JPH11312050A - Rotation control input method and rotation control type wheel input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotation control input method and a rotation control type wheel device for allowing an input person to quickly recognize that a desired input is ended by a simple method and means by making the same an input mode and a feedback mode. SOLUTION: In a wheel input device 1 in which an input can be operated according to the rotation of a wheel 11, stoppers 14A and 14B arranged with clearances with the wheel 11 for rotating the wheel 11 only to a uni-direction in contact with the wheel 11, and a driving parts I13A and a driving part II13B for pressurizing the stoppers 14A and 14B to the outer peripheral face of the wheel 11 in response to a control signal from a connected computer are independently arranged so as to be faced to each other with the wheel 11 interposed, and the rotation control directions by the stoppers 14A and 14B are made opposite to each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotation control input method capable of switching between rotation inhibition and permission according to an attribute of information during operation, and a rotation control type wheel input device directly used for implementing the method. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional wheel input devices for inputting and pointing by rotating a wheel do not have a mechanism for suppressing rotation. For example, when a scroll bar is moved or selected from a list or the like, At present, the only way to make sure that the end of the selection range has been reached is to rely on audio feedback or visual feedback on the screen.

[0003]

In a conventional wheel input device for performing input and pointing, an input mode and a feedback mode are different. That is, the input mode is an input operation by hand, whereas the feedback mode is a confirmation operation by voice or visual observation. Therefore, there is a problem that quick operation cannot be performed. In addition, there is also a problem that, even though the desired necessary input has already been completed, an unnecessary input is further performed and an excess input is performed more than desired.

Here, the main objects to be solved by the present invention are as follows.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a rotation control input method and a rotation control type wheel input device in which an input mode and a feedback mode are the same.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a rotation control input method and a rotation control type wheel input device which enable an input person to recognize that a desired input has been completed by simple means, technique. .

A third object of the present invention is to provide a rotation control input method and a rotation control type wheel input device capable of realizing a quick operation.

[0008] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specification, the drawings, and particularly from the claims.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a wheel input method for performing input by rotation of a wheel, wherein the rotation of the wheel is manually performed while simultaneously controlling the rotation of the wheel. It is characterized in that the fact that an input by rotation is not accepted is attributed to the state of the wheel, and the state is conveyed by the hand sensing the state.

[0010] The device of the present invention solves the above problems.
In a wheel input device that enables input by rotation of a wheel, a stopper that is arranged with a gap from the wheel and rotates the wheel only in a single direction by contacting the wheel, and a computer connected thereto And two drive units for pressing the stopper against the outer peripheral surface of the wheel by the control signal of the two independently so as to face each other with the wheel interposed therebetween, and the rotation control directions by the stopper are opposite to each other. There is a feature that there is.

More specifically, in solving the problem, the present invention achieves the above object by adopting a novel characteristic configuration method or means ranging from the upper concept to the lower concept enumerated below. It is done as follows.

A first feature of the method of the present invention is that when an operator performs an input by rotating the input means, the input mode of the input means and the rotation of the input means in response to the input of the rotating operation. In the rotation control input method that is the same as the feedback mode for controlling the rotation.

A second feature of the method according to the present invention is that, when an operator performs input operation by rotating the input means, feedback control is performed according to the degree of rotation of the input means, and the input by the rotational operation is not accepted. In the rotation control input method in which the operator senses the above.

A third feature of the method of the present invention is that, when an operator performs an input by rotating the input means, the input means, which is freely rotatable at normal times, receives the control signal once and receives the control signal. Perform rotation suppression control to rotate only in a single direction and disable rotation in the reverse direction, and when receiving a control signal and another control signal, control the input means independently of the rotation suppression control. The present invention resides in the configuration of a rotation control input method in which the rotation of the input means is switched and the rotation is permitted by performing the rotation suppression control in a direction opposite to the direction.

A fourth feature of the method of the present invention resides in the adoption of a configuration of a rotation control input method in which the control signal according to the third feature of the method of the present invention is generated based on information corresponding to the detection of the degree of rotation. .

A fifth feature of the method of the present invention resides in a rotation control input method in which the rotation suppression control according to the third or fourth feature of the method of the present invention is performed only for a predetermined time from when a control signal is received. In the configuration adoption.

