JPH1195917A - Mouse input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability while reducing the physical fatigue of the hands or fingers of an operator even during a long-time operation. SOLUTION: Concerning the mouse input device equipped with plural buttons 2 and 3 on its surface so as to press them with the fingers of the operator, a step [height difference (a)] is provided between the finger touching part of one button among the plural buttons at least and the finger touching part of the other button. On the surface of the finger touching part of this button, at least one projecting part or rugged part is provided and formed round.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a mouse input device, and more particularly to a mouse input device with improved operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A mouse is a kind of input device of a computer, and is used, for example, for performing an operation (hereinafter, mouse operation) for designating a cursor position on a display screen which is an output device of the computer.

Such a mouse usually has one to three buttons for performing a mouse operation. The mouse operation is performed with one hand, and the pressing operation of the button is performed from the tip of the index finger and the middle finger to the second joint. The button is pressed by directly touching a part or all of the belly part with the button.

One example of this type of conventional mouse input device is
It is disclosed in JP-A-6-19619. In the mouse input device disclosed in this publication, a hand rest for the purpose of placing a wrist is provided at the rear of the mouse, and an elastic flat plate is provided thereon. As a result, by placing the wrist on a hand-held table on which a flat plate made of a material such as elastic sponge or rubber is stuck with an adhesive or the like,
Mouse input operation with less hand fatigue.

Further, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-56831 discloses a mouse input device which is configured as a replaceable mouse body cover made of a flexible material so as to be plastically deformed so as to fit into an operator's hand. . In this mouse input device, when the operator grips the mouse, the mouse body cover made of a flexible material is plastically deformed along the shape of the operator's hand and fingers, so that the mouse operation is not fatigued even if the mouse operation is performed for a long time.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-215118 discloses a mouse input device provided with a flange for keeping the depression of the button even when the button of the mouse is pressed. With this mouse input device, when the button is pressed by mouse operation, even if the push position of the button is biased to the left end or right end of the button, the button sinks evenly, so that the same pressing feeling is constantly obtained and the operator's feeling is Be improved.

[0007]

However, the conventional mouse input device as described above has a larger size than a typical mouse.
Increasing the complexity of the components of the mouse increases costs. In addition, since the weight increases, there is a problem that the fatigue of the hands of the smart operator who performs the mouse operation increases.

In general, when performing a mouse operation, it is considered that the following three problems are associated with fatigue of the hands and fingers of the operator.

First, despite the various sizes of the hands of the observer, the mouse body and buttons are of a fixed size, shape, and made of a hard material, so that some operators have their hands. May be painful.

Second, in recent computers, most of the input interface from the operator is completed by mouse operation. However, since the operator's hand and fingers are fixed in the same posture and the mouse is held, the computer is continuously operated for a long time. In particular, when the mouse is operated by hand, the hands and fingers become rigid and blood circulation becomes irregular, and for example, fatigue similar to stiff shoulders accumulates.

Third, at the time of a mouse operation for holding a plurality of buttons, one of the plurality of buttons is consciously recognized and determined, and the button must be depressed once (clicked) twice or continuously. This is stress fatigue caused by consciously repeating the recognition and judgment for a long time because the button is pressed (double-clicked) instantaneously (generally within one second).

According to the technique disclosed in the above publication, the first problem can be solved, but the second and third problems cannot be solved. According to the above publication, in the third problem, the force required to press a button determined by the mechanical structure of the button depends on the case where the end of the button is pressed and the case where the center is pressed. The magnitude of the force is different. The technique described in the above publication can equalize the magnitude of this force, so that it is possible to improve the feeling of pressing the button, but the stress fatigue cannot be eliminated. Also,
The first and second issues cannot be eliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mouse input device that reduces the occurrence of fatigue and stress on the hands and fingers of an operator when performing mouse operations repeatedly and for a long time.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a mouse input device according to the present invention includes a mouse input device provided with a plurality of buttons on its surface, which can be pressed by an operator's finger. A step is provided between a finger contact portion of at least one of the plurality of buttons and a finger contact portion of another button.

Here, the number of the buttons is two or the number of the buttons is three, and a step is provided between the finger contact portions of each button.

[0016] At least one projection is provided on the surface of the finger contact portion of the button, and an uneven portion is provided on the surface of the finger contact portion of the button. Further, the surface of the finger contact portion of the button is rounded.

In the present invention, the position of any button of a mouse having two or more buttons is raised upward or lowered downward. When performing a mouse operation, a difference is provided between the vertical position of the index finger and the middle finger that press the button.

For example, in a conventional mouse that holds two buttons, when the operator raises the position of the button closer to the thumb when the operator grips the mouse, the operator presses the button closer to the thumb with the index finger. In this case, the position of the index finger of the hand is higher than the position of the middle finger. At the same time, the vertical position of the belly part from the tip of the index finger to the second joint is closer to the vertical position of the third joint of the index finger,
Equal or higher.

If the position of the index finger of the hand is higher than the position of the middle finger (if there is a difference between the vertical position of the index finger and the position of the middle finger), that is, the positional relationship between the index finger and the middle finger will be different, and the operator will not feel the same. The index finger and the middle finger can be easily recognized, and the button selection can be performed sensibly, and the stress fatigue (the third problem) caused by repeatedly selecting and pressing the button is eliminated.

