JPH08185257A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To speedily move a pointer to optional coordinates on a screen by constituting an operation part so that it can slide and move on a plane in all directions and in parallel and also return to an origin. CONSTITUTION: When a resin-molded button 1 is moved with a finger, etc., a 1st magnet 3 while mutually attracting a 2nd magnet 6 is restricted by a sphere 4 at a certain distance, and also slides and moves in parallel on the sphere 4 as a roll. Consequently, the magnetic force balance between the 1st magnet 3 and 2nd magnet 6 is lost and the balance of magnetic fields among detecting elements 4 provided at four peripheral positions of the 2nd magnet 6 is also lost; and respective electric output balances are lost and in which direction and how much the magnet moves are detected in the form of signals. When the finger is put away from the resin-molded button 1, the 1st permanent magnet 3 and 2nd permanent magnet 6 try to keep the magnetic force balance and attract each other to return to the origins. Thus, the simple constitution wherein the sphere 4 is interposed between the 1st permanent magnet 3 and 2nd permanent magnet 6 makes possible the parallel slide movement and the origin return.

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 pointing arbitrary coordinates on a display screen such as a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal panel by moving a pointer such as an arrow.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, operations on display screens such as televisions and personal computers by on-screen display are becoming common.
A pointer such as an arrow is moved to an arbitrary coordinate to specify or execute an XY direction by using a cursor key or a direction by rotating a ball such as a mouse or a trackball.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, in the case of the cursor key, the pointer is moved to an arbitrary coordinate because the cursor key has a relatively simple structure and is inexpensive, but only four or eight directions can be designated. And it took time to make them recognize.

In the case of designating a direction by rotating a ball such as a mouse or a trackball, it is possible to move the pointer to arbitrary coordinates because all directions can be designated, but the structure is complicated, and the operation is expensive and the operation is also difficult. There was the complexity of having to rotate the ball several times.

Further, both of them have a problem that they give an uncomfortable feeling to the operator because they are operations of pushing or rotating unlike the way of moving the pointer in a plane on the screen.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the coordinate input device of the present invention is designed so as to solve
The operation section is provided with an operation section capable of sliding movement parallel to the plane, a detection section for converting the amount of slide movement of the operation section into an electric signal, and the operation section is provided with an origin returning means.

[0007]

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the operating portion is configured to be slidable parallel to all directions on the plane and capable of returning to the origin, the pointer can be quickly moved to any coordinate on the screen. Can be made.

Further, since the movement of the pointer on the screen and the movement of the operation section are the same, the operation feeling is not uncomfortable and the operation can be performed easily.

[0009]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

According to the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a resin molding button, and the first permanent magnet 3 is fixed to the lower surface by using a double-sided tape or the like, so that the resin molding button 1 and the permanent magnet 3 move in the same manner.

Numeral 7 is a printed wiring board for fixing the second permanent magnet 6 by using a double-sided tape or the like, and at the same time, the second permanent magnet 6
Detecting elements 5 (magnetic detecting elements such as Hall elements) are arranged at four X-Y locations around the.

The first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 6 are opposed to each other so as to attract each other with an S pole and an N pole, and a plurality of spheres 4 are interposed between them so that a certain distance is maintained. The first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 6 stand still at a position where magnetic force is balanced, and this position is the origin.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a case, which is provided with an opening larger than the outer dimension of the resin-molded button 1 so that the resin-molded button 1 can be slid in parallel between the gaps. This is to prevent the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 6 from exceeding an area where they attract each other.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a detection element, which detects the movement of the first permanent magnet 3 accompanying the movement of the resin molding button 1 as an electric signal by a bridge circuit (not shown) formed by this detection element 5, and amplifies it. The detection means is configured as a configuration for amplifying and transmitting the electric signal detected by the circuit (not shown).

The operation of the coordinate input device configured as described above will be described below. First, when the resin molding button 1 is moved with a finger or the like, the first magnet 3 attracts the second magnet 6 to each other, and the sphere 4 regulates a certain distance.
Becomes a roller and slides in parallel.

For this reason, the magnetic force balance between the first magnet 3 and the second magnet 6 is disturbed, and the circumference X− of the second magnet 6 is reduced.
The magnetic field balance of the detection element 5 at the Y4 position is also lost, and the respective electric output balance is lost, and the amount of movement in which direction is detected as a signal.

When the finger or the like is released from the resin molding button 1, the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 6 try to maintain the magnetic force balance, attract each other and return to the origin.

As described above, according to this embodiment, parallel slide movement is possible with a simple structure in which the spherical body 4 is interposed between the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 6, and the origin is returned. It is something that can be made possible.

(Embodiment 2) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in the drawing, 8 is a dome-shaped rubber rubber, which is brought into contact with the four XY-facing surfaces of the resin molding button 1, and the opposite surface of the dome-shaped rubber rubber 8 is brought into contact with the pedestal 9 to serve as an origin returning means. It is a configured coordinate input device.

