JP3584779B2 - Pointing device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pointing device used to move a pointer or a cursor to an arbitrary position on a display in an electronic device such as a computer or a word processor, and more particularly, to a pointing device orthogonal to a center position of a stick member provided on a substrate. Four strain sensors arranged on two orthogonal lines (hereinafter referred to as X axis and Y axis)Resistance valueHowever, the present invention relates to a pointing device capable of moving a pointer or a cursor on a display with high precision by performing a so-called trimming process so as to be axially symmetric with respect to an X axis and a Y axis.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various pointing devices have been proposed which are used by being incorporated in electronic devices such as notebook and laptop personal computers and word processors.
[0003]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-174646 discloses that an elastic plate is deformed by a force applied to an operating portion provided in the center of the elastic plate, and this deformation is detected by two pairs of strain resistance detection directly formed on the elastic plate. By detecting the change in the resistance value of the element, calculating the difference between the change in the resistance value of each pair of strain resistance detection elements, and detecting the direction and magnitude of the force of the operation unit, the coordinate input in the XY two-axis directions can be performed. What is enabled is disclosed. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-153499 discloses a bridge circuit composed of four or eight strain resistance detecting elements. There is disclosed an apparatus for inputting coordinates in the XYZ three-axis directions by an output voltage.
[0004]
By the way, in these conventional devices, it is necessary to adjust the resistance value of each distortion resistance element in order to form a bridge circuit with a plurality of distortion resistance elements. According to the publication, four strain gauges are formed at positions shifted from each other by 90 degrees on one surface of a flexible substrate, and a stick portion which is connected to a central portion of the substrate and whose tip can be displaced in an arbitrary direction. And a pointing device that detects the direction of displacement and the amount of displacement of the tip of the stick from the output of a strain gauge. In such a pointing device, a trimming pattern is formed together with a strain gauge pattern when forming a strain gauge pattern on a substrate, and the trimming pattern is cut as necessary.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the pointing device described in JP-A-8-87375, when forming a strain gauge pattern on a substrate, a trimming pattern is formed together with the strain gauge pattern, and the trimming pattern is cut as necessary. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the resistance value of the strain gauge pattern.
[0006]
By the way, in this type of pointing device, as described above, when the stick portion is operated in an arbitrary direction, a change in resistance value in two pairs of strain sensors including four or eight strain gauge patterns is detected, The configuration is such that the moving direction and the moving distance of the pointer and the cursor on the display are detected by the output voltage of each terminal of the bridge circuit based on the change in the resistance value. If they are not axially symmetric with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis, which are orthogonal to each other, the following problem occurs.
[0007]
One is that even when an external force is applied to the stick only in the X-axis direction, the terminal voltage of the Y-axis component is output to the bridge circuit. It would have to be moved by minutes, making it difficult for the operator to operate. Alternatively, in order to move the cursor or the like in a correct direction intended by the operator, a complicated control circuit configuration for correcting such a secondary terminal output voltage is required, and the circuit configuration becomes complicated. Had become.
[0008]
In particular, in the case of the XYZ three-axis input type, the terminal voltage of the z-axis direction component may be output even if the operation is performed only in the XY two-axis directions. In this type, input in the Z-axis direction is equivalent to "click" in a conventional mouse, and is used for finalizing input of a command or the like, but the operator does not want to "click". However, if the cursor is simply clicked simply by moving the cursor in the X and Y directions, a malfunction that the operator does not intend will occur, and the intended target of this type of pointing device cannot be achieved.
[0009]
However, although there has conventionally been a technique capable of adjusting the resistance value of the strain gauge pattern to a predetermined value by the above-described trimming processing, the X axis and the Y axis which are orthogonal to each other with respect to a stick portion formed on the substrate are: Strain gauge patternResistance valueIs not considered at all.
