JPH11110127A - Ultrasonic pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To calculate the moving direction and the moved distance of a cursor on a display screen by touching the propagation pass of the surface acoustic waves which are excited on a piezoelectric substrate. SOLUTION: When the electric signals are inputted to the input interdigital electrodes T1, T2, T3 and T4, surface acoustic waves excited on a piezoelectric substrate are converted into the electric signals by the output interdigital electrodes R1, R2, R3 and R4 and outputted. If one of ultrasonic wave propagation pass set between the input and output interdigital electrodes is touched, the output electric signals of the output interdigital electrodes are attenuated according to the touching pressure. Thus, the moving direction and the moved distance of a cursor can be calculated on a display screen based on the direction of the touched ultrasonic wave propagation pass set from an original point and also on the attenuation of the output electric signals when a point that is equidistant from each ultrasonic wave propagation pass is defined as the original point.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic pointing device particularly useful as an auxiliary input device for a portable personal computer such as a notebook personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a keyboard is used as a main input device of a personal computer or the like, and a pointing device is used as an auxiliary input device. Conventional pointing devices are mainly used to specify the coordinates of a cursor displayed on the screen of a display, and are roughly classified into the following two types.

The first one is an absolute coordinate type pointing device. This is a type of inputting coordinates on a display by directly touching a layer provided so as to overlap on a screen of a display, such as a touch panel. In a touch panel, a cursor displayed on the display screen can be moved by touching a transparent electrode provided on the display screen with a finger or a pen.

The second is a relative coordinate type pointing device. This is a type in which the cursor is moved by supplying the moving direction and the moving distance of the cursor displayed on the screen of the display as pulse information from outside the display. , A strain sensor system, a device based on a pressure-sensitive rubber system, and the like. The mouse moves the mouse itself in a plane and indicates the movement direction and movement distance.The capacitance-type device moves the finger on the pad in a plane and indicates the movement direction and movement distance. Devices using the strain sensor system and the pressure-sensitive rubber system use a device whose electric resistance changes according to the force applied to the operation unit to indicate the moving direction and the moving distance from the magnitude and direction of the force applied to the operation unit. Things.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to calculate a moving direction and a moving distance of a cursor on a screen of a display by contacting a propagation path of a surface acoustic wave excited on a piezoelectric substrate. It is to provide a sound wave pointing device.

[0006]

