JPH04319722A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To miniaturize an input device and to improve its operability. CONSTITUTION:A practically semispherical movable body 30 mounted on a mount 11 is constituted so as to input a moving signal by moving the body 30 in a required direction within the range of the mount 11 by a user's hand put on the body 30 and function pushbuttons 41 to 50 for inputting required commands at the time of depressing them are arranged on a part to be easily operated by the fingers of a user's hand operating the body 30 out of the whole surface of the body 30.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device that is operated interactively with a computer to input signals to the computer, and particularly to a device that moves a pointer or cursor or the like on a computer display to a desired position on the display. The present invention relates to an input device for inputting signals to a computer to control functions of the computer.

Conventionally, computers have generally been configured to use a keyboard as a data input device.

[0003] However, keyboard operations for data input are troublesome and have poor operability.

[0004] Therefore, in recent years, OSs and application software have been widely used. This application software is configured so that data can be input using a mouse or the like without using a keyboard, and is designed to improve operability.

[0005] Furthermore, in recent years, there has been a demand for smaller computers, and along with this, input devices adapted to application software have also been required to be smaller. Furthermore, it is desired that the operability is even better.

[0006]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 13 shows an input device for a computer using application software. The input device of the computer is a trackball 3 or a mouse 4 that is operated when moving a pointer 2 on a CRT display 1.
and a function box 6 provided with a plurality of function keys 5 to be operated when inputting function commands.

[0007]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, since the device operated to move the pointer and the device operated to input function commands are separate, the input device requires a large installation space. This makes it difficult to downsize the device.

[0008] Furthermore, the operator needs both hands for operation;
In this respect, the operability was not good.

An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that achieves both miniaturization and improved operability.

0010

Means for Solving the Problems The invention according to claim 1 provides an apparatus for inputting signals to a computer by being operated interactively with the computer, which comprises a pedestal and a substantially hemispherical shape; A movable body supported movably in any direction on the pedestal and operated by an operator in a desired direction on the pedestal by placing the palm of the hand on the pedestal and gripping it with the fingertips; a movement signal generating device disposed on a side portion of the moving object, which detects the amount of movement of the moving object and generates a movement signal for moving a displayed object on the display; a function push button disposed at a region to be pressed and operated by a finger grasping the body; and a function push button disposed at a region on the pedestal and below the movable body;
The configuration includes a command signal generating section that generates a desired command signal when the function push button is pressed.

[0011] In the invention of claim 2, the function push button of claim 1 is pressed against a portion of the surface of the movable body that is brought into contact with a fingertip when an operator grips the movable body. The structure is such that they are disposed at a location biased toward the periphery and at a location biased toward the top of the moving body.

[0012] The invention according to claim 3 provides the movable body according to claim 1,
A concave portion is provided at a portion where the operator's fingertips come into contact when gripping the movable body.

[0013] The invention according to claim 4 provides the mobile body according to claim 1,
The movable body is configured to have a groove in a portion where the fingertips come into contact with the operator when gripping the movable body.

In the input device of claim 1, the movable body and the pedestal have a hemispherical convex portion on one side and a hemispherical convex portion on the other side of the movable body and the pedestal. The structure further includes a hemispherical recess into which the hemispherical protrusion fits.

[0015] The invention according to claim 6 provides the pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the pedestal according to claim 1 is arranged in front of the pedestal body that supports the movable body and the movable body supported on the pedestal body, and a numeric keypad is arranged. It has a structure consisting of a keyboard section.

[0016]

[Operation] In the invention as claimed in claim 1, the structure in which the function push button is provided on the surface of the movable body acts so that the function push button can be pressed and operated by the finger of the hand performing the operation to move the movable body. .

[0017] The configuration in which the movable body is movable on the pedestal is as follows:
The pedestal generates a movement signal without moving.

In the invention of claim 2, the configuration in which the function push buttons are arranged on the peripheral side and the top side with respect to the area where the finger tips come into contact works so that two push buttons can be operated with one finger. do.

In the third aspect of the invention, the concave portion acts to allow the operator to tactually perceive the position of the finger.

[0020] In the invention of claim 4, the groove acts as a non-slip.

[0021] In the invention of claim 5, the hemispherical convex portion and concave portion restrict unnecessary movement of the movable body or give a click feeling to the operator.

[0022] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the keyboard portion integrated with the pedestal portion functions to enable fingers of a hand holding the movable body to operate the numeric keypad.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 7 show an input device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Roughly speaking, this input device 10 includes a trackball 3 and a function box 6 in FIG.
This is a configuration that integrates the following.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a pedestal, which is approximately disk-shaped and has rubber feet 12 provided on its lower surface.

