JPH08286834A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the deterioration in the performance of a personal computer or the like provided with a mouse and a mouse pad by enhancing the operability of the input device such as the mouse. CONSTITUTION: A cordless mouse MOS acting like a moving part of an input device for a personal computer or the like is adopted and a prescribed number of permanent magnets used to deliver the direction, movement of the mouse MOS or the operation of a click button to the mouse pad MPD are provided in the inside of the mouse MOS, the mouse pad MPD is connected to the main body via a prescribed connection cord and an electromagnetic sensor grating formed by arranging, e.g. very small electromagnetic coils as a lattice and used to identify the position or motion of the permanent magnets in the mouse is provided in the inside of the mouse pad. Thus, the mouse MOS is moved freely without being hindered by the connection cord and deterioration in the identification accuracy of the position and motion of the mouse MOS by the mouse pad MPD is prevented due to dirt or a foreign material adhered to the mouse MOS or the mouse pad MPD.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device and, for example, to a mouse particularly useful for a personal computer or the like and a technique which is particularly effective when used for improving its operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is an input device such as a mouse which is planarly operated on a mouse pad for designating a position of a cursor on a display screen of a display device, and a digital system such as a personal computer provided with such an input device. There is.

[0003]

In a conventional personal computer or the like, the mouse is connected to the main body through a predetermined connecting cord, and the position and movement of the mouse are detected by detecting the rolling of a ball provided in the mouse. The body is informed by converting it into a signal. Therefore, the movement of the mouse is restricted by first connecting it via the connecting cord, and the detection of the position and movement of the mouse is performed based on the mechanical rolling of the ball, so that the identification accuracy is improved. Is affected by dirt or deposits on the ball or mouse pad and decreases. As a result, the operability of the mouse as the input device deteriorates, and the performance of the personal computer including the mouse and the mouse pad deteriorates.

An object of the present invention is to improve the operability of an input device such as a mouse and prevent the performance of a personal computer equipped with a mouse from being degraded.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0006]

The outline of the representative one of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows. That is, a mouse or the like, which is a movable part of an input device such as a personal computer, is made cordless, and a predetermined number of parts for transmitting the direction and movement of the mouse or the operation of a click button to a mouse pad, which is a position detecting part, are provided therein. In addition to providing a permanent magnet, the mouse pad is connected to the main body via a predetermined connection cord, and inside it, for example, minute electromagnetic coils are arranged in a grid to identify the position or movement of the permanent magnet in the mouse. To provide an electromagnetic sensor grid.

[0007]

According to the above-mentioned means, the operator can freely move the mouse or the like without being disturbed by the connecting cord, and the mouse pad can be moved by the dirt or the adhered matter of the mouse or the mouse pad. It is possible to prevent the accuracy of identifying the position and movement of the mouse from decreasing. As a result, it is possible to enhance the operability as an input device such as a mouse and prevent the performance of a personal computer or the like equipped with a mouse and a mouse pad from being degraded.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a mouse MO to which the present invention is applied.
A system configuration diagram of an embodiment of a personal computer including an S and a mouse pad MPD is shown. Also,
2 and 3 are a plan structural view and a side structural view, respectively, of an embodiment of the mouse MOS included in the personal computer of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG.
A plan view, a side view and a block diagram of one embodiment of the mouse pad MPD included in the personal computer of FIG. 1 are shown. Based on these figures, the configuration and operation of the personal computer of this embodiment and the mouse MOS and mouse pad MPD included as an input device in this personal computer and their characteristics will be described.

In FIG. 1, the personal computer of this embodiment has a central processing unit CPU of a stored program system as its basic constituent element. This central processing unit C
The PU is not particularly limited, but a random access memory RAM, a read only memory ROM, a keyboard controller KY are provided via an internal bus BUS of a predetermined bit.
BC, display controller DPYC, direct memory access controller DMAC and mouse controller MOSC are coupled. These blocks surrounded by a dotted line are the main body of the personal computer. A keyboard KYB is coupled to the keyboard controller KYBC. The display device DPY is coupled to the display controller DPYC, and the mouse pad MPD is coupled to the mouse controller MOSC via a predetermined connection cord. The mouse pad MPD serves as a mouse MOS operation console.

Here, the central processing unit CPU performs a step operation according to a control program stored in a read-only memory ROM, executes a predetermined arithmetic processing, and controls / controls each unit of the personal computer.
The random access memory RAM is composed of a rewritable semiconductor memory such as a static RAM, and temporarily stores the calculation result of the central processing unit CPU and various data. Further, the read-only memory ROM is composed of, for example, a mask ROM, and stores a control program, fixed data, and the like necessary for the step operation of the central processing unit CPU.

Next, the keyboard controller KYBC
Captures character data or control data or the like input via the keyboard KYB in the main body, and the display controller DPYC controls the display of the display device DPY including an LCD (liquid crystal display), for example. Direct memory access controller DM
The AC realizes high-speed data transfer between the random access memory RAM and the display controller DPYC without passing through the central processing unit CPU, and the mouse controller MOSC receives position data from the mouse MOS input via the mouse pad MPD. And control data etc. are taken in in the main body.

