JPH05241690A - Data input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a data input device reducing the power consumption to be used for lap top type computers driven by batteries in the data input devices such as mouse. CONSTITUTION:A power supply section 40 applying power to a data input section 20 of a mouse 10 consists of a power supply stop system 41 stopping the power supply when there is no change in the input data from the data input section 20 for the constant time, a power supply restarting system 42 releasing the stop state according to the re-input of the input data, and a forced release system 43 forcibly applying power at a power supply. The low power consumption can be attained by reducing the power consumption in the case of no data input.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data input device used for driving a cursor displayed on a screen such as a CRT or for inputting coordinate data such as graphic information, and more particularly to a mouse. The present invention relates to a power supply unit incorporated in a data input device such as.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a data input device for freely moving a cursor displayed on a CRT or a liquid crystal display and for reading coordinate data from a drawing or the like, some devices such as a mouse, a joystick and a trackball are used. There is. As a mouse, the amount of rotation of the sphere,
Mechanical type that detects the moving direction and distance from the direction,
Further, an optical type is known in which a moving direction and a distance are detected by sensing a transparent or opaque line pattern prepared on a mouse pad. Since it is possible to easily handle the information on the display with such a data input device, it can be adopted as a data input device for laptop computers, workstations, etc., which have been increasing in popularity in recent years. Many.

[0003]

Many of these laptop computers and the like are small and lightweight and can be used anytime, anywhere. Therefore, a battery is used as a power source, and as a result, the power consumption of the CPU, the storage device, etc. is being reduced in order to secure the operating time. Conventionally, power consumption in a data input device such as a mouse has been extremely small, and thus has not been particularly considered. However, when used in such a computer, reduction of power consumption is an important issue even in a mouse and the like. In particular, a light emitting body such as an LED inside the mouse continuously consumes a constant current. That is, microscopically, it does not matter whether the CPU in the mouse is trying to read an input signal indicating the moving amount or moving direction of the mouse, and macroscopically whether or not the mouse is being used. Regardless, the LED always lights up and continuously consumes a constant current.

It is of course possible to save power consumption by providing a power switch or the like for such current consumption and shutting off the power supply using the switch when there is no need to input data. is there. However,
In one of these data input devices, which is one of the features that they are easy to handle, requiring the operator to turn on / off an extra switch hinders the function of the data input device.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a mouse, etc.
It is an object of the present invention to realize a data input device capable of reducing power consumption without hindering the function of inputting data.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, the data input device itself automatically shuts off the power supply when it is unnecessary from the data input situation, while the data input device When the equipment is in operation, the power supply is automatically restarted. That is, in the data input device according to the present invention which has at least the position information inputtable data input section and the power supply section which supplies power to at least this data input section, the power supply section is It is characterized by comprising a power supply stopping means for stopping at least the power supply to the data input section based on the input status, and a power supply restarting means for canceling the stopped status based on the operating status of the data input device. There is. Further, in addition to the power supply stopping means and the power supply restarting means, it is desirable that the power supply section includes a forced releasing means for forcibly releasing the stopped state when the power is turned on. In this power supply stopping means, the data input section may determine that the data input is not possible because the mouse is placed on a place other than the mouse pad, and stop the power supply. is there. Further, it is also effective to employ, as the power supply stopping means, a delay-type stopping means for stopping the power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the input status from the data input section was unchanged.

The power supply resuming means stores a stop state storage circuit for storing that the power supply is in a stop state, and a release for releasing the stop state only when the power supply supply is in the stop state based on the stop state storage circuit. It is effective to include a release signal transmitting circuit that emits a signal. Further, as such power supply restarting means, an input start type restarting means for judging the operating status of the data input device based on the input status from the data input part, or data input by touching the body of the data input device with a human body It is desirable to use human-sensing restart means for determining the operating status of the device. The human body sensing type restart means includes an electrode sensing circuit that senses a human body when an electrode attached to the main body is grounded, and a conductive member forming the main body is grounded. Therefore, it is possible to employ a device having a body sensing circuit for sensing a human body.

Further, in the data input device capable of outputting the data input to the transfer unit to the external device, when the data input unit capable of inputting the position information to the transfer unit based on the light emitting means, the transfer unit is provided with the position information. It is effective to include a light emission control unit capable of emitting light from the light emitting means during the input permission period for permitting the input of. Further, it is desirable to include an input sensing control unit capable of controlling the input permission period based on an input situation from the data input unit, and a human body sensing control unit capable of controlling the human body in contact with the main body of the data input device. ..

As such a data input device, a mouse using at least one of mechanical data input means and optical data input means as the data input means can be mentioned.

[0010]

In a data input device such as a mouse, most of the power consumption is due to the power consumption of the data input section having a function of detecting position information using a light source and converting it into information to be input to a computer. Has been. Therefore, unnecessary power consumption is automatically saved by stopping the power supply to the data input unit by using the power supply stop means when it is not needed such as when data is not input. When the data input device is in operation, the power supply to the data input unit is automatically restarted by using the power supply restarting means, so that the power consumption can be reduced without bothering the operator. Can be reduced. Further, by providing the forced release means, regardless of whether or not the power supply is stopped by the power supply stop means,
When the power is turned on, the data input device is set to the operating state.

When the delay type stop means is used as the power supply stop means, the data input device itself determines that the data input state is not established, and the power supply is stopped. Therefore, the operator does not need to recognize the shift to the power saving state, and the power consumption can be automatically and surely reduced.

