JP4713681B1 - Foot input device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a foot input device capable of easily inputting data to an electronic device by operating with the tip of a toe.
A foot input device 1a includes a disk-like operation unit 2a on which a foot heel is placed, and a support unit 2b that rotatably supports the operation unit 2a in a horizontal plane. The row switching board 2 is installed in the vicinity of the center of the fan-shaped main body 10 in which the V groove 3 is formed in an arc shape on the upper surface, and cursor keys 9a and 9b, a delete key 7 and a forward key 6 are provided on the V groove front surface 3a. Cursor keys 9c and 9d, a backward key 8 and an enter key 5 are provided on the rear surface 3b of the V-groove, and the upper surface of the main body 10 is provided between the V-groove 3 and the data row switching board 2 as viewed from the operator. The candidate selection key 4 is provided.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a foot input device used when inputting data to an electronic device, and more particularly to a foot input device that can be easily operated using a toe of a foot.

  When inputting data into an electronic device, an input device such as a remote controller or a keyboard is generally used. However, since these input devices are made on the premise that they are operated by hand, they have a structure that is extremely difficult to operate for people who have hand obstacles and are forced to operate with their feet. .

In order to deal with such a problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention relating to an input device that performs various key operations on a keyboard by using a stepping operation type switch, which is named “stepping operation type personal computer input device”. Is disclosed.
The invention described in Patent Document 1 includes a foot board, a movable shaft that supports the foot board, and a plurality of switches that are arranged so as to be in contact with the lower part of the movable shaft.
According to such a structure, a desired switch can be operated via the movable shaft by adjusting the stepping amount of the foot board.

Patent Document 2 discloses an invention relating to a keyboard having a name "foot keyboard" that is configured to give a command to a computer or the like by stepping on the foot.
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a structure in which foot keys are connected in parallel to frequently used function keys.
According to such a structure, since it is not necessary to operate a frequently used function key with a finger, a typing rhythm can be easily obtained. Therefore, the key input operation can be easily performed.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an invention relating to a keyboard having a name of “Japanese keyboard” and configured to be able to operate a specific type of key with a foot on a Japanese input keyboard. .
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 3 is provided with a foot conversion key and a foot confirmation key for converting an input character string into a character string mixed with kana and kanji and confirming the converted character string with a foot. is there.
According to such a structure, it is possible to efficiently perform the Japanese input work by dividing it into the character input work by hand and the conversion work and confirmation work by foot.

Patent Document 4 discloses an invention related to a keyboard that is capable of performing key input with a blind touch without releasing both hands from the home position even when inputting a plurality of languages under the name “keyboard device”.
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 4 performs input of a plurality of languages such as English and Japanese using a single keyboard, and has a structure in which the input language is switched by operating a foot pedal.
According to such a structure, for example, when switching between Roman character input and Kana character input, there is no need to operate keys on the keyboard. Therefore, it is possible to perform key input by blind touch without moving both hands from the home position.

Patent Document 5 discloses an invention related to an input device having a name “foot operation input device” that can generate a key signal only by an operation with a foot and also has a function as a pointing device.
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 5 includes a foot button and position signal generation means for generating a signal corresponding to the coordinate value of the XY coordinate system by a rotation operation and a movement operation, and by combining these operations, It has a structure for generating a key code corresponding to each key of the keyboard.
According to such a structure, it is possible to realize functions similar to those of a keyboard and a mouse operated by hand only by an operation with a foot.

Patent Document 6 discloses an invention relating to an input device that is used for a device such as a computer and is used to move a cursor displayed on a screen in a predetermined direction under the name “pointing device”. .
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 6 includes a placement portion on which an operator's foot is placed, and a cursor movement signal is transmitted according to the inclination direction and the amount of inclination of the placement portion. Yes.
According to such a structure, since it is not necessary to move the foot greatly, it is possible to reduce the burden on the foot.

JP 2000-322176 A JP 61-43322 A JP 2007-140840 A JP 2000-259322 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-119909 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-179879

  However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, since 16 contacts provided on the two foot switches are used when inputting characters, the operation is complicated and time is required for the key input operation. There was a problem of requiring.

  In addition, in the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 4, there is a problem that none of the characters can be input by a step operation.

