JPH06119104A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To input a signal of information only by simple operation such as the swinging of a device body. CONSTITUTION:This information input device is provided with the device body consisting of a lower hemispherical case 1 which is partially provided with a swing area and an upper case which is provided covering the lower hemispherical case 1, plural switches 6 for X-Y directional information detection which are arranged in the device body radially from the center of the lower hemispherical case 1, and push buttons 3 which are provided corresponding to the switches 6 for X-Y directional information detection and associated with the switches 6 and operate in contact with a desk top surface by slanting the device body to an optional direction through manual operation and project from the top surface of the lower hemispherical case 1. Consequently, a defect in operation due to a foreign matter such as powdery dust is not caused like a mouse and the output signal does not become unstable owing to unevenness of the desk top surface either; and the operation range is secured only to the size of the device body and the operation efficiency is 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 used for an information processing device such as a personal computer and a word processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with regard to an XY direction information input device of this type, an operator operates a lever attached to a device body containing a means for processing and outputting signals, a control switch and the like in an arbitrary direction. There is a "joystick" that generates a signal of XY direction information by detecting the tilted direction of the lever with a switch or the like by tilting the lever. Also,
An operator installs a device body, which is composed of a rotatably supported ball, a two-axis orthogonal rotary encoder that operates in response to the rotating motion of the ball, and a means for processing and outputting a signal, on a desk or the like. There is a "mouse" or the like in which the ball rotates by being operated on the base surface, and the rotation of the ball is detected by a two-axis orthogonal rotary encoder to generate a signal of XY direction information.

[0003]

The conventional XY direction information input device includes the above-described one, and in the "joystick", the operator operates the lever to generate the XY direction information signal. Since the operation is to grab the lever by hand and tilt the lever in any direction, if the device body is not fixed enough, the operation will cause the device body to move and the input signal to become unstable, There was a problem that it was necessary to add parts to prevent it. Also, with a "mouse", when a foreign object such as dust or dust is present during operation on a desk or the like, a ball that rotates causes the foreign object to engulf the foreign object, causing a malfunction in the detection mechanism section that constitutes a perpendicular two-axis rotary encoder. If the mouse is operated on a desk, etc., where it occurs or has slight irregularities, the irregularities adversely affect the rotational movement of the ball, the output signal becomes unstable, and the rotational movement of the ball is performed. ， There was a problem that the operation range of some extent was necessary.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an information input device capable of inputting information by a simple operation of swinging the device body. Has an aim.

[0005]

An information input device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a container having a rocking area of a rockable shape such as a hemispherical shape, and is arranged in the rocking area of the container, and is provided with a rocking motion. The main features are that a detection means including a push button and an information detection switch for detecting the swing direction and a processing means for processing and outputting a signal from the detection means are provided.

An information input device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a tactile means such as a vessel having a convex curved surface and a sensor arranged on the convex curved surface of the vessel for sensing a physical stimulus such as a contact between the vessel and the base surface. The main feature is to provide a detection means for detecting the stimulation as an electric signal.

An information input device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a base having a recess in a part thereof, an oscillator mounted in the recess of the base in a swingable state, and detection for detecting the swing. The main feature is the provision of means.

[0008]

In the first aspect of the invention, the push button contacting the swing base surface of the device and the detecting means such as the information detecting switch interlocking therewith are operated by a simple operation of swinging the main body of the apparatus in an arbitrary direction. The swing direction is detected, and the detection information is transmitted as a signal by the processing means.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the information input device of the first aspect is provided with a tactile means such as a sensor in the swinging region of the vessel, and the instrument tilts due to a given force, so that the sensor becomes a base surface. The physical stimulus of contact is detected as an electric signal indicating the swing direction of the vessel.

According to the third aspect of the invention, an oscillating body such as a button is mounted in an indented portion of a base having an indentation in a swingable state. When a force is applied to the oscillating body, the direction detected by the contact between the oscillating body and the contact sensing means such as a sensor arranged on the base or the oscillating body is detected as an electric signal.

