JPH04188217A - Track ball assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase functions and to improve operability by providing an inclination detection means detecting the inclination of an upper case, and holding a track ball with the upper case so that they can move and they can freely and relatively turn. CONSTITUTION:The track ball 11, the movable upper case 12, a base 13, a switch 14, a joint 15 and a fixed lower case 16 are provided. A casing consists of the fixed lower case 16 and the movable upper case 12 which is held so that it can be inclined against the fixed lower case 16 through a universal joint. The inclination detection means 14 detects the inclination of the upper case 12 and the track ball 11 is held with the movable upper case 12 so that they can move and they can freely and relatively turn. Thus, an operator can move a pointer or a cursor to an arbitrary position on a display only by inclining the track ball with the upper case 12. They can be handled extremely easily.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] The present invention relates to a trackball assembly for moving a pointer or cursor on a computer display to an arbitrary position on the display, and provides multifunctionality and good operability. The system has a trackball that is rotatably installed in a casing and at least partially protrudes from the casing, and a detector that detects the amount of rotation of the trackball. In a trackball assembly for moving a pointer or cursor to any position on a display, the casing is composed of a fixed lower casing and a movable upper casing tiltably held relative to the fixed lower casing via a universal joint. The trackball has an inclination detection means for detecting the inclination of the upper case, and the trackball is held in the movable upper casing so as to be movable together with the husband and relatively rotatable.

[Industrial application field]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pointing devices, particularly trackball assemblies thereof, for moving a pointer or cursor on a CRT display of a computer to various positions on the CRT display.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, pointing devices in addition to keyboards have been used as data input/output means in data processing to manipulate data while displaying data in the form of characters and graphics on a screen such as a CRT display of a computer. Particularly in the fields of graphical data processing, such as CAD, CAMSCAE, and simulation fields, means for displaying and analyzing three-dimensional models are often used. When displaying and analyzing a three-dimensional model, when moving the back of the model to the front or pointing at the side, the displayed object is rotated and then processed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In such pointing devices, when performing the above processing using a trackball, conventionally, the trackball is operated by palm motion, so there is a drawback that it is difficult to operate the click button, and when rotating the displayed object, the operation procedure is difficult. The disadvantage is that it requires a lot of time and effort.

An object of the present invention is to provide a trackball that has many functions and is easy to operate.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a trackball that is rotatably mounted in a casing and at least partially protrudes from the casing, and a detector that detects the amount of rotation of the trackball. In a trackball assembly that moves a pointer or cursor on a computer display to an arbitrary position on the display according to the amount of rotation of the casing, the casing is held tiltably with respect to a fixed lower casing via a universal joint. a movable upper casing and a tilt detection means for detecting the tilt of the upper case; the trackball is held movably and relatively rotatably together with the movable upper casing; is a structural feature.

Preferably, the side or front side of the upper case is an inclined surface.

As the detection mechanism, for example, permanent magnets are fixedly installed in two orthogonal directions of the lower case, and magnetoelectric conversion elements that receive the magnetic force of the corresponding permanent magnets are attached to the printed circuit board according to the inclined position of the printed circuit board.

[Effect]

The operator can move the pointer or cursor to any desired position on the display by simply tilting the trackball together with the upper case in a desired direction, making handling extremely easy.

If the side or front surface of the upper case is sloped, it is easier for the operator to hold the trackball assembly individually, and by providing the click switch or trackball on the sloped surface, operability is greatly improved.

The rotational position of the trackball due to its inclination can be easily detected by a magnetic sensor.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a track ball, 12 is a movable upper case, 13 is a base, 14 is a switch, 15 is a joint, and 16 is a fixed lower case.

As is well known, when the trackball 11 is rotated, a supported shaft rotates, and an X-axis encoder and a Y-axis encoder detect the amount of ball movement to control a pointer or cursor on a CRT display of a computer.

The mechanism principle of the trackball itself is well known, and therefore detailed explanation will be omitted.

The base 13 is supported on the lower case 16 by a universal joint 15, so that the base 13 can be tilted on the lower case 16 in four directions: front, rear, left, and right. Four switches 14 are installed in four orthogonal directions of the lower case 16.
(142 to 14d) are provided (FIG. 1B), and by tilting the penis 13, one of the switches 14 is turned on depending on the direction of the tilt.

FIG. 2 is an outline drawing of the present invention. The conventional click switch 17 is arranged on a sloped surface 18 of a part of the side surface of the case 12 which is inclined so that it can be easily operated when operated with the thumb.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the present invention in operation. For example, when rotating and moving a display object on a CRT while operating the trackball 11 with the right hand, tilting the case 12 in the direction of rotation enables quick operation. That is, in FIG. 2.3, if the case 12 is tilted, for example, to the right, the switch 14a is turned on, and the displayed object can be moved to the right. Similarly, if you tilt it forward, the switch 14b is turned on and the displayed object moves upward, and if you tilt it to the left, the switch 14c moves the displayed object to the left. Further, if the case 12 is tilted toward the user, the displayed object moves downward.