  Furthermore, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 5, since there are few types of operation buttons, the operation of each button is easy, but since the operation necessary for inputting one character is complicated, there are many operations. When inputting the characters, there is a problem that the burden on the foot is increased.

  The invention disclosed in Patent Document 6 has a problem that fine key operations such as character input cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in response to such a conventional situation, and provides a foot input device capable of easily inputting data to an electronic device by operating with the tip of a foot. Objective.

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention, the foot input device for inputting data to an electronic device, is depressible installed at the foot of the fingertip in the recessed groove provided on the upper surface of the body A first key and a second key that is installed on the upper surface of the main body on the near side of the concave groove so as to be operable on the sole independently of the toes of the foot are provided. .
In the input device for a foot having such a structure, when the key in the groove is operated with the thumb of the toe or the like, there is no possibility that the foot hits a portion other than the groove on the upper surface of the main body to hinder the operation. It has the action.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the foot input device according to the first aspect, the first key is installed on each of the two inclined surfaces of the concave groove formed so that the longitudinal section forms a V-shape. It is characterized by that.
In the foot input device having such a structure, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, one of the keys respectively installed on the two inclined surfaces of the concave groove is operated by the tip of the foot. At this time, there is no possibility of erroneous operation of the other key.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the foot input device according to the first or second aspect, the electronic device is a computer having a display device, and the first key stores data to be input to the computer. It is characterized by comprising a determination key to be confirmed and a forward key for advancing the position where data is input on the screen of the display device.
According to such a structure, the same operation as that of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2 is exhibited even in an input device for a computer having a determination key and a forward key.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the foot input device according to the third aspect, for the computer having the display device, one data is obtained from a data group that is regularly divided into a plurality of rows and columns. A foot input device for selecting and inputting, wherein a heel is placed on the upper surface, and has an operation unit installed on the front side of the second key so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane in accordance with the rotation of the heel. a data line switching board, the data line switch panel switches in units of lines in accordance with the rotational angle of the operating part of the data displayed on the screen of the display device, the second key, it is made as push Thus, it is characterized by comprising a candidate selection key for switching the data displayed on the screen of the display device to the data in the next column of the same row.
In the foot input device having such a structure, in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 3, the ankle is twisted around the heel while the heel is placed on the upper surface of the operation portion of the data row switching board. When the operation unit is rotated in either the left or right direction, the data displayed on the screen of the computer display device is switched in units of rows, and when the candidate selection key is pressed on the sole, the screen of the display device is displayed. In addition, the character of the next column in the same row as the currently displayed data is displayed. In addition, when the candidate selection key is pressed with the heel placed on the upper surface of the operation unit of the data row switching board fixed and the toe stepped upward, the toe touches the decision key or the advance key. It has the effect of being difficult.

  As described above, the foot input device according to claim 1 of the present invention has an effect that the key operation is easy and the burden on the foot is small.

  According to the foot character device according to claim 2 of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, it is possible to independently operate the keys installed on the two inclined surfaces of the groove. It has the effect of being excellent in operability.

  According to the foot input device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the effect of the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2 is also exhibited in the computer input device having the enter key and the advance key. .

  According to the input device for a foot according to claim 4 of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 3, a heel is placed on the upper surface of the operation unit of the data row switching board, and the sole is lifted from the main body. By rotating the operation unit so that the ankle is twisted with the heel as an axis, the operation of only the data row switching board can be easily performed without touching the candidate selection key. In addition, by moving the toe side up and down without twisting the ankle with the heel placed on the top of the operation section of the data row switching board fixed, only the candidate selection key can be operated without operating the data row switching board erroneously. can do. That is, the foot force device of the present invention switches the data displayed on the screen of the computer display device in units of rows and switches the data currently displayed on the display device to the data in the next column of the same row. Since two different operations called operations can be performed independently, the operability is excellent. Furthermore, since any of these operations can be performed with the heel placed on the upper surface of the operation unit, the feet are less likely to get tired. Therefore, these operations can be performed stably for a long time. In addition, erroneous operation of the enter key and the forward key can be prevented, and the candidate selection key can be reliably operated.