[0011]

【Example】

Example 1. The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, the external appearance of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown in the schematic perspective view of FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a hemispherical lower case which is a swinging area of the container, T denotes a swinging area of the hemispherical lower case, 2 denotes an upper case, 3 denotes a swinging base surface 4, and the device body 5 is manually operated. By tilting in any direction by operation,
A push button 7 which is operated in contact with the base surface 4 and which protrudes from the surface of the lower case of the hemispherical shape and is interlocked with the XY direction information detection switch 6 (shown in FIG. 2) is provided corresponding to the control switch. , Pushbuttons interlocked with the control switch 8 (shown in FIG. 2), which are operated by operating a finger or the like, and 9 and 10 for processing the signals of the switches 6 and 8 and inputting the output signals to the information processing apparatus. These are cables and connectors.

Next, the structure and operation principle of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in the above schematic perspective view is shown in the side sectional views of FIG. 2 and FIG. Four
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view in which some internal parts of the apparatus main body are omitted. The device body 5 includes a hemispherical lower case 1 and an upper case 2.
It is composed of and and is sized so that it can be held and operated with one hand. A hole 11 is formed in the hemispherical lower case 1, and a push button 3 is attached to the hemispherical lower case 1 by a connecting portion 12 so as to project from the surface of the hemispherical lower case 1. At this time, the groove 14 is provided so that the push button 3 can be operated in the direction of the arrow 13. Further, the upper case 2 has a hole indicated by 15, and the push button 7 is attached to the upper case 2 by a connecting portion 16 so as to project from the surface of the upper case 2. At this time, the push button 7 is changed to the arrow 17
The groove 18 is provided so as to be movable in the direction.

The upper case 2 is integrally provided with a plurality of columns 19, and the column 19a therein is provided with an XY direction information detecting switch 6, a switch 6 and a switch 8 respectively.
The printed circuit board 20 on which components forming an electric circuit for processing and outputting the signal are mounted is fixed by a screw 21a. In addition, a control switch 8 is provided on the column 19b.
The printed circuit board 22 on which is mounted is fixed by screws 21b. Further, the support column 19c assists the printed circuit board 20 not to be deformed when the XY direction information detection switch 6 is pressed by the operation of the push button 3. Since the distances between the push buttons 3 and 7 and the switches 6 and 8 are relatively long, the push button 3 is provided with a rib 23 and the push button 7 is provided with a boss 24.
The switches 6 and 8 are pushed by the operation of the push buttons 3 and 7.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a hemispherical lower case 1 and upper case 2
Is fitted and fixed between the notches 26 and 27 of
A bush 28 protects the cable 9, and a signal line 28 in the cable 9 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 20 by a connector 29. Also, 30
Is a signal line for sending a signal detected by the control switch 8 to an electric circuit on the printed board 20.

In the above structure, by tilting the apparatus body 5 as shown in FIG. 4, the base surface 4 and the push button 3b interlocking with the XY direction information detecting switch 6b are connected, and the push button 3b is pushed. Then, the rib 23b provided on the push button 3b pushes the XY direction information detecting switch 6b. The signal output by pressing the switch 6b is processed into XY direction information by an electric circuit formed on the printed board 20, and is processed by the connector 29.
It is possible to input to the information processing device by the cable 9 constituted by the signal line 28. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the push button 7b interlocked with the control switch 8B is pushed, the boss 24b provided on the push button 7b pushes the control switch 8b, and is output when the switch 8b is pushed. The signal is transmitted through the signal line 30 to the printed circuit board 20.
It is sent to the electric circuit configured above, processed into control information by the electric circuit, and can be input to the information processing device through the same path as the XY direction information signal.