FIG. 4.5 is an external view of another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, both sides of the upper case 12 are sloped surfaces 18 in order to improve operability when the operator operates the device by hand, and a click switch 17 is provided thereon. , in FIG. 5, when the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, etc. are placed on the trackball 11, the click switch 17 is pressed.
is placed in a position where it can be easily operated with the thumb and little finger.

FIG. 6 is a side view during operation.

In the figure, the trackball 11 is connected to the upper case 1.
The front surface 19 has an inclined angle to improve the operability of the trackball 11. A palm rest 20 formed as an inclined surface is provided at the rear of the upper case 12 to prevent arm fatigue even during long-time operation.

FIG. 7 is a detailed assembly diagram of the lower case 16.

In the figure, 41 is a base port, 42 is a base port joint (universal joint), 43 is a magnet mounting part, 44 is a permanent magnet, 45 is a magnetoelectric transducer (sensor), and 46 is a print that forms a predetermined switch circuit. The board 47 is an upper case joint.

The base port 41 is provided with four magnet attachment portions 43 in two orthogonal directions, and four permanent magnets 44 are attached thereto. The upper case 12 is provided with an upper case joint (shaft) 47 provided with a hemispherical recess 49, while the base port 41 is provided with a base port joint (shaft) 42 provided with a corresponding hemispherical protrusion 48. are provided, and by fitting these joints 42 and 47, a universal coupling between the upper case 12 and the base port 41 is completed.

The printed circuit board 46 is fixed to the upper case 12 side with screws (not shown) or the like. Four magnetoelectric conversion elements 45 such as Hall elements and MR elements are attached to the printed circuit board 46 so as to be close to the corresponding permanent magnets 44 .

With the above structure, when the upper case 12 is tilted, the tilted magnetoelectric transducer 45 reacts with the permanent magnet 44 and can output a tilt signal.

Note that 50 is a center hole formed in the printed circuit board 46 for passing the joint 47 of the upper case 12.

A third embodiment is shown in FIG.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8, parts that are the same as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same numbers, and redundant explanation will be omitted.

In FIG. 8, 52 and 53 are respectively the base ports 41
The spring holder formed in the is a switch holder. Also,
57 is a spring, and 5g (58a to 58d) is a switch. The switches 58 are arranged symmetrically in two orthogonal directions on the lower surface of the printed circuit board 46. Four springs 57 are provided symmetrically between the upper case 12 and the lower base port 41, and these springs 57 apply a slight force when the operator places his arm on the upper case 12 or when operating the trackball 11. This is to prevent malfunction.
Therefore, it is necessary to set the spring to such a strength. Note that four holes 63 corresponding to the springs 57 are formed in the printed circuit board 46 in order to pass the springs 57 therethrough.

With the above structure, when the upper case 12 is tilted to the left against the spring 57, the left switch 58a is activated, when it is tilted to the right, the right switch 58b is activated, and when it is tilted forward, the previous switch 58c is activated. , tilt back and switch 5
8d respectively operate.

As a method for detecting when the trackball 11 is operated, as is well known, the trackball 11 may be made into a perfect sphere and a rotary encoder may be used (described later).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the detection method.

In the figure, 71 is a housing, 74 is a roller, and 75 is a housing.
is a pin, 76 is a permanent magnet, 77 is a roller bearing, 7
8 is a bearing receiver, 81 is a bearing case, and 83 is a stopper.

The trackball 11 has a spherical shape, and a bearing case 81 in the form of a cylindrical protrusion is integrally provided at the bottom of the trackball 11. A bearing receiver 78 incorporating a permanent magnet 76 and a roller bearing 77 is disposed inside the bearing case 81. will be placed. The housing 71 includes a trackball 11.
A spherical hole 85 is formed to accommodate the trackball 1.
1 is rotatably supported by bearings 81 and rollers 74. The roller 74 is rotatably supported by a pin 75 attached to the housing 71. Housing 71
A printed circuit board 46 fixed on the lower case 16 is provided in a hollow portion 87 formed below the magnetic sensor 4.
3 is mounted on this printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board 46
The circuit is connected to a switch circuit (not shown) formed in the circuit.

With the above structure, the trackball 11 can rotate in any direction until the bearing case 81 comes into contact with the annular locking surface (stopper) 83 formed on the housing 71. At this stop position, the trackball 11
When the finger is released, the center of gravity of the trackball 11 is shifted downward due to the existence of the bearing case 81, so that the bearing case 81 can automatically return to the position directly below the trackball 11. The detection mechanism using the magnetic sensor 43 will be described later.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another detection method.

