JPH06250781A - Data input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the data input device which can easily input multidimensional information more than a Z axis in addition to X-axial coordinate data and Y-axial coordinate data. CONSTITUTION:A movable member 6 which can be moved by pressing down a push button 14 is incorporated in a device main body, which has a reader 3Z consisting of an LED 31Z, a lens 36Z, and a light receiving element 33Z for reading a line pattern 2Z formed on the movable member 6. This mouse 10 is used and moved on a mouse pad 1 and after an icon on the display is fixed in the X and Y coordinate directions, the movable member 6 is moved with the push-button 14 depressed to move the icon in the Z-axial coordinate direction, so that the coordinate values of three-dimensional coordinates can be inputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a desk-top data input device, and more particularly to a so-called mouse structure for inputting coordinate data for moving an icon displayed on a screen such as a CRT.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a data input device for freely moving an icon displayed on a CRT or a liquid crystal display, several devices such as a mouse, a joystick and a trackball are used. As a mouse, a mechanical type that detects the moving direction and distance from the rotation amount and direction of the sphere, and by sensing a transparent or opaque line pattern prepared on the mouse pad,
An optical type that detects the moving direction and the distance is known. By using a data input device such as a mouse,
The reason why the information on the display can be handled very easily, such as the selection of various functions displayed on the display and the specification of an arbitrary range, has increased the popularity of electronic devices such as personal computers, workstations, and word processors. Can be said to be one of. From such a background, software premised on the use of the data input device has become widespread, and work such as function selection and drawing can be performed more easily. Further, in recent years, with the spread of electronic devices such as personal computers and the further diversification of information, more distinctive information processing such as three-dimensional images has been required.

[0003]

However, since the mouse is a table-top type and moves the table-top plane, the coordinate data that can be input is limited to the X-direction and Y-axis direction data. , It was not possible to input multi-dimensional information of Z axis or more.

Therefore, in view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to realize a data input device that can easily input multidimensional information of the Z axis and above.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve such a problem, means taken in the present invention are two-dimensional coordinates on the outer surface by relative movement between the apparatus body itself and the outer surface such as a desk or a pad. In a data input device equipped with an external coordinate value input means capable of inputting coordinate values, the built-in coordinates capable of inputting the coordinate values of the coordinates carried by the movable member by relative movement with respect to the movable member incorporated in the main body of the device. One or two or more value input means are provided. The movable member may be a vertical slider movable in the direction orthogonal to the outer surface with respect to the apparatus main body, or may be a horizontal slider movable in the direction parallel to the outer surface with respect to the apparatus main body. Furthermore,
The movable member may be a rotating body supported by the apparatus body. The built-in coordinate value input means can be constituted by mechanical data input means or optical data input means. Here, when the external coordinate value input means is an optical data input means, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which at least a part of the light source of the light irradiation system is shared with the light source of the built-in coordinate value input means.

[0006]

In the data input device according to the present invention having such means, the positional information in the X-axis direction and the positional information in the Y-axis direction can be input and the movable member of the main body of the device can be moved as before. In addition to two-dimensional coordinates, independent coordinates can be input. This internal coordinate is space 3
It can be used to specify the Z-axis coordinate of the dimension, but can be simply used to specify the parameter. When the number of types of built-in coordinates is two or more, independent coordinate input is possible, but it is also possible to input different coordinate pitches for the same type of coordinates. For example, in the first built-in coordinate value input means, the parameter "thickness" is set to a coordinate pitch of 1 cm.
By inputting with the second built-in coordinate value input means with the "thickness" parameter coordinate pitch of 1 mm, even if the movable range of the movable member is limited by the size of the apparatus body, the double input of the target input numerical value The designated operation can be facilitated.

When the external coordinate value inputting means is an optical data inputting means, if at least a part of the light source of the light irradiation system is also used as the light source of the built-in coordinate value inputting means, the multi-dimensional coordinate value Although it is an input device, the number of parts can be reduced to realize an inexpensive and compact device.

