JPH0643731U - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] In a card-type coordinate input device as a pointing device for displaying coordinate positions on a display, the point display position on the display is calculated for the movement width of the operation knob operated by a finger. Increase the movement width in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The racks 110 and 210 are respectively provided on the first drive plate 5 which is moved in the X-axis direction and the second drive plate 6 which is moved in the Y-axis direction by the operation knob 71. Rotating shafts 82 and 92 of rotating plates 8 and 9 having slits 81 and 91
The pinions 120 and 220 provided on the rack 110, 21
Bite to zero. Slits 81, 9 of each rotary plate 8, 9
The optical elements P1 and P2 are arranged corresponding to 1.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a coordinate input device capable of outputting a predetermined number of optical pulse signals corresponding to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction on a display according to the movement width of an operation knob operated by a finger. .

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, an optomechanical mouse, a trackball, etc. are known as coordinate input devices for outputting pulse signals corresponding to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction on a display such as a CRT. The coordinate signals output by these coordinate input devices are specified only through the relative operation of confirming the position of the point displayed on the display. Of course, it is not possible to specify a signal, and it is also impossible to assume a guideline for the coordinate signal.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in recent years, there have been advances in the use of specialized devices for computers, the multifunctionalization of home remote controllers, the sophistication of game software, and the diversification of these places of use. Therefore, instead of specifying the coordinate signal by the relative operation of confirming the point position displayed on the display like the conventional coordinate input device, the coordinate input device itself can specify the coordinate signal or the coordinate signal. There is a long-awaited need for a coordinate input device with excellent operability that can perform absolute movements that can be used as a guide.

On the other hand, although the above-mentioned optomechanical mouse, trackball, and the like have a relatively bulky appearance, in recent years, they are not such bulky ones, but flat card-shaped coordinates. There is a request for an input device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can be used in a wide range of applications such as computers, game machines, and other audio / video related equipment, and the coordinates on a display such as a CRT. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate input device that is excellent in operability because the position and the state of the operating mechanism including the operating knob always correspond to each other.

The present invention also provides a pointing device capable of increasing the movement width of the point display position on the display in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, relative to the movement width of the operation knob operated by a finger. It is intended to provide a card type coordinate input device.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The coordinate input device according to the invention of claim 1 is a guide plate having a first guide surface extending in the X-axis direction and a second guide surface extending in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the first guide surface. The first drive plate that is slidable only in the X-axis direction while being guided by the second drive plate, and the second drive plate that is slidable only in the Y-axis direction while being guided by the second guide surface, and the first drive plate in the X-axis direction. An operating mechanism provided with one operating knob for sliding the second drive plate in the Y-axis direction, a first rotary plate having a large number of slits formed at an equal pitch on the outer peripheral portion of the disc, and rotatable at a fixed position, and A second rotary plate, a first interlocking mechanism for converting the linear motion of the first drive plate into the rotary motion of the first rotary plate, and a first interlocking mechanism for converting the linear motion of the second drive plate into the rotary motion of the second rotary plate. 2 interlocking mechanism and corresponding to a predetermined position in the rotation path of the slit on the first rotating plate A first optical element, such as a phototransistor deployed Te, those having a second optical element such Fototo transistor deployed in response to a predetermined point in the rotational path of the slits in the second rotation plate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the coordinate input device according to the first aspect, wherein the first drive plate is driven by the first drive plate immediately before reaching the slide limit in the X-axis direction. And a second switch whose mode is switched by the second drive plate immediately before the second drive plate reaches the sliding limit in the Y-axis direction.

[0009]

[Action]

 According to the invention of claim 1, when the operation knob of the operation mechanism is moved in the X-axis direction, the first drive plate is guided to the first guide surface of the guide plate through the operation mechanism and is in the same direction as the operation knob. It moves in the X-axis direction, and the linear motion in the X-axis direction of the first drive plate becomes positive (+ X direction) or negative (-X direction) rotary motion of the first rotary plate due to the operation of the first interlocking mechanism. The angle of rotation of the first rotary plate is converted to an angle commensurate with the movement width of the operating knob, and the same number of light beams as the number of slits that have passed through the position facing the first optical element due to the rotation of the first rotary plate are converted. A pulse signal is generated. Then, by processing this optical pulse signal, the point position in the X-axis direction on the display is set at a position corresponding to the position of the operation knob.

