JPH08221190A - Xy coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an XY coordinate device, using a track ball, which is used for various display devices using CRTs, etc., of a radar, a sonar, an air traffic controller, a medical CRT and the display device of a computer, etc. CONSTITUTION: The XY coordinate input device which uses the track ball 1 is equipped with X-axis and Y-axis electromagnetic brakes 10 which are fixed to the tip parts of the shafts 3 of respective rollers 2 coupled with respective encoders and control the turning forces of the encoders 4 and X-axis and Y-axis voltage adjusting circuits 16 equipped with potentiometers 17 which are connected to the electromagnetic brakes 10 respectively and feed exciting voltages determining the braking forces of the electromagnetic brakes 10 and adjust the exciting voltages; and the rotary torque of the track ball 1 is controlled by the electromagnetic brakes 10 on the basis of the exciting voltages set by the potentiometers 17. Consequently, desired rotary torque is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a track ball used for various display devices such as radars, sonars, air traffic control devices, and medical CRTs, and display devices such as computers. The present invention relates to an XY coordinate input device using.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a display device for displaying various operation modes, many display devices using CRT, liquid crystal, EL, plasma, etc. have been developed. As an X, Y coordinate input device for such various display devices, there is a device using a track ball, which is the most commonly used device from a long time ago.

FIG. 4 shows an XY coordinate input device using a track ball T. The ball 1 receives the left and right sides and the lower side by ball bearings (not shown) and is freely movable in all directions. It is configured to rotate. Rollers 2 which are positioned at right angles to each other and supported by a shaft 3 are arranged in abutment with the ball 1 and are arranged in contact with the ball 1.
An encoder 4 for converting the output of the roller 2 into a digital code is rotatably attached to the shaft 3 of the roller 2. A logic circuit 5 mounted on a logic circuit board is electrically connected to the encoder 4.

Since the ball 1 is constructed as described above,
Rotations are transmitted to the X-axis and Y-axis rollers 2 as components in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, respectively. The rotation of the roller 2 is transmitted via the shaft 3 to each encoder 4 connected to the shaft 3. As the encoders 4 rotate in this manner, the rotation amounts of the ball 1 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are converted into electric signals and output. The output corresponding to this amount of rotation is converted into X-axis and Y-axis coordinate values via a logic circuit (logic circuit board) 5, and a track ball tab mark (not shown) is displayed on the screen of the display device. Moving.

At this time, when it is necessary to move the track ball tab mark largely in the vertical and horizontal directions on the display screen, a small rotational torque is required for selecting the track ball. On the other hand, when precise scanning is required at a short distance, the rotational torque of the track ball needs to be large. Further, in the case of a display device fixed on the ground, even if the rotation torque of the track ball may be small, it is desirable that the rotation torque be somewhat large in an environment where it is swaying such as a ship or an aircraft.

[0006]

As described above, the rotational torque of the track ball needs to be set to an optimal rotational torque in accordance with the operational purpose and the usage environment of the display device in which it is used. However, the rotational torque of the conventional track ball is determined by the purchased track ball and cannot be changed.
There is a problem in determining the coordinate value, and there is a problem that it is difficult to set accurate position data.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a ball which is rotatable in four directions, and an X which abuts on the ball and transmits movements of the ball in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, respectively. A track board having an axis and a Y-axis roller, and an X-axis and a Y-axis encoder connected to the axis of each roller and converting the output of each roller into a digital code, respectively. In an XY coordinate input device using a loop, an X-axis and a Y-axis electromagnetic force, which are respectively fixed to the tip of the shaft of each roller connected to each encoder, to control the rotational force of the encoder, respectively. An X having a brake and a potentiometer connected to each of the electromagnetic brakes for supplying an exciting voltage for determining the braking force of the electromagnetic brake and for adjusting the exciting voltage. Equipped with a voltage adjustment circuit for the Y-axis and Y-axis Ball - the rotational torque of the Le, potentiometer - electromagnetically braking based on the excitation voltage set by motor - so as to control the key, in which as the desired torque is obtained.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, which has the same configuration in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. 2 is a detailed view of an essential part of the electromagnetic brake, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the conventional example are designated by the same names and reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the coordinates in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are obtained in the same manner, only one of them will be described.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, 10 is an electromagnetic brake, which utilizes the principle of an electromagnet as shown in FIG. 2, and a brake drum 12 having an output shaft 11 passing through the center thereof The brake housing (electromagnet) 13 is always arranged at a fixed interval. When braking,
A current is passed through the exciting coil 14 to excite the electromagnet 13, the brake drum 12 is attracted to the electromagnet 13, and a braking force is exerted by the frictional force therebetween.

A joint 15 is an encoder connected to the output shaft 11 of the electromagnetic brake 10 and the shaft 3 of the roller 2.
It is connected to the tip of the shaft 3 on the da 4 side and is formed of a spring member. When the electromagnetic brake 10 operates,
This is for absorbing the variation in the positional relationship between the shaft 3 and the output shaft 11.