[0008]

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

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 shows an outline of a mouse as a data input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a cross section thereof. The mouse according to the present embodiment is an optical mouse 10 that detects a position using an optical system, and the details of the mouse 10 including the optical system are disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-39128 filed by the present applicant. ing. The mouse 10 of this example has a line pattern 2 indicating a position (coordinate data) in the X-axis direction and a position (coordinate data) in the X-axis direction.
The two-dimensional coordinate data is input by moving the line pattern 2Y indicating the above on the mouse pad 1 formed on the front surface and the back surface, respectively. The mouse 10 has a built-in optical system reading device 22 for detecting these line patterns 2X and 2Y. A connecting cable 13 to a computer extends from a case 11 forming the body of the mouse 10.
Two switch buttons 12a and 12b of a rectangular shape for selection and non-selection are provided on the upper front part of the switch 1. The data to be input to the computer can be selected by clicking the switch buttons 12a and 12b according to the input situation. This mouse 10
2, a circular push button 14 is provided between the switches 12a and 12b, and by operating this push button 14, the position (coordinate data) in the Z-axis direction can be changed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mouse 10 has
In addition to the X-axis direction reading device 3X for reading the X-axis direction detection line pattern 2X and the Y-axis direction reading device 3Y for reading the Y-axis direction detection line pattern 2Y,
A Z-axis direction reading device 3Z for reading the Z-axis direction detection line pattern 2Z is provided. Reader 3X,
3Y is an LED 31X, 31Y for irradiating the line patterns 2X, 2Y of the mouse pad 1, and a light receiving element 33X, 33 for detecting the line patterns 2X, 2Y, respectively.
A lens 3 for forming real images of Y and the line patterns 2X and 2Y on the light receiving elements 33X and 33Y, respectively.
It is composed of 6X and 36Y.

On the other hand, the Z-axis direction detection line pattern 2Z
The configuration of the reading device 3Z that detects the driving amount of the LED 3 is the same as that of the reading devices 3X and 3Y.
1Z and a light receiving element 33Z for determining the light emitted from the LED 31Z and reflected by the line pattern 2Z
And the reflected light from the line pattern 2Z is received by the light receiving element 33Z.
It is composed of a lens 36Z for condensing light onto the lens. Here, the base of the movable member 6 connected to the push button 14 and provided with the line pattern 2Z for specifying the position in the Z-axis direction is formed of a glass plate or an acrylic resin plate, and the transparent substrate has a front surface side. A line pattern 2Z is formed by parallel thin lines of a vacuum-deposited aluminum thin film. The movable member 6 is biased by a coil spring 7 provided between a lower portion of the movable member 6 and the bottom surface of the mouse case 11, and is vertically reciprocated on a track defined by a guide body by a push operation of a push button 14. It is possible. .

In the mouse 10 having such a structure,
When the mouse pad 1 is driven like the conventional mouse, the LEDs 31X,
The position of the mouse 10 placed on the mouse pad 1 is read by judging the light emitted from 31Y and reflected by the line patterns 2X and 2Y by the light receiving elements 33X and 33Y, and the position information is switched as coordinate data. The state of the buttons 12a and 12b can be transmitted to the computer. As a result, the icon displayed on the display changes its position in accordance with the movement of the mouse 10 on the mouse pad 1. Mouse 1 of this example
The feature of 0 is that the icon can be moved in the X and Y axis directions, and at the same time, the icon can be arbitrarily driven in the Z axis direction.

For example, the mouse 10 is arbitrarily moved on the mouse pad 1 to move the icon on the display to a desired position in the X and Y axis directions, and then the switch button 12a is clicked. The X coordinate position and the Y coordinate position are selected. If the push button 14 is pushed down from this state and the movable portion 6 is linearly moved downward, the line pattern 2Z on the movable member 6 is moved relative to the reading device 3Z. The amount by which the movable member 6 is pushed down, that is, the amount by which the line pattern 2Z passes through the reading device 3Z is detected, and the icon on the display is driven in the Z-axis direction. Then, after setting the icon to the desired Z-axis position, by clicking the switch 12a,
The three-dimensional X, Y, and Z axis positions of the icon are input to the computer.

