KR20010066975A - Input device consisting of a pair of mouse type input means for computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mouse type input device is provided to perform a computer task ergonomically in balance, to effectively operate a menu bar or specific functions in an application program such as a CAD, and enable two more users to enjoy an online or offline game by using a pair of mouses. CONSTITUTION: The device comprises the first mouse type input device(200) and the second muse type input device(300). The first mouse type input device(200) includes a plurality of specific function buttons usable in an application program. The second mouse type input device(300) includes also specific function buttons different from those of the first mouse type input device(200). The mouse type input devices(200,300) inputs signals to the computer system, sequentially or concurrently. The mouse type input devices(200,300) is connected to mouse connector ports(402,402') via communication lines(400,400'), and at this time the devices(200,300) are independently operated. The basic operation of the devices(200,300) is similar in moving the cursor or clicking a micro switch, but the number of the buttons or functions allocated on the buttons are different.

Description

Input device consisting of a pair of mouse type input means for computer}

The present invention relates to a mouse-type input device, and more specifically, input using a pair of mouse-type input means which can improve computer work efficiency when working with a user's balanced body maintenance and application program. Relates to a device.

The computer is not only able to process various tasks using the built-in central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") but also has a communication function, which is an essential means for working in a company. There is also an exponential growth in household use such as banking, learning, information acquisition, and e-commerce.

Background Art A keyboard and a mouse are used as input means to input data (data) and control signals to a computer. The keyboard is mainly used to input data and control signals in the form of text such as letters and numbers, and the mouse is mainly used to control a program visually such as activating a pull-down menu or selecting a command from a menu. Is complementary and helps work.

The operation state of the conventional ball-embedded mouse 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 8, which shows a horizontal cutting state. When the user moves the mouse 500 while holding it by hand, the embedded ball 504 rotates, and the cylindrical rollers that are in contact with the ball 504 are rotated each time the ball 504 moves. Cylindrical rollers are coupled to the extended axis of rotation of the encoders 505 and 506 in the form of circular disks, and a plurality of holes are formed on the surface of the encoders 5050 and 506 at regular intervals. In addition, light emitting diodes 508 and phototransistors 509 are provided before and after the circular disks of the encoders 505 and 506, respectively. Accordingly, light emitted from the light emitting diodes 508 passes through the holes of the encoder 506. After that, it is incident to the phototransistor 509. The incident light is converted into 0 and 1, which is a digital signal, and transmitted as a result. The mouse controller 503 calculates the movement distance according to whether the mouse is clicked (micro switches 501 and 502) and the rotation of the ball of the mouse 500, calculates information to be sent to the CPU, and determines the position of the mouse cursor. . The mouse controller 503 changes the movement signal according to the position of the cursor and sends it to the CPU (not shown) of the main board. The signal sent to the CPU is sent to the memory (computer built-in), and the signal is passed through the graphics card and displayed on the monitor. In addition to the above-described mouse, a mouse such as an optical mouse, a wheel mouse, or the like is used. The mouse is a useful input device that can make input very easy in the GUI (Graphic user interface) method.

However, such a mouse has a limitation in command input and operation in an application program because only one device is connected to a computer system, and also causes physical imbalance due to the use of a biased mouse. Many of the same problems arise.

First, the balance is biased to one side when using a conventional mouse as a physical problem. In particular, when used for a long time in parallel with the keyboard, diseases such as spinal disc due to postural imbalance occurs. Second, due to the development of software, the program is complicated and has various functions, but due to the structural limitations of the mouse itself, it has a limitation on data input or command input. Third, when only one mouse is used in a program mainly for graphic work such as cad, a lot of unnecessary operations for drawing figures and pictures are generated, and thus, a lot of time is required for the work. Fourth, there is a growing need for expanding mouse usage in game environments.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a computer-type mouse input device capable of balanced body use by performing a computer operation using a pair of mice.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mouse-type input for a computer that can easily perform a computer operation by doubling the operation of a menu bar and specific functions used in a computer application program such as CAD by using a mouse twice or more. To provide a device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mouse-type input device for a computer operated separately from each other so that two or more people can simultaneously play the same game in an online or offline game environment using a computer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a button-switched mouse type input device which can be used by changing the mouse type input device according to the use of the dominant hand.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a mouse-type input device for inputting a position signal to a computer using a control signal and a ball using a micro switch, wherein a plurality of function buttons assigned to a specific function used in a program are provided. The second mouse-type input means 300 having a first mouse-type input means 200 and a plurality of function buttons assigned to different functions different from those assigned to the first mouse-type input means 200 are provided. And the first and second mouse-type input means (200,300) are configured to input a predetermined signal to a computer sequentially or simultaneously to perform a necessary operation.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a connection state of a mouse-type input device according to the present invention;