In the figure, 11' is a hemispherical dome that functions as a trackball, 71' is a spherical housing that rotatably supports the dome 11', and 89 is a spring. The inner peripheral surface of the dome 11° can rotate in any direction along the outer peripheral surface of the housing 71', and a magnetic sensor 43 mounted on a printed circuit board 46 disposed at the bottom of the housing 71° rotates around the dome. The displacement of a permanent magnet 76 fixed to a protrusion 94 formed at the lower center of 11° is detected (described later). The protrusion 94 is located at the upper center opening 93 of the housing 71'.
penetrate. The dome 11° is a coiled spring 8 that widens at the end.
9 to return to the initial position.

FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the detection method.

In the same figure, 11" is a dome, 95 (95a, 95b
) is a rotor encoder, 96 is a rotor, 97 is a shaft, 71'' is a housing, and 98 is a roller.

The dome 11'', which functions as a trackball, has two rotors 96 (96a, 96
b) rotatably supported by one rotor 98,
It can be rotated in any direction. shaft 97
is rotatably held by a bearing 100. A printed circuit board 46 is fixedly mounted on the housing 71'', and this
Encoder 95 for detecting axis movement amount and Y-axis movement amount
a, 95b are implemented. The amount of movement of the dome 11" is transmitted to the rotors 96a and 96b, and
, 96b) using the low-resolution encoder 95 (95
a, 95b).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a detection method using the magnetic sensor 43.

In the figure, 76 is a permanent magnet, and 43 is a magnetoresistive element.

This is the same whether the permanent magnet 76 is attached to the trackball 11 or the dome 11°. Note that a plastic magnet may be used instead of the permanent magnet.

Also, attach the magnet to the trackball 11 or dome 11°.
Instead of adhering to the dome 11°, the trackball or dome 11° itself may be magnetized.

The permanent magnet 76 is magnetized in the vertical direction, and by arranging the four magnetic resistance elements 43 below the permanent magnet 76 at positions shifted by 90 degrees, magnetic flux acts differentially in response to changes in the position of the permanent magnet 76. As a result, a voltage proportional to the amount of displacement of the permanent magnet 76 is output.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which a barber pole type magnetoresistive element 43° is used as the magnetoresistive element.

As is well known, in the case of the barber pole type magnetoresistive element 43', detection can be performed by simply arranging one on each of the X-axis and the Y-axis in the direction of the permanent magnet 76.

In this way, a detection function that utilizes magnetoresistive changes using a magnetoresistive element has advantages such as lower power consumption and a simpler structure.

The acceleration control of the magnet will be explained with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14 is a control circuit diagram, in which 143 is a detection unit that detects the amount of movement of the magnet 76, 144 is an A/D converter, and 145 is an MPU.

After amplifying the X-axis movement signal and Y-axis movement signal output from the detection unit 143 that detects changes in magnetic resistance, the amount of rotation of the encoder, etc., and converting them into digital signals using the A/D converter 144, the M
The PU 145 controls the acceleration and outputs it. A flowchart for performing this acceleration control is shown in FIG. 15(a).

In FIG. 15(a), first, the output voltage on the X-axis side, which is output according to the amount of movement of the magnet on the X-axis side, is measured and stored. Next, similarly, the output voltage associated with the amount of movement on the Y-axis side is measured and stored.

As shown in FIG. 15(b), the MPU 145 includes a table that outputs the Y-axis and a count number indicating the acceleration corresponding to the Y-axis voltage value. For example, if the Y-axis voltage value is 4 and the Y-axis voltage value is 2, the count number is 20 for each.
and 10, and the cursor is controlled by outputting a movement signal per unit time 20 times on the Y axis and 10 times on the Y axis.

In this way, when the cursor is moved by controlling the acceleration, the amount of movement of the magnet and therefore the trackball or dome is reduced, which has the advantages of easier operation and the ability to make the device more compact. arise.

In particular, the lateral dimension can be reduced, and the keyboard can be installed in a space equivalent to one square inch, for example.

FIG. 16 shows the range of movement of the trackball or dome 11'.

In FIG. 16, the area within the radius r2 centered on ◯ is the movable area.

The inner portion of the radius r1 centered at 0 is an initial movement region that moves when the operator places his finger on the trackball 11 or the dome 11° or when the upper case is tilted, leading to so-called malfunctions.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a table within the MPU 145. It is desirable to keep the cursor or pointer stationary within the above-mentioned initial movement region r1, so that the voltage output from the detection device is, for example, a voltage signal value of 6.
This indicates that the count up to 0 is not counted. This can improve measurement accuracy.