Further, by using the stop state storage circuit as the power supply resuming means, the release signal for releasing the stop state is issued from the release signal transmitting circuit only when the power supply stopping means is in the stop state. Therefore, by using such a power supply starting means, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as the reset of the data input section due to the release signal issued during the data input in the data input section. Further, by using the input activation type resuming means as the power supply resuming means, the power is supplied to the data input section at the same time when the operator restarts the data input, and the data is input in the data input section without delay. Further, by using the human body sensing type resuming means, power is supplied to the data input unit prior to data input. For this reason, since the warm-up of the data input section has been completed at the time of data input, the data input is
It is executed more quickly and with less malfunction.

Further, in the data input device having the data input section capable of inputting the position information to the transfer section based on the light emitting means, the time during which the light emitting means is turned on can be shortened in order to reduce the power consumption. is necessary. Therefore, by controlling the light emitting means by using the light emitting control portion, the light emitting means can be turned on only when the light emitting means which the transfer unit permits the input should be turned on. Can be suppressed. In addition, the input sensing control unit allows the input time depending on the input situation such as no change in the position information input from the data input unit and no operation of the data input unit, and the input permission period such as the permitted timing. Can be controlled to further shorten the lighting time of the light emitting means. It is also possible to shorten the lighting time of the light emitting means by determining whether the human body is in contact with the data input device by the human body detection control unit and controlling the input permission period based on this determination. ..

[0014]

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

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 shows an outline of a mouse according to Embodiment 1. The device of this example is an optical mouse 10 that detects a position by using an optical system, and the details of the mouse including the optical system are described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-39 filed by the present applicant.
128. The mouse 10 of this example is
The line patterns 2X and 2Y indicating the positions are set and used on the mouse pad 1 prepared on the front surface and the back surface, respectively. The mouse 10 has a built-in optical system 22 for detecting these line patterns 2X and 2Y. Further, in the case 11 forming the main body of the mouse 10, three push buttons 12a to 12a are provided on the upper front side where the connection cable 13 to the computer is installed.
12c is installed. And this button 12a ~
Data to be input to the computer can be selected by clicking 12c according to the input status.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of the mouse of this example. The mouse 10 includes a data input unit 20 having a function of detecting position information and outputting it as data, a data output unit 30 that outputs the data input by the data input unit 20 to a computer, and a data input unit 20.
It is composed of a power supply unit 40 for supplying power to the power supply circuit and a power-on circuit 35. The data input unit 20 is LE
D, an optical system 22 for controlling photosensors and information analysis, and three switches 12 for selecting data
The switching system 23 includes a to 12c, and an input control system 21 that controls the optical unit 22 and the switching unit 23. This data input section 20
Power is supplied to the power source terminal 20p of the power source through the power switch circuit 45 of the power source supply unit 40 described later. Further, the position data input in the data input unit 20 is input from the data output terminals 20a to 20d to the position data input terminals Xa, Xb, Ya, Yb of the CPU 31 configuring the data output unit 30 and the power supply unit 40, respectively. Has been done. The switching operation of the switching system 23 is also input from the output terminals 20e to 20g of the data input unit 20 to the input terminals SW1 to SW3 of the CPU 31. Further, the switching system 23 includes a switch 12
A switch AR1 with contact amplification is prepared so that it is turned on when any of a to 12c is pushed,
The switch AR1 is connected to the waveform shaping circuit 52 of the power supply unit 40 via the terminal 20h. In general, the portion that consumes the most power inside the mouse is the data input unit 20, which consumes a current of 5 to 50 mA during normal operation.

The power supply unit 40 that supplies power to the data input unit 20 determines the input status of the data input unit 20 based on the input data from the data input unit 20, and stops the power supply to the data input unit 20. A power supply stop system 41 for setting the state, and a power supply restart system 42 for canceling the stopped state,
Further, it is configured by a forcible canceling system 43 for forcibly supplying power to the mouse when the power is turned on. And
Among these, the control of the power supply stop system 41 and the power supply restart system 42 and the operation of the data output unit 30 are common CP.
It is designed to be executed by U31.

The power supply stop system 41 includes a data input section 20.
A power supply switch circuit 45 capable of turning on / off the power supply to the data input circuit 20 and an input data determination circuit 46 for determining input data from the data input section 20. In the mouse 10, the input data determination circuit 46 is a CPU
It is realized by 31. In the CPU 31, the input terminals Xa, Xb, Ya, Yb, SW1, SW
2. Any of the information input to SW3
If the time has not changed from the time of the last change to a certain time later, it is determined that the data input state is not entered. After performing the processing described later, the CPU 31 enters the sleep mode, and the high-level stop signal S7 is output to the control terminal Pc.
Is output from. The power supply switch circuit 45 controlled by the stop signal S7 is a switch circuit using a power transistor 49. In the power switch circuit 45, the stop signal S7 is inverted by the inverter 47 and applied to the base 48b of the npn transistor 48, and the collector 48c of the transistor 48 is applied to the base 49b of the transistor 49. Therefore, when the stop signal S7 is at a high level, the power switch circuit 45 is turned off, so that the power switch circuit 45 is turned off.
The power supply to the data input unit 20 that is supplied via the power supply is stopped. If the LED drive capability of Pc is sufficient, it is also possible to connect Pc and 20P without using the power switch circuit 45 described above.