Thus, according to the mouse 10 of this example,
In addition to specifying the position in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the position in the Z-axis direction can be specified. In addition, since the position designation in the Z-axis direction is achieved by the push-down operation of the push button 14 installed on the upper surface side of the mouse 10, the operator can perform the position designation while keeping his or her eyes on the display, and the operation is extremely easy. Is. Therefore, the Z-axis position necessary for creating a three-dimensional image including a three-dimensional drawing can be easily input from the mouse 10, and the handling of multidimensional information of three or more dimensions is simplified. Therefore, it is possible to perform more advanced information processing including three-dimensional information processing even on a portable small computer such as a laptop computer that has been popularized in recent years.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view (a) and a longitudinal sectional view (b) showing a configuration of a mouse as a data input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The mouse 10a according to the present embodiment is an optical mouse similar to the mouse 10 of the first embodiment, and the portions common to the mouse 10 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. To do.
A point to be noted in the mouse 10a of the present example is that the Z-axis direction reading device 3Z includes a large displacement input section 4 having a large coordinate pitch and a small displacement input section 5 having a small coordinate pitch. . Furthermore, these large displacement input units 4
The LED 34 that composes the device also serves as the light emitting unit of the reading device 3X, and the LED 35 that composes the small displacement input unit 5
Is also the light emitting portion of the reading device 3Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the mouse 10a of this example has two movable members 15a, 15 arranged in parallel on the upper surface of the mouse case 11.
b, and the line patterns 2 having different coordinate pitches are provided on the back surfaces of the movable members 15a and 15b.
Z is formed. It is prepared. Movable member 15
Since a and 15b are attached so as to be linearly movable from the front side to the rear side of the mouse 10a, the icon X is displayed on the display as in the usage mode of the mouse 10 of the first embodiment described above. After fixing the axial position and the Y-axis position, the movable members 15a and 15b can be moved to move the icon to an arbitrary position in the Z-axis direction. Here, in the mouse 10a of the present example, a concave reflection mirror 32 having an opening at the center is provided in front of the LEDs 34 and 35 installed so that light is emitted toward the bottom side of the mouse 10a. By installing, the reading device 3X, 3Z can be operated by one LED 34.
(Large displacement input unit 4) as a light emitting unit, and one LED
By 35, it can be used as a light emitting unit of the reading devices 3Y and 3Z (small displacement input unit 5). That is, LED3
Of the light emitted from the light source 4, 35, the light passing through the opening of the reflection mirror 32 is applied to the line patterns 2X, 2Y formed on the mouse pad 1, and is reflected and reflected.
It is focused on X and 33Y. On the other hand, the light reflected by the concave surface of the reflection mirror 32 is applied to the line pattern 2Z on the upper surface side of the mouse 10a, reflected by the line pattern 2Z, and incident on the light receiving elements 37 and 38. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts by sharing such a light source,
An inexpensive and compact multidimensional mouse can be provided.

Further, in the mouse 10a, as a method of inputting coordinate data in the Z-axis direction, a large displacement input section 4 having a movable member 15a having a large coordinate pitch and a small displacement input section having a movable member 15b having a small coordinate pitch. 5 and 5. Therefore, the movement of the icon can be increased by pushing the movable member 15a, and the movement of the icon can be reduced by pushing the movable member 15b.
By using both movable members 15a and 15b together,
Although the movable range is limited, the input coordinate range can be expanded and the target value specifying operation becomes easy.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outline of a mouse as a data input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the mouse 10b of the present example, the parts common to the mouse 10 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The mouse 10b of this example is different from the optical mouse described in the first and second embodiments,
This is a mechanical mouse that converts the amount of rotation of the dial 16 provided on the upper surface of the mouse 10b into an electrical signal to input coordinate data in the Z-axis direction.

This mouse 10b, as shown in FIG.
A line pattern 2Z is formed at the tip of a rotary shaft 17 which is formed integrally with the dial 16 and rotates in accordance with the rotational movement of the dial 16. Therefore, the mouse 10 of this example
In b, when the dial 16 is rotated after fixing the positions in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the LED 31 is read in the reading device 3Z that detects the rotation amount of the rotation shaft 17.
The Z, the lens 36Z, and the light receiving element 33Z detect variations in the line pattern 2Z at the tip of the rotating shaft 17. As a result, the coordinate designation signal based on the electrical signal output from the light receiving element 33Z to the data output unit (CPU) formed on the substrate (not shown) of the mouse 10b is transmitted to the computer, and the cursor on the display is desired. Can be driven to the position.