An ultrasonic pointing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a piezoelectric substrate, first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, a substrate pressing body, and a cursor moving direction setting. An ultrasonic pointing device comprising: means and a cursor moving distance calculating means, wherein the piezoelectric substrate has a thickness direction and a direction of a polarization axis parallel to each other, and each of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving means has an input and an output. An output IDT is provided on an upper plate surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate, and the input IDT is provided above the piezoelectric substrate by receiving an electric signal. A surface acoustic wave is excited on the surface of the plate, and the output interdigital transducer converts the surface acoustic wave into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. The first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving The means comprises the piezoelectric substrate The first to the upper plate surface, respectively,
Second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are formed, and the substrate pressing body is made of an elastic body, and attenuates the surface acoustic wave by contacting each of the ultrasonic wave propagation paths, and An output electric signal detected by the interdigital transducer is attenuated in accordance with a contact pressure of the substrate pressing body with each of the ultrasonic wave propagation paths, and the cursor moving direction setting means includes an output terminal of the output interdigital transducer. And when the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic propagation paths, on the screen of the display in accordance with the contacted ultrasonic propagation path Or when the substrate pressing body contacts at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic propagation paths, Is detected by the output IDT corresponding to the The moving direction of the cursor is set according to the ratio of the attenuation of each output electric signal, and the cursor moving distance calculating means is connected to the output end of the output IDT, and the first, second, Third and fourth
When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the ultrasonic wave propagation paths, the cursor according to the attenuation of the output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted ultrasonic wave propagation path. Or when the substrate pressing body contacts at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic propagation paths, The moving distance of the cursor is calculated according to the amount of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the corresponding output IDT.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic pointing device comprising a piezoelectric substrate, first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, a substrate pressing body, a cursor moving direction setting means, and a cursor moving distance calculation. An ultrasonic pointing device comprising a piezoelectric substrate, wherein the thickness direction and the direction of the polarization axis of the piezoelectric substrate are parallel to each other, and each of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving means is connected to the input and output IDT electrodes. The input interdigital transducer is provided on an upper plate surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate, and the input interdigital transducer receives an electric signal to form an elastic surface on the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate. The output interdigital transducer converts the surface acoustic wave into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, and the first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means comprises: The upper plate of Form first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths, respectively, wherein the first and second ultrasonic wave propagation paths are parallel to each other, and the third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are The first and second ultrasonic wave propagation paths are parallel to each other, and the third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are orthogonal to each other to form four propagation crossing regions. Is formed of an elastic body, attenuates the surface acoustic wave by contacting each of the propagation crossover regions, and outputs an output electric signal detected by the output IDT to each of the propagation crossover regions of the substrate pressing body. The cursor moving direction setting means is connected to an output end of the output IDT, and the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the four propagation intersection regions. Sometimes depending on the contacted propagation crossover region Either set the moving direction of the cursor on the display screen, or 4
When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with at least two of the propagation crossover regions, the ratio of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted propagation crossover region The moving direction of the cursor is set accordingly, and the cursor moving distance calculating means is connected to the output end of the output IDT, and the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the four propagation intersection regions. Then, the moving distance of the cursor is calculated in accordance with the amount of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the two output interdigital transducers corresponding to the contacted propagation crossover region, or the four propagation crossovers are performed. When the substrate pressing body contacts at least two of the regions, the output electric signal of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted propagation intersection region. It calculates a movement distance of the cursor in response to 衰量.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic pointing device, wherein one of the input interdigital transducers of the first and second ultrasonic transmitting and receiving means is replaced with one input interdigital transducer. A first and a second ultrasonic wave propagation path are formed between one of the input IDTs and two of the output IDTs opposed thereto, and the third and the third IDTs are formed between the input and output IDTs. Instead of the two input interdigital transducers of the fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, one input interdigital transducer is provided, and the one input interdigital transducer and the two output interdigital transducers opposed thereto. Third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are formed between the electrodes and the electrodes.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic pointing device, the substrate pressing member is made of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer having a sheet shape.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic pointing device, a projection is provided on the substrate pressing body according to the first or fourth aspect, and the substrate pressing body is deformed by pressing the projection. A part of the lower surface of the substrate pressing body contacts at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic pointing device, a projection is provided on the substrate pressing body according to the second, third, or fourth aspect, and the substrate pressing body is deformed by pressing the projection. And a part of the lower surface of the substrate pressing body and at least one of the four propagation intersection regions.
One touches.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic pointing device, a portion of the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate according to the fourth, fifth or sixth aspect excluding at least a part of each of the ultrasonic wave propagation paths is provided. A spacer is provided between the substrate and the substrate pressing body, and the spacer is made of a material that is difficult to absorb surface acoustic waves.

In the ultrasonic pointing device according to the present invention, the piezoelectric substrate is made of piezoelectric ceramic.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first structure of an ultrasonic pointing device according to the present invention comprises a piezoelectric substrate, first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, a substrate pressing body, and a cursor moving direction setting. Means and a cursor moving distance calculating means. The thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate is parallel to the direction of the polarization axis. Each ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is composed of input and output IDT electrodes, and is provided on an upper plate surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate. The cursor moving direction setting means and the cursor moving distance calculating means are both connected to the output end of the output IDT. Each input IDT excites a surface acoustic wave on the plate surface above the piezoelectric substrate by receiving an electric signal having a frequency substantially corresponding to the electrode period length P. This surface acoustic wave is converted into an electric signal by each output IDT and output. In this way, on the plate surface above the piezoelectric substrate, the first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are respectively formed between the input IDT and the corresponding output IDT. It is formed. If the substrate pressing body made of an elastic body comes into contact with each ultrasonic wave propagation path, the surface acoustic wave is attenuated, and the output electric signal detected by the output IDT is transmitted to each ultrasonic wave propagation path of the substrate pressing body. Decreases according to contact pressure. When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic propagation paths, the cursor moving direction setting means may display a screen of the display in accordance with the contacted ultrasonic propagation path. Set the moving direction of the upper cursor. In addition, the first, second, third
And when at least two of the fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are contacted, the ratio of the attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted ultrasonic wave propagation paths. Set the moving direction of the cursor according to. When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths, the cursor moving distance calculation means outputs an output blind corresponding to the contacted ultrasonic wave propagation path. The moving distance of the cursor is calculated according to the amount of attenuation of the output electric signal detected by the electrode. First, second, third
And when at least two of the fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are in contact with each other, according to the amount of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted ultrasonic wave propagation path. To calculate the moving distance of the cursor.

In the first structure of the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention, the substrate pressing member has a sheet-like shape,
A structure in which a projection is provided on the upper part is possible. In this case, when the projection is pressed, the substrate pressing body is deformed, and a part of the lower surface of the substrate pressing body comes into contact with at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths.

