JPH05265624A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable an operator to operate a spherical wave input means in the most comfortable posture independently of the arrangement of a contact input means by providing this information input device with an input switching means and an interruption signal forming means. CONSTITUTION:The information input device is provided with the input switching means 3a using the contact input means (keyboard) 3 to switch the validity/invalidity of an input and the interruption signal forming means 6 for generating an interruption signal for validating an input through the input means with a spherical body (track ball) 1. Since an unrequired input is not executed through the means 3 at the time of executing an input by the means 1, the operator can operate the means 1 in the most comfortable posture independently of the arrangement of the means 3. Since the means 6 is included in addition to the input switching means 2, 3a, an input based upon the means 1 can be validated only when it is required and the operability of the device can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device having a trackball functioning as a pointer for a display screen and a keyboard having a plurality of input keys.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As information processing apparatuses equipped with microcomputers have become more and more multifunctional, they have the same feeling as work on paper for the purpose of quick selection of function menus displayed on the display and simplification of graphics work. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an information input device including a trackball capable of temporarily specifying two-dimensional coordinates on a display. In this type of information input device, a keyboard and a so-called mouse incorporating a trackball are separately provided, or both a keyboard 31 and a trackball 32 are provided as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). Some have been installed on the same operation panel to save space.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional information input device, both the input via the keyboard and the input via the trackball are effective, and it is not limited to the input system using the trackball, for example. could not.

Therefore, in the case of the information input device shown in FIG. 6A, the trackball 32 must be operated so that an undesired input is not made by touching the keyboard 31, which is impossible for the operator. There is a problem that such a posture is compelled and eventually work efficiency is reduced.

Further, in the case of the information input device shown in FIG. 6B, since the trackball 32 is arranged in front of the keyboard 31, an extra space behind the keyboard 31 and a space for disposing the trackball 32 are required. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the information input device.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information input device according to the invention of claim 1 is a sphere-equipped input means (for example, a truck) for transmitting an instruction to a display screen through rotation of the sphere. An information input device including a ball) and a plurality of contact input means (for example, a keyboard),
(1) Input switching means (for example, input switching key) for switching between valid and invalid inputs using the contact input means,
(2) An interrupt signal generation unit (for example, an interrupt signal generation unit) that generates an interrupt signal (for example, an interrupt signal) that enables the input by the spherical input unit when the input by the contact input unit is invalid. It is characterized by having.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the information input device according to the invention of claim 2 has a sphere-equipped input means for transmitting an instruction to the display screen through the rotation of the sphere, and a plurality of contact input means. In an information input device including: (1) first input switching means (for example, an input switching key) for switching between valid and invalid inputs using the contact input means, and (2) connecting to the spherical input means. Second input switching means (for example, a microswitch) for generating a selection signal for selecting an input using the spherical input means, and (3) the input by the contact input means is in an invalid state, and the second input And an interrupt signal generation unit (for example, an interrupt signal generation unit) that generates an interrupt signal that validates the input by the spherical input unit when the selection signal is input from the input switching unit. It is.

[0008]

According to the structure of claim 1, since the input by the contact input means is made ineffective by the input switching means, the input by the spherical input means can be made effective by the interrupt signal generating means. While performing the input by the means, an undesired input is not made via the contact input means. Therefore, the operator can operate the spherical input device in the most comfortable posture regardless of the arrangement of the contact input device.

Further, not only the input switching means, but also the interrupt signal generating means for generating the interrupt signal for validating the input by the spherical input means is provided, so that the input by the spherical input means is enabled only when necessary. be able to. That is, for example, when the work is temporarily interrupted, it is possible to immediately restart the work by turning off only the input system and restoring the input system when necessary. The property is improved.

Further, according to the structure of claim 2, when it is desired to input by using the spherical input means, the second input switching means for giving an instruction to the interrupt signal generating means to generate the interrupt signal is connected to the spherical input means. Since it is provided, the interrupt signal can be generated by the interrupt signal generating means via the second input switching means only by performing a predetermined operation on the spherical input means. As a result, it is possible to further improve the operability of the information input device according to the first aspect.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following will describe one embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information input device according to the present invention comprises two systems, an input system via a trackball 1 and an input system via a keyboard 3. When the input via the keyboard 3 is valid, as before, the input via the trackball 1 is also valid at the same time.

