WO2008063021A1

WO2008063021A1 - Pointing device and electronic device having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2008063021A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005909
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang Gweon Chang; Dai Hwan Kim; Yeung Jun Park
Original assignee: Innochips Technology Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-11-24
Filing date: 2007-11-22
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: KR100852161B1; KR20080047108A

Abstract

A pointing device and an electronic device having the same are provided. The pointing device includes an operation means that is moved by a user, an intermediate member including a spiral pattern for applying a restoring force to the operation means, and a detector for detecting the movement of the operation means and outputting electrical signals. It is possible to move a magnet member or to return the magnet member to an initial position by using the intermediate member including the spiral pattern. Further, since the intermediate member may be made of metal or plastic, abrasion resistance of the intermediate member can be improved.

Description

POINTING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING

THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a pointing device and an electronic device having the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a pointing device that can move and return a magnet by using an intermediate member which is formed by patterning a thin metal plate so as to have an elastic force, thereby moving a pointer and a cursor on a screen of a terminal, and an electronic device having the pointing device. Background Art

[2] Electronic devices are designed to have smaller size and to be easily operated by using a graphic user interface (GUI) method. Various input devices, such as a mouse and a touch pad, are used to control a pointer of a graphic user interface.

[3] In recent years, an input device which detects two dimensional movements of a magnet by using sensors and controls a pointer on a screen is used. The sensor detects moving direction and intensity of the magnet. The input device includes a silicon rubber provided on a substrate, a magnet disposed on the silicon rubber, and a sensor attached to the lower surface of the substrate. When the magnet moves, the silicon rubber also moves with the magnet. When the magnet stop moving, the magnet returns to an initial position due to an elastic force of the rubber. However, in the conventional input device, the silicon rubber is easily damaged due to friction between the silicon rubber and the substrate. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] The present invention provides a pointing device and an electronic device having the same that can move a magnet and return the magnet to an initial position by using an intermediate member, where the intermediate member has a spiral elastic region formed in a thin metal plate and excellent abrasion resistance. Technical Solution

[5] According to an aspect of the present invention, a pointing device includes an operation means that is moved by a user, an intermediate member including a spiral pattern by which the operation means obtains restoring force, and a detector for detecting the movement of the operation means and outputting electrical signals.

[6] The intermediate member may include a plate-shaped connection part provided at a central region thereof, a band-shaped fixed part provided at a border thereof, and a patterned part in which a spiral line is patterned between the connection part and the fixing part. The thicknesses of the connection part, the fixing part, and the line may be the same or different from one another. Alternatively, the thicknesses of at least two of the connection part, the fixed part, and the line may be the same. The thickness of the connection part and the fixed part may be the same. The width of the line may be the same as the thickness of the connection part. One end of the line may be connected to the connection part and the other end thereof may be connected to the fixing part. The line may turn along the periphery of the connection part so that the turning diameter is gradually increased. The intermediate member may be made of metal or plastic, and may be formed of a plate-shaped single body. The line may have a polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape in sectional view.

[7] The operation means may include a magnet unit and an operation member for moving the magnet unit. The detector may include a magnetic sensor unit for detecting the movement of the magnet unit. The pointing device may further include a seating member on which the magnet unit is seated. Further, the connection part may include a through hole, and a part of the seating member may extend through the through hole.

[8] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device including a control unit for processing data, a display for displaying images and a pointing device for outputting signals used to move a pointer on the display is provided. The pointing device includes an operation means that is moved by a user, an intermediate member including a spiral pattern by which the operation means obtains restoring force, and a detector for detecting the movement of the operation means and outputting electrical signals.

Advantageous Effects

[9] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to move a magnet member or return the magnet member to an initial position by using an intermediate member including a spiral pattern.

[10] Further, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate member may be made of metal or plastic. Accordingly, abrasion resistance of the intermediate member can be improved.