Power supply restart system 4 for releasing the above-mentioned stopped state
Reference numeral 2 denotes a storage circuit 50 that stores that the power supply to the data input unit 20 is in a stopped state, and a release signal that outputs a release signal S4 for releasing the stopped state when the mouse 10 is in the input state again. The signal output circuit 51 further includes an AND circuit 65 that outputs a reset (bar) signal S6 to the RESET (bar) terminal of the CPU 31 from the forced release signal S5 from the forced release unit 43 described later and the release signal S4. ..

A CMOS high-speed D-type flip-flop element (74HC74) 54 with preset and clear is employed in the memory circuit 50 of the mouse 10. The data terminal 54D and the clock terminal 54CK of the element 54 are connected to the signal output terminal Pa of the CPU 31.
And Pb, respectively. The signal output terminal Pa is held at the low level by the CPU 31 immediately before the signal output terminal Pc described above becomes the high level, that is, in the processing stage for entering the sleep mode. Further, the signal output terminal Pb is set to the high level immediately before entering the sleep mode with Pa held at the low level. Therefore, the signal output terminal Pc of the CPU 31
Is at a high level, that is, when the power supply to the data input section 20 is stopped, the output terminal 54 of this element 54
Q is set low. Therefore, this output terminal 54
The signal of Q can be used as the stop state determination signal S3.

The signal output terminals Pa, P of the CPU 31
b, Pc, and all terminals such as input terminals Xa and Xb are set to a high level in the sleep mode.

Further, the release signal output circuit 51 of this example has a restart signal S2 indicating that the mouse is in the operating state again.
Waveform shaping circuit 52 for outputting
And an OR circuit 53 that outputs a release signal S4 from the stopped state determination signal S3 from the storage circuit 50 only in the stopped state. The waveform shaping circuit 52 has a high-speed CM.
A monostable multivibrator element (HC123A) 55 having an OS circuit is adopted. Therefore, when the operation signal S1 which becomes a low level when the mouse is operated is input to the input terminal 55A of this element, the inverted output terminal 55
A low level pulse having a standardized pulse width T0 is output as a restart signal S3 from Q (bar) by the external resistor C1 and the external capacitor R1. Therefore, even if the pulse width of the input operation signal S1 is irregular, the pulse width of the corresponding restart signal S3 is kept constant. In the mouse of this example, the input terminal 55A of the waveform shaping circuit 52 is prepared so as to be turned on when any of the switches 12a to 12c is pushed to the switching system 23 of the data input unit 20 described above. Switch A
It is connected to R1. Therefore, when any of the switches 12a to 12c is pushed from the waveform shaping circuit 52, the low level restart signal S3 is generated with the pulse width T0.
Then, in the OR circuit 53, it is compared with the stop state determination signal S4 which is low level only from the storage circuit 50 in the stop state. Therefore, the OR circuit 53 outputs the release signal S4 having a low pulse width T0 when any of the switches 12a to 12c is pushed only during the stop state.

The forced release signal S5, which is compared with the released signal S4 in the AND circuit 65, is a forced release system for forcibly starting the power supply regardless of the state of the memory circuit 50 when the power of the mouse is turned on. It is output from 43. The forced release system 43 of this example includes a CR integrator circuit including a resistor 62 and a capacitor 63, and Schmitt type inverters 61a and 61b.
It is realized by the delay circuit 60 configured by.
That is, first, when the power supplied from the external computer to the power terminal 10p of the mouse 10 via the connection cable 13 is turned on by the power-on circuit 35, the input of the waveform shaping circuit 52 connected to this power source. Terminal 55
A is maintained at a high level. Therefore, the inverted output terminal 5
From 5Q (bar), a high level restart signal S2 is output at the same time when the power is turned on. This signal S2 causes the OR circuit 53 to output the high-level release signal S4 regardless of the state of the signal S3. On the other hand, this release signal S
4 and the AND circuit 65, the forced release signal S5, which is compared with the release signal S4, becomes high level after being delayed by the delay circuit 60 from the release signal S4. Therefore, this AND
From the circuit 65, at the same time when the power is turned on, a low level reset (bar) signal S6 is sent to the RESET (bar) of the CPU 31.
Applied to the terminals. Therefore, the CPU 31 is always reset at the same time when the power is turned on, and the low-level stop signal S7 is output from the signal output terminal Pc. Then, the power switch circuit 45 is turned on, and the power supply to the data input unit 20 is secured.

FIG. 3 shows the operating states of the signals S1 to S7. First, when the power-on circuit 35 is turned on at time t1, power is supplied to each circuit 50, 51, 60 and the CPU 31. Further, since the input terminal 55A of the waveform shaping circuit 52 is also connected to the power supply line, it becomes high level, and the operation signal S1, the restart signal S2, and the stop state determination signal S3 become high level. Therefore, the release signal S4 also goes high. However, because the delay circuit 60 causes the forced release signal S5 to be at a low level, the forced release signal S5 is
Reset (bar) until time t2 when 5 becomes high level
The signal S6 is low level. Therefore, the CPU 31 whose reset (bar) signal S6 is input to the RESET (bar) terminal is reset by this low-level reset (bar) signal S6. Therefore, the CPU 31 enters the program operating state, and at time t3, the signal output terminal Pc that was in the high impedance state becomes low level. As a result, the power supply to the data input unit 20 is started based on the stop signal S7 which has become low level.

