JPH07281825A - Coordinate information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a coordinate information input device which does not read coordinate position at the time when it is not in operation. CONSTITUTION:This coordinate information input device includes a main body, a movable member 11 for coordinate information input which is provided in the main body, a coordinate position sensor 13 which detects the motion of the movable member 11, an operation switch 12 which is provided in the main body or movable member 11, and a control circuit 14 which outputs a coordinate information signal based upon the detection signal of the coordinate position sensor and an operation signal indicating the operation state of an operation switch. Contact sensors 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 are connected to the coordinate information input device 10 at positions which are touched by hand, fingers, etc., of an operator at the time of operation and the coordinate information input device 10 is so constituted that the detection signal of the coordinate position sensor is not inputted to the control circuit when the contact sensors detect nonoperation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate information input device such as a mouse, a trackball, or a joystick for inputting information relating to XY coordinate positions in a computer system, a word processor or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a joystick is known as such a coordinate information input device. That is,
The joystick includes a main body, a stick-shaped movable member that is swingably supported on the movable member so as to extend upward from an upper surface of the main body, and an operation switch provided on an upper end of the movable member. It consists of and.

According to the joystick thus constructed, the operator first grips the movable member with the palm and
An operation switch composed of a push button provided on the upper end of the movable member is lightly touched with a thumb. From this state, the operator tilts the movable member in a desired direction. As a result, the tilt direction and tilt angle of the movable member are detected, converted into a coordinate information signal by the control circuit, and output to a computer or the like. further,
When the operator presses the push button with his thumb, an ON / OFF signal by the operation of the push button is similarly output to the computer or the like by the control circuit.

Thus, in the computer etc.,
On the screen, the cursor is moved corresponding to the operation of the movable member, and the operation of the push button
The coordinate position at that time will be determined.

[0005]

However, in the joystick 1 having such a structure, the sensor for detecting the swing of the movable member is always operating during use. Therefore, even when the operator does not operate, that is, the operator grips the movable member and presses the push button 5
Even when the thumb is not touched, the sensor detects the tilt direction and tilt angle of the movable member at that time and outputs a detection signal to the control circuit.

Therefore, when the detection signal of the coordinate position sensor changes subtly or when an abnormal force is inadvertently applied to the movable member, the detection signal which should be constant should change. As a result, there is a problem that the cursor on the screen of a computer or the like moves.

It is known that such a problem similarly occurs not only in the above-mentioned joystick but also in a coordinate information input device such as a mouse, a trackball or a palm seat mouse.

In view of the above points, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate information input device in which reading of the coordinate position is not performed during non-operation.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the above object is to provide a main body, a movable member provided in the main body for inputting coordinate information, and a coordinate position sensor for detecting the movement of the movable member. Coordinates including an operation switch provided on the main body or the movable member, and a control circuit for outputting a coordinate information signal based on a detection signal of the coordinate position sensor and an operation signal indicating an operating state of the operation switch, In the information input device, at the position where the operator's hand or finger touches during operation,
A contact information sensor is provided, and when the contact sensor detects non-operation, the detection signal of the coordinate position sensor is prevented from being input to the control circuit. It

In the coordinate information input device according to the present invention, preferably, the movable member has a stick shape, and the contact sensor is provided at an upper end of the movable member.

Further, the coordinate information input device according to the present invention is
Preferably, the movable member has a ball shape, and the contact sensor is provided on the surface of the movable member.

Further, in the coordinate information input device according to the present invention, preferably, the movable member has a ball shape, and the contact sensor is provided on the surface of the main body.

[0013]

According to the above construction, since the contact sensor does not detect the operator's palm, finger or the like when not operating, the detection signal from the coordinate position sensor is controlled based on the detection signal from the contact sensor. No input to the circuit. This prevents the detection signal from the coordinate position sensor from being input to the control circuit when an abnormal force is inadvertently applied to the movable member or the detection signal from the coordinate position sensor changes subtly during non-operation. . Therefore, when not in operation, the output signal from the coordinate information input device is kept constant, so that the cursor on the screen of the computer or the like can be kept stationary.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a joystick to which a coordinate information input device according to the present invention is applied. The joystick 10 extends substantially perpendicularly to a main body (not shown) and is movably supported so as to be swingable. It includes a member 11 and an operation switch 12 provided on the upper end of the movable member 11.