A sixth feature of the method of the present invention resides in that the rotation suppression control in the third, fourth or fifth feature of the above-described method of the present invention employs a configuration of a rotation control input method in which a click feeling is transmitted. is there.

A seventh feature of the method of the present invention is that the rotation suppression control according to the third, fourth, fifth or sixth feature of the method of the present invention is such that the rotation resistance is changed by changing the resistance to the rotation of the input means. It consists in adopting the configuration of the control input method.

An eighth feature of the method of the present invention is that the rotation suppression control in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh feature of the method of the present invention is a method of inputting rotation control in which vibration is generated. Configuration adoption.

According to a ninth feature of the method of the present invention, the input means in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth feature of the method of the present invention is characterized in that: The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a rotation control input method as input means.

According to a tenth feature of the method of the present invention, in the ninth feature of the method of the present invention, the input mode is a hand motion, and the feedback mode is a force / tactile sensation to the hand. It consists in adopting the configuration of the input method.

On the other hand, a first feature of the device of the present invention is that in a wheel input device which enables input by rotation of a wheel, the wheel is arranged with a gap therebetween, and the wheel is simply contacted by contacting the wheel. There are two independently provided stoppers for rotating only in one direction, and a drive unit for pressing the stopper against the outer peripheral surface of the wheel by a control signal from a connected computer so as to be opposed to each other with the wheel interposed therebetween. In addition, a rotation control type wheel input device in which rotation control directions by the stoppers are formed opposite to each other is adopted.

A second feature of the device of the present invention is that the wheel according to the first feature of the above-described device of the present invention has a center axis provided with an encoder for detecting rotation and transmitting the rotation to a computer. In the configuration adoption.

A third feature of the present invention is that the wheel according to the first feature of the present invention is provided with an encoder for detecting rotation and sending it to a computer in contact with the wheel surface. The configuration of the input device is adopted.

A fourth feature of the device of the present invention is that the stopper in the first, second or third feature of the above-described device of the present invention is a wedge-shaped wheel input whose distal end portion can be freely braked in one direction. The configuration of the device is adopted.

A fifth feature of the device of the present invention is that a wheel control type wheel input device according to the first, second, third or fourth feature of the above-described device of the present invention, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the wheel has elasticity. The configuration of the device is adopted.

A sixth feature of the device of the present invention is that the driving unit according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth feature of the device of the present invention is movable only for a predetermined time when receiving a control signal. The configuration of the rotation-controlled wheel input device configured as described above.

A seventh feature of the device of the present invention is that the driving unit according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth feature of the device of the present invention changes the resistance to the rotation of the wheel. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a rotation control type wheel input device which is freely configured.

An eighth feature of the device of the present invention is that the driving section in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth feature of the above-described device of the present invention enables a vibration source to be operated. The present invention resides in the configuration adoption of a rotation control type wheel input device.

A ninth feature of the device of the present invention is that the device of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth of the device of the present invention described above.
The driving unit according to the above aspect is characterized by adopting a configuration of a rotation control type wheel input device having a solenoid.

The tenth feature of the device of the present invention is that the outer periphery of the wheel in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth feature of the above-described device of the present invention. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a rotation control type wheel input device whose surface is partly exposed so as to be freely rotatable.

An eleventh feature of the device of the present invention resides in that the outer peripheral surface of the wheel according to the tenth feature of the above-described device of the present invention is formed by forming a groove orthogonal to the rotational direction which can be engaged with a ball pressed by a spring at equal circumferential intervals. The present invention resides in adoption of a configuration of a rotation control type wheel input device which is cut into pieces.

The twelfth feature of the device of the present invention is that the wheel in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth feature of the above-described device of the present invention is: The present invention resides in adoption of a configuration of a rotation control type wheel input device which is entirely exposed.

A thirteenth feature of the device of the present invention resides in that the rear surface of the wheel according to the twelfth feature of the device of the present invention has a large number of concentric circles smaller than the circumference of the wheel so as to freely mesh with a ball pressed by a spring. In the configuration of a rotation control type wheel input device having a groove or a dent which is orthogonal to the rotation direction.

