JPH11102621A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of moving an index on a screen to a target position correctly. SOLUTION: This input device is equipped with a button 11, individual electrodes 21 that are placed on an electrode board 13 at an equal angular interval and with which a contact fitting 14 attached to a cylindrical member 15 is capable of coming into contact, a direction determination means to determine the moving direction of an index based on the individual electrode 21 with which the contact fitting 14 has come in contact, and an oscillator 12 that is inserted into the cylindrical member 15 and oscillates at a constant period according to the unitary moving distance of the index when the contact fitting 14 is in contact with the individual electrode 21. By the pushing operation of the button 11, the individual electrode 21 located in the pushing direction and the contact fitting 14 are brought into contact with each other and the index on the screen can be moved in a desired direction while feeling the oscillation per unitary moving distance in the body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device for moving an index such as a cursor and a pointer displayed on a screen in an arbitrary direction while experiencing vibration at every unit movement distance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a cursor or pointer (hereinafter, referred to as a pointer) is used to indicate a position on a display screen of a personal computer at which characters, figures, and the like are displayed, and to indicate various control symbols, figures, and the like. These are collectively referred to as indices), and a mouse that is convenient for moving the indices is used. Also, in games and the like, a joystick is often used to move a picture or the like displayed on a screen, and when simply inputting characters or the like, it is general to move an index using a cursor key provided on a keyboard. It is.

[0003]

However, in the case of a mouse, for example, it is suitable for quickly moving an index to a target position. Since it is necessary to confirm by hearing the operation sound, it is not possible to accurately grasp the moving distance, it may pass the target position or may not reach the target position, and the index can be accurately located at the target position with one operation It is difficult to stop at once, and it is even more difficult for beginners who are unfamiliar with operation. In particular, in the case of a table surrounded by a line, it is necessary to move the index within each frame or within an arbitrary frame, but in such a case, with a normal mouse operation, the index is accurately positioned within the target frame. It is difficult to position, and the smaller the frame, the more noticeable the tendency.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of accurately moving an index on a screen to a target position.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an input device according to a first aspect of the present invention moves an index on a screen in an arbitrary direction while experiencing vibration at every unit movement distance. An operation unit that can be pushed and tilted in an arbitrary direction, and is arranged at an angular interval around the operation unit, and is turned on by the operation unit according to the tilt direction of the operation unit. A plurality of switch means, a direction determining means for determining a moving direction of the index based on the switch means turned on by the operation unit, and an O of the switch means.
And a vibration generating means for transmitting vibration to the operation unit at a constant cycle according to the unit moving distance of the index in the N state.

In this input device, when the operating section is pushed and tilted in an arbitrary direction, switch means corresponding to the tilt direction of the operating section is turned on by the operating section, and the operation of the index is performed based on the switch means turned on. The direction is determined by the direction determining means. When the switch means is in the ON state, the operation unit vibrates at a constant cycle according to the unit moving distance of the index by the vibration generating means. Therefore, the operation of the operation unit is fed back to the operator as tactile sensation through the vibration of the operation unit, so that the operator can not only move the index while experiencing the vibration of the operation unit, but also move the index by unit movement. The movement distance of the index can be accurately grasped by the vibration generated for each distance. As a result, the index can be accurately moved to the target position on the screen.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the input device according to the first embodiment viewed from one direction, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view viewed from another direction, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the inside, and FIG. Is shown in FIG. In this input device, a housing is constituted by an upper case 10 and a lower case 9, and the upper and lower cases 10, 9 are fixed to each other by screws. The upper case 10 has a circular hole 10a into which a button 11 as one element of the operation unit is inserted.
Having. Dome-shaped buttons 11, cylindrical vibrators (vibration generating means) 12,
An electrode substrate 13, a ring-shaped contact fitting 14, and a tubular member 15 as an element of the operation unit are arranged.

A tubular member 15 is attached to the back of the button 11. The vibrator 12 is inserted into the cylindrical member 15,
The contact fitting 14 is fitted and fixed to one end (the end on the lower case 9 side) of the tubular member 15. The cylindrical member 15 is inserted into the hole 13 a of the electrode substrate 13, and the contact fitting 14 is located on the back side of the electrode substrate 13. The electrode substrate 13 is fixed to the lower case 9 by screws, and the cylindrical member 15 inserted into the hole 13 a of the electrode substrate 13 can be tilted with respect to the electrode substrate 13 integrally with the button 11 by operating the button 11. It has become.

