JP5992976B2 - Method, computer and computer program for processing pointing stick input - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for effectively using a pointing stick for operating a computer, and more particularly to a technique for increasing input information generated by a pointing stick.

  The computer includes a pointing device for moving a mouse cursor displayed on the display screen to select an object or to change the screen display. In addition to a mouse or a touchpad, the pointing device includes a pointing stick. The pointing stick is also called a track point (registered trademark) and is provided between the keys of the keyboard. The pointing stick can be operated with the finger placed at the home position of the key, does not require an operation space like a mouse, and is easy to operate while holding a computer on a knee in a train or car etc. For this reason, it is mainly used in notebook personal computers (notebook PCs).

  The pointing stick detects a force applied to the operation post with a pressure sensor or a strain gauge in order to generate a signal corresponding to the moving direction and moving speed of the mouse cursor. Patent Document 1 discloses a character input device using track points. The character input device includes a strain sensor or a pressure switch, and detects forces in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction applied to the stick. When a character stroke is formed, a line is drawn when a force is applied to the stick in the Z-axis direction while applying a force in the X- and Y-axis directions, and a line is not drawn when no force is applied in the Z-axis direction.

  Patent Document 2 corresponds to the direction and magnitude of movement of a cursor by applying pressure to four pressure sensors arranged in a cross shape via a plate that can be tilted around a support rod. An input device for generating a signal is disclosed. Patent Document 3 discloses an input device that performs a selection operation by applying a force in the Z direction to a strain gauge type pointing stick. Patent Document 4 discloses an input device that can greatly move a mouse pointer by sliding the touchpad itself.

JP 2005-301874 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-222019 Japanese Patent No. 3504404 JP 2011-134258 A

  In conventional pointing sticks, a signal for moving the mouse cursor and a signal for selection operation by a force in the Z-axis direction as described in Patent Document 3 have been generated. Windows (registered trademark) 8 provides a user interface convenient for operation on a touch screen called a modern UI. When such an interface is operated with a notebook PC keyboard and pointing stick, an execution operation may be performed after the mouse cursor is moved over a wide range of mosaic tiles. The pointing stick is limited in sensitivity in order to finely adjust the movement destination of the mouse cursor. Therefore, when the mouse cursor is moved a long distance with the pointing stick, there is a problem that a burden is applied to the finger. Such an adverse effect becomes more prominent when the display is enlarged or a dual display is used.

  Tile drag operations and screen scrolling are not possible with just a pointing stick, so in environments where an external mouse cannot be used, you can use a touchpad or use a pointing stick and mechanical mouse buttons together. To do. In Windows (registered trademark), various functions can be defined for a key combination configured by simultaneously pressing the Windows (registered trademark) key and another key, but the key combination is defined. It is not easy to memorize the relationship of functions only with the names of keys. Some keys, such as a cursor key (also referred to as an arrow key) composed of four direction keys, are difficult to operate when the finger is in the home position.

  Until now, the use of the pointing stick has been mainly limited to the movement of the mouse cursor. However, if the pointing stick can generate more operation information, the advantages of the pointing stick can be further utilized. . Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for increasing operation information generated by a pointing stick. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for facilitating the movement of a mouse cursor with a pointing stick. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for expanding the range of keys that can be operated with a finger placed in the home position. A further object of the present invention is to provide a computer and a computer program for realizing such a method.

  The pointing stick according to the present invention includes an operation cover having an operation surface for performing a pressing operation, and a plurality of pressure sensors that are disposed below the operation cover and detect pressure applied to the operation surface. The system generates movement information from the detected pressure of the pressure sensor generated according to the movement operation on the operation surface. Further, the tap information is generated from the pressure detected by the pressure sensor generated in response to the tap operation that is finished in a shorter time than the moving operation with a pressing force of a predetermined value or more.

  According to such a configuration, the tap information can be generated in addition to the movement information only by the detected pressure of the pressure sensor, so that the operation information generated by the pointing stick can be increased. The tap information is generated based on a falling condition that is established when the time from when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds the third threshold until the pressure falls to the second threshold smaller than the third threshold is less than a predetermined value. can do. Further, it can be generated by adding a rising condition that is established when the time from when the detected pressure of the pressure sensor exceeds the first threshold value smaller than the second threshold value to when it rises to the third threshold value is less than the predetermined value. .

  At this time, the detected pressure of the pressure sensor can be the total value of the detected pressure of each pressure sensor. The system can continuously generate the movement information when the detected pressure of any pressure sensor immediately after generating the tap information is equal to or higher than the first threshold. The system is within a predetermined time, the detected pressure of the pressure sensor exceeds the first threshold, exceeds a third threshold greater than the first threshold, and is between the first threshold and the third threshold. You may make it produce | generate tap information, when it falls to a 2nd threshold value.

