JPH0784719A - Inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To integrate a coordinate inputting mechanism in a simple structure and at a low cost, in an inputting device provided with the coordinate inputting mechanism which moves a cursor or the like on the display of a word processor and a computer or the like to an arbitrary position. CONSTITUTION:Circular upper part resistance pattern 17 and lower part resistance pattern 18 are formed so as to be opposed to an upper part sheet 14 and a lower part sheet 15 constituting a membrane sheet switch 13. Then, a dome point 25 having a plunger 22 at which a pressurizing part 22b is formed is inclined and pressurized, and the parts of the upper part resistance pattern 17 and the lower part resistance pattern 17 corresponding to the inclining direction are brought into contact with each part, so that an electrical characteristic can be changed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device having a coordinate input mechanism for moving a cursor or the like on a display in a word processor, a computer or the like to an arbitrary position.

In recent years, in the field of OA (office automation) such as data processing, word processors and computers, a pointing device for inputting coordinates has been used in addition to a keyboard device as an input device.
On the other hand, word processors, computers, and the like tend to be miniaturized, and there is a demand for pointing devices that are suitable for miniaturization. Therefore, it is necessary to save space and improve operability.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as means for moving a cursor or the like on a display in a computer or the like to an arbitrary position,
There is a pointing device that inputs coordinates. This pointing device includes a mouse, trackball,
There is a joystick etc.

For example, a mouse is used as an external input device, and as a mechanical device, an encoder for optical signals provided in each of the XY directions is rotated by a sphere rotated on a flat floor, and two sets are arranged in the vertical direction. Two sets of two-phase incremental signals in the horizontal direction (two sets of signals with different phases)
Is to be output. On the other hand, as an optical type,
The irradiation light from the light source is moved on the reflection plate of the laid grid pattern, the reflected light state of the light emitted from the light source is received, and the position coordinates are output.

There is a so-called isopoint as a device for inputting a position in one direction. This isopoint is provided with a roller on the rotary shaft, and the operator rotates the roller by hand or the like, and outputs the position (movement amount) by counting the rotation. Since such isopoints are relatively small in size, it is possible to occupy a predetermined area of a keyboard device and assemble it.

On the other hand, although there is a small-sized pressure conductive rubber type input mechanism for a single key of a keyboard device as an input device, a contact type of a membrane switch is generally used at present.

[0007]

However, the pointing device connected to the outside such as the mouse is mechanical type,
A wide operation area must be secured regardless of the optical type,
Further, there is a problem in that even if it can be incorporated into a keyboard device such as Isopoint, it cannot be incorporated when the free space is small.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an input device having a simple structure and a coordinate input mechanism incorporated therein at low cost.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above object is to provide an upper sheet having a predetermined number of upper contacts and a lower sheet having a predetermined number of lower contacts with the upper contacts and the lower contacts facing each other on a support panel. An input device which outputs a signal by bringing the upper contact and the lower contact into contact with each other by a predetermined input key, and an upper detector having a predetermined pattern formed on the upper sheet and formed on the lower sheet. A lower detection body having a predetermined pattern facing the upper detection body and predetermined portions of the upper detection body and the lower detection body are brought into contact with each other by inclining and pressing the direction indicating member included therein to the upper detection body and the lower portion. A position input key that changes the electrical characteristics between the detection bodies, and a structure including the position input key.

[0010]

As described above, the upper sheet and the lower sheet are
An upper detection body and a lower detection body that face each other are formed, and these are brought into contact with each other by inclining and pressing the direction indicator provided in the position input key. This changes the electrical characteristics between the upper detector and the lower detector. This change in the electrical characteristic makes it possible to detect the pointing direction and the pressing force by the position input key.

That is, the coordinate input mechanism can be constructed by using the upper sheet and the lower sheet which are conventionally provided in the input device, and the coordinate input mechanism can be incorporated in the input device with a simple structure at a low cost. .

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a plan view mainly showing a partial cross-sectional structure of a keyboard device as an input device and each resistance pattern.

In FIG. 1, a keyboard device 11 is used as, for example, an input device of a word processor or a computer, and a so-called membrane sheet switch 13 is provided on a support panel 12. In this membrane sheet switch 13, an upper sheet 14 and a lower sheet 15 are arranged in an overlapping manner with a spacer 16 interposed.

