JPS6337419A - Mouse with key input function for computer input - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an excellent operability and improve the work efficiency and reduce the burden of an operator by providing plural input keys formed into recessed or projecting truncated quadrangular pyramids on the outside face part of a mouse and providing a key input part on each face of this key. CONSTITUTION:In case of input of a number to a computer 20, an operator presses two fingers of his hand to inside faces of input keys 3a and 3b stored recessed parts while moving the mouse. A touch sensor in each of key input parts to which fingers are processed is operated, and the generated current is transmitted to a number signal sending circuit 8 through a lead wire 6. The circuit 8 generates the signal, which designates a preliminarily determined address of a ROM 11, on a basis of this current and transmits it to the ROM 11, Data corresponding to '0'-'9' are stored in preliminarily determined addresses of the ROM 11, and a data signal is generated in accordance with the address designated by the circuit 8. This signal is transmitted to the circuit 8 through a lead wire 10 and is transmitted to the computer 20 from a terminal 8a through a lead wire 13 and a connector 16 after processing.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a mouse, which is an auxiliary input means that is connected to a computer via a cable or the like and is used to position a cursor on a display screen. It is something.

(Prior Art) As is well known, a keyboard and a mouse are used by a computer operator as a means for directly inputting data into a computer or selecting and executing a specified device. For example, this mouse functions by specifying one of several groups of programs that are stored in a computer or an external storage device, and the mouse itself is used to input numbers and letters to respond to the corresponding signals. It does not have the function to generate a signal and send this signal to the computer itself.

To give a concrete example of how to use this mouse, the method of specifying a program group using the mouse is as follows:
CATHQ [lE RAY TtlBE) A program group represented by characters or symbols on the display screen is specified by moving the cursor on the screen. This cursor will move on the CRT according to your mouse movements.
Move on the screen in the X and Y directions.

In order to move a cursor, a mouse detects the amount of movement in each of the X and Y directions, digitizes this amount of movement, and transmits it as a signal to a computer. Furthermore, this mouse is equipped with an execution switch that starts the software function specified with the cursor, and a cancel switch that stops or cancels this function. It does not send out a signal; in other words, it only serves as an on/off switch.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, when using a mouse to cause a computer to perform a certain process, it may be necessary to input numbers or the like as data in addition to on/off control. In such cases, a keyboard connected to the computer is operated separately from the mouse, and numbers are entered using the number keys on the keyboard.
AD (C0NPUTERAIDED DESIGN)
When used as a computer, numerical input is required to a large extent.

In this way, when using both the mouse and keyboard, while moving the mouse with either hand, press the CR7
You need to watch the movement of the cursor on the screen.

Furthermore, when inputting numbers, etc., the operator operates the keyboard with his free hand, which is not holding the mouse, and presses the number keys, and the operator presses the number keys on the keyboard to check the number keys. He moves his line of sight to enter the desired number, etc., and then returns his line of sight to the CR7 screen.

Therefore, the operation is interrupted every time you input a number, etc.
There is a problem in that work efficiency decreases, and the number of interruptions increases as the number input frequency increases. Another problem is that the mouse is usually held and operated with the dominant hand, and the number keys on the keyboard are operated with the other hand, making input operations difficult. Moreover, the operator is required to constantly move his/her line of sight during operation, which places a burden on the operator, and the difficulty of operation as described above further deteriorates work efficiency.

The basic object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a computer input mouse with a key input function that has excellent operability, improves work efficiency, and reduces the burden on the operator.

(Means for solving the problem) The above-mentioned problems arose because the mouse and keyboard were historically developed independently, and existed as separate devices that were used together. .

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention thought that the above problem could be solved by providing a mouse with a key that has the function of inputting numbers, etc., and sending signals such as numbers from the mouse to the computer.

However, mice are installed and manufactured so that they can fit in the palm of one hand in order to increase ease of use, and there are, for example, 10 numeric input keys called a numeric keypad on both the top and sides of the mouse. It is difficult to provide one in terms of space. Even if it were possible to provide small keys on the outer surface of the mouse, it would be difficult to operate ten keys with the hand that operates the mouse, that is, the five fingers. Also, if the palm of your hand that is operating the mouse touches this key, it may cause incorrect input, so please place this key at an appropriate position on the mouse to avoid accidentally touching the 10 keys while operating the mouse. It is difficult to place.