When power is supplied to the data input section 20 and any of the switches 12a to 12c of the data input section 20 is pushed for data input at time t4, the operation signal S1 is at a low level. Becomes Therefore, the waveform shaping circuit 52 outputs the restart signal S2 having the pulse width T0. However, since the stop state determination signal S3 is held at the high level, the OR circuit 53 does not output the low-level release signal S4. Therefore, the CPU 31 is not reset during data input.

If the output from the switches 12a to 12c or the optical system 22 does not change at the end of time t5 after the end of the data input, the CP is set after the time T1 from the time t5.
U31 judges that the data input is completed. Therefore, at the time t7 after the time T1 from the time t5, the output terminal P
A predetermined signal is output from a and Pb, and the stop state determination signal S3 output from the output terminal 50Q of the memory circuit 50 is set to a low level. After that, at time t8, the output terminal P
The power switch circuit 45 is turned off by setting the stop signal S7 from c to a high level. As a result, the power supply to the data input unit 20 is stopped and the power consumption of the data input unit 20 is eliminated. Furthermore, the CPU 31
Also shifts to the low power consumption sleep mode from time t8.

In order to restart the operation of the mouse 10 which is held in such a state that the power consumption is very low,
At time t9, one of the switches 12a to 12c is pushed. As a result, the switch AN1 is turned on, and the operation signal S1 applied to the input terminal 55A of the waveform shaping circuit 52 becomes low level. Therefore, the restart signal S2 having the pulse width T0 is output from the inverting output terminal 55Q (bar) of the waveform shaping circuit 52. At time t9, since the stop state determination signal S3 is held at the low level,
The OR circuit 53 outputs the low-level release signal S4. Further, by the release signal S4, the AND circuit 65
Also, the reset (bar) signal S6 from is also at low level. As a result, at time t10, the CPU 31 is reset and enters the program operating state again. for that reason,
At time t11, the stop signal S7 becomes low level,
The power supply to the data input unit 20 is restarted.

FIG. 4 shows the C used in the mouse of this example.
The flow of operation of the PU 31 is shown. First, step S
At T1, the presence or absence of the reset signal is determined. When the reset signal is input, the sleep mode is released in step ST2 and power is supplied to the data input unit 20, so that the stop signal S7 is set to the low level. Then, in step ST3, it is determined whether or not there is data input from the data input unit 20.

When data is input, step ST
In 4, the processing such as outputting the data input to the computer via the connection cable 13 is performed. Then, the data input is awaited again. On the other hand, when there is no data input, the time waiting for data input is counted in step ST5. Then, when T1 is increased for a certain period of time, the stop signal S7 is set to a high level to stop the power supply to the data input section 20, and the state is set in the memory circuit 50. Then, the CPU 31 itself also shifts to the sleep mode. Then, it returns to step ST1 and confirms the presence or absence of the reset signal.

As described above, in the mouse of this example,
If the data input does not change for a certain period of time, CP
U determines that the power supply to the data input unit is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to cut off the electric power of 5 to 50 mA consumed in the data input unit while the mouse is left unattended. Further, when there is no data input, the CPU also shifts to a static state in which the power consumption is as low as -10 μA. Therefore, the power consumption of the mouse of this example is 1 / 1000th that of the conventional mouse.
It can be reduced to the extent. In addition, the mouse of this example,
When any of the switches mounted on the mouse is pushed, the power supply to the data input section is automatically restarted. Therefore, the operator who uses the mouse can perform the data input work without any difference from the conventional mouse.

In this mouse, a power-on circuit is prepared in the mouse. However, even if the power of the mouse is turned on at the same time as the computer is started, the CPU is reset by the forced release system, so the same control as above can be executed even for a mouse that does not have a power-on circuit. Is. When the mouse is restarted, instead of resetting the CPU, if you want to continue the program, instead of sleep mode,
Select the standby mode.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment.
The outline of the mouse concerning is shown. The mouse of this example is also the optical mouse 10 using the optical system as in Example 1,
The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The point to be noted in the mouse 10 of this example is the connection cable 13 of the mouse case 11.
That is, the electrode 14 is installed on the rear part on the opposite side of the installed front part. The rear portion of the mouse 10 is a portion that drives the mouse 10 with the hand 15 when the operator uses the mouse. Therefore, before operating the mouse 10, the electrode 14 is grounded via the hand 15. Therefore, the operating state of the mouse can be determined based on the grounded state. The number of the electrodes 14 need not be one, and a plurality of electrodes 14a and 14b may be provided for sensing the human body as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit configuration of the mouse 10 of this example. Like the first embodiment, the mouse of this embodiment is also composed of the data input unit 20, the data output unit 30, the power supply unit 40, and the power-on circuit 35, and the common parts are the same as those of the first embodiment. The reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. In the mouse 10 of this example, the operation signal S1 is output using the human body detection circuit 56. That is, in the mouse of this example, the release signal output circuit 51
However, the waveform shaping circuit 52 and the human body sensing circuit 56 are provided, and the operation signal S1 from the human body sensing circuit 56 is input to the input terminal 55A of the waveform shaping circuit 52. The human body detection circuit 56 of this example is composed of the electrodes 14 attached to the mouse case 11. Therefore, when the electrode 15 is touched by the hand 15 to be grounded, the low-level operation signal S1 is input to the waveform shaping circuit 56. The operation of other circuits and systems is the same as that of the embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the mouse of this example is also a low power consumption type mouse because it can automatically reduce the power when there is no data input. Then, when the mouse is in the operating state, the power supply to the data input section is automatically restarted, so that the ease of data input, which is a characteristic of the mouse, is not impaired. Further, in the mouse of this example, before the switch is pressed, it is detected that the human body has touched the mouse, and the power supply to the data input unit is restarted. Therefore, when the operator touches the switch for the first time, the data input unit is already in the operating state, and the data input can be restarted quickly. Further, also in the position detecting device using an optical system or the like, the power is supplied prior to the data input, so that it is in a stable state at the time of starting the data input, and it is possible to prevent a malfunction that tends to occur at the initial stage of the data input.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 8 shows an outline of a mouse according to a third embodiment. The mouse 10 of this example has a mechanical system 2
It is a mechanical mouse using 5 and has a built-in ball 26.
It is possible to input the position data by detecting the rotation direction and amount of the detector using the detectors 27X and 27Y. Further, the mouse case 16 of this example is made of conductive plastic, and when the mouse case 16 is touched by a human body, the case 16 itself is grounded. Other configurations are described in Example 1.
The mouse is the same as the mouse shown in 2 and 2, and the same reference numerals are given to omit the description.