It is an appearance perspective view of Example 1 of a foot input device concerning an embodiment of the invention. (A) And (b) is the figure which showed typically the state at the time of operation of the input device for legs of Example 1. FIG. (A) And (b) is the figure which showed typically the state at the time of operation of the input device for legs of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the foot input device according to the first embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view of Example 2 of the input device for legs concerning an embodiment of the invention. 6 is a plan view of a foot input device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of FIG.

  The foot input device of the present invention inputs data to various electronic devices by operating keys with the toes of the foot. Hereinafter, embodiments of the foot input device of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

The foot input device of this embodiment selects one data from a group of data regularly arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, such as 50 sounds of 5 columns × 10 rows, and monitors it. Used when typing on a computer equipped with Hereinafter, the structure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 (mainly corresponding to claim 1, claim 3 and claim 4). Note that the types of data (hereinafter referred to as data types) that can be input to the computer by this apparatus include not only hiragana, katakana, kanji, romaji, and numbers, but also various symbols such as operation symbols and arrows. Data types other than hiragana and katakana are also arranged in the form of 5 columns × multiple rows, as in the case of 50 sounds, and stored in the memory of the computer.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the foot input device of this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the foot input device 1 a according to this embodiment includes a data row switching board 2, a candidate selection key 4, an enter key 5, a forward key 6, a delete key 7, and a backward key 8. Cursor keys 9a to 9d. Note that the foot input device 1a is wirelessly or wiredly connected to a computer main body placed on a desk or the like, and electrical signals corresponding to characters and symbols inputted from the keys are transmitted through the connection to the computer main body. It has a structure that is sent to. In addition, the foot input device 1a is arranged at the operator's feet such that the main body 10 has a substantially sector shape in plan view, the center of the fan shape is on the heel side, and the arc-shaped outer edge is on the toe side. .

  The main body 10 is provided with the data row switching board 2 in the vicinity of the center of the fan shape, and the V groove 3 is formed in an arc shape on the upper surface thereof. The data row switching board 2 includes a disk-shaped operation unit 2a on which an upper heel is placed and a support unit 2b that rotatably supports the operation unit 2a in a horizontal plane. That is, the operation unit 2a is configured to easily rotate by rotating the ankle so that the toe side forms an arc with the heel as an axis. The V-groove 3 is provided with cursor keys 9a, 9b, a delete key 7 and a forward key 6 in order from the left side to the right side on a surface far from the operator (hereinafter referred to as V-groove front surface 3a). The cursor keys 9c and 9d, the backward key 8 and the enter key 5 are provided in this order from the left side to the right side on the surface close to the operator (hereinafter referred to as the V-groove rear surface 3b). Further, a candidate selection key 4 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 10 on the front side of the V groove 3 as viewed from the operator. The candidate selection key 4 includes the cursor keys 9c and 9d and the backward key 8 and the data row switching board so that they do not interfere when the cursor keys 9a to 9d, the delete key 7 and the backward key 8 are operated. 2 is not formed.

An operation method of the foot input device 1a will be described with reference to FIGS.
2 and 3 are diagrams schematically showing a state during operation of the foot input device of this embodiment. In addition, about the component shown in FIG. 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted. Table 1 shows the functions of the data row switching board 2, the candidate selection key 4, the decision key 5, the forward key 6, the delete key 7, the backward key 8, and the cursor keys 9a to 9d.

When using the foot input device 1 a, first, as shown in FIG. 2A, the heel 11 is placed on the operation unit 2 a of the data row switching board 2, and the thumb 12 is placed above the V groove 3. At this time, if the computer main body is activated, the data “a” in the first column of the “a” row of hiragana is displayed on the monitor. The candidate selection key 4 is in the “input target data candidate selection mode”.
Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), with the sole 13 floating from the main body 10, the operation portion 2a is rotated rightward by a predetermined angle so that the ankle 14 is twisted to the right with the heel 11 as an axis. Then, the hiragana data line displayed on the monitor is switched from the “a” line to the “ka” line. When the operation unit 2a is further rotated, the “sa” line data is displayed on the monitor. That is, when m, n, and k are natural numbers, when the operation unit 2a is rotated to the right in a state where the n-th row data of m rows are displayed on the monitor, the data of the n-th row data of the m rows is displayed. Instead, the data in the first column of the (m + k) row is displayed on the monitor. On the other hand, when the operation unit 2a is rotated leftward, the data in the first column of the (m−k) th row is displayed on the monitor instead of the data in the nth column of the mth row. However, k takes a large value when the rotation angle of the operation unit 2a is large, and k takes a small value when the rotation angle of the operation unit 2a is small. That is, the value of k varies depending on the rotation angle of the operation unit 2a. In addition, when there is no row corresponding to the (m−k) row, the first column data is displayed on the monitor for the first row, and when there is no row corresponding to the (m + k) row, 1 for the last row. Display column data on the monitor.