2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the right first mouse-type input means;

3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the left second mouse-type input means;

Figure 4 is an embodiment of the basic board forming by the left second mouse-type input means,

5 illustrates an example of mode switching to the graphic board of FIG.

6 is a plan view of the mouse-type input means showing the left and right function button exchange state,

7 is a block diagram showing a connection state of a mouse function button according to the present invention;

8 is a plan sectional view showing the structure of a conventional mouse input device;

9 is a block diagram of a mouse-type input device of the present invention using a wireless transmitting and receiving device,

FIG. 10 is a block circuit diagram of an embodiment of the radio transceiver of FIG. 9; FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: Run Button 2: Menu Button

10: Copy button 20: Special character button

30: (Improvement) Wheel Function Button 40,40 ': Plus Button

50,50 ': Paste button 60,60': Minus button

70, 70 ': Erase button 80: Black pointer selection button

90: Cancel Black Pointer (menu bar switch) button

200: first mouse input means 300,300 ': second mouse input means

400,400 ': Communication line 402,402': Mouse connector port

500: mouse 501,502: micro switch

503: mouse controller 504: ball

505, 506: encoder 507: ball support roller

508: light emitting diode 509: phototransistor

600: wireless transmitting device 602: wireless receiving device

603: antenna 604: amplifier

606: modulator 608: transmitter

612: receiver 614: demodulator

616: amplifier 618: antenna

Hereinafter, a mouse-type input device for a computer of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view showing a connection state of a mouse-type input device for a computer according to the present invention, and in particular, shows a connection state of a computer to a main board. As shown, the first and second mouse input means 200 and 300 are connected to the main board. The motherboard can use most of the devices mounted on a conventional computer.

The mouse-type input device for a computer according to the present invention can be easily attached to a main board of a conventional computer. In other words, when connecting a mouse type input device for a computer according to the present invention, a mouse connector port (402, 402 ') using a serial connector (9 pin, 25 pin), which is conventionally used, or USB (Universal Serial Bus) Can be connected. When using USB, you can connect a pair of mice without installing a separate serial connector on the motherboard.

In the case of connection using the mouse connector ports 402 and 402 ', a separate interrupt (IRQ) is set for each mouse to distinguish the signal input from the mouse type input device for each computer. The mouse input device for each computer can be supported at the OS level, and it can be used without any hardware change or modification in the conventional Windows. In addition, it is preferable to process a signal input from each input device by a driver of a computer mouse input device. The interface on the USB port allows up to 127 different devices to be connected to an IRQ, so there is no problem in using a pair of computer mouse input devices.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the first mouse-type input means 200 and the second mouse-type input means 300 are connected to mouse connector ports 402 and 402 'installed on the main board through communication lines 400 and 400', respectively. Each mouse input means operates independently. The first mouse-type input means 200 and the second mouse-type input means 300 according to the present invention have a basic operation, that is, a command signal input by moving a cursor and clicking a micro switch by a mouse-type input means. Although similar, there are differences in the number of buttons attached to each input means and the functions assigned thereto, which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The mouse input means as described above can be used by the user holding each of the two hands. In other words, the application range is dramatically increased by using the functions assigned to each mouse independently while holding the mouse-type input means in the right hand and the left hand, respectively. In addition, it is apparent that the block designation function and the drag and drop function are supported like the conventional mouse.

2 is a plan view of the first mouse input means 200 according to the present invention.