[0010]
[0011]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has four sticks arranged on two orthogonal lines (X axis, Y axis) orthogonal to each other at the center position of a stick member provided on a substrate. Strain sensorResistance valueCan be made axially symmetric with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis by performing a trimming process, so that a pointing device and a pointing device that can move a pointer and a cursor on a display with high precision are mounted. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic device which is extremely excellent in portability and operability.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, a pointing device according to claim 1 of the present application comprises a stick member erected on a planar substrate, and a stick member on the substrate.A pair of first strain sensors disposed so as to be symmetrical across the stick member on a first straight line passing through the center position of the stick member, and passing through the center position of the stick member on the substrate and A pair of second strain sensors disposed symmetrically with a stick member interposed therebetween on a second straight line orthogonal to the one straight lineAnd a pointing device that, when operating the stick member, detects a displacement direction and a displacement amount of the stick member based on an output from each of the strain sensors.First and secondThe strain sensor isRespectivelyIt consists of a pair of electrodes facing each other and an electric resistor provided between the pair of electrodes,The electric resistance of the first strain sensor is opposed to the first straight line.Notch is formed from one end side, Facing the first straight lineBy trimming to form a cut from the other endA first effective area and a second effective area are formed on both sides of the first straight line, and the resistance value of the first effective area and the resistance value of the second effective area have the same resistance value with respect to the first straight line. The electric resistance of the strain sensor is opposed to the second straight line.Notch is formed from one end side, Facing the second straight lineBy trimming to form a cut from the other endA first effective region and a second effective region are formed on both sides of the second straight line, and the resistance value of the first effective region and the resistance value of the second effective region have the same resistance value with respect to the second straight line.It is characterized by the following.
[0013]
Pointing according to claim 1deviceThenOne end of the pair of first strain sensors that are symmetrically disposed on the first straight line passing through the center position of the stick member on the substrate and sandwich the stick member is opposed to the first straight line. The first effective area and the second effective area are formed on both sides of the first straight line by trimming processing in which a notch is formed from the side and the notch is formed from the other end side opposite to the first straight line. The resistance value and the resistance value of the second effective area have the same resistance value with respect to the first straight line, and the stick member is moved on the second straight line passing through the center position of the stick member on the substrate and orthogonal to the first straight line. A cut is formed in one end of the electric resistor of the pair of second strain sensors disposed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the second straight line, and a cut is formed in the other end of the second strain sensor that is opposed to the second straight line. Forming a The first effective region and the second effective region are formed on both sides of the second straight line by the machining process, and the resistance value of the first effective region and the resistance value of the second effective region are set to the same resistance value with respect to the second straight line. BecauseThe output terminal voltage of each strain sensor in the direction in which the stick member is not operated is no longer generated, and when the stick member is operated, the pointer and the cursor can be moved on the display with high accuracy, and the operation can be performed. An unintended malfunction or the like does not occur.
Also,FirstAdjustment of the resistance value of the electric resistor in the strain sensorOpposite the first straight lineNotch is formed from one end of the electric resistorOpposite the first straight lineSince the trimming process is performed to form a cut from the other end, the resistance of the electric resistorFirstThe resistance can be easily adjusted for making it symmetrical with respect to a straight line.In addition, the adjustment of the resistance value of the electric resistor in the second strain sensor is performed by forming a cut from one end of the electric resistor facing the second straight line and forming a cut from the other end side facing the second straight line. Since the trimming is performed, the resistance value can be easily adjusted to make the resistance value of the electric resistor line-symmetric with respect to the second straight line.
For example, when performing trimming on the electric resistor, a cut is formed from one side of the strain detecting element so that the resistance of the electric resistor becomes 3/4 of the initial resistance of the electric resistor. After that, a cut is formed in the same manner from the other side so as to have a value of １ ／ of the initial resistance value of the electric resistor.