  For example, when the operation unit 2a is rotated rightward by a predetermined angle while the nth column data of the last data row ("Wa" row) of Hiragana is displayed on the monitor, the monitor display is the first of the Katakana characters. When the character is switched to the first column of the data row and the character in the nth column of the last data row of Katakana is displayed on the monitor and the operation unit 2a is further rotated to the right, the last data of the Katakana is displayed on the monitor. Instead of the data in the nth column of the row, the data in the first column of the data row of a data type other than hiragana or katakana, such as numbers, romaji characters, and symbols, is displayed. When data types other than hiragana and katakana are displayed on the monitor, the display on the monitor returns to hiragana when the operation of rotating the operation unit 2a to the left by a predetermined angle is repeated several times. In this embodiment, data types other than hiragana and katakana are also arranged in a format of 5 columns × multiple rows, but the format of data types handled by the foot input device of the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. That is, the number of columns and the number of rows constituting the data type array can be changed as appropriate.

For example, in a state where the first column data (“A”) in the “A” row is displayed on the monitor, the sole 13 is lifted from the main body 10 as shown in FIG. When the candidate selection key 4 is pressed as if it is depressed with the sole 13 as shown in b), the monitor display starts from the data in the first column of the “A” row (“A”), and the 2 of the “A” row. Switch to the column data ("I"). If the candidate selection key 4 is continuously pressed, the monitor display changes in the order of “I” → “U” → “e” → “O”. If the candidate selection key 4 is further pressed in this state, the monitor display is displayed. Returns to "A". That is, when m and n are natural numbers, when the candidate selection key 4 is pressed in a state where data in the nth column of mth row is displayed on the monitor, if n is 4 or less, The data in the (n + 1) th column is displayed on the monitor. When n is 5, the character in the first column of the mth row is displayed on the monitor.
Note that the candidate selection key 4 can also be configured to function only when a part of a foot is in contact with the upper surface of the operation unit 2a of the data row switching board 2 such as a heel 11 or the like. In this case, if the bag 11 is lifted from the operation unit 2a when a key other than the candidate selection key 4 is operated, there is no possibility that unintended processing is performed even if the candidate selection key 4 is accidentally pressed. Therefore, the target process can be reliably performed.

As shown in FIG. 3 (a), when the enter key 5 is pressed with the belly of the thumb 12 in a state where the bag 11 is floated from the operation unit 2a, the candidate selection key 4 changes from “input target data candidate selection mode” to “kanji conversion”. Switch to “Mode”.
If it is desired to add more data to the data already displayed on the monitor, the candidate selection key 4 remains in the “input target data candidate selection mode”, as shown in FIG. 11 is floated from the operation unit 2a, and the forward key 6 is pressed at the tip of the thumb 12 to move the cursor forward by one data, the data row switching board 2 and the candidate selection key 4 are operated to select predetermined data, and the monitor is displayed. New data is displayed next to already displayed data.
Then, these operations are repeated to display a data string composed of a plurality of data on the monitor, and then the decision key 5 is pressed to change the candidate selection key 4 from “input target data candidate selection mode” to “kanji conversion mode”. Switch. In order to correct erroneous data, the cursor keys 9a to 9d, the delete key 7 or the backward delete key with the bag 11 floating from the operation unit 2a, as in the case where the enter key 5 or the forward key 4 is operated. Press 8.

  With the candidate for input target data (or data string) selected, place the heel 11 on the operation unit 2a as shown in FIG. 2 (b) and step on the sole 13 as shown in FIG. 2 (a). In this way, by pressing the candidate selection key 4, kanji conversion processing is performed on the data (or data string) displayed on the monitor. At this time, when the candidate selection key 4 is pressed again, the data (or data string) displayed on the monitor is converted into another kanji. Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, the determination key 5 is pressed with the belly of the thumb 12 in a state where the heel 11 is lifted from the operation unit 2a, and the data (or data string) displayed on the monitor is used as an input target. At the same time, the candidate selection key 4 is switched from the “Kanji conversion mode” to the “input target data candidate selection mode”.