  The tap information can include identification information corresponding to the direction of the combined vector of the detected pressure of each pressure sensor. At this time, the tap information may include identification information corresponding to a state where the absolute value of the combined vector of the detected pressures of the pressure sensors is smaller than a predetermined value. The tap information may include intensity information corresponding to the total value of the pressure detected by each pressure sensor. The movement information can include information indicating the movement amount corresponding to the absolute value of the combined vector of the detected pressure of each pressure sensor and the moving direction corresponding to the direction of the combined vector.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for increasing operation information generated by a pointing stick. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a method for facilitating the movement of the mouse cursor with the pointing stick can be provided. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a method for expanding the range of keys that can be operated with the finger placed in the home position can be provided. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a computer and a computer program for realizing such a method.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the pointing stick 100 mounted in notebook PC. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the pressure sensors 151-157. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a pointing stick 100. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the method in which the pointing stick 100 pressed by cursor mode produces | generates movement information. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to recognize that the input system 300 was pressed by tap mode. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to recognize that the input system 300 was pressed by tap mode. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an input system 300. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the tap information which the input system 300 produces | generates. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the input system 300. It is a figure for demonstrating the utilization method of tap information.

[Pointing stick]
FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the outer shape of the notebook PC 10 on which the pointing stick 100 is mounted, and FIG. 1B is a side view in which the vicinity of the pointing stick 100 is enlarged. The notebook PC 10 includes a display housing 11 and a system housing 13 that are hinged to each other so as to be opened and closed. The display housing 11 houses the display 15.

  A mouse cursor 16 is displayed on the display 15. The system housing 13 accommodates system devices such as a processor, main memory, and hard disk drive inside, and a keyboard unit 19 is mounted on the top surface. The hard disk drive stores a program for generating operation information described after the pointing stick 100.

  The keyboard unit 19 includes a plurality of keys including a cursor key 21 composed of four arrow keys at the right end, and a pointing stick 100 between the G key, the H key, and the B key. The pointing stick 100 is arranged at the approximate center of the keyboard unit 19 so that the finger can be placed on the home position of the keyboard unit 19 and operated with an index finger. When the cursor key 21 is operated, since a normal user removes his / her finger from the home position, smooth key operation is interrupted.

  The pointing stick 100 includes a plurality of pressure sensors 151 to 157 (FIG. 2), an operation cover 101, and a printed circuit board (PCB) 103 on which a control circuit is mounted. The pointing stick 100 detects the vertical pressing force applied to the operation surface 109 formed on the top of the operation cover 101 by the plurality of pressure sensors 151 to 157, and moves the mouse cursor 16 in the moving direction and per unit time. Movement information corresponding to the movement amount (movement speed) and tap information corresponding to various defined functions are generated.

  A method of generating movement information and tap information and a method of using tap information will be described in detail later. The PCB 103 is fixed to the metal plate 59. The top of the operation cover 101 constitutes a circular operation surface 109 in a plan view. The operation surface 109 is substantially the same as or lower than the tops of the peripheral keys 55 and 57. Since the operation cover 101 is surrounded by three keys including the keys 55 and 57 and a finger does not enter the side surface, only the pressing operation in the direction of the PCB 103 from the top to the bottom with respect to the operation surface 109 can be performed. It can be done.

  A palm rest 17 on which a palm is placed when operating the keyboard is provided on the front side of the keyboard unit 19. A touch pad 23 is arranged on the front side of the space key. The touch pad 23 incorporates a mechanical switch that operates when any position on the touch surface is pressed. In addition to the swipe operation, the touch button 23 is combined with the pressed position on the touch surface and the switch operation. An input equivalent to a conventional mechanical mouse button consisting of a center button and a right button can be made.

  The touch pad 23 is used by a user unfamiliar with the operation of the pointing stick 100 or used for an operation that cannot be completed with the pointing stick 100 alone. When the amount of operation information generated according to the operation reflecting the above increases, many operations performed on the touch pad 23 can be performed from the pointing stick 100.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a planar arrangement of pressure sensors attached to the PCB 103. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the operation cover 101 with a dotted line, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the pressure sensor. The number of pressure sensors is not particularly limited as long as it is three or more, but it is desirable to select the pressure sensor in the range of 3 to 5 in terms of space and cost. In FIG. 2, four pressure sensors 151 to 157 are shown as an example. In the present invention, the detection principle of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 is not particularly limited, but a piezoelectric element can be adopted as an example.