[0026] On the upper surface of the pedestal 11, a column 14 having a hemispherical recess 13 on the upper surface is formed in the center, and rotor bearing pedestals 15, 16, 17 are formed around this column. There is.

A rotor assembly 18 is mounted on the rotor bearing stand 15.
However, a rotor assembly 19 is fitted and placed on the rotor bearing pedestal 16, and an auxiliary rotor 20 is fitted and placed on the rotor bearing pedestal 17. The rotor assemblies 18 and 19 include rotors 18a and 1, respectively.
9a and detected rotors 18b and 19b.

The rotor assembly 18 is disposed perpendicular to the X-axis, and the rotor assembly 19 is disposed perpendicular to the Y-axis.

The rotor to be detected 18b faces the detector 21, and the rotor to be detected 19b faces the detector 22.

The detectors 21 and 22 are connected to the rotor 18 to be detected, respectively.
The amount of rotation of b and 19b is detected.

The rotor to be detected 18b and the detector 21 are
Configuring the directional movement amount detection device 23, the detection target rotor 19b
and the detector 22 constitute a Y-direction movement amount detection device 24. 25 is a circuit board assembly, which is screwed onto the pedestal 11.

The movement amount detection devices 23 and 24 and the circuit board assembly 25 constitute a movement signal generating device 26 that generates a movement signal.

Here, the movement signal changes the movement speed in proportion to the amount of movement, as shown by line I in FIG.

A portion 27 of the circuit board assembly 25 constitutes a command signal generating section that generates a command signal corresponding to a push button operated when a function push button is pressed, which will be described later.

28 is a cable, and the circuit board assembly 2
The connector 29 is connected to the connector 29 on the top of the main body of the computer (not shown), and is pulled out to the outside.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a hemispherical moving body, and as shown in FIG. is supported by the column part 14, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
A portion of the lower surface 31 that is divided into three equal parts in the circumferential direction is supported at three points by the auxiliary rotor 20 and the rotors 18a and 19b, and is pulled toward the pedestal 11 on all sides by the return coil spring 33, and then the pedestal is mounted. 11.

[0037] This moving body 30 is movable in any direction on the XY plane.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this movable body 30 has ten function push buttons 41 to 50 arranged in two rows over a semi-circumference at the front.

The top of the movable body 30 is a palm resting portion 53 on which the operator rests his/her palm.

[0040] The band-shaped portion indicated by the reference numeral 54 is a fingertip contact band-shaped portion on which the operator's fingertips come into contact when the operator places the palm of his right hand on the above-mentioned portion 53 and attempts to grip the movable body 30.

The fingertip contact band-shaped portion 54 has a concave portion 55 at the site where the fingertip of the thumb comes into contact, a concave portion 56 at the site where the fingertip of the index finger comes into contact, a concave portion 57 at the site where the fingertip of the middle finger comes into contact, and a concave portion 57 at the site where the fingertip of the ring finger comes into contact. A recess 58 is formed at the contact area, and a recess 59 is formed at the area where the fingertip of the little finger comes into contact.

[0042] Also, in this fingertip abutment band-shaped portion 54, anti-slip grooves 60 are formed including in each of the recesses 55-59.

Among the ten push buttons 41 to 50, push button 41
45 constitute a first push button group 61, and push buttons 46 to 50 constitute a second push button group 62.

Push buttons 41 to 4 forming the first push button group 61
Reference numeral 5 denotes a portion corresponding to the recesses 55 to 59, respectively, and is disposed closer to the peripheral edge 63 of the movable body 30 than the recesses 55 to 59.

Push buttons 46 to 5 forming the second push button group 62
0 is a portion corresponding to the recesses 55 to 59, respectively, and is disposed closer to the palm resting portion 53 of the movable body 30 than the recesses 55 to 59.

[0046] Accordingly, when looking at the recesses 55 to 59 as a reference, for the recess 55, the push button 41 is arranged on the peripheral edge 63 side of the movable body 30, and the push button 46 is arranged on the top 53 side.

Similarly, if the recess 56 is used as a reference, the peripheral edge 6
A push button 42 is arranged on the 3 side, and a push button 47 is arranged on the top 53 side.

The other recesses 57, 58, 59 also have push buttons 45, 44, 46 on the periphery side and push buttons 48, 49 on the top side.
, 50 are arranged.

In other words, the push button 41 is located at the part that is pressed by the thumb when the thumb in contact with the recess 55 is extended.
The push button 46 is located at a location that is pressed by a bent thumb.

The push buttons 42, 43, 44, and 45 are located at the positions to be pressed by the extended index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, respectively, and the push buttons 47, 48, 49, and 50 are located at the positions to be pressed by the extended index finger, middle finger, and little finger, respectively. It is located in the area that is pressed by the ring finger and little finger.

