JPH1165759A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the degree of operating freedom and to improve the operability of an information input device by deciding and showing an input method that is optimum to the software used by an information processor and accordingly omitting the storage of the operating method for each software. SOLUTION: A mouse device 1 is provided with a ball 2 which can freely revolve, a rotational frequency detection part 3 which detects a relative moved variable of the main body of the device 1 by detecting the rotational frequency of the ball 2, and a display part 4 which shows the operation optimum to the software that is used by a computer connected via a cable 8. Then a storage part stores the operating information on the device 1, outputs its stored operating information as necessary and automatically executes again an input instruction. A software discrimination part discriminates the software to be used and switches the operation to an optimum operating method. An operating image processing part generates the display images accordant with the operating method that is optimum to the discriminated software. Then a display control part controls the images which are shown at the part 4 of the device 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device for inputting various information to information processing devices such as a personal computer, a word processor, and a CAD, and more particularly, to an information input device used for a mouse device, a trackball device, and the like. And a suitable information input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A mouse device is widely known as a conventional information input device of this kind. The mouse device includes a rotatable ball, rotation amount detection means for detecting the amount of rotation of the ball, at least one button for performing an alternative input by pressing, and a main body case for storing these. It is composed of

In such a mouse device, information is input by moving the device body, pressing an alternative button provided on the device body, or combining these two methods. . Therefore, when the cursor is moved to an arbitrary position or a button at an arbitrary position on the screen is clicked, there is a problem that the apparatus body must be largely moved each time.

Furthermore, since the input method is limited as described above, there is a problem that the actual operation movement and the operation result may not be intuitively matched. When inputting, it is difficult to move the cursor slightly, and it is difficult to draw a character or draw a picture because the device main body is held by the entire palm. . In addition, there is a problem that the operation method that switches for each software to be used must be stored and used properly.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-210458 discloses a method of selecting a plurality of click buttons by providing operation check means such as + and-for a click button for inputting an alternative type by pressing. Describes a mouse structure that allows the user to confirm which operation of the display screen corresponds to which operation.

[0006] Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-14120 discloses that
A keyboard / mouse integrated input device that has a touch panel keyboard on the device main body so that numeric keys and function keys can be input by the device main body separately from the switch button for performing alternative input by pressing Have been.

[0007] Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-333939 discloses that a touch panel using a piezoelectric element is provided on the main body of the apparatus so that the main body of the apparatus can be moved while being pressed with a finger or a pen or the like without being moved. Thus, there is described an input device capable of inputting change amounts of the X axis and the Y axis.

[0008]

However, in the mouse structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-210458, the operation confirmation means such as +,-is used only as a guide when inputting using the click button. Because it is not possible to input information other than pressing the click button, it is not necessarily an operation method suitable for software used in information processing equipment, and the actual operation movement and the operation result are intuitive And the operability is poor.

Also, in the keyboard / mouse integrated input device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-14120,
Since the touch panel keyboard is provided separately from the switch button for performing the alternative input, the switch button input and the touch panel keyboard input must be performed separately.

Further, the input by the touch panel keyboard is for performing an operation of selecting and instructing a numeric keypad or a function key, and there is no method for presenting an operation method suitable for software used in an information processing apparatus. Intuitively match the movement of the operation with the result of the operation,
There is a problem that the operation burden on the user cannot be reduced.

[0011] In the input device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-333993, characters, symbols, and numerals can be input using a touch panel. However, since the touch panel has no display function, However, there has been a problem that an optimum operation method according to software used in the information processing device is displayed, and an actual operation movement cannot be intuitively matched with an operation result.

In addition to the above-described conventional example, a dial that rotates back and forth is provided between two buttons for performing an alternate input by pressing, and the dial can be rotated while pressing itself. There are also mouse devices that have a higher degree of freedom in input operation methods than conventional mouse devices, such as pressing an alternative button while rotating the dial, or performing input according to the angle or speed of rotating the dial. Proposed.

However, such a mouse device sufficiently solves the problem of limitation of the operation method, for example, the operation of scrolling the screen in the horizontal direction and the operation of rotating the dial back and forth are not intuitively linked. I can't say that. In addition, since there is no display means for displaying an input method most suitable for software used in the information processing device, there is a problem that a complicated operation method must be stored.

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an intuitive and highly flexible information input method by switching to an optimum input method according to software used in an information processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an operable information input device.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information input device for inputting various types of information to an information processing device, the information input device being used in the information processing device. Display means for displaying an operation method suitable for software to be executed, and contact-type input means for detecting contact pressure on the surface of the display means and inputting information.

[0016] Thus, since the most suitable input method for the software used in the information processing device is determined and displayed on the display means, the operation method can be visualized and presented to the user. There is no need to memorize the operation method, and the degree of freedom of the operation method can be increased, and the operability can be significantly improved.