  Each of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 includes a piezoelectric element inside a cubic housing, and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to the pressure applied to the rods 151a to 157a. The pressure sensors 151 to 157 are preferably all of the same standard. In this embodiment, the pressure sensors 151 to 157 are arranged radially with respect to the central axis 158 of the operation cover 101 so as to be symmetric with respect to the origin of the XY coordinates defined on the plane of the PCB 103.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the pointing stick 100. The pointing stick 100 includes an operation cover 101, pressure sensors 151 to 157 and a PCB 103 arranged as shown in FIG. 3A is a plan view of the back side of the operation cover 101 as viewed from the PCB 103 side, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the operation cover 101, and FIG. 3C illustrates the pressure sensors 151 to 157. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a pointing stick 100 covered with 101 is operated with a finger.

  The operation cover 101 is formed of an aluminum alloy as an example, and an operation surface 109 is formed on the surface of the ceiling portion 128, and pressure surfaces 131a to 137a for applying pressure to the rods 151a to 157a of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 are formed on the back surface. Has been. The operation cover 101 is manufactured so as to be symmetric with respect to the central axis 158. The pressure surfaces 131 a to 137 a are flat surfaces parallel to the PCB 103 in a state where the operation cover 101 is attached to the PCB 103. A leg 125 extends around the ceiling 128. The inner wall of the leg part 125 and the pressure surfaces 131a to 137a constitute storage parts 141 to 147 for storing the pressure sensors 151 to 157.

  Tapped screw holes 126 and 127 for fixing the operation cover 101 to the PCB 103 are formed in the leg portion 125. The legs 125 are fixed from the back surface of the PCB 103 with screws so that there are no gaps between the pressure surfaces 131a to 137a and the pressure receiving surfaces of the rods 151a to 157a via spring washers. When the operation cover 101 is fixed, a slight substantially equal pressure is applied to the pressure sensors 151 to 157, and even if the pressure surfaces 131 a to 137 a are slightly displaced by the pressing force applied to the operation surface 109, it reacts sensitively. I can do it.

[Operation mode]
The pointing stick 100 can operate the operation surface 109 in two operation modes of a cursor mode and a tap mode that reflect a user's operation intention by a pressing position, a pressing force, and a pressing time. Here, the cursor mode refers to a user operation method in which movement information including movement direction and movement amount per unit time (movement speed) is input to the user function 361 (FIG. 7). The movement information is typically a movement of the mouse cursor 16 displayed on the display 15 by the user function 361, and a display screen change such as screen scrolling, screen enlargement, screen reduction or screen rotation. This is information that can be used. The method of using the movement information may be set in advance. However, when only the pointing stick 100 is operated, the mouse cursor 16 is moved, and other functions are realized in combination with the operation of the touch pad 23. Also good.

  The tap mode refers to a user operation method in which tap information including a plurality of pieces of identification information different from movement information and intensity information accompanying the identification information is input to the user function 361. The identification information and the intensity information will be described with reference to FIG. The user function 361 can define the tap information as an event corresponding to a press of the cursor key 21, a Windows (registered trademark) key pressed simultaneously with another key combination, a predetermined amount of cursor jump movement, or the like. . As will be described below, the input system 300 (FIG. 7) can specify the operation mode only from the detected pressures of the pressure sensors 151 to 157.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating movement information by the pointing stick 100 operated in the cursor mode. The user changes the posture of the finger placed on the operation surface 109 to shift the position of the center of gravity and performs a pressing operation with force applied so that a predetermined pressing position on the operation surface 109 becomes an action point. This pressing operation is referred to as a moving operation. The pressure sensors 151 to 157 output detected pressures Pa to Pd corresponding to the force applied to the operating point of the operation surface 109, respectively.

  If the detected pressures Pa to Pd and the coordinates of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 are Pa (1, 0), Pb (-1, 0), Pc (0, 1), Pd (0, -1), each detection The pressures Pa to Pd can be vector-synthesized. In one example, the pressure component Px in the x direction is calculated by Px = Pa−Pb, and the pressure component Py in the y direction is calculated by Py = Pc−Pd. The angle θ of the resultant force Pr obtained by vector synthesis from Px and Py can be made to correspond to the moving direction, and the absolute value of the resultant force Pr can be made to correspond to the moving amount L per unit time.

  The input system 300 can associate the movement amount L of the mouse cursor 16 and the absolute value of the resultant force Pr using a function of L = M (Pr) so as to improve the operational feeling. If the moving amount L is, for example, the number of pulses, the user function 361 can reflect the moving speed of the mouse cursor 16 by associating a certain moving distance with one pulse. The input system 300 sends the movement amount component Lx = M (Fr) × Px / Pr in the x-axis direction and the component Ly = M (Pr) × Py / Pr in the y-axis direction to the user function 361.