Therefore, since the signal of the XY direction information can be generated only by a simple manual operation of tilting the device body 5 in an arbitrary direction, the device body 5 moves like a "joystick". It can be operated without the need for additional parts, and there is no need to add parts to secure the device. Further, since the simple switch 6 detects the inclination of the device body 5, there is no malfunction such as a "mouse" due to foreign matter such as dust and dust, and the base surface for operation is slightly uneven. Even if there is, the output signal does not become unstable. As for the operating range, it is possible to operate if there is a range that is slightly wider than the size of the device body.

As described above, in this embodiment, the apparatus main body including the hemispherical lower case and the upper case provided so as to cover the hemispherical lower case, and the hemispherical lower case inside the apparatus main body. Arranged radially from the center of
A plurality of switches for detecting XY direction information and a plurality of switches for detecting XY direction information, which are provided in correspondence with the switches, are brought into contact with the base surface by manually tilting the device body in any direction. A push button that interlocks with a plurality of XY direction information detecting switches that protrude from the surface of the hemispherical lower case, and a control switch that is different from the above-mentioned switch and that is disposed inside the apparatus body; Operated by operating a finger, etc., which is provided corresponding to the control switch.
A push button interlocking with the control switches and means for processing and outputting the signals of these switches are provided.
This is a description of the Y-direction information input device, and the X-direction information input device is tilted in any direction by a simple manual operation.
In addition to being able to generate a -Y direction information signal, the control switch operation can be performed with a fingertip while performing the above operation.

That is, by a simple manual operation of tilting the main body of the apparatus, the push button interlocked with the XY direction information detection switch is operated in contact with the base surface, and the rib provided on the push button moves to the X- Press the Y direction information detection switch.
Then, the signal output by pressing the XY direction information detection switch is processed into XY direction information by an electric circuit formed on the printed circuit board and input to the information processing device. be able to. Also, by pressing a push button that interlocks with the control switch, the boss provided on the push button presses the control switch. Then, the signal output by pressing the control switch is sent to an electric circuit formed on the printed circuit board by a signal line, processed into control information, and can be input to the information processing device.
Therefore, the signal of the XY direction information can be generated only by a simple manual operation of tilting the device body in an arbitrary direction, so that the device body can be operated without worrying about the movement of the device body like a "joystick". Yes, there is no need to add additional parts to secure the device. Also, since a simple switch detects the tilt of the device body, a "mouse"
As described above, no malfunction occurs due to foreign matter such as dust or dust, and the output signal does not become unstable even if there is some unevenness on the base surface for operation. Further, as for the operation range, since it is possible to operate if there is a range slightly wider than the size of the apparatus body, it is easier to use than the conventional XY direction information input apparatus. Moreover, since the push button interlocking with the control switch is provided so as to be operated by the operation of the fingertip, there is an effect that the control signal can be generated even while the apparatus main body is tilted in any direction. .

Example 2. Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. FIG. 6 shows the structure of Example 2,
It is a sectional side view which abbreviate | omitted a part of main body internal components. In the figure, 5 is an XY direction information input device that generates a signal of XY direction information by a simple operation of tilting the device body in an arbitrary direction, and 31 is the device body tilted by a manual operation. Reference numeral 5 is a weight provided in the hemispherical lower case 1 so as to return to a horizontal state by stopping the manual operation.
The weight is integrally provided on the lower case 1 having a hemispherical shape and is fixed to the support column 32 with a screw 21c.

In the above structure, the device body 5 tilted by the manual operation is simply released by releasing the hand from the device body 5.
However, since the weight 31 provided in the hemispherical lower case 1 returns to the horizontal state, the XY direction information detection switch 6 that has been turned ON is turned OFF, and the generation of the XY direction information signal is stopped. To do.