[11] Furthermore, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a thin plate-shaped intermediate member is used. Accordingly, the thickness of the pointing device can be reduced and compact design is possible.

[12] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be embodied in many different forms. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention will only be defined by the appended claims. Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[14] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a pointing device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an intermediate member of the pointing device according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[16] FIGS. 3 to 5 are schematic diagrams of intermediate members of variants of the first exemplary embodiment;

[17] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the pointing device according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[18] FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of the pointing devices according to the variants of the first exemplary embodiment;

[19] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a pointing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[20] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an intermediate member of the pointing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[21] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements in drawings.

[22] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a pointing device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an intermediate member of the pointing device according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 3 to 5 are schematic diagrams of intermediate members of variants of the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the pointing device according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of the pointing devices according to the variants of the first exemplary embodiment.

[23] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a pointing device according to this exemplary embodiment includes: a substrate 100; a magnet unit 300 provided on the substrate 100; an operation member 400 for moving the magnet unit 300 through the user s operation; an intermediate member 200 for moving and returning the magnet unit 300 and the operation member 400; and a sensor unit 600 for detecting a change in magnetic field caused by the movement of the magnet unit 300 and generating a predetermined output signal.

[24] In this case, a printed circuit board may be used as the substrate 100. A shape of the substrate 100 may be changed into various shapes depending on an electronic device in which the pointing device is employed. A dome switch 110 is provided on the substrate 100. Of course the present invention is not limited to the dome switch 110, but various switches may be used. Any switches which have click-feeling and are automatically restored to an initial position thereof after pressing may be used. Further, although not shown, a signal output port to be connected to an external system is provided at one side of the substrate 100. In a case where a main board inside the electronic device is used as the substrate 100 according to this exemplary embodiment, the signal output port may be omitted.

[25] The intermediate member 200 is formed in a shape of a thin plate having a spiral pattern 220 as shown in FIG. 2. The plate may be formed in a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or an elliptical shape.

[26] The intermediate member 200 includes a connection part 210 formed at the center thereof, and a fixing part 230 formed at the border thereof. The connection part 210 is formed in a shape of a substantial plate, and the fixed part 230 is formed in a shape of a band. In this case, the pattern 220 is formed in a region between the connection part 210 and the fixed part 230, and a line having the same thickness as the connection part 210 and the fixed part 230 is patterned in a spiral shape. That is, one end of the line is connected to the connection part 210, and the line turns around the periphery of the connection part 210 beginning at the connecting region so that the turning diameter is gradually increased. Further, the other end of the line is connected to the fixing part 230. The connection part 210, the pattern 220, and the fixed part 230 may be formed of a single body. In this case, it is effective that metal or plastic may be used as the body. The above-mentioned pattern 220 of the intermediate member 200 may be formed by a molding process, or may be formed by punching a thin plate. Therefore, the pattern can be manufactured in large quantities at low cost. The pattern 220 may be formed by removing a portion of the thin plate through etching. The present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the connection part 210, the pattern 220, and the fixed part 230 may be separately formed, and then may be welded to each other or adhered to each other by an adhesive.

[27] In this case, the thickness of the plate-shaped body of the intermediate member 200 may be in the range of 0.01 to 1 mm. Since the intermediate member 200 has the above-mentioned thickness, the intermediate member can be easily deformed and then restored. Further, since the entire thickness and size of the pointing device including the intermediate member 200 can be significantly reduced, it is possible to manufacture a compact pointing device.

[28] The elastic force of the intermediate member 200 can be controlled through variation of the pattern 220 of the intermediate member 200. The elastic force of the intermediate member may vary depending on the number of turns of the spiral line, the width of the spiral line, a distance between the turing lines having different diameters, and a distance between the line, the connection part 210 and the fixing part 230. Although the line has a rectangular cross-section in FIG. 1, but this embodiment is not limited thereto. The line may have a polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape in sectional view.