The second structure of the ultrasonic pointing device according to the present invention is similar to the first structure of the ultrasonic pointing device, and includes a piezoelectric substrate, first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving devices. Means, a substrate pressing body, a cursor moving direction setting means, and a cursor moving distance calculating means.
However, the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths respectively formed by the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means correspond to the first structure of the ultrasonic pointing device. In contrast, they are not independent of each other. In the second structure of the ultrasonic pointing device, the first and second ultrasonic wave propagation paths are parallel to each other, the third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are parallel to each other, and the first and second ultrasonic wave propagation paths are parallel to each other. And the third and fourth ultrasonic transmission paths have a structure orthogonal to each other. Since one propagation crossing region is formed from two ultrasonic propagation paths, a total of four propagation crossing regions are formed in the second structure of the ultrasonic pointing device. If the substrate pressing body comes into contact with each propagation intersection area, the surface acoustic wave is attenuated, and the output electric signal detected by the output IDT is attenuated according to the contact pressure of the substrate pressing body with each propagation intersection area. I do. The cursor moving direction setting means is 4
When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the propagation crossing regions, the moving direction of the cursor on the screen of the display is set according to the contacted propagation crossing region. When at least two of the four propagation crossover regions are contacted, the ratio depends on the ratio of the attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted propagation crossover region. To set the direction of cursor movement. When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the four crossover regions, the cursor movement distance calculation means calculates each output electric current detected by the two output interdigital transducers corresponding to the contacted crossover region. The moving distance of the cursor is calculated according to the signal attenuation. When at least two of the four propagation crossover regions are touched, the cursor moves according to the amount of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted propagation crossover region. Calculate the distance.

The third structure of the ultrasonic pointing device according to the present invention is different from the second structure of the ultrasonic pointing device in that one of the first and second ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is replaced with two interdigital transducers. One input interdigital transducer is provided instead of the two input interdigital transducers of the third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. In the third structure of the ultrasonic pointing device, two ultrasonic wave propagation paths are formed between an input IDT and two output IDTs opposed thereto. Thus, the first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are formed. Since one propagation crossing region is formed from two ultrasonic propagation paths, a total of four propagation paths are formed in the third structure of the ultrasonic pointing device as in the second structure of the ultrasonic pointing device. An intersection region is formed.
If the substrate pressing body comes into contact with each propagation intersection area, the surface acoustic wave is attenuated, and the output electric signal detected by the output IDT is attenuated according to the contact pressure of the substrate pressing body with each propagation intersection area. I do. The cursor movement direction setting means sets the movement direction of the cursor on the screen of the display according to the contacted propagation crossing area when the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the four propagation crossing areas. When at least two of the four propagation crossover regions are contacted, the ratio depends on the ratio of the attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted propagation crossover region. To set the direction of cursor movement. When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the four crossover regions, the cursor movement distance calculation means calculates each output electric current detected by the two output interdigital transducers corresponding to the contacted crossover region. The moving distance of the cursor is calculated according to the signal attenuation. When at least two of the four propagation crossover regions are touched, the cursor moves according to the amount of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted propagation crossover region. Calculate the distance.

In the second and third structures of the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention, a structure in which the substrate pressing body is formed in a sheet-like shape and a projection is provided on the upper part thereof is possible. In this case, when the projection is pressed, the substrate pressing body is deformed, and a part of the lower surface of the substrate pressing body comes into contact with at least one of the four propagation intersection regions.

In the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention, in order to prevent the substrate pressing body from contacting portions other than the ultrasonic wave propagation path, or to contact only a limited portion of the ultrasonic wave propagation path. In addition, a structure in which a spacer is provided between a portion excluding at least a part of each ultrasonic wave propagation path on a plate surface above the piezoelectric substrate and a substrate pressing body is adopted. For the spacer, a method in which a film or sheet formed in advance is placed on the piezoelectric substrate, or a method of applying a resin or the like on the piezoelectric substrate is used, but in any case, the spacer is made of a material that is difficult to absorb surface acoustic waves. Need to be. The thickness of the spacer needs to be changed depending on the thickness, shape, hardness, etc. of the substrate pressing body, but if the thickness is too thick, a large force is required to curve the substrate pressing body, and if it is too thin, the spacer as a spacer The effect is reduced. Therefore, the thickness of the spacer is suitably from 10 μm to 1 mm.