As shown, a plurality of function buttons are provided on the surface of the first mouse-type input means 200, the rest has a structure similar to the conventional mouse 500. It further includes a (improved) wheel function button 30. Looking at the configuration of the function buttons, the execution button (1) for the execution of the program, the menu button (2) for activating the menu, the copy button (10) for copying the object, such as the specified text, image and the like; It can be seen that it includes a special character button 20 for activating the character table for inputting special characters, and a (improved) wheel function button 30 for scrolling in all directions of the screen. In addition, the bottom surface is attached to the ball (not shown) that performs the position sensing operation in the same manner as the ball of the conventional mouse (500).

The installation position of the function buttons may be set to a position as shown in the drawing or a position determined to be the most convenient position for the user to operate. This should be considered in terms of actual ergonomics and design. However, it is preferable to locate frequently used function buttons on the first mouse input means 200.

In addition, the first mouse-type input means 200 and the second mouse-type input means 300 according to the present invention can be configured using the connector connection method (pin connection state, etc.) of the mouse used conventionally. Instead, the function buttons added to the mouse-type input means are sequentially connected by assigning specific IDs to the mouse controller embedded in the mouse according to the function buttons, and reading the signals according to the input function buttons to the CPU of the computer. send. The CPU controls the program to display the cursor on the screen or to execute a specific command according to the transmitted signal.

In practice, this can be easily accomplished by changing the built-in program to perform the reading function of the control signal for the additional function buttons in the mouse controller. For example, a "copy function" is assigned to the function button A, and the mouse controller outputs a control signal to the CPU to perform a copy operation when a signal is input from the function button A. Functions assigned to the function buttons are preferably used frequently in all applications. For example, functions such as copying, special character selection, pasting, zooming in, zooming out, page up, page down, and the like are preferred.

The execution button 1 is a button for inputting a command to execute the program as in the prior art. The user executes the program by clicking or double-clicking the execution button 1. The menu button 2 is a button for activating a menu on the current work screen. In practice, this can be configured to perform a function similar or identical to that of a conventional mouse. The copy button 10 is for copying after designating an object. The copied object is temporarily stored in a memory or the like, and later, object pasting is performed using the paste button (50 in FIG. 3). The special character button 20 is a function button for activating a special character table required for input. When the special character button 20 is pressed, the set character table (for example, a character table generated by pressing Ctrl + ?? of a Korean word processor or a special character table in MS word) may be assigned to be activated.

In addition, the improved wheel function button 30 adopts a conventional wheel function, and is configured to control the front, rear, left and right scrolling of the screen by using a push button. In other words, when the ball is moved while the wheel function button 30 is pressed, the screen is scrolled in the moving direction of the ball. In other words, if you move the mouse forward while the wheel function button is turned on, the screen scrolls upward, and when you pull toward the body, the screen scrolls downward. Therefore, adopting this function increases the convenience of use. The wheel function button 30 can be configured using a wheel or a push button as in the prior art.

The second mouse input means 300 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 3.

The structure of the second mouse-type input means 300 also has a main body similar to the conventional mouse 500, and on the right side, a plus button 40 for performing an object enlargement function in a state where a page up function and a range are specified, and copying or cutting Paste button (50) for pasting the object in the state on the screen, page down function and the minus button (60) for performing the object reduction function in the specified state is located, the erase button 70 is located on the left side In front of the surface, a black pointer selection button 80 and a black pointer cancellation (menu bar selection) button 90 are located. Of course, although not shown in the lower portion is provided with a ball that operates in the same way as a conventional mouse ball.

The plus button 40 is for activating a function for enlarging an object designated by the first mouse-type input means 200. In other words, when the plus button 40 is pressed while the first mouse input unit 200 specifies a range of an object or the like in a specific area (image, text, etc.), the screen is enlarged by the size thereof. In addition, if there is no range designation, pressing the plus button 40 performs a page up function.

The minus button 60 is for activating a function for reducing an object designated by the first mouse-type input means 200. In other words, when the minus button 60 is pressed while the object range of a specific region (image, text, etc.) is designated by the first mouse-type input means 200, the screen is reduced by the size thereof. Also, if there is no range designation, pressing the minus button 60 performs a page down function.