[29] The line may turn twice between the connection part 210 and the fixed part 230 as shown in FIG. 2, and the width of the line may be the same as the distance between the lines. Alternatively, the line may turn three times as shown in FIG. 3, and the width of the line may be larger than the distance between the lines. Further, the number of turns of the line may be 1.5 as shown in FIG. 4, and the width of the line may be smaller than the distance between the lines.

[30] The number of turns of the line, the width of the line, and the distance between the lines are not limited thereto, and may vary. The number of turns of the line may be in a range of 1 to 100. When the number of turns of the line is smaller than 1, it is difficult to obtain a desirable elastic force. Further, when the number of turns of the line is larger than 100, the width of the line is significantly decreased, whereby the line of the pattern 220 can be easily broken and the pointing device can be hardly applicable to a compact electronic device due to the increased size of the pattern 220. In addition, the width of the line may be in a range of 0.1 to 10 mm. Wehn the width of the line is smaller than the above-mentioned range, the line is easily broken. When the width of the line is larger than the above-mentioned range, the size of the intermediate member 200 is increased. Furthermore, the distance between the lines may be in a range of 0.1 to 10 mm. When the distance between the lines is smaller than the above-mentioned range, the elastic force of the pattern 220 is decreased. When the distance between the lines is larger than the above-mentioned range, the pattern 220 easily sags toward the substrate 100.

[31] The distance between the lines in the pattern 220 of this exemplary embodiment is increased or decreased by an external force. Accordingly, the pattern can be deformed on the plane of the plate in two dimensional directions. When the external force is removed, the distance between the lines is restored to the initial state. As described above, the pattern 220 behaves like a spring, so that an elastic force is generated. For example, the connection part 210 can be moved on the plane of the plate in X and Y directions, and the connection part 210 can also be turned in a clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction. In addition, the connection part 210 can be moved in a direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The pattern 220 of the intermediate member 200, which is used in the pointing device according to this exemplary embodiment, may be applied under the optimum conditions of the above- mentioned ranges on the basis of the size and characteristics of an electronic device to which the pointing device is employed.

[32] Further, the spiral line used as the pattern 220 may be formed to rotate perpendicularly to the horizontal plane of the plate-shaped connection part 210 and the fixed part 230 as shown in FIG. 5. Before the spiral line is rotated, the thickness of the intermediate member 200 may be 0.2 mm, the width of the line may be 1 mm, and the distance between lines may be 1 mm. After the spiral line is rotated by 90 as described above, the width of the line is changed to 0.2 mm and the distance between the lines is changed to 1.4 mm. As the distance between the lines is increased as described above, the moving distance of the connection part 210 can be further increased.

[33] Meanwhile, the fixed part 230 of the intermediate member 200 is fixed to the substrate 100 by a mold frame 500 or a case 501. As shown in FIG. 1, the mold frame 500 may be formed in a band shape to partially surround the border of the fixed part 230 of the intermediate member 200. The mold frame 500 may be formed on the substrate 100 by using an adhesive or a fixing member. A fixing protrusion may be formed on the mold frame 500, and a through hole (not shown) may be formed in the fixed part 230 of the intermediate member 200. The fixing protrusion of the mold frame 500 is inserted into the through hole of the fixed part 230, so that the fixed part is fixed to the substrate 100. As a result, the intermediate member 200 is fixed to the substrate 100. Alternatively, a fixing protrusion may be formed on the fixed part, and a through hole may be formed in the mold frame. Further, a predetermined fixing groove or fixing protrusion may be formed at one side of the fixed part 230, and a corresponding fixing protrusion or fixing groove may be formed in the intermediate member 200 to fix the intermediate member 200. Of course the fixing method is not limited thereto. That is, the intermediate member 200 may be fixed by various fixing methods. That is, the intermediate member 200 and the mold frame 500 may be simultaneously fixed to the substrate 100 by separate fixing members such as bolts.

