JPH11296257A - Equipment with coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the equipment small-sized and to improve the operability by forming the operation shaft of a multidirectional detection switch shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of an operation body. SOLUTION: At the ring-shaped center part of a printed wiring board 14 fitted with ring-shaped conductive rubber 11, the multidimensional detection switch 4 is equipped with the operation shaft 8 which can freely be swung on O' axis to many directions. The tip of the operation shaft 8 is an engagement projection part which is formed spherically and the engagement projection part is loosely fitted in an engagement recessed part 7a in a cylinder part 7 drooped from the internal vertical surface of the operation body 2 with the multidirectional detection switch 4 fitted to the printed wiring board 14. Thus, the tip of the operation shaft 8 is loosely fitted in the cylinder body 7 and then no mutual interference is caused even when the operation shaft 8 which is shorter than the radius of curvature of the spherical surface of the operation body 2 is associated by making sphere the tip of the operation shaft 8 and making its diameter shorter than the internal diameter of the cylinder part 7 of the operation body 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device provided with a coordinate input device for controlling the movement of a cursor displayed on a display, and more particularly to a coordinate input device suitable for use in a portable personal computer device. The present invention relates to a device with a device.

[0002]

[Prior art]

[0003] A mouse is widely used as a coordinate input device for controlling the movement of a cursor. However, since a mouse requires a certain operation range, such as a movement operation to a mouse pad, a notebook computer, a portable information terminal device and the like are required. And the like, the coordinate input device to these personal computers includes a coordinate input device 1 as shown in FIG.
00 is used instead.

FIG. 13 shows the structure of a coordinate input device 100 disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-42515. By rotating an operation body having a spherical surface, a cursor control signal for controlling the movement of a cursor is output. Is what you do.

The coordinate input apparatus 100 uses a spherical trackball 101 as an operating body. A pair of X-axis driven rollers 102X and a Y-axis driven roller 102X which are in contact with the trackball 101 and are arranged at positions orthogonal to each other. Driven roller 102Y and the X-axis driven rollers 102X and Y
The X-axis rotary encoders 103X and Y for detecting the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the shaft driven roller 102Y, respectively.
The shaft rotary encoder 103Y is provided.

[0006] As shown in FIG.
1 is a case 10 of which a part accommodates each of the components described above.
4 through the opening 104a to allow manual rotation operation from outside.

[0007] The operator places the trackball 101 in the case 1
04, the X-axis driven roller 102X is rotated by friction with the trackball 101.
And the Y-axis driven roller 102Y are linked, and the X-axis rotary encoder 103X and the Y-axis rotary encoder 1
03Y, the trackball 10 in the X direction and the Y direction
1 independently detects the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation.

The coordinate input device 100 generates a cursor control signal indicating a moving operation of the operating body in the X direction and the Y direction from these detected values, outputs the generated signal to the personal computer 105, and outputs the cursor control signal displayed on the display 106. To
The operation body is moved in accordance with the moving operation, that is, the rotation operation of the trackball 101.

Incidentally, in FIG.
1 and a pair of pushbutton switches 107 arranged on both sides
Reference numerals a and 107b denote input switches corresponding to the left and right push button switches of the mouse, and are input switches for executing an operation indicated by an icon or the like at the display position of the moved cursor.

On the other hand, FIG. 15 and FIG.
132 shows another coordinate input device 200 disclosed in FIG.
The point that the rotation of 01 is transmitted to the X-axis driven roller and the Y-axis driven roller by friction to control the movement of the cursor is the same as described above, but a ball holder 202 is additionally provided. As shown in FIG. 16, an elastically deformable claw 203 is formed integrally with the ball holder 202,
The trackball 201 is pressed by the claws 203 to prevent the trackball 201 from floating.

[0011] Such a coordinate input device 200 can be arranged in the personal computer 105 such that a part of the trackball protrudes from the side or bottom surface of the personal computer 105.

[0012]

However, in the case of the conventional coordinate input device 100, the trackball 101
The amount of rotation and the direction of rotation are detected by the trackball 101, the X-axis driven roller 102X, and the Y-axis driven roller 102Y.
When the coordinate input device 100 is turned sideways or upside down, the trackball 101 rises, and the rotation of the trackball 101 is controlled by the X-axis driven roller 102.
It was not transmitted to the X and Y axis driven rollers 102Y, and the cursor could not be moved.

In this case, it is possible to provide an auxiliary roller or the like that presses the trackball 101 from above to prevent the trackball 101 from floating. There is a problem that the frictional force is applied, the movement of the trackball 101 becomes heavy, and the operability deteriorates. In addition, there is a problem that assembly is troublesome due to an increase in the number of parts. Therefore, it is difficult to provide an auxiliary roller and the like.

The lifting of the trackball 101 can be prevented by using a coordinate input device 200 shown in FIG. 15. In this case, there is no problem immediately after the start of use. The rotation of the trackball causes the claws to wear, causing play between the trackball and the claws, and raising the trackball, making it impossible to move the cursor. Further, there is a problem that the frictional force at the time of rotating the trackball is increased by the amount of the claw, and the operability is deteriorated.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 14, the coordinate input device 100 is mainly arranged on the personal computer 105 such that the trackball 101 projects upward. On the other hand, portable devices are required to be as small as possible in order to make them easier to carry. However, as described above, the trackball 101 is arranged on the same surface as the keyboard, so that the space corresponding to that is required. Is required, and there is a limit to miniaturization of a device having a coordinate input device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device with a coordinate input device that can be downsized and has good operability.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a case having an opening, an operating body housed in the case so as to be exposed from the opening, and movable by a manual operation, and an operating body for the case. X-
A multi-directional detection switch that detects independently in the Y direction, outputs a cursor control signal indicating a movement operation of the operating body in the XY direction, and according to the cursor control signal,
In a device with a coordinate input device that performs movement control of a cursor displayed on a display, the operation body is engaged with an operation shaft of the multidirectional detection switch, and is exposed from the opening formed on a side surface or a bottom surface of the case. Then, a movement operation of the operation body is detected by the multi-directional detection switch by swinging the operation shaft in conjunction with movement of the operation body.

The movement of the operating body exposed from the opening provided on the side surface or the bottom surface of the case is transmitted to the operating shaft, and swings the operating shaft. The multi-directional detection switch independently detects movement of the operating body in the X and Y directions by swinging the operating axis, and outputs a cursor control signal indicating a moving operation of the operating body. The cursor displayed on the display is moved by the cursor control signal.

Since the operation body and the operation shaft are engaged with each other and the movement of the operation body is detected in the XY directions by the swing of the operation shaft, the operation of moving the cursor due to the floating of the operation body can be prevented. , Even if the operating tool is exposed from the side or bottom of the case, the cursor can be moved reliably.
The entire device can be downsized.