FIG. 9 shows a circuit configuration of the mouse 10 of this example. Like the second embodiment, the mouse of this example also includes a data input section 20, a data output section 30, a power supply section 40, and a power-on circuit 35. Further, in the data input section 20, a mechanical system 25 is adopted to detect the position information, and the outputs 20x, 20 of the detector are adopted.
y is input to the input terminals X and Y of the CPU 31. Further, the release signal output circuit 51 includes a waveform shaping circuit 52,
The human body sensing circuit 56 is also provided in the same manner, and the operation signal S1 from the human body sensing circuit 56 causes the waveform shaping circuit 52 to output the restart signal S2. The human body detection circuit 56 of this example is a conductive mouse case 16, and when the hand 15 touches the mouse case 16, the low-level operation signal S1 is input to the input terminal 55A of the waveform shaping circuit 52. In other parts, the same as in Example 2,
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

Therefore, also in the mouse of this example, the human body can be sensed before the data input is started and the power supply to the data input section can be restarted, as in the second embodiment. In the mouse of this example, the mouse case itself is made of conductive plastic so that the power supply can be restarted by touching any one of the mouse cases. For this reason, it is possible to reliably restart the power supply to the data input unit regardless of what form the mouse is used.

Although the mouse case is made of conductive plastic in this example, it is needless to say that the mouse case may be made of conductive material such as conductive metal. Further, the entire case may not be made of a conductive material, but the part most likely to come into contact with the human body may be made of a conductive material in a limited manner.
Furthermore, it goes without saying that the operation signal from the human body sensing circuit and the operation signal due to the push of any switch may be compared and the restart signal may be output by any of the signals. Also, by confirming the restart time by both the operation signal from the human body detection circuit and the operation signal due to the switch being pushed, it is possible to avoid a malfunction or a restart caused by accidentally touching the mouse. It is possible.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 10 shows the structure of a mouse according to a fourth embodiment. The mouse 10 of this example is a CP that controls the mouse 10 and controls input / output of position information and the like.
A U31 and a data input section 20 for inputting data such as position information to the CPU 31 are provided.

The data input section 20 is composed of an optical system 22 for detecting positional information and a switch system 23 for selecting the positional information detected by the optical system 22 and for selecting control of the mouse 10. There is. The optical system 22 of this example is
The light emitting unit 70 including the two LEDs 71 and 72, the light receiving unit 75 that detects the light emitted from the LEDs 71 and 72 as position information via the light receiving element, and the comparison unit 77 that shapes the signal from the light receiving unit 75. It is configured. Further, the CPU 31 inputs a signal relating to position information from the comparison unit 77 and outputs the signal to the computer side to which the mouse 10 is connected, and determines the operating status of the mouse 10 from the signal input to the transfer unit 81 and the transfer unit 81. The determination unit 82 has a function of the determination unit 82, and a function of a control unit 83 that controls the LEDs 71 and 72 of the light emitting unit 70 based on the determination result of the determination unit 82. In the mouse 10 of this example, the light from the light emitting unit 70 as shown in FIG. 14 is reflected by the line patterns 2X and 2Y prepared on the mouse pad 1, and this light is received by the light receiving elements 73 and 74 of the light receiving unit 75. Even in the optical mouse that detects
The present invention is also applicable to a mechanical mouse that detects the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation of a ball by the light from the LEDs 71 and 72, as shown in FIG. The description will be given based on the optical mouse disclosed in detail in 39128.

In the mouse 10 of this example, the CPU 31
Pb1 and Pb2 having the function of the control unit 83 of
When becomes low, the LED 71 and the LED 72 are turned on. Each of the LEDs 71 and 72 may have a configuration in which an LED and a resistor are connected in series, or may have a circuit configuration in which a transistor or the like is added when the terminals Pb1 and Pb2 do not have sufficient LED driving capability (current). Then, the lights emitted from the LEDs 71 and 72 are reflected by the line patterns 2X and 2Y, respectively, and are detected by the light receiving unit 75. In the light receiving unit 75, the light reflected by the line pattern 2X is converted into a detection signal having a voltage corresponding to the received light intensity by using a light receiving element, an I / V conversion circuit, an amplification circuit, and the like, and the comparison unit uses lines Xa1 and Xb1. Enter in 77. Therefore, the signals on the lines Xa1 and Xb1 become signals close to the ground potential (GND) when the light receiving element is exposed to light (bright level), and are high potential (Vcc) when not exposed to light.
It becomes a level close to (dark level). A comparator circuit is used for the comparison unit 77, and the lines Xa1 and Xb are used.
The signal of 1 is set to a high level (High) and a low level (Low) according to a predetermined threshold (threshold level).
To the CPU via lines Xa2 and Xb2
Input to the input terminals Pa1 and Pa2 of the transfer unit 81 of 31. The light reflected by the line pattern 2Y is also the lines Ya1, Yb1, Ya2, Yb2.
Via the input terminal Pa3 and Pa4 of the transfer unit 81 of the CPU 31.