In this embodiment, the mouse MOS is so-called cordless as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the personal computer body or the mouse pad MP is used.
It has no electrical connection path with D. Further, the mouse MOS includes two click buttons CLB1 and CLB2 for inputting control data, and a total of five permanent magnets PMC1, PMC2 and PMP1 to PMP provided near the bottom plate of the mouse case MOSC.
3 is provided. Of these, the permanent magnets PMC1 and PMC2
When the corresponding click button CLB1 or CLB2 is clicked, the distance from the bottom plate is selectively reduced, and the permanent magnets PMP1 to PMP3 are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship so as to form a triangle when viewed from above. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mouse pad MPD is connected to the personal computer main body, that is, the mouse controller MOSC via a predetermined connecting cord having a connector CONP at its tip, and this connecting cord is Power supply voltage VC supplied from the main body via
C and the ground potential GND are used as the operating power supplies. Further, for example, an electromagnetic sensor grid MEG in which minute electromagnetic sensors MES including electromagnetic coils are arranged in a grid, and a motion detection unit MM
X, which is provided between the electromagnetic sensor grating MEG and the motion detection unit MMD as shown in FIG.
An axis current detection unit MIDX and a Y-axis current detection unit MIDY are provided. Of these, the electromagnetic sensor grid MEG is a mouse MO.
Along with the movement of S, the permanent magnets PMC1 to PMC2
Also, the electromagnetic induction current generated between PMP1 to PMP3 and the electromagnetic sensor MES of the mouse pad MPD is detected. These electromagnetically induced currents are transmitted through the X-axis or Y-axis current transmission signal lines arranged in a grid pattern to the X-axis current detection unit MI.
It is transmitted to the DX or Y-axis current detection unit MIDY,
Further, it is transmitted to the motion detecting unit MMD.

The motion detecting unit MMD includes an X-axis current detecting unit MI.
Mouse MOS based on the absolute value of electromagnetic induction current transmitted through DX and Y-axis current detector MIDY and its change
Direction, movement and click buttons CLB1 to CLB
The operation 2 is identified, and the motion detection signals MU, MD, MR and ML and the click detection signals CB1 and CB2 are selectively set to the effective level, that is, the high level. Of these, the motion detection signal MU is selectively set to a high level when the mouse MOS is moved upward, and the motion detection signal MD is selectively set to a high level when the mouse MOS is moved downward. The motion detection signal MR is selectively set to a high level when the mouse MOS is moved to the right, and the motion detection signal ML is
Is selectively set to a high level when it is moved to the left. Further, the click detection signal CB1 is the mouse MOS
The click detection signal CB2 is selectively set to a high level in response to the click button CLB1 being operated, and the click detection signal CB2 is selectively set to a high level in response to the operation of the click button CLB2.

In the present embodiment, the mouse MOS permanent magnets PMC1 and PMC2 are selectively reduced in distance from the bottom plate by operating the corresponding click button CLB1 or CLB2, as described above. PMP1 to PMP3 are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship so as to form a triangle when viewed from above. Therefore, the mouse pad MPD can detect the direction and movement of the mouse MOS based on the electromagnetic induction currents of the permanent magnets PMP1 to PMP3, and at the same time, the permanent magnets PMC1 and PM can be detected.
Click button CLB based on the electromagnetic induction current by C2
It is possible to identify that 1 or CLB2 has been operated by the operator. As a result, the motion detection signal MU,
The movement of the mouse MOS represented by MD, MR and ML does not indicate the absolute positional relationship with respect to the mouse pad MPD, but the relative positional relationship with respect to the display screen of the display device DPY.

As described above, the mouse MOS of this embodiment
Is cordless and does not have an electrical connection path to the personal computer main body or the mouse pad MPD, but is a permanent magnet PMC1, PMC2 and PMP.
1 to PMP3 and mouse pad MPD electromagnetic sensor MES
It has an electromagnetic connection path by electromagnetic induction current between and. Therefore, the operator can freely move the mouse MOS without being hindered by the connection cord, and the dirt or deposits on the surface of the mouse MOS or the mouse pad MPD causes the mouse MOS to move the mouse MOS. The position and motion identification accuracy does not deteriorate. As a result, the operability of the mouse MOS as the input device can be improved, and the performance degradation of the personal computer including the mouse MOS and the mouse pad MPD can be prevented.

The operational effects obtained from the above embodiments are as follows. That is, (1) a mouse or the like, which is a movable part of an input device such as a personal computer, is made cordless, and inside thereof, a predetermined number for transmitting the direction and movement of the mouse or the operation of a click button to a mouse pad which is a position detecting part. The mouse pad is connected to the main body through a predetermined connection cord, and a minute electromagnetic coil is arranged in a grid pattern inside the mouse pad to position or move the permanent magnet in the mouse. By providing the electromagnetic sensor grid for identification, the effect that the mouse or the like can be freely moved without being disturbed by the connecting cord is obtained. (2) According to the above item (1), it is possible to prevent the accuracy of identifying the position and movement of the mouse by the mouse pad from being deteriorated due to stains or adhering substances on the mouse or mouse pad. To be (3) According to the above items (1) and (2), it is possible to improve the operability as an input device such as a mouse and prevent the performance of a personal computer having a mouse and a mouse pad from being degraded. .