Further, the operating body, which is formed in a bowl shape and has a spherical outer peripheral surface exposed at the opening, is guided by a guide portion so as to be slidable along the curvature of the spherical surface of the operating body. The operating shaft is formed to be shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operating body, and the engaging convex portion formed on one of the operating shaft and the operating body is loosely fitted into the other engaging concave portion. It is characterized by having.

The bowl-shaped operating body is slidably guided by the guide along the curvature of the spherical surface, so that the operating body can be moved and operated as if rolling a ball. Since the operating body of the operating body and the operation shaft of the multi-directional detection switch have one of the engaging projections loosely fitted into the other engaging concave section, the movement of the operating body is shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operating body. It is reliably transmitted to the operation shaft.

Since the operation axis of the multi-directional detection switch is shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operating body, even if the outer peripheral surface of the operating body has a gentle curved surface, it does not increase in size. In addition, since the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operating body can be reduced, the contact area with the operator's finger increases, and the operability of the operating body improves.

Further, a switch operation portion is provided on a surface of the case different from a surface where the operation body is exposed.

Since the switch operation section for inputting predetermined data to the device is provided on a surface different from the exposed surface of the operation body, the size of the device provided with the switch operation portion can be reduced.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A device with a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a portable personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a portable personal computer) 80 which is a device with a coordinate input device, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the portable personal computer 80, and FIG. FIGS. 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views of the coordinate input device 1, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the coordinate input device 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the portable personal computer 80 has a push button input unit 88 serving as a switch operation unit.
The printed wiring board 14 and the coordinate input device 3 are housed in a synthetic resin case 82 having a coordinate input device 1, a printed wiring board 14, a display 83, and the like, and having an upper case 82a and a lower case 82b butted together. doing.

The case 82 is large enough to perform a predetermined manual input operation while holding the portable personal computer 80 by hand.
A circular window hole 6 is formed in a recess 84 on the bottom surface of the lower case 82b, which is the back side of the case 82 when the portable personal computer 80 is held in a hand, and the outer peripheral surface 2a of the operating body 2 is formed in the window hole 6. Exposed.

On the other hand, the display 83 is
a provided on a cover 81 rotatably attached to
A push button input section 88 is arranged on the front side of the upper case 82a that is exposed when the cover 81 is opened. Therefore, for example, the operator holds the portable personal computer 80 with the left hand, performs the input operation of the push button input unit 88 with the right hand while checking the display on the display 83, and performs the operation with the left hand holding the portable personal computer 80. The body 2 can be manually operated.

The push button input section 88 is connected to the upper case 82a.
An elastic sheet member 79 formed of an insulating elastic material such as rubber attached to the printed wiring board 14 along the back surface of the upper case 8 provided on the elastic sheet member 79
A frame 76 that covers the surfaces of a plurality of convex pressing portions 78 that penetrate through 2a, a plurality of switch operating portions 85, and a push button input portion 88 and has a window hole 72 through which the switch operating portion 85 protrudes. It consists of

A movable contact 86 is provided on the inner top surface of each pressing portion 78.
Are respectively formed. The switch operating section 85 having the cylindrical pressing section 73 for pressing the pressing section 78 is vertically slidable by the engagement with the upper case 82a, and is prevented from slipping upward by the upper case 82a. ing.

On the surface of the printed wiring board 14 housed inside the portable personal computer 80 facing the movable contact 86,
The conductive patterns 14b and 14c are printed and formed apart from each other. When the switch operation section 85 is pressed, the pressing section 78 is elastically deformed, and the movable contact 86 is connected to the conductive patterns 14b and 14c.
Short circuit. When the pressing force applied to the switch operating section 85 is removed, the movable contact 8 is restored by the elastic force of the pressing section 78.
6 is separated from the conductive patterns 14b and 14c.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the coordinate input device 1 includes an operation unit 2, a multidirectional switch 4, a support member 9, an annular movable contact piece 11, a guide member 12, and a cylindrical stopper member 5.
It has.

The operating section 2 is formed by pressing a metal plate or by injection molding a synthetic resin into a bowl-like shape obtained by cutting a part of a hollow sphere. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 2a and the inner peripheral surface 2b are parallel to each other and are both spherical surfaces centering on the point "O" in FIG. The radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface 2a is, for example, 3
It is set to about 0 mm, and thus has a gentle convex curved surface with a curvature of about one-fifth as compared with the curvature of a conventional trackball. Further, a cylindrical portion 7 is provided on the inner top surface of the operation body 2.
Are formed integrally with each other, and the inside of the cylinder is formed as an engagement recess 7a into which the tip 8a of the operation shaft 8 of the multidirectional detection switch 4 is loosely fitted.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
Is mounted on a cylindrical support 9 serving as a guide for guiding the movement of the operating body 2. On the upper end surface of the cylindrical support portion 9,
Sliding protrusions 10 having the same height protrude at equal intervals of 90 degrees, and are brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface 2b of the mounted operating body 2. The sliding protrusion 10 is made of, for example, a material such as polyacetal in order to minimize the coefficient of friction with the operating body 2, and the inner peripheral surface 2b of the operating body 2 slides smoothly on the sliding protrusion 10. I am trying to do it. As described above, the inner peripheral surface 2b of the operating body 2 is a spherical surface parallel to the outer peripheral surface 2a, and the inner peripheral surface 2b and the sliding protrusion 10 are in contact on the same circumference. By sliding on the sliding protrusions 10 of the cylindrical support portion 9, it is slidable along the curvature of the outer peripheral surface 2a.

In this embodiment, the sliding projections 10 are protruded, but a sliding tape for lowering the coefficient of friction is adhered to the upper end surface of the cylindrical support 9 and the sliding protrusion 10 is provided on the cylindrical support 9. The inner peripheral surface 2b of the operating body 2 may be supported by the end face.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cylindrical support 9
Is positioned by the positioning cylinder 12 so as to be placed on the ring-shaped conductive rubber 11. The positioning cylinder 12 includes a concentric inner cylinder 12b and an outer cylinder 12c integrally connected by a coupling piece 12a.
A ring-shaped space between the outer cylindrical portion 2b and the outer cylindrical portion 12c is a positioning groove 12d for accommodating the lower portion of the cylindrical support portion 9 and the movable portion 11a of the conductive rubber 11. That is, the inner cylindrical portion 12b and the outer cylindrical portion 12c are placed on the inner and outer flange portions 11b of the ring-shaped conductive rubber 11, respectively, and the positioning groove 1 is formed.
The movable portion 11a of the conductive rubber 11 is fitted from below 2d, and the lower portion of the cylindrical support 9 is loosely fitted from above in the figure. Since the relief groove 9a is cut out at a position corresponding to the connection piece 12a, the cylindrical support portion 9 is accommodated in the positioning groove 12d so as to be vertically movable without interfering with the connection piece 12a, and is mounted on the movable portion 11a. Is placed.

