JPH04286015A - Position instruction system using mouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply a complementary position recognition means by means of a way except for eyes on a position instruction system which moves a cursor through the use of a mouse and instructs a position. CONSTITUTION:An actuatof 12 generating a tactile sense reaction is provided for the mouse 10. A processor mainbody part 4 is constituted in such a way that the crossing of the designated picture 2 displayed in a picture display 1 and the cursor 3 at the time of operating the cursor using the mouse is detected, the actuator of the mouse is driven and an operator is caused to recognize that the cursor reaches the designated position of the picture by the tactile sense reaction.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position pointing method using a mouse in an information processing apparatus such as CAD that performs image processing. Directly manipulating high-definition graphic images on a computer display requires an input device that can quickly point to any point in a wide coordinate space. For this reason, various input devices such as tablets are in practical use, but as the performance of personal computers increases, input devices that are small, inexpensive, and easy to install and use at the individual level are being used. An instruction mechanism is required.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows an outline of a conventional position pointing mechanism using a mouse. In FIG. 4, 1 is an image display such as a CRT, 3 is a cursor, 4 is a processing device main body,
7 is a cursor control unit, 10 is a mouse, and 11 is a key for click operation. The cursor control unit 7 manages the coordinates X, Y of the display position of the cursor 3 on the image display 1, and when the cursor movement amount ΔX, ΔY is input from the mouse 10, it creates X+ΔX, Y+ΔY and updates the cursor coordinates. and move the display position of cursor 3. When the user visually confirms the movement of the cursor 3 and reaches the target position, the user presses the key 11 to input a position instruction (pointing) and other command instructions.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional position indicating mechanism using a mouse, the indicated position of the cursor was confirmed only visually, which caused a problem in that the burden was concentrated on the eyesight. The present invention aims to facilitate cursor operation by providing a means for confirming the position of the cursor supplementary to visual confirmation.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a mouse with an actuator that generates a tactile response, and when a cursor reaches a predetermined image position on a display screen during cursor operation, or a point on a predetermined image. When passing,
It drives an actuator to transmit shock or vibration to the hand holding the mouse, allowing it to be sensed by touch. FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the present invention. In Figure 1, 1
is an image display. 2 is an example of a displayed image. 3 is a cursor. 4 is the main body of the processing device. 5 is an image data memory that stores image data to be displayed. Reference numeral 6 denotes an image processing section that processes the image data in the image data memory 5 according to instructions. 7 is a cursor control unit that manages the coordinates of the cursor 3 and performs display control. 8 is a designated data table in which only data of designated images that cause a tactile response are registered. 9 is a tactile reaction control unit that compares the coordinates of the figure based on each image data registered in the specified data table 8 with the cursor coordinates X, Y, and drives the actuator for tactile reaction when a match is detected. . 10 is a mouse. 11 is a click key. Reference numeral 12 denotes, for example, an electromagnetic type actuator that generates a tactile response, and in the illustrated example, it is configured to apply a light shock or vibration to the click button 11 portion.

[0005]

[Operation] In FIG. 1, the specified data table 8 includes points on the screen that facilitate position confirmation when the user operates the cursor 3 using a mouse, such as icons for commands, grids for visual measurement, etc. Alternatively, in the case of a circuit diagram, data such as symbols such as terminals and logic symbols are registered in advance. The registered contents are set by the user inputting and specifying them from the image data in the image data memory 5, or automatically by the initialization process.

[0006] The user grasps the mouse 10, places his or her finger on the click button 11, and moves the cursor 3 in the desired direction. The cursor control unit 7 is interrupted by the occurrence of an event based on the movement of the mouse 10, and updates the cursor coordinates. Next, the tactile reaction control unit 9 compares the updated cursor coordinates with the coordinates of the specified image data in the specified data table 8, and when they match, the mouse 10
actuator 12 to apply a light impact to the user's finger.

[0007] The user can recognize that the cursor has reached a predetermined point by sensing the impact transmitted to the finger that grips the mouse, and can easily confirm this. Precise cursor movement can be performed more easily than with conventional visual confirmation methods.

[0008]

Embodiment FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2
Since the elements indicated by 1 to 12 are the same as the elements shown in FIG. 1, duplicate explanations will be omitted.

In the designated data table 8, image data of a designated image that causes a tactile response is set in the form of an image ID and each element vector data (line segment data) constituting a figure. Vector data consists of coordinate data of two end points of a line segment. However, dot patterns can also be used instead of vector data.

The tactile reaction control unit 9 includes a specified image/cursor intersection detection processing unit 13 and a mouse actuator drive unit 14.
It consists of

[0011] The specified image/cursor intersection detection processing unit 13 performs
It is checked whether the cursor coordinates intersect with the line segment indicated by each graphic element vector data in the specified data table 8, and when the cursor coordinates intersect with the line segment, an intersection detection signal is sent to the mouse actuator drive unit 14.

[0012] When the mouse actuator drive section 14 receives the intersection detection signal, it drives the actuator 1 of the mouse 10.
A drive current is applied to the actuator 2 to operate the actuator 12. FIG. 3 shows the structure of a mouse used in the device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 15 is a housing that constitutes the outer shell of the mouse, 16 is a key, 17 is an electromagnetic actuator, 18 is a movable key mount on which the key 16 is mounted, and 19 is a link between the electromagnetic actuator 17 and the movable key mount 18. The arm 20 is a fulcrum shaft for swinging the arm 19, and 21 is a connection cable.

When the electromagnetic actuator 17 is driven by the mouse actuator drive unit 14 shown in FIG. 2, the actuator of the actuator attracts the arm 20 and moves the movable key mount 18 in the direction of the arrow with the fulcrum shaft 20 as the rotation axis. Swing it and lift it from the case 15. Therefore, the user who is operating the mouse can easily sense the shaking with his or her fingers. In this example, the actuator has a structure that swings the movable key mount, but it is also possible to provide the actuator to lift the entire mouse from the running surface, use multiple actuators to give different information, or Various transformations are possible, such as making the body vibrate.

Further, the information processing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied may be any apparatus having a software processing function, such as a personal computer, a word processor, or a workstation.

[0015]

According to the present invention, the moving position of the cursor can be confirmed not only visually but also tactilely, thereby significantly improving operability and making it possible to quickly and accurately indicate the position.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of a mouse used in the device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a position pointing mechanism using a conventional mouse.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image display 2 Image 3 Cursor 4 Processing device main unit 5 Image data memory 6 Image processing section 7 Cursor control section 8 Specified data table 9 Tactile response drive unit 10 Mouse 11 key 12 Actuator

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim 1: An information processing device comprising an image display (1), a processing device main body (4), and a mouse (10), wherein the mouse (10) is provided with an actuator (12) that produces a tactile response. The processing device main unit (4) displays an image (2) displayed on the image display (1) when the cursor (3) is operated using the mouse (10).
) is detected and the actuator (12) of the mouse (10) is driven so that the cursor (3) reaches the specified position of the image (2). A position indication method using a mouse that allows the operator to recognize the object through a tactile response. [Claim 2] The method according to claim 1, wherein the designation of the image (2) whose intersection with the cursor (3) is detected is performed by registering the image data in a table. Position indication method. 3. The mouse according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (12) provided in the mouse (10) is electromagnetically driven and is connected to a click button (11). Position indication method.