JPH03268016A - Computer input device of pen type - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To input a graphic and a character to a computer in a sense of using an ordinary writing pen by connecting a first rotation axis for rotating by coming into contact with a ball of the tip of a pen-holder, and a second rotation axis having a pattern group for detecting the rotational direction and the moving amount by a transfer mechanism. CONSTITUTION:By pressing a ball 11 of the tip part of a pen-holder against a desk, the ball 11 rotates, and the rotation of the ball 11 is transferred to a rotation x1 axis 21 and a rotation y1 axis 22, and simultaneously, transferred to a rotation x2 axis 24 and a rotation y2 axis 25 by a belt 29 and it rotates. The rotation of the rotation x2 axis 24 and the rotation y2 axis 25 detects pattern groups A 32, B 32 formed on the rotation x2 axis 24 and the rotation y2 axis 25 as reflected signals of light by optical fiber detectors A 34, B 35, and is inputted to a computer device as data of the rotational direction and the moving amount of the ball 11 from these reflected signals. In such a way, a graphic can be inputted exactly as drawn to the computer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pen-type computer input device for moving a cursor and inputting figures into a computer system.

2. Description of the Related Art Traditionally, input devices for computers and the like include keyboards, mice, digitizers, light pens, tablet terminals, and the like. Among these, a mouse is a device that relatively moves a cursor displayed on a CRT, and can be moved at high speed and can be operated relatively easily, such as freely drawing figures. There are two main types of mice depending on the method of detecting the amount of movement. One is to hold a ball inside a mouse and detect the amount of movement by the rotation of the ball when it is moved, and the other is to move the ball on a board with a's drawn in a grid pattern vertically and horizontally. There are some that detect the amount of movement by /.

How to use it varies depending on the software of the computer system, but when inputting a figure using the mouse, if you want to draw a line freely, you can input it to the computer by moving the mouse to move the cursor on the screen in the direction you want to draw. You can enter.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with the above configuration, a device called a mouse is used to move the cursor, so there is a problem that it is not possible to accurately draw detailed expressions.

This is because it is difficult to make minute movements of the mouse itself due to its size and structure, and also because its movements cannot be directly monitored. Therefore, there has been a problem in that it is extremely difficult to input characters and the like into a computer.

The present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, and aims to provide a device that inputs figures into a computer exactly as drawn.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, we have provided a mechanism that has a pen-shaped outer shape, has a ball at its tip, holds the ball so that it can rotate freely in any direction, and a mechanism that holds the ball so that it can freely rotate in any direction. A first rotation axis consisting of the X1 axis and the X1 axis that rotates in contact with the ball is configured in the holding mechanism, and the rotation of the x, axis + with X2 axis 1
The ball of the tip of the stylus is detected by transmitting the signal to a second rotating shaft consisting of the The amount and direction of movement are input into the computer. Further, the means for transmitting the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft uses a belt, a roller, a gear, or a combination thereof.

Function The present invention has a pen-shaped outer shape and can accurately detect the direction of rotation and amount of movement of the ball at its tip, so it can write figures and letters as if it were a normal writing instrument. In particular, it is possible to input the y of the tip of the ball.
By configuring the axis and y-axis in two stages, the tip of the pen can be made thinner.

Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing how to use the pen type converter input device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a computer 2 connected to a pen-type computer input device 1
, and shows a state 4 in which the free curve 3 is displayed on the screen. Next, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the external appearance of the pen type converter input device 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a ball 11 is installed at the tip of the pen shaft 10.
By moving the ball 11 while pressing against it, the ball 11 rotates, and the direction and distance of the movement are output. Pen barrel 10
Two switches 12 and 13 for input control are provided at positions that can be operated with a fingertip. Figure 3 (a), (b)
3(a) and 3(b) show the configuration of the tip of a pen-shaped combination input device, respectively, with FIG. 3(a) being a plan view and FIG. 3(b) being a front view. In FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the pen-shaped converter input device has a ball 11 in addition to its tip, and rotates at right angles to each other in contact with the ball 11.
The ball 11 is held by the first shaft 21 and y, the shaft 22 and the ball support shaft B, and the ball 11 is held securely.
A magnet gap is provided on the top of the ball 11 to bring it into contact with the rotation X axis 21 and the rotation X1 axis 22, and the ball support shirt 23. Next, the rotation X1 axis 21 and the rotation y
The rotation of the l-axis 22 is transmitted to the rotational X2 axis 24 and the rotational X2 axis 5 by the bells 1-29, respectively, and rotates them. The rotation X2 axis 21 and the rotation X2 axis 5 are supported by the bearing 37 and the bearing balls, and the rotation X1 axis 21, the rotation (5iN
2) is supported by a solid lubricant path such as Also,
The rotation X2 axis and the rotation X2 axis 5 have a pattern group A3 coaxially provided with patterns in which light reflecting parts and light absorbing parts 31 are alternately formed on both ends of each axis on the circumference thereof.
2 and pattern group B33 are provided with their positions shifted by 1/4 pitch. Next, pattern group A32 and pattern group B are provided for the rotation X2 axis and the rotation X2 axis δ, respectively.
At the positions (four locations) corresponding to 33, there are light projecting and receiving functions for projecting and receiving light, and optical fiber detectors for detecting the amount of movement accompanying the rotation of pattern group A32 and pattern group B33, which are made of optical fibers. A34, optical fiber detector B
35 are provided.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained below. By pressing the ball 11 at the tip of the pen shaft onto the desk, the ball 11 rotates, and the rotation of the ball 11 is transmitted to the rotation X1 axis 21 and the rotation y1 axis η, and at the same time the rotation
The rotation is transmitted to the rotation X2 axis and the rotation Y2 axis 5 by a belt 4 provided on the rotation yl axis n, and rotates. Rotation x 2 axis,
The rotation of the rotation y2 axis 5 is based on the rotation The reflected signal is input to the computer device as data on the direction of rotation and amount of movement of the ball 11.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the tip of the pen shaft of the pen-type computer input device. Figure 4 shows the first embodiment shown in Figure 3, rotation x1 axis, rotation y, axis and rotation
Since the only difference is the method of transmitting rotation to the two axes and the rotation y-axis, a description of the other parts will be omitted. In FIG. 4, a roller group 36 consisting of large and small rollers is provided between the rotation X1 axis 21 and the rotation X2 axis 24, and between the rotation y1 axis n and the rotation Y22 axis 5.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained below. By pressing the ball 11 at the tip of the pen shaft onto the desk, the ball 11 rotates, and the rotation of the ball 11 is transmitted to the rotation X, axis 21, rotation y, and axis n, and at the same time the rotation X1 axis 21
and rotation X2 axis 24, and rotation y1 axis 22 and rotation y2 axis 5
Rotation is transmitted by a roller group 36 consisting of large and small rollers provided between the two, and the rotation X2 axis and the rotation Y2 axis 5 rotate. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment.

The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the roller group 36 explained in the second embodiment may be a gear group made of gears.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention includes a first rotating shaft that rotates in contact with the ball at the tip of the pen shaft, and a second rotating shaft that has a pattern group for detecting the rotation direction and the amount of movement. By connecting it to a transmission mechanism such as a belt, roller, gear, etc., the second rotating shaft and the detection means provided on the second rotating shaft can be arranged in the pen shaft body, and the shape of the pen tip can be changed. It is possible to make the pen thinner, allowing you to input figures and characters into a computer as if you were using a normal writing instrument.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 (a) and (b) relate to a pen-type computer input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing how to use the pen-type computer input device; Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the external appearance of a pen-shaped computer input device, Fig. 3 (a) is a plan view showing the configuration of the tip of the pen-shaped computer input device, and Fig. 3 (b) is a front cross-sectional view of the same. 4 are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the tip of a pen-type computer input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 21...Rotation X1 axis, n...Rotation y, axis, n...
Ball support shaft, 24... Rotation x 2 axes, 5...
Rotation y2 axis, 26...Bearing, r...Bearing ball, Addition...Belt, Addition...Light reflection part, 31...Light absorption part.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A holding mechanism that has a ball at the tip of the pen shaft and can freely rotate the ball in any direction, and a rotating x-axis and a rotating y-axis that rotate in contact with the ball at the tip. a first rotation axis; a second rotation axis consisting of a rotation x-axis and a rotation y-axis having a light detection pattern in which light reflection parts and light absorption parts are provided alternately on the circumference; and the second rotation axis. A detection means having a light emitting and receiving function for detecting the rotational direction and movement amount of the ball from the light detection pattern is provided on the axis,
A pen-shaped computer input device, characterized in that a transmission means is provided for causing the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft to rotate simultaneously when the ball rotates. (2) The pen-shaped computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means is constituted by a belt, a roller, and a gear, or a combination thereof.