JPH08227339A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain operation touch feeling no incompatibility for a long time by providing this coordinate input device with a means for interrupting contact between a tracking ball and the surface of a desk at the time of converting a mouse function into a tracking ball function. CONSTITUTION: The coordinate input device consists of a device body part 1, an upper cover 3 provided with switch buttons 2 and applied to the body part 1, a belt-like elastic body 5 having prescribed frictional resistance, applied to the upper face of the cover 3, fixing its one end to the rear face of the body part 1, and fitting the other end to a 1st hook 4a arranged on the front face of the body part 1 to lock the cover 3 on the body part 1, and a signal cable 6. Namely the device is functioned as a mouse device in a state fitting the cover 3 to the body part 1. When the belt 5 is moved to the bottom of the body part 1 and both the ends of the belt 5 are set up on a 2nd hook 4b arranged on the front of the body part 1, the tracking ball 7 can be prevented from being exposed from the bottom of the body part 1 and contact between the surface of a desk on which the coordinate input device is mounted and the ball 7 is interrupted, and when the cover 3 is removed, the device is functioned as a tracking ball device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coordinate input device,
Particularly, it relates to a coordinate input device having both a mouse function and a trackball function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a computer system, the cursor displayed on the display is moved in any of the up, down, left and right directions by pressing a predetermined key on the keyboard. This keyboard operation can only move up, down, left, and right in a straight line. For example, to move in an oblique direction from a starting point, move in the X direction and then in the Y direction to reach the target coordinate point. It was hanging.

Therefore, as one of the methods for performing the coordinate input operation at high speed, a coordinate device called a mouse, for example, has been created. This mouse is a box-shaped input device that has a rotating ball on the bottom and fits in the palm of the hand.
Referring to FIG. 4 showing general functional blocks of a mouse device, the ball 21 is rotated by placing the mouse on a coordinate board surface (desk surface) and moving the mouse to a desired position.
X-axis roller 22 and Y-axis roller 23 that detect the moving direction and moving distance, pulse generators 24 and 25 that generate pulses according to the number of rotations of the rollers 22 and 23, and predetermined items for the computer. Built-in actuator switches 26a and 26b for instructing the selection or predetermined operation and actuator detectors 27a and 27b for detecting the output of this actuator and sending it to the computer.

This mouse is small enough to fit in the palm of the hand, and is moved while holding the mouse body with both thumbs and little fingers on both sides, and the remaining three fingers are momentarily selectively used to operate the actuator. The components are arranged so as to be ergonomically easy to use.

Another method is a coordinate device called a trackball, which has a shape similar to that of the mouse in which the vertical positional relationship is reversed, and the mouse moves and rotates while keeping the trackball in contact with the desk surface. On the other hand, since it is not necessary to move the coordinate device input itself by rolling the ball by hand, there is an advantage that the operation space is much smaller. The built-in mechanism and function are similar to those of the mouse.

Further, an example of a coordinate input device having a function combining these mouse and trackball is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1.
No. 59,614. Referring to FIG. 5 showing a perspective view of the coordinate input device described in the publication, a main body portion 33 having a movable track ball 31 exposed at the center of one surface and a support ring 32 at this ball position.
And a raised portion 34 provided at opposite edges of the body portion 33 with the trackball 31 sandwiched therebetween for supporting the device when used in a mouse mode, and provided on both side surfaces of the body portion 33. Actuators 35a and 35b for instructing selection of predetermined items or predetermined operations.

When this coordinate input device is used as either a mouse or a trackball, the device is switched upside down.

[0008] For example, in the case where they are arranged in a vertical positional relationship as shown in FIG. 5, the trackball is set on a desk as a trackball, and when the user rotates the trackball, the trackball is displayed on a cursor or an object on the display screen. Move and press the actuator to select an item.

On the other hand, when the mouse is used as a mouse, the trackball is arranged so as to come to the lower surface (bottom surface) so that the raised portion supports the main body portion and the trackball comes into contact with the desk upper surface. When the device is moved with respect to the desk surface, the ball rotates and sends a signal to the computer. The direction of rotation is opposite to that of the mouse, but it is reversed by logic means.

