JPH054236U - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Structure] A numeric key 12 and a position data detector 13 are integrally housed in the operation unit 11. When inputting a numerical value, the numerical key 12 is operated and the input numerical data is taken out as it is as input information via the control unit 15. On the other hand, when the operation unit 11 is used as a pointing device, part of the numerical keys 12 and the output of the position data detector 13 are taken out from the control unit 15 as data similar to that of the conventional mouse. The switching of the operation mode is designated by the mode designation unit 14. [Effect] It is possible to provide an information input device that is approximately the same size as a conventional numeric keypad and has the functions of a numeric keypad and a mouse.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an information input device for inputting information to a personal computer or other information processing device.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 When using a personal computer or word processor, use the keyboard attached to it. There are also various known devices for pointing a point on the screen displayed on the display and inputting the position data. These include tablets, trackballs, and mice. This type of device that indicates the position coordinates on the screen is generally called a pointing device.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a conventional information processing apparatus. In this figure, a personal computer 1 is connected with a mouse 3 and a numeric keypad 4 in addition to a keyboard 2. The mouse 3 is a kind of pointing device, and by moving it back and forth on the table, the cursor displayed on the display of the personal computer 1 can be freely moved. The numeric keypad 4 is used for specialized input of numerical data. On the upper surface of the numeric keypad 4, keys from "0" to "9" for inputting numbers are arranged. The keyboard 2 is mainly used when inputting text in a word processor. However, when performing various calculation tasks using software prepared in advance, use the numeric keypad 4 after selecting a predetermined command using the mouse 3 or specifying the data input position. There are relatively many uses such as inputting data.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, as described above, various other devices for inputting information to be connected to the personal computer 1 are also available. For example, if these devices are arranged on an office table, a large space can be saved. However, the cords for connecting the personal computer and each device are entangled with each other, which makes the handling very complicated. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an information input device in which the mouse 3 and the numeric keypad 4 are integrated to save space and facilitate handling. Is to

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The information input device of the present invention includes an operation unit integrally accommodating a numerical key for inputting numerical data and a position data detector for inputting position data, and an output signal of the numerical key and the position data detector. A control unit for accepting, a numerical value input mode for the control unit to use the operation unit for inputting information by the numerical keys, the operation using a part of the numerical keys and the position data detector. Part of the pointing device mode for use as a pointing device, and the control part, according to the specification of the mode specifying part, of the numeric key and the position data detector. The feature is that an output signal is selected and input information is generated.

[0006]

[Action]

 This device has a numeric keypad and a position data detector housed in the operating section. Then, in the case of inputting a numerical value, the numerical data input by operating the numerical keys is directly taken out as input information via the control unit. On the other hand, when using this operation unit as a pointing device, part of the numeric keys and the output of the position data detector are retrieved from the control unit as data of the same function as a conventional mouse. Such switching of the operation mode is designated by the mode designation unit. This makes it possible to provide an information input device that is approximately the same size as a conventional numeric keypad and has the functions of a numeric keypad and a mouse.

[0007]

Embodiment Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an information input device of the present invention. This device includes an operation unit 11, a mode designation unit 14, and a control unit 15. The operation unit 11 is provided with a numerical key 12 and a position data detector 13. The numeric keypad 12 has the same structure as the numeric keypad keys used to input numbers. The numeric keypad 12 has a numeric keypad 12 for controlling the numeric data corresponding to the pressed key. The interface of is also built in. This interface consists of a decoder that converts the numerical data corresponding to the depressed numerical key into digital information of several bits and outputs it. The position data detector 13 is a device for position detection used in a conventional mouse, and when a ball is rotated on a table, a rotation direction signal and a rotation amount signal are output according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount. It is a device for outputting. As the position data detector 13, a mechanical type and an optical type are well known. Any of the devices of the present invention may be used.

The mode designating section 14 is provided with a mode designating switch 16 and a mode display lamp 17. The mode contact switch 16 is for switching the operation of the control unit 15 by pressing it. The mode display lamp 17 is a lamp for displaying which operation the control unit 15 is performing. For example, in this embodiment, the control unit 15 employs the data of the numeric keypad 12 as input information, and is turned on in the numeric value input mode. Therefore, in the pointing device mode in which the operation unit 11 is used as a pointing device, the mode display lamp 17 is off. In the embodiment described below, the mode designating unit 14 is also integrated with the operating unit 11 so that it can be easily operated.