In the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention, when the electrode period length P of each IDT is reduced,
The frequency of the input electric signal must be increased, which makes it difficult to amplify the output electric signal. When the electrode period length P is increased, the size of the device itself increases. Therefore, the electrode cycle length P is suitably from 0.1 mm to 2 mm. PZT, LiNb
A polymer film such as O ₃ , LiTaO ₃ , quartz, or PVDF may be used. Examples of the material of each interdigital electrode include aluminum, gold, chromium, and copper, and are formed on a piezoelectric substrate using a method such as sputtering, vapor deposition, or plating, and are processed by photolithography or masking during formation. You. As the material of the substrate pressing body, other than natural rubber, silicon rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, synthetic rubber such as nitrile rubber or butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene-based, olefin-based,
Examples thereof include thermoplastic elastomers such as polyester, polyurethane, PVC, polyamide, and fluorine rubber.

As a method of exciting a surface acoustic wave to a non-piezoelectric plate, a method of indirectly exciting a wedge-shaped transducer using a bulk wave vibrator, a method of directly exciting a piezoelectric thin film transducer, and the like are exemplified. The wedge-shaped transducer has a problem of wedge angle machining accuracy, and the piezoelectric thin film transducer has a problem in workability and mass productivity. In contrast to such a method of exciting a surface acoustic wave to a non-piezoelectric plate, a method of exciting a surface acoustic wave to a piezoelectric substrate itself converts an input electric signal input by an input IDT into a surface acoustic wave. To a large extent, and as a result,
The size of the device can be reduced in size and weight. Thus, in the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention, a method of directly exciting a surface acoustic wave to the piezoelectric substrate is employed.

[0022]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the ultrasonic pointing device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric substrate 1, the first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, the spacer 2, the substrate pressing body 3, the protrusion 4, the cursor moving direction setting means 5, and the cursor moving distance calculating means 6 Consists of However, in FIG. 1, the piezoelectric substrate 1 and the first, second, third
And only the fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is illustrated. The first ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means comprises an input interdigital electrode T1 and an output interdigital electrode R1, the second ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means comprises an input interdigital electrode T2 and an output interdigital electrode R2, The third ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means includes an input IDT T3 and an output IDT R3,
The fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means includes an input IDT T4 and an output IDT R4. The piezoelectric substrate 1 is made of a piezoelectric ceramic having a thickness of 1 mm. Each IDT is provided on an upper plate surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate 1.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the interdigital electrode T1. Each of the interdigital transducers is made of an aluminum thin film, has an electrode cross width W of 5 mm and an electrode cycle length P of 200 μm, and has the same structure as each other.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the spacer 2. The spacer 2 is made of a 25 μm-thick polyimide film,
A through hole 21 corresponding to the region between the interdigital electrodes T1 and R1, a through hole 22 corresponding to a region between the interdigital electrodes T2 and R2, and a region between the interdigital electrodes T3 and R3. A through hole 23 and a through hole 24 corresponding to the region between the interdigital transducers T4 and R4 are provided. Spacer 2
Are mounted on the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1 via respective interdigital electrodes. A substrate pressing body 3 made of a chloroprene rubber sheet is stacked and fixed on the spacer 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the protrusion 4. Protrusion 4
Are formed in the lower surface of the spacer 2 through holes 21, 22, 23.
And four cylindrical projections 4 respectively corresponding to
1, 42, 43 and 44 are provided. The diameter of each protrusion is slightly smaller than the diameter of each through hole. Protrusion 4
Is provided on the substrate pressing body 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. However, in FIG. 5, only the piezoelectric substrate 1, the spacer 2, the substrate pressing body 3, and the protrusion 4 are shown.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a use form of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. However, FIG. 6 shows only the piezoelectric substrate 1, the spacer 2, the substrate pressing body 3, and the projection 4, and illustrates a cross-sectional view when the protrusion 41 of the projection 4 presses the substrate pressing body 3. The substrate pressing body 3 is deformed and comes into contact with a region between the interdigital transducers T1 and R1 of the piezoelectric substrate 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit for driving the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. The input terminals of the interdigital electrodes T1, T2, T3 and T4 have a frequency of 10M.
Hz oscillation circuit 7 is connected, and the interdigital transducers R1, R
2, R3 and R4 have amplifiers 81, 82, 8 at their output terminals.
3 and 84 are connected, and rectifier circuits 91, 92,
It is connected to the input terminal of the A / D converter 10 via 93 and 94. The A / D converter 10 is connected to a microcomputer 11 including a cursor moving direction setting means 5 and a cursor moving distance calculating means 6. The output terminal of the microcomputer 11 is connected to a computer having a display.