In FIG. 3 showing the back side of the electrode substrate 13 and FIG.
One common electrode 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and four individual electrodes 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d are provided around the hole 13a at an angular interval of 90 ° from each other, and a total of eight electrodes They are arranged at an angular interval of 45 °. Of the four individual electrodes, the electrode 21a is an upper electrode, the electrode 21b is a left electrode, and the electrode 2
Reference numeral 1c denotes a lower electrode, and electrode 21d denotes a right electrode. The tip of each individual electrode 21 (a to d) is separated from the back surface of the electrode substrate 13 at an appropriate interval.
The contact fitting 14 is located inside the tip part of (d). Each of the common electrodes 20 (a to d) is disposed exactly in the middle between two individual electrodes 21 (a to d) adjacent to each other, and is provided along the back surface of the electrode substrate 13 to be electrically connected to each other. Have been.

In this embodiment, an electrode substrate 13, a contact fitting 14, a common electrode 20 (ad), an individual electrode 21 (a
-D) constitute switch means, and when the contact fitting 14 comes into contact with the individual electrodes 21 (ad) by operating the button 11, the index moves in the direction in which the button 11 is pressed. That is, the moving direction of the index is determined by the direction determining means according to the individual electrodes 21 (a to d) with which the contact fittings 14 are in contact. In this case, the button 1 should be almost straight
When 1 is pressed, the contact fittings 14 correspond to 1 in each direction.
The index is moved in a straight line in the vertical and horizontal directions based on the contact with the individual electrodes. When the button 11 is pressed in an oblique direction between up, down, left, and right, the contact fitting 14 comes into contact with two individual electrodes corresponding to each oblique direction, and the index moves obliquely based thereon.

While the index is being moved, that is, while the button 11 is being pressed, the vibrator 12 is pulse-driven,
The button 11 vibrates at a constant cycle. This cycle corresponds to the unit moving distance of the index, and the index moves by one unit distance when the button 11 vibrates once.
Therefore, the operator can accurately move the index by a unit moving distance corresponding to the frequency while experiencing the vibration received from the button 11.

The operation of moving the index will be described more specifically. The index on the screen can be moved by operating the button 11 protruding from the hole 10a of the upper case 10, but when the button 11 is not operated as shown in FIG. The contact metal fitting 14 which is perpendicular to the cylindrical member 13 and is attached to the cylindrical member 15 is separated from the individual electrodes 21 (a to d) and does not contact any of the electrodes. In this state, the index on the screen keeps its current position and does not move.

When it is desired to move the index, for example, downward from the neutral state in FIG. 4, the button 11 is pressed downward as shown in FIG. Then button 1 in that direction
1 and the cylindrical member 15 are integrally inclined, so that the lower electrode 21c
Is in contact with the lower electrode 21c. As a result, the indicator moves downward. At this time, since the button 11 vibrates at a constant cycle corresponding to the unit moving distance of the index, the index can be accurately moved by the unit moving distance corresponding to the frequency while experiencing the vibration. On the other hand, when it is desired to move the index upward, as shown in FIG.
You just have to press. Thereby, the button 11 and the cylindrical member 15
Is tilted, the portion of the contact fitting 14 corresponding to the upper electrode 21a comes into contact with the upper electrode 21a, and the index moves upward.

When it is desired to move the index in the up, down, left, and right directions, the button 11 can be pressed almost straight in each direction.
Press 1 in that direction. That is, for example, when moving the index in the lower right direction, the button 11 is pressed in that direction.
Then, the contact fitting 14 comes into contact with the lower electrode 21c and the right electrode 21d due to the inclination of the tubular member 15, and the two electrodes 21c and 21d are turned on, so that the index is between the lower direction and the right direction. Move to the lower right of. Again,
Similarly, since the button 11 vibrates at a constant cycle, the index can be accurately and diagonally moved by a unit moving distance corresponding to the frequency. On the other hand, when the index is to be moved in the upper left direction, the button 11 is pushed in that direction, and the contact fitting 1 is pressed.
4 contacts the upper electrode 21a and the left electrode 21b, and the index moves to the upper left based on the ON state of the two electrodes 21a and 21b.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a main part of the input device according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view viewed from one direction, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view viewed from another direction. However, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and upper and lower cases 10 (not shown).
Reference numeral 9 is the same as in the first embodiment. The button 11 has a pair of claw portions 11a on the back side, and the cylindrical member 15 into which the vibrator 12 is inserted is attached to the back side of the button 11, and the claw portion 11a is engaged around the cylindrical member 15. , Button 11 and cylindrical member 15 are integrated. The cylindrical member 15 is the electrode substrate 1
3 hole 13a. The structure so far is the first
This is the same as the embodiment.