The control unit 15 is provided with two changeover switches 18 and 19. The change-over switch 18 is configured to receive the output of the numerical key 12 and output the numerical input mode information 21 to an external device such as a personal computer. Further, the changeover switch 19 is configured to take in the output of the position data detector 13 and a part of the output of the numeric keypad 12 and output the pointing device information 22.

The operation of each of the changeover switches 18 and 19 is selected by the mode designating switch 16 of the mode designating section 14. That is, when the changeover switch 18 outputs the output of the numeric keypad 12 as the numerical value input mode information 21, the changeover switch 19 stops outputting the information. Conversely, when the changeover switch 19 outputs part of the output of the position data detector 13 and the numeric keypad 12 as the pointing device information 22, the changeover switch 18 stops its output. Each of the changeover switches 18 and 19 described above can be configured using a relay or the like, but may be configured using software.

FIG. 3 shows a specific external view of the operation unit 11, FIG. 3A is a plan view of the information input device, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the information input device. As shown in the figure, the operation unit 11 has a numerical key 12, a mode designation switch 16 and a mode display lamp 17 arranged on the upper surface thereof. A cord 23 is connected to the side surface, which is connected to the personal computer 1 as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, a position data detector 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the operation section 11. This is made of a metal ball, and when the operating portion 11 is grabbed by hand and moved back and forth, left and right on the table, the moving direction and the moving amount are signaled and output. The mode designating switch 16 has a function of alternately switching the mode of the control unit 15 shown in FIG. 1 from one of the numerical value input mode and the pointing device mode to the other by pressing the mode designating switch 16. Therefore, when the mode designation switch 16 is pressed once, the mode display lamp 17 is turned on, and when it is pressed again, the mode display lamp 17 is turned off.

In the information input device of the present invention described above, the operator operates the mode designating switch 16 to first select the numeric input mode or the pointing device mode. Then, for example, in the case of the numerical value input mode, the numerical key 12 is operated to freely input the numerical value. This input data is sent to the personal computer or the like as the numerical value input mode information 21 via the control unit 15. On the other hand, when the operator wants to use the operation unit 11 as a mouse, the mode designating switch 16 is pressed to switch to the pointing device mode. In that case, for example, the keys for inputting the numbers "7" and "9" of the numerical keys 12 are made to correspond to the two keys conventionally attached to the mouse. As a result, the operator can use the operation unit 11 just like a conventional mouse. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The shape of the operation unit 11, the arrangement and shape of the numerical keys 12, the configuration of the mode designating unit 14, the configuration of switches and lamps, and the like may be replaced with various types having the same function. Further, the mode designating switch may be replaced by one key incorporated in the numeric keypad 12.

[0013]

[Effect of the device]

 The information input device of the present invention described above is configured so that the operation unit integrally houses the numeric key and the position data detector, and the mode designating unit switches between the numeric input mode and the pointing device mode. Numerical data and position data can be input without separately preparing a numeric keypad and mouse. As a result, the space for arranging the peripheral device of the information processing device is reduced, the wiring thereof is simplified, and the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conventional information processing apparatus.

3A and 3B are external views of an operation unit according to the present invention, FIG. 3A is a plan view of an information input device, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the information input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Operation Unit 12 Numeric Keys 13 Position Data Detector 14 Mode Designation Unit 16 Mode Designation Switch 17 Mode Display Lamp 18, 19 Changeover Switch

Claims (1)

[Claims for utility model registration] 1. An operation unit in which a numerical key for inputting numerical data and a position data detector for inputting position data are integrally housed, the numerical key and the position data detector A control unit that receives an output signal of the control unit, a numeric input mode in which the control unit is used to input information using the numeric keys, a part of the numeric keys and the position data detector are used. And a mode designating unit that designates either one of the pointing device modes in which the operating unit is used as a pointing device, and the control unit, according to the designation of the mode designating unit, the numeric key and the position data detector. An information input device, which selects an output signal of the input signal and generates input information.