JPH07325663A - Coordinate specifying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily specify fine coordinates and rough coordinate and improve the operability by bringing force adjustments by an operator into consideration as to the movement quantity of an operation part. CONSTITUTION:The pressure applied to the operation part 1 is detected by a pressure detecting means 30 and a value corresponding to the pressure applied to the operation part 1 is outputted from the pressure detecting means 30. The pressure detection signal is inputted to a pressure detection signal processing part 31 and classified by, for example, 1-5 stages through a comparator 31a, so that the signal is converted into a signal having a value corresponding to each stage. The pressure detection signal converted into the signal of the specific stage is converted by an A/D converter 31b into a digital signal, which is converted by a counter 31C into a parameter signal 83 used the arithmetic of an arithmetic part 40 and outputted. The respective parameter signals S1, S2, and S3 outputted from counters 11, 12 and the pressure detection signal processing part 31 are inputted to the arithmetic part 40 to calculate the movement quantity of the marker of a display part 70.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate designating device for designating arbitrary coordinates on a screen of a display unit by moving a marker by moving a manipulation unit such as a mouse. The present invention relates to a coordinate designating device which is capable of easily designing fine coordinates and rough coordinates by taking into consideration the force of an operator and improving operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for inputting information in a computer or the like, a coordinate designating device has been used which designates arbitrary coordinates on a screen of a display unit by moving a marker by moving an operating unit such as a mouse. . As shown in FIG. 5, a conventional coordinate designation device has an X-axis for detecting a movement amount (rotation amount) of an operation unit 100 such as a mouse and a trackball (not shown) provided on the operation unit 100 in the X-axis direction. Parameters for calculation are obtained by signal processing the detection signals from the movement amount detection means 110, the Y-axis movement amount detection means 120 for detecting the movement amount of the trackball in the Y-axis direction, and the X-axis movement amount detection means 110. A counter 111 for converting to a signal S11, and Y
A counter 1 which processes a detection signal from the shaft movement amount detecting means 120 and converts it into a parameter signal S12 for calculation.
21 and a calculation unit 130 that calculates the amount of movement of the marker on the screen of the display unit 70 based on these parameter signals S11 and S12 and outputs a movement command signal.

According to this structure, the operator
When the operation unit 100 is moved on the table, the trackball is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount, and the X-axis movement amount detection means 110 detects the movement amount of the trackball in the X-axis direction and Y The axial movement amount detecting means 120 detects the amount of movement of the trackball in the Y-axis direction. Then, the respective detection signals from the X-axis movement amount detection means 110 and the Y-axis movement amount detection means 120 are output from the counters 111 and 121 as parameter signals S11 and S12 for calculation in the calculation unit 130, respectively. The arithmetic unit 130, to which these parameter signals S11 and S12 are input, calculates the movement amount of the marker on the screen of the display unit 70 based on the values of the parameter signals S11 and S12, and outputs the movement command signal. This movement command signal is input to the control unit 60 via the interface unit 50, and the control unit 60
The marker on the screen of the display unit 70 is moved based on this move command signal. Here, the operator confirms the position of the moved marker and presses a switch (not shown) provided in the operation unit 100 to specify arbitrary coordinates on the screen of the display unit 70.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-234421,
The operation unit is provided with means for detecting whether or not the operator's hand is in contact, and when this detecting means detects the contact with the hand, the marker is continuously moved in the direction of rotation of the trackball. There has been proposed a coordinate designation device configured to stop the movement of the marker when it is detected that the hand is released. JP-A-61-23 having such a structure
According to the coordinate designation device of No. 4421, when the amount of movement of the marker is large, it is possible to move a large amount of the marker without rotating the trackball many times, and it is possible to improve the operability. .

[0005]

However, since the conventional coordinate designation device shown in FIG. 5 is configured to determine the movement amount of the marker based only on the movement amount of the operation unit 100, fine coordinates in drawing and the like. When the designation is made, the trackball of the operation unit 100 has to be delicately rotated, and when the rough coordinate designation is made in the menu selection or the like, the trackball of the operation unit 100 is repeated many times on a narrow desk. There was a problem that it had to be rotated and the operation was troublesome. On the other hand, JP-A-61-2344
In the conventional coordinate designating device of No. 21, as in the conventional coordinate designating device shown in FIG. 4, the marker moving amount is determined only based on the moving amount of the operation unit.
There is a problem that it is difficult to specify fine coordinates, and when rough coordinates are specified, the marker is moved only based on the contact of the operator's hand, so it takes time to move the marker. .