The operation procedure of the foot input device 1a will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4 using the word “blue” as an example.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the foot input device of this embodiment.
First, in step S1, the data row switching board 2 is operated while the computer main body is activated to select the “a” row of hiragana. In step S2, the candidate selection key 4 is operated to select data in the first column ("A") in the "A" row as a candidate for input target data. As a result, “A” is displayed on the monitor. In order to select “O” as a candidate for the input target data after “A”, the process proceeds from Step S3 to Step S1 through Step S4. That is, in step S4, the forward key 6 is operated to move the cursor forward by one data on the monitor, and in step S1, the data row switching board 2 is operated to select the "a" row of hiragana, and the selection is made in step S2. By operating the candidate key 4, data (“O”) in the fifth column of the “A” row is selected. As a result, “o” is displayed on the monitor as a candidate for the input target data.
Next, in order to select “I” as a candidate for the input target data, the process of Step S3, Step S4, Step S1, and Step S2 is performed in order as in the case of selecting “O”, so that “Hiragana” Select the data in the second column of the “A” row (“I”). Thereby, “I” is displayed on the monitor as a candidate for the input target data.

When selection of all the data “A”, “O”, and “I” is completed, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S5. In step S5, the decision key 5 is operated to switch the candidate selection key 4 from “input target data candidate selection mode” to “kanji conversion mode”. Further, the process proceeds from step S6 to step S7, and the candidate selection key 4 is operated in step S7, thereby performing the kanji conversion process of “Aoi”. If “blue” is displayed on the monitor, the process proceeds from step S8 to step S9.
If “blue” is not displayed on the monitor, the process returns from step S8 to step S7. That is, in step S7, the operation of the candidate selection key 4 is repeated until “Aoi” is correctly converted into Kanji. If “blue” is displayed on the monitor, the process moves to step S9 and the enter key 5 is operated. As a result, “blue” is determined as the input target, and the candidate selection key 4 is switched from “kanji conversion mode” to “input target data candidate selection mode”.

In the foot input device having the above-described structure, the heel 11 is placed on the upper surface of the operation section 2a of the data row switching board 2, and the operation section 2a is turned to either the left or right direction by twisting the ankle 14 with the heel 11 as an axis. By rotating the screen, the data displayed on the monitor is switched in units of rows. At this time, if the operation unit 2a is rotated while the sole 13 is lifted from the main body 10, an erroneous operation of the candidate selection key 4 is prevented. Further, when the candidate selection key 4 is pressed as if it is depressed with the sole 13, the next column data in the same row as the currently displayed data is displayed on the monitor. If the sole 13 is lifted from the main body 10 when operating the data row switching board 2, erroneous operation of the candidate selection key 4 is prevented.
Further, when the candidate selection key 4 is operated, if the heel 11 placed on the upper surface of the operation unit 2a is fixed and the toe side is moved up and down without twisting the ankle 14, the erroneous operation of the data row switching board 2 is performed. Is prevented. Since the enter key 5, the forward key 6, the delete key 7, the backward key 8, and the cursor keys 9a to 9 are arranged on the opposite side of the data row switching board 2 with the candidate selection key 4 interposed therebetween, the candidate selection key 4 When operating the data row switching board 2, there is no risk of pressing these keys by mistake. In addition, since the enter key 5, the forward key 6, the delete key 7, the backward key 8, and the cursor keys 9a to 9d are provided inside the V-groove 3 formed on the upper surface of the main body 10, these keys are attached to the foot. When operating with the thumb 12, there is no possibility that the operation will be hindered by hitting a portion other than the V groove 3 on the upper surface of the main body 10. Therefore, the key operation is easy. As a result, the burden on the foot is reduced.
Also, cursor keys 9a and 9b, delete key 7 and forward key 6 are provided on V groove front surface 3a, and cursor keys 9c and 9d, reverse key 8 and enter key 5 are provided on V groove rear surface 3b. When operating any one of the key provided on the V-groove front surface 3a and the key provided on the V-groove rear surface 3b, there is no possibility of erroneous operation of the other key.