The trackball 1 functions as a pointer for designating two-dimensional coordinates on a display (not shown), and is connected to a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) via a trackball interface 4. Further, the keyboard 3 has a plurality of input keys (not shown) including an input switching key 3a for switching the valid / invalid of the input via the keyboard 3, and is connected to the CPU via the keyboard interface 5.

The trackball interface 4 converts the two-dimensional information output from the trackball 1 into serial data and sends the serial data to the CPU.
put-Output Interface).

Next, the configuration of the interrupt signal generator 6 will be described. The interrupt signal generation unit 6 includes IC1 and IC2 forming a D flip-flop, IC3 forming an exclusive OR circuit, IC4 forming an OR circuit, and IC5 forming a three-state buffer, and the input switching key 3a. Is operated and the input via the keyboard 3 is disabled, an interrupt signal for enabling the input by the trackball 1 is generated.

Each data terminal D of the above IC1 and IC2
Is a microswitch 2 connected to a trackball 1
Is connected to the ON / OFF terminal of the IC3 and is also connected to one of the input terminals of the IC3. The ON / OFF terminal of the micro switch 2 is pulled up to 5V via a resistor. The output terminal Q of IC1 is C
It is connected to the PU and sends a trackball status signal, which will be described later, to the CPU. The inverting output terminal Q bar of IC2 is connected to the other input terminal of IC3.

The output of IC3 is connected to the clock input terminal of IC1 and also to one input terminal of IC4. The output of IC4 is connected to the control terminal of IC5. The input terminal of IC5 is grounded and the output is C
It is connected to PU and sends an interrupt signal, which will be described later, to C
Send to PU. The IC 5 may be any one that outputs a low level signal only when the output of the IC 4 is low level.

Finally, the clock input terminal of IC2 and the IC
The other input terminal of 4 is connected to the output of the CPU so as to receive an INTAC signal and a keyboard input ignore signal, which will be described later, respectively.

Next, a description will be given below of a configuration in which the valid / invalid of the input through the trackball 1 can be switched by applying a predetermined operation to the trackball 1. In the present embodiment, as one configuration example thereof, a toggle (double) switch that sequentially switches between valid and invalid each time the trackball 1 is pressed down once and released.

As shown in FIG. 4, the trackball 1 is
The holder 12 accommodates the lower hemisphere, and the ball 11 and the spring 14 are rotatably supported.
And a pedestal 13 that supports the holder 12 via the through-hole, and a toggle switch including the micro switch 2 is provided inside the holder 12.

As shown in a specific example of the toggle switch in FIG. 5A, the holder 12 is supported by the pedestal 13 via the spring 14. A rotary engaging portion 15 is attached near the bottom of the holder 12, and vertical movement of the holder 12 is converted into rotation of the rotary engaging portion 15. The rotary engagement portion 15 is formed with two arrow blade portions in axial symmetry, and is formed in a corner portion of the upper contact portion 2a constituting the microswitch 2 and a protrusion 16 provided on the pedestal 13. It is shaped to engage. The upper contact portion 2a is a lever supported by the pedestal 13, and when its corner portion is pushed up by the arrow blade portion, the upper contact portion 2a comes into contact with the lower contact portion 2b constituting the microswitch 2.

In the above structure, the operation of the toggle switch will be described first. FIG. 5A shows the OFF state of the micro switch 2. The arrow blade portion of the rotary engagement portion 15 is located in the up-down direction and is not engaged anywhere. In this state, as shown in FIG.
When 1 is pushed down, the holder 12 is lowered and the rotary engaging portion 1
5 rotates a little. As a result, the arrow blade on the lower side is the protrusion 1
Since it engages 6 the holder 12 cannot be lowered any further.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), when the ball 11 is released, the holder 12 is pushed back by the spring 14 and the upper arrow blade portion is engaged with the corner portion of the upper contact portion 2a. As a result, the corner portion is lifted and the upper contact portion 2a comes into contact with the lower contact portion 2b, so that the micro switch 2 is turned on. The ON state of the micro switch 2 continues until the ball 11 is pushed down again.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5 (d), when the ball 11 is pushed down again, the rotary engaging portion 15 rotates again, and the engagement between the upper arrow blade portion and the corner portion of the upper contact portion 2a. It is out of sync. Then, when the ball 11 is released, the ball returns to the OFF state shown in FIG.