In FIG. 11, in the mouse 10 of this example, L
The timing of turning on the EDs 71 and 72 is shown by taking the LED 71 as an example. In the conventional mouse, the LED that constitutes the light emitting unit 70 is constantly turned on when the mouse is connected to the computer and is supplied with power from the computer. The power consumption of the LED accounts for most of the power consumption of the mouse. Therefore, in order to reduce the power consumption of the mouse, it is most important to reduce the power consumption of the LED. From this point of view, in this embodiment, the LEDs 71 and 72 are turned on only when it is really necessary to turn on the LEDs 71 and 72. That is, the position information detected by the light from the LEDs 71 and 72 is input to the transfer unit 81 of the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 sequentially monitors a plurality of programs or a plurality of input data over time. Often shed. Of course, the interval for searching the input data is short, and the input position information does not skip in time. Therefore, the position information is not always permitted to be input to the transfer unit 81, and the LE is always allowed.
Even if D71 and 72 are turned on and position information is supplied to the transfer unit 81, most of the information is not input to the transfer unit 81. Therefore, the LEDs 71 and 72 are turned on only when the LEDs 71 and 72 really need to be turned on, that is, when the transfer unit 81 permits the input.
It is intended to reduce the electric power consumed by the No. 1 and 72. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the LED 71 is turned on before the time t3 when the input to the transfer unit 81 is permitted, and the LED 71 is turned off at the time t4 when the input permission is canceled.

First, at time t1, the terminal Pb1 of the control unit 83.
To a low level to turn on the LED 71. This time t
1 is a time that precedes the time t3 when the input is permitted by the time ΔT, and considers the time until the LED 71 is turned on and the predetermined luminous intensity is reached. This time ΔT is
Depending on the amplification factor of the light receiving section 75, it is about 5 to 50 μsec.
Therefore, at time t2, the luminous intensity of the LED 71 reaches a predetermined intensity, so that the light from the LED 71 for the purpose of detecting the X coordinate is detected by the light receiving unit 75 when reflected by the line pattern 2X. Then, the comparison unit 77 outputs 2
A binarized high level signal is applied to the transfer unit 81. At time t3, the transfer unit 81 permits the input, so that a high-level (High) signal is detected and the terminal 10
Output from d to the computer side. When the input permission time T0 elapses at time t4, the transfer unit 81 cancels the input permission, and at the same time, the terminal Pb1 of the control unit 83 becomes high level and the LED 71 is turned off. Therefore, the emission intensity of the LED 71 is attenuated and becomes equal to or less than the threshold value of the comparison unit 77 at time t5, and the signal from the comparison unit 77 becomes low level.

Next, after the extinguishing time T5 has passed from the time t4, and at the time t11, the LED 71 is turned on again.
As a result, the time t1 at which the transfer unit 81 is permitted to input again
It is possible to turn on the LED 71 in advance of ΔT time by 3. Since the mouse 10 is moving this time, there is no reflection from the line pattern 2X, and the comparison unit 7
The signal on line Xa2 from 7 remains low.
Therefore, even when the input is permitted at time t13, which is ΔT after time t11, the input terminal of the transfer unit 81 remains at the low level. Therefore, the CPU 31 can recognize that the mouse 10 has moved since the input signal at time t3 and the input signal at time t13 are different.

As described above, in the mouse 10 of this example, the transfer unit 81 turns on / off the LED in accordance with the timing when the input is permitted, and the LED consumes the power only when it is really necessary. We are trying to reduce power consumption.
The CPU 31 determines the timing for permitting such input and the time for permitting the input, that is, the input permission period.
Program driven by CPU3 or CPU3
Although 1 varies depending on the number of input / monitored data,
By controlling the lighting timing of the LEDs 71 and 72 from the control unit 83 by the CPU 31, it is possible to reduce the power consumption without impairing the function of the mouse 10.

FIG. 12 shows an LED for detecting the X coordinate.
71 and the timing at which the LED 72 for detecting the Y coordinate is caused to emit light. First, at time t1,
As described above, the LED 71 is turned on and the input is permitted at the time t3. Also, from time t1 to time T2
At time t6 later, the LED 72 is turned on. And X
Similar to the coordinate, input regarding the Y coordinate is permitted at time t7, which is ΔT after time t6. Therefore, at time t7, L
Since the luminosity of the ED 72 is established, the coordinates can be detected without delay. Furthermore, as mentioned above,
The LED 71 is turned on again at the time t11 after the time T5 from the time t4, and the information is input to the transfer unit 81 after the X coordinate at the time t13. In this way, the LEDs 71, 72 are
ON / OFF is repeated with time T1 as a cycle.

In normal operation, time T
3 and T4 are substantially equal to each other, the time T2 is shorter than the time T1, and the time T4 is shorter than the time T5. And to reduce the maximum current consumption,
It is desirable that the midpoint of time T4 and the midpoint of time T5 match. That is, the LED 71 and the LED 72
Are not lit at the same time, and the timing at which current is consumed in other parts of the mouse 10 and the LED 7
It is desirable that the timings at which 1 and 72 are lit do not match.