Here, in order to facilitate fine coordinate designation, it is conceivable to reduce the amount of movement of the marker with respect to the amount of movement of the operation unit. However, with such a configuration, rough coordinate designation becomes difficult. There is a problem. Further, in order to facilitate rough coordinate designation, it is possible to increase the movement amount of the marker with respect to the movement amount of the operation unit.
With such a configuration, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to specify fine coordinates.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily specify fine coordinates and rough coordinates by adding the amount of movement of the operator to the movement amount of the operating portion. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate designation device with improved operability.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the coordinate designating apparatus according to claim 1 designates arbitrary coordinates on the screen of the display unit by moving the marker by moving the operation unit. A coordinate designating device, which is a movement amount detecting means for detecting a movement amount of the operation portion, a pressure detecting means for detecting pressure applied to the operation portion, and a signal processing of a detection signal from the movement amount detecting means. Amount detection signal processing unit for converting into a parameter signal, a pressure detection signal processing unit for signal processing the detection signal from the pressure detection unit to convert a parameter signal, and these movement amount detection signal processing unit and pressure detection signal The moving amount of the marker is calculated based on each parameter signal from the processing unit, and a calculation unit that outputs the signal is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coordinate designating device for designating arbitrary coordinates on a screen of a display unit by moving a marker by moving an operating unit. A moving amount detecting means for detecting, a push button provided on the operation portion, a pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure applied from the push button, and a signal signal processing a detection signal from the moving amount detecting means to obtain a parameter signal. A movement amount detection signal processing unit, a pressure detection signal processing unit that performs signal processing of the detection signal from the pressure detection unit to convert a parameter signal, and these movement amount detection signal processing unit and pressure detection signal processing unit The calculation unit calculates the amount of movement of the marker based on each parameter signal and outputs the signal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate designating device, the pressure detection signal processing section divides the detection signal from the pressure detection means into stages and converts the detection signals into parameter signals having values corresponding to the respective stages. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate designation device, the arithmetic unit calculates the amount of movement of the marker by multiplying the value of each parameter signal from the movement amount detection signal processing unit and the pressure detection signal processing unit.

[0011]

According to the coordinate designating apparatus of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, when the operating portion is moved while applying pressure in the case of roughly designating the coordinate, the value of this pressure is obtained in the moving amount of the operating portion. In consideration of this, the marker can be moved largely by moving the operation unit a little. Further, in the case of finely designating coordinates, the marker can be finely moved by moving the operation unit without applying pressure.

Further, in the case where the pressure detection signal processing section is configured to divide the detection signal from the pressure detection means into stages and output a parameter signal having a value according to each stage,
The amount of movement of the marker can be changed stepwise depending on the strength of the pressure applied to the operation unit, and the amount of movement of the marker can have various types of widths.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the coordinate designating device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a coordinate designation device according to this embodiment. 2A and 2B show an operation unit of the present coordinate designation device, FIG. 2A is a partial side sectional view, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes an operation portion (mouse), which has a structure in which a housing portion 1b is provided inside a housing 1a, and a trackball 1c is rotatably housed in the housing portion 1b. The X-axis movement amount detecting means (movement amount detecting means) 1 of the trackball 1c is provided on the inner wall of the storage portion 1b.
0 and Y-axis movement amount detection means (movement amount detection means) 20 are embedded. The X-axis movement amount detecting means 10 and the Y-axis movement amount detecting means 20 are composed of a roller that comes into contact with the trackball 1c and rotates, and an encoder that converts the rotation amount of the roller into a digital signal. The axial movement amount detection means 10 detects the movement amount (rotation amount) of the trackball 1c in the X-axis direction, and the Y-axis movement detection means 20.
Detects the amount of movement of the trackball 1c in the Y-axis direction. Reference numeral 1d denotes an auxiliary roller, which cooperates with the rollers of the X-axis movement amount detecting means 10 and the Y-axis movement amount detecting means 20 to smoothly rotate the trackball 1c. Reference numeral 30 denotes a pressure detecting means, which is attached between the upper surface of the storage portion 1b and the inner surface of the housing 1a. This pressure detecting means 30 is
A piezoelectric conversion element such as a pressure-sensitive transistor or a pressure-sensitive diode. When an operator applies pressure to the operation unit 1, the pressure is applied to the upper surface of the storage unit 1b and the inner surface of the housing 1a, and a signal corresponding to the pressure is output.

11 is a counter (movement amount detection signal processing unit)
That is, the movement amount detection signal in the X-axis direction from the X-axis movement amount detecting means 10 is input, and the movement amount detection signal in the X-axis direction is converted into a parameter signal S1 for calculation in the calculation section 40. In addition, a counter (movement amount detection signal processing unit) 2
Reference numeral 1 receives the movement amount detection signal in the Y-axis direction from the Y-axis movement amount detecting means 20, and outputs the movement amount detection signal in the Y-axis direction,
It is converted into a parameter signal S2 for calculation in the calculation section 40. Reference numeral 31 is a pressure detection signal processing unit, which is a comparator 31.
a, an A / D converter 31b and a counter 31c. The comparator 31a divides the change in the pressure applied to the operation unit 1 into stages, compares the pressure detection signal from the pressure detection means 30 with a preset value, and compares this pressure detection signal with, for example, 1 ~ 6 levels (level 0
5) Level 0 is classified as either no pressure or level 5 is maximum pressure) and converted into a signal having a value corresponding to each stage. The A / D converter 31b converts the pressure detection signal converted by the comparator 31a into a digital signal.
The counter 31c converts the digital signal into a parameter signal S3 (for example, 1.1, 1 ..
2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, etc.).