Therefore, the inventor of the present application has developed a mouse provided with compact keys by utilizing the concept of the keyboard already proposed in Utility Application No. 37243/1983.

That is, the present invention provides a mouse that is connected to a combiator, and is provided with a plurality of input keys each having a concave or convex truncated quadrangular pyramid shape on the outer surface of the mouse. This device is characterized by being provided with an input section.

Further, two of the input keys can be provided on the outer surface of the mouse, and numbers 0 to 9 can be assigned to the key input portion so that they do not overlap.

(Function) According to the computer input mouse with a key input function of the present invention, the keys provided on the outer surface of the mouse can be made compact. That is, each concave or convex truncated pyramidal surface can be used as an input section, and one key can provide five input sections. Therefore, when providing a numeric keypad on a mouse, it is sufficient to provide two keys, and it is easier to operate by assigning numbers 0 to 4 to one key and numbers 5 to 10 to the other key. is dramatically improved.

In other words, to enter numbers, you can use the two fingers that normally operate the mouse's function keys, the index and middle fingers, and operate both the mouse and number keys with only one hand on the side that operates the mouse. It is possible.

To explain this operation in the case of concave keys, press your index finger 1
Insert your middle finger into one key, then insert your middle finger into the other key.
Inputting numbers by pressing a finger against a desired position on the inner surface is very easy, and it is possible to become proficient in a short period of time. Furthermore, since the position of each number can be memorized, there is no need to visually confirm the position of the number during input, and the number can be input by memory, so input can be performed without interrupting the flow of work.

That is, the mouse of the present invention can not only provide the amount of movement in the X and Y directions to the computer as data, but also can send signals such as numbers.

(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

Note that the lead wires, pins, and pin receivers in the figures are simplified for ease of understanding.

The mouse 1 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, and the cable 1
5 to a computer 20, which has a built-in CRT screen 21 and a keyboard 22 connected to it via a cable 23.

The mouse 1 is provided with a switch 2.2 on the front end surface for sending an on/off signal to the computer 20, and recessed numerical input keys 3a, 3b on the top end surface. A key input section is provided on each inner surface 4 (there are 10 surfaces) of the input keys 3a and 3b.
Numbers 0 to 9 are assigned to the input section so as not to overlap. In the input key 3a, the numbers 0 are assigned to the bottom, 1 to the front inner surface, 2 to the left inner surface, 3 to the rear inner surface, and 4 to the right inner surface.On the other hand, in the input key 3b, numbers 5 to 5 are assigned in the same order. It has been assigned the number 9.

Each key input section is provided with a touch sensor (not shown), and current is generated when pressed by a finger or the like, and this current is configured to be generated between terminals 5 and 5 provided on the back of the key input section. ing. A lead wire 6 is connected to this terminal 5, and this lead wire 6 is connected to a terminal 7 of a numerical signal sending circuit 8.

Further, the numerical signal output path 8 is provided with a terminal 9, and this terminal 9 is connected to the ROM (REA) via a lead wire 10.
D0NLY MEMORY) is connected to terminal 12 of 11, and according to the signal of number signal sending circuit 8, the number 0
It is configured to obtain signals corresponding to .about.9 from the ROMII. The numerical signal sending circuit 8 is provided with a signal sending terminal 8a, and a lead wire 1 connected to this terminal 8a.
3 and the lead wire 1 connected to the aforementioned switch 2.2.
4 (partially omitted in the figure) are bundled and led out of the mouse 1 to form a cable 15.

The lead wires 13 and 14 are led in a covered state to the vicinity of the computer 20, branched out again, and a connector 16 is connected to the lead wire 13, which is connected to an adapter 17.

On the other hand, a connector 18 is connected to the lead wire 14,
This connector 18 is connected to a mouse input connector receiver (not shown) provided on the rear side of the computer 20.

A cable 23 connected to the keyboard 22 is connected to the above-mentioned adapter 17 via a connector 24.

The details will be explained based on FIG. 2.

The connector 24 has pins 25 .corresponding to the cable 23 .
25, and the adapter 17 has this pin 25.
．． A pin receiver 26.26 for receiving 25 is provided.