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
The pointing device according to claim 2 is the pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the trimming of the electric resistor in the first strain sensor is performed from the one end and the other end of the electric resistor to the first straight line. The electric resistance in the second strain sensor is trimmed by forming a cut from the one end and the other end of the electric resistor toward the second straight line. It is characterized by the following.
[0017]
This makes it possible to relatively easily arrange the respective strain sensors on the substrate in an axially symmetric manner. Here, as a method of performing trimming, it is preferable to use laser processing in consideration of cutting accuracy and the like.
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
Claims3The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a main body having a keyboard; and a display portion pivotally supported at one end of the main body so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body.Or Claim 2In which the pointing device described in (1) is mounted.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a pointing device according to the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment embodying the present invention with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic apparatus equipped with the pointing device of the embodiment.
[0023]
In FIG. 7, an electronic device 100 which is a notebook personal computer or a word processor is pivotally supported by a main body 101 and a hinge 107 provided at one end of the main body 101 so as to be able to open and close with respect to the main body 101. The main unit 101 includes a keyboard unit 102 and an auxiliary input unit 103. The main unit 101 further includes a substantially central portion of the keyboard unit 102, for example, " The pointing device 1 is mounted so that the stick member 4 (see FIG. 1) is disposed at a position between the “G” key and the “H” key. Note that by positioning the pointing device 1 with respect to the main body 101 so that the stick member 4 is at the above-described position and the tip thereof slightly protrudes from the top of the keytop when the keyboard 102 is not pressed. , Extremely excellent in operability.
[0024]
The pointing device 1 pushes a cursor displayed on a display screen of the display unit 104 of the electronic device 100 by pressing a substantially distal end of the stick member 4 in two axial directions parallel to the keyboard surface. And applying a load to the stick member 4 in a direction to compress the stick member 4 toward the keyboard surface (pressing down a substantially distal end portion of the stick member 4). It has a function.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, a pointing device 1 basically includes a flat sensor substrate 3 on which two sets of transducers 2 x and 2 y including four strain sensors 2 are provided, and a stick standing upright at a center position of the sensor substrate 3. The device unit 5 includes a member 4 and a base substrate 6 to which the device unit 5 is attached. The transducers 2x and 2y are arranged at positions shifted from each other by 90 degrees. In each of the transducers 2x and 2y, the pair of strain sensors 2 and 2 are arranged symmetrically with the stick member 4 interposed therebetween.
[0026]
The stick member 4 may be formed integrally with the sensor substrate 3 or may be formed separately from the sensor substrate 3 and bonded and fixed with an adhesive or the like.
[0027]
Each strain sensor 2 includes a pair of electrodes facing each other, and an electric resistor provided between the pair of electrodes and having a resistance value that changes according to stress. Then, by performing a trimming process on the electric resistor of each of the strain sensors 2 with respect to the transducer 2x, the resistance value in a no-load state where no external force is applied to the stick member 4 becomes symmetrical with the stick member 4 interposed therebetween. It is configured as follows. The same applies to the transducer 2y.
[0028]
The base substrate 6 is formed of a normal circuit board, and has on its upper surface connection terminals connected to connection terminals formed on the sensor substrate 3 (for example, input / output terminals for each electrode in each strain sensor 2). A predetermined circuit pattern is formed. Further, on the back surface of the base substrate 6, when the stick member 4 is operated in an arbitrary direction, a voltage is detected between predetermined terminals based on a change in resistance between the electrodes in each strain sensor 2. Are mounted with various circuit elements.
[0029]
The sensor substrate 3 and the base substrate 6 are attached to each other by soldering connection terminals formed on each of them. At this time, a predetermined gap (about 0.1 mm) is formed between the lower surface of the sensor substrate 3 and the upper surface of the base substrate 6, whereby the sensor substrate 3 moves in response to the operation of the stick member 4. It is in a bending or bending deformation state.