The fourteenth feature of the device of the present invention is that the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh of the above-described device of the present invention. The twelfth or thirteenth aspect is characterized in that the wheel input device according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect adopts a configuration of a rotation control type wheel input device integrated with a mouse or other pointing device.

[0036]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to an example of an apparatus and an example of a method.

(Example of Apparatus) An example of the apparatus of the rotation control type wheel input apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the internal configuration of this example of the apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a rear view thereof. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a rotation control system according to this example of the apparatus.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a rotation control type wheel input device.
It is connected to a computer 3 or the like to which the display device 2 or the like is connected. The wheel input device 1 includes a wheel 1
1, encoder 12, drive unit I13A, drive unit II13
B, stoppers 14A and 14B are built in, and
13A and the drive unit II13B each have a solenoid.

Since only the elements necessary for the description of this embodiment are shown, they can be changed and added as appropriate.
3 and FIG. 3 show an embodiment of the present embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, although the encoder 12 is mounted on the rotation center axis of the wheel 1 in FIG. 1, it may be installed in contact with the rotation surface of the wheel 1 as appropriate.

When the exposed portion of the wheel 11, which is the input means, is moved by hand or finger, the wheel 11 rotates. Then, the rotation of the wheel 11 is transmitted to the computer 3 by the encoder 12 as a rotation direction and a rotation distance and input.

On the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 11, the wheel 11
The two drive units 13A, 13
B is provided, and stoppers 14A and 14B are provided on movable portions of the driving unit I13A and the driving unit II13B so as to be able to advance and retreat. In a normal state, the stoppers 14A and 14B and the wheel 11 are slightly separated without contact. Also, a driving unit I13A and a driving unit II13B
Are driven by control signals A and B from the computer 3 to press the tips of the advanced stoppers 14A and 14B against the wheel 11.

It is very effective to use an elastic material for the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 11. Stopper 1
The distal ends of 4A and 14B are cut-out wedge-shaped.

(Example of Method) An example of the method of the present embodiment applied to the example of the present apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows the position state of the wheel 11 and its surroundings, that is, the stoppers 14A and 14B, the driving unit I13A, and the driving unit II13B for explaining the method example in each case.

FIG. 3A shows a normal state, and FIG. 3B shows a case where the driving unit II13B operates.
FIG. 3C shows the position state of the wheel 11 and the stoppers 14A and 14B when the driving unit I13A operates and FIG. 3D shows the case where both the driving units I13A and II13B operate.

In a normal state, as shown in FIG. 3A, both the stoppers 14A and 14B are not in contact with the wheel 11 and are slightly separated. Therefore, the wheel 11 can freely rotate.

In this state, when a control signal B is sent from the computer 3 to the drive unit II 13B, the tip of the advanced stopper 14B is pressed against the wheel 11. This state is shown in FIG. At this time, the stopper 14B
Has a wedge shape, when the stopper 14B is pressed against the wheel 11, the wheel 11 cannot rotate in a certain direction, but can rotate in a direction opposite to the non-rotatable direction. In the case of FIG. 3 (b), it cannot rotate clockwise, but can rotate counterclockwise.

Conversely, when the control signal A is sent from the computer 3 to the driving unit I13A in the normal state (FIG. 3A), the driving unit I13A performs an energizing operation, and the tip of the advanced stopper 14A is moved to the wheel 11A. Pressed to.
FIG. 3C shows this state. Since the tip of the stopper 14A is wedge-shaped, the stopper 14A is pressed against the wheel 11, so that the wheel 11 cannot rotate in a certain direction but can rotate in the opposite direction to the non-rotatable direction. . In the case of FIG. 3 (c), it is possible to rotate clockwise and not counterclockwise. This is the opposite of the case where the driving unit II14B of FIG. 3B operates.