The same goes for the connector 16, with pins corresponding to the lead wires 13 (
(not shown), the adapter 17 is also provided with a pin receiver (not shown) for receiving the pin, and the lead wire 19 connected to the pin receiver is connected to the lead wire 27 connected to the pin receiver 26. Numerical signals from the mouse 1 mentioned above can be carried on the line of the cable 23. A pin 28 connected to a lead wire 27 is provided on the other surface of the adapter 17, and this pin 28 is configured to fit into a pin receiver 29 provided on the front surface of the computer 20.

Next, the operation of this device will be explained.

Note that in the attached drawings, the ball used for basic operations of the mouse 1 is omitted, and by grasping and moving the mouse 1, a ball (not shown) is transferred, and the amount of movement in the X and Y directions is detected. is transmitted to the computer 20 through the lead wire 14 and the connector 18, and also to the switch 2.2.
On/off control is performed by the operation of.

When it is necessary to input numbers into the computer 20, use the two fingers of the hand that is moving the mouse, for example, the index finger and the middle finger, and store each phase in the concave input keys 3a and 3b. Input key 3 with the necessary numbers assigned
Press your finger against the inner surface of a or 3b. The touch sensor is activated on the key input section where the finger is pressed, and terminal 5 is activated.
A current is generated, and this current is transmitted to the numerical signal sending circuit 8 through the lead wire 6 and the terminal 7. Numeric signal sending circuit 8
Then, a signal specifying a predetermined address of the ROM 11 is generated based on this current, and this signal is passed through the terminal 9, the lead wire 10, and then the terminal 12 to the ROM II.
is transmitted to. In the ROMII, data corresponding to numbers 0 to 9 are stored according to predetermined addresses, and a data signal is generated according to the address specified by the numeric signal sending circuit 8, and this signal is sent to the terminal 12 and the lead wire. 1
0, is transmitted to the numeric signal sending circuit 8 through the terminal 9. The numerical signal output path 8 processes this signal appropriately and sends it to the terminal 8.
a, the signal is transmitted to the connector 16 via the lead wire 13, and further transmitted to the computer 20 through the lead wires 19, 27 of the adapter 17, the pin 28, and the pin receiver 29.

In the computer 20, according to a program, for example, CR7
The number is displayed on the screen 21.

In this operation, the numbers can be entered using the fingers of the hand holding and operating the mouse, making the operation extremely simple.Furthermore, five numbers are assigned to one input key, making it easy to memorize the positions. You can also operate it without having to move your line of sight. Therefore, the burden on the operator is reduced from an ergonomic standpoint, and work efficiency is improved.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the lead wires for transmitting numerical signals are connected to the adapter, the keyboard cable is connected to the adapter, and the adapter is connected to a conventional keyboard pin receiver provided on the computer. Since it is a monolith, the keyboard can be used in the same way as before, and can be used with existing computers without modification, making it highly versatile. In other words, it can be applied to other types of computers simply by changing the adapter.

Further, in this embodiment, numbers 0 to 9 are assigned to each side of the input key, but it is possible to assign any number as desired, and furthermore, letters, symbols, or figures can be assigned as desired. Is possible. Another oyster
It is possible to provide only one, or even three or more.

Further, in this embodiment, a concave truncated quadrangular pyramid is used as the input key, but it is also possible to use a convex truncated quadrangular pyramid as shown in Utility Model Application No. 189305/1983.
It is possible to assign a number or the like to each surface, that is, each outer surface, and operate in the same manner as described above.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, a plurality of concave or convex truncated quadrangular pyramid input keys are provided on the outer surface of the mouse, and each surface of the key has a key input section. This makes it possible to input desired numbers, etc. with the hand that moves the mouse without moving the line of sight, dramatically improving productivity and making it easier for computer operators. This has the effect of reducing the workload.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway enlarged view showing an adapter portion, and FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an input key portion. It is a partially enlarged view with a part cut away. 1... Mouse 3a, 3b... Input keys 4.
... Key inside surface 16 ... Connector 17 ... Adapter 20 ... Computer 21 ... CRT screen

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A mouse that is connected to a computer, and has a plurality of input keys in the form of concave or convex truncated quadrangular pyramids provided on the outer surface of the mouse. A computer input mouse with a key input function 2, characterized in that each input key is provided with a key input section.Two input keys are provided on the outer surface of the mouse, and the key input sections have numbers 0 to 9. A computer input mouse with a key input function according to claim 1, wherein the keys are assigned so as not to overlap.