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say. For example, in FIG. 1, the connection form between the central processing unit CPU of the personal computer and the mouse controller MOSC and between the mouse controller MOSC and the mouse pad are not restricted by this embodiment. Also,
The personal computer does not have to include the direct memory access controller DMAC as an essential condition, and its block configuration is arbitrary. 2 and 3, the mouse MOS can be provided with an arbitrary number of click buttons, and its attachment position is also arbitrary.
Further, the permanent magnet indicating the direction and position of the mouse MOS is
Mouse M
The shape of the OS is not limited by this embodiment.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the mouse pad MP
Electromagnetic sensor MES constituting the electromagnetic sensor grid MEG of D
The arrangement form of can be arbitrarily set. Further, the number of arrangements and the pitch are not restricted by this embodiment, and the shape is arbitrary. In FIG. 6, the number of bits and the logic level of the motion detection signal output from the mouse pad MPD to the mouse controller MOSC and the combination thereof are as follows.
It can be set arbitrarily. Furthermore, the method of identifying the position and orientation of the mouse MOS by the mouse pad MPD is not limited to the electromagnetically induced current, and may be, for example, a capacitance change.

In the above description, the case where the invention made by the present inventor is mainly applied to a mouse and a mouse pad included in a personal computer which is a field of application which is the background of the invention has been described, but the invention is not limited thereto. Instead, for example, CAD (Computer A
It can also be applied to similar mice and mouse pads connected to various digital systems such as a computer for computer and a variety of input devices. The present invention provides an input device including at least a movable part that is operated in a plane to specify the position of a cursor on the display screen of a display device, and a position detection part that detects the position or movement of the movable part, and such an input device. It can be widely applied to devices and systems including.

[0021]

The effects obtained by the typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows. That is, the mouse etc., which is a movable part of an input device such as a personal computer, is made cordless,
A predetermined number of permanent magnets for transmitting the direction and movement of the mouse or the operation of the click button to the mouse pad that serves as a position detection unit are provided in a predetermined positional relationship inside the mouse pad, and the mouse pad is connected to a predetermined connection cord. The mouse is connected to the main body through the inside of the mouse, and an electromagnetic sensor grid for identifying the position or movement of the permanent magnet in the mouse, for example, in which minute electromagnetic coils are arranged in a grid, is provided, and the operator can operate the mouse. Etc. can be moved freely without being hindered by the connecting cord, and the accuracy of identifying the position and movement of the mouse by the mouse pad is reduced due to dirt or deposits on the mouse or mouse pad. Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to enhance the operability as an input device such as a mouse and prevent the performance of a personal computer or the like equipped with a mouse and a mouse pad from being degraded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a personal computer including a mouse and a mouse pad to which the present invention is applied as input devices.

FIG. 2 is a plan structural view showing an embodiment of a mouse included in the personal computer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side structural view showing an embodiment of the mouse of FIG.

4 is a plan structural view showing an embodiment of a mouse pad included in the personal computer of FIG. 1. FIG.

5 is a side view showing an example of the mouse pad of FIG.

6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the mouse pad of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

CPU: Central processing unit, BUS: Internal bus, R
AM ... Random access memory, ROM ... Read only memory, MOSC ... Mouse controller, MPD ... Mouse pad, MOS ... Mouse,
DMAC ... Direct memory access controller, DPYC ... Display controller, DPY
... Display device, KYBC ... Keyboard controller, KYB ... Keyboard. CLB1 to CL
B2 ... Click button, PMC1-PMC2 ...
Click button permanent magnets, PMP1 to PMP3 ...
Position display permanent magnet, MOSC ... Mouse case. M
EG ... Electromagnetic sensor grid, MES ... Electromagnetic sensor,
MMD: Motion detector, CONP: Mouse pad connector. MIDX ... X-axis current detector, MI
DY ... Y-axis current detection unit, MU ... Motion detection signal (upward), MD ... Motion detection signal (downward), MR
... Motion detection signal (right direction), ML ... Motion detection signal (left direction), CB1-CB2 ... Click detection signal, VCC ... Power supply voltage, GND ... Ground potential.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cordless movable part that is planarly operated to specify a position of a cursor on a display screen of a display device, and a position or movement of the movable part that is coupled to a main body through a predetermined connection cord. An input device comprising: a position detection unit that detects and notifies the main unit. 2. The main body includes a central processing unit of a personal computer, the movable part is a mouse, and the position detecting part is a mouse pad. Input device. 3. The mouse includes a predetermined number of permanent magnets for transmitting the direction or movement of the mouse or the operation of a click button to the mouse pad, and the mouse pad detects the position or movement of the permanent magnet. The input device according to claim 2, further comprising an electromagnetic sensor grid for identifying.