Reference numeral 16 is a voltage adjusting circuit, which is an electromagnetic brake 10.
This is for applying a predetermined exciting voltage to the exciting coil 14, and the exciting voltage is adjusted by the potentiometer 17. That is, the track ball T is changed by changing the exciting voltage applied to the exciting coil 14.
Is adjusted so as to obtain a desired rotation torque.

A logic circuit 5 is mounted on the logic circuit board. The logic circuit 5 converts the rotation amount of the encoder 4 corresponding to the rotation amount of the ball 1 into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. It The output corresponding to this rotation amount is converted into an X-axis coordinate value via the logic circuit 5 and output.

Next, the operation will be described. First,
Depending on the operating mode of the display device and the operating environment, the track board
The optimum rotational torque required for the torque T is determined. Therefore, the exciting voltage of the voltage adjusting circuit 16 is adjusted by the potentiometer 17 so that when the braking force of the electromagnetic brake 10 works, the exciting voltage is adjusted so that the track ball T has a desired rotational torque. Is adjusted.

Then, when the ball 1 is rotated, this ball is rotated.
The components of the rotation amounts of the rule 1 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are transmitted to the X-axis and Y-axis rollers 2, respectively. The rotation of each roller 2 is transmitted to each of the X-axis and Y-axis direction encoders 4 connected to each shaft 3, and the encoders 4 rotate.

At this time, each encoder 4 is connected to the electromagnetic brake 1.
Since the braking force is given by 0, the rotation of the encoder 4 is braked, and this braking force is transmitted to the roller 2 via the shaft 3 and the rotation of the ball 1 is controlled. A rotational torque different from the rotational torque provided in the track ball T can be obtained. Further, when the electromagnetic brake 10 is activated, the joint 15 absorbs the fluctuation of the positions of the shaft 3 and the shaft of the encoder 4.

In this way, the controlled rotation amount of each encoder 4 is converted into an electric signal (digital code) and output. The output corresponding to this rotation amount is output by the logic circuit 5 mounted on the logic circuit board.
The coordinates are converted into X-axis and Y-axis coordinate values, and a track ball tab mark (not shown) moves to a predetermined position on the display screen according to the X- and Y-coordinate values. At this time, since the rotational torque of the track ball T is initially set to a desired value, the track ball mark moving operation can obtain an appropriate operation corresponding to the operation mode of the display device.

[0017]

According to the present invention, a ball rotatable in four directions and an X-axis and a Y-axis which contact the ball and transmit movements of the ball in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, respectively. Roller,
In an XY coordinate input device using a track ball provided with X-axis and Y-axis encoders which are respectively connected to the axes of the respective rollers and convert the outputs of the respective rollers into digital codes. , X-axis and Y-axis electromagnetic blades that are respectively fixed to the tip of the shaft of each roller connected to each encoder to control the rotational force of the encoder.
And an X-axis equipped with a potentiometer that is connected to each electromagnetic brake and supplies an exciting voltage that determines the braking force of the electromagnetic brake and that adjusts the exciting voltage. A Y-axis voltage adjusting circuit is provided, and the rotational torque of the track ball is controlled by an electromagnetic brake based on the excitation voltage set by the potentiometer. Truck track
The rotating torque of the display can be set according to the operation purpose and operating environment of the display device. Therefore, the optimum response speed of the track ball mark on the screen of the display device can be obtained, and the track ball mark on the screen can be moved quickly, accurately and smoothly.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an essential part of an electromagnetic brake.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 T track ball 1 ball 2 roller 3 axis 4 encoder 5 logic circuit 10 electromagnetic brake 15 joint 16 voltage adjustment circuit 17 potentiometer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A ball rotatable in four directions, and this ball
X-axis and Y-axis rollers that contact the rolls and transmit the movements of the balls in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the rollers that are connected to the axes of the rollers. In an XY coordinate input device using a track ball provided with X-axis and Y-axis encoders for converting the outputs of the respective rollers into digital codes, the rollers of the rollers respectively connected to the encoders are connected. Electromagnetic brakes for the X-axis and Y-axis that are respectively fixed to the tip of the shaft to control the rotational force of the encoder, and the electromagnetic brakes that are respectively connected to the electromagnetic brakes. An X-axis and Y-axis voltage adjusting circuit provided with a potentiometer for supplying the exciting voltage for determining the braking force and adjusting the exciting voltage is provided, and the rotational torque of the track ball is By potentiometer XY, wherein the controller controls the key - the electromagnetically braking based on the constant has been said exciting voltage
Coordinate input device. 2. The tip of the shaft of each roller connected to each of the X-axis and Y-axis encoders and each electromagnetic brake are connected via a joint formed by a spring member. The XY coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the XY coordinate input devices are fixed to each other.