[0030]
Next, an example of a detailed configuration of the sensor substrate 3 and the transducers 2x and 2y formed thereon and an arrangement relationship between the stick member 4 and each of the strain sensors 2 will be described.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a back view of the sensor substrate 3 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the strain sensor according to the first embodiment.
[0032]
Here, it is assumed that the pointing device 1 has an X axis in the horizontal direction and a Y axis in the vertical direction in FIG. 2, and has a Z axis in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Further, the right side of the X axis is a plus (+) side, the left side is a minus (−) side, the upper side of the Y axis is a plus (+) side, the lower side is a minus (−) side, and the back side of the paper of the Z axis is The plus (+) side and the near side of the drawing are the minus (-) side. Further, in the X and Y coordinates determined as described above, the center point of the stick member 4 is set as the origin O as shown in FIG.
[0033]
In the device unit 5, the sensor substrate 3 is formed of a ceramic substrate or the like, and on its back surface, four strain sensors 2 each having an electric resistor (film) 202 provided between a pair of opposed electrodes 201, A connection terminal (not shown) connected to each strain sensor 2 is formed.
[0034]
Specifically, each strain sensor 2 has an electrode 201 made of a thin film such as copper or gold on a sensor substrate 3 and an electric resistor 202 made of a resistance material such as ruthenium dioxide (the resistance value changes according to stress). Is formed by printing or vapor deposition.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transducer 2x includes a pair of left and right two strain sensors 2 arranged on the X axis. Each strain sensor 2 is trimmed from both side edges toward the X-axis. Such trimming is performed by forming cuts 7 from both side edges of the electric resistor 202. Similarly, the transducer 2y is composed of a pair of upper and lower two strain sensors 2 arranged on the Y axis, and each of the strain sensors 2 is formed with a cut 7 from both side edges toward the Y axis in parallel with the x axis. By doing so, a trimming process is performed. As a result, the respective transducers 2x and 2y are trimmed with respect to the X axis and the Y axis such that the resistance values in a no-load state where no stress is applied to the transducers 2x and 2y have an axially symmetric relationship.
[0036]
The meaning of forming the cuts 7 on both sides of the electric resistor 202 of each strain sensor 2 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the cuts 7 are formed from both side edges of the electric resistor 202 toward the X and Y axes, regions A1 and A2 (formed on both sides of the strain sensor 2) of the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the length of the cut 7 are However, it does not become an effective sensing area as a strain resistance element. On the other hand, only the region (shown by oblique lines) where the region B1 and the region B2 remaining on both sides of the X-axis and the Y-axis where the cut 7 is not formed is the effective sensing region as the strain resistance element. This means that by varying the length of the cut 7 variously, it is possible to adjust the resistance value of each strain sensor 2 that effectively acts as a sensor. The notch 7 is formed from both side edges of the electric resistor 202 because the effective areas B1 and B2 formed on both sides of the X axis and the Y axis are the same area, and the effective areas B1 and B2 are defined as X. This is to make the relationship axially symmetric about the axis and the Y axis.
[0037]
Here, as a specific method of forming the cut 7 in the strain sensor 2, for example, laser processing is suitable. Specifically, the cut 7 is formed as follows. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, as an example, the combined resistance value of the effective areas B <b> 1 and B <b> 2 is １ ／ of the resistance value of the strain sensor 2 before forming the cut 7 (the resistance value before the cut). A case in which trimming is performed will be described.
[0038]
First, while measuring the resistance value of one strain sensor 2, a laser beam is irradiated on the electric resistor 202 of the strain sensor 2 by a laser device to form a cut 7 from one side edge thereof. Then, the formation of the cut 7 is stopped when the measured resistance value becomes 形成 of the resistance value before the cut. Thereafter, similarly, while measuring the resistance value of the strain sensor 2, a laser beam is applied to the electric resistor 202 of the strain sensor 2, and the cut 7 is formed from the other side edge of the strain sensor 2. Then, the formation of the cut 7 is stopped when the measured resistance value becomes の of the resistance value before the cut. Thereby, the combined resistance value of the effective regions B1 and B2 can be set to の of the resistance value before cutting.