As in the case of the mouse 10b of this embodiment, the structure of the data input unit (reading device) of the mechanical mouse using electric signals is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. Can be adopted. For example, as shown in FIG.
In the data input section where 1 is attached, LED31Z
Since the light emitted by the reflection mirror 41 and reflected by the reflection mirror 41 is imaged on the light receiving element 33Z by the lens 36Z,
It is possible to detect the rotation amount of the dial 16, and it is possible to drive the cursor on the display to an arbitrary position (Z-axis direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the dial 16 is provided with a plurality of opening slits 42, and the rotation amount of the dial 16 can be detected by the laser diode 31Z and the light-receiving element 33Z which are installed with the dial 16 interposed therebetween. Of course, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to directly form the line pattern 2Z on the front surface side of the dial 16. When the line pattern 2Z is formed on the dial 16 as described above, as shown in FIG. 9, the surface of the dial 16 is formed of a concave condenser mirror (reflection lens) to receive light from the LED 31Z. Since a lens for forming an image on the element 33Z is unnecessary, the number of constituent parts can be reduced, and the number of manufacturing steps and the cost can be reduced. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, one side surface of the dial 16 is formed as a mirror 43 having a conical center portion, and a plurality of openings 44 are provided on the front surface side, so that the light radiated to the mirror 43 is irradiated. Is diffused into the surroundings substantially uniformly and transmits light through the opening 44. Since the light 45 transmitted through the opening 44 can be detected by the light receiving element 33Z, data can be input in the Z axis direction according to the rotation amount of the dial 16. In addition, as another example that can be adopted as the configuration of the data input unit, as shown in FIG. 11, the rotating shaft 4 that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the dial.
By forming the tip of 6 in a polygonal pyramid shape and irradiating light from the laser collimator 31Z, a triangular spot 47 corresponding to the polygonal pyramid shape of the rotating shaft 46 is imaged,
Data can be input in the Z-axis direction by detecting this with the light receiving element 33Z.

The movable member, dial and the like can be moved not only manually but also by driving a motor, and an operating member capable of controlling forward and reverse rotations thereof may be provided in the main body of the apparatus.

[0021]

As described above, in the data input device according to the present invention, the coordinate values of the two-dimensional coordinates on the external surface can be input by the relative movement of the device itself and the external surface such as the desk or the pad. In the data input device provided with the external coordinate value input means, the built-in coordinate value input means capable of inputting the coordinate value of the coordinates carried by the movable member by the relative movement with respect to the movable member built in the apparatus body is 1 or Since two or more are provided, the following effects are achieved.

By moving the movable member of the main body of the apparatus, it becomes possible to input not only two-dimensional coordinates but also independent coordinates. The built-in coordinates can be used to specify the spatial three-dimensional Z-axis coordinates, but can also be simply used to specify the parameters. When the number of types of built-in coordinates is two or more, independent coordinate input is possible, but it is also possible to input different coordinate pitches for the same type of coordinates.

When the external coordinate value inputting means is an optical data inputting means, if at least a part of the light source of the light irradiation system is shared with the light source of the built-in coordinate value inputting means, the input of the multidimensional coordinate is carried out. Although it is a device, the number of parts can be reduced to realize an inexpensive and compact device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of an optical mouse and a pad according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the mouse,
(B) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the mouse.

FIG. 3A is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the structure of an optical mouse according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of the same mouse.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an outline of a mouse according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example that can be adopted as a rotary data input unit in the mouse of the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example that can be adopted as a rotary data input unit in the mouse of the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a third example that can be adopted as a rotary data input unit in the mouse of the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth example employable as a rotary data input unit in the mouse of the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a fifth example that can be adopted as a rotary data input unit in the mouse of the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a sixth example employable as a rotary data input unit in the mouse of the same embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a seventh example employable as a rotary data input unit in the mouse of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Mouse pad 2X, 2Y, 2Z ... Line pattern 3X, 3Y, 3Z ... Reading device 6 ... Movable member 7 ... Coil spring 10 ... Mouse 11 ... Mouse case 12a, 12b ... Switch button 13 ... Connection cable 14 ... Push button 15a, 15b ... Movable member 22 ... Optical system 31X, 31Y, 31Z ... Light emitting part (LED) 32 ... Reflection Mirror 33X, 33Y, 33Z ... Light receiving element 34, 35 ... Light emitting part (LED) 36X, 36Y, 36Z ... Lens 37, 38 ... Light receiving element

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A data input device comprising external coordinate value input means capable of inputting coordinate values of two-dimensional coordinates on an external surface by relative movement between the apparatus body itself and an external surface such as a desk or a pad, A data input device comprising one or more built-in coordinate value input means capable of inputting coordinate values of coordinates carried by the movable member by relative movement with respect to the movable member built in the device body. 2. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is a vertical slider that is movable with respect to the device main body in a direction orthogonal to the external surface. 3. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is a lateral slider that is movable with respect to the device body in a direction parallel to the outer surface. 4. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is a rotating body supported by the device body. 5. The data input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the built-in coordinate value input means is a mechanical data input means. 6. A data input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the built-in coordinate value input means is an optical data input means. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the external coordinate value input means is an optical data input means, and at least a part of the light source of the light irradiation system is shared with the light source of the built-in coordinate value input means. A data input device characterized by.