.

Therefore, an erroneous input in which the coordinate position data is erroneously input to the small computer device 10 during the numerical data input operation is reliably prevented.

Coordinate Position Data Input Operation To input coordinate position data, as shown in FIG.
The input device main body 41 is gripped by sandwiching the input device main body 41 between the thumb and the little finger, and the housing 41 is tilted forward so as to lift the rear end face 49 of the housing 41, so that the feet 59 _{-1 to} 59 _-4 are moved. The attitude is such that the ball 43 is in contact with the table 90 and the ball 43 is in contact with the table 90.

While maintaining this posture, the feet 59 _{-1 to} 59 _-4
Is moved on the table 90 to move the input device body 40, and the function selection key 4 is pressed with the forefinger or middle finger.
_4-1, pressing the 44 _-2.

When the input device main body 40 is moved, the ball 43
Rotates, the roller 58 rotates, the rotary encoder operates, and coordinate position data is input. Also, key 4
When 4 _-1 and 44 _-2 are pressed, a switch (not shown) is operated to input a selection, decision, cancellation command or the like.

When the input device 40 is tilted as shown in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG.
a is separated from the table 90, and the U-shaped portion 45b is
And the switch 45 is turned off.

As a result, in FIG. 6, the level of the input port 80 of the CPU 74 and the level of the input port 81 of the CPU 78 both become Hi.

As a result, this time, in FIG.
The determination result in ₁₀ is YES, the operation of step S ₁₁ is performed, the coordinate position data on the display screen inputted by rolling the ball 43 is transferred to the buffer circuit 79 is input to a small computer system 10 You.

On the other hand, the decision result in the step S ₁ is NO, and the operation in the step S ₂ is not performed.

For this reason, even if the numeric keypad 42 is pressed by mistake during the above operation, the numerical data input by this is not transferred to the buffer circuit 75.

Accordingly, an erroneous input in which numerical data is erroneously input to the small computer device 10 during the coordinate position data input operation is reliably prevented.

When the numerical data is input again, the attitude of the input device 40 is changed as shown in FIG.

By changing the attitude of the input device 40,
The switch 45 is turned on to prevent erroneous input of coordinate position data.

As can be seen from the above, the same input device 40
Can be used to select and input numerical data and coordinate position data.

[Features of the changeover switch 45] Here, the features of the changeover switch 45 will be described. The changeover switch 45 is automatically switched by changing the attitude of the input device 40.

For this reason, in the case of a configuration in which the changeover switch is switched by an operation other than changing the attitude of the input device 40, the occurrence of forgetting of switching which may occur and the occurrence of erroneous input of data due to the forgetting of switching. Can be prevented.

[Modification] The present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the two flat bottom surfaces of the bottom surface 51 are divided into a front side and a rear side in the longitudinal direction of the input device 40. For example, the input device 40 may be provided separately on the left and right sides.

The ball 43 has some play in the case 57.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, a changeover switch 45A may be provided on the ball 43. The switch 45A is a normally closed type.

The changeover switch 45A is on in the state shown in FIG. 11A, and is turned off in the state shown in FIG. 11B by being pushed by the ball 43 sinking into the input device main body.

The changeover switch is not limited to a mechanical switch but may be a photoelectric detection switch.

[0095]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by changing the attitude of the input device body and using the same, numerical data and coordinate position data can be selected by one input device. You can enter it. For this reason,
Conventionally, two input devices, that is, a ten-key keyboard and a mouse are required, but only one input device can be used, and the burden on the user of the computer device can be reduced.

When the numerical data is input, the ball floats above the support, the first flat bottom faces the support, and the seat is in a stable state. Can be performed normally.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the input of the coordinate position data can be performed in a posture in which the input device main body is inclined forward, that is, a posture in which the operation is easy.