  The user function 361 having received Lx and Ly can move the mouse cursor 16 from the current position in the direction of angle θ by L = M (Pr) per unit time, for example. When the pressure sensors 151 to 157 are not present on the x-axis and y-axis, and when the number of pressure sensors is three or five, the output of each pressure sensor is converted into a component in the x-axis direction and a component in the y-axis direction. The same calculation can be performed by decomposition and vector synthesis.

  5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining a method by which the input system 300 recognizes that the pointing stick 100 has been operated in the tap mode. When performing a pressing operation in the tap mode, the user changes the posture of the finger placed on the operation surface 109 in the same manner as in the cursor mode to shift the position of the center of gravity or the pressing position, thereby changing the operation surface 109. The pressing force is applied so that the predetermined pressing position becomes the point of action, but the pressing operation is performed with a stronger force in a shorter time than in the moving operation. The pressing operation at this time is referred to as a tap operation.

  The input system 300 distinguishes the tap operation and the moving operation from the magnitude of the detected pressure and the time during which the detected pressure of a predetermined value or more is generated, and associates the type of tap information with the direction of the action point with respect to the central axis 158. FIG. 5 shows the detected pressures of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 when the tap operation is performed on the pressing position closest to the operation surface 109 in the order of the pressure sensors 155, 151, 157, 153, and 155. It is a figure which shows an example of Pa-Pd.

  As shown by the lines 201a to 201d, the detected pressures Pa to Pd of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 closest to the pressed position where the tap operation has been performed become the maximum among the four detected pressures. Lines 203c, 203a, 203d, 203b, and 203c indicate the total pressure Pt obtained by totaling the detected pressures of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 as scalar values. FIG. 5 shows that the peak value or the time integral value of the total pressure Pt reflects the magnitude of the pressing force that is one element of the tap operation.

  Lines 231 to 239 in FIG. 6 indicate the total pressure Pt obtained by summing the detected pressures of the four pressure sensors 151 to 157 by scalar calculation. In one example, the tap operation can be specified by setting three threshold values for the total pressure Pt. The total pressure Pt, which is a scalar value rather than the absolute value of the resultant force Pr (FIG. 4) obtained by vector synthesis for specifying the tap operation, is well reflected in the intention of the user who performs the tap operation with a strong force. It is. In addition, in order to specify the tap operation, the largest detection pressure among the four detection pressures Pa to Pd is not adopted, for example, when the pressure sensors 151 and 155 are pressed so as to detect substantially the same pressure, This is because the pressure sensor 151 or 155 may be pressed directly with the same pressing force, making it difficult to use the tap operation for identification.

  A line 231 shows a state when the finger is released from the operation surface 109 after the tap operation is performed only once. The threshold value TH1 corresponds to the lowest pressure when a moving operation or a tap operation is performed. The threshold value TH1 distinguishes the pressure generated by noise generated even when the finger is away from the operation surface 109 or the pressure remaining in the pressure sensors 151 to 157 from the pressure detected by the user's intentional pressing operation. Set for the purpose.

  When the total pressure Pt exceeds the threshold value TH1, the input system 300 determines that either a movement operation or a tap operation has been performed, and starts processing. Alternatively, the input system 300 may start the process when any detected pressure Pn (Pn <Pt) exceeds the threshold value TH1. The threshold value TH2 is set in order to detect a time element for specifying the tap operation. The threshold value TH3 is set to detect a pressure element for specifying a tap operation. Here, there is a relationship of TH3> TH2> TH1.

  Here, the time from the time t1 to the time t2 from when the total pressure Pt exceeds the threshold value TH1 to the threshold value TH3 is referred to as a rise time Δtu, and until the total pressure exceeds the threshold value TH3 and decreases to the threshold value TH2. The time from time t2 to time t3 is referred to as a falling time Δtd. The input system 300 sets a threshold value THU for the rise time Δtu and sets a threshold value THD for the fall time Δtd. In one example, the input system 300 satisfies two conditions: a rising condition composed of a pressure element of Pt ≧ TH3 and a time element of Δtu <THU, and a falling condition of a pressure element of Pt <TH2 and a time element of Δtd <THD. Recognize tapping when

  In another example, the input system 300 is based on a condition including a time element of Pt ≧ TH3 and a time element of Δud <TUD when the threshold value TUD is set for the rise / fall time Δud from time t1 to time t3. It can also recognize tap operations. In this case, in the case of the pressing operation of Pt <TH3, it is not possible to recognize that the condition for the tap operation is not satisfied, that is, the moving operation, after TUD has elapsed from time t1. On the other hand, if the determination is made based on the rising condition and the falling condition, the input system 300 may recognize the moving operation immediately after THU has elapsed from time t1 when the pressing operation of Pt <TH3 where the rising condition is not satisfied. When the rising condition is satisfied and the falling condition is not satisfied, the moving operation can be recognized immediately after Δtu + THD has passed at the latest.