The calculation unit 40 includes the parameter signals S1 and S from the counters 11 and 21 and the pressure detection signal processing unit 31, respectively.
2 and S3 are input, and multiplication of (parameter signal S1) × (parameter signal S3) and (parameter signal S2) × (parameter signal S3) is performed. Then, the result of these multiplications is output as the movement command signal of the marker. This movement command signal is input to the control unit 60 via the interface unit 50. The calculation unit 40 is not limited to the configuration of performing the multiplication of (parameter signal S1) × (parameter signal S3) and (parameter signal S2) × (parameter signal S3), but (parameter signal S1) + (parameter signal S3) And (parameter signal S2) + (parameter signal S3) may be added.

The control unit 60 moves the marker on the screen of the display unit 70 based on the move command signal. Further, the control unit 60 in the present embodiment is configured so that the movement amount of the marker becomes small when the operation unit 1 is not pressured.

Next, the operation of the coordinate detecting device of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described. First, when roughly specifying coordinates in menu selection or the like, the operation unit 1 is moved while applying pressure. Then, the X-axis movement amount detection stage 10 detects the movement amount of the trackball 1c in the X-axis direction, and the Y-axis movement amount detection means 20 detects the movement amount of the trackball 1c in the Y-axis direction. And these X
The movement amount detection signals from the axis movement amount detection stage 10 and the Y-axis movement amount detection means 20 are input to the counters 11 and 21, respectively, and the parameter signal S for calculation in the calculation unit 40 is input.
Converted to 1, S2 and output.

On the other hand, the pressure applied to the operating portion 1 is detected by the pressure detecting means 30, and the pressure detecting means 30
A detection signal having a value corresponding to the pressure applied to the operation unit 1 is output from. This pressure detection signal is input to the pressure detection signal processing unit 31, and the comparator 31a outputs, for example, 1 to 5
The signal is classified into one of the stages and converted into a signal having a value corresponding to each stage. Then, the pressure detection signal converted into the signal of the predetermined stage is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter, and then the calculation unit 40 is operated by the counter 31c.
Is converted into a parameter signal S3 for calculation in and output.

The parameter signals S1, S2, S3 output from the counters 11, 12 and the pressure detection signal processing unit 31, respectively.
Are respectively input to the arithmetic unit 40, and the arithmetic unit 40
The (parameter signal S1) × (parameter signal S3) and (parameter signal S2) × (parameter signal S3) are multiplied to calculate the movement amount of the marker on the display unit 70. Here, Table 1 shows the multiplication contents of the calculation unit 40. In the table below, the value of the parameter signal S3 = 1.0-1.
5 times, unit movement amount of parameter signals S1 and S2 = 5 mm. S3 S1 (S2) Marker movement amount Strong pressure level 5 ・ ・ ・ 1.5 × 5 = 7.5 Level 4 ・ ・ ・ 1.4 × 5 = 7.0 Level 3 ・ ・ ・ 1.3 × 5 = 6 .5 Level 2 ... 1.2 × 5 = 6.0 Weak pressure Level 1 ... 1.1 × 5 = 5.5 Level 0 ... 1.0 × 5 = 5.0 This calculation unit 40 The movement amount of the marker calculated by is output as a movement command signal.

This movement command signal is input to the control unit 60 via the interface unit 50, and the control unit 60
Moves the marker on the screen of the display unit 70 based on the move command signal.

Further, in order to correspond to fine coordinate designation in drawing, the unit movement amount of the parameter signal S1 (S2) is set to a small value, and the operation unit 1 is moved without applying pressure, the marker of the display unit 70 is moved. Can be moved finely.

According to the coordinate designating apparatus of this embodiment having such a configuration, the operability is improved by adding the amount of movement of the operator to the movement amount of the operating section 1, and fine coordinate designating and menus for drawing and the like. It is possible to easily specify a rough coordinate when selecting the. Further, in the coordinate designating device of the present embodiment, the movement amount of the marker can be changed stepwise depending on the strength of the pressure applied to the operation unit 1, and the movement amount of the marker can have various kinds of widths. it can.