The electrode substrate 13 has a plate-spring outer electrode 30 and an inner electrode 31 around a hole 13a on the front side.
The outer electrode 30 is located outside the inner electrode 31, and the electrode 3
0 and 31 are paired, and a pair of electrodes 30 and 31 is 1
One switch means is configured. The electrodes 30, 31 are provided in four pairs at 90 ° angular intervals corresponding to the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. When the button 11 is not operated, the electrodes 30 and 31 are separated by a predetermined distance so that the electrode 30 and the electrode 31 do not come into contact with each other. When the button 11 is pressed in an arbitrary direction and tilted, the tilt of the button 11 causes the electrode 31 corresponding to the tilt direction to be pressed by the button 11 and contact the corresponding electrode 30.

The movement of the index by the operation of the input device is as follows.
As in the first embodiment, when the button 11 is pressed in the up, down, left, and right directions, the inner electrode 31 corresponding to each direction comes into contact with the outer electrode 30, and the index moves in each of the up, down, left, and right directions. . At this time, the button 11 vibrates at a constant cycle by the pulse drive of the vibrator 12 as described above,
The operator can accurately move the index by the unit moving distance corresponding to the frequency while experiencing the vibration of the button 11. To move the index in an oblique direction, pressing the button 11 in that direction turns on the two pairs of electrodes 30 and 31 corresponding to that direction, and the index moves obliquely in the corresponding direction.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a main part of the input device according to the third embodiment, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view viewed from one direction, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view viewed from another direction. Here, the button 11 has a tubular portion 11b that serves both as a function of pressing a key switch described later and a function of the tubular member. The vibrator 12 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 11b, and the cap 16 is screwed to the end of the cylindrical portion 11b. Around the hole 13a on the front side of the electrode substrate 13 through which the tubular portion 11b is inserted, a switch 40 having a key 41 is provided corresponding to up, down, left and right directions.

In this input device, when the cylindrical portion 11b is tilted by operating the button 11, the key 41 in the tilt direction is pressed by the cylindrical portion 11b, and the switch 40 is turned on. Therefore, the indicator moves in the tilt direction. Of course, while the button 11 is being operated, the index can be accurately moved every unit movement distance by the periodic vibration of the button 11. FIG. 12 is a side view of a main part of the input device according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view viewed from one direction, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view viewed from another direction. Again, the button 11 is
1b, and also serves as the cylindrical member. Its tubular part 1
The vibrator 12 is inserted into 1b, and a cap 17 is attached to an end of the cylindrical portion 11b. The cap 17 has a plurality (eight in this case) of claw portions 17a, and the cap 17 and the cylindrical portion 11b are integrated by engaging the claw portions 17a around the cylindrical portion 11b. Hole 1 on the front side of electrode substrate 13
Around the 3a, a switch 50 having a key 51 is provided corresponding to the vertical and horizontal directions.

In this input device, as can be seen from FIG. 12, the outer peripheral edge of the button 11 is close to the key 51 of the switch 50, and by pressing the button 11 in an arbitrary direction,
The key 51 corresponding to that direction is pressed by the button 11, and the switch 50 is turned on. In this case, when the button 11 is pressed in each of the up, down, left, and right directions, only the corresponding switch 50 is turned ON, and the button 1 is pressed in an oblique direction.
When one is pressed, two corresponding switches 50 adjacent to each other
Turns ON. In any case, the index moves in the direction corresponding to the pressed direction. Of course, the button 11 vibrates periodically, and the index can be moved by the unit moving distance while experiencing the vibration.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit of the input device configured as described above. In this circuit, when one or more (two) of the input switches 70 ₁ , 70 ₂ ,..., 70 _n are turned on, the oscillation circuit 71 operates, and the oscillation signal is transmitted through the differentiating circuit 72 to the oscillation element. (Vibrator) 73, and the vibrating element 73 is pulse-driven. On the other hand, the direction determining circuit (direction determining means) 74 is ON
Based on the signal of the input switch in the state, the moving direction of the index (in the case of eight directions, any of up, down, left, right, and diagonal directions) is determined, and the output signal 7 corresponding to the moving direction is determined.
_{5 1, 75 2, ...,} 75 m is outputted, the index is moved to the moving direction.