A pair of mounting portions 12e are connected to the outer cylindrical portion 12c of the positioning cylindrical body 12 sideways. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, in a state where the conductive rubber 11 is sandwiched between the positioning cylinder 12 and the printed wiring board 14, the fixing screw 15 that penetrates the mounting portion 12 e and the printed wiring board 14 is used. The conductive rubber 11 and the positioning cylinder 12 are fixed on the printed wiring board 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, the printed wiring board 14
The conductive rubber 11 fixed to the back surface of the movable portion 11a straddles a pair of parallel conductive patterns 14a formed on the back surface of the substrate 14, and the short electrode 11c on the lower surface of the movable portion 11a faces the pair of conductive patterns 14a. . The input switch 3 is constituted by the short electrode 11c and the pair of conductive patterns 14a, and when the movable portion 11a is pressed, the short electrode 11c bridges between the pair of conductive patterns 14a,
The input switch 3 operates.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical support 9 accommodated in the fixed positioning cylinder 12 is supported so as to rise from the printed wiring board 14 toward the window hole 6 of the lower case 82b. . Therefore, in a state where the printed wiring board 14 is fixed in the case 82, the outer peripheral surface 2a of the operating body 2 placed on the cylindrical support portion 9 faces the window hole 6, and the sliding protrusion 10 is 6 is located below the periphery.

A plurality of guide pins 13 urged in the direction of the operating body 2 by a leaf spring integrated with the lower case 82b along the circumferential direction of the window 6 are provided below the lower case 82b around the window hole 6. Installed. On the outer peripheral surface 2a of the operation body 2,
By bringing the guide pins 13 into contact, the operating body 2 on the cylindrical support 9 slides along the curvature of the spherical surface of the operating body 2 without rattling. As the material of the guide pin 13, the same material as the slide protrusion 10 such as polyacetal is used.
The coefficient of friction with the operating body 2 is made as small as possible.

The operating body 2 guided by the cylindrical supporting portion 9 and sliding along the curvature of the outer peripheral surface 2a, as shown in FIG.
Before the peripheral edge is exposed to the window hole 6, a stopper step 5 formed horizontally around the inner side surface of the cylindrical stopper member 5
In contact with c, sliding is regulated. Therefore, the operator
The operation body 2 having a spherical surface with a gentle curvature can be rocked along the curvature of the spherical surface, and the periphery of the operation body 2 is not seen during the operation. You can move with the consciousness of doing.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the cylindrical stopper member 5 is a hollow cylindrical body, and is engaged with the back surface of the printed wiring board 14 by an elastically deformable claw (not shown). Is fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ring-shaped central portion of the printed wiring board 14 to which the ring-shaped conductive rubber 11 is attached is pivotally movable about O 'in each direction. A multi-directional detection switch 4 with an axis 8 is mounted. The distal end 8a of the operating shaft 8 is a spherically formed engaging projection, and as described above, with the multidirectional detection switch 4 attached to the printed wiring board 14 shown in FIG. Is loosely fitted into an engagement recess 7 a in a cylindrical portion 7 vertically provided from the inner top surface of the operation body 2. When the tip 8a of the operating shaft 8 is loosely fitted into the cylindrical portion 7 of the operating body 2, the operating shaft 8 swings in conjunction with the rotation of the operating body 2, but the tip 8a of the operating shaft 8 is formed as a sphere. By making the diameter shorter than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 7 of the operation body 2, even if the operation shafts 8 shorter than the radius of curvature of the spherical surface of the operation body 2 are linked, they do not interfere with each other.

The multidirectional detection switch 4 detects the inclination angle of the operation shaft 8 swinging in multiple directions independently in the orthogonal X and Y directions. Hereinafter, the configuration of the multi-directional detection switch 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the multi-directional detection switch 4 comprises a cubic metal cover 16 having a circular hole 4a on the upper surface, and a rectangular plate-shaped insulating base 17 covering the bottom side of the metal cover 16. And The insulating base 17 has a mortar-shaped depression 17a. A dish-shaped pressure receiving plate 27 is attached below the operation shaft 8.

As shown in FIG. 9, an X-side interlocking plate 20 is rotatably supported on the opposite side wall of the metal cover 16, and a Y-side interlocking plate 21 is rotatably mounted on another side wall orthogonal to the X-side interlocking plate. Have been. The X-side interlocking plate 20 and the Y-side interlocking plate 21 include
First and second slits 2 along each longitudinal direction
2 and 23 are formed.
The operation shaft 8 penetrating through 3 is rotatably supported by pivotally supporting both ends of a pivot shaft 24 crossing the first slit 22 by the X-side interlocking plate 20. The pivotal support position of the pivot shaft 24 and the support position 20a of the X-side interlocking plate 20 to the metal cover 16 are set at substantially the same height. Therefore, the operation shaft 8 uses the pivot shaft 24 as the rotation center O 'in the Y direction. , And can swing in the X direction together with the X-side interlocking plate 20 with the support portion 20a of the X-side interlocking plate 20 as the rotation center O '.

One end of each of the X-side interlocking plate 20 and the Y-side interlocking plate 21 has an X-side variable resistor 25 and a Y-side
6 is connected, and the rotation axis 25a of the X-side variable resistor 25 is X
The rotating shaft 26 a of the Y-side variable resistor 26 is connected to the Y-side interlocking plate 21. Variable resistors 25, 26
Outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angles of the rotating shafts 25a and 26a, so that the X-side variable resistor 25 and the Y-side variable resistor 26
Thereby, the absolute rotation angles of the X-side interlocking plate 20 and the Y-side interlocking plate 21 can be detected. The detection signals of the X-side variable resistor 25 and the Y-side variable resistor 26 are
4 (not shown), and a microcomputer (not shown) generates a cursor control signal from the detection signal.

In the present embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bottom surface of the pressure receiving plate 27 is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the depression 17a of the insulating base 17, and the pressure receiving plate 27 and the insulating base 17 are formed of a material having a somewhat high coefficient of friction. Then, by contacting the pressure receiving plate 27 with the insulating base 17, as shown in FIG. 11, the operation shaft 8 is stopped and stabilized at the rocked position.

The operation of the coordinate input device 1 and the push-button input unit 88 in the portable personal computer 80 thus configured will be described.

Outer peripheral surface 2 a of operation body 2 exposed in window hole 6
Is moved by the operator to roll in any direction,
The operating body 2 is guided by the cylindrical support portion 9 and its outer peripheral surface 2a.
Along the curvature between the sliding protrusion 10 and the guide pin 13. The operating body 2 can be slid in all directions within a range where any one of its peripheral edges abuts the stopper step 5c of the cylindrical stopper member 5.