In order to reduce the average current consumption,
It is necessary to reduce the ratio of time T1 to time T3. That is, it is desirable to increase T1 / T3. This means that the time during which the input is permitted in the transfer unit 81 decreases and the interval during which the input is permitted increases. Therefore, T1 / T3 should be increased to the limit that does not inhibit the function of mouse 10, and
When the mouse 10 is connected to the computer but is not in operation, the power consumption can be further reduced by further increasing T1 / T3. For this reason,
In the mouse 10 of this example, the CPU 31 determines the determination unit 82.
Of the input terminal P in the determination unit 82.
The terminals a1 to a4 and the terminals Pc1 to Pc3 which are input terminals from the switch system 23 are monitored at predetermined intervals. And C
These input terminals Pa1 within the time specified by PU31
~ 4, and Pc1 ~ 3 changes, the operating state of the mouse 10 is determined, T1 / T3 10.
The power consumption can be further reduced by changing the range to 200.

FIG. 13 shows the movement of the judging section 82. First, in step ST11, when the mouse 10 is turned on or the mouse 10 is connected to a computer, the mouse 10 starts operating.
Then, in step ST12, first, the LED 71
And 72 are lit in the low consumption mode. In this low consumption mode, T1 / T3 is set to 10 or more, and the control section 83 turns on / off the LEDs 71 and 72 based on this setting. Then, the determination unit 82 checks the input status of the transfer unit 81.

Next, in step ST13, the determination section 82 checks the variation of the input signal from the data input section 20 as described above, and when it is determined that the mouse is in the operating state, the procedure proceeds to step ST14. If the input signal does not change and it is determined that the mouse is not in operation, step S
Returning to T12, the low consumption mode is continued.

When it is determined in step ST13 that the mouse is in operation, the lighting mode of the LEDs 71 and 72 is switched to the operation mode in step ST14. In this operation mode, T1 / T3 is 2,
That is, the time T3 and the time T5 are set to be substantially equal.
Then, the control unit 83 turns on the LEDs 71 and 72 in this operation mode. In this operation mode, the time during which the position information can be input is set to be substantially the same as the time during which the input is not permitted, so that the position data is input by the mouse 10 via the transfer unit 81 without delay. Can be output to a computer or the like. Also in this operation mode, unlike the conventional mouse, when the input is not permitted, the LEDs 71 and 72 are turned off,
Power consumption is reduced.

Even in this operation mode, the determination unit 82
Checks the input status, and as shown in step ST15, determines whether the input data has changed or whether there is an input from the switch system 23. Then, if the data does not change or there is no input from the switch system 23, a predetermined time (2
(Set to 0 ms) has elapsed, it is determined that the mouse 10 is not in the operating state, the process proceeds to step ST12,
The low consumption mode is set. Data changes within a given time,
Alternatively, if there is an input from the switch system 23, the mouse 1
0 is in the operating state, the process returns to step ST14,
Continue operating mode.

As described above, the mouse of the present embodiment is L level when data cannot be input to the transfer section even in the normal operation.
While ED is turned on intermittently to reduce power consumption, the operating status of the mouse is also monitored, and when it is not in the operating status, the time and timing for inputting data, that is, the data input permission period Is being adjusted to further reduce power consumption. Therefore, the power consumption of the mouse can be significantly reduced by using the mouse according to the present embodiment. In normal mice, mechanical,
It depends on whether it is optical or CPU installed.
It consumes a current of about 0 to 150 mA, of which 8
It ranges from 0 to 90%. Then, by setting T1 / T3 to about 2 in the normal operation as described above, it is possible to reduce the power consumption to 1/2 or less of the conventional power consumption.
Power consumption is halved by adopting low power consumption mode
Since it can be set to 0 or less, it is understood how important the reduction of power consumption in the mouse of this example is.

In this example, the LE shown in FIG. 14 is used.
The light reflected from the line patterns 2X and Y by the light from D71 and 72 is condensed by the lens 76, and the light receiving elements 73 and 7 are received.
The description is based on the optical mouse detecting by 4. However, not only the optical mouse but also the mechanical system shown in FIG. 15, in the detection systems 27X and Y that detect the movement of the ball 26, the LEDs 71 and 72 and the light receiving elements 73 and 74 are used to remove the rubber ring from the ball 26. Needless to say, the same applies to a mouse or the like that detects a change in the disks 29X and Y with an opening slit that are rotated about the rotation shafts 28X and Y with a mark.

In the mouse, the operating status of the mouse is determined based on the data input from the data input section 20, but the operating status of the mouse is detected by sensing the human body as in the second and third embodiments. Of course, it is possible to make a determination.

Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the explanation is based on the mouse, but the data input device such as a joystick can also have a similar configuration to reduce the power consumption.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the data input state of the data input section is judged and the data input is not continuously performed, the power supply to the data input section is performed. I'm trying to stop. For this reason, it is possible to automatically reduce unnecessary power consumption in the data input unit that consumes a large amount of power, and it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the data input device to about 1/1000 that of the conventional one. Therefore, it is possible to use a data input device that is easy to operate and easily inputs position information, such as a mouse, even for a battery-operated computer such as a laptop computer whose power consumption is being reduced.