An information input device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information input device according to the first aspect,
A moving amount detecting means for detecting a moving amount of the main body, and a calculation processing means for performing information processing by associating input information from the contact type inputting means with input information from the moving amount detecting means It is.

Thus, it is possible to input information by the contact type input means with the fingertip while moving the information input device main body, and it is possible to realize an input method with more various combinations.

An information input device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the information input device according to the first aspect,
Movement amount detection means for detecting the movement amount of the main body; and input selection means for selecting input information by the contact type input means and input information by the movement amount detection means for the same command input Are provided.

As a result, either one of the contact type input means and the movement amount detecting means can be arbitrarily selected as a means for inputting the same command. For example, when the work environment is wide, the information input apparatus main body is used. When the working environment is narrow, it is possible to fix the main body of the information input device and perform the input by the contact input means, thereby improving the usability.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information input device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the contact-type input means has a click means. This makes it possible to perform an input by pressing the contact input means, and it is possible to easily confirm the presence or absence of the input by giving a click feeling to the user's fingertip.

An information input device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information input device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the input setting means for arbitrarily setting a reaction condition of the contact type input means. Is provided. This makes it possible to set the reaction speed and reaction sensitivity of the contact-type input means to a state that is easy to use for each software to be used and each user, thereby improving usability.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a case where an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention is applied to, for example, a mouse device.
This will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are an explanatory plan view and a sectional side view, respectively, showing a mouse device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a mouse device 1 includes a freely rotatable ball 2.
A rotation amount detection unit 3 that detects a relative movement amount of the mouse device main body by detecting a rotation amount of the ball 2;
A display unit 4 for displaying an operation suitable for software used by a computer connected by the cable 8; here, a dial image is displayed as a display example of the display unit 4.

On the surface of the display unit 4, there is provided a contact input unit 5 such as a touch panel for detecting and inputting a contact pressure on the panel surface by a finger or the like. An illumination unit 6 for illuminating 4 from the bottom and a click unit 7 that gives a click feeling when an input is made by the contact input unit 5 are provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mouse device of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the mouse device 1
Is an input setting unit for arbitrarily setting the reaction sensitivity, the reaction speed, and the like in the contact input unit 5 and for selectively switching the input between the rotation amount detection unit 3 and the contact input unit 5. 9.

The computer 10 converts a signal from the rotation amount detecting unit 3 or the contact type input unit 5 into a signal suitable for the software to be used, and a signal from the signal processing unit 11. A calculation processing unit 12 for performing calculation processing using predetermined software;
An image processing unit 13 that generates image data to be displayed according to a signal from
A display control unit 14 for controlling an image to be displayed on the external display 20.

Further, a storage unit 15 for storing operation information of the mouse device 1, outputting the stored operation information as necessary, and automatically re-executing the input command, and software to be used. A software discriminating unit 16 for discriminating the operation method and an operation image processing unit 17 for generating a display image corresponding to the operation method optimal for the software discriminated by the software discriminating unit 16; A display control unit 18 that controls an image displayed on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1 in accordance with a signal from the operation image processing unit 17 is provided.

In the above configuration, the input setting unit 4 of the mouse device 1 uses either the input method by the rotation amount detecting unit 3 or the input method by the contact type input unit 5, as shown in FIG. An input switching unit 21 for arbitrarily switching between input and an input sensitivity setting for arbitrarily setting the reaction sensitivity at the time of input of each of the rotation amount detection unit 3 and the contact type input unit 5 for each software used. And a part 22.

Next, the operation of the mouse device configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 4, a screen for selecting one of YES and NO is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. On the other hand, the mouse device 1
The display unit 4 also displays images of “YES” and “NO” for selecting between the two alternatives, like the display 20. YE
By touching the display of "S", YES can be selected.

In FIG. 5, the contents of each page of the document are displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. On the other hand, a rotating dial is displayed on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1, and by moving the user's finger in the direction of arrow A on the display unit 4 as if the dial is being rotated, the display is displayed. The page of the content of the document displayed at 20 can be scrolled in the direction of arrow B. It should be noted that the display unit 4 also displays a function for clearly indicating that the PAGE operation is being performed.

Referring to FIG. 6, a window is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. On the other hand, the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1 displays four buttons for arbitrarily scrolling the selected window up, down, left, and right.
By pressing the T button, the window displayed on the display 20 can be scrolled in the direction of arrow C.

In FIG. 7, a cursor is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. on the other hand,
An operation display image for changing the cursor speed on the display 20 is displayed on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1. Here, for example, when the mouse device 1 is moved in the direction of arrow D, the rotation of the ball 2 is detected, and the cursor also moves in the direction of arrow E. Accordingly, the moving speed of the cursor on the display 20 can be changed. The display unit 4
, A function display for clearly indicating that a variable operation of the cursor moving speed can be performed is also performed at the same time.