In the plus button 40 or the minus button 60, the enlargement, reduction, or page up and down functions of the screen are changed according to the number of times the respective function buttons are continuously pressed. For example, press the plus button 40 once to enlarge 110%, press twice to increase 150%, press three times to configure the enlargement ratio such as 200% enlargement. Of course, the same can be applied to the minus button 60 to be reduced to a certain ratio.

The paste button 50 is a button for pasting an object (shape, text, image, etc.) in a copy or cut state to a specific position on a screen page. This is the same function as the conventional paste. The erase button 70 is for temporarily deleting a specific designated area (an area designated by the first mouse-type input means 200). The erase button 70 may perform a cut function at the same time.

The black pointer selection button 80 is to enhance the convenience of using the menu. When the black pointer selection button 80 is pressed, the cursor (or pointer), which is normally black, is a disc-shaped basic board for a specific menu. Switch to the basic board. One example of a switched board is shown in FIG. 4. As shown, the basic board is composed of eight items such as graphic, CAD, telephone, editing, etc., and when the specific items are set on the basic board, the lower items are displayed again. Editing functions include setting, capturing and saving address of pictures, videos, music and text files when searching the Internet.

If the "graphic" function is selected as a specific item in Figure 4, it can be seen that the lower items of the graphic are displayed as shown in FIG. As shown, this includes the brush type, palette, ruler type, object collection, pencil, and next (+,-) functions. In this case, the return to the graphics board in the board switching state may be performed by pressing the cancel black pointer (menu bar switch) button 90 or by clicking the graphics board with the first mouse-type input means 200. The black pointer selection button 80 may be used by linking a menu of a specific application as well as a board item as described. The basic board may have various shapes such as a rectangle, an oval, as well as a circle.

In addition, in the description of the present invention, it has been described that a specific function has already been assigned to each function button, but it is apparent that it is possible to assign specific functions to different function buttons. For example, the copy button 10 of the first mouse input means 200 may be assigned to the eraser button 70 of the second mouse input means 300. This function assignment should first be reviewed in terms of ergonomics.

An example of the operation state of the computer-type mouse input device of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

First, the functions of the plus button 40 and the minus button 60 will be briefly described. When working in an application program such as CAD, if a specific area is designated as the first mouse-type input means 200 and the plus button 40 or the minus button 60 of the second mouse-type input means 300 is pressed. The screen is enlarged or reduced by that size. In addition, simply pressing the plus button 40 or the minus button 60 performs only the page up or page down function. In addition, if the plus button 40 or the minus button 60 is pressed after designating the range in the configuration selection screen, the selected object is enlarged or reduced. In addition, when the user clicks the copy button 10 after selecting an object, pressing the plus button 40 or the minus button 60 again while copying the object enlarges or reduces the object. In addition, when drawing a straight line or a curve in a CAD or graphic program by a pair of mouse input means, the drawing operation can be simplified and executed quickly by specifying two points at a time. As described above, the pair of mouse-type input means according to the present invention can be applied to a CAD or a graphic so that the utilization method is infinite.

Secondly, the wheel function button 30 will be described. After pressing the wheel function button 30 once to activate the screen moving function, the screen is scrolled according to the moving direction by moving the first mouse-type input means 200 itself. In this state, press the wheel function button 30 again to cancel the screen scroll function. This function is conventionally used, and by adopting this function in the present invention, a more convenient function can be provided.

When you want to save the necessary data during surfing during the Internet search can be immediately saved using the editing function in the basic board switching state formed by the second mouse-type input means 300, plus button 40 or minus button Use 60 to enlarge small letters or pictures. In addition, if the Internet screen is out of the desired size, you can adjust it, page up or page down, you can search easily.

On the other hand, the editing function bar on the board, which is switched by the black pointer selection button 80 of the second mouse type input means 300, can download various information such as a picture, text, video, address, etc. at a desired time or reserve a down function. Configure in conjunction with the icon you have.