In the drive circuit of FIG. 7, when an electric signal having a frequency substantially corresponding to the electrode period length P is input from the oscillation circuit 7 to the interdigital electrodes T1, T2, T3 and T4, the electrode is applied to the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1. A surface acoustic wave having a wavelength substantially equal to the period length P is excited. This surface acoustic wave is converted into an electric signal by the interdigital electrodes R1, R2, R3 and R4 and output. In this manner, the first and second interdigital transducers between the interdigital transducers T1 and R1, the interdigital transducers T2 and R2, the interdigital transducers T3 and R3, and the interdigital transducers T4 and R4, respectively. Second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are formed. If the projections 41, 42, 43 or 44 of the projections 4 make contact with the first, second, third or fourth ultrasonic wave propagation path via the substrate pressing body 3, the first and second contacted first and second ultrasonic propagation paths will be described. The output electric signal detected by the interdigital electrodes R1, R2, R3 or R4 corresponding to the third or fourth ultrasonic wave propagation path attenuates according to the contact pressure.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the contact pressure when the substrate pressing body 3 presses the first ultrasonic wave propagation path and the amplitude of the output voltage detected by the interdigital transducer R1. However, the intersecting width W of the interdigital electrodes T1 and R1 is 4 m.
m, the electrode period length P is 280 μm, and the interdigital electrodes T1 and R
In the characteristic diagram in the case where the distance from 1 is 14 mm, the amplitude of the contact pressure and the amplitude of the output voltage are both shown as normalized values. Further, 1 on the vertical axis indicates a case where the ultrasonic wave propagation path is not in contact. It can be seen that the amplitude of the output voltage decreases almost linearly as the contact pressure increases.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the directions from the origin of the first, second, third or fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths as vectors. However, a point equidistant from the center point of each of the first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths in FIG. The directions from the origin of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are represented by X, Y, -X, and -Y, respectively, and the output electric power by the contact at the interdigital electrodes R1, R2, R3, and R4. Let the signal attenuation be Δ _Vx ,
When represented by _ΔVy , _ΔVx and _ΔVy , if the cursor contacts the first ultrasonic wave propagation path, the cursor movement direction setting means 5 senses the cursor movement direction as the X direction. Furthermore, cursor moving distance calculating unit 6 senses the attenuation delta _Vx of the output electrical signal in the interdigital electrode R1. If at least two of the four ultrasonic wave propagation paths are simultaneously touched, the cursor movement direction is represented by the sum of the vector in the X direction and the vector in the Y direction, that is, the movement vector V. FIG.
In, X-direction vector component (Δ _Vx -Δ _Vx), Y-direction vector component (Δ _Vy -Δ _Vy) and the movement vector V
It is shown. The direction of the movement vector V indicates the movement direction from the origin, and this movement direction is represented by the angle θ between the movement vector V and the vector in the X direction. The magnitude of the movement vector V indicates the movement distance from the origin. It is possible to make the movement distance of the cursor by multiplying the magnitude of the movement vector V by an appropriate coefficient. At this time, a method of making the coefficient constant regardless of the size of the vector, There is a method in which a small coefficient is used when the magnitude of the vector is large. When such a coefficient that fluctuates according to the magnitude of the vector is adopted, the relationship between the contact pressure and the moving distance to the first, second, third, or fourth ultrasonic wave propagation path is made non-linear. It becomes possible.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the ultrasonic pointing device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric substrate 1, the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, the printed circuit board 12, the case 13, the screw 14, the cursor moving direction setting means 5, and the cursor moving distance calculating means 6 Become. However, in FIG. 10, only the piezoelectric substrate 1 and the first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means are illustrated. The first ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is an interdigital transducer T
1 and R1, the second ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means comprises IDTs T2 and R2, the third ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means comprises IDTs T3 and R3, and the fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. It consists of interdigital electrodes T4 and R4. The electrode cross width W of each IDT is 7 mm, and the electrode period length P is 600 μm.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. However, in FIG.
Only the printed circuit board 12, the case 13, and the screws 14 are illustrated. The piezoelectric substrate 1 is fixed on a printed circuit board 12, and a case 13 is covered from above to protect each ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. The case 13 is fixed to the printed circuit board 12 with screws 14. When driving the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. 10, the drive circuit of FIG. 7 is used. When an electric signal having a frequency substantially corresponding to the electrode cycle length P is input from the oscillation circuit 7 to the interdigital electrodes T1, T2, T3 and T4, a surface acoustic wave is excited on the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1. This surface acoustic wave is generated by the interdigital electrodes R1, R2,
The signals are converted into electric signals by R3 and R4 and output. Between the interdigital electrodes T1 and R1, between the interdigital electrodes T2 and R2, between the interdigital electrodes T3 and R3,
And between the interdigital transducers T4 and R4,
Second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are formed. At this time, the first and second ultrasonic propagation paths are parallel to each other, and the third and fourth ultrasonic propagation paths are parallel to each other. A first and a second ultrasonic wave propagation path;
The third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths form four propagation crossing regions by being orthogonal to each other. If one of the four propagation crossing regions is pressed with a finger, the interdigital transducers R1, R correspond to the contacted propagation crossing regions.