  A line 233 shows a state when the moving operation is performed from the beginning without satisfying the falling condition although the rising condition of the tap operation is satisfied. The input system 300 can recognize the movement operation and generate movement information at time tx when a time corresponding to THD has elapsed from time t2. Line 235 shows a state in which movement information is generated because any detected pressure Pn subsequently detected after the input system 300 generates tap information at time t3 is greater than the threshold value TH1. A line 237 shows a state when the tap operation is performed following the movement operation.

  The input system 300 determines that the rising condition is not satisfied because the condition of Pt ≧ TH3 is not satisfied when the time corresponding to the threshold value THU has elapsed after the total pressure Pt exceeds the threshold value TH1, and the threshold value THU is reached from time t1. After a corresponding time has elapsed, it is determined that the operation is a movement operation, and movement information is generated. When all the detected pressures Pa to Pd become less than the threshold value TH1 at time t4, the input system 300 recognizes that the moving operation has ended and resets it. Thereafter, a new tap operation is recognized between time t5 and time t6.

  Line 239 shows a state in which a tap operation is performed three times continuously in succession, and then a moving operation is performed after time t3. In the continuous tap operation, when each tap operation is recognized, all the detected pressures Pa to Pd are once less than the threshold value TH1, and the two conditions of the tap operation can be determined.

[Input system]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the input system 300. The input system 300 includes pressure sensors 151 to 157, an A / D conversion unit 351, an operation mode determination unit 353, a buffer 355, a movement information generation unit 357, and a tap information generation unit 357, and includes a user function 361. Send movement information and tap information.

  As an example, the A / D conversion unit 351, the operation mode determination unit 353, the buffer 355, the movement information generation unit 357, and the tap information generation unit 359 can be configured with hardware and firmware mounted on the PCB 103. The user function 361 includes hardware such as the CPU and main memory of the notebook PC 10 and software such as a device driver, an OS, and a utility program, and processes movement information and tap information received from the input system 300. Works.

  The A / D conversion unit 351 converts the analog signals of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 whose detected pressures Pa to Pd exceed the threshold value TH1 into digital signals and sends the digital signals to the operation mode determination unit 353. The operation mode determination unit 353 stores the received digital signals in the buffer 355 in order. As described with reference to FIG. 6, the operation mode determination unit 353 recognizes the tap operation immediately after determining that both the rising condition and the falling condition are satisfied, and takes out the data stored in the buffer 355 by the FIFO method. The operation mode determination unit 353 recognizes the moving operation immediately after determining that the rising condition or the falling condition is not satisfied, and takes out the data stored in the buffer 355 by the FIFO method.

  The operation mode determination unit 353 sends the data extracted from the buffer 355 to the movement information generation unit 357 when it is determined that the movement operation has been performed, and to the tap information generation unit 359 when it is determined that the tap operation has been performed. . After the operation mode determination unit 353 determines that the operation is a tap operation and sends the data accumulated in the buffer so far to the tap information generation unit 359, the operation mode determination unit 353 performs buffering until all the detected pressures Pa to Pd become less than the threshold value TH1 thereafter. The data stored in is sent to the movement information generation unit 357.

  The operation mode determination unit 353 stops outputting data and clears the buffer 355 when determining that all the detected pressures Pa to Pd are less than the threshold value TH1. The movement information generation unit 357 generates movement information from the received data and outputs the movement information to the user function 361. The tap information generation unit 359 generates tap information from the received data and sends it to the user function 361. The user function 361 uses the received movement information and tap information as various input events.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of tap information generated by the input system 300. When the input system 300 recognizes the tap operation, the input system 300 generates a plurality of discrete or continuous identification information associated with the pressed position of the operation surface 109 and intensity information associated with the identification information. The strength information may not be used by the user function 361 depending on the use of the tap information. FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining the pressing position defined on the operation surface 109.

  On the operation surface 109, as the pressing positions of the moving operation and the tap operation, there are an annular peripheral portion 109a including a position immediately above the pressure sensors 151 to 157 and the origin of the XY coordinates (central axis 158). A circular central portion 109b is defined. Although eight discrete pressing positions 110a to 110i are illustrated in the peripheral portion 109a, the pressing positions are not limited to this. The pressing positions 110a, 110c, 110e, and 110g correspond to positions at which the strongest pressure is applied to the pressure sensors 155, 151, 157, and 153.