Further, the joystick 10, like the conventional joystick, has a coordinate position sensor 13 for detecting the tilt direction and tilt angle of the movable member 11, and a coordinate information signal and operation based on the detection signal of the coordinate position sensor. And a control circuit 14 that outputs an operation signal indicating the operating state of the switch 12.

The above structure is the same as that of the conventional joystick, but the joystick 10 according to the present invention is used.
In FIG. 1, a conductive material 15 is provided on the surface of the operation switch 12 at the upper end of the movable member 11, as shown in FIG. The conductive material 15 has a contact portion 15a drawn to the outside of the movable material 11 that is grounded via a resistor 16 and is also connected to a pulse power source via a capacitor 17. As a result, the capacitor 17 is alternately charged and discharged at regular time intervals. Then, before discharging the capacitor 17, the contact portion 15a of the conductive material 15 is scanned by the detecting portion 18 to detect the potential of the conductive material 15.

Here, when the operator touches the conductive material 15 on the surface of the operation switch 12 which is the operation section,
Although the potential of the contact portion 15a is relatively low, the operator
When the conductive material 15 is not touched, the contact portion 1
The potential of 5a becomes relatively high. Therefore, based on the potential of the contact portion 15a detected by the detection unit 18, the determination unit 19
Determines whether the joystick 10 is operated or not.
As a result, when it is determined that the coordinate position sensor 13 is not operated, the determination unit 19 controls the switch unit 20 inserted between the coordinate position sensor 13 and the control circuit 14 to detect the detection signal of the coordinate position sensor 13. Is not output to the control circuit 14.

FIG. 2 shows a concrete example of the configuration of the joystick according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the joystick 21 includes a coordinate position sensor 23, an actuator rubber 24, which are pressure-sensitive elements sequentially stacked on the bottom surface of a case 22, a stick-shaped movable member 25 by molding, and the movable member 25. A metal plate 26 attached to the upper end, and a conductive rubber cap 27 that covers the movable plate 25 from above the metal plate 26.
And a screw 29 screwed from the lower side of the case 22 to the lower surface of the movable member 25 via a + shaped spring 28 (in this case, the operation switch at the upper end of the movable member 25 is omitted. ).

Here, the movable member 25 is tilted in any direction by the action of the spring 28 so that the case 2 can be tilted.
Will be supported for 2. As a result, due to the inclination of the movable member 25, the flange portion 25 projecting to the periphery at the lower end of the movable member 25 in the inclined direction.
The a pushes the actuator rubber 24 downward against the sensor 23. As a result, the sensor 23
The pressure is detected at the pressed portion and a detection signal corresponding to the pressure is output.

The conductive rubber cap 27 is brought into contact with the metal plate 26 and the metal plate 2
The lead wire 6 extends downward through the inside of the movable member 25 and then extends laterally from the lower surface of the movable member 25.
6a.

The joystick 21 to which the coordinate information input device according to the present invention is applied is configured as described above, and at the time of operation, the operator first holds the movable member 25 with the palm, and at the same time, moves the movable member 25. Gently touch the operation switch consisting of a push button on the top with your thumb. At this time, since the conductive material 27 is grounded via the operator's thumb, the charge of the capacitor 17 is connected from the conductive material 27 to the ground through the operator to the metal plate 26. It will be discharged through the lead wire 26a. Therefore, the potential of the contact portion 15a becomes relatively low, and therefore the determination unit 19 determines that the operation state is in effect and turns on the switch circuit 20 based on the relatively low potential detected by the detection unit 18. .

From this state, the operator tilts the movable member 25 in a desired direction. As a result, the tilt direction and tilt angle of the movable member 25 are detected by the coordinate position sensors 3 and 23, and the detection signal is input to the control circuit 14 via the switch circuit 20. Here, the control circuit 14
Converts the detection signals from the coordinate position sensors 13 and 23 into coordinate information signals and outputs them to, for example, a computer or the like. Further, when the operator presses the push button with the thumb, the control circuit 14 similarly outputs an on / off signal to the computer or the like by operating the push button.