The upper sheet 14 and the lower sheet 15 include
Upper contact 14 according to the number of input keys _aAnd lower contact 15
_aAre formed to face each other, and
Top contact 14_aAnd lower contact 15_aHole in part 16_aShape
Is made.

Further, the upper sheet 14 and the lower sheet 15
A circular upper resistance pattern 17 is formed on the upper sheet 14 by a resistor as an upper detector in a predetermined portion of the coordinate position input mechanism (described later).
A circular lower resistance pattern 18 is formed on the lower sheet 15 so as to face the upper resistance pattern 17 by a resistor as a lower detector. Further, the upper resistance pattern 1 of at least one of the upper sheet 14 and the lower sheet 15
A support printing pattern 19 is formed as a spacer in the central portion of 7 or the lower resistance pattern 18.

The upper resistance pattern 17 and the lower resistance pattern 18 are formed of a carbon-based resistance member in a circular shape, and a void portion 20 is formed in a predetermined portion, and the lead conductor pattern (Ag, Ag) is formed from this end portion. -C2 layer, or Ag
-C mixed) 17 _A , 17 _B , 18 _a , 18 _b are formed. Further, similar lead conductor patterns 17 _C , 17 _D , 18 _c , 18 _d are formed at positions of ± 90 degrees from the void portion 20 of the upper resistance pattern 17 and the lower resistance 18.

On the other hand, on the upper contact 14 _a and the lower contact 15 _{a of} the membrane sheet switch 13, the protrusion 2 is provided.
Rubber-like dome switches 21 each having 1 _a are arranged. Further, the plunger 22 on the upper resistor pattern 17 and the lower resistor pattern 18 is formed of natural rubber or plastic elastomer is a direction indication member pressing portion 22 _b is formed in the support portion 22 _a and surrounding the central portion Are placed. Support part 22 of this plunger 22
_{The a} is brought into contact with the upper sheet 14 on the supporting print pattern 19.

Each dome switch 21 and the plunger
A switch panel 23 is attached to the entire upper surface of 22. The
Square key tops 24 on each dome switch 21_aGatori
It is attached to form the input key, and the plunger 2
Round key top 24 on 2 _bIs installed and in position
The force key (dome point) 25 is configured.

The keyboard device 11 as described above will be described first.
Key top 24_aThe input keys for are
Key top 24, which has a role such as_aTo
When pressed, the dome switch 21 will move downward.
The protrusion 21 bends when touched. _aBy the upper contact 14_aWhen
Bottom contact 15_aContact with.

[0020] On the other hand, the key top 24 _b position input keys 2
5 serves as a coordinate input mechanism, and the plunger 2
By tilting in the vertical and horizontal and diagonal directions of two of the support portion 22 _a as a fulcrum, the pressing portion 22 _b is contacting the upper resistor pattern 17 and the lower resistor pattern 18 in the tilt direction. The electrical characteristics (resistance value) between the upper resistance pattern 17 and the lower resistance pattern 18 change depending on the contact position,
The inclination direction and the pressing force of the key top 24 _b are detected by this change (described later). For example, it is possible to move the cursor on the display in the tilt direction and change the cursor moving speed by pressing force.

Here, FIG. 2 shows an operation explanatory view of the dome point of FIG. FIG. 2A shows the upper resistance pattern 17.
The case where the inclination direction of the (lower resistance pattern 18) is represented by the angle θ from the void 20 is shown. FIG. 2 (B) is a schematic development view of each resistance pattern 17, 18 and shows the contact of FIG. 2 (A). The position is the short circuit position in FIG. And 17
_{A -18 a, 17 C -18 c} , 17 D -18 d, 17 B
The pressing direction (tilt direction θ = 0 to 2π) is detected by measuring the resistance value between −18 _{b, and since} the plunger 22 of the dome point 25 is an elastic body such as natural rubber, each pressing force is applied. The contact areas (contact lengths) of the resistance patterns 17 and 18 are different and the resistance value changes, and the pressing force of the dome point 25 can be detected by this resistance change.

Further, FIG. 3 shows a circuit block diagram for detecting the pressing direction and pressing force in FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the detection means.
2 _a and 32 _b are between the lead conductors 17 _A -18 _a and 17 _C -1 of the upper resistance pattern 17 and the lower resistance pattern 18.
It is sequentially scanned in _{8 c, 17 D -18 d,} 17 B -18 b.