For example, if the operating body 2 is moved from the position shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, the tip 8a of the operating shaft 8 fits loosely into the cylindrical portion 7, so that the operating shaft 8 Incline in the same direction to the center.

When the operating shaft 8 passing through the first and second slits 22 and 23 is inclined in the direction shown in FIG. 6, the X-side interlocking plate 20 and the Y-side interlocking plate 21 rotate, and the inclination angle of the operating shaft 8 is calculated from the detection values of the X-side variable resistor 25 and the Y-side variable resistor 26,
Detection is performed independently in the XY directions.

As shown in FIG. 2, if the operating body 2 is at the origin position when the operating shaft 8 stands upright, the X-side variable resistor 25 and the Y-side variable resistor 26 The detected value can represent the absolute movement amount in the X-Y direction with respect to the origin position of the operating tool 2. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the absolute value output mode is adopted, the detection values of the resistors 25 and 26 representing the absolute position of the operating body 2 are calculated as follows.
It is included in the cursor control signal and output to the personal computer.

For example, when the operating tool 2 is at the origin position, the personal computer displays the cursor at the center of the display, and moves the cursor in accordance with the absolute position of the operating tool 2 indicated by the input cursor control signal. .
That is, when the operating tool 2 is moving to the position shown in FIG. 3, a cursor is displayed at a position on the display corresponding to the moving direction and the moving distance from the position shown in FIG.
Therefore, if the moving range of the operating tool 2 is made to correspond to the display range of the display, the operator can move the cursor to a remote position on the display only by rolling the operating tool 2 once. At this time, since the curvature of the outer peripheral surface 2a of the operation body 2 is small, such as an apparently large sphere, the exposed area from the window hole 6 can be large, and the operability is good and sufficient. Since the moving distance of the operation body 2 can be secured, the moving operation can be detected with high resolution.

In this embodiment, the input switch 3 is used to operate the operating tool 2 for controlling cursor movement.
It is determined whether or not the moving operation is performed. That is, when moving the operating tool 2 to move the cursor,
Since the operating body 2 is pressed with a constant pressing force, the cylindrical support 9 is pressed down, and the short-circuit electrode 11 c of the conductive rubber 11 is pressed.
Contacts the conductive pattern 14a. Therefore, the input switch 3 is turned ON, and the coordinate input device 1 outputs the above-described cursor control signal only when detecting the ON operation. Thus, when the operating tool 2 is rotated due to vibration, unexpected contact, or the like, the cursor control signal is not output, and the cursor is prevented from being erroneously moved in the moving direction of the operating tool 2.

On the other hand, when inputting characters, numbers, etc., the user presses the switch operation section 85 of the desired push button input section 88 to which the respective functions are assigned, and the key corresponding to the pressed switch operation section 85 is pressed. Input signal is portable PC 8
0 is input, and desired characters, numbers, and the like are displayed on the display 83, for example.

When the operator holds the portable personal computer 80 with his / her hand and traces the display 83 with a pen to input characters, numerals, and the like, the operator is left-handed when the operator is right-handed. It is normal to have the left edge,
By exposing the operation unit 2 to the left side of the bottom surface of the portable personal computer 80 as shown in FIG. 1, the operator can naturally perform the cursor moving operation without changing his / her hand while holding the portable personal computer 80 with his left hand. .

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the operation unit 2 of the coordinate input device 1 is exposed from the opening 6 formed on the side surface of the portable personal computer 90. In this case, the coordinate input device 1 can be attached to the printed board 14 by making the printed board 14 substantially L-shaped inside the portable personal computer 90.

The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiment. For example, the input switch 3 may be a push button switch provided on a mouse, such as an input instruction at a cursor display position by pressing the operating body 2. May be operated in the same manner as described above. Further, a push button switch that operates as described above may be provided in the case 82 separately from the input switch 3. Further, the input switch 3 does not necessarily have to be provided.

Further, in the above embodiment, the absolute value output mode is adopted. However, the relative position with respect to the position immediately before the operating tool 2 is included in the cursor control signal, and the cursor is controlled to move in accordance with the relative movement amount. Relative value output mode.

Further, the multi-directional detection switch detects the inclination of the operation shaft 8 using the variable resistors 25 and 26.
If the inclination of the operation shaft 8 can be detected independently in the XY directions,
Other detection components such as a rotary encoder may be used.

In the above embodiment, the operating body 2 is provided with the engaging recess 7a and the operating shaft 8 is provided with the engaging projection 8a. To form
The engagement protrusion protruded from the operation body 2 may be loosely fitted.
Further, the operating body 2 and the operating shaft 8 may be formed integrally, or the operating body 2 and the operating shaft 8 may be firmly engaged without play.

Further, the device to which the coordinate input device 3 is attached is not limited to the portable personal computers 80 and 90, but can be attached to any device that requires cursor control, such as a remote controller and an electronic organizer.

[0065]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation unit of the coordinate input device is exposed from the opening formed on the bottom or side surface of the case of the device. The user can easily operate the coordinate input device with his / her hand, and the size of the entire device can be reduced.

Further, since there is no transmission loss such as a slip between the operating body and the multi-directional detection switch for detecting the movement of the operating body, the movement of the operating body can be detected accurately and no malfunction occurs. Therefore, an absolute value output mode in which the cursor is displayed at the position of the display corresponding to the absolute position of the operating tool can be adopted, and the cursor can be easily moved to a desired position.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to this, the operating shaft shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operating body is interlocked with the operating body without interfering with the opening end of the cylindrical portion. And the entire device can be made thinner.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, according to claim 1,
Alternatively, in addition to the second aspect of the invention, the entire device can be reduced in size with multiple functions.

[0069]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a portable personal computer 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the portable personal computer 80.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the portable personal computer 80.

4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the coordinate input device 1. FIG.

5 is a coordinate input device 1 cut in a direction orthogonal to FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the operation body 2 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of the coordinate input device 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part showing the input switch 3;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the multi-directional detection switch 4;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multi-directional detection switch 4 showing a state where the operation shaft 8 is upright.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multi-directional detection switch 4 showing a state in which the operation shaft 8 is inclined.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a portable personal computer 90 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a coordinate input device 100 provided in a conventional device.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a personal computer 105 incorporating the coordinate input device 100.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of another coordinate input device 200.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a ball holder.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coordinate input device 2 Operation part 3 Input switch 4 Multi-directional switch 5 Cylindrical stopper member 8 Operation shaft 9 Cylindrical support part 11 Conductive rubber 12 Positioning cylinder 13 Guide pin 14 Printed circuit board 80 Portable personal computer 82 Case 83 Display 85 Switch operation part 90 Mobile computer

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 23, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

[Title of the Invention] Equipment with coordinate input device

[Claims]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device provided with a coordinate input device for controlling the movement of a cursor displayed on a display, and more particularly to a coordinate input device suitable for use in a portable personal computer device. The present invention relates to a device with a device.