  FIG. 8B schematically illustrates an example of the detected pressures Pa to Pd of the pressure sensors 151 to 157 when one tap operation is performed on the peripheral portion 109a between the pressing positions 110a and 110b. It shows. It is assumed that two conditions of the tap operation are satisfied at time t2 after the detected pressure Pb of the pressure sensor 153 indicating the total pressure Pt at time t1 exceeds the threshold value TH1. The operation mode determination unit 353 takes out the data that has been recorded in the buffer 355 until the time t2 has elapsed, and sends the data to the tap information generation unit 359.

  The tap information generation unit 359 calculates integrated values P1i to P4i obtained by time integration of the peak values P1p to P4p of the detected pressures Pa to Pd and the detected pressures Pa to Pd from time t1 to time t2. The tap information generation unit 359 obtains the angle θp and the angle θi of the resultant force Ps obtained by vector synthesis for each of the peak values P1p to P4p and the integral values P1i to P4i as shown in FIG. The average angle θ is calculated from For example, the average angle θ when the weight of the peak value is 0.6 and the weight of the integral value is 0.4 is calculated as (0.6 × θp + 0.4 × θi).

  As the weighting value, a value that most reflects the user's intention is obtained from the data of many subjects. The identification information may be calculated from only one of the peak value and the integral value, but the combination of both can reflect the intention of the user's tap operation. Here, the average angle θ from the X axis of the resultant force Ps corresponds to identification information corresponding to the direction around the central axis 158. The intensity information is obtained as the absolute value of the peak P1p to P4p and the integrated value P1i to P4i or any one of the resultant forces Ps when the identification information is calculated. At this time, the tap information generation unit 359 may obtain the intensity information as an average value of the absolute values of the resultant force Ps obtained by weighting the peak value and the integral value. The user can press the central portion 109b of the operation surface 109 to perform an unintended tap operation in any direction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8D, the detected pressures Pa to Pd are substantially equal, and the intensity information as the absolute value of the resultant force Ps becomes small.

  When the absolute value of the resultant force Ps is smaller than a predetermined value, the tap information generation unit 359 can generate the identification information as information indicating the origin instead of the average angle θ. The identification information may be generated as a continuous amount of the average angle θ, but may be generated as eight discrete amounts that are discrete by 45 degrees around the origin, for example, so as to correspond to the pressed positions 110a to 110h. . At this time, the tap information generation unit 359 can associate the discrete identification information with the pressed positions 110a to 110h having the closest average angle θ. The user function 361 can use discrete identification information as a substitute for a cursor key or a combination key by combination.

[Input system operation procedure]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the input system 300. Here, description will be made with reference to FIGS. In block 401, the user removes his / her finger from the operation surface 109 of the pointing stick 100 or places his / her finger, but the total pressure Pt is less than the threshold value TH1. The operation mode determination unit 353 does not start the determination of the operation mode and does not store data in the buffer 355. In block 403, the operation mode determination unit 353 determines that the total pressure Pt has exceeded the threshold value TH1 at time t1, and thereafter stores the data in the buffer 355 until all the detected pressures Pa to Pd become less than the threshold value TH1. .

  In block 405, the operation mode determination unit 353 measures the rising time Δtu from time t1 when the data is received, and further calculates the total pressure Pt. If the total pressure Pt does not exceed the threshold value TH3 while the rising time Δtu is less than the threshold value THU, it is determined that the rising condition is not satisfied, and the routine proceeds to block 451. When the total pressure Pt becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value TH3 at time t2 while the rising time Δtu is less than the threshold value THU, it is determined that the rising condition is satisfied, and the process proceeds to block 407.

  In block 407, the operation mode determination unit 353 measures the falling time Δtd from time t2, and further calculates the total pressure Pt. If the total pressure Pt does not become less than the threshold value TH2 while the fall time Δtd is less than the threshold value THD, it is determined that the falling condition is not established, and the process proceeds to block 451. When the total pressure Pt becomes less than the threshold value TH2 while the falling time Δtd is less than the threshold value THD, the operation mode determination unit 353 determines that the falling condition is satisfied, and proceeds to block 409. In block 409, the operation mode determination unit 353 sends the data after time t 1 stored in the buffer 355 to the tap information generation unit 359. The tap information generation unit 359 generates identification information and intensity information from the received data, and outputs the identification information and strength information to the user function 361.

  In block 411, when the operation mode determination unit 353 detects that the detected pressures Pa to Pd of all the pressure sensors are less than the threshold value TH1, the operation mode determination unit 353 stops outputting data and returns to block 403. Furthermore, the operation mode determination unit 353 clears the buffer 355 and stops outputting data. In block 451, the operation mode determination unit 353 sends the data after time t 1 stored in the buffer 355 to the movement information generation unit 357. The movement information generation unit 357 generates movement information from the received data and outputs the movement information to the user function 361. When the operation mode determination unit 353 detects that the detected pressures Pa to Pd of all the pressure sensors are less than the threshold value TH1 in block 453, the operation mode determination unit 353 stops outputting data and returns to block 403. Furthermore, the operation mode determination unit 353 clears the buffer 355 and stops outputting data.