When controlling acceleration using trackball 11 or dome 11°, trackball 11 or dome 11°
Since the range of movement is fixed, operability is improved if the origin can be easily identified when a finger is placed on the device.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, in order to define the origin, a depression 150 is provided at the apex of the trackball 11 or the dome 11° as shown in FIG.
A small protrusion 151 may be provided as in b). Apart from this, as shown in the same figure (C), a ring 152 with a hemispherical cross section
may be provided. Each of these depressions 150, protrusions 151, or rings 152 not only indicates the origin when pointing to the north pole, but also makes it difficult for the operator to slip by placing his or her fingers on these parts during operation, making work more reliable. Sex increases.

〔Effect of the invention〕

With the above invention, the output signals on the X and Y axes of the trackball can be output in five ways, including when the trackball is parallel to the base port, and when the trackball is tilted forward, backward, leftward, and rightward. It has the same trackball functions as five conventional trackballs. In addition, each click button switch is located in a convenient position for easy operation, making it compatible with the ever-increasing number of graphical user interfaces.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional diagram showing a first embodiment of the trackball assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the arrangement of switches in the trackball assembly shown in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2 is the diagram shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating its use condition, FIG. 4 is an exterior perspective view showing a second embodiment of the trackball assembly according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the trackball assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the usage state of the trackball assembly shown in FIG. 4.
5 is an enlarged side view showing the main parts of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a detailed assembly view of the lower case of the trackball assembly according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a view showing a different embodiment from FIG. 7. , FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a detection method when the trackball is operated, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of FIG. 9. Figure 12 is a diagram showing a detection method using a magnetic sensor, and Figure 13 is a diagram showing a detection method using a magnetic sensor.
FIGS. 14 and 15 are circuit diagrams and flowcharts showing magnet acceleration control;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the movement range of the trackball, FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of numerical values stored in the MPU, and FIG. 18 is a diagram showing three embodiments of the origin position determination means for the trackball. 11... To the trackball 12... Upper case, 13... Base, 15... Universal joint, 16... Lower case, 46... Printed circuit board. First embodiment Figure 1A Sinch arrangement Figure 1B 11...Trackball 12...Upper case 13...Base 15...Universal joint 16...Lower case 46...Printed circuit board first implementation Example external appearance and operating state Fig. 3 External appearance of the second embodiment Fig. 4 Operating state Fig. 5 Palm rest mechanism Fig. 6 Structure of the case and printed board Country Dome-shaped trackball 10 Country Detection mechanism Figure 11 Principle of magnetic sensor Width 12 Figure Another example of magnetic sensor Hanging Figure 13, 143 Control circuit No. 141 Operation flow Movement area of track pole Figure 16 Voltage value and count number Relationship between Figure 17 (Q) (b) Origin positioning means Figure 18

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A trackball rotatably mounted within a casing and at least partially protruding from the casing;
In a trackball assembly that has a detector for detecting the amount of rotation of the trackball and moves a pointer or cursor on a computer display to an arbitrary position on the display according to the amount of rotation of the trackball, the casing has a fixed lower case ( 16) and a movable upper case (12) that is tiltably held via a universal joint (15), and includes an inclination detection means (14) for detecting the inclination of the upper case; A trackball assembly characterized in that the trackball (11) is held in a movable upper case so as to be movable together with the husband and relatively rotatable. 2. The trackball assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper case has an inclined side surface (18). 3. The trackball assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper case has an inclined front surface (19), and the trackball is rotatably held on the inclined front surface. 4. The trackball assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a palm rest (20) for resting a palm on the rear part of the upper case. 5. Printed circuit board (46
2. The trackball assembly according to claim 1, wherein the trackball assembly is fixed to the upper case. 6. The lower case has permanent magnets (44) in two orthogonal directions.
6. The trackball according to claim 5, wherein the printed circuit board (46) is provided with a magnetoelectric transducer (45) that receives the magnetic force of a corresponding permanent magnet depending on the tilted position of the printed circuit board. assembly. 7. The trackball assembly according to claim 5, wherein the printed circuit board (46) is provided with a switch element (58) that is activated depending on the tilted position of the printed circuit board. 8. Printed circuit board (46
) is fixed to the lower case.
Trackball assembly as described in. 9. There is a permanent magnet (
76) is attached, and the printed circuit board (46)
The trackball assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a magnetic sensor (43) for detecting the position of the permanent magnet (76) in two orthogonal directions. 10. The trackball according to claim 1, wherein the trackball has a substantially spherical shape, a cylindrical protrusion is provided at the substantially spherical bottom portion, and a detector for detecting the amount of rotation is provided inside the cylindrical protrusion. trackball assembly. 11. The trackball assembly of claim 1, wherein the trackball has a generally dome shape. 12. The trackball assembly according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the trackball is provided with positioning means (such as 150) for indicating its origin position.