As described above, when the ball 11 is pushed down for the first time, the micro switch 2 is turned on, and
Micro switch 2 is turned off by the second press.
It becomes a state. Therefore, when the input via the keyboard 3 is disabled, the input via the trackball 1 can be enabled by a simple operation when necessary.

Next, the operation in which the interrupt signal generator 6 generates an interrupt signal when the microswitch 2 is turned on will be described. This interrupt signal is the CPU
After being input to the CPU, the CPU can receive an input via the trackball 1.

First, when the input switching key 3a provided in the keyboard 3 is operated to invalidate the input through the keyboard 3, the CPU which receives the invalidation instruction through the keyboard interface 5 is as shown in FIG. 2 (d). Then, a low-level keyboard input ignore signal is output to one input terminal of IC4.

Here, when the trackball 1 is operated and the microswitch 2 is turned on as described above, FIG.
As shown in (a), a signal A (corresponding to a "selection signal" according to claim 2) that switches from a high level to a low level is sent to the data terminal D of the IC1 and the IC
Input to 3. As a result, the two inputs of IC3 become low level, and as shown in FIG.
Is the signal C that switches from high level to low level
It outputs to the 1 clock input terminal and the other input terminal of IC4.

Then, since the output of the IC4 becomes low level, as shown in FIG. 2 (e), the IC5 outputs a low level interrupt signal based on the low level input, that is, claims 1 and 2. An "interrupt signal" is sent to the CPU. When the CPU receives this interrupt signal, it outputs a low-level intac signal to the clock input terminal of the IC 2 informing that the interrupt has been received, as shown in FIG. 2 (f).

When the INTAC signal rises from the low level to the high level, the IC2 latches the signal A, so that the signal B output by the IC2 changes to the high level, as shown in FIG. 2B. As a result, the signal C also changes to the high level, so that the output of the IC4 changes to the high level and the output of the IC5 floats.

On the other hand, in synchronization with the rise of signal C, IC1
Also latches signal A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2 (g), the IC1 sends a low-level trackball status signal indicating that the input by the trackball 1 is possible to the CPU. When the CPU receives the low-level trackball status signal, the CPU executes an interrupt routine to be described later in order to accept the input by the trackball 1. Therefore, the input can be performed via the trackball 1.

When the input via the trackball 1 is terminated when the input via the keyboard 3 is invalid,
The trackball 1 is operated again to turn off the microswitch 2 as described above. As a result, the signal A changes to the high level and the signal C changes to the low level. Then I
Since the output of C4 becomes low level and IC5 becomes three-state ON, the low level interrupt signal is input to the CPU again.

In response to this, the CPU outputs an INTAC signal in the same manner as described above, so that the same operation as above is performed.
C1 latches the high-level signal A, and the high-level trackball status signal is input to the CPU. As a result, the execution of the above interrupt routine ends.

Next, when the input switching key 3a is operated to validate the input through the keyboard 3, the CPU which receives the valid instruction through the keyboard interface 5
As shown in FIG. 2D, the keyboard input ignore signal output to the IC 4 is changed to high level. If the keyboard input ignore signal is at high level, the output of IC4 is always at high level, so IC5 is in three-state OFF.
Therefore, the interrupt signal generator 6 does not generate an interrupt signal.

The control flow for the CPU to execute the interrupt routine will be described below. In step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1, when the CPU detects an interrupt signal,
At S2, an INTAC signal is output, and at S3,
Read trackball status signal.

When the read trackball status signal is at a high level, it is judged that the input via the trackball 1 is invalid and the input via the trackball 1 is validated. In response, a command to stop the key scan is sent (S4). Further, in S5, execution of an interrupt routine that receives the output of the trackball interface 4 is permitted. The interrupt routine is executed again until the interrupt signal is detected in S1.