[Use Tap Information]
The tap information composed of the identification information and the strength information can be used by the user function 361 arbitrarily defining the function. As an example, the user function 361 uses discrete identification information as an event of the cursor key 21. Since the cursor key is composed of four arrow keys, for example, four discrete identifications generated when the vicinity of the pressing positions 110a, 110c, 110e, and 110g in FIG. 8A is tapped. If the information is assigned to each cursor key 21, the same operation as the cursor key 21 can be performed with the finger placed at the home position. For example, when inputting to a cell of a spreadsheet application, an operation of selecting a vertically or horizontally adjacent cell in turn with the cursor key 21 can be substituted with a tap operation of the pointing stick 100.

  FIG. 10A shows an example of a modern UI screen displayed by Windows (registered trademark) when the notebook PC 10 is activated. When the screen is displayed on the touch screen, it is possible to access applications and folders by tapping and dragging with a finger on a plurality of tiles displayed in a mosaic pattern. Not all tiles can be displayed on the screen at once, but you can swipe the touch screen to move the display and then access the remaining tiles.

  When a normal display 15 that is not a touch screen displays a modern UI, in order to access a tile, the cursor key 21 is operated to select a tile to be focused in the order of adjacent tiles, and then a predetermined tile. The execution key can be operated. Alternatively, when accessing a tile at a distant position in a short time, the mouse cursor 16 is moved with the pointing stick 100 and the touch panel 23 is clicked on a predetermined tile.

  When the cursor key 21 is operated, the finger is released from the home position, and when the mouse cursor 16 is moved for a long distance with the conventional pointing stick, the finger is tired. In the pointing stick 100 according to the present embodiment, a tap operation is performed on the peripheral portion 101a of the operation surface 109 to select tiles in an arbitrary direction in order, and a tap operation is performed on the central portion 101b when a desired tile is selected. If you do, you can access the tiles in a short time while placing your finger on the home position. The identification information at this time may be continuous identification information, or may be eight discrete identification information of the peripheral portion 109a and one discrete identification information of the central portion.

  As another example, identification information can be assigned to a key combination in which two or more keys such as a shortcut key and a Windows (registered trademark) key are simultaneously pressed. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a state in which discrete identification information is assigned to the function of the key combination. A guide screen 500 in which characters or figures related to the function of eight key combinations are arranged in a matrix form is displayed on the display 15, and the peripheral portion 109a described in FIG. 8A is displayed on each element of the guide screen 500. And a state in which discrete identification information corresponding to nine pressing positions of the central portion 109b is assigned.

  The user function 361 displays the guide screen 500 when receiving tap information corresponding to the pressed position of the central portion 101b assigned to the element “select”, and the peripheral portion associated with the eight elements of the guide screen 500 The function assigned when the tap information corresponding to the pressed position of 101a is received is processed. It is difficult to memorize the functions assigned only by the key name if the key combination is not used. However, it is easy to use the equivalent function by tapping the guide screen 500 and the pointing stick 100. Can do. The user function 361 may display a different menu screen each time identification information corresponding to “selection” is generated by a tap operation on the central portion 109b.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 10C, the user function 361 can use continuous identification information and intensity information for jump movement of the mouse cursor 16. Since the pointing stick 100 needs to finely adjust the position of the mouse cursor 16, the sensitivity cannot be increased more than necessary. This means that when the mouse cursor 16 is moved for a long distance, it is necessary to press the operation surface 109 with a strong force for a long time.

  The pointing stick 100 can generate continuous identification information when the peripheral portion 109a is tapped, and can generate strength information according to the pressing force. The user function 361 associates the distance of jump movement of the mouse cursor 16 from positions 501 to 503 with the intensity information, and associates the movement direction of the mouse cursor 16 with continuous identification information. When the mouse cursor 16 is jumped, the user may lose sight of the location, so it is desirable to temporarily display a trajectory 505 from the jump base to the jump destination on the screen. After jumping to the position 503 by the tap operation, the position of the mouse cursor 16 can be finely adjusted by performing the moving operation as shown by the line 235 in FIG.

  The example in which one function is assigned to one piece of identification information has been described so far, but in the present invention, two or more pieces of discrete identification information can be combined. For example, the user function 361 assigns a function different from the single identification information to the same or different identification information generated by the tap operation on the discrete pressing positions within a predetermined short time, thereby pointing. -The range that can be operated with the stick 100 can be expanded.

  Although the present invention has been described with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and is known so far as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. It goes without saying that any configuration can be adopted.