As described above, this embodiment is characterized in that the apparatus main body is provided with a weight in order to return the apparatus main body tilted in any direction by the manual operation to the horizontal state.
2 illustrates a Y-direction information input device. By placing a weight in the hemispherical lower case, the device body that was tilted by manual operation returns to the horizontal state simply by releasing the hand. Therefore, in the tilted state, the push button interlocking with the XY direction information detection switch operates by contacting the base surface, and the operation pushes the XY direction information detection switch. When the apparatus body returns to the horizontal state by the action, the contact between the push button interlocking with the XY direction information detecting switch and the base surface is lost, and the XY direction information detecting switch is released. That is, when the manual operation is stopped, the apparatus main body returns to the horizontal state, and an unnecessary signal of XY direction information is not generated. As a result, even if the device main body is released for some reason, the generation of the XY direction information signal is stopped, so that it is possible to prevent the processing of the information processing apparatus contrary to the operator's intention from proceeding.

Example 3. Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. FIG. 7 shows the structure of Example 3,
It is a sectional side view which abbreviate | omitted a part of main body internal components. In the figure, 5 is an XY direction information input device that generates a signal of XY direction information by simply tilting the device body in an arbitrary direction, 1 is a hemispherical lower case, 2 is an upper case ，
Reference numeral 3 denotes an XY that protrudes from the surface of the hemispherical lower case 1 that is in contact with the base surface 4 and operates by tilting the device body 5 with respect to the base surface 4 in any direction by manual operation.
The push button is interlocked with the direction information detecting switch 6. In the figure, reference numeral 33 denotes a rubber-like non-slip member attached to the hemispherical lower case 1, and 34 denotes a rubber-like non-slip member attached to the push button 3 interlocking with the XY direction information detecting switch 6. .

With the above construction, when the apparatus main body 5 is manually tilted in any direction, slippage between the hemispherical lower case 1 and the base surface 4 can be prevented. Further, at the time of the above operation, the push button 3 interlocked with the XY direction information detection switch 6
And, the slip with the base surface 4 can be prevented.

As described above, this embodiment projects from the surface of the hemispherical lower case, which operates by contacting the base surface by tilting the main body of the apparatus manually in any direction with respect to the hemispherical lower case and the base surface. The XY direction information input device is described in which a push button interlocked with a plurality of XY direction information detection switches is provided with a rubber-like slip stopper. In other words, a hemispherical lower case and XY
By attaching a rubber-like non-slip to the push button that interlocks with the direction information detection switch, it is possible to prevent slippage between the hemispherical lower case and the base surface when the device body is tilted in any direction by manual operation. Further, during the above operation, slippage between the push button interlocked with the XY direction information detecting switch and the base surface can be prevented. As a result, the operability is improved, and a more stable XY direction information signal can be input to the information processing device.

Example 4. In the first embodiment, the push button and the switch are used as the detecting means, but as shown in FIG. 8, a sensor that detects the tilt direction of the vessel in response to a stimulus of contact can be used instead of the push button and the switch. . In the information input device of FIG. 8, the electrode E is attached to a part of the swing region of the container. The X portion can be easily deformed in the direction indicated by the arrow. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the vessel is tilted, the opposing electrodes E come into contact with each other and electrically react to the physical stimulus given to the X part of the vessel. In this way, the inclination direction of the container can be detected as an electric signal.
In this case, as compared with the device using the push button and the switch of the first embodiment, the attached parts such as the push button and the switch are omitted,
The device body becomes lighter and more compact. In addition, since no structural gap is required in the swing region of the container, it is possible to prevent a failure due to intrusion of dust or the like from the outside of the container.

Example 5. Next, an application example of the information input device based on the electrode contact principle shown in the fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, a spherical object B such as a glass ball, which can be rolled and has little friction, is installed in the swinging area inside the vessel, and is provided inside the vessel for detecting the swinging direction. It is also possible to detect the swinging direction of the container by contact with the plurality of electrode groups GE thus formed. That is, the glass ball B rolls when the container is tilted and touches the electrode group GE provided as a contact sensor. An electric current flows by the stimulation, and the swing direction of the glass ball B can be detected. Further, by giving a weight to the glass beads B, the effect of returning the tilted container to the normal position (horizontal state) and holding the container in the equilibrium state can be obtained. Further, the information input device in this embodiment is also structurally the same as the first embodiment in the same manner as the fourth embodiment.
Lighter and more compact than.

