JPH06259176A - Data inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a data inputting device with excellent operability in which coordinate data can be inputted without almost moving the position of hands from a reference position for operating the data inputting device for inputting the coordinate data. CONSTITUTION:The plural first contact type switches 3 for inputting character data are arranged on the upper face of a case 2, and the second photoelectric conversion type switches 4 which detect the movement of a traveling object in the upper space of the case 2 are provided. Then, the coordinate data are inputted to a computer C based on the movement of the traveling object detected by the second switches 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called keyboard, which is a data input device, in which a plurality of contact-type first switches are arranged on the upper surface of a casing to selectively operate the first switches. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a data input device for inputting character data to a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of data input device is constructed by providing a plurality of self-resetting contact type switches (so-called tact switches) for inputting character data to a computer in correspondence with the character type. It was Then, as a data input device for inputting coordinate data, a mouse or a trackball provided with a freely rotatable rotating ball and an encoder for reading the movement thereof is configured independently from the data input device for inputting the character data. Was.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional data input device, character input and coordinate input are alternately performed.
Moreover, when it is necessary to perform the operation frequently, the operator is placed away from each other from the operation of the data input device for character input to the operation of the data input device for coordinate data input, or vice versa. In addition, it is necessary to frequently move the operating hand between the input devices, which causes a great deal of fatigue when inputting for a long time. On the other hand, a self-resetting contact type switch for inputting the character data may be made to function as a coordinate input switch. For example, when an operation for moving the cursor position on the CRT is performed, However, there is a drawback that the moving direction is limited and extremely complicated operation is required, resulting in lack of operability. Therefore, in recent years, as shown in FIG. 3, there has been provided a data input device in which a trackball B or a rotating body similar thereto is incorporated into a part of a data input device for character input as a data input device for coordinate input. ing. However, even in this case, it is necessary to frequently move the operating hand from the reference posture for operating the data input device for inputting the coordinate data to the position of the trackball for inputting the coordinate data. It was difficult to operate.

An object of the present invention is to provide a data input device capable of inputting coordinate data without moving a position of a hand to be operated from a reference position for operating a data input device for inputting coordinate data. .

[0005]

In order to achieve this object, the data input device according to the present invention is characterized in that a photoelectric conversion-type detector for detecting movement of a moving body in an upper space of the casing is provided in the casing. The point is that two switches are provided and the coordinate data is input to the computer based on the movement of the moving body detected by the second switch.
In the above configuration, it is preferable that a third switch that controls the operating state of the second switch is provided.

[0006]

When inputting character data, the operator generally takes a reference posture in which the wrist is placed in front of the space key and operates the plurality of first switches described above. When inputting coordinate data, if the finger is moved in the upper space of the housing while maintaining such a reference posture, the movement of the finger is performed by the photoelectric conversion type second switch provided in the housing. Is detected, and coordinate data can be input based on the movement of the finger. Then, a third switch that controls the operating state of the second switch is provided, and by operating the third switch, for example, switching between the operation by the first switch and the operation by the second switch is performed. The operation can be performed smoothly.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the position of the hand to be operated is hardly moved from the reference position for operating the data input device for inputting coordinate data. It has become possible to provide a data input device capable of inputting character data and coordinate data without causing significant fatigue.

[0008]

EXAMPLES Examples will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, a data input device I for inputting character data and coordinate data to a computer C is connected via a data input cable 1. The data input device I, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of contact-type first switches 3 are arranged on the upper surface of the casing 2 as switches for inputting character data, and the casing 2 is provided at a position on the back side of the region where the first switches 3 are arranged.
A photoelectric conversion type second switch 4 for detecting the movement of the moving body in the upper space of is provided.

