JPH04101136U - pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with modifications) [Purpose] To switch between mouse function and trackball function using a simple and highly reliable mechanism without using complicated switching mechanisms such as mechanical switches. A leg part 18 is pivotally supported at the front end of a bottom surface 10b of a device casing 10. When switching to mouse mode,
The legs 18 are closed toward the bottom surface 10b of the casing. Then,
The sphere 14 is in contact with the desk surface 20, and the user
When moved, the sphere 14 rolls and rotates on the desk surface 20,
The direction and amount of rotation are converted into movement information. When switching to the trackball mode, the legs 18 are opened from the bottom surface 10b of the casing to make a stepladder. Then, the sphere 14 floats off the desk surface 20 and becomes freely rotatable. Also, the upper lid 12 is opened or removed, and the sphere 12
becomes exposed. Therefore, the user can move the sphere 1 with his or her hand or finger.
4 can be rotated by any amount in any direction,
The direction and amount of rotation are converted into movement information.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention is a pointing device that inputs movement information using the rotation of a sphere. In particular, devices that have both mouse and trackball input functions Regarding vice.

0002

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, the mouse body can be moved in any direction on a flat surface such as a desk surface. Rotate the sphere partially exposed from the bottom of the mouse body in the same direction, and check the direction of rotation. The amount of rotation is detected by the rotation detection means installed inside the main body, and the detected information is recorded as a tag. This is the input to the target computer. On the other hand, the trackball While keeping the main unit fixed, the user can use their fingers or hands to touch the sphere that is partially exposed from the top of the main unit. Rotate in any direction, and detect the direction and amount of rotation using the rotation detection means inside the main body. It detects the target computer and inputs the detected information to the target computer. Ru. In terms of operability, a mouse has a faster pointing speed than a trackball. It is excellent in that it can be executed on the fly, but requires a flat surface on which to run the mouse body. shall be. On the other hand, trackballs are inferior to mice in terms of pointing ability. On the other hand, it has the advantage that it can be operated anywhere, such as on a train or airplane seat. There is.

0003 Mouse and trackball, which have contradictory advantages and disadvantages, have been It has been offered as a separate pointing device. However, recently, Pointing device that can be used as a mouse or trackball provided.

0004 The mechanism of this pointing device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18. 16 and 17, the sphere 100 includes an X-axis rotation detection unit 102, a Y-axis rotation detection unit 102, Directional rotation detection section 104, sphere support section 106, and upper surface opening 110 of case 108 is rotatably supported in any direction by the edges of the The sphere support part 106 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a U-shaped wheel support member rotatably supports the wheel 112. 114 is biased toward the fixed plate 118 by the coil spring 116, and the wheel A stopper member 120 is sandwiched between a support member 114 and a fixing plate 118. Ru. This stopper member 120 has a thin part 120a and a thick part 120b, and is manually operated. The mouse moves in the directions of arrows A and B in response to the mechanical switch (not shown). In the trackball mode (FIG. 16), the thin portion 120a is in the trackball mode (FIG. 17). In this case, the thick portion 120b is connected to the wheel support member 114 and the fixed plate 118, respectively. intervene between.

[0005] In mouse mode, the wheel 112 is in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. In order to support the sphere 100, the lower end surface of the sphere 100 is connected to the bottom opening 10 of the case 108. It will be lower than 9. Therefore, for example, you can move the device body in any direction on a desk. When it is moved, the sphere 100 rolls and rotates in the same direction, and the direction and amount of this rotation are It is detected by the X-axis direction rotation detection section 102 and the Y-axis direction rotation detection section 104.

[0006] In the trackball mode, as shown in FIG. The ball 100 is lifted up by moving forward and crawling into the lower part of the ball 100. The lower end surface of the sphere 100 is higher than the bottom surface of the case 108 (this makes the sphere 100 higher than the bottom surface of the case 108). 00 does not come into contact with the desk surface) On the other hand, the upper surface of the sphere 100 is connected to the upper surface opening 110. More exposure from. Therefore, the user may touch the upper surface of the sphere 100 with his/her finger or hand. If you rotate it in any direction by stroking it, the direction and amount of rotation will be X. It is detected by the axial rotation detection section 102 and the Y-axis rotation detection section 104.

[0007]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

As mentioned above, in conventional pointing devices of this type, manual mechanical Switch the holding position of the sphere holding part 106 with the switch to move the position of the sphere 100 up or down. The mouse function and trackball function were switched by pressing the button. death However, the mechanism of the sphere support part 106 is complicated, and the wheel support member 114 and the stopper member 120, and between the stopper member 120 and the fixed plate 118. is clogged or the stopper member 120 is worn out or damaged due to multiple switching operations. And I was sick.