The parts having the same functions as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted (the same applies to the other embodiments below).

The operation will be described below. First, when the resin molding button 1 is slid in parallel with a finger or the like, the dome shape is deformed at any of four positions or a plurality of positions of the dome-shaped rubber rubber 8. At this time, the dome-shaped rubber rubber 8 arranged opposite to the moving direction does not have to be moved following the resin molding button 1.

When a finger or the like is released from the resin molding button 1 in this state, the deformed dome-shaped rubber rubber 8 tries to return to its original shape and returns to the origin. As mentioned above, the dome type rubber rubber 8
It is possible to return the origin by abutting against the XY facing four surfaces of the resin molding button 1 and holding it by the pedestal 9.

At this time, the detection element 5 causes the bridge circuit (not shown) to detect the movement of the first permanent magnet 3 as a change in the magnetic field and detect it as an electric signal.

(Embodiment 3) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

According to the figure, 10 is a bar-shaped spring X
Two pieces are arranged in parallel in each of the -Y directions, and the pedestal 9 holds the ends.

Further, the lower surface portion 1a of the resin molded button 1 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 10a of the rod-shaped spring 10 to form an origin returning structure.

The operation will be described. First, when the resin molding button 1 is slid in parallel with a finger or the like, the rod-shaped spring 1
0 bends. When a finger or the like is released from the resin molding button 1 in this state, the bent rod-shaped spring 10 returns to the original point in an attempt to return to its original shape.

As described above, the rod-shaped spring 10 is moved to XY.
It is possible to return the origin by holding the ends by the pedestals 9 arranged in parallel in two directions in each direction and engaging the lower surface portion 1a of the resin molding button 1 with the orthogonal portion 10a.

The movement of the resin molding button 1 with a finger or the like is regarded as the movement of the first permanent magnet 3 and the detection element 5 is regarded as a change in the magnetic field and detected as an electric signal.

(Embodiment 4) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, a slider 12 is in contact with the four X-Y opposing surfaces of the resin molding button 1, and a ring-shaped elastic rubber 11 is in contact with the opposite surface. Further, the pedestal 9 is arranged so that the slider 12 does not move inward from the origin position.
A slider groove 13 and a stopper 14 are provided on the to form a return-to-origin structure.

Reference numeral 16 is a resistor, 15 is a slider mounted on the slider 12 and in sliding contact with the resistor 16, and although not shown in detail, both ends of the resistor 16 and the slider are Each of the moving elements 15 is connected to an external lead-out terminal and forms a detecting means having a variable resistance function.

The operation will be described below. First, when the resin molding button 1 is slid in parallel with a finger or the like, the slider 12 in the moving direction moves along the slider groove 13. At this time, the slider 12, which is opposite to the moving direction, is regulated and stopped by the stopper 14, so the ring-shaped elastic rubber 1
1 extends in the moving direction. In this state, when the finger or the like is released from the resin molding button 1, the expanded ring-shaped elastic rubber 11 tries to contract and returns to the origin.

As described above, the slider 12 is brought into contact with the resin molding button 1, the ring-shaped rubber 11 is arranged on the opposite surface thereof, and the slider groove 13 is formed in the pedestal 9 so as not to move the slider 12 inward from the origin position. And stopper 1
With the construction of 4, it is possible to return to the origin.

At this time, the slider 15 attached to the slider 12 slides on the resistor 16 as the slider 12 moves, and the amount of movement of the resin molding button 1 is taken as the amount of change in the resistance value of the variable resistance means. This is captured (the amount of change in the resistance value is generally detected as the amount of change in current and the amount of change in voltage).

(Embodiment 5) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in the figure, reference numeral 21 is a flat plate-like knob having a projection 21a near the center of the lower surface. The knob 21 is arranged on the case 22, the protrusion 21a of the knob 21 is inserted into the hole provided in the case 22, and the knob 21 can be freely moved until the protrusion 21a contacts the inner wall of the hole of the case 22. .

Further, the protrusion 21a of the knob 21 is shown in FIG.
0, as shown in FIG. 11, it is fitted with sliding bodies 23, 24 arranged on the back surface of the case 22. The sliding body 23 is the case 2
It is arranged in the groove 22a provided in No. 2 and is fitted so as to be operable only in one direction. An elongated hole 23a is provided near the center of the sliding body 23. The long hole 23a extends in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the sliding body 23. Further, the sliding body 24 is arranged so that it can slide only in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the sliding body 23 (the sliding body 24 is
(It is inserted in the groove 22b orthogonal to the groove 22a).

An elongated hole 24a is provided near the center of the sliding body 24. The long hole 24a extends in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the sliding body 24.

Since the grooves 22a and 22b of the case 22 have different depths, interference does not occur at locations where the sliding bodies 23 and 24 intersect.