Switch 32_aIs connected to the power supply circuit 33
And switch 32_bIs grounded. This switch
Chi 32_a, 32_bThe resistance value between
Measurement, and the measurement result is measured by MPU (control, memory,
It is sent to a microprocessor) 35 which performs arithmetic and the like. MP
The U35 controls the scan circuit 31 for each calculation. Often
The resistance value is detected by the resistance value detection circuit 34 at the dome point.
Each resistance pattern 1 due to the short circuit of the measurement position by 25
One of 7 and 18 has a gradually increasing characteristic and the other has a gradually decreasing characteristic.
It For example, 17_A-17_C(18_a-18_c) And 1
7_D-17_B(18_d-18_b) Resistance to R₁And 1
7_d-17_D(18_c-18_d) Resistance to R₂As
17_C-18_cIf contact is made in_A-18_a
Resistance value R _Aa= R₁+ R₁= 2R₁, 17_C-18_c
Resistance value R_Cc= 0,17_D-18 _dResistance value R_Dd=
R₂+ R₂= 2R₂, 17_B-18_bResistance value R_Bb=
R₁+ R₂+ R₂+ R₁= 2 (R₁+ R₂).

These measured resistance values are stored in the MPU 35 for calculation, θ (= 90 °) is detected, and an output signal is output via the output circuit 36.

Therefore, FIG. 4 shows a graph of the pressing resistance of FIG. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, θ is an angle in the pressing direction of the dome point, and the pressing resistance R (= 2R ₁ + R)
₂ ) shows the relationship with. In FIG. 4A, R
The _Aa was alpha _1, R _Bb and β _1, θα ₁ the pressing direction corresponding to the alpha _1, When .theta..beta ₁ pressing direction corresponding to the beta _1, was actually touched position theta (point contact) is, theta ( θα ₁ +
It is represented by θβ ₁ ) / 2.

The electrical characteristics of the pressing resistance at this time are shown in FIG.
It is shown by the solid line in (A), and the resistance value decreases and changes to the alternate long and short dash line as the pressing force increases. The pressing strength (pressing force) in this case is represented by (θβ ₁ −θα ₁ ).

Further, in FIG. 4B, the space 20 is pressed down.
In case of_CcΑ₂, R _DdΒ₂, Α₂To
The corresponding pressing direction is θα₂, Β₂The pressing direction corresponding to
θβ ₂Then, the actual pressed position θ (surface contact) is θ
= {Θα₂-(2π-θβ₂)} / 2, and press
Strength (pressing force) is {θα₂+ (2π-θβ₂)}
To be done. That is, the upper resistance pattern 17 and the lower resistance pattern
Withdraw the occurrence of the non-determination zone by the void 20 of the turn 18
Conductor pattern 17_C, 17_D, 18_c, 18 _dForming
It can be resolved by doing.

Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory views of another embodiment of the resistance pattern of FIG. FIG. 5A is a schematic development view and shows a case where a conductive lower conductor pattern 18 ₁ is formed on the lower sheet 15 in place of the lower resistance pattern 18 of FIG. The resistance characteristic in this case is shown in FIG. 5B (R _Cc and R _Dd are omitted). The detection of the pressing direction (tilt direction) by measuring the resistance value pressing strength is the same as described above. The upper resistance pattern 17 may be a conductive pattern.

Further, FIG. 6 (A) to each of the aforementioned upper resistor pattern 17 and the lower resistor pattern 18, forming a space portion 20 _a, 20 _b of symmetry, the gap portion 20 _a, 2
Conductor patterns 17 _A to 1 drawn from the ends of 0 _b
7 _D, 18 is obtained by forming a _a ~ 18 _d. A developed schematic diagram in this case is shown in FIG. 6B, and the resistance characteristic is shown in FIG.
It is shown in (C). The operating principle is the same as described above.
In the case shown in FIG. 6, a lead conductor pattern may be further formed in the θ = ± 90 ° portion in order to supplement detection when the void portion _20a or _20b is pressed.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a structural diagram of another embodiment of the upper and lower sheets of FIG. In FIG. 7A, the support portion 22 _a of the plunger 22 at the dome point 25 is brought into contact with and supported by the lower sheet 15 through the hole 41 formed in the upper sheet 14. This allows the plunger 2
By second pressing portion 22 _b in which it is possible to reduce the pressing force for the short-circuit contact. Further, the formation of the supporting print pattern can be omitted as described above.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the support portion 22 _a of the plunger 22, the holes 42 _a, 42 _b formed in both the upper sheet 14 and lower sheet 15, support panel through which It is directly supported by 12. In this case, the projection 43 is formed on the support panel 12, the support portion 22 _a of the plunger 23 recess is formed, in which they are fitted positioning, other configurations, operations, and effects The same as above.