10 Notebook PC
16 Mouse cursor 21 Cursor key 100 Pointing stick 101 Operation cover 103 Printed circuit board (PCB)
109 Operation surface 109a Operation surface peripheral portion 109b Operation surface center portions 110a to 110h Discrete pressing positions 151 to 157 Pressure sensors Pa to Pd, 201a to 201d Detected pressures Pt, 203a to 203d of the pressure sensors Total pressure (scalar value)
300 Input system THU Rising condition threshold time THD Falling condition threshold time Ps resultant force (vector value)

Claims (20)

A computer equipped with a pointing stick comprising an operation cover having an operation surface for pressing, and a plurality of pressure sensors that are disposed under the operation cover and detect pressure applied to the operation surface,
Generating movement information from the detected pressure of the pressure sensor generated in accordance with a movement operation for pressing the operation surface in the lower direction;
A step of generating tap information from the pressure detected by the pressure sensor generated in response to a tap operation that is performed in a shorter time than the moving operation with a pressing force in a lower direction with respect to the operation surface. A computer program for running   2. The tap information is generated when a time from when a detected pressure of the pressure sensor exceeds a third threshold to a time when the pressure falls to a second threshold smaller than the third threshold is less than a predetermined value. The computer program described.   3. The tap information is generated when a time from when a detected pressure of the pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold value smaller than the second threshold value to rise to the third threshold value is less than a predetermined value. A computer program described in 1.   The computer program according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the detected pressure of the pressure sensor is a total value of the detected pressure of each pressure sensor. The computer program according to claim 3 , wherein the movement information is subsequently generated when a pressure detected by any one of the pressure sensors immediately after generating the tap information is equal to or greater than the first threshold.   The tap information is determined within a predetermined time after the detected pressure of the pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold value and exceeds a third threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, and further includes the first threshold value and the third threshold value. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the computer program is generated when the second threshold falls between the thresholds.   The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the tap information includes identification information corresponding to a direction of a combined vector of detected pressures of each pressure sensor.   The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the tap information includes identification information corresponding to a state in which an absolute value of a combined vector of detected pressures of each pressure sensor is smaller than a predetermined value.   The computer program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the tap information includes intensity information corresponding to a total value of detected pressures of the pressure sensors.   The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the movement information includes information indicating a movement amount corresponding to an absolute value of a combined vector of detected pressures of each pressure sensor and a moving direction corresponding to the direction of the combined vector. The computer receives information received from a pointing stick that includes an operation cover having an operation surface for performing a pressing operation and a plurality of pressure sensors that are disposed below the operation cover and detect pressure applied to the operation surface. A method of processing,
Moving the mouse cursor based on the detected pressure of the pressure sensor generated in response to a moving operation of pressing the operation surface downward;
A predetermined operation is performed based on a pressure detected by the pressure sensor generated in response to a pressing operation that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the lower direction with respect to the operation surface and ends in a shorter time than the moving operation. And a method comprising:   The method according to claim 11, wherein the operation surface is circular, and pressing positions on the operation surface are defined in a peripheral portion and a central portion of the operation surface.   The method of claim 11, wherein the predefined action is an action corresponding to an operation of a cursor key.   The method according to claim 11, wherein the predefined action is an action corresponding to an operation of a key combination in which a plurality of keys to be simultaneously pressed are combined.   The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of displaying information indicating a function defined for the key combination on a screen.   The predetermined action is an action of causing the mouse cursor to jump and move in a direction corresponding to a pressed position of the operation surface at a distance corresponding to a detected pressure level of the pressure sensor. The method described in 1. Keyboard,
An operation cover that is disposed at the center of the key of the keyboard and includes an operation surface for pressing operation;
A plurality of pressure sensors that are disposed at a lower portion of the operation cover and detect a pressing force in a lower direction with respect to the operation surface;
An operation mode determination unit that determines the operation mode by calculating the pressing force and the pressing time in the lower direction of the pressing operation;
A movement information generation unit that generates movement information when the operation mode is the cursor mode;
A tap information generation unit that generates tap information different from the movement information when the operation mode is a tap mode;
A computer having the movement information and a user function that performs an operation defined for the tap information.   The computer according to claim 17, wherein the tap information includes identification information corresponding to a plurality of pressing positions including a central portion and a peripheral portion of the operation surface.   The computer according to claim 18, wherein the identification information is discrete information associated with each of the plurality of pressed positions. The operation mode determination unit determines whether the cursor mode or the tap mode is performed when the pressing operation is performed while the pressures detected by all the pressure sensors are less than a first threshold value. The computer according to claim 17, wherein after the cursor mode is determined, the movement information is generated until detection pressures of all the pressure sensors become less than the first threshold value.

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