[0039]
By performing the above-described processing on the remaining three strain sensors 2, the resistance value obtained by combining the effective areas B1 and B2 for all the strain sensors 2 is set to a resistance value that is の of the resistance value before cutting. it can.
[0040]
Next, the operation of the pointing device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the pointing device 1. Here, in FIG. 4, the resistance R1 is a resistance value of the strain sensor 2 arranged on the plus side on the X axis, and the resistance R2 is a resistance value of the strain sensor 2 arranged on the minus side on the X axis. . The resistance R3 is the resistance value of the strain sensor 2 arranged on the plus side on the Y axis, and the resistance R4 is the resistance value of the strain sensor 2 arranged on the minus side on the Y axis. Each resistance value is a combined resistance value of the effective areas B1 and B2 after forming the cut 7 by the trimming process.
[0041]
The resistors R1 and R2, and the resistors R3 and R4 form a so-called bridge circuit. 5 V is applied to a voltage application terminal Vcc of the bridge circuit, and the other terminals are grounded. Further, an X-side output terminal 10 is provided between the resistors R1 and R2, and a Y-side output terminal 11 is provided between the resistors R3 and R4.
[0042]
That is, the transducer 2x is configured by the resistors R1 and R2 and the X-side output terminal 10, the transducer 2y is configured by the resistors R3 and R4, and the Y-side output terminal 11, and the voltage application terminal Vcc by the resistors R1 to R4 is connected. A strain sensor in the Z-axis direction is constituted by a change in bridge combined resistance with GND.
[0043]
First, in a state where the stick member 4 is not operated and no stress is applied (no load state), cuts 7 are formed from both side edges of each strain sensor 2 so that the effective areas B1 and B2 are the same. Since the strain sensors 2 are configured to be axially symmetric with respect to the X axis and the Y axis in the region, no change in the resistance value occurs in each strain sensor 2. Therefore, the voltage detected at the X-side output terminal 10 is 2.5V, and similarly, the voltage detected at the Y-side output terminal 11 is 2.5V.
[0044]
When the stick member 4 is operated, for example, on the plus side (the right side in FIG. 1) in the X-axis direction, a tensile strain is generated in the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the resistance R1, and the resistance value is reduced. In addition, a compression strain occurs in the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the resistance R2, and the resistance value decreases. Further, in the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the resistor R3, the resistance value increases on the right side of the Y axis based on the tensile strain, while the resistance value decreases on the left side of the Y axis based on the compressive strain. Similarly, in the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the resistor R4, the resistance value increases on the right side of the Y axis based on the tensile strain, while the resistance value decreases on the left side of the Y axis based on the compressive strain. .
[0045]
At this time, the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the resistor R1 and the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the resistor R2 have a symmetrical relationship with respect to the Y axis, and therefore, the increase and decrease in the resistance value generated in the two strain sensors 2 are offset each other. As a result, the voltage detected at the X-side output terminal 10 becomes 2.5V. Further, regarding the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the resistor R3, since both sides of the Y-axis are axially symmetric with respect to the Y-axis, the increase and decrease of the resistance value generated at both sides are offset each other. Regarding the corresponding strain sensor 2, since both sides of the Y-axis are axially symmetric with respect to the Y-axis, the increase and decrease in the resistance value generated at both sides are offset each other. Therefore, the voltage detected at the Y-side output terminal 11 is 2.5V.
[0046]
When the stick member 4 is pressed in the Z-axis direction (+ Z direction in FIG. 1), both R1 and R2 and R3 and R4 receive the same tensile strain, and show the same change in resistance value. Since the bridge combined resistance between Vcc and CND of the bridge circuit of FIG. 4 changes, if this exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is considered that there has been an input in the Z-axis direction, and a click or double click as in the conventional case is made. However, as described above, since the effective portions of all the strain sensors 2 constituting the transducers 2x and 2y are symmetric with respect to the X axis and the Y axis as described above, Even if the operator operates the stick member 4 in the XY two-axis directions without intending to press it in the Z-axis direction, the bridge synthesis between Vcc and GND is erroneously performed. Without anti-changes, there is no be made inadvertently click operation.
