JPH04358219A - Position indicator with direction changing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a mouse which can used for a conventional machine type mouse as well as a track ball in a position indicator on a computer or a working station. CONSTITUTION:The rotation amount and direction of a ball 1 in a mouse device are converted to horizontally/vertically expressed movement information, and the numerical codes of this movement information are converted by a code conversion switch 5. Thus, the movement information can be transmitted to the working station while inverting right and left or up and down sides.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position pointing device for computer terminals and workstations.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, mechanical mice and trackballs are known as devices of this type.

A mechanical mouse has a spherical body (hereinafter referred to as a ball) inside its main body. This ball rotates by moving the mouse body by hand. The amount and direction of movement of the ball are then converted into horizontal and vertical movement information, which is transmitted to a computer or workstation to specify the position on the screen. Mechanical mice have good operability, but have the problem of requiring space to move the mouse.

The trackball is mounted on the same board as the keyboard so that the ball is exposed at the top. Rotate this ball with your finger, convert the direction and amount of rotation of this ball into horizontal and vertical movement information that indicates the position on the screen of the calculator or workstation, and transmit it to the calculator or workstation, and display it on the screen. Specify the top position. Trackballs do not require space because they can be used fixedly, but they have the problem of poor operability.

[0005]

The conventional mechanical mouse described above has excellent operability, but has the disadvantage that it requires space to move the mouse. On the other hand, the trackball is fixed on the same board as the keyboard, so
Although it does not require much space, it has the disadvantage of poor operability.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In addition to the functions of a conventional mechanical mouse, the position pointing device with a direction conversion function of the present invention is capable of displaying numerical values in the horizontal or vertical direction of information converted in the horizontal or vertical direction. It is characterized by having a function of converting the sign inversely.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a back view showing an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides a ball 1, a movement amount detection device 2 that detects the rotation amount and rotation direction of the ball 1, and position information that converts information detected by the movement amount detection device 2 into movement information expressed in horizontal and vertical directions. a determination device 3; a code conversion device 4 that reversely converts the sign of a horizontal or vertical numerical value of movement information;
, a code conversion switch 5 that operates a code conversion device 4. There are two methods for specifying a position using the position pointing device of the present invention. First, like a conventional mechanical mouse, the main body is moved to convert the direction and amount of rotation of the ball into information on the amount of movement in the horizontal and vertical directions. This information is communicated to the workstation and specifies the position on the screen.

Second, as shown in FIG. 1, the back of the main body is turned upward and the ball is used without touching the ground. In this case, when you move the ball with your finger, the amount and direction of movement are converted into horizontal and vertical movement information, but since the main body is upside down or left and right, it is impossible to transmit this information to the workstation as is. The movement information displayed is upside down or upside down. Therefore, the code conversion switch 5 is used to activate the code conversion device 4 to convert this movement information in the vertical or horizontal direction, and this information is transmitted to the workstation to specify the position on the screen.

[0009]

As explained above, according to the present invention, a conventional mechanical mouse can be used in two ways, and can be used as a mechanical mouse or a trackball depending on the usage situation. Therefore, you can freely select and prioritize space and operability depending on the situation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a back view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Ball 2 Movement amount detection device 3 Location information determination device 4 Code conversion device 5 Code conversion switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A device for specifying a position on the screen of a computer terminal or workstation, comprising a sphere within the device,
By moving the main body of the device, the sphere rotates, and the function converts the amount and direction of rotation of the sphere into numerical values representing movement information in the horizontal and vertical directions. A direction conversion device having a function of inverting the sign of movement information converted into numerical values representing vertical and horizontal directions, and a switch for determining whether to convert or not. Functional position pointing device.