As described above, according to the foot input device of the present embodiment, the operation of switching the data displayed on the computer monitor in units of rows and the data currently displayed on the monitor in the next column of the same row. Since two different operations of switching to data can be performed independently, the operability is excellent. Moreover, since these operations can be performed with the heel 11 placed on the upper surface of the operation unit 2a of the data row switching board 2, it is difficult for the feet to get tired. Therefore, these operations can be performed stably for a long time.
Further, when the enter key 5, the forward key 6, the delete key 7, the backward key 8, and the cursor keys 9a to 9 are operated, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of other keys and to reliably perform the intended processing.

The foot input device of the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the above embodiment. For example, instead of the V groove 3, a concave groove having a vertical cross section other than a V-shape is provided on the upper surface of the main body 10, and an enter key 5, an advance key 6, a delete key 7, and a backward key 8 are placed inside the concave groove. In addition, cursor keys 9a to 9 may be installed. In this case, although the effect that the operations of the keys do not easily interfere with each other is weakened, the effect that there is no possibility of the operation being hindered by hitting a portion other than the concave groove is exhibited.
Further, a structure in which the enter key 5, forward key 6, delete key 7, reverse key 8 and cursor keys 9a to 9d are installed directly on the upper surface of the main body 10 without forming the V groove 3 or the above-mentioned concave groove. It can also be. In this case, the decision key 5, the forward key 6, the delete key 7, the backward key 8, and the cursor keys 9a to 9d are on the opposite side of the data row switching board 2 across the candidate selection key 4, and the candidate selection key 4 If it is installed at a lower position, pressing the candidate selection key 4 while stepping on the sole 13 with the tip of the toe bent upward, the decision key 5 during the operation of the candidate selection key 4, forward There is an effect that an erroneous operation of the key 6, the delete key 7, the backward key 8, and the cursor keys 9a to 9d is prevented.

In addition, one row that is switched by operating the data row switching board 2 is not necessarily limited to five columns. For example, a configuration in which several kana, numbers, alphabets, numbers, pictograms, symbols, and punctuation marks are included in one row, as in a key arrangement of a mobile phone. Further, both full-width and half-width data may be included in one row.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, by rotating the operation unit 2a, it is configured such that the line of Katakana appears after the hiragana one after another, but not limited to this, in the part next to the last line of hiragana, Various data types (Hiragana, Katakana, Roman characters, numbers, etc.) can be selected, and the data type can be changed by operating the candidate selection key 4. In addition, in the hiragana and katakana data types, by operating the selection candidate key 4, for example, in the case of the “a” line, the next character after the capital letter so that “aiueo” is placed after “aiueo”. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which lowercase letters are selected.

Further, the operation unit 2a of the data line switching panel 2 does not have a rotating structure, and the heel touching the touch panel type draws a circle or an arc to detect the rotation angle, thereby executing the data displayed on the monitor. You may make it switch by the unit of. The number of data line units to be switched is determined according to the detected rotation angle, and the subsequent operations and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment. Similarly, the decision key 5, forward key 6, delete key 7, reverse key 8 and cursor keys 9a to 9d in the present embodiment or the second embodiment are all configured to input a signal when pressed to prevent erroneous operation. However, it is also possible to input a signal by touching a touch panel type key for a key that is not affected by an erroneous operation.
In this embodiment, when the enter key 5 or the like is pressed, the bag 11 is lifted from the operation unit 2a. However, the operation method of the enter key 5 or the like is not limited to this. That is, the determination key 5 or the like may be pressed while the heel 11 is attached to the operation unit 2a.