[0010]

The above-described conventional coordinate input device that also serves as a mouse and a trackball is designed so that it can be used as either a mouse or a trackball by inverting the device itself and placing it on the desk surface. The function is switched to.

Therefore, in order to stabilize the operation in the trackball function mode, the opposite surface is formed flat. Therefore, when the mouse function mode is turned upside down, the flat surface becomes the upper side. It fits in the palm of the mouse, which is a characteristic of the shape of the mouse device, and it does not feel uncomfortable even when operated for a long time.

Further, since the actuators are provided on both the left and right sides, in the mouse function mode, the operability when operating the actuator with the thumb and little finger while grasping the entire mouse device and moving it in any direction quickly is ergonomic. From the point of view, there is a sense of incongruity in the operability, unlike the conventional feeling of operating with the remaining three fingers.

The object of the present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it has means for cutting off the contact between the trackball and the upper surface of the desk, and fits in the palm which is a characteristic feature of the conventional mouse device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input device which is used as both a mouse and a trackball and which gives a feeling that there is no discomfort even when operated for a long time.

[0014]

The coordinate input device of the present invention is characterized by a trackball function mode as a position specifying function for specifying a desired screen coordinate position by moving a cursor displayed on a display screen. In a coordinate input device that also has a mouse function mode, an apparatus main body in which the movable trackball and an indicator ring thereof are disposed in a substantially central portion and a plurality of actuator switches are disposed in the vicinity of a front edge portion, An upper cover to which the switch button for pushing down the switch is attached and which covers the main body portion, and which has a predetermined frictional resistance and is arranged on the upper surface of the upper cover, one end of which is fixed to the front surface or the rear surface of the main body portion and the other end is A bell that is set on the first hook disposed on the rear surface or the front surface to lock the upper cover to the main body portion. The elastic body, the main body portion is placed when the upper cover is attached to the main body portion by the elastic body to function as the mouse function mode and to function as the trackball function mode. The one end of the elastic body is detached from the first hook so as to block the contact between the coordinate plate surface and the trackball, and is set on the second hook arranged on the front surface via the bottom surface of the main body portion. And is operated with the top cover removed.

Further, instead of the belt-shaped elastic body, the upper cover itself has a hook mechanism and has an opening portion which is substantially larger than the track ball exposed on the upper surface of the main body portion at one end and the other end. A cylindrical cap that is open like a brim is used, and when operating as the mouse function mode, the upper cover is attached to the main body with the opening of the cap covering the trackball exposed on the upper surface of the main body. When locked and functioning in the trackball function mode, the opening of the cap is covered with the trackball exposed from the hole opened in the bottom surface of the main body and the trackball is pushed up to push the collar-shaped. Is configured to block contact with the coordinate plate surface.

Further, by providing the first and second hooks on the left and right side surfaces, the elastic body can be set laterally and the cover can be locked to the main body.

Furthermore, the front surface and the back surface of the belt are formed in a caterpillar-like uneven shape.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a first coordinate input device of the present invention.
1 is a perspective view of a mouse function mode according to the embodiment of FIG.
(B) is the rear view. 2A is a perspective view in the trackball function mode, FIG. 2B is its rear view, and FIG. 2C is its bottom view.

Referring to FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), this coordinate input device has an apparatus main body 1 and a switch button 2 for depressing an actuator switch (described later) attached to the main body 1. 3 and first hooks 4a, 4b having a predetermined frictional resistance and arranged on the upper surface of the upper cover 3, one end of which is fixed to the rear surface of the main body 3 and the other end of which is arranged on the front surface of the main body 3. Of these, a belt-shaped elastic body (hereinafter referred to as a belt) 5 that is set to 4a and locks the upper cover to the main body 3 and a signal cable 6 are included.

That is, this structure is to function as a mouse device with the cover 3 attached to the main body by the belt 5.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 (a), FIG. 2 (b) and FIG.
Referring to (c), the coordinate input device moves the belt 5 to the bottom surface of the main body and sets both ends of the belt 5 to the second hooks 4 b provided on the front surface of the main body portion 1, whereby the trackball 7 is moved from the bottom surface. The purpose is to block the exposure, to block the contact between the track surface and the desk top on which the coordinate input device is placed, and to function as a track ball device with the upper cover 3 removed.