In this way, the membrane sheet switch 1
The dome point 25, which is a coordinate input mechanism using the membrane sheet switch 13 and having good operability, can be incorporated in the keyboard device 11 having the simple structure at a low cost.

In the above embodiment, the circular upper resistance pattern 17 and the lower resistance pattern 18 may be formed in a locally meandering shape in order to increase the resistance value.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the input device having the contact structure with the upper sheet and the lower sheet, the upper detection body and the lower detection body are formed on the upper sheet and the lower sheet, respectively, and the position input key is used. The coordinate input mechanism can be incorporated at a low cost with a simple structure by changing the electrical characteristics by pressing due to the inclination of the position detection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the dome point of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram for detecting the pressing direction and pressing force in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a graph of the pressing resistance of FIG.

5 is an explanatory view (1) of another embodiment of the resistance pattern of FIG.

6 is an explanatory view (2) of another embodiment of the resistance pattern of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the upper and lower sheets of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 keyboard device 12 support panel 13 membrane sheet switch 14 top sheet 14 _a top contact 15 lower sheet 15 _a bottom contact 16 switch 17 upper resistor pattern 18 lower resistance pattern 19 supporting the print pattern _{17 A, 17 B, 17 a} , 17 b, 18 _C , 18 _D , 1
8 _c , 18 _d Lead conductor pattern 20 Void 22 _a Support 22 _b Press 25 Dome point 31 Scan circuit 32 _a 32 _b Switch 33 Power supply circuit 34 Resistance detection circuit 35 MPU 36 Output circuit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A top top contact (14 _a) is a predetermined number forming sheet (14) and a lower sheet bottom contacts (15 _a) is a predetermined number formed (15) are upper contact (14 _a)
The support panel (1) with the lower contact (15 _a ) facing each other.
2) is disposed on, the input device for outputting a signal by contacting the predetermined input key (24 _a) by the upper contact and (14 _a) and a lower contact (15 _a), said upper sheet (14) An upper detection body (17) having a predetermined pattern formed on the upper sheet, and the upper detection body (1) formed on the lower sheet (15).
7) A lower detection body (18) having a predetermined pattern and a predetermined portion of the upper detection body (17) and the lower detection body (18), which are opposed to the predetermined pattern, are tilted and pressed by the direction indicating member (22). An input device comprising: a position input key (25) which is brought into contact with the upper detection body (17) and changes electrical characteristics between the upper detection body (17) and the lower detection body (18). 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the upper detector (17) and the lower detector (18) are formed of resistors. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein one of the upper detector (17) and the lower detector (18) is formed of a resistor and the other is formed of a conductor. 4. The upper detection body (17) and the lower detection body (18) are each formed in an annular shape, and void portions (20, 20 _a , 20 _b ) are formed in predetermined portions, and the voids are formed. parts (20,20 _a, 20 _b) conductive lead to the end that is formed _{(17 a ~17 D, 18 a} ~18 d) input device according to claim 1 to 3 further characterized in that is formed . 5. Each of the upper detector (17) and the lower detector (18) has a predetermined number of lead conductors (17 _C , 17 _D , 18 _c , 18 _d ) from predetermined portions of the annular portion.
The input device according to claim 4, wherein the input device is formed. 6. The contact position and the pressing force of the upper detection body (17) and the lower detection body (18) are set to the upper detection body (1).
7) and detection means (31 to 36) for detecting and outputting the resistance value between the predetermined lead conductors (17 _{A to} 17 _D , 18 _a to 18 _d ) formed on the lower detection body (18). The input device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that. 7. The direction supporting member (22) of the position input key (25) is provided with a supporting portion ( _22a ) for tilting, and the upper sheet (14) and the lower sheet (15). input device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer that supports (19) are provided the support portion (22 _a) between. Wherein said supporting portion of the direction indication member (22) (22 _a), is supported on the lower sheet (15) through a hole (41) formed in said upper sheet (14) The input device according to claim 1, wherein: 9. The supporting portion (22 _a ) of the direction indicating member (22) is provided with holes (42 _a , 42 _b ) formed in the upper sheet (14) and the lower sheet (15). Input device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is supported by a support panel (12).