Example 6. Next, unlike the above-described embodiment, an information input device mounted on a base will be described. In FIG. 10, K is a base such as a keyboard or a dedicated desk, BT is a button-like rocking body, and SA and SB are sensors for detecting the rocking direction. In this case, the sensor is
It may be provided on the base as shown in FIG.
It may be provided on the button-like rocking body as shown in (b). Information is input by rocking a button-shaped rocking body BT installed on the base in a rockable state. That is, the button-shaped rocking body BT rocks at all angles according to the applied pressing direction, and the rocking gives a physical stimulus to the sensor SA or SB provided on the base K or the button-shaped rocking body BT. The sensor SA or SB transmits this contact to the information processing means as a contact direction signal. In this case, the button-shaped oscillator B
Since T is flexible and can swing at all angles, it can be operated with a small amount of force even when creating a drawing or the like. As a result, it is possible to expect a reduction in operating energy without lacking precision in the work content compared to conventional equipment. Further, by providing a speed changing means such as a speed button on a part of the base K such as a keyboard, the efficiency of information input work can be improved.

[0028]

As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, the information signal can be generated by a simple operation of swinging the apparatus body in an arbitrary direction. Further, since the means for detecting the movement of the apparatus body is a simple detection means, there is no malfunction due to foreign matter such as dust or dust, and the output signal becomes unstable due to slight irregularities on the base surface. There is no such thing. Furthermore, regarding the operation range, it is sufficient to secure the minimum size of the device body. As described above, the information input device of the present invention has higher operation efficiency and work efficiency than the conventional information input device.

In the second invention, as in the first invention, a simple operation such as rocking of the container is adopted, and a sensor or the like for sensing contact inside the container so as to detect the tilt direction of the container as an electric signal. The touch means of is provided. Therefore, compared to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent a failure due to intrusion of dust or the like from the outside of the device, and since the device has a simple structure of a contact sensor, the device main body is lightweight and compact.

In the third aspect of the invention, the swing direction of the swing body placed in a swingable state on the base having a recess is
Since the detection is performed by contact with the contact sensor provided on the base or the oscillating body, stable operation is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view in which some internal parts of the main body of the information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention are omitted.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view in which some internal parts of the main body of the information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention are omitted.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which some internal parts of the main body are omitted.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view in which some internal parts of the main body of the information input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view in which some internal parts of the main body of the information input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention are omitted.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view in which some internal parts of the main body of the information input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention are omitted.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view (a) of a main body of an information input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a view (b) showing its inclination.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view (a) of a main body of an information input device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and a view (b) showing its inclination.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of an information input device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a diagram in which a detection means is provided on the button,
(B) is a diagram in which a detection unit is provided on the base.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Hemispherical lower case 2 Upper case 3 Push button interlocked with XY direction information detection switch 3a Push button interlocked with XY direction information detection switch 3b Push button interlocked with XY direction information detection switch 4 Base surface for swinging 6a XY direction information detection switch 6b XY direction information detection switch 7 Push button interlocking with control switch 7a Push button interlocking with control switch 7b Push button interlocking with control switch 8a Control switch 8b Control switch 9 Cable 10 Connector 31 Weight 33 Rubber-like non-slip 34 Rubber-like non-slip

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A device having a rocking region having a rockable shape, and a detector arranged in the rocking region of the device for detecting a rocking direction given to the rocking region by a rocking motion of the rocking region. An information input device comprising: a means and a processing means for transmitting the swing direction as a signal when the swing direction is detected by the detecting means. 2. A container having a convex curved surface portion, a tactile means arranged on the convex curved surface portion of the container, and a detection means for detecting a tactile state given to the tactile member by the inclination of the container. Information input device. 3. A base having a part of a recess, an oscillator provided in the recess of the base so as to be swingable, and an oscillator provided on either the base or the oscillator. An information input device comprising a detection means for detecting a swing.