The coordinate designation device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the pressure detection signal processing device 31 is provided with the comparator 31a to change the movement amount of the marker step by step. However, this is not particularly limited, and the pressure is applied to the operation unit 1. When added, the parameter signal S3 having a constant value may be uniformly output, and the movement amount of the marker may be constantly changed. Further, in the above embodiment, the pressure detecting means 30
Although the above is provided between the upper surface of the storage portion 1b and the inner surface of the housing 1a, it may be attached at a position directly pressed by the trackball 1c as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a button 1e for pressing the pressure detecting means 30 is provided in the operation section 1, and the button 1e is pressed with an arbitrary force to select a predetermined movement amount. May be.

Further, the movement amount detecting means is an X-axis movement amount detecting means 10 and a Y-axis movement amount detecting means 20.
Although the axial movement amount detecting means 10 and the Y-axis movement amount detecting means 20 are constituted by encoders for detecting the rotation amount of the trackball 1c, the movement amount detecting means is not limited to this, and for example, a grid drawn on a board. It may be an optical sensor that detects the amount of movement of the operation unit 1 based on the line. The operation unit 1 may be changed to an operation unit using a trackball other than a mouse, for example, an operation unit that directly rotates the joystick using the trackball or the trackball with a finger.

[0027]

As described above, according to the coordinate designating apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily specify the fine coordinates and the rough coordinates by adding the amount of the operator's force to the movement amount of the operating portion. The operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a coordinate designation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B show an operation unit of the coordinate designation device, FIG. 2A is a partial side sectional view, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view showing another embodiment of the present coordinate designating device.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing another embodiment of the present coordinate designating device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a coordinate designation device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 1a Housing 1b Storage part 1c Trackball 1d Auxiliary roller 1e Button 10 X-axis movement amount detection means 11 Counter (movement amount detection signal processing part) 20 Y-axis movement amount detection means 21 Counter (movement amount detection signal processing part) ) 30 pressure detection means 31 pressure detection signal processing section 31a comparator 31b A / D converter 31c counter 40 calculation section 50 interface section 60 control section 70 display section

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 4, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the coordinate designating apparatus according to claim 1 designates arbitrary coordinates on the screen of the display unit by moving the marker by moving the operation unit. A coordinate designating device, which is a movement amount detecting means for detecting a movement amount of the operation portion, a pressure detecting means for detecting pressure applied to the operation portion, and a signal processing of a detection signal from the movement amount detecting means. Amount detection signal processing unit for converting into a parameter signal , a pressure detection signal processing unit for signal processing the detection signal from the pressure detecting means and converting it into a parameter signal , and these movement amount detection signal processing unit and pressure detection signal The moving amount of the marker is calculated based on each parameter signal from the processing unit, and a calculation unit that outputs the signal is provided.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coordinate designating device for designating arbitrary coordinates on a screen of a display unit by moving a marker by moving an operating unit. A moving amount detecting means for detecting, a push button provided on the operation portion, a pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure applied from the push button, and a signal signal processing a detection signal from the moving amount detecting means to obtain a parameter signal. A moving amount detection signal processing unit, a pressure detection signal processing unit that processes the detection signal from the pressure detecting unit to convert it into a parameter signal , and these moving amount detection signal processing unit and pressure detection signal processing unit The calculation unit calculates the amount of movement of the marker based on each parameter signal and outputs the signal.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A coordinate designation device for designating arbitrary coordinates on a screen of a display unit by moving a marker by moving the operation unit, and a movement amount detection means for detecting a movement amount of the operation unit, Pressure detection means for detecting the pressure applied to the operation portion, a movement amount detection signal processing portion for signal processing the detection signal from the movement amount detection means and converting it into a parameter signal, and a detection signal from the pressure detection means Signal processing unit to convert the parameter signal into a pressure detection signal processing unit, and the movement amount of the marker is calculated based on each parameter signal from the movement amount detection signal processing unit and the pressure detection signal processing unit, and the signal is output. A coordinate designating device, comprising: 2. A coordinate designation device for designating arbitrary coordinates on a screen of a display unit by moving a marker by moving the operation unit, the movement amount detecting unit detecting a movement amount of the operation unit, A push button provided on the operation unit, a pressure detection unit that detects the pressure applied from the push button, and a movement amount detection signal process that performs signal processing of the detection signal from the movement amount detection unit and converts it into a parameter signal. Section, a pressure detection signal processing section for signal processing a detection signal from the pressure detection means to convert a parameter signal, and based on each parameter signal from these movement amount detection signal processing section and pressure detection signal processing section, A coordinate designation device comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a movement amount of a marker and outputs a signal. 3. The coordinate designation device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure detection signal processing unit is configured to divide a detection signal from the pressure detection unit into stages and convert the detection signals into parameter signals having values according to each stage. . 4. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic unit calculates the amount of movement of the marker by multiplying the values of the respective parameter signals from the amount of movement detection signal processing unit and the pressure detection signal processing unit.
The coordinate designation device according to 2 or 3.