Here, the moving speed of the cursor can be increased when the user strongly presses the display unit 4 with a finger, and the moving speed of the cursor can be reduced when the user presses it weakly. As described above, it is possible to perform information input in which the input by the movement of the mouse device 1 main body and the input by the contact of the contact-type input unit 5 can be performed, so that an input method with more various combinations can be realized. it can.

In FIG. 8, when the click unit 7 at a predetermined position on the display unit 4 of the mouse device is pressed and clicked, the display unit 4 displays a selection between “mouse” and “touch panel”. An image for performing is displayed. Here, when the user presses the “mouse” with a finger,
An input operation based on the amount of movement of the ball 2 is selected, and by pressing the “touch panel”, an input operation based on contact of the contact input unit 5 is selected. These input switching selections are made in accordance with a signal from the contact type input unit 5 by the input setting unit 9.
Is performed by the input switching unit 21.

As described above, the user appropriately switches and selects the mouse function using the ball 2 and the touch panel function using the contact input unit 5 according to the working environment and the like, and selects either input means. Since the same command can be input, the usability can be improved.

In FIG. 9, an indicator for displaying the size of “VOLUME” is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. On the other hand, the mouse device 1
The image of the rotating dial is displayed on the display section 4 of the display section. By moving the user's finger in the direction of arrow F on the display section 4 as if the dial is rotated,
The volume of the indicator can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the bar graph of the indicator indicating the size of “VOLUME” displayed on the display 20 in the direction of the arrow G.
Note that the display unit 4 also displays a function for clearly indicating that the VOLUME operation is being performed.

In FIG. 10, the display 20 of the computer 10 displays a three-dimensional model and a cursor. When the user touches the zoom button on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1 with a finger, the display 20 is displayed.
Moves in the Z-axis direction to select a three-dimensional model. Here, by moving the main body of the mouse device 1, it is possible to perform movement in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The display unit 4 also displays a function for clearly indicating that the selection operation in the Z-axis direction is being performed.

As described above, by performing an input operation in which information from both the rotation amount detection unit 3 and the contact type input unit 5 of the mouse device 1 is associated, the X axis and the Y
It is possible to easily input a command regarding selection of movement in the axis and Z-axis directions.

In FIG. 11, a three-dimensional model is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10.
On the other hand, a three-dimensional model having the same shape as the three-dimensional model is displayed on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1, and the user rotates the three-dimensional model of the display unit 4 in the direction of the arrow H with a finger. Accordingly, the three-dimensional model displayed on the display 20 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow I. Note that the display unit 4 also displays a function for clearly indicating that a 3D moving operation is being performed.

Referring to FIG. 12, a screen of a racing car game is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. On the other hand, the steering wheel of the racing car is displayed on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1, and the user rotates the steering wheel displayed on the display unit 4 in the direction of the arrow J with his / her finger. Turn the displayed racing car handle in the direction of arrow K,
You can operate a racing car. The display unit 4
, A function display for clearly indicating that the HANDLE operation is being performed is also performed at the same time.

Referring to FIG. 13, a menu selection screen is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. On the other hand, an image similar to the menu selection screen is displayed on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1, and the user touches a button in the menu selection screen displayed on the display unit 4 with a finger. Thereby, the corresponding button on the menu selection screen displayed on the display 20 can be selected. Here, instead of the menu selection screen, for example, an image of a channel such as a TV may be displayed and applied to the channel selection device.

In FIG. 14, a cursor is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. On the other hand, on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1, an image for inputting "recording start" and "recording completion" for cursor operation information by operating the ball 2 is displayed. here,
After pressing the “recording start” button on the display unit 4, the mouse device 1 is moved, the cursor displayed on the display 20 is moved to a desired position, and a click operation is performed once.

At this time, information on the amount of movement of the cursor and information on the click operation are displayed on the display unit 4 in characters. When the "recording completed" button is pressed in this state, the operation information is stored in the storage unit 15 in the computer 10. Display unit 4
The registration number is displayed above. Later, by switching to the registration number call screen and designating the registration number on the screen, the corresponding operation information can be read from the storage unit 15 and the operation procedure can be executed again.

As described above, when the same operation input is repeatedly performed, the operation information can be stored in the recording unit 15 and read out as needed, thereby automatically re-executing the operation. Further, the process of the operation up to now can be confirmed by displaying it on the display 20.

When the user clicks once after operating the ball 2 of the mouse device 1 and moving the cursor, the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1 displays the amount of movement of the cursor and the information of the click operation in a character display. Displayed by Here, operation information such as the amount of movement of the cursor and the click position and the number of clicks can be stored in the storage unit 15 in the computer 10, and the same operation can be called up from the storage unit 15 and executed later.