[0002]

[Prior art]

[0003] A mouse is widely used as a coordinate input device for controlling the movement of a cursor. However, since a mouse requires a certain operation range, such as a movement operation to a mouse pad, a notebook computer, a portable information terminal device and the like are required. And the like, the coordinate input device to these personal computers includes a coordinate input device 1 as shown in FIG.
00 is used instead.

FIG. 13 shows the structure of a coordinate input device 100 disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-42515. By rotating an operation body having a spherical surface, a cursor control signal for controlling the movement of a cursor is output. Is what you do.

The coordinate input apparatus 100 uses a spherical trackball 101 as an operating body. A pair of X-axis driven rollers 102X and a Y-axis driven roller 102X which are in contact with the trackball 101 and are arranged at positions orthogonal to each other. Driven roller 102Y and the X-axis driven rollers 102X and Y
The X-axis rotary encoders 103X and Y for detecting the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the shaft driven roller 102Y, respectively.
The shaft rotary encoder 103Y is provided.

[0006] As shown in FIG.
1 is a case 10 of which a part accommodates each of the components described above.
4 through the opening 104a to allow manual rotation operation from outside.

[0007] The operator places the trackball 101 in the case 1
04, the X-axis driven roller 102X is rotated by friction with the trackball 101.
And the Y-axis driven roller 102Y are linked, and the X-axis rotary encoder 103X and the Y-axis rotary encoder 1
03Y, the trackball 10 in the X direction and the Y direction
1 independently detects the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation.

The coordinate input device 100 generates a cursor control signal indicating a moving operation of the operating body in the X direction and the Y direction from these detected values, outputs the generated signal to the personal computer 105, and outputs the cursor control signal displayed on the display 106. To
The operation body is moved in accordance with the moving operation, that is, the rotation operation of the trackball 101.

Incidentally, in FIG.
1 and a pair of pushbutton switches 107 arranged on both sides
Reference numerals a and 107b denote input switches corresponding to the left and right push button switches of the mouse, and are input switches for executing an operation indicated by an icon or the like at the display position of the moved cursor.

On the other hand, FIG. 15 and FIG.
132 shows another coordinate input device 200 disclosed in FIG.
The point that the rotation of 01 is transmitted to the X-axis driven roller and the Y-axis driven roller by friction to control the movement of the cursor is the same as described above, but a ball holder 202 is additionally provided. As shown in FIG. 16, an elastically deformable claw 203 is formed integrally with the ball holder 202,
The trackball 201 is pressed by the claws 203 to prevent the trackball 201 from floating.

[0011] Such a coordinate input device 200 can be arranged in the personal computer 105 such that a part of the trackball protrudes from the side or bottom surface of the personal computer 105.

[0012]

However, in the case of the conventional coordinate input device 100, the trackball 101
The amount of rotation and the direction of rotation are detected by the trackball 101, the X-axis driven roller 102X, and the Y-axis driven roller 102Y.
When the coordinate input device 100 is turned sideways or upside down, the trackball 101 rises, and the rotation of the trackball 101 is controlled by the X-axis driven roller 102.
It was not transmitted to the X and Y axis driven rollers 102Y, and the cursor could not be moved.

In this case, it is possible to provide an auxiliary roller or the like that presses the trackball 101 from above to prevent the trackball 101 from floating. There is a problem that the frictional force is applied, the movement of the trackball 101 becomes heavy, and the operability deteriorates. In addition, there is a problem that assembly is troublesome due to an increase in the number of parts. Therefore, it is difficult to provide an auxiliary roller and the like.

The lifting of the trackball 101 can be prevented by using a coordinate input device 200 shown in FIG. 15. In this case, there is no problem immediately after the start of use. The rotation of the trackball causes the claws to wear, causing play between the trackball and the claws, and raising the trackball, making it impossible to move the cursor. Further, there is a problem that the frictional force at the time of rotating the trackball is increased by the amount of the claw, and the operability is deteriorated.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 14, the coordinate input device 100 is mainly arranged on the personal computer 105 such that the trackball 101 projects upward. On the other hand, portable devices are required to be as small as possible in order to make them easier to carry. However, as described above, the trackball 101 is arranged on the same surface as the keyboard, so that the space corresponding to that is required. Is required, and there is a limit to miniaturization of a device having a coordinate input device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device with a coordinate input device that can be downsized and has good operability.

[0017]

A coordinate input device according to claim 1.
The attached device is formed in a bowl shape with a case having an opening,
The case so that the outer peripheral surface of the spherical surface is exposed from the opening
An operating body accommodated in the operating body and the operating body
Guide to rotate freely in any direction along the curvature of the spherical surface
The swing of the guide part and the operation shaft that engages with the operation body are orthogonal to each other.
Multi-direction detection switch that detects independently in the X-Y direction
And an operating shaft of the operating shaft interlocked with the rotation of the operating body.
By detecting the swing in the XY directions, the display
A coordinate input device that controls the movement of the cursor displayed on the screen
For devices equipped with
The operation body is formed to be shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface, and the operation is performed.
An engaging projection formed on one of the shaft and the operating body
Is loosely fitted into the other engagement recess.

The operating body exposed from the opening of the case
Guide slidably along the curvature of the spherical surface
Therefore, rotate the operation body as if rolling a ball
be able to. Operating body of operating body and multi-directional detection switch
Has one of the engagement protrusions loosely fitted into the other engagement recess.
The rotation of the operating tool is half the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operating tool.
It is reliably transmitted to the operation shaft shorter than the diameter. Multi-direction detection switch
The switch switches the rotation of the operating body in the X and Y directions from the swing of the operating axis.
Independent detection by means of
Accordingly, the movement of the cursor can be controlled.

The operation body and the operation shaft are engaged, and the operation shaft swings.
To detect the movement of the operating tool in the XY directions,
Even if the crop is exposed from the opening on the side or bottom of the case,
The cursor cannot be moved due to the lifting of the operating tool.
The cursor can be moved without fail.
And the entire device can be miniaturized.

The operation axis of the multi-directional detection switch is
Since the radius of curvature is shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface,
Even if it has a curved surface, the case is not enlarged. Ma
In addition, the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operation body can be reduced.
The contact area with the operator's finger increases,
Workability is improved.

Further, the apparatus with the coordinate input device according to claim 2
Has a switch unit on the front side of the case,
On the back side of the
An opening through which the operating body is exposed is formed.
I do.