[0047]
As understood from the above description, the above-described operation is performed when the stick member 4 is operated in the minus side of the X axis (left direction in FIG. 1), and the plus side of the Y axis (upward in FIG. 1). Direction), and when operated on the minus side (downward in FIG. 1) of the Y axis.
[0048]
As described above in detail, in the pointing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the sticks 4 provided on the sensor substrate 3 are arranged on the mutually orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis passing through the center position (origin O) of the stick member 4. Trimming processing is performed on one strain sensor 2 by forming cuts 7 from both side edges of each strain sensor 2 toward the X axis and the Y axis so as to be axially symmetric with respect to the X axis and the Y axis. Therefore, each strain sensor 2 can be arranged axially symmetric with respect to the X axis and the Y axis. As a result, when the stick member 4 is not operated, a change in the resistance value of each strain sensor 2 does not occur. As a result, when the stick member 4 is operated, the pointer or the cursor is moved with high precision on the display. Can be moved.
[0049]
Further, regarding the formation of the cuts 7 from both side edges of each strain sensor 2 toward the X axis and the Y axis, the cuts 7 can be formed with high precision by laser processing. Each strain sensor 2 can be arranged axially symmetrically.
[0050]
Next, a second embodiment of the configuration of the sensor substrate 3 and the transducers 2x and 2y formed thereon will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are used for members having the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment described above.
[0051]
FIG. 5 is a back view of the sensor substrate 3 in the pointing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 5, the transducer 2x includes a pair of left and right two strain sensors 2 arranged on the X axis. Each strain sensor 2 is trimmed from one side edge toward the Y axis in parallel with the x axis. Such trimming is performed by forming the cut 7 from one side edge of the electric resistor 202. Similarly, the transducer 2y includes a pair of upper and lower two strain sensors 2 arranged on the Y axis, and each strain sensor 2 has a notch 7 parallel to the y axis from one side edge toward the X axis. The trimming process is performed by forming. The area A of the strain sensor 2 corresponding to the length of the cut 7 does not become an effective sensing area as a strain resistance element. On the other hand, only the region B where the notch 7 is not formed is an effective sensing region as a strain resistance element. As a result, the respective transducers 2x and 2y are trimmed with respect to the X-axis and the Y-axis such that the resistance values in a no-load state where no stress is applied are in an axially symmetric relationship.
[0053]
In the second embodiment, taking the transducer 2x as an example, in the transducer 2x, the pair of strain sensors 2 and 2 are not arranged and formed at exactly symmetrical positions with respect to the y-axis. When arranged and formed so as to be exactly symmetrical with respect to the x-axis, it can be suitably adopted in that the number of processing steps can be reduced. However, since the pair of strain sensors 2 and 2 are arranged and formed at positions that are considerably apart from each other with the stick member 4 interposed therebetween, the error in the symmetry tends to increase. However, it is most preferable to use the first embodiment under the manufacturing conditions in which each of the strain sensors 2 easily causes an error in the symmetry also with respect to the x-axis.