Further, the functions of each of the push buttons 41 to 50 are as follows.

Push button 41 - Copying push button Push button 42 - File push button Push button 43 - Indicated position determination push button 44 - Indicated position selection push button 45 - Enlargement push button Push button 46 - Display object movement push button 47 - Display object Rotation push button Push button 48 - Three-dimensional push button Push button 49 - Window push button Push button 50 - Reduction push button Next, the operation of the input device 10 having the above configuration will be described.

The input device 10 is operated interactively with a computer.

As shown in FIG. 7, the worker places the palm 71 of the right palm 70 on the top 53 of the moving body 30, and places the thumb 72, index finger 73, middle finger 74, ring finger 75, and little finger 76 on the respective platforms. The movable body 30 is gripped by touching the recesses 55 to 59, which are the positions.

Computer CRT display (Figure 1
3), move your wrist to move the moving body 30 to the base 11 in the direction you want to move the pointer 2 (see Fig. 13).
move it above.

The moving body 30 includes rotors 18a, 19a, 2
It is moved while being supported by 0 and rotating these.

The detected rotor 18b is integrated with the rotor 18a.
rotates, and the amount of movement of the moving body 30 in the X direction is detected by the amount of movement detection device 23 in the X direction.

Further, the detected rotor 19b rotates together with the rotor 19a, and the amount of movement of the movable body 30 in the Y direction is detected by the Y direction movement amount detection device 24.

In response to the detection by each of the devices 23 and 24, the device 26 outputs a movement signal including the direction and speed of movement of the pointer, which is input to the computer to indicate that the pointer is in CR.
Move in the desired direction on the T-display.

When the pointer has moved close to the desired position on the CRT display, the movable body 30 is returned to its original position.

[0061] As a result, the moving speed of the pointer becomes low and finally stops, and the movement of the pointer to the desired position is completed.

Here, the moving body 30 is smoothly returned to its original position by using the spring force of the spring 33.

Further, the return to the original position can be recognized by the operator sensing a small impact when the convex portion 32 clicks into the concave portion 13, as shown in FIG. Further, the convex portion 32 and the concave portion 13 have a function of holding the movable body 30 at the initial position so that it does not easily move from the initial position.

When the movement of the pointer to the desired position is completed, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the user extends the index finger 73, touches the push button 42, and presses it.

[0065] This sends a file command to the computer and opens the file on the CRT display.

Next, the user operates the mobile unit 30 again to move the pointer on the CRT display on which the file is being displayed, and presses another push button.

By repeating this operation, desired data is created.

[0068] As can be seen from the above, all the data creation work can be done using only the right hand, and furthermore, only the operation from the wrist is sufficient, and the operability is better than in the past, which required both hands.

Furthermore, since the input device 10 itself is small enough to fit approximately in the palm of the hand and does not need to be moved, the plane space that the input device 10 substantially occupies during operation is narrow.

[0070] Therefore, inputting data into a computer can be performed, for example, on one's lap.

FIG. 8 shows an input device 80 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

This input device 80 has a structure in which a moving body 81 has a substantially half-shaped ellipsoid of revolution.

FIG. 9 shows an input device 90 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The movable body 91 has a substantially hemispherical shape, and a spherical portion 93 at the lower end of a central hanging leg portion 92 is supported by a bearing portion 94 on the base 11A.

The moving body 91 has a plurality of push buttons (not shown).
are arranged in the same manner as above.

The movable body 91 is operated by the palm of the hand to rotate around the spherical portion 93, and is moved while rotating the rotor 95, and the amount of movement of the movable body 91 at this time is
5 and a detector 97 and a detection rotor 96 that rotates together with the rotor 5 .

FIG. 10 shows an input device 100 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The substantially hemispherical movable body 101 has a central hanging leg 102 supported by a conical coil spring 103, and is movable in the direction of the arrow.

[0079] Everything other than the above is the same as that of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows an input device 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
10 is shown.

111 is an infrared signal transmission window, and 111 is an infrared signal transmission window.
1, and sends movement signals and various commands corresponding to the operation of the moving object 30 to a receiving section provided in the computer.

The input device 110 includes an infrared signal transmission window 11
1, the cable 28 described above is unnecessary.

FIG. 12 shows an input device 1 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
20 is shown.

The moving body has the same structure as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

Reference numeral 121 denotes a pedestal, which includes a pedestal main body 121a on which the movable body 30 is placed, and a plurality of numeric keys 122 arranged in front of the pedestal, which is formed at approximately the same height as the movable body 30, and is used for inputting numbers. This configuration consists of a keyboard section 121b.