When not in operation, the conductive material 27 is at a relatively high potential. Therefore, the discriminating unit 19 detects
Since the potential of the contact portion 15a detected by is relatively high,
The switch circuit 20 is turned off when it is determined that the switch is not operated. As a result, when the switch circuit 20 is off when the coordinate position sensors 13 and 23 are not operated,
It is not input to the control circuit 14.

Thus, when an abnormal force is inadvertently applied to the movable member 25 or the detection signals of the coordinate position sensors 13 and 23 slightly change, the coordinate position sensor 1
The detection signals from 3 and 23 are not input to the control circuit 14. Therefore, when not operated, the output signal from the joystick 10 is kept constant, so that the cursor on the screen of the computer or the like can be kept stationary.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the coordinate information input device according to the present invention is applied to a mouse. That is, in FIG. 3, the mouse 30 includes a ball 31 for inputting coordinate information (shown by a dotted line), a case 32 for accommodating the ball 31 so that a part of the surface of the ball 31 is exposed to the outside, and A cover 33 which covers the case 32, a push button 34 arranged at one end of the cover 33, and a switch (not shown) arranged in the case 32 and operable by the push button 34. ) And a coordinate information signal based on a rotation amount and a rotation direction of the ball 31 and a signal indicating an operating state of the switch, that is, ON or OFF, are transmitted via a connection cord 35. It is configured.

Here, the mouse 30 is provided with a conductive material 36 on the surface of the push button 34 which is the operation portion thereof. This conductive material 36 is, like the case of the joystick 10 shown in FIG.
By connecting to the resistor and the capacitor, the potential of the lead wire is detected by a detection unit (not shown). Also,
The detection signal of the coordinate position sensor that detects the rotation direction and the amount of rotation of the ball 31 is input to the control circuit via the switch circuit, and the control circuit outputs the coordinate information signal based on the detection signal from the coordinate position sensor. It is designed to output. Further, based on the detection signal from the detection unit, a determination unit (not shown) detects whether the operating state or the non-operation state, and when in the non-operation state, the control circuit from the determination unit turns off the switch circuit. It is supposed to be done.

According to the mouse 30 constructed as described above, the operator is required to operate the case 32 and the cover 33 during operation.
With the finger lightly grasped by the palm, the whole is moved on the surface of the table or the like by pressing the finger on the push button 34. In this case, since the conductive material 36 is touched by the operator's finger or the like, the potential of the conductive material 36 is relatively low. Therefore, the determination unit determines that it is in the operating state and turns off the switch circuit. Thus, as the mouse 30 moves, the ball 3
1 rotates, and its rotation direction and amount are detected by a coordinate position sensor, converted into a coordinate information signal by a control circuit, and then output to a computer or the like via a connection cord 35. .

Further, it is determined by the detection unit that the non-operation state is in the non-operation state based on the potential of the conductive material 36.
To be detected. As a result, the determination unit turns off the switch circuit, so that the detection signal of the rotation direction and the rotation amount by the rotation of the ball 31 by the coordinate position sensor is not input to the control device, and thus is not output from the mouse 30 to the outside.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the coordinate information input device according to the present invention is applied to a trackball. That is,
In FIG. 4, the trackball 40 is composed of a ball 41 (dotted line) for inputting coordinate information, a case 42 for accommodating the ball 41 so that a part of the surface of the ball 41 is exposed to the outside, and a case 42 for the case 41. A cover 43 which covers 42, a push button 44 arranged at one end of the cover 43, and a switch (not shown) arranged in the case 42 and operable by the push button 44. And a coordinate information signal based on the rotation amount and rotation direction of the ball 41 and a signal indicating the operating state of the switch, that is, ON or OFF, are transmitted via the connection cord 45. Has been done.

Here, the trackball 40 is provided with a conductive material 46 on the surface of a push button 44 which is an operating portion thereof. As in the case of the joystick 10 shown in FIG. 1, this conductive material 46 is connected to a resistor and a capacitor through a lead wire (not shown),
The potential of the lead wire is detected by a detector (not shown). A detection signal of a coordinate position sensor that detects the rotation direction and rotation amount of the ball 41 is input to a control circuit via a switch circuit, and the control circuit detects coordinate information based on the detection signal from the coordinate position sensor. It is designed to output a signal. Further, based on the detection signal from the detection unit, a determination unit (not shown) detects whether the operating state or the non-operation state, and when in the non-operation state, the control circuit from the determination unit turns off the switch circuit. It is supposed to be done.

