JPH03113624A - Mouse input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve portability without degrading operability by switching a size on the external thickness of a mouse input device to a first thickness fitted to an operation and to a second thickness for storage. CONSTITUTION:When a lock pin 109 is removed and an upper case 101 is pushed down against the force of a spring 106, a movable cover 102 slides the sliding surface of a lower case 104, collapses to the inner side of the case and stops at a a place, where a movable shaft 107 is brought into contact with the lower case. Thus, the device comes to a state at the time of storage if the lock pin is inserted again. For switching the stat at the time of storage to that for the operation, the upper case 101 is lifted upward by the operation of the spring 106 with the lock pin removed, and it stops at a place where the movable cover is caught by a claw. Consequently, the thickness at the time of storage is reduced to nearly half of the thickness at the time of operation. Thus, the portability of the device can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a mouse input device as a pointing device that is used by being attached to a portable information processing device.

[Prior Art] Up until now, the main input device in general information processing equipment has been the keyboard, but recently input devices called pointing devices have become popular, and the mouse has become the most representative of these devices. Ta. This is because the data to be processed has come to include not only text (sentences) but also graphical data, and the method of operating devices has also changed from a command format to a menu format. These factors are thought to have influenced the spread of the mouse. By the way, the size of information processing devices is becoming smaller and the number of devices that place emphasis on portability is increasing, but compared to desk-top devices, it is rare for a mouse to be connected to them for use. Rather, since the mouse itself is not very large, it was common to use a mouse made for a desktop device as is, even for portable information processing devices. Otherwise, pen-shaped mice and touch panels have been used in some cases, but no matter how portable they may be, they are not desirable from an operability standpoint, and in fact, they have not been widely used. has not yet been reached.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In order to improve portability, the main body of the processing device is made smaller and
As devices become thinner, the size of existing mice may become unacceptable. In particular, if the mouse is to be stored in the main body of the device, the thickness of the mouse must be thinner than the main body. However, if the mouse is made thinner than a certain point, it becomes difficult to operate due to the structure of the human palm.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mouse input device with excellent portability without impairing operability.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a mouse input device for a portable information processing device, in which a dimension related to the external thickness of the mouse input device is adjusted to a size suitable for operation. 1 thickness and
It is characterized in that it can be switched to a second thickness for storage, and further, the state of both the first thickness and the second thickness, or the state of either one of the thicknesses can be changed. It is characterized by a locking mechanism for stable maintenance.

[Example] Examples of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. 1st
The figure is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of a mouse related to the present invention.
This indicates that the device is in a state for operation. 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes an upper case, which can be pushed down about a movable shaft 10i5.

A movable lid 102 is integrally connected to the upper case 101 via a movable shaft 207. 103 is a claw on the lower case that engages with the movable lid 102. 1
04 is a sliding surface of the lower case, on which the movable lid 102 slides. 106 spring is 101
The spring 108 also acts in a direction to push the movable lid 102 back outward. 109 is a lock bin for the lock mechanism. The other parts are related to the structure of a general mouse, so they will be briefly explained. 11
The 00 ball has a true spherical shape and is made of a rubber-based material to increase the coefficient of friction on its surface. An encoder 111 separates and encodes the rotation of the ball into the X direction and the X direction. 112 is a control circuit; 11
3, 114 and 115 are bottom spacers.

FIG. 2 shows the same cross section as FIG. 1 in the stored state.

Next, a method of switching from the operational state shown in FIG. 1 to the storage state shown in FIG. 2 will be described. First, remove the lock bin of 109, and remove the upper case of 101.
Push down against the force of the 10G spring. Then, the movable lid 102 slides on the sliding surface of the lower case 104 and falls into the inside of the case. Then, the movable shaft 107 finally stops at the position where it contacts the lower case, and when the locking pin 109 is inserted again, the storage state shown in FIG. 2 is achieved. Conversely, in order to switch from the storage state shown in Figure 2 to the operating state shown in Figure 1, remove the 1090 self-tuck bin in the state shown in Figure 2, and the upper case will open under the action of the spring 106. 101 is lifted upward, and the movable lid of 102 is moved to 103.
It will stop when it hits the claw, so press 109 again.
If you insert the lock bin, it will be in the state shown in Figure 1. When operating the mouse, downward pressure is applied to the upper case portion of the mouse 101, so the presence of the lock bin 109 is important.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the mouse according to the present invention can be thinned when stored to nearly half the thickness when operated.
For example, it can be housed within the main body of a portable computer, or it can be made removable and fixed together, and is expected to improve the portability of the device and greatly contribute to miniaturization.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the internal structure of a mouse according to the present invention, and is a diagram showing a state for operation. Figure 2 is also a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the mouse.
It is a figure which shows the state for storage. 101 Upper case 102 Movable lid 103 Lower case claw 104 Lower case sliding surface 105 Upper case movable shaft 106 Upper case spring 107 Movable lid movable shaft 108 Movable lid spring 109 Lock bin 110 Ball 111 Encoder 112 Control circuit 113 Bottom surface Spacer 1 114 Bottom spacer 2 115 Bottom spacer 3 Above 75 72 77 74 70 73 Fig. 2

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a mouse input device for a portable information processing device,
A mouse input device characterized in that a dimension related to the outer thickness of the mouse input device can be switched between a first thickness suitable for operation and a second thickness for storage. (2) A claim characterized by comprising a locking mechanism for stably maintaining both the first thickness and the second thickness, or one of the thicknesses. Item 1. Mouse input device according to item 1.