[34] Further, as shown in a variant of FIG. 7, the intermediate member 200 may be fixed by a case 501 that restricts the movement of an operation member 400. Furthermore, as shown in a variant of FIG. 8, the intermediate member 200 may be fixed by a plate- shaped mold frame 500 provided on the substrate 100.

[35] In the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments and variants, the intermediate member 200 is spaced apart from the substrate 100 by a predetermined distance by the dome switch 110. However, when the dome switch 110 is not provided, the in- termediate member 200 may be directly provided on the upper surface of the substrate 100 although not shown. A lubricant member may be provided between the substrate 100 and the intermediate member 200 to allow a smooth movement of the intermediate member 200. Further, a predetermined receiving groove (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 100 to receive the intermediate member 200.

[36] A part of the magnet unit 300 and/or the operation member 400 is fixed to the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200.

[37] The magnet unit 300 is disposed at the central region of the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200. A rectangular magnet which is magnetized in a vertical direction is used as the magnet unit 300. The magnet unit is not limited thereto. That is, magnets which are multipole (two-poles, four-poles, or eight-poles)-magnetized or het- eromorphically multipole magnetized in sectional view may be used as the magnet unit. A circular magnet, an elliptical magnet, a circular band-shaped magnet, or a polygonal magnet may be used as the magnet. The magnet unit 300 may be adhered to the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200 by an adhesive member. The present invention is not limited thereto. That is, a recess is formed on the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200, and the magnet unit 300 may be disposed in the recess.

[38] Further, the operation member 400 is provided on the magnet unit 300 to surround the magnet unit 300. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation member 400 is formed in a shape of a column having a recess inside. The magnet unit 300 is disposed in the recess of the column. A part of the operation member 400 overlaps the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200, and the intermediate member 200 and the operation member 400 of the overlapping region may be adhered to each other by an adhesive member. Accordingly, when the operation member 400 is moved by a force applied from the outside, the intermediate member 200 and the magnet unit 300 can be simultaneously moved in a direction corresponding to the force. Further, when the magnet unit 300 is adhered to the intermediate member 200 as described above, the force of the operation member 400 is applied to the magnet unit 300, and the intermediate member 200 is moved by the force applied to the magnet unit 300. The embodiment is not limited thereto. As shown in the variant of FIG. 7, the magnet unit 300 may be disposed in the inner region of the operation member 400, and a part of the body of the operation member 400 may extend in a lateral direction, so that the separation of the operation member can be prevented by the case 501. Furthermore, a part of the body of the operation member 400 may protrude upwardly, so that a user can easily apply a force to the operation member, and operational feeling can be improved. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the magnet unit 300 may be adhered to the lower surface of the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200. Further, the operation member 400 may be formed in a shape of an inverted truncated cone so that the lower portion of the inverted truncated cone has a size corresponding to a compact connection part 210 and the upper portion thereof is formed to be larger enough to improve the operational feeling of a user.

[39] Furthermore, a magnetic field shielding member may be provided on the magnet unit

300 in order to prevent leakage of the magnetic field of the magnet unit 300 to the outside of the input device. In a case where the magnet unit 300 is provided on the lower surface of the intermediate member 200 as shown in FIG. 8 and a thin metal plate is used as the intermediate member 200, the magnetic field shielding member may be omitted. In this exemplary embodiment, the magnet unit 300 may be omitted depending on a sensor used in the input device.

[40] The sensor unit 600 for detecting a change of the magnetic field caused by the movement of the magnet unit 300 is provided on the lower surface of the substrate 100. The sensor unit 600 includes: a magnetic sensor for detecting a change of the magnetic field caused by the X-directional movement of the magnet unit 300 and for outputing an X coordinate value corresponding to the change of the magnetic field; and another magnetic sensor for detecting a change of the magnetic field caused by the Y- directional movement of the magnet unit and outputting a Y coordinate value corresponding to the change of the magnetic field. Further, the sensor unit includes a control unit (not shown). The control unit amplifies and collects the output of the magnetic sensor, detects the resultant change of the magnetic field, and then outputs the resultant coordinate values.