The trackball 40 constructed as described above
According to the above, the operator pushes the button 4 with his / her finger while holding the case 42 and the cover 43 lightly with the palm during operation.
Ball 41 whose surface is partially exposed to the outside
By rotating, the whole is moved on the surface of the table or the like.
In this case, the potential of the conductive material 46 is relatively low because the operator's finger or the like touches the conductive material 46.
Therefore, the determination unit determines that it is in the operating state and turns off the switch circuit. Thus, ball 4 of trackball 40
The ball 41 rotates in accordance with the rotation of 1, and the rotation direction and the rotation amount thereof are detected by the coordinate position sensor and converted into a coordinate information signal by the control circuit, and then the connection cord 4
It is adapted to be output to a computer or the like via 5.

Further, it is determined by the detection unit that the non-operation state is in the non-operation state based on the potential of the conductive material 46.
To be detected. As a result, when the discriminating unit turns off the switch circuit, the detection signal of the rotation direction and the rotation amount by the rotation of the ball 41 by the coordinate position sensor is not input to the control device, and therefore is not output from the trackball 40 to the outside. It is like this.

In the embodiments described above, the joystick 10, mouse 30 and trackball 4 are respectively provided.
Although the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to No. 0 has been described, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to other coordinate information input devices such as a palm sheet mouse.

As the contact sensor for detecting the operator's palm, fingers, etc., the conductive material 1 provided in the operating portion is used.
5, 27, 36, 46, a resistor and a capacitor connected to the conductive material, a detection unit for detecting the potential of the contact point of the conductive material, and a sensor device including a determination circuit are used. Not limited to this, it is obvious that a contact sensor having another configuration, such as a capacitance sensor, may be used.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the contact sensor does not detect the operator's palm, finger or the like when not in operation. Therefore, the coordinate position is detected based on the detection signal from the contact sensor. The detection signal from the sensor is not input to the control circuit. This allows the output signal from the coordinate information input device to be kept constant even when an abnormal force is inadvertently applied to the movable member or the detection signal of the coordinate position sensor changes slightly during non-operation. As a result, the cursor on the screen of the computer or the like can be held stationary. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an extremely excellent coordinate information input device in which the reading of the coordinate position is not performed during the non-operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a joystick to which a coordinate information input device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a specific example of a joystick in the coordinate information input device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a mouse to which the coordinate information input device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a trackball to which the coordinate information input device according to the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 21 Joystick (Coordinate information input device) 11, 25 Movable member 12 Operation switch 13, 23 Coordinate position sensor 14 Control circuit 15, 36, 46 Conductive material 16 Resistor 17 Capacitor 18 Detection unit 19 Discrimination unit 20 Switch circuit 22, 32 , 42 case 24 actuator rubber 26 metal plate 27 conductive rubber cap 28 spring 29 screw 30 mouse (coordinate information input device) 31, 41 ball 33, 43 cover 34, 44 push button 35, 45 connection code 40 trackball (input coordinate information) apparatus)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A main body, a movable member for inputting coordinate information, which is provided in the main body, a coordinate position sensor for detecting a movement of the movable member, an operation switch provided in the main body or the movable member, In a coordinate information input device, including a control circuit that outputs a coordinate information signal based on a detection signal of the coordinate position sensor and an operation signal indicating the operating state of the operation switch, the operator's hand or finger during operation. A contact sensor is provided at a position touched by, and when the contact sensor detects non-operation, the coordinate position sensor detection signal is prevented from being input to the control circuit. apparatus. 2. The coordinate information input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member has a stick shape, and the contact sensor is provided at an upper end of the movable member. 3. The coordinate information input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member has a ball shape, and the contact sensor is provided on a surface of the movable member. 4. The coordinate information input device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member has a ball shape, and the contact sensor is provided on a surface of the main body.