According to the invention of claim 3, erroneous input of coordinate position data during input of numerical data can be prevented, and erroneous input of numerical data during input of coordinate position data can be prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the switching of the switching means can be performed automatically, the switching operation of the switching means can be made unnecessary, the convenience is good, and the inconvenience of forgetting to switch the switching means is eliminated. Can be lost. That is, erroneous input of coordinate position data during input of numerical data can be prevented, and erroneous input of numerical data during input of coordinate position data can be reliably prevented.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the input of the coordinate position data can be performed with the input device main body in a posture tilted forward, that is, a posture in which the operation is easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the input device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data in the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a numeric keypad CPU and a mouse CPU in FIG.
5 is a flowchart of an operation related to data transfer of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a numerical data input operation.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a coordinate position data input operation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modification of the arrangement of the changeover switches.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of a conventional input device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the numeric keyboard in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the mouse in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Small computer apparatus 11 Display screen 12 Display part 13 Key top 14 Keyboard 40 Input device 41 Input device main body 42 Numeric keypad 43 Ball _44-1 , _44-2 Function selection key 45 Changeover switch 46 Lower cover 47 Upper cover 48 Tip Surface 49 Rear end surface 50 Top surface 50a Part corresponding to first planar bottom surface portion 51 Bottom surface 51a First planar bottom surface portion 51b Second planar bottom surface portion 52 Left side surface 53 Right side surface _54-1 , _54-2 Rubber foot 55 _-1, 55 _-2 foot portion 56 circuit unit 71 coordinate position data input for the opening 57 casing 58 roller 59 _-1 to 59 _-4 foot portion 60, 61 the cable 62 bifurcated connector socket 70 numerical data input Section 72 Key matrix circuit 73 Decoding circuit 74 Numeric keypad CPU 75 Buffer circuit 7 Movement amount detecting circuit 77 function selecting switch circuit 78 mouse CPU 79 buffer circuits 80 and 81 input ports 90 table

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-27900 (JP, A) JP-A-5-333997 (JP, A) JP-A-3-14120 (JP, A) JP-A-63- 80640 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 7-36240 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 1-72641 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 5-83845 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 4-73243 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/02 G06F 3/033 340

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A first planar bottom portion (5) having a size that can be gripped by an operator and having a bottom surface (51);
1a) and a second planar bottom portion (51b), and the first planar bottom portion and the second planar bottom portion align one planar bottom portion on the support base. An input device main body (41) having a predetermined angle (β) so that the other planar bottom surface portion is inclined in a direction away from the support when the input device main body is in contact with the input device main body (41); Numeric keypad (42) which is arranged at a portion (50a) corresponding to the first planar bottom portion and generates numerical data when operated.
And a ball (43) protruding from the second planar bottom surface and rotating to generate coordinate position data on the display screen. 2. The input device main body (41) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the first planar bottom portion (51a) is located on a portion of the input device main body near the rear end surface (49) in the longitudinal direction. The said 2nd planar bottom part (51b) was the structure arrange | positioned at the part near the front-end | tip surface (48) in the longitudinal direction of the said input device main body, The said 2nd planar bottom part was provided. Input device. 3. A first mode in which transfer of numerical data is allowed and transfer of coordinate position data is disabled, or a second mode in which transfer of coordinate position data is enabled and transfer of numerical data is disabled. Data transfer control means (74, 78)
2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching means for switching a mode of said data transfer control means. 4. A bottom surface (51) having a size that can be gripped by an operator and having a bottom surface (51).
1a) and a second planar bottom portion (51b), and the first planar bottom portion and the second planar bottom portion align one planar bottom portion on the support base. An input device main body (41) having a predetermined angle (β) so that the other flat bottom portion is inclined in a direction away from the support table when the input device main body is in contact with the first flat surface bottom portion; And a numeric keypad (42) that generates numerical data when operated, and is provided so as to protrude from the second planar bottom portion, A ball (43) for generating coordinate position data, a first mode in which transfer of numerical data is permitted and transfer of coordinate position data is not permitted, or transfer of coordinate position data is permitted and transfer of numerical data is not permitted Data transfer control means (74, 8) has a switching means (45) and for switching modes of the data transfer control means, said switching means, the attitude of the input device body, the first
A configuration in which the device operates when the posture when the flat bottom surface portion is opposed to the support and the posture when the second planar bottom portion is opposed to the support stage are changed. Characteristic input device. 5. The input device main body (41) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the first planar bottom portion (51a) is located on a portion of the input device main body closer to a rear end surface (48) in the longitudinal direction. The said 2nd planar bottom part (51b) was the structure arrange | positioned at the part near the front-end | tip surface (49) in the longitudinal direction of the said input device main body, The said 2nd planar bottom part was provided. Input device.