Since the operation mechanism has a function of sliding the first drive plate in the X-axis direction as well as a function of sliding the second drive plate in the Y-axis direction, the operation knob is moved in the Y-axis direction. In such a case, the point position in the Y-axis direction on the display is set at a position corresponding to the position of the operation knob, in accordance with the above-mentioned point. Also, when the operation knob is moved diagonally, the point position on the display is set to a position that is a combination of the X-axis direction position and the Y-axis direction position, and that position depends on the position of the operation knob. It will be a place to be.

Further, since various known mechanisms capable of converting linear motion into rotational motion can be adopted for the first interlocking mechanism and the second interlocking mechanism, the linear motion of the first drive plate and the second drive plate can be adopted. The conversion ratio between the moving distance and the rotation angle of the first rotary plate or the second rotary plate can be arbitrarily set within a wide range. As a result, the point position can be displayed on the entire display with many pixels without increasing the number of slits provided in the first rotary plate and the second rotary plate of the card-type coordinate input device. Is demonstrated. In other words, the disadvantage of the card-type coordinate input device that the movable range of the point position on the display is narrow is solved.

According to the invention of claim 2, when the first drive plate is slid in the X-axis direction through the operating mechanism, the first drive plate reaches the position immediately before reaching the slide limit in the X-axis direction. Then, the mode of the first switch is switched by the first drive plate. Therefore, by processing the output signal of the first switch, it is possible to change the moving speed of the point position on the display in the X-axis direction and to perform other appropriate processing. Similarly, when the second drive plate is slid in the Y-axis direction via the operating mechanism, the point on the display is processed by processing the output signal of the second switch whose mode is switched by the second drive plate. The moving speed of the position in the Y-axis direction can be changed and other appropriate processing can be performed.

[0013]

【Example】

 1 is an external perspective view of a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing its internal structure, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2, and FIG. It is an exploded perspective view showing the 1st drive plate and the 2nd drive plate.

As shown in FIG. 1, the coordinate input device A is a flat card type, and is installed in the center of the upper case 1 with the same aspect ratio as that of a display (not shown). A rectangular opening 11 formed in a rectangular shape, and the operating knob 71 of the operating mechanism 7 to be described later is moved in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the combined direction (diagonal direction) within the range regulated by the opening 11. You can do it.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 2 denotes a lower case, and a printed wiring board 3 having a predetermined circuit pattern is arranged inside the lower case 2, and a base is placed on the printed wiring board 3. The guide plates 4 that also serve as are arranged in an overlapping manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the guide plate 4 is formed with parallel straight grooves 41 and 42 extending in the X-axis direction at two locations in the vertical direction, and the wall surfaces of these grooves 41 and 42 are In addition to being the first guide surfaces 41a and 42a, parallel and straight grooves 43 and 44 extending in the Y-axis direction are formed at two locations in the lateral direction, and the wall surfaces of these grooves 43 and 44 are the first. Two guide surfaces 43a and 44a are formed. The two grooves 41, 42 extending in the X-axis direction are deeper than the two grooves 43, 44 extending in the Y-axis direction, and these grooves 41, 42, 43, 44 intersect in a grid pattern. There is.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a first drive plate, and as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the plate pieces 51 and 52 each having one long and one short are connected to the central portions of the plate pieces 51 and 52. And a connecting plate portion 53 that operates. As shown in FIG. 2, the first drive plate 5 has two plate pieces 51 and 52 respectively fitted into the two grooves 41 and 42 of the guide plate 4, and the first guide surfaces 41a and 42a form an X-shaped portion. It is designed to be guided in the axial direction. Reference numeral 6 denotes a second drive plate, and this second drive plate 6 is also similar to the first drive plate 5 in that the plate portions 61 and 62 are elongated and short one by one, and the central portions of the plate portions 61 and 62 are adjacent to each other. And a connecting plate portion 63 for connecting the two plate piece portions 61, 62 to the two grooves 43, 44 of the guide plate 4 respectively as shown in FIG. The two guide surfaces 43a and 44a guide in the Y-axis direction. The connecting plate portion 63 of the second drive plate 6 is superposed on the connecting plate portion 53 of the first drive plate 5 so as to be slidable in an orthogonal state. The first drive plate 5 and the second drive plate 6 are made of synthetic resin having excellent slipperiness.