2, the output electric signal detected by two of R3 and R4 attenuates according to the contact pressure. In this embodiment, the finger corresponds to the substrate pressing body. When a point equidistant from the center point of each of the four propagation crossover regions in FIG. 10 is set as the origin, if one of the four propagation crossover regions is touched, the cursor movement direction setting means 5 makes contact. The moving direction of the cursor on the screen of the display is set corresponding to the direction from the origin of the propagation crossover area. The cursor moving distance calculating means 6 calculates the moving distance of the cursor in accordance with the amount of attenuation of the output electric signal in two of the interdigital transducers R1, R2, R3 and R4. If at least two of the four crossover regions are touched, three or four corresponding to the touched crossover regions
The moving distance of the cursor is calculated in accordance with the amount of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the two output interdigital electrodes, and the moving direction of the cursor is set in accordance with the ratio of the amounts of attenuation.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the ultrasonic pointing device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a piezoelectric substrate 1, input IDTs T1 and T2, output IDTs R1, R2, R3 and R4, a spacer 15, a substrate pressing body 16, a cursor moving direction setting unit 5, and a cursor moving distance calculating unit Consists of six. However, FIG.
1, only the piezoelectric substrate 1 and each interdigital electrode are illustrated.
Each interdigital electrode is made of a copper thin film, and its electrode period length P is 4
00 μm. The intersecting width W of the interdigital electrodes T1 and T2 is 3 mm, and the intersecting width W of the interdigital electrodes R1, R2, R3 and R4 is 1 mm.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. However, in FIG.
Only the interdigital electrodes T1 and R1, the spacer 15, and the substrate pressing body 16 are illustrated. Spacer 15 has thickness 2
It is made of a polyimide film of 5 μm, and has a frame type structure in which a center portion is hollowed out corresponding to a portion surrounded by each interdigital electrode on the piezoelectric substrate 1. Spacer 15 is piezoelectric substrate 1
Are mounted on the upper plate surface via respective interdigital electrodes. On the spacer 15, a substrate pressing body 1 made of silicon rubber is provided.
6 are stacked and fixed. The upper part of the substrate pressing body 16 protrudes so as to easily contact the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a use form of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. However, in FIG. 14, only the piezoelectric substrate 1, the interdigital electrodes T1 and R1, the spacer 15, and the substrate pressing member 16 are shown, and a cross-sectional view when the substrate pressing member 16 presses the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1 is illustrated. ing. At this time, the lower surface of the substrate pressing body 16 is deformed. When driving the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. 12, the drive circuit of FIG. 7 is used. Oscillation circuit 7
When an electric signal having a frequency substantially corresponding to the electrode period length P is input to the interdigital transducers T1 and T2, a surface acoustic wave is excited on the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1. This surface acoustic wave is
Each of the IDTs R1, R2, R3 and R4 converts the signal into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. IDT T1
And R1, between the interdigital electrodes T1 and R2, between the interdigital electrodes T2 and R3, and between the interdigital electrodes T2 and R2.
The first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are respectively formed between the first and second ultrasonic wave propagation paths. The first and second ultrasonic wave propagation paths are parallel to each other, and the third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are parallel to each other, and the first and second ultrasonic wave propagation paths are connected to the third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths. The four ultrasonic propagation paths form four propagation crossing regions by being orthogonal to each other. If the substrate pressing body 16 is one of the four propagation crossing regions,
When one of them is pressed, the output electric signal detected by two of the interdigital transducers R1, R2, R3 and R4 is attenuated according to the contact pressure, corresponding to the contacted propagation crossing region. Also in the ultrasonic pointing device in FIG. 12, the moving direction and the moving distance of the cursor are calculated in the same manner as in the ultrasonic pointing device in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view when a substrate pressing body 17 is used in place of the substrate pressing body 16 of FIG. In this case, the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1 is pressed directly from the upper surface of the substrate pressing body 17 with a finger or the like.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view when a projection 18 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the substrate pressing body 17 of FIG. In this case, the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1 is pressed from the projection 18 via the substrate pressing body 17. The area of the portion where the protrusion 18 is fixed to the substrate pressing body 17 is slightly smaller than the area of the four propagation crossing regions. The projection 18 is stick-shaped and is easy to operate.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view when a projection 19 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the substrate pressing body 17 of FIG. In this case, the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1 is pressed from the projection 19 via the substrate pressing body 17. The area of the portion where the protrusion 19 is fixed to the substrate pressing body 17 is slightly smaller than the area of the four propagation crossing regions. The upper part of the projection 19 is hemispherical, so that it can be easily operated.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an example in which the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention is provided between two keys of a computer keyboard.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an example in which the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention is provided on the operation section of a remote controller.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an example of an input device incorporating the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention. This is used by connecting to a mouse connector of a computer like a conventional mouse.