On the back side of the case, the operator holds the case
Do not hold the case because the operating tool is exposed to the grip
The operation body can be operated naturally. Case in hand
While being held in the case
The outer peripheral surface of the operating body can be made a gentle curved surface
As a result, the exposed area of the operating tool from the opening increases,
Touch the operating tool with your finger even on the back side of the invisible case
You can easily find and operate it.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A device with a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a portable personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a portable personal computer) 80 which is a device with a coordinate input device, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the portable personal computer 80, and FIG. FIGS. 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views of the coordinate input device 1, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the coordinate input device 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the portable personal computer 80 has a push button input section 88 serving as a switch operation section.
The printed wiring board 14 and the coordinate input device 3 are housed in a synthetic resin case 82 having a coordinate input device 1, a printed wiring board 14, a display 83, and the like, and having an upper case 82a and a lower case 82b butted together. doing.

The case 82 has a size that allows a predetermined manual input operation while holding the portable personal computer 80 by hand.
A circular window hole 6 is formed in a recess 84 on the bottom surface of the lower case 82b, which is the back side of the case 82 when the portable personal computer 80 is held in a hand, and the outer peripheral surface 2a of the operating body 2 is formed in the window hole 6. Exposed.

On the other hand, the display 83 is
a provided on a cover 81 rotatably attached to
A push button input section 88 is arranged on the front side of the upper case 82a that is exposed when the cover 81 is opened. Therefore, for example, the operator holds the portable personal computer 80 with the left hand, performs the input operation of the push button input unit 88 with the right hand while checking the display on the display 83, and performs the operation with the left hand holding the portable personal computer 80. The body 2 can be manually rotated .

The push button input section 88 is connected to the upper case 82a.
An elastic sheet member 79 formed of an insulating elastic material such as rubber attached to the printed wiring board 14 along the back surface of the upper case 8 provided on the elastic sheet member 79
A frame 76 that covers the surfaces of a plurality of convex pressing portions 78 that penetrate through 2a, a plurality of switch operating portions 85, and a push button input portion 88 and has a window hole 72 through which the switch operating portion 85 protrudes. It consists of

A movable contact 86 is provided on the inner top surface of each pressing portion 78.
Are respectively formed. The switch operating section 85 having the cylindrical pressing section 73 for pressing the pressing section 78 is vertically slidable by the engagement with the upper case 82a, and is prevented from slipping upward by the upper case 82a. ing.

On the surface of the printed wiring board 14 housed inside the portable personal computer 80 facing the movable contact 86,
The conductive patterns 14b and 14c are printed and formed apart from each other. When the switch operation section 85 is pressed, the pressing section 78 is elastically deformed, and the movable contact 86 is connected to the conductive patterns 14b and 14c.
Short circuit. When the pressing force applied to the switch operating section 85 is removed, the movable contact 8 is restored by the elastic force of the pressing section 78.
6 is separated from the conductive patterns 14b and 14c.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the coordinate input device 1 includes an operation unit 2, a multidirectional switch 4, a support member 9, an annular movable contact piece 11, a guide member 12, and a cylindrical stopper member 5.
It has.

The operating section 2 is formed by pressing a metal plate or by injection molding a synthetic resin into a bowl-like shape obtained by cutting a part of a hollow sphere. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 2a and the inner peripheral surface 2b are parallel to each other and are both spherical surfaces centering on the point "O" in FIG. The radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface 2a is, for example, 3
It is set to about 0 mm, and thus has a gentle convex curved surface with a curvature of about one-fifth as compared with the curvature of a conventional trackball. Further, a cylindrical portion 7 is provided on the inner top surface of the operation body 2.
Are formed integrally with each other, and the inside of the cylinder is formed as an engagement recess 7a into which the tip 8a of the operation shaft 8 of the multidirectional detection switch 4 is loosely fitted.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
Is mounted on a cylindrical support 9 serving as a guide for guiding the movement of the operating body 2. On the upper end surface of the cylindrical support portion 9,
Sliding protrusions 10 having the same height protrude at equal intervals of 90 degrees, and are brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface 2b of the mounted operating body 2. The sliding protrusion 10 is made of, for example, a material such as polyacetal in order to minimize the coefficient of friction with the operating body 2, and the inner peripheral surface 2b of the operating body 2 slides smoothly on the sliding protrusion 10. I am trying to do it. As described above, the inner peripheral surface 2b of the operating body 2 is a spherical surface parallel to the outer peripheral surface 2a, and the inner peripheral surface 2b and the sliding protrusion 10 are in contact on the same circumference. By sliding on the sliding protrusions 10 of the cylindrical support portion 9, it is slidable along the curvature of the outer peripheral surface 2a.

In this embodiment, the sliding projections 10 are protruded. However, a sliding tape for lowering the coefficient of friction is attached to the upper end surface of the cylindrical support 9, and the upper surface of the cylindrical support 9 is fixed. The inner peripheral surface 2b of the operating body 2 may be supported by the end face.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cylindrical support 9
Is positioned by the positioning cylinder 12 so as to be placed on the ring-shaped conductive rubber 11. The positioning cylinder 12 includes a concentric inner cylinder 12b and an outer cylinder 12c integrally connected by a coupling piece 12a.
A ring-shaped space between the outer cylindrical portion 2b and the outer cylindrical portion 12c is a positioning groove 12d for accommodating the lower portion of the cylindrical support portion 9 and the movable portion 11a of the conductive rubber 11. That is, the inner cylindrical portion 12b and the outer cylindrical portion 12c are placed on the inner and outer flange portions 11b of the ring-shaped conductive rubber 11, respectively, and the positioning groove 1 is formed.
The movable portion 11a of the conductive rubber 11 is fitted from below 2d, and the lower portion of the cylindrical support 9 is loosely fitted from above in the figure. Since the relief groove 9a is cut out at a position corresponding to the connection piece 12a, the cylindrical support portion 9 is accommodated in the positioning groove 12d so as to be vertically movable without interfering with the connection piece 12a, and is mounted on the movable portion 11a. Is placed.

A pair of mounting portions 12e are connected to the outer cylindrical portion 12c of the positioning cylindrical body 12 laterally. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, in a state where the conductive rubber 11 is sandwiched between the positioning cylinder 12 and the printed wiring board 14, the fixing screw 15 that penetrates the mounting portion 12 e and the printed wiring board 14 is used. The conductive rubber 11 and the positioning cylinder 12 are fixed on the printed wiring board 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, the printed wiring board 14
The conductive rubber 11 fixed to the back surface of the movable portion 11a straddles a pair of parallel conductive patterns 14a formed on the back surface of the substrate 14, and the short electrode 11c on the lower surface of the movable portion 11a faces the pair of conductive patterns 14a. . The input switch 3 is constituted by the short electrode 11c and the pair of conductive patterns 14a, and when the movable portion 11a is pressed, the short electrode 11c bridges between the pair of conductive patterns 14a,
The input switch 3 operates.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical support 9 accommodated in the fixed positioning cylinder 12 is supported so as to rise from the printed wiring board 14 toward the window hole 6 of the lower case 82b. . Therefore, in a state where the printed wiring board 14 is fixed in the case 82, the outer peripheral surface 2a of the operating body 2 placed on the cylindrical support portion 9 faces the window hole 6, and the sliding protrusion 10 is 6 is located below the periphery.