In FIG. 15, a cursor is displayed on the display 20 of the computer 10. Therefore, the user rotates the arrow displayed on the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1 in an arbitrary direction with a finger,
The direction of movement of the cursor can be set. here,
By moving the mouse device 1 body in an arbitrary direction, the cursor on the display 20 is moved in the moving direction set by the arrow of the display unit 4 to a position corresponding to the movement amount of the mouse device 1 body. Can be done.
In this manner, an input in which the input by moving the mouse device 1 body and the input by the contact of the contact input unit 5 can be performed.

In FIG. 16, the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1
Is displayed according to the operation system of the computer 10 to be used, software, or the like.
16B, a two-button system as shown in FIG. 16B, and a three-button system as shown in FIG. 16C.

In FIG. 17, the display unit 4 of the mouse device 1
Displays a setting screen for setting the reaction sensitivity at the time of input of the contact-type input unit 5, and here, a screen in which the pressing sensitivity and the moving speed sensitivity can be set by the slide bar. The user can arbitrarily set the reaction sensitivity of the contact-type input unit 5 by moving the slide bar of the display unit 4 with a finger. It is possible to

The setting of the reaction sensitivity of the contact input unit 5 is as follows.
The input sensitivity setting unit 22 of the input setting unit 9 performs the operation based on the signal from the contact input unit 5. May be variably controlled.

[0052]

The information input device according to the first aspect of the present invention determines the most suitable input method for the software used in the information processing device and displays it on the display means. It is possible to visualize and present, and it is not necessary to store the operation method for each software, so that the degree of freedom of the operation method can be increased and the operability can be significantly improved.

The information input device according to the second aspect of the present invention is capable of inputting information by a contact type input means with a fingertip while moving the information input device main body. Can be realized.

The information input device according to the third aspect of the present invention can arbitrarily select either the contact type input device or the movement amount detection device as a device for inputting the same command. For example, when the working environment is wide, the input can be performed by moving the information input device main body, and when the working environment is small, the information input device main body can be fixed and the input can be performed by the contact type input means. Can be improved.

The information input device according to the invention described in claim 4 of the present application makes it possible to perform input by depressing the contact-type input means, and by giving a click sensation to the fingertip of the user, the presence or absence of the input is determined. Can be easily confirmed.

The information input device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention makes it possible to set the reaction speed and the reaction sensitivity of the contact-type input means to be easy to use for each software to be used and for each user. Usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an explanatory plan view and FIG. 1B is an explanatory side sectional view showing an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an input setting unit in one embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory views showing an example of display and operation of a display device and a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention. FIGS.

FIG. 5 is an external explanatory view showing an example of display and operation of (a) a display and (b) a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are external explanatory views showing an example of display and operation of a display device and a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are external explanatory diagrams showing an example of display and operation of a display device and a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an external explanatory view showing a display / operation example of a mouse device in one embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are external appearance explanatory views showing display and operation examples of (a) a display and (b) a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are external explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of display and operation of (a) a display and (b) a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are external explanatory views showing an example of display and operation of a display device and a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention. FIGS.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are external explanatory views showing examples of display and operation of a display device and a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are external explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of display and operation of the display device and the mouse device in one embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are external explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of display and operation of the display device and the mouse device in one embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an external explanatory view showing an example of display and operation of (a) a display and (b) a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an external explanatory diagram showing a display / operation example of a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an external explanatory view showing a display / operation example of a mouse device in an embodiment of the information input device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 mouse device 2 ball 3 rotation amount detection unit 4 display unit 5 contact input unit 6 illumination unit 7 click unit 8 cable 9 input setting unit 10 computer 11 signal processing unit 12 calculation processing unit 13 image processing unit 14 display control unit 15 storage Unit 16 Operation switching unit 17 Operation image processing unit 18 Display control unit 20 Display 21 Input switching unit 22 Input sensitivity setting unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information input device for inputting various information to an information processing device, comprising: a display unit for displaying an operation method suitable for software used in the information processing device; An information input device comprising: a contact type input unit for detecting a contact pressure on a surface and inputting information. 2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein a movement amount detection means for detecting a movement amount of the main body, input information by the contact type input means, and input information by the movement amount detection means. And a calculation processing means for performing information processing in association with the information input device. 3. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein: a movement amount detecting means for detecting a movement amount of the main body; and input information by the contact type input means for the same command input; An information input device, comprising: input selection means for selecting input information from the movement amount detection means. 4. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein said contact input means has a click means. 5. The information input device according to claim 1, further comprising an input setting unit for arbitrarily setting a reaction condition of the contact type input unit.