In a normal state (FIG. 3A), when the control signals A and B are sent from the computer 3 to both the driving unit I13A and the driving unit II13B, respectively, the driving unit I1
3A and the drive unit II 13B are both energized and energized, and the advanced stoppers 14A and 14B press the wheel 11. This state is shown in FIG. in this case,
It becomes impossible to rotate in any direction. As mentioned above,
The drive unit I13A and the drive unit II13B receive the control signals A and B, and can control the rotation of the wheel 11 via the stoppers 14A and 14B.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present embodiment will be described. Here, as the present embodiment, an arbitrary scroll bar 21 is displayed on the display device 2, and
An example in which the slider 22 in the scroll bar 21 is moved left and right by rotating the wheel 11 left and right will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the scroll bar 21 displayed on the display device 2. When the slider 22 is located at a position other than the end of the scroll bar 21, the rotation of the wheel 11 is not hindered because the slider 22 can freely move in the left-right direction.

It is assumed that the slider 22 gradually moves rightward by rotating the wheel 11 clockwise, and reaches the rightmost end of the scroll bar 21. At this time, the control signal B is issued from the computer 3 and the driving unit
The II 13B performs an energizing operation, and the tip of the stopper 14B is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 11. Therefore, the wheel 11 can no longer rotate clockwise.

Thus, it is possible to inform the operator that the slider 22 can no longer move to the right. However, since the wheel 11 can rotate in the counterclockwise direction, by rotating the wheel 11 in the counterclockwise direction, when the slider 22 separates from the rightmost end,
The driving unit II13B is released, and the wheel 11 can rotate in both directions.

Conversely, the same applies when the single wheel 11 is rotated counterclockwise. Further, the same applies to the case where the vertical slide bar is operated by two wheels 11 installed separately in the front-rear direction.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the example of the apparatus, the example of the method, and the examples, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned items. Changes can be made as appropriate within the range in which the effects are obtained.

For example, in the above embodiment, the driving unit I1
The release of 3A and the drive unit II13B is linked to the movement of the slider 22, but the control is performed by automatically releasing the drive unit 13A and the drive unit II13B after a certain period of time has elapsed after the operation of the slider 22. It can itself be simplified. In many cases, the operator senses that the slider 22 has come to the end by the first rotation suppression control and does not rotate the wheel 11 any more, so that no problem occurs.

Further, by changing the transmission pattern of the control signals A and B, in addition to stopping the rotation of the wheel 11, transmitting a click feeling to the operator, changing the resistance to the rotation, and The rotation control type wheel input device 1 is provided with a vibration generation source and a driving unit I13A.
Alternatively, when the drive unit II13B operates, different vibrations can be generated.

To transmit the click feeling to the operator when the wheel 11 rotates, the example of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 may be modified as shown in FIG. A wheel 11 ′ is formed by cutting a groove 11 a on the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 11 shown in FIG. 1 so as to be orthogonal to the rotation direction, and a ball 15 is pressed against the wheel 11 ′ by a spring 16. By doing so, the wheel 11 '
Is rotated, the groove 11a and the ball 15 mesh with each other, so that a click feeling can be generated.

That is, the groove 11 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 11 '.
Due to the presence of a, the friction when the operator rotates the wheel 11 ′ can be increased, and as a result, the resistance to the rotation can be increased. Further, when stopping by the driving units 13A and 13B, the stoppers 14A and 14A
Since the engagement between B and the wheel 11 'becomes strong, the positioning rotation can be stopped reliably.

Similarly, when the whole wheel 1 is always exposed, the wheel 1 has a large number of grooves on the lower surface which is smaller than the circumference of the wheel, and is pressed by a spring via a ball. Thus, a click feeling can be generated at the time of rotation, and the resistance to rotation can be increased.

Further, the method or apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a single wheel input method or apparatus, but may be installed on a mouse or other pointing device to perform an item selection or an auxiliary selection operation of a slider. It can also be used for input devices.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A response to a predetermined input can be fed back to the input means, that is, rotation can be stopped. Thus, by performing feedback control of the input operation in response to the input operation, it is possible to realize a speedy operation, thereby achieving an excellent effect such as an increase in work efficiency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an internal configuration of an example of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) shows a plan view and (b) shows a rear view.