A plurality of guide pins 13 urged in the direction of the operating body 2 by a leaf spring integrated with the lower case 82b are provided along the circumferential direction of the window 6 below the lower case 82b. Installed. On the outer peripheral surface 2a of the operation body 2,
By bringing the guide pins 13 into contact, the operating body 2 on the cylindrical support 9 slides along the curvature of the spherical surface of the operating body 2 without rattling. As the material of the guide pin 13, the same material as the slide protrusion 10 such as polyacetal is used.
The coefficient of friction with the operating body 2 is made as small as possible.

The operating body 2 guided by the cylindrical support portion 9 and sliding along the curvature of the outer peripheral surface 2a, as shown in FIG.
Before the peripheral edge is exposed to the window hole 6, a stopper step 5 formed horizontally around the inner side surface of the cylindrical stopper member 5
In contact with c, sliding is regulated. Therefore, the operator
The operation body 2 having a spherical surface with a gentle curvature can be rocked along the curvature of the spherical surface, and the periphery of the operation body 2 is not seen during the operation. You can move with the consciousness of doing.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the cylindrical stopper member 5 is a hollow cylindrical body, and is engaged with the back surface of the printed wiring board 14 by an elastically deformable claw (not shown). Is fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ring-shaped central portion of the printed wiring board 14 to which the ring-shaped conductive rubber 11 is attached is pivotally movable about O 'in each direction. A multi-directional detection switch 4 with an axis 8 is mounted. The distal end 8a of the operating shaft 8 is a spherically formed engaging projection, and as described above, with the multidirectional detection switch 4 attached to the printed wiring board 14 shown in FIG. Is loosely fitted into an engagement recess 7 a in a cylindrical portion 7 vertically provided from the inner top surface of the operation body 2. When the tip 8a of the operating shaft 8 is loosely fitted into the cylindrical portion 7 of the operating body 2, the operating shaft 8 swings in conjunction with the rotation of the operating body 2, but the tip 8a of the operating shaft 8 is formed as a sphere. By making the diameter shorter than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 7 of the operation body 2, even if the operation shafts 8 shorter than the radius of curvature of the spherical surface of the operation body 2 are linked, they do not interfere with each other.

The multidirectional detection switch 4 detects the inclination angle of the operation shaft 8 swinging in multiple directions independently in the orthogonal X and Y directions. Hereinafter, the configuration of the multi-directional detection switch 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the multidirectional detection switch 4 includes a cubic metal cover 16 having a circular hole 4a on the upper surface, and a rectangular plate-like insulating base 17 covering the bottom surface of the metal cover 16. And The insulating base 17 has a mortar-shaped depression 17a. A dish-shaped pressure receiving plate 27 is attached below the operation shaft 8.

As shown in FIG. 9, an X-side interlocking plate 20 is rotatably supported on the opposing side wall of the metal cover 16, and a Y-side interlocking plate 21 is rotatably mounted on the other side wall orthogonal to the X-side interlocking plate. Have been. The X-side interlocking plate 20 and the Y-side interlocking plate 21 include
First and second slits 2 along each longitudinal direction
2 and 23 are formed.
The operation shaft 8 penetrating through 3 is rotatably supported by pivotally supporting both ends of a pivot shaft 24 crossing the first slit 22 by the X-side interlocking plate 20. The pivotal support position of the pivot shaft 24 and the support position 20a of the X-side interlocking plate 20 to the metal cover 16 are set at substantially the same height. Therefore, the operation shaft 8 uses the pivot shaft 24 as the rotation center O 'in the Y direction. , And can swing in the X direction together with the X-side interlocking plate 20 with the support portion 20a of the X-side interlocking plate 20 as the rotation center O '.

One end of each of the X-side interlocking plate 20 and the Y-side interlocking plate 21 has an X-side variable resistor 25 and a Y-side variable resistor 2 connected thereto.
6 is connected, and the rotation axis 25a of the X-side variable resistor 25 is X
The rotating shaft 26 a of the Y-side variable resistor 26 is connected to the Y-side interlocking plate 21. Variable resistors 25, 26
Outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angles of the rotating shafts 25a and 26a, so that the X-side variable resistor 25 and the Y-side variable resistor 26
Thereby, the absolute rotation angles of the X-side interlocking plate 20 and the Y-side interlocking plate 21 can be detected. The detection signals of the X-side variable resistor 25 and the Y-side variable resistor 26 are
4 (not shown), and a microcomputer (not shown) generates a cursor control signal from the detection signal.

In the present embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bottom surface of the pressure receiving plate 27 is made substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the depression 17a of the insulating base 17, and the pressure receiving plate 27 and the insulating base 17 are formed of a material having a somewhat high coefficient of friction. Then, by contacting the pressure receiving plate 27 with the insulating base 17, as shown in FIG. 11, the operation shaft 8 is stopped and stabilized at the rocked position.

The operation of the coordinate input device 1 and the push button input unit 88 in the portable personal computer 80 thus configured will be described.

Outer peripheral surface 2a of operation body 2 exposed in window hole 6
Is moved by the operator to roll in any direction,
The operating body 2 is guided by the cylindrical support portion 9 and its outer peripheral surface 2a.
Along the curvature between the sliding protrusion 10 and the guide pin 13. The operating body 2 can be slid in all directions within a range where any one of its peripheral edges abuts the stopper step 5c of the cylindrical stopper member 5.

For example, if the operation body 2 is moved from the position shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, the tip 8a of the operation shaft 8 is loosely fitted in the cylindrical portion 7. Incline in the same direction to the center.

When the operation shaft 8 passing through the first and second slits 22 and 23 is inclined in the direction shown in FIG. 6, the X-side interlocking plate 20 and the Y-side interlocking plate 21 rotate, and the inclination angle of the operating shaft 8 is calculated from the detection values of the X-side variable resistor 25 and the Y-side variable resistor 26,
Detection is performed independently in the XY directions.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the operating body 2 is at the origin position when the operating shaft 8 is standing upright, the X-side variable resistor 25 and the Y-side variable resistor 26 The detected value can represent the absolute movement amount in the X-Y direction with respect to the origin position of the operating tool 2. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the absolute value output mode is adopted, the detection values of the resistors 25 and 26 representing the absolute position of the operating body 2 are calculated as follows.
It is included in the cursor control signal and output to the personal computer.