[0043]

According to the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention, when the substrate pressing body comes into contact with the ultrasonic wave propagation path or the propagation crossing area, each ultrasonic wave propagation path or each propagation crossing area from the origin on the piezoelectric substrate. The direction of movement of the cursor on the screen of the display can be set according to the direction of contact with the cursor. Further, the moving distance of the cursor on the screen of the display can be calculated according to the contact pressure of the substrate pressing body with each ultrasonic wave propagation path or each propagation crossing region. At this time, since the output electric signal is detected with high accuracy from a range in which the contact pressure is weak, the cursor can be moved by a small distance, and comfortable operability can be obtained.

Further, since the operation can be performed by pressing the substrate pressing body to a slight degree of distortion, a strong force is not required, and the fatigue of the finger due to long-time use is reduced.

By employing a piezoelectric ceramic as the piezoelectric substrate, it is possible to design a device having excellent durability and chemical resistance. Further, by forming the IDTs by photolithography, workability and mass production can be improved. It becomes possible to design a device having excellent performance.

The substrate pressing body does not necessarily have a sheet-like shape, but may have any shape as long as it can be easily operated when the substrate pressing body comes into contact with the ultrasonic wave propagation path or the propagation intersection area. Shapes are possible. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a projection separately. When the substrate pressing body has a sheet-like shape, it is preferable to provide a projection for easy operation.

By providing a spacer between a portion of the plate surface above the piezoelectric substrate except for at least a part of each ultrasonic wave propagation path and the substrate pressing body, the substrate pressing body can be connected to at least one of the ultrasonic wave propagation paths. It can be efficiently contacted with the part. Thus, an accurate output electric signal can be detected.

The ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention is particularly useful as an auxiliary input device for a portable personal computer such as a notebook personal computer, but its application is not particularly limited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an interdigital electrode T1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a spacer 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a protrusion 4;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a use form of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a circuit when driving the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a contact pressure when the substrate pressing body 3 presses the first ultrasonic wave propagation path and an output voltage detected by the interdigital transducer R1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a direction from an origin of a first, second, third, or fourth ultrasonic wave propagation path as a vector.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a usage form of the ultrasonic pointing device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view when a substrate pressing body 17 is used instead of the substrate pressing body 16 in FIG. 13;

16 is a cross-sectional view when a protrusion 18 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the substrate pressing body 17 of FIG.

17 is a cross-sectional view when a projection 19 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the substrate pressing body 17 of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an example in which the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention is provided between two keys of a computer keyboard.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an example in which the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention is provided on an operation unit of a remote controller.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an example of an input device incorporating the ultrasonic pointing device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Piezoelectric substrate 2, 15 Spacer 3, 16, 17 Substrate pressing body 4, 18, 19 Projection 5 Cursor moving direction setting means 6 Cursor moving distance calculating means 7 Oscillation circuit 10 A / D converter 11 Microcomputer 12 Printed circuit board 13 Case 14 Screw 21, 22, 23, 24 Through-holes 41, 42, 43, 44 Projections 81, 82, 83, 84 Amplifiers 91, 92, 93, 94 Rectifier circuits T1, T2, T3, T4 Interdigital electrodes R1, R2 for input , R3, R4 Interdigital electrodes for output

Claims (8)