The present invention also adopts a structure for changing the position of the function buttons for the convenience of the user of the mouse-type input means. In other words, the user who mainly uses his right hand may use the first mouse input means 200 on the right side and the second mouse input means 300 on the left side shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. On the other hand, the left-handed man who mainly uses his left hand has a structure that is detachable so as to sandwich the positions of the function buttons 40 ', 50', 60 ', 70' as opposed to the mouse-type input means 300 'shown in FIG. It allows the user to change the position of the function button to fit the right or left hand. This can be achieved by forming detachable fixing holes in the surface of the mouse-type input means and connecting them in parallel with the input ports P1, P2, P3, and P4 of the controller (control means) for controlling the mouse function button as shown in FIG. . Therefore, the mouse-type input means 300 ′ shown in FIG. 6 is used by the left hand user in the right hand.

On the contrary, since the structure of the right mouse input means 200 of the right hand user is symmetrical, there is no change in appearance. However, fixing holes are formed for attaching and detaching the function buttons, and the connection state of the input ports is also configured in parallel connection.

Alternatively, the control driver for the mouse-type input means can be divided into right-handed and left-handed ones, and software can be implemented by configuring the driver to determine and process a signal input to the input port of each controller.

In addition, the mouse-type input device of the present invention can be configured by a wireless operation method using a conventionally used pair of a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. In other words, the middle of the connection line of the first mouse-type input device 200 is cut or removed, the wireless mouse device 600 is installed on the side of the first mouse-type input device 200, the connection line connected to the computer, Alternatively, a radio receiver 602 is installed inside the computer main body. After the wireless transmitter 600 and the wireless receiver 602 are installed, all electric signals generated by the first mouse-type input device 200 are wirelessly transmitted to a computer to perform necessary tasks. This also applies to the second mouse input device 300 is the same. When using a radio transmission and reception device as described above, it is preferable to change the transmission and reception frequency when a radio frequency is used to prevent crosstalk of a signal input wirelessly.

In the case of transmitting / receiving using an infrared ray in the transmission of a wireless signal, the infrared signal may be transmitted by including a predetermined identification signal to distinguish the first and second mouse input devices 200 and 300. However, when connecting a mouse input device using a USB port, there is no problem because each USB port is recognized as an independent connection state. Wireless transmitters and receivers for easy configuration

9 is a connection state diagram showing the wireless connection state as described above, the wireless transmitting device 600 is installed on the main body side of the first mouse-type input device 200, the wireless receiving device 602 is connected to the computer side have. Various transmitting and receiving devices that meet the radio frequency, infrared or Bluetooth standards currently used in part have been developed and used. However, the addition of the radio transmitter and receiver in the circuit of the present invention has little effect on other circuits except being inserted in the middle of the connection line. In the configuration of the actual device, the wireless receiving device 602 is coupled to the computer body.

In particular, when transmitting and receiving data using an infrared signal, it is preferable to form a light receiving unit on the front of the computer main body to accurately maintain the reception state of the signal. There is no problem in the case of devices based on radio frequency or Bluetooth standard. In addition, the mouse-type input device has a built-in wireless transmission device in the input device body, and in the case of an antenna or infrared data transmission, it is possible to configure the appearance neatly by transmitting data using a light emitting unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the radio transceiver of FIG.

As shown in the drawing, the wireless transmission device 600 receives a signal output from a mouse-type input device and amplifies the signal by amplifying unit 604 with a sufficient size signal. The amplified signal is synthesized and modulated with the radio signal in the modulator 606 and then transmitted through the transmitter 608. An antenna 603 is connected to the transmitter 608 so that the signal propagates wirelessly.

The radio signal propagated in the air is received by the receiver 612 through the antenna 618 of the radio receiver 602. The received signal is removed from the high frequency part used for the wireless transmission in the demodulator 614, and only the signal part output from the mouse input device is extracted. The extracted signal is amplified again through the amplifier 616 and then input to the main board of the computer for processing. Although one mouse input device has been described in the drawings, the same applies to a pair of mouse input devices. Since the signal processing input from the mouse-type input device is the same as described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the above description, the wireless method using the high frequency band has been described, but it is obvious that the infrared or Bluetooth method can be equally applied.