The front surface and the back surface of the belt 5 are formed in a caterpillar-like concavo-convex pattern so as to generate frictional resistance with the ball moving surface. Therefore, when the ball 7 is manually operated, the main body 1 is positioned. It works so as not to cause a gap.

That is, on the upper surface of the main body 1 with the cover 3 removed, a movable trackball 7 and its indicator ring 8 are arranged in the substantially central portion, and the edge portion of the upper surface of the main body 1 ( A plurality of actuator switches 8a and 8b are arranged near the front surface.

When the coordinate input device having the above-mentioned structure is used as a mouse function, first, the upper cover 3 is set on the main body 1 with the belt 5, so that the whole device is housed in the palm and the thumb and Grasp it so that it is held by the little finger and move it on a predetermined desk surface in a desired direction. The trackball 7 is rotated by this operation, and the moving direction and the moving distance are detected by the X-axis roller and the Y-axis roller by the internal circuit operation of a known technique. A pulse is generated from the pulse generator according to the number of rotations of the roller and is output to the computer. When the operator selects a predetermined item or performs a predetermined operation by selectively pressing the actuator cap with the remaining two or three fingers, the actuator detector detects the output of this actuator switch and the computer Send out.

Since these operations and the external shape of the device are the same as those of the conventional mouse device, it is possible to obtain a feeling that it fits in the palm of the hand and does not feel uncomfortable even when operated for a long time.

On the other hand, when the coordinate input device is used as a trackball function, first, the hook 4 on the front surface is used.
The belt 5 is removed from a, returned to the front through the back and bottom, and set on the hook 4b. At this time, the front and back sides of the belt 5 are reversed, but since both sides have similar caterpillar-shaped concavities and convexities, the belt 5 fits smoothly along the outer shape of the apparatus, and a predetermined friction resistance is obtained also on the desk top surface.

The trackball 7 exposed on the bottom surface is closed by performing the above-mentioned procedure, and the upper cover 3
Is removed to expose the upper surface of the main body 1, and then the main body 1 is placed on the desk surface. Rotate the ball with the palm of your hand to move the cursor on the display screen to the desired position, and use the remaining two or three fingers to selectively press the actuator switch to select the desired item as you would with the mouse function. Or select a predetermined action.

At this time, as described above, since the belt 5 passing through the bottom surface provides a predetermined frictional resistance with the desk top surface, the apparatus main body maintains a stable state even if the ball is operated.

In the first embodiment described above,
Although the belt 5 is set between the front surface and the back surface of the main body 1, it may be set between both side surfaces.

The above-mentioned belt 5 may be made of rubber, synthetic resin, cloth belt and rubber, etc., as long as it is a material having elasticity capable of being freely curved.

The caterpillar-shaped irregularities formed on both the front and back surfaces of the belt 5 are formed in the central portion of the belt 5 by a predetermined width as shown in the drawing, but may be formed on the entire front and back surfaces of the belt.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3A is a perspective view in the mouse function mode showing the second embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view in the trackball function mode.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the difference from the first embodiment is that in the mouse function mode, the belt 5 used in the first embodiment is not used and the front edge of the upper cover 3 is not used. A hook mechanism 4c for fixing the upper cover 3 to the main body 1 by fixing the cover and the rear edge to the main body 1, and storing the cap 10 described below with the opening of the cap 10 covered with the trackball 7. Is.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description of the structure and the operation is omitted.

The coordinate input device having the above-mentioned configuration is the first
In this embodiment, the setting of the belt 5 is unnecessary, and the operability is the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, referring to FIG. 3B, the difference from the first embodiment is that in the track function mode, the first
In contrast to the embodiment in which the trackball 7 exposed on the bottom surface is closed by the belt 5, the cap 10 is pushed into the hole 9 on the bottom surface so that the collar portion 10a is flush with the bottom surface. The bottom portion of the trackball 7 that has entered the opening of the cap 10 is pushed up by the thickness of the collar-shaped portion 10a so as to block the contact with the desk top surface, and the collar-shaped portion 10a is the same as the bottom surface. That is, the peripheral edge of the hole 9 is previously recessed inside the main body so as to be a surface. In general, the mechanism for accommodating the trackball 7 has a play so that the center position moves to some extent in the vertical direction, so that the trackball 7 is pushed up by the thickness of the collar-shaped portion 10a by the cap 10 described above. There is no problem at all.