Further, in the present invention, when the data input is restarted or prior to the restart of the data input, the power supply to the data input section in the stopped state is automatically restarted. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption without the awareness of the operator who uses the data input device. As described above, in the present invention, reduction in power consumption is realized without impairing the ease of operation, which is one of the features of the data input device such as a mouse.

Further, in the data input device in which the coordinate information is detected by the light emitting means such as the LED, the power consumed by the light emitting means is large. Therefore, like the mouse according to the present invention, by using the light emission control unit to turn on the light emitting means only during the time when the transfer unit permits the input of information, it is possible to significantly reduce the power consumption. Further, by adjusting the input permission period based on the operating condition of the data input device, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption without hindering the function of the data input device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a mouse according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an outline of a circuit of the mouse shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of each circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the CPU shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an outline of a mouse according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the mouse according to the second embodiment.

7 is a circuit diagram showing an outline of a circuit of the mouse shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an outline of a mouse according to a third embodiment.

9 is a circuit diagram showing an outline of a circuit of the mouse shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mouse according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing lighting of LEDs of the mouse shown in FIG.

12 is a timing chart showing the lighting timing of two LEDs used in the mouse shown in FIG.

13 is a flowchart showing a lighting state of LEDs of the mouse shown in FIG.

14 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an optical system adopted as a data input unit of the mouse shown in FIG.

15 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a mechanical system that can be used as a data input unit of the mouse shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Mouse pad 2X, 2Y ... Line pattern 10 ... Mouse 11, 16 ... Mouse case 12a-12c ... Switch 13 ... Connection cable 15 ... Hand 20 ... Data Input unit 21 ・ ・ ・ Input control system 22 ・ ・ ・ Optical system 23 ・ ・ ・ Switch system 25 ・ ・ ・ Mechanical system 26 ・ ・ ・ Ball 27 ・ ・ ・ Coordinate detection system 28 ・ ・ ・ Rotating shaft 29 ・ ・ ・ Disk 30 ・ ・ ・ Data output unit 31 ・ ・ ・ CPU 35 ・ ・ ・ Power supply circuit 40 ・ ・ ・ Power supply unit 41 ・ ・ ・ Power supply stop system 42 ・ ・ ・ Power supply restart system 43 ・ ・ ・ Forced release system 45・ ・ ・ Power switch circuit 46 ・ ・ ・ Input data judgment circuit 47 ・ ・ ・ Inverter 48, 49 ・ ・ ・ Transistor 50 ・ ・ ・ Storage circuit 51 ・ ・ ・ Release signal transmission circuit 52 ・ ・ ・ Waveform shaping circuit 53 ・ ・ ・ OR circuit 54 ・ ・ ・ Storage circuit element 55 ・ ・ ・ Waveform shaping circuit element 60 ・ ・ ・ Delay circuit 61 ・ ・ ・ Inverter 62 ・ ・ ・ Resistor 63 ・ ・ ・ Capacitance 65・ ・ ・ AND circuit AR1 ・ ・ ・ Auxiliary contact 70 ・ ・ ・ Light emitting part 71, 72 ・ ・ ・ LED 73, 74 ・ ・ ・ Light receiving element 75 ・ ・ ・ Light receiving part 76 ・ ・ ・ Lens 77 ・ ・ ・ Comparison part 81・ ・ ・ Transfer unit 82 ・ ・ ・ Judgment unit 83 ・ ・ ・ Control unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A data input device comprising a data input unit capable of inputting at least position information and a power supply unit for supplying power to at least this data input unit, wherein the power supply unit is the data input unit. And a power supply resuming means for canceling this stopped state based on the operating status of the data input device. A data input device characterized by the above. 2. The power supply unit according to claim 1,
A data input device comprising: a forced releasing means for forcibly releasing the stopped state when the power is turned on. 3. The power supply stop means according to claim 1, wherein the power supply stop means is a delay-type stop means for stopping the power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the input status from the data input unit was unchanged. A data input device characterized by the above. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The power supply resuming means outputs a stop state storage circuit that stores that the power supply is in a stop state, and a release signal that releases the stop state only when the power supply is in the stop state based on the stop state storage circuit. A data input device comprising: a release signal transmitting circuit for transmitting the signal. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The data input device, wherein the power supply resuming unit is an input start-up resuming unit that determines an operating condition of the data input device based on an input condition from the data input unit. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The data input device, wherein the power supply resuming means is a human body sensing type resuming means for determining an operating condition of the data input device by contacting a body of the data input device with a human body. 7. The data input device according to claim 6, wherein the human body sensing type resuming means comprises an electrode sensing circuit for sensing a human body when an electrode attached to the main body is grounded. .. 8. The data input device according to claim 6, wherein the human body sensing type restart means includes a body sensing circuit for sensing a human body when a conductive member forming the body is grounded. .. 9. A data input device capable of outputting data input to a transfer unit to an external device, wherein the position information is input to the transfer unit based on a light emitting means, and the transfer unit stores position information. A data input device comprising: a light emission control unit capable of emitting light from the light emitting means during an input permission period for permitting input. 10. The data input device according to claim 9, further comprising an input sensing control unit capable of controlling the input permission period based on an input situation from the data input unit. 11. The data input device according to claim 9, further comprising a human body detection control unit capable of controlling the input permission period by touching a main body of the data input device with a human body. 12. The mouse according to claim 1, wherein the data input device is a mouse having at least one of mechanical data input means and optical data input means as the data input means. Data input device.