[0008] This invention was devised in view of these problems, and has a simple and highly reliable mechanism. Therefore, there is a pointing device that allows switching between mouse function and trackball function. The purpose is to provide

[0009]

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the first pointing device of the present invention comprises: The sphere is supported rotatably in any direction within the housing, and the upper surface of the housing and The surface of the sphere is partially exposed through the top and bottom openings provided on the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. In the first mode, an external force is applied to the surface of the sphere exposed from the bottom opening. In the second mode, the sphere exposed through the upper opening is rotated. Applying an external force to the surface of the sphere causes the sphere to rotate, and determines the rotation direction and rotation of the sphere. A pointing system that inputs movement information by detecting the amount of movement. In the device, the sphere exposed from the bottom opening is brought into contact with the device operation surface. the sphere exposed through the bottom opening, and The casing is provided with legs that can be switched to a second position for lifting the casing from the surface of the work. The structure is as follows.

0010 In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a second pointing device of the present invention is provided. The base supports the sphere rotatably in any direction within the housing, and Part the surface of the sphere through the top and bottom openings provided on the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. In the first mode, the surface of the sphere exposed from the bottom opening is The sphere is rotated by applying an external force, and in the second mode, the sphere is exposed through the upper opening. Apply an external force to the surface of the spherical body to rotate the spherical body, and determine the rotational direction and direction of the spherical body. A pointer that inputs movement information by detecting the amount of movement and rotation. In the information processing device, device support means is provided in the main body of the information processing device. Further, the housing is provided with means for receiving the device support means, and the information processing The sphere is configured to be rotatable when the housing is attached to the device main body. accomplished.

[0011]

[Effect]

In the first pointing device, the legs are switched to the first position. When the sphere comes into contact with (rides on) the device operation surface (for example, a desk surface), The first mode (mouse mode) is enabled, allowing the user to move the device itself. Then, the sphere rolls and rotates on the device operation surface, and the direction and amount of rotation are determined by the rotation direction and amount. is detected by the rotation detection means. Also, when the legs are switched to the second position, The sphere floats off the device operation surface and can be rotated arbitrarily. However, you The second mode (to rack ball mode). In this way, the first point In the switching device, the first and second The mode can be easily selected.

0012 For the second pointing device, the main body of the device is connected to the operating surface (e.g. When placed on a desk surface, the sphere touches (rides) the operation surface and enters the first mode. (mouse mode), and when the device is attached to the information processing equipment. When the sphere becomes rotatable, it enters the second mode (trackball mode). ) can be executed.

[0013]

【Example】

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a pointing device according to a first embodiment 1 shows a state in mouse mode, and FIG. 2 shows a state in trackball mode. Indicates the status of the code.

[0014] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the pointing device housing 10 is a mouse. It has the shape of a mold, and an open or removable top lid 12 is attached to the front part thereof, A sphere 14 is disposed inside this upper lid 12. This sphere 14 is supported by a sphere support hand. The upper surface 10a of the housing 10 is rotatably supported in any direction by a step (not shown). and are partially exposed from the bottom surface 10b. 16 is a button switch be.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the leg portion 18 is pivotally supported on the front end of the bottom surface 10b of the housing 10. There is. As shown in FIG. The structure is switchable between the position and the second position where the legs are opened from the bottom surface 10b of the casing as shown in FIG. has been completed.

[0016] In the mouse mode (FIG. 1), the legs 18 are closed toward the bottom surface 10b of the housing as described above. (stored), the sphere 14 comes into contact with the device operation surface, for example, the desk surface 20 (storage). ). Further, the upper lid 12 is set on the housing 10. The top cover 12 is located on the rear of the housing 10. It has a streamlined curved surface that is continuous with the surface, and the top cover 12 can be set in the housing 10. This gives the device a shape similar to a mouse. However, if the user When you grasp it and move it in any direction on the desk surface 20, the sphere 14 will roll in the same direction. The rotation direction and amount of rotation are detected by rotation detection means (not shown). It will be done. In this way, the user can use the mouse with the same operations as with a regular mouse. can perform the following functions. Note that frictional engagement is provided at the front and rear ends of the bottom surface 10b of the casing. A small number of smoothers 22, 24 are attached, and these smoothers 22, 24 are attached to the desk surface. 20 (ride) and ski.

[0017] In the trackball mode (FIG. 2), the legs 18 are attached to the bottom surface 10b of the housing as described above. Since the stepladder is opened from the top, the legs 18 and the rear smoother 24 are not in contact with the desk surface 20. As a result, the sphere 14 is in a floating state from the desk surface 20. Also, the top cover 12 is opened. or removed, exposing the sphere 14. Therefore, the user can It is possible to rotate the sphere 14 in any direction with your fingers by placing your hand on the surface. The direction and amount of rotation are detected by rotation detection means (not shown).