The first switch 3 is a contact-type switch (so-called tact switch) which switches between non-conduction and conduction when the opposite electrodes are separated from each other, and is a self-reset type with a spring member. Correspondingly, a plurality is arranged over several rows. Explaining the main ones, a character input switch 3a such as an alphabet arranged in the central portion of the upper surface of the housing 2, a blank character input switch (space key) 3b arranged on the front side thereof, a character input switch 3
Number input switch 3c arranged to the right of a, and function switch 3 arranged behind character input switch 3a
d and the like, and the character data is input to the computer C in accordance with the selective operation of these first switches 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second switch 4 has a pyroelectric infrared sensor 6 disposed in the recess 5 of the housing 2, and noise is removed from the upper surface of the recess 5.
In addition, a filter member 7 for preventing the entry of dust is provided, and the presence or absence of a moving body in the field of view of the infrared sensor 6 is identified by detecting infrared energy emitted from itself. The second switches 4 are arranged at four positions in the horizontal direction on the inner side of the function switch 3d, and each switch 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).
Are individually detected as signals for moving the coordinate position in a predetermined direction, and are detected as signals requesting movement to the left, upward, downward, and right in order from the left side. For example, when the switches 4a and 4b are simultaneously operated, the switches move diagonally left and upward, and when the switches 4a and 4c are simultaneously operated, the switches diagonally move left and downward.

Two contact-type switches described above are provided on the front side of the blank character input switch 3b so that the operator can operate in a standard posture in which the wrist is placed in front of the blank character input switch 3b. The third switch 5 (5a, 5b) is arranged side by side. Switch 5 on the left
a is for switching between the character input mode by the first switch 3 and the coordinate input mode by the second switch 4, and the switch 5b on the right side is a switch for inputting coordinates. The operator shifts to the coordinate input mode in a state where the left switch 5a is ON-operated by the left thumb, moves the left and right fingers to the space above the second switch 4, and instructs the moving direction of the coordinates. At this time, the cursor appearing on the display device D of the computer C moves in the designated direction, and when the left switch 5a is turned OFF while the cursor is moving, the cursor stops, and then the right switch 5b is turned ON. The coordinates are input by operating.

The above-mentioned movement of the cursor is based on the status signal of each switch of the data input device I input to the computer C via the data input cable 1.
It is executed as an internal process of the computer C.

Another embodiment will be described below. In the previous embodiment, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 6 is used as the photoelectric conversion type second switch 4, and the filter member 7 that removes noise and prevents dust from entering is described. ,
The filter member 7 may simply prevent dust from entering. Further, in view of the fact that the pyroelectric infrared sensor 6 is a differential type sensor, the filter member 7 may be made of liquid crystal so as to intermittently input infrared light so as to enable continuous input. . The location and the number of the second switches 4 are not limited to those in the previous embodiment, and can be set appropriately. For example, the operation is further facilitated by appropriately providing the switch between the first switches 3 so that the natural movement of the operator's finger in the left, right, up, and down directions can be accurately detected. Further, the second switch 4 is not limited to the pyroelectric infrared sensor 6, and any photoelectric conversion type sensor can be used. For example, a sensor other than the pyroelectric infrared sensor 6 can be used. An infrared sensor may be used, or a reflective photosensor composed of a pair of light emitting element and light receiving element may be used.

It should be noted that reference numerals are added to the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the structures of the accompanying drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a data input device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a data input device showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Case 3 First switch 4 Second switch C Computer

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Hiroyuki Higashikubo 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Kanagawa Science Park (KSP) B Building 11F1113 Kubota Electronic Technology Center (72) Inventor Shin Akihisa 32-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Kanagawa Science Park (KSP) Building B 11F1113 Kubota Electronic Technology Center Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of contact-type first switches (3) are arranged on an upper surface of a housing (2), and character data is sent to a computer (C) in accordance with selective operation of the first switches (3). A data input device for inputting, wherein the casing (2) is provided with a photoelectric conversion type second switch (4) for detecting movement of a moving body in an upper space of the casing (2), A data input device for inputting coordinate data to the computer (C) based on the movement of the moving body detected by the second switch (4). 2. The data input device according to claim 1, further comprising a third switch (5) for controlling an operating state of the second switch (4).