[0054]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the pointing device of claim 1,One end of the pair of first strain sensors that are symmetrically disposed on the first straight line passing through the center position of the stick member on the substrate and sandwich the stick member is opposed to the first straight line. The first effective area and the second effective area are formed on both sides of the first straight line by trimming processing in which a notch is formed from the side and the notch is formed from the other end side opposite to the first straight line. The resistance value and the resistance value of the second effective area have the same resistance value with respect to the first straight line, and the stick member is moved on the second straight line passing through the center position of the stick member on the substrate and orthogonal to the first straight line. Symmetrical A cut is formed at one end of the electric resistor of the pair of second strain sensors arranged so as to face the second straight line, and a cut is formed at the other end of the second strain sensor opposite to the second straight line. The first effective region and the second effective region are formed on both sides of the second straight line by the trimming process, and the resistance value of the first effective region and the resistance value of the second effective region are set to the same resistance value with respect to the second straight line. BecauseThe output terminal voltage of each strain sensor in the direction in which the stick member is not operated is no longer generated, and when the stick member is operated, the pointer and the cursor can be moved on the display with high accuracy, and the operation can be performed. An unintended malfunction or the like does not occur.
Also,FirstAdjustment of the resistance value of the electric resistor in the strain sensorOpposite the first straight lineNotch is formed from one end of the electric resistorOpposite the first straight lineSince the trimming process is performed to form a cut from the other end, the resistance of the electric resistorFirstThe resistance can be easily adjusted for making it symmetrical with respect to a straight line.In addition, the adjustment of the resistance value of the electric resistor in the second strain sensor is performed by forming a cut from one end of the electric resistor facing the second straight line and forming a cut from the other end side facing the second straight line. Since the trimming is performed, the resistance value can be easily adjusted to make the resistance value of the electric resistor line-symmetric with respect to the second straight line.
[0056]
[0057]
Claim2The pointing device described above has an effect that each strain sensor can be relatively axially symmetrically arranged on the substrate.
[0058]
And the claim 1Or 2The pointing device according to claim 1 is mounted.3The electronic device of (1) has an effect that it is possible to provide an electronic device having extremely excellent portability and operability, and having input accuracy comparable to that of a mouse in inputting figures other than characters and editing documents. is there.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the sensor substrate in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the strain resistance element in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the pointing device.
FIG. 5 is a back view of a sensor substrate in a pointing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a strain resistance element in the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic apparatus equipped with the pointing device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Pointing device
2 Strain resistance element
3 Sensor board
4 Stick member
5 Device unit
6 Base board
7 Notch
10 X side output terminal
11 Y side output terminal
100 electronic equipment
101 Main unit
102 Keyboard
104 Display
201 electrode
202 Electric resistor

Claims (3)

A stick member erected on a flat substrate,
A pair of first strain sensors disposed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the stick member on a first straight line passing through a center position of the stick member on the substrate;
A pair of second strain sensors disposed so as to be symmetrical across the stick member on a second straight line passing through the center position of the stick member on the substrate and orthogonal to the first straight line , At the time of operating the stick member, a pointing device that detects the displacement direction and displacement amount of the stick member based on the output from each of the strain sensors,
The first and second strain sensors each include a pair of electrodes facing each other, and an electric resistor provided between the pair of electrodes.
Wherein the electrical resistance of the first strain sensor, both sides of the to form a cut from one end opposite to the first straight line, the first straight line by trimming to form a cut from the other end opposite to the first straight line A first effective region and a second effective region are formed, and the resistance value of the first effective region and the resistance value of the second effective region have the same resistance value with respect to the first straight line,
The electric resistor of the second strain sensor has a cut formed from one end facing the second straight line and a cut formed from the other end opposed to the second straight line. Forming a first effective region and a second effective region, wherein the resistance value of the first effective region and the resistance value of the second effective region have the same resistance value with respect to a second straight line . Trimming of the electric resistor in the first strain sensor is performed by forming a cut from the one end side and the other end side of the electric resistor toward the first straight line,
The trimming process of the electric resistor in the second strain sensor is performed by forming a cut from the one end side and the other end side of the electric resistor toward the second straight line. Pointing device. 3. The pointing device according to claim 1, further comprising a main body having a keyboard, and a display portion pivotally supported on the main body at one end thereof so as to be openable and closable with the main body. 4. An electronic device equipped with a device.

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