The protrusion 21a of the knob 21 is inserted and fitted into the elongated holes 23a and 24a of the sliding members 23 and 24, and
Contact pieces 25 and 26 are fixed to the sliding bodies 23 and 24, and contact pieces 25 and 26 are attached to the facing circuit board 28.
A resistor pattern is provided at a position corresponding to.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
In FIG. 10, when the knob 21 is moved in the a direction, the sliding body 23 moves by the same amount as the knob 21. This time,
The slide body 24 does not move because the projection 21a of the knob 21 moves in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 24a. Similarly, in the b direction, the sliding body 2
When only knob 3 moves and the knob 21 is moved obliquely with respect to a and b, the a and b direction components of the movement amount become the movement amounts of the sliding bodies 23 and 24, respectively.

At this time, the contact pieces 25 and 26 are brought into sliding contact with the resistor provided on the circuit board 28, and the contact pieces 25 and 26 are contacted with each other.
The resistor serves as a moving amount detecting means, and the moving amount of the knob 21 is taken out as an electric signal separately in the a and b directions as a change in resistance or voltage on the circuit to detect the position.

The knob 21 and the case 22 are preferably made of ABS resin or the like, and the sliding members 23 and 24 are preferably POM resin or the like in consideration of slidability.

By inserting four compression coil springs into the ends of the grooves 22a and 22b of the case 22, the knob 21 can be a coordinate input device which automatically returns to the center.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, since the protrusion 21a of the knob 21 is fitted to the sliding bodies 23 and 24, the movement of the knob 21 is accurately transmitted to the sliding bodies 23 and 24, and the You can enter various coordinates.

(Embodiment 6) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is based on the above-mentioned fifth embodiment. When the same parts are given the same numbers and the description thereof is omitted, 31 is an arc-shaped knob, and 32 is an arc-shaped knob having the same surface. It is a case formed in.

With the above structure, the knob 31 can be driven in an arc shape, so that a human operation does not feel uncomfortable.

The detecting means has been described in each of the above embodiments as one that detects the magnetic field strength, one that detects a change in the resistance value, etc., but it can be easily replaced in each of the embodiments, and the known means. It is also possible to replace it with other means.

[0051]

As described above, in the coordinate input device of the present invention, as is apparent from the above embodiment, the operating portion can slide in parallel to all directions on the plane, and the pointer can be quickly moved to any coordinate on the screen. Can be moved.

Further, the structure is simple and inexpensive, and since the movement of the pointer on the screen and the movement of the operating portion are the same, excellent operability without any discomfort can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a coordinate input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the other embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an origin returning means, which is a main part of the other embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the other embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the other embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the other embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state in which a knob of the other embodiment is moved.

FIG. 10 is a top view showing the relationship between the knob and the case, which are the main parts of the same.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view from below showing the relationship between the knob and the case, which are the main parts of the same.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the other embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a state in which a knob of the other embodiment is moved.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Resin Molding Button 1a Resin Molding Button Lower Part 2 Case 3 First Permanent Magnet 4 Sphere 5 Detecting Element 6 Second Permanent Magnet 7 Printed Wiring Board 8 Dome Rubber Rubber 9 Pedestal 10 Rod Spring 10a Orthogonal Part 11 Ring Elastic Rubber 12 Slider 13 Slider groove 14 Stopper 15 Slider 16 Resistor 21, 31 Knob 22, 32 Case 23, 24 Sliding body 25, 26 Contact piece

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasushi Yamamoto 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Shigeru Shibuya, 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A coordinate input device, comprising: an operation section that is slidable parallel to the plane in all directions on a plane; and a detection unit that converts a slide movement amount of the operation section into an electric signal. A coordinate input device characterized in that the operation unit is provided with an origin returning means. 2. A first permanent magnet is fixed to the lower surface of the operating portion, and a second permanent magnet is opposed to the facing surface so as to attract each other with an S pole and an N pole. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein a sphere is interposed between the magnets. 3. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein dome-shaped rubber rubbers protruding toward the center are provided on the four XY-facing surfaces of the operation section. 4. A rod-shaped spring is arranged in parallel on the lower surface of the operating portion in parallel in each of XY directions, and the lower surface of the operating portion is engaged with an orthogonal portion formed by the orthogonality of the rod-shaped springs. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein 5. A slider that is slidable is brought into contact with each of the four XY facing surfaces of the operating portion, a ring-shaped elastic rubber is brought into contact with the opposite surface of the slider, and the slider is located inside the origin position. 2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising stopper means so as not to move to the position. 6. A case, a knob that slides on the case and has a protrusion on the lower surface, and a first slide body that fits with the protrusion of the knob and that interlocks only with one-way operation of the knob. A second sliding body that fits with the protrusion of the knob and moves only in an operation in a direction intersecting with the first sliding body; a means for detecting the amount of movement of the first sliding body; Coordinate input device constituted by means for detecting the amount of movement of the sliding body. 7. The coordinate input device according to claim 6, wherein an upper surface of the case forms an arc shape, and the knob operates along the arc of the case.