[Claims] A first, second, third and fourth piezoelectric substrate.
An ultrasonic pointing device comprising an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit, a substrate pressing body, a cursor moving direction setting unit, and a cursor moving distance calculating unit, wherein the piezoelectric substrate has a thickness direction and a polarization axis direction parallel to each other. Wherein each of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving means comprises an input and an output interdigital transducer, and is provided on an upper plate surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate; Excites a surface acoustic wave on the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate by receiving an electric signal, the output IDT converts the surface acoustic wave into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, The first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means form first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths respectively on the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate, The substrate pressing body is made of an elastic body. The surface acoustic wave is attenuated by contacting each of the ultrasonic wave propagation paths, and an output electric signal detected by the output IDT is converted into a contact pressure of the substrate pressing body to each of the ultrasonic wave propagation paths. The cursor moving direction setting means is connected to an output end of the output IDT, and is connected to one of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths. The moving direction of the cursor on the screen of the display is set according to the ultrasonic wave path contacted when the substrate pressing body contacts, or the first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave paths When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with at least two of them, the cursor according to the ratio of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output interdigital transducer corresponding to the ultrasonic wave propagation path contacted by the cursor. Set the direction of movement The cursor moving distance calculation means is connected to an output end of the output IDT, and the substrate pressing body contacts one of the first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths. The moving distance of the cursor is calculated in accordance with the attenuation of the output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the ultrasonic wave propagation path contacted when the cursor moves, or the first, second, or second moving distance of the cursor is calculated. When the substrate pressing body contacts at least two of the third and fourth ultrasonic transmission paths, the output electric signals of the respective output electric signals detected by the output IDTs corresponding to the contacted ultrasonic transmission paths. An ultrasonic pointing device for calculating a moving distance of the cursor according to an amount of attenuation. 2. The piezoelectric substrate according to claim 1, wherein said first, second, third and fourth piezoelectric substrates are provided.
An ultrasonic pointing device comprising an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit, a substrate pressing body, a cursor moving direction setting unit, and a cursor moving distance calculating unit, wherein the piezoelectric substrate has a thickness direction and a polarization axis direction parallel to each other. Wherein each of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving means comprises an input and an output interdigital transducer, and is provided on an upper plate surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate; Excites a surface acoustic wave on the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate by receiving an electric signal, the output IDT converts the surface acoustic wave into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, The first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means form first, second, third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths respectively on the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate, First and second ultrasonic propagation Are parallel to each other, the third and fourth ultrasonic transmission paths are parallel to each other, and the first and second ultrasonic transmission paths and the third and fourth ultrasonic transmission paths are mutually 4 by orthogonal
The substrate pressing body is formed of an elastic body, attenuates the surface acoustic wave by contacting each of the propagation crossing regions, and an output electric signal detected by the output IDT. Is attenuated in accordance with the contact pressure of the substrate pressing body to each of the propagation crossing regions. The cursor movement direction setting means is connected to the output end of the output IDT, and When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of them, the moving direction of the cursor on the screen of the display is set according to the propagation crossing area contacted, or at least two of the four propagation crossing areas When the substrate pressing body comes into contact with the cursor, the cursor is moved in accordance with the ratio of the attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the contacted crossover region. Setting a direction, wherein the cursor moving distance calculating means is connected to an output end of the output IDT, and when the substrate pressing body comes into contact with one of the four propagation intersection areas, Calculating the moving distance of the cursor according to the amount of attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the two output interdigital transducers corresponding to the propagation crossover region, or calculating at least two of the four propagation crossover regions; The ultrasonic wave which calculates the moving distance of the cursor in accordance with the attenuation of each output electric signal detected by the output IDT corresponding to the propagation crossing area when the substrate pressing body comes into contact. pointing device. 3. An input interdigital transducer is provided instead of the two input interdigital transducers of the first and second ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, and one input interdigital transducer and the input interdigital transducer are provided. First and second ultrasonic wave propagation paths are formed between two opposing interdigital transducers, and two input interdigital transducers of the third and fourth ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means are provided. Instead, one input interdigital transducer is provided, and third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths are formed between the one input interdigital transducer and the two output interdigital transducers opposed thereto. The ultrasonic pointing device according to claim 2. 4. The ultrasonic pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said substrate pressing member is made of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer having a sheet shape. 5. A projection is provided on an upper portion of the substrate pressing body, and when the projection is pressed, the substrate pressing body is deformed and a part of the lower surface of the substrate pressing body, and the first, second, The ultrasonic pointing device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the third and fourth ultrasonic wave propagation paths is in contact. 6. A projection is provided on an upper portion of the substrate pressing body, and when the projection is pressed, the substrate pressing body is deformed, and a part of a lower surface of the substrate pressing body and four propagation crossing regions are formed. The ultrasonic pointing device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein at least one of them contacts. 7. A spacer is provided between a portion of the upper plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate other than at least a part of each of the ultrasonic wave propagation paths and the substrate pressing body, and the spacer is a surface acoustic wave. The ultrasonic pointing device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the ultrasonic pointing device is made of a material that does not easily absorb the ultrasonic waves. 8. The ultrasonic pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric substrate is made of piezoelectric ceramic.