[0018] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower end portion 19 of the leg portion 18 is treated to prevent slipping. Because of this, there is no risk of the trackball slipping on the desk surface 20, and stable trackball operation is maintained. It is proven. In FIG. 3, the shaft 17 passing through the upper part of the leg 18 is It is a support shaft for enabling rotation in the direction of the arrow between the first position and the second position. Ru.

[0019] Also, in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the leg portion 18, the opening/closing state is transmitted to the rotation detection means. be done. This allows you to operate the sphere 14 in mouse mode and trackball mode. The difference in the direction of rotation of the sphere 14 with respect to the direction of rotation is matched.

[0020] As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the legs 18 provided on the bottom of the housing 10 are When the legs are closed toward the bottom surface 10b, the mouse mode is activated, and the legs 18 are closed from the bottom surface 10b of the housing. When the legs are opened, it becomes trackball mode, so there is no need to use a complicated mode switching device like in the past. No structure is required, and a simple and highly reliable device can be obtained. Also, mouse mode In this case, a top lid 12 that is continuous with the rear part 10a of the housing 10 is connected to the front upper surface of the housing 10 ( (on top of the sphere 14), so the user can use the mouse with the same feel as a normal mouse. You can perform mouse function operations.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing the appearance of the device according to this example. This figure smells 16 and 17 are button switches, and 26 is for exposing the sphere 14 upward. This is a top opening formed in the front part of the top surface 10a of the housing.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows the mounting structure of the upper lid 12 in this embodiment. In this figure, 13, Reference numeral 15 denotes a hinge portion for attaching the top cover 12 to the housing 10 in a detachable and openable/closable manner. 28 is shaped at the front of the bottom surface 10b of the housing to expose the sphere 14 downward. This is the bottom opening. Note that this figure has also been rotated for ease of illustration. The detection section and rotating sphere support section are not shown.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing the overall appearance of the device according to this example. Figure 7 is above The case where the lid 12 is opened to one side is shown. In this diagram, it is open on the right side, but on the opposite side (left side) It is also possible to open the lid to the side. Figure 8 shows the state when the top cover 12 is removed from the housing 10. Indicates the In addition, in FIGS. 6 to 8, the leg portion 18 is set as a stepladder and is in mouse mode. However, to make the illustration easier, the rear end of the device (smoother 24 side) is lifted off the desk surface. The state shown is as follows.

[0024] FIG. 9 shows an example of the arrangement of the rotation detecting section and the sphere supporting section in this embodiment. rotate The detection units 30 and 32 may have a conventional configuration, for example, a roller attached to the rotating sphere 14. The rotation axis of the roller can be connected to an encoder, and rotation detection is possible. It has not only the function but also the function of supporting the sphere 14. Sphere support part 34,3 6 is fixed on the substrate 38 near the bottom opening 28 and is rotatable at the bottom of the sphere 14. To carry it effectively. As shown in FIG. 10, these sphere carriers 34, 36 are, for example, A ball 44 is rotatably provided in a case 40 via a ball bearing 42. Anything is fine.

[0025] FIG. 11 shows an example of a configuration in which the sphere 14 can be freely taken out from the housing 10. show. As shown in the figure, it has an opening (top opening) 48 larger than the diameter of the sphere 14. A concave annular plate 46 is detachably connected to the front upper surface 10a of the housing 10. Ru. By removing this annular plate 46, the sphere 14 is freed from the top surface of the housing 10. It can be taken in and out. Note that, as in this configuration example, the diameter of the upper surface opening 48 is spherical. If it is larger than the diameter of the body 14, the device may be turned upside down or If the sphere 14 tries to protrude from the annular plate 46 due to a large tilt, the top cover 12 (not shown in FIG. 11) holds down the sphere 14 from above, so that the sphere 14 is connected to the device. There is no danger of falling out of the class. Further, according to this configuration example, the periphery of the sphere 14 is Since the concave portion 46 is formed in the recess 46, it is difficult to touch the sphere 14 with a finger in the trackball mode. It is easy to interact with and easy to operate.

[0026] FIG. 12 shows another configuration example in which the sphere 14 can be freely taken out from the housing 10. show. In this example, a concave annular plate 48 having an opening (bottom opening) 50 is attached to the housing 10. The sphere 14 is removably connected to the front bottom of the housing 10. It can be taken in and out freely from the side.

[0027] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be shown with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. Figure 13, Figure 14 and FIG. 15 show that the pointing device 50 according to this second embodiment is tracked. installed in the information processing device main body (for example, a personal computer) 60 for virtual mode. They are a schematic perspective view, a schematic cross-sectional side view, and a schematic cross-sectional plan view showing the state.