[41] A plurality of magnetic sensors may be disposed to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the circular magnet. The magnetic sensors may be disposed close to the central region of the substrate as shown in the variant of FIG. 7.

[42] Accordingly, the entire size of the pointing device can be reduced, the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor can be improved. One of a hole element, a semiconductor magne- toresistive element, a ferromagnetic magnetoresistive element, and a GMR (Giant Magneto Resistive) element may be used as the above-mentioned magnetic sensor. An element of which electrical characteristics are changed according to the change of the magnetic field may be used as the magnetic sensor. In this exemplary embodiment, a hole element of which output voltage is changed in proportion to magnetic flux density is used as the magnetic sensor.

[43] The operation of the pointing device having the above-mentioned structure according to this exemplary embodiment will be described below.

[44] As shown in FIG. 1, the magnet unit 300 of the above-mentioned pointing device is positioned at an initial position by the intermediate member 200 in a normal state. The initial position of the magnet unit 300 may be a center region of the magnetic sensors of the sensor unit 600.

[45] In the normal state, that is, when a force is not applied to the operation member 400 of the pointing device, the output of the sensor unit 600 is a value corresponding to a reference point (0,0). Accordingly, the position of the pointer is not changed on a screen.

[46] However, when a user pushes the pointing device in one direction as shown in FIG.

6, the operation of the pointing device is as follows:

[47] If a user pushes the operation member 400 to the left side as shown in FIG. 6A or to the right side as shown in FIG. 6B, the operation member 400 is moved in the pushing direction of a user. The magnet unit 300 fixed to the operation member 400 and the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200 are also moved in the pushing direction of a user. That is, when a pushing force is applied to the operation member to the left side as shown in FIG. 6A, the distance between the spiral pattern 220 corresponding to the left region of the intermediate member 200 is decreased and the distance between the spiral pattern 220 corresponding to the right region of the intermediate member 200 is increased, so that the magnet unit 300 and the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200 are moved to the left side. The magnetic field applied to the sensor unit 600 is changed due to the movement of the magnet unit 300. Further, when a pushing force is applied to the operation member to the right side as shown in FIG. 6B, the pattern 220 expands or contracts in a reverse way, so that the magnet unit 300 and the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200 are moved to the right.

[48] The sensor unit 600 detects the change of the magnetic field caused by the above- mentioned movement of the magnet unit 300, and generates a sensor output different from an output corresponding to the initial position. The control unit detects the change of the sensor output, and moves a cursor of the screen along the moving direction of the magnet unit 300.

[49] Although the user's pushing force is applied in one direction in the above description, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the user's pushing force may be changed continuously, whereby the operation member 400 can linearly move or rotate.

[50] Subsequently, as the user's pushing force is removed, the pattern 220 pushed to one side returns back to the original position. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the spiral lines in the left region, between which the distance is decreased, push against each other. Meanwhile, the spiral lines in the right region, between which the distance is increased, attract each other. Therefore, the initial distance between the spiral lines can be maintained. As a result, the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200 and the magnet unit 300 provided on the connection part can be disposed at the initial position. [51] In addition, the dome switch 110 may be clicked by using the intermediate member

200 of this exemplary embodiment. That is, when the operation member 400 is pushed toward the substrate 100 as shown in FIG. 6C, the operation member 400 moves downward and the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200 also moves downward, so that the dome switch 110 provided below the connection part is turned on. In this case, the pattern 220 provided outside the connection part 210 expands by the external force. Subsequently, as the external force is removed, the expanded pattern 220 is restored to the original state, and the connection part 210 and the operation member 400 also return to the original position.

[52] The pointing device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above description. That is, the pointing device may further include a groove formed at the center of the connection part of the intermediate member, and a seat member wherein a part of the seat member passes through the groove, and a magnet unit is seated on the seat member. A pointing device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to drawings. An overlapping description with the above will be omitted. Further, the following description may be applied to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment.

