JPH07281826A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a coordinate input device having attractive and familiar outward appearance by forming a casing into a spherical shape and forming its surface simulating various game balls. CONSTITUTION:In the casing 1 which has an opening atop, a rotary spherical body 2 which projects partially from the opening and a measuring instrument which measures the rotating direction and rotational distance of the rotary spherical body 2 are provided, and switches 4 and 5 are provided at proper positions which are pressed by index finger and middle finger when the coordinate input device body is gripped. Further, the patter on the surface is formed simulating a soccer ball. The coordinate input device body when used is gripped first, and the rotary spherical body 2 is operated by thumb finger, the switch 4 is operated by index finger, and the switch 5 is operated by middle finger respectively. Consequently, a cursor position on a display screen is moved and controlled and coordinates can be inputted. Further, the device has the outward appearance of the soccer ball, so the device is operated joyfully.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device for controlling the movement of a cursor position displayed on a display screen of a CRT or the like and inputting coordinates.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, computer-related products have been sought for practicality only because most consumers are men, and appearance designs have been neglected. In particular, although mouse and trackball are frequently used, most of them have a rugged design with a single point of practical use.
The only material used for the surface was synthetic resin.

[0003]

However, in recent years, women and children have come to purchase computers, and more and more consumers are dissatisfied with conventional designs. In addition, its rugged appearance gave the experienced person a sense of intimidation and discouraged purchasing. Further, when the surface is made of synthetic resin, a trackball may become sticky due to sweat or the like, especially if it is used while being held in a hand for a long time, or something used by another person may feel unsanitary. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a new purchaser group who is not so interested because of the preconception that women and children and computers are difficult to understand until now. Against
It is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate input device that removes these preconceptions and has an appearance that is interesting and familiar.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a coordinate input device of the present invention is an operating body that is movable in at least the X direction and the Y direction at least in a casing having an opening, a part of which projects from the opening. And a coordinate input device that has a measuring unit that measures the movement of the operating body and outputs the result of the measurement to a display device, the casing is formed in a spherical shape, and its surface is regarded as a ball for various ball games. It is characterized by being formed. The invention according to claim 2 is
The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the casing is formed by using a material which is the same as or equivalent to the balls for various ball games.

[0005]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the cursor position on the display screen can be controlled to be moved by gripping the casing and moving the operating body. Further, since the present invention is spherical, it is easy to grasp, and since it has the appearance of various balls for ball games, it can be used as an interior of a room and can be operated in a fun manner. In particular, claim 2
Since the casing surface is made of the same or equivalent material as the balls for various ball games, the reality is further increased and the interior is optimal, and when leather is used, it is particularly comfortable to grip.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B show a coordinate input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a side view,
(C) is a top view. As shown in FIG. 1, in the coordinate input device of the present embodiment, inside a casing 1 having an opening at the top, a rotating sphere 2 partially protruding from the opening, a rotating direction and a rotating distance of the rotating sphere 2 are shown. The measuring device 3 for measuring is provided, and when the main body of the coordinate input device is grasped, the switch 4 and the switch 5 are provided at positions most suitable for pressing with the forefinger and the middle finger, and the surface pattern is made to resemble a soccer ball. Form. The main part of this embodiment has the above-mentioned structure, and its operation will be described below.

When the present embodiment is used, first, the main body of the coordinate input device is grasped, and the thumb operates the rotating sphere 2, the index finger operates the switch 4, and the middle finger operates the switch 5. Thereby, the cursor position on the display screen can be controlled to be moved and the coordinates can be input. In addition, since the present embodiment has a spherical shape, it is easy to grasp, and since it has the appearance of a soccer ball, it becomes an interior of a room and can be operated in a fun manner. If the surface of the casing 1 is covered with leather or the like so as to resemble a soccer ball, the reality is further increased, the interior is optimal, and the grip is comfortable.

Incidentally, a sliding type operation body may be used instead of the rotating sphere 2 as in a pointing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-35599. In addition, JP-A-6
A switch may be provided in the casing so that the pressing operation of the rotating sphere 2 can be performed in place of the pressing operation of the switch 4 or the switch 5, like the coordinate input device according to the publication No. -12179. In the above embodiment, the cable 6 is used to transmit information to the display device, but it may be cordless using an infrared light emitting diode or radio waves.

Although the above embodiment is generally called a trackball, the present invention may be formed as, for example, a mouse as long as it is formed as a coordinate input device whose appearance is like a ball for various ball games. To do. Of course, the appearance of the present invention is not limited to a soccer ball, and an embodiment having the appearance of any ball for ball games is possible.

[0010]

As described above, according to the present invention, a coordinate input device such as a mouse or a trackball, which has a conventional solid and intimidating appearance, is very familiar by assuming it as a ball for various ball games. In addition, it has been upgraded to a level that can also become an interior, and soccer, baseball, etc., which are mostly interested in new purchasing groups such as women and children,
By imitating them as basketballs, etc., they can be greatly interested and can be used in a fun way.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a coordinate input device according to the present invention, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a top view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Casing 2 Rotating sphere 3 Measuring device 4 Switch 5 Switch 6 Cable

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A casing having an opening, which has an operating body part of which protrudes from the opening and is movable in at least the X direction and the Y direction, and measuring means for measuring the movement of the operating body, A coordinate input device for outputting the result of measurement to a display device, wherein the casing is formed in a spherical shape, and the surface thereof is formed to be like a ball for various ball games. 2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the casing is formed of a material which is the same as or equivalent to various ball games balls.