The personal computer, for example, displays the cursor at the center of the display when the operating tool 2 is at the origin position, and moves the cursor in accordance with the absolute position of the operating tool 2 indicated by the input cursor control signal. .
That is, when the operating tool 2 is moving to the position shown in FIG. 3, a cursor is displayed at a position on the display corresponding to the moving direction and the moving distance from the position shown in FIG.
Therefore, if the moving range of the operating tool 2 is made to correspond to the display range of the display, the operator can move the cursor to a remote position on the display only by rolling the operating tool 2 once. At this time, since the curvature of the outer peripheral surface 2a of the operation body 2 is small, such as an apparently large sphere, the exposed area from the window hole 6 can be large, and the operability is good and sufficient. Since the moving distance of the operation body 2 can be secured, the moving operation can be detected with high resolution.

In this embodiment, the input switch 3 is used to operate the operating tool 2 for controlling the cursor movement.
It is determined whether or not the moving operation is performed. That is, when moving the operating tool 2 to move the cursor,
Since the operating body 2 is pressed with a constant pressing force, the cylindrical support 9 is pressed down, and the short-circuit electrode 11 c of the conductive rubber 11 is pressed.
Contacts the conductive pattern 14a. Therefore, the input switch 3 is turned ON, and the coordinate input device 1 outputs the above-described cursor control signal only when detecting the ON operation. Thus, when the operating tool 2 is rotated due to vibration, unexpected contact, or the like, the cursor control signal is not output, and the cursor is prevented from being erroneously moved in the moving direction of the operating tool 2.

On the other hand, in the case of inputting characters, numerals, etc., the user presses the switch operation section 85 of the desired push button input section 88 to which each function is assigned. Input signal is portable PC 8
0 is input, and desired characters, numbers, and the like are displayed on the display 83, for example.

When the operator holds the portable personal computer 80 with his / her hand and traces the display 83 with a pen to input characters, numerals, and the like, the operator is left-handed when the operator is right-handed. It is normal to have the left edge,
By exposing the operation unit 2 to the left side of the bottom surface of the portable personal computer 80 as shown in FIG. 1, the operator can naturally perform the cursor moving operation without changing his / her hand while holding the portable personal computer 80 with his left hand. .

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the operation unit 2 of the coordinate input device 1 is exposed from the opening 6 formed on the side surface of the portable personal computer 90. In this case, the coordinate input device 1 can be attached to the printed board 14 by making the printed board 14 substantially L-shaped inside the portable personal computer 90.

The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the input switch 3 may be a push button switch provided on a mouse, such as an input instruction at a cursor display position by pressing the operating body 2. May be operated in the same manner as described above. Further, a push button switch that operates as described above may be provided in the case 82 separately from the input switch 3. Further, the input switch 3 does not necessarily have to be provided.

Further, in the above embodiment, the absolute value output mode is employed. However, the relative position with respect to the position immediately before the operating tool 2 is included in the cursor control signal, and the cursor is controlled to move in accordance with the relative movement amount. Relative value output mode.

Further, the multi-directional detection switch detects the inclination of the operation shaft 8 using the variable resistors 25 and 26.
If the inclination of the operation shaft 8 can be detected independently in the XY directions,
Other detection components such as a rotary encoder may be used.

In the above embodiment, the operating body 2 is provided with the engaging recess 7a and the operating shaft 8 is provided with the engaging projection 8a. To form
The engagement protrusion protruded from the operation body 2 may be loosely fitted.
Further, the operating body 2 and the operating shaft 8 may be formed integrally, or the operating body 2 and the operating shaft 8 may be firmly engaged without play.

Further, the device to which the coordinate input device 3 is attached is not limited to the portable personal computers 80 and 90, but can be attached to any device that requires cursor control, such as a remote controller and an electronic organizer.

[0063]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation unit of the coordinate input device has a spherical outer peripheral surface.
The operating tool exposed from the case opening
Guide slidably along the curvature of the spherical surface
So while holding the case as if rolling the ball
Also, the operating body can be rotated.

Further, since there is no transmission loss such as slip between the operating body and the multi-directional detection switch for detecting the movement of the operating body, the movement of the operating body can be detected accurately and there is no malfunction. Therefore, an absolute value output mode in which the cursor is displayed at the position of the display corresponding to the absolute position of the operating tool can be adopted, and the cursor can be easily moved to a desired position.

The operation axis of the multi-directional detection switch is
Since the radius of curvature is shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface,
Even if it has a curved surface, the case is not enlarged.

Further, the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operating body is reduced.
Can increase the contact area with the operator's finger.
Therefore, the operability of the operating body is improved.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, when the operator holds the case on the back side of the case.
The operating tool is exposed on the holding part, so hold the case and operate
You can operate the style naturally. Hold the case by hand
Operation to be accommodated in the case
Since the outer peripheral surface of the body can be made a gentle curved surface,
The exposed area of the operating tool from the mouth increases,
Easy operation with the touch of a finger even on the back side of a case
To find and operate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a portable personal computer 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the portable personal computer 80.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the portable personal computer 80.

4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the coordinate input device 1. FIG.

5 is a coordinate input device 1 cut in a direction orthogonal to FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the operation body 2 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of the coordinate input device 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part showing the input switch 3;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the multi-directional detection switch 4;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multi-directional detection switch 4 showing a state where the operation shaft 8 is upright.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multi-directional detection switch 4 showing a state in which the operation shaft 8 is inclined.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a portable personal computer 90 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a coordinate input device 100 provided in a conventional device.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a personal computer 105 incorporating the coordinate input device 100.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of another coordinate input device 200.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a ball holder.

[Description of Signs] 1 Coordinate input device 2 Operation unit 3 Input switch 4 Multi-directional switch 5 Cylindrical stopper member 8 Operation shaft 9 Cylindrical support unit 11 Conductive rubber 12 Positioning cylinder 13 Guide pin 14 Printed circuit board 80 Mobile personal computer 82 Case 83 Display 85 Switch operation unit 90 Mobile personal computer

Claims (3)

[Claims] A case having an opening; an operating body housed in the case so as to be exposed from the opening, and movable by a manual operation; and a moving operation of the operating body with respect to the case, wherein X- A multi-directional detection switch for independently detecting in the Y direction, outputting a cursor control signal representing a moving operation of the operating body in the XY directions, and moving the cursor displayed on a display by the cursor control signal. In a device with a coordinate input device for performing control, the operating body is engaged with an operating shaft of the multi-directional detection switch, and is exposed from the opening formed on a side surface or a bottom surface of the case, and the operating body is moved. A device with a coordinate input device, wherein a movement operation of the operating body is detected by the multi-directional detection switch by swinging of the operating shaft in conjunction therewith. 2. An operation body formed in a bowl shape and having a spherical outer peripheral surface exposed at the opening is guided by a guide portion so as to be slidable along the curvature of the spherical surface of the operation body. The operating shaft is formed to be shorter than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the operating body, and the engaging convex portion formed on one of the operating shaft and the operating body is loosely fitted into the other engaging concave portion. The apparatus with a coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The device with a coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein a switch operation unit is provided on a surface of the case different from a surface on which the operation body is exposed.