By distributing various functions to a pair of mouse-type input means having different function buttons as described above, computer work is performed with both hands, thus improving work efficiency and correcting the imbalance of working tax due to use in parallel with the keyboard. have.

In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible to use a mouse-type input means such as strategy simulation or two-person game play, and evenly distribute the one-sided use of the dominant right hand evenly with both hands, and reduce the number of hand motions required during computer work. By doing so, the keyboard can be used quickly while working.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to connect via a second mouse-type input means without using a desktop or a start button when searching a word or the Internet, and using two pointers (cursors) in an animation work or a game environment. The field of application will be endless, such as moving in the desired direction.

Although the invention has been described in detail only with respect to the described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, and such variations or modifications will belong to the appended claims. .

Claims (12)

In the mouse-type input device for a computer to process the control signal input through the micro-switch and the position signal input by using the ball in the control controller to input to the computer, A first mouse input means 200 having a plurality of function buttons assigned with a specific function used in a program, And a second mouse input means 300 having a plurality of function buttons assigned to different functions different from those assigned to the first mouse input means 200. The first and second mouse-type input means (200,300) is a mouse-type input device for a computer characterized in that it is configured to process a predetermined signal sequentially or simultaneously in the control controller to input to the computer to perform the necessary operation. The method of claim 1, The first and second mouse-type input means 200 and 300 are connected to the main board through serial connectors, respectively, and different interrupts (IRQs) are assigned to the mouse-type input devices for the first and second computer in the main board of the computer. Mouse-type input device for a computer, characterized in that to distinguish between the operating state (200,300). The method of claim 1, The first and second mouse-type input means (200,300) are connected to the main board through the USB port, respectively, characterized in that the operating state of the first and second mouse-type input means (200,300) in the main board of the computer is distinguished. Mouse-type input device for the computer. The method of claim 1, The first mouse input unit 200 includes an execution button 1 for executing a program, a menu button 2 for activating a menu, and a copy button for copying an object such as a designated text or an image. 10) and a mouse type input device for a computer, comprising a special character button 20 for activating a character table to input a special character. The method of claim 1, The second mouse type input unit 300 includes a plus button 40 for performing an object enlargement function in a state where a page up function and a range are specified, and a paste button for pasting an object in a copy or cut state to a page on a screen. (50), a mouse-type input device for a computer, comprising a minus button (60) and a clear button (70) for performing an object reduction function in a state where a page down function and a range are specified. The method of claim 1, In order to distinguish the cursor input states of the first mouse input means 200 and the second mouse input means 300, one cursor is displayed in white and the other mouse is displayed in black. Type input device. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a black pointer selection button 80 and the black pointer cancel button 90 of the second mouse input means 300, when the black pointer selection button 80 is pressed to a basic board including a basic menu A mouse-type input device for a computer, characterized in that for converting and activating a cursor, and performing a function of returning a specific menu to which the black pointer cancel button 90 is activated. The method of claim 7, wherein The mouse-type input device for a computer, characterized in that the menu activated by the black pointer selection button 80 can be changed by designating a menu bar of a specific application. The method of claim 1, By installing a fixing member to attach and detach the function buttons attached to the mouse-type input means in the opposite position of the mouse-type input means, it is possible to adjust the position of the function buttons according to the characteristics of the right hand user or left hand user Mouse input device for computer. The method of claim 1, And a wireless transmission device (600) and a wireless reception device (602) are inserted between the mouse input means and the computer to wirelessly transmit the control signal of the mouse input means. The method of claim 10, The wireless transmitting device 600 and the wireless receiving device 602 are configured to use data transmission and reception using a radio frequency (RF), data transmission and reception using an infrared transmission method, or a data transmission and reception method satisfying a Bluetooth standard. Computer-type mouse input device. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein The mouse type input device for a computer, characterized in that the wireless transmitting device 600 and the wireless receiving device 602 are integrally inserted and installed in a mouse type input device and a computer, respectively.