The operation mechanism shown by reference numeral 7 in FIG. 3 has an operation knob 71 and a holding tool 72. As shown in FIG. 4, the holding tool 72 is provided at four positions of the holding plate portion 73 at 90 ° intervals. The pillars 74, which are erected upright, are integrally formed. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holding tool 72 of the holding tool 72 is formed at four corners formed at the overlapping portions of the connecting plate portion 53 of the first drive plate 5 and the connecting plate portion 63 of the second drive plate 6. The four columns 74 are fitted from below, and the four fitting holes 75 formed in the operation knob 71 are individually fitted to the columns 74. In the operation mechanism 7 thus mounted, when the operation knob 71 is moved in the X-axis direction, only the first drive plate 5 moves in the X-axis direction, and when the operation knob 71 is moved in the Y-axis direction, the second drive plate 6 is moved. Only moves in the Y-axis direction, and when the operation knob 71 is moved diagonally, the first drive plate 5 moves in the X-axis direction and the second drive plate 6 moves in the Y-axis direction.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, 8 is a first rotary plate and 9 is a second rotary plate. The second rotary plate 9 will be described. The second rotary plate 9 is arranged near the second guide surface 43a corresponding to the long side plate piece 61 of the second drive plate 6. That is, the second rotary plate 9 has a large number of slits 91 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the disc at equal pitches, and the rotary shaft 92 is provided at the central portion of the disc, as shown in FIG. The lower end of the rotating shaft 92 is inserted into the hole 31 formed in the printed wiring board 3 or the hole 46 formed in the guide plate 4 and supported by the bearing portion 21 provided in the lower case 2. Moreover, the upper end portion of the rotary shaft 92 is supported by the bearing portion 12 provided in the upper case 1. The first rotary plate 8 has the same configuration as the second rotary plate 9 described above, and is provided at a location near the first guide surface 41a corresponding to the long plate piece 51 of the first drive plate 5 described above. To be done. Moreover, the rotation shaft 82 is supported by the bearing portions (not shown) provided in the lower case 2 and the upper case 1 in the same configuration as that described for the second rotary plate 2.

The first drive plate 5 and the first rotary plate 8 are connected by a first interlocking mechanism 100. In the illustrated example, the first interlocking mechanism 100 is formed of a rack 110 provided on the long plate piece 51 of the first drive plate 5 and a pinion 120 provided on the rotary shaft 82 of the first rotary plate 8. Due to the meshing of the rack 110 and the pinion 120, the linear motion of the first drive plate 5 in the X-axis direction is the positive direction (+ X direction) or the negative direction (-X direction) of the first rotary plate 8. It is designed to be converted into rotational movement. Further, the second drive plate 6 and the second rotary plate 9 are connected by the second interlocking mechanism 200, and the second interlocking mechanism 200 is the same as the first interlocking mechanism 100 in that the second drive plate 6 is long. It is formed by a rack 210 provided on the plate piece portion 61 on the side and a pinion 220 provided on the rotary shaft 92 of the second rotary plate 9, and when the rack 210 and the pinion 220 mesh with each other, The linear motion of the drive plate 6 in the Y-axis direction is converted into the positive (+ Y direction) or negative (-Y direction) rotary motion of the second rotary plate 9. The diameters of the first rotary plate 8 and the second rotary plate 9 are extremely larger than the diameters of the pinions 120 and 220 attached to them.

In FIG. 2, P1 is a first optical element made up of a phototransistor, an LED, a photo IC, etc. arranged corresponding to a predetermined position in the rotation path of the slits 81 ... In the first rotary plate 8, P2 Is a second optical element composed of a phototransistor, an LED, a photo IC, etc. arranged corresponding to a predetermined position in the rotation path of the slits 91 ... In the second rotary plate 9. These are mounted on the printed wiring board 3.

Numerals 10 and 20 are dented to open and close the switches mounted on the printed wiring board 3. The switches provided corresponding to these dents are for starting and canceling. Used for confirmation, etc. In FIG. 3, a switch corresponding to the push button 10 is indicated by a reference numeral 10a. Further, 300 is a plastic sheet.