If the read trackball status signal is at a low level in S3, it is determined that the input via the trackball 1 is valid, and the trackball 1
In order to invalidate the input via the keyboard and validate the input via the keyboard 3, the execution of the interrupt routine is stopped (S6). Therefore, the CPU returns an intac signal notifying that the interrupt signal has been received to the interrupt signal generation unit 6, and also sends a command to start the key scan to the key controller in S7. As a result, all the interrupt processing for accepting the input via the trackball 1 is completed (S8).

When the input through the keyboard 3 is valid, the interrupt signal generator 6 does not generate an interrupt signal as described above. The interrupt routine as described above is not executed. Instead, the key controller always performs the key scan, and the CPU always accepts the output of the trackball interface 4.

As described above, the information input device of this embodiment is
By operating the input switching key 3a, it is possible to appropriately switch between valid / invalid of the input via the keyboard 3. Furthermore, since the interrupt signal generation unit 6 is provided, even when the input via the keyboard 3 is disabled, the input via the trackball 1 is enabled in accordance with the time when the input via the trackball 1 is desired. be able to. This prevents erroneous input while the work by the information input device is temporarily suspended.

When the input via the trackball 1 is valid, the input via the keyboard 3 is invalid. Therefore, regardless of the layout of the keyboard 3, the operator is in the most comfortable posture. For example, it is possible to perform the work also by placing the hand or the like on the keyboard 3.

Further, when the input via the keyboard 3 is invalid, the trackball 1 itself is provided with a toggle switch capable of appropriately switching the valid / invalid of the input via the trackball 1, so that the switching operability is improved. Is further improved.

[0042]

The information input device according to the first aspect of the invention is
As described above, input switching means for switching between valid and invalid input using the contact input means, and an interrupt signal for validating the input by the spherical input means when the input by the contact input means is in the invalid state. And an interrupt signal generating means for generating

Therefore, an undesired input is not made through the contact input means during the input by the spherical input means, so that the operator is most comfortable regardless of the arrangement of the contact input means. It is possible to operate the sphere-equipped input means in the posture.

Further, not only the input switching means but also the interrupt signal generating means for generating the interrupt signal for validating the input by the sphere-equipped input means are provided. Therefore, it is effective only when the input by the sphere-equipped input means is required. can do. That is, for example, when the work is temporarily interrupted, it is possible to immediately restart the work by turning off only the input system and restoring the input system when necessary. The effect that the property is improved is exhibited.

As described above, the information input device according to the second aspect of the present invention is connected to the first input switching means for switching between valid and invalid inputs using the contact input means and the spherical input means. A second input switching means for generating a selection signal for selecting an input using the spherical input means, an input by the contact input means being invalid, and the selection signal input from the second input switching means. And an interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for validating the input by the spherical input means.

Therefore, the interrupt signal can be generated by the interrupt signal generating means via the second input switching means only by applying a predetermined operation to the spherical input means, so that the information input device according to claim 1 can be realized. The operability can be further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a configuration of an information input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing various signals input / output between constituent members of the information input device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation for permitting or canceling execution of an interrupt routine when input via a keyboard is disabled.

FIG. 4 is a side view with a partial cross section schematically showing the configuration of a trackball.

5A to 5D are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the configuration and operation of a toggle switch provided on the trackball.

6A and 6B are perspective views showing an example of a conventional information input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 trackball (input means with sphere) 2 microswitch (second input switching means) 3 keyboard (contact input means) 3a input switching key (input switching means and first input switching means) 6 interrupt signal generator (interrupt signal generator) means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An information input device comprising a sphere-equipped input means for transmitting an instruction to a display screen through rotation of a sphere, and a plurality of contact input means, wherein the input using the contact input means is enabled or disabled. Information switching means for switching between the contact input means and an interrupt signal generation means for generating an interrupt signal for validating the input by the spherical input means when the input by the contact input means is in an invalid state. Input device. 2. An information input device comprising a sphere-equipped input means for transmitting an instruction to a display screen through rotation of a sphere, and a plurality of contact input means, wherein validity and invalidity of input using the contact input means. And a second input switching means for connecting the sphere-equipped input means to generate a selection signal for selecting an input using the sphere-equipped input means, and an input by the contact input means being invalid. And an interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for validating the input by the spherical input means when the selection signal is input from the second input switching means. Information input device.