In any of the input devices of the above-described embodiments, the index can be moved in any direction by operating the operation unit 11 while experiencing the vibration for each unit movement distance. You may comprise so that it can change to several steps (for example, two steps). Taking the case of changing to two stages as an example, in the first embodiment, one individual electrode is provided at a position slightly away from the back side of the electrode substrate 13 in FIG. When the operating portion 11 is pressed lightly, the contact fitting 14 comes into contact with the individual electrode closer to the electrode substrate 13, and when the operating portion 11 is further pressed, the contact fitting 14 becomes another one. Make contact with the individual electrodes. Then, the moving speed of the index is set to be slow when the contact fitting 14 comes into contact with one individual electrode, and to be set fast when the contact fitting 14 comes into contact with two individual electrodes. In this way, the index can be moved quickly or slowly by operating the operation unit 11.

When the key switches 40 and 50 are used as in the third and fourth embodiments, when the operation unit 11 is lightly pressed (keys 41 and 51) in FIGS.
Select a switch that can be turned on in two stages so that the moving speed of the index is slow when the button is pressed weakly and the moving speed is fast when the button is pressed strongly (when the button is pressed too hard). You should keep it.

Further, in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, a pressure sensor is arranged in place of the individual electrode, and the pressure at which the pressure sensor is pressed by operating the operation unit 11 is detected in an analog manner, and the pressure signal is detected. The moving speed of the index may be changed correspondingly. In the above embodiments, the index is moved in eight directions of up, down, left, right, and diagonal directions. However, if the arrangement of switches, electrodes, and the like is not hindered, the direction of movement can be increased (for example, 16 directions). Good. or,
The above embodiment relates to the input device including the upper and lower cases 10 and 9 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is not limited thereto, and the input structure as described above may be a mouse, a keyboard, a joy stick. And a remote controller for operating a television screen.

[0025]

Since the input device of the present invention is configured as described above, the operation of the operation unit is fed back to the operator as a tactile sense through the vibration of the operation unit, and the operator can feel the vibration of the operation unit. Not only can the index be moved while the index is being moved, but also the index moving distance can be accurately grasped by the vibration generated for each unit moving distance of the index, and as a result, the index can be accurately moved to the target position on the screen. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a first embodiment viewed from one direction.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of FIG. 1 as viewed from another direction.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the inside of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining the operation of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a main part of an input device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of FIG. 6 viewed from one direction.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of FIG. 6 as viewed from another direction.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a main part of an input device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of FIG. 9 as viewed from one direction.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of FIG. 9 as viewed from another direction.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a main part of an input device according to a fourth embodiment.

13 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of FIG. 12 viewed from one direction.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of FIG. 12 viewed from another direction.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit of the input device according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Button 11b Cylindrical part 12 Vibrator (vibration generation means) 13 Electrode board 14 Contact fitting 15 Cylindrical member 16, 17 Cap 20 (ad) Common electrode 21 (ad) Individual electrode 30, 31 electrode 40, 50 switch

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An input device for moving an index on a screen in an arbitrary direction while experiencing vibration at every unit movement distance thereof, comprising: an operation unit which can be pushed and tilted in an arbitrary direction; And a plurality of switch means which are turned on by the operation unit corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation unit, and a moving direction of the index based on the switch means which is turned on by the operation unit. An input device comprising: a direction determining means for determining the direction; and a vibration generating means for transmitting vibration to the operation unit at a constant cycle corresponding to a unit moving distance of the index when the switch means is in an ON state. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said vibration generating means is provided integrally with an operation unit. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said vibration generating means is a pulse-driven solenoid type. 4. The switch means comprises:
The four indicators are arranged at an angular interval of 0 °, and when the operation unit is tilted in four directions, up, down, left, and right, the index moves in a straight line in that direction, and the operation unit is moved in the middle direction between each two adjacent directions. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the index moves obliquely in an intermediate direction between the two directions when tilted. 5. A mouse provided with the input device according to claim 1. 6. A keyboard provided with the input device according to claim 1. 7. A joy device comprising the input device according to claim 1.
stick. 8. A remote controller for operating a television screen, comprising the input device according to claim 1.