[0028] In this configuration example, the information processing device body 60 is inserted into and removed from the housing in the directions of arrows F and F'. A possible pair of support rods 64 and 66 are attached to the housing 52 of the device 50. A pair of holes 54 and 56 are provided on one side, and support rods are inserted into these holes 54 and 56, respectively. 64 and 66, the device 50 can be attached to and detached from the side of the information processing device main body 60. Attach as possible. 68 is a connecting rod for integrally interlocking the support rods 64 and 66. Ru. As shown in FIG. 14, in the attached state, the upper end surface of the sphere 58 is attached to the information processing device. The height is almost the same as the keys on the main body 60, so you can switch from key operation to trackball operation. It is easy to move the hand when switching between and vice versa. Also shown in FIG. As such, the support rods 64 and 66 avoid the sphere 58 within the casing 58 of the device 50. It passes on both sides.

[0029] According to this second embodiment, when the device 50 is placed on an operation surface such as a desk surface, Mouse mode is enabled when the sphere 58 touches (rides) the operation surface, and the device When the chair 50 is attached to the side of the information processing device main body 60, the sphere 58 rotates freely. This will enable you to switch to trackball mode. Therefore, in the above example There is no need to provide leg portions 18 that can be placed on the floor.

[0030]

[Effect of the idea]

By having the above-mentioned configuration, the present invention has the following effects. Ru. According to the pointing device of claim 1, the legs provided on the housing of the device the first mode (mouse) by switching between the first and second positions. It is now possible to switch between the second mode (trackball mode) and the second mode (trackball mode). This eliminates the need for complicated mode switching mechanisms such as mechanical switches, making it simple and low-cost. Get an easy-to-use, highly reliable two-mode pointing device It will be done.

[0031] According to the pointing device of claim 2, the device body can be moved on the operation surface. When moving, the first mode (mouse mode) can be used, and the device body can be used as an information processing device. When attached to the main unit, the second mode (trackball mode) can be used. This eliminates the need for complicated mode switching mechanisms such as mechanical switches, making it simple and easy to use. A low-cost, easy-to-use, and highly reliable two-mode pointing device. can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1: Pointing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the device in mouse mode.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the pointing device according to the first embodiment in a trackball mode.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a leg portion in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the appearance of the pointing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of the top cover mounting structure in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing the external appearance of the pointing device according to the first embodiment in a mouse mode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing the pointing device according to the first embodiment with the top cover opened to one side for trackball mode.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view showing the pointing device according to the first embodiment with the top cover removed for trackball mode.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement structure of the rotation detecting section and the sphere supporting section in the pointing device according to the first embodiment.

10 is a schematic perspective view showing a specific example of the configuration of the sphere supporting section shown in FIG. 9. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a structure for making it possible to take out a sphere in the pointing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of a structure for making it possible to take out a sphere in the pointing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the pointing device according to the second embodiment is attached to the main body of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a pointing device according to a second embodiment attached to an information processing apparatus main body.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which the pointing device according to the second embodiment is attached to the main body of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view in mouse mode showing the configuration of the main parts of a conventional pointing device.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of essential parts of a conventional pointing device in a trackball mode.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing in detail the configuration of a sphere detection section in a conventional pointing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Housing 12 Top lid 14 Sphere 18 Legs 13 Hinge part 15 Hinge part 46 Recessed annular plate 48 Annular plate 50 pointing device 52 Housing 54 hole 56 hole 58 Sphere 60 Information processing device 64 Support rod 66 Support rod

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A sphere is supported rotatably in any direction within a housing, and the surface of the sphere is partially exposed through top and bottom openings provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the housing, respectively. In the first mode, an external force is applied to the surface of the sphere exposed through the bottom opening to rotate the sphere, and in the second mode, an external force is applied to the surface of the sphere exposed through the top opening to rotate the sphere. , a pointing device configured to input movement information by detecting the direction and amount of rotation of the spherical body, a first position for bringing the spherical body exposed from the bottom opening into contact with a device operation surface; . A pointing device characterized in that the casing is provided with a leg part that can be switched to a second position for lifting the sphere exposed from the bottom opening above the device operation surface. 2. A sphere is supported rotatably in any direction within a housing, and the surface of the sphere is partially exposed through top and bottom openings provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the housing, respectively. In the first mode, an external force is applied to the surface of the sphere exposed through the bottom opening to rotate the sphere, and in the second mode, an external force is applied to the surface of the sphere exposed through the top opening to rotate the sphere. , a pointing device configured to input movement information by detecting the direction and amount of rotation of the sphere, wherein a device support means is provided in the information processing device main body, and the device support means is received in the casing. 1. A pointing device, characterized in that said pointing device is provided with means for said information processing device, and is configured such that said sphere is in a rotatable state when said housing is attached to said information processing device main body.