[53] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a pointing device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an intermediate member of the pointing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[54] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the pointing device according to this exemplary embodiment includes a substrate 100, a magnet unit 300 provided on the substrate 100, a seat member 310 on which the magnet unit 300 is seated, an intermediate member 200, and an operation member 400 for moving the magnet member 300. A part of the seat member 310 passes through a central region of the intermediate member, and a spiral pattern 220 is provided around the central region.

[55] Further, a recess in which the magnet member 300 is seated is formed on the upper surface of the seat member 310. A protrusion protruding from the seat member is formed at the center of the lower surface of the seat member.

[56] The intermediate member 200 includes a connection part 210, a pattern 220, and a fixed part 230 as shown in FIG. 10. A through hole 211 is formed at the center of the connection part 210. The protrusion of the seat member 310 passes through the through hole 211 of the intermediate member 200. The operation member 400 is formed to surround the seat member 310. Accordingly, when the operation member 400 is moved by an external force, the force is applied to the seat member 310. The force applied to the seat member 310 is applied to the through hole 211 of the connection part 210 of the intermediate member 200 by the protrusion. Therefore, the connection part 210 can be moved in a direction corresponding to the external force. This embodiment is not limited thereto, and the seat member 310 may be adhered to the connection part 210 by an adhesive member.

[57] The pointing devices according to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments can be applied to various electronic devices including portable terminals. That is, the pointing devices can be used in various electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, a camcorder, a MP3 player, a PMP, a PDA, a GPS, a laptop computer, a game machine, a remote control, and an electronic dictionary. Each of the electronic devices includes a control unit for processing predetermined signals (data), and a display unit for displaying images. A pointer and a cursor are provided in the display unit. The outputs (coordinate signals) of the sensor unit of the input device are sent to the control unit, and the control unit moves the pointer on the display unit.

[58] The pointing device that can be employed in the electronic devices according to this exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, but may further include various sensors for moving a cursor on a screen and units for driving the sensors. For example, the pointing device may detect the movement of the operation member by using optical sensors, and may move a cursor on a screen.

Claims

[I] A pointing device comprising: an operation means that is moved by a user; an intermediate member including a spiral pattern for applying a restoring force to the operation means; and a detector detecting a movement of the operation means and outputting electrical signals. [2] The pointing device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member comprises a plate-shaped connection part provided in a central region thereof, a band-shaped fixed part provided at a border thereof, and the pattern in which a spiral line is patterned between the connection part and the fixed part. [3] The pointing device of claim 2, wherein thicknesses of the connection part, the fixed part, and the line are the same or different from one another, or the thicknesses of at least two of the connection part, the fixed part, and the line are the same. [4] The pointing device of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the connection part is the same as that of the fixed part, and a width of the line is the same as the thickness of the connection part. [5] The pointing device of claim 2, wherein one end of the line is connected to the connection part and the other end thereof is connected to the fixed part, and the line turns around a periphery of the connection part so that a turning diameter of the line is gradually increased. [6] The pointing device of claim 2, wherein the line has a polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape in sectional view. [7] The pointing device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member is made of metal or plastic. [8] The pointing device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member is formed of a plate-shaped single body. [9] The pointing device of claim 1, wherein the operation means comprises a magnet unit and an operation member for moving the magnet unit, and the detector comprises a magnetic sensor unit for detecting the movement of the magnet unit. [10] The pointing device of claim 9, further comprising a seat member on which the magnet unit is seated.

[I I] The pointing device of any one of claims 2 and 10, wherein the connection part comprises a through hole, and a part of the seat member passes through the through hole. [12] An electronic device comprising: a control unit for processing data; a display unit for displaying images; and a pointing device for outputting signals used to move a pointer on the display unit, wherein the pointing device comprises an operation member that is moved by a user, an intermediate member including a spiral pattern for applying a restoring force to the operation member, and a detector for detecting a movement of the operation member and for outputtng electrical signals.