FIG. 2 is a control system block diagram of the example of the apparatus.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining each operation mode of a drive unit in the example of the above apparatus, and FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D; FIGS.
Indicates each case.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a scroll bar on a display device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an improved example of the apparatus example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotation control type wheel input device 11, 11 '... Wheel 11a ... Groove 12 ... Encoder 13A, 13B ... Drive part 14A, 14B ... Stopper 15 ... Ball 16 ... Spring 2 ... Display device 21 ... Scroll bar 22 ... Slider 3 ... Computer

Claims (24)

[Claims] When an operator performs an input by rotating the input means, an input mode of the input means is the same as a feedback mode for controlling rotation of the input means in response to the input of the rotating operation. A rotation control input method, characterized in that: 2. When the operator performs an input operation on the input means by a rotation operation, feedback control is performed in accordance with the degree of rotation of the input means, and the operator senses that the input by the rotation operation is not accepted. A rotation control input method, characterized in that: 3. When an operator performs an input by rotating the input means, the input means, which is freely rotatable at normal times, once receives a control signal, rotates the input means only in a single direction, and reverses the rotation. Performs rotation suppression control to disable rotation in the direction, and when receiving a control signal and another control signal, suppresses rotation of the input means independently of the rotation suppression control in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation suppression control. A rotation control input method, wherein the control is performed to switch between rotation suppression and rotation permission of the input unit. 4. The rotation control input method according to claim 3, wherein the control signal is generated based on information corresponding to the detection of the degree of rotation. 5. The rotation control input method according to claim 3, wherein the rotation suppression control is performed only for a predetermined time from when the control signal is received. 6. The rotation control input method according to claim 3, wherein the rotation suppression control involves transmission of a click feeling. 7. The rotation control input method according to claim 3, wherein the rotation suppression control is performed by changing a resistance force of the input means against rotation. 8. The rotation control input method according to claim 3, wherein the rotation suppression control involves generation of vibration. 9. The rotation control input method according to claim 1, wherein said input means is a wheel input means. 10. The rotation control input method according to claim 9, wherein the input mode is a motion of a hand, and the feedback mode is a force sense / tactile sense to a hand. 11. A wheel input device that enables input by rotation of a wheel, a stopper that is disposed with a gap from the wheel, and that rotates the wheel only in a single direction by contacting the wheel; A drive unit that presses the stopper against the outer peripheral surface of the wheel by a control signal from a connected computer; and two drive units independently opposed to each other with the wheel interposed therebetween. A rotation control type wheel input device, which is formed to be opposite to each other. 12. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to claim 11, wherein the wheel is provided with an encoder for detecting rotation and transmitting the rotation to the computer on a central axis. 13. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to claim 11, wherein the wheel is provided with an encoder for detecting rotation and transmitting the rotation to the computer in contact with the wheel surface. 14. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to claim 11, wherein the stopper has a wedge shape whose one end can freely be rotated in one direction. 15. A rotation-controlled wheel input device according to claim 11, wherein an outer peripheral surface of said wheel has elasticity. 16. The driving unit according to claim 11, wherein the driving unit is operable only for a predetermined time when receiving the control signal.
6. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to 5. 17. The drive unit according to claim 11, wherein the driving unit is configured to be capable of changing the resistance to the rotation of the wheel.
Or a rotation-controlled wheel input device according to item 16. 18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said driving section enables a vibration source to operate.
Or a rotation-controlled wheel input device according to item 16. 19. The drive unit according to claim 11, wherein said drive unit has a solenoid.
19. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to 5, 16, 17 or 18. 20. An outer peripheral surface of the wheel is partially exposed so as to be rotatable.
20. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to 5, 16, 17, 18 or 19. 21. The rotating device according to claim 20, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the wheel is formed at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of a groove orthogonal to a rotational direction capable of meshing with a ball pressed by a spring. Control type wheel input device. 22. The wheel according to claim 11, wherein said wheel is entirely exposed.
20. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to 5, 16, 17, 18 or 19. 23. A back surface of the wheel is meshable with a ball pressed by a spring.
23. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to claim 22, further comprising a plurality of grooves or recesses concentrically smaller than the circumference of the wheel and orthogonal to the rotation direction. 24. The device according to claim 11, wherein said wheel input device is integrated with a mouse or other pointing device.
5, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 2
4. The rotation-controlled wheel input device according to 3.