The rest of the configuration is the same as in the trackball function mode of the first embodiment, and the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations of the configuration and operation will be omitted.

In the present embodiment having the above-mentioned structure,
As described above, since the contact between the trackball 7 and the desk top surface is blocked by the cap 10, the mouse function has the same feel and appearance as the conventional mouse function so that the operator does not feel uncomfortable and the mouse is not exposed on the surface. There is an advantage that the ball is supported by the opening portion in the trackball function because it has no friction and is durable, and the stability of the ball is good.

[0040]

As described above, since the coordinate input device of the present invention has both the mouse function and the trackball function in one unit, the trackball and the desk are converted when the mouse function is converted to the trackball function. It has means for blocking contact with the upper surface. As this means, transfer the elastic belt that fixes the upper cover to the main body at the time of mouse function to the bottom of the main body,
Both ends are set on hooks arranged on the front or side of the main body to block contact with the desk top surface, and the opening of a cylindrical cap with one end open in a brim is opened on the bottom of the main body. It is a characteristic of the shape of a conventional mouse device, since it is provided with either one of a configuration in which a ball-shaped portion pushes up the ball exposed from the exposed hole portion to block the contact with the desk upper surface, It is possible to provide a coordinate input device that doubles as a mouse and a trackball and fits in the palm of the hand and gives a feeling that it does not feel uncomfortable even when operated for a long time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view in a mouse function mode showing a first embodiment of a coordinate input device of the present invention. (B) is the rear view.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view in a trackball function mode. (B) is the rear view. (C) is the bottom view.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the mouse function mode. (B) is a perspective view in the trackball function mode.

FIG. 4 is a general functional block diagram of a mouse device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a conventional coordinate input device having both a mouse function and a trackball function.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,33 Main body 2a, 2b Switch button 2c, 2d, 25a, 25b, 35a, 35b Actuator switch 3 Upper cover 4a, 4b Hook 5 Belt 6 Cord 7, 21, 31 Trackball 8, 32 Ring 9 Hole 10 Cap 15b 22 X-axis roller 23 Y-axis roller 24, 25 Pulse generator 26, 27 Actuator detector 34a, 34b Raised part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A coordinate input device having a trackball function mode and a mouse function mode as a position specifying function for specifying a desired screen coordinate position by moving a cursor displayed on a display screen. The main body of the apparatus, in which the trackball and the indicator ring thereof, which are movable, are arranged, and a plurality of actuator switches are arranged in the vicinity of the front edge, and a switch button for pushing down the switches are attached. An upper cover and a first hook having a predetermined frictional resistance and arranged on the upper surface of the upper cover, one end of which is fixed to the front surface or the rear surface of the main body portion and the other end of which is arranged on the rear surface or the front surface. And a belt-shaped elastic body that locks the upper cover to the main body by setting the upper cover by the elastic body. When functioning as the mouse function mode with the part cover attached to the body part and functioning as the trackball function mode, the contact between the coordinate disc surface on which the body part is placed and the trackball is blocked. The one end of the elastic body is detached from the first hook, is set to the second hook disposed on the front surface through the bottom surface of the main body, and is operated with the upper cover removed. A coordinate input device characterized in that 2. In place of the belt-shaped elastic body, the upper cover itself has a hook mechanism and has an opening portion which is substantially larger than the track ball exposed on the upper surface of the main body portion at one end and the other end. A cylindrical cap that is open like a brim is used, and when operating as the mouse function mode, the upper cover is attached to the main body with the opening of the cap covering the trackball exposed on the upper surface of the main body. When locked and functioning in the trackball function mode, the opening of the cap is covered with the trackball exposed from the hole opened in the bottom surface of the main body and the trackball is pushed up to push the collar-shaped. 2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the portion is configured to block contact with the coordinate board surface. 3. The first and second hooks are provided on both left and right side surfaces to set the elastic body laterally and lock the cover with the body portion. The coordinate input device described. 4. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the front surface and the back surface of the belt are formed in a caterpillar shape in an uneven shape.