The operator can operate the numeric keypad 122 by extending his fingers while resting his palm on the movable body 30.

[0087]

As explained above, according to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to move the displayed object on the display and control the computer with only one hand.
It is possible to improve operability.

Furthermore, the configuration in which the function push button is provided on the movable body allows the main body of the input device to be made smaller compared to the configuration in which the function push button is provided in a unit separate from the movable body.

[0089] Furthermore, since the pedestal does not move and the moving object moves on the pedestal, no more space than the pedestal is required even during input operations, that is, the space for input operations can be virtually unnecessary. For example, it can be operated even on one's lap, and operability can be improved in this respect as well.

According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to operate two push buttons with one finger, and therefore, a correspondingly large number of push buttons can be provided, and a correspondingly large variety of commands can be input. It is possible to expand the functionality.

According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to intuitively inform the operator of the home position of the fingertip, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations such as pressing a push button by mistake, and it is possible to improve usability.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the fingertip from slipping, and it is possible to improve the operability of moving the moving body.

[0093] According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to prevent malfunctions in which the movable body moves unnecessarily from its initial position, and to notify the operator that the movable body has returned to its initial position by a click feeling. This makes it possible to improve operability.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the keyboard section is integrated with the pedestal section, it is possible to achieve miniaturization and improve operability compared to the case where the keyboard unit is provided separately. I can do it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the input device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the input device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a central portion of the input device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a movement signal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operating state of the input device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an input device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an input device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 Input device 11 Pedestal 13 Recessed portion 14 Pillar portions 15, 16, 17 Rotor bearing pedestals 18, 19 Rotor assembly 18a, 19a Rotor 18b, 19b Detected rotor 20 Auxiliary rotor 21, 22 Detector 23 X-direction movement amount detection device 24 Y-direction movement amount detection device 25 Circuit board assembly 26 Movement signal generation device 27 Command signal generation section 28 Cable 30 Hemispherical moving body 31 Flat lower surface 32 Hemispherical convex portion 33 Return Coil springs 41 to 50 Function push button 53 Palm resting part (top) 54 Fingertip contact strip part 55 to 59 Recess 60 Anti-slip groove 61 First push button group 62 Second push button group 63 Periphery 70 Right hand 71 Palm 72 Thumb 73 Index finger 74 Middle finger 75 Ring finger 76 Little finger 81 Moving body 91 Moving body 92 Leg part 93 Ball part 94 Bearing part 95 Rotor 96 Detected rotor 97 Detector 101 Moving body 102 Hanging leg part 103 Coil spring 110 Input device 111 Infrared transmission window 121 Pedestal 121a Pedestal body part 121b Keyboard part 122 Numeric keypad

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim 1: A device that is operated interactively with a computer to input signals to the computer, comprising: a pedestal (1);
1), the pedestal (11) has a substantially hemispherical shape;
a movable body (30, 81) which is supported movably in any direction on the pedestal (30, 81) and is operated on the pedestal (11) in a desired direction by an operator placing his/her palm on the pedestal (11) and grasping it with his or her fingertips; (1
1) It is disposed above and below the moving body (30), detects the amount of movement of the moving body (30), and displays the displayed object (2) on the display (1). a movement signal generating device (26) that generates a movement signal for moving the moving body (
Function push buttons (41 to 50) arranged on the surface of the movable body (30) at a portion pressed and operated by a finger gripping the movable body; An input device comprising: a command signal generating section (27) disposed at a lower portion of the input device, which generates a desired command signal when the function push button is pressed. [Claim 2] The function push button (41
~50) refers to a portion of the surface of the movable body that is biased toward the periphery of the movable body with respect to a portion (54) with which the fingertips of the operator come into contact when grasping the movable body; An input device characterized in that the input device is disposed at a portion biased to the top of the input device. 3. The movable body according to claim 1 is characterized in that the movable body has a concave portion (55 to 59) in a portion (54) that a fingertip of an operator comes into contact with when gripping the movable body. input device. 4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable body is configured to have a groove (60) in a portion (54) that a fingertip contacts when an operator grips the movable body. . 5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable body and the pedestal are provided with a hemispherical convex portion (32) on one side and a hemispherical convex portion (32) on the other side of the movable body and the pedestal. An input device further comprising a hemispherical concave portion (3) into which the hemispherical convex portion (32) fits. 6. The pedestal (121) of claim 1 includes a pedestal main body (121a) that supports the movable body (30), and a pedestal main body (121a) that supports the movable body (30).
An input device characterized in that it is configured to include a keyboard section (121b) arranged in front of the computer and equipped with a numeric keypad (122).