As shown in FIG. 2, first switches 47a and 47b, which are key switches, are provided in the vicinity of both ends of the groove 41 having the first guide surface 41a, and the first switch on one side is provided. 47a, the opening / closing mode is switched by one end of the plate piece 51 immediately before the first drive plate 5 is slid in the -X direction (left in FIG. 2) and reaches the slide limit, and the first switch 47b on the other side is switched. The opening / closing mode is switched by the other end of the plate piece portion 51 immediately before the first drive plate 5 is slid in the + X direction (rightward in FIG. 2) and reaches the slide limit. The second switches 48a and 48b, which are key switches, are provided near both ends of the groove 43 having the second guide surface 43a, and the second switch 48a on one side has the second drive plate 6 in the -Y direction. Immediately before the slide limit is reached (downward in FIG. 2), the open / close mode is switched by one end of the plate piece 61, and the second switch 47b on the other side causes the second drive plate 6 to move in the + X direction (upward in FIG. 2). The slide mode is switched to the open / close mode by the other end of the plate piece 61 immediately before the slide limit is reached.

In the coordinate input device configured as described above, when the operating knob 71 is moved by a finger, the first driving plate 5 moves in the X-axis direction and the second driving plate moves in accordance with the moving direction of the operating knob 71. 6 moves in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, for example, when the first drive plate 5 moves in the X-axis direction, the rack 110 provided on the plate piece portion 51 and the pinion 120 meshing with the rack 110 work to operate the first drive plate 5. The linear motion of 5 is converted into the rotary motion of the first rotary plate 8. At this time, the rotation angle of the first rotary plate 8 becomes an angle commensurate with the movement width of the operation knob 71 in the X-axis direction, and such a rotation of the first rotary plate 8 causes a position facing the first optical element P1. The same number of optical pulse signals (coordinate signals) as the number of slits 81 ... When this light pulse signal is processed by a signal processing circuit (not shown), the point position in the X-axis direction on the display is set at a position corresponding to the position of the operation knob 71. When the second drive plate 6 moves in the Y-axis direction, the rack 210 provided on the plate piece portion 61 and the pinion 220 meshing with the rack 210 work to move the second drive plate 6 linearly. It is converted into the rotary motion of the second rotary plate 9. At this time, the rotation angle of the second rotary plate 9 becomes an angle commensurate with the movement width of the operation knob 71 in the Y-axis direction, and such rotation of the second rotary plate 9 causes the second rotary plate 9 to pass through a position facing the second optical element P2. The same number of optical pulse signals (coordinate signals) as the number of slits 91 ... Generated. When this light pulse signal is processed by a signal processing circuit (not shown), the point position in the Y-axis direction on the display is set at a position corresponding to the position of the operation knob 71. Therefore, the point position combined in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is displayed on the display.

Here, as the first interlocking mechanism 100 and the second interlocking mechanism 200, various known mechanisms capable of converting linear motion into rotary motion can be adopted. Therefore, the intermediate gear is interposed between the rack 110 (210) and the pinion 120 (220) in the illustrated example and the linear movement amount of the rack 110 (210) is not changed and the first rotating plate 8 (second rotating plate) is not changed. It is also possible to increase the rotation angle of the plate 9), and by taking such measures, the linear movement distance of the first drive plate 5 and the second drive plate 6 and the first rotary plate 8 and the second rotary plate can be increased. The conversion ratio of 9 to the rotation angle can be arbitrarily set within a wide range. As a result, the number of slits 81 ... 91 provided in the first rotary plate 8 and the second rotary plate 9 of the coordinate input device A configured in the card type as in the embodiment is not increased so much, and It becomes possible to display the point position on the whole of a large number of displays. The first interlocking mechanism 100 and the second interlocking mechanism 200 are not limited to a gear mechanism such as a rack and pinion, and a roller, a belt, and a mechanism in which gears are combined can be adopted.

When the first drive plate 5 reaches the position immediately before reaching the slide limit in the X-axis direction, one end or the other end of the plate piece portion 51 of the first drive plate 5 causes one of the first switches P 1 to move. The mode is switched. Therefore, by processing the output signal of the first switch P1, the moving speed of the point position on the display in the X-axis direction can be changed and other appropriate processing can be performed. Similarly, when the second drive plate 6 is slid in the Y-axis direction, by processing the output signal of any one of the second switches P2 whose modes are switched, the Y-axis direction of the point position on the display is processed. You can change the movement speed of the and other appropriate processing.