For example, when a person is standing upright and immobile, that is, when he or she stands for a long time in such a posture that his or her posture such as right and left feet, right and left hands, right and left shoulders, and head inclination are adjusted to the same position, When you keep standing for a long time in a posture where the posture such as left foot, right hand and left hand, right shoulder and left shoulder, head inclination etc. is unbalanced, the latter can be more relaxed and less stiff. Become. Similarly, the second problem can be solved by providing a difference in the vertical position of the index finger and the middle finger pressing the button (by breaking the balance of the vertical relationship).

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a mouse input device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the functions of the present invention are achieved by bonding a mouse button pad 1 to a conventional mouse 4.

The mouse button pad 1 is attached to the surface of the button 2 in the direction of the arrow with an adhesive or an adhesive seal. The most important thing in this embodiment is the height a of the mouse button pad 1. The above operation principle is realized by the mouse button pad 1 having the height a.

The mouse 4 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a personal computer or the like by a cable 6. When the operator performs a mouse operation, the index finger is placed on the mouse button pad 1 when the mouse 4 is held with the right hand, and the button 2 is pressed. Press the button, and place the middle finger on the button 3 and press the button 3. Here, a difference occurs in the positional relationship between the index finger and the middle finger of the right hand by the height a of the mouse button pad 1. As a result, as described in the above operation principle, the operator can easily and intuitively recognize the button 2 or the button 3 to be pressed when operating the mouse, and the operator does not feel stress quickly, Even if the middle finger is kept in the same posture in the above positional relationship, the middle finger can be relaxed, and the mouse operation can be repeatedly performed without fatigue of the operator or the right finger of the operator.

As a specific value of the height a, a value close to the thickness of the first joint portion of the index finger of the operator was obtained as a result of a trial production experiment.

The value of the height a at which the best effect can be obtained is considered to differ depending on the operator, but it is considered that at least 5 mm is necessary.

When the mouse is held with the left hand, the index finger is placed on the button 3 and the button 3 is pressed, and the middle finger is placed on the mouse button pad 1 and the button 2 is pressed.
This is the same as holding with the right hand except that the index finger and the middle finger are replaced. Therefore, even when the mouse button pad 1 is attached to the button 3, the same effect can be obtained by holding the mouse with either the left or right hand.

When the mouse is held with the right hand, the middle finger is placed on the mouse button pad 1 and the button 2 is pressed, and the ring finger is placed on the button 3 and the button 3 is pressed. Is the quotient a of the mouse button pad 1, and the same effect can be obtained. This is true even if you hold the mouse with your left hand.

Further, in the case where the mouse is operated by using only one finger such as the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and the like, the button 2 and the button 3 are depressed when the mouse is held with either the left or right hand. The effect cannot be maximized.

The material of the mouse button pad 1 may be a hard material, for example, an ABS resin. There is no problem even if a flexible material such as rubber is used. The color may be any color.

Further, any material can be used as long as it can hold the height a of the mouse button pad 1, and an ultra-light material can be used, so that an increase in the weight of the mouse can be suppressed.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show another example of the shape of the mouse button pad 1. FIG. 2A shows the same shape as the mouse button pad 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. That stimulates the body and produces a MasoSurge effect.
The number and size of the projections are arbitrary and need not be particularly round. In addition, the stimulation of the projection further enhances the sensory perception of the button 2. (C) is a part in which the finger touches the jagged portion, and further enhances the sensory perception of the button 2. (D) rounds the part touched by the finger to smooth the fit to the finger touched. (A) (A)
(C) (d) In any case, it is important to maintain the height a.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the function of the mouse button pad 1 is given to the button 2 itself.
The button 7 of the mouse 9 performs the function of the mouse button pad 1. The button 7 performs the functions of the mouse button pad 1 and the button 2, and the other functions are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the mouse button pad 1
Function can be provided. By setting the height a of the button 7 to a negative value, the button 8 can function as the mouse button pad 1.

FIG. 4 shows still another embodiment of the present invention.
The mouse 13 has buttons 10, 11, and 12. The function of the mouse button pad 1 is performed by the buttons 10 or 12.

FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the present invention.
In the application of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the buttons 14 and 15 or the buttons 16 and 15 perform the function of the mouse button pad 1, and the mouse 17 holds two buttons having the function of the mouse button pad 1.

[0035]

As described above, according to the mouse input device of the present invention, physical fatigue of hands, fingers, etc. is reduced even by long-time operation by an operator, and operability is significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mouse input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of the mouse input device of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mouse input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mouse input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mouse input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 mouse button pad 2, 3, 7, 8, 10-12, 14-16 buttons 4, 9, 13, 17 mouse 6 cable

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A mouse input device provided with a plurality of buttons on its surface, which can be pressed by an operator's finger, wherein a finger contact portion of at least one of the plurality of buttons and another of the buttons are provided. A mouse input device, wherein a step is provided between the mouse input device and a finger contact portion. 2. The mouse input device according to claim 1, wherein the number of the buttons is two. 3. The mouse input device according to claim 1, wherein the number of the buttons is three, and a step is provided between finger contact portions of each button. 4. The mouse input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one protrusion is provided on the surface of the finger contact portion of the button. 5. The mouse input device according to claim 1, wherein an uneven portion is provided on the surface of the finger contact portion of the button. 6. The mouse input device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the finger contact portion of the button has a round shape.