The structure of the foot input device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 (mainly corresponding to claims 1 and 2).
5 and 6 are an external perspective view and a plan view of the foot input device of this embodiment, respectively. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. In addition, about the component shown in FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the foot input device 1b according to the present embodiment is used when a television is remotely operated. In the foot input device 1a according to the first embodiment, a data row switching board is used. 2, candidate selection key 4, determination key 5, forward key 6, delete key 7, reverse key 8 and cursor keys 9a-9d, instead of channel selection keys 15a, 15b, CS selection key 16a, BS selection key 16b, digital A selection key 17a, an analog selection key 17b, volume control keys 18a and 18b, a power switch 19 and an ankle rest 20 are provided. Then, the channel selection key 15a, the CS selection key 16a, the digital selection key 17a, the volume adjustment key 18a and the power switch 19 provided on the V groove front surface 3a in the V groove 3 are pressed at the tip of the thumb 12 to The channel selection key 15b, the BS selection key 16b, the analog selection key 17b, and the volume adjustment key 18b provided on the rear surface 3b of the V groove in the groove 3 are pressed by the belly of the thumb 12 of the toe. The channel selection keys 15a and 15b are used to select a broadcast station to receive, and the CS selection key 16a, BS selection key 16b, digital selection key 17a and analog selection key 17b select the type of radio wave to be received. Is for. The volume control keys 18a and 18b are for increasing / decreasing the volume, and the power switch 19 is for switching the power ON / OFF state of the television. The ankle rest 20 is a part on which the heel 11 is placed, and does not have a function as a key for inputting data like the operation unit 2a of the data row switching board 2 in the foot input device 1a of the first embodiment. . However, placing the heel 11 on the ankle rest 20 when operating each key with the big toe 12 has the effect of reducing ankle fatigue.

  In the foot input device 1b having such a structure, the channel selection keys 15a and 15b, the CS selection key 16a, the BS selection key 16b, the digital selection key 17a, the analog selection key 17b, the volume adjustment keys 18a and 18b, and the power switch 19 Are installed inside the V-groove 3, and when these keys are operated with the thumb 12 of the toe, the foot hits a portion other than the V-groove 3 on the upper surface of the foot input device 1b. There is no risk of becoming. Therefore, the operation of the keys is easy and the burden on the feet is small. And when operating one key with the toe tip 12 among the keys respectively installed in the V-groove front surface 3a and the V-groove rear surface 3b, there is no possibility that the other key is erroneously operated. That is, it is possible to independently operate the keys installed on the V-groove front surface 3a and the V-groove rear surface 3b. Therefore, it is excellent in operability.

The foot input device of the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the above embodiment. For example, in place of the V-groove 3, a concave groove whose longitudinal section has a shape other than a V-shape may be provided. In this case, although the above-mentioned operation that the operations of the keys provided on the V-groove front surface 3a and the V-groove rear surface 3b do not interfere with each other and the effect associated therewith are not exhibited, The effect that there is no risk of hindrance and the accompanying effect are also exhibited.

  The inventions described in claims 1 to 4 can be applied to all devices that input data by pressing a key, such as a computer, a typewriter, or a remote control of a television.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b ... Foot input device 2 ... Data row switching board 2a ... Operation part 2b ... Support part 3 ... V groove 3a ... V groove front 3b ... V groove rear face 4 ... Candidate selection key 5 ... Decision key 6 ... Advance key 7 ... Delete key 8 ... Reverse key 9a-9d ... Cursor key 10 ... Main body 11 ... 踵 12 ... Thumb 13 ... Foot 14 ... Ankle 15a, 15b ... Tuning key 16a ... CS selection key 16b ... BS selection key 17a ... Digital selection Key 17b ... Analog selection key 18a, 18b ... Volume adjustment key 19 ... Power switch 20 ... Ankle rest

Claims (4)

In foot input device for inputting data to an electronic device, a first key that is installed depressible in the upper surface feet fingertips in the recessed groove provided in the present body, the front side of the main body of said groove A foot input device comprising: a second key that is installed on the upper surface of the foot so as to be operable on the sole independently of the toes of the foot. 2. The foot input device according to claim 1, wherein the first key is installed on each of the two slopes of the concave groove formed so that a longitudinal section forms a V-shape. The electronic device is a computer having a display device, and the first key advances a determination key for determining data to be input to the computer and a position where data is input on the screen of the display device. The foot input device according to claim 1, further comprising a forward key. A foot input device for selecting and inputting one data from a group of data regularly divided into a plurality of rows and columns for a computer having the display device,
A data row switching board having an operation unit installed on the front side of the second key so as to be able to rotate in a horizontal plane along with the rotation operation of the bag,
This data line switching board switches the data displayed on the screen of the display device in units of lines according to the rotation angle of the operation unit,
The second key, by being made as push, to claim 3, characterized in that the screen data displayed on the display device from the candidate selection key to switch to the data of the next column in the same row The input device for a foot described.