FIG. 5 is a disassembled perspective view showing the operation mechanism 7 and the first drive plate 5 and the second drive plate 6 according to a modification. The first drive plate 5 and the second drive plate 6 in this case have elongated holes 54 and 64 in their connecting plate portions 53 and 63, respectively. The operation mechanism 7 is similar to that described in FIG. 4 and the like in that it has an operation knob 71 and a holding tool 72, but the holding tool 72 in FIG. It has a pillar 76 as one body. Then, one strut 76 of the holding tool 72 is inserted from below into the long hole 54 formed on the first drive plate 5 side and the long hole 64 on the second drive plate 6 side, and the support column 76 is inserted into the support column 76. A boss 77 formed on the operation knob 71 is fitted. Also in the operation mechanism 7 attached in this manner, when the operation knob 71 is moved in the X-axis direction, only the first drive plate 5 moves in the X-axis direction, and when the operation knob 71 is moved in the Y-axis direction, the second drive plate 6 is moved. Only moves in the Y-axis direction, and when the operation knob 71 is moved in an oblique direction, the first drive plate 5 moves in the X-axis direction and the second drive plate 6 moves in the Y-axis direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plate pieces 51 and 52 of the first drive plate 5 and the plate pieces 61 and 62 of the second drive plate 6 are integrally provided with projections 56 and 66, respectively. The protrusions 56 and 66 are held so as to be slidable on the inner surface of the upper case 1. By doing so, the first drive plate 5 and the second drive plate 6 move smoothly in a predetermined direction without rattling.

[0029]

[Effect of device]

 According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to specify the coordinate signal composed of the optical pulse signal output from the position of the operation knob or to assume the coordinate signal. For this reason, the operability is extremely improved by assuming the coordinate position on the display from the position of the operation knob. Further, according to the invention of claim 1, the pointing range capable of increasing the range of movement of the point display position on the display in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction relative to the range of movement of the operation knob operated by a finger. It becomes possible to provide a card-type coordinate input device as a device.

According to the invention of claim 2, it becomes possible to process the optical pulse signal at the position immediately before the first drive plate and the second drive plate reach the slide limit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an internal structure of the coordinate input device.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an operation mechanism and a first drive plate and a second drive plate.

FIG. 5 is an operation mechanism according to a modification, a first drive plate and a second drive plate.
It is an exploded perspective view showing a drive plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A coordinate input device 4 guide plate 5 first drive plate 6 second drive plate 7 operating mechanism 8 first rotary plate 9 second rotary plate 41a, 42a first guide surface 43a, 43a second guide surface 47a, 47b first switch 48a, 48b 2nd switch 71 Operation knob 81 Slit of 1st rotary plate 91 Slit of 2nd rotary plate 100 1st interlocking mechanism 200 2nd interlocking mechanism P1 1st optical element P2 2nd optical element

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A guide plate having a first guide surface extending in the X-axis direction and a second guide surface extending in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the X-axis guided by the first guide surface. The first drive plate that is slidable only in the direction, the second drive plate that is guided by the second guide surface and is slidable only in the Y-axis direction, the first drive plate is the X-axis direction, and the second drive plate is the Y-axis direction. An operating mechanism provided with one operating knob for sliding in one direction, a first rotating plate and a second rotating plate having a large number of slits formed at an equal pitch on the outer peripheral portion of the disc and rotatable in fixed positions; A first interlocking mechanism that converts the linear motion of the first drive plate into the rotary motion of the first rotary plate, a second interlocking mechanism that converts the linear motion of the second drive plate into the rotary motion of the second rotary plate, and a first rotary A photo tiger that is installed at a predetermined position in the rotation path of the slit in the plate A first optical element, such as a register, a coordinate input apparatus characterized by having, a second optical element such as a phototransistor deployed in response to a predetermined point in the rotational path of the slits in the second rotation plate. 2. A first switch whose mode is switched by the first drive plate immediately before the first drive plate reaches the slide limit in the X-axis direction, and a second drive plate reaches the slide limit in the Y-axis direction. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising a second switch whose mode is switched immediately by the second drive plate.