JP2003131809A - Ball-type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thin and miniaturized ball-type input device of simplified construction which is stable in its operation and easy to maintain. SOLUTION: A ball-type input device rotates the ball 11 corresponding to the position an operator has selected and takes out a signal corresponding to the position of the rotation. The ball is made of a material freely rotatable at a specific place and transparent at least in its outer part. A prescribed reflex pattern which reflects light is integrated into the part made of the transparent material. The device comprises LEDs D1 and D2 and photo transistors T1 and T2. The light applied from the LEDs D1 and D2 reflects on the reflex pattern and reflects to the photo transistors T1 and T2. The position of rotation of the ball 11 is detected by change in light signals of the reflex pattern.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball type input device as a pointing device represented by a mouse, a trackball, etc. for inputting, for example, a personal computer (PC), a mobile terminal device (PDA), a mobile phone and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for simplifying the structure of a ball type input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a PC, a pointing device typified by a mouse, a trackball or the like is generally used as a ball type input device for selecting an icon or the like displayed on a display.

FIG. 13 shows, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-2592.
FIG. 33 is a schematic mechanical diagram of a conventional pointing device as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 33, in which the ball 1 rotates as the operator of the PC moves or operates the pointing device. An X-axis roller 2 and a Y-axis roller 3 are arranged so as to be in contact with the ball 1 along XY axes that are orthogonal to each other with respect to the ball 1.

An X-axis slit disk 5 having slits 4 provided at regular intervals is provided at the tip of the shaft of the X-axis roller 2, and slits 4 are provided at regular intervals at the tip of the shaft of the Y-axis roller 3. The Y-axis slit disk 6 is attached, and the X-axis slit disk 5 and the Y-axis slit disk 6 also rotate according to the rotation of the ball 1. In order to maintain the contact between the ball 1 and the X-axis roller 2 and the Y-axis roller 3, a pressing roller (not shown) is installed in a direction of 45 degrees with respect to the X-Y axes.

An X-axis light emitting diode D1 as an X-axis light emitting element and an X-axis phototransistor T1 as an X-bearing optical element are provided on both sides of the X-axis slit disk 5 with a Y-axis on both sides of the Y-axis slit disk 6. A Y-axis light emitting diode D2 as a light emitting element and a Y axis phototransistor T2 as a Y bearing optical element are installed. That is, a light emitting element and a light receiving element are installed on both X and Y axes.

In such a conventional pointing device, the disks 5, 6 are sandwiched by the slits 4 provided in the disks 5, 6 on two axes (X axis and Y axis) which are in contact with the ball 1 at right angles. The rotational position of the ball 1 is detected by the change of the optical signal between the light emitting element and the light receiving element provided in 1. That is, the rotation direction of the ball 1 is detected by the change of the optical signal between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and necessary signals of the X-axis roller 2 and the Y-axis roller 3 are simultaneously obtained.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional pointing device, the disks 5, 6 are arranged on the two shafts (X-axis roller 2 and Y-axis roller 3).
Since the discs 5 and 6 are provided with the slits 4, the internal structure is complicated.

Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size and thickness, and the X-axis roller 2 and the Y-axis roller 4 that come into contact with the ball 1 are in contact with each other.
Therefore, dust, foreign matter, etc. are likely to adhere to the X-axis roller 2 and the Y-axis roller 3, so that the operation is likely to be unstable, and periodic cleaning may be required. There was a problem that it took time to maintain.

In view of the above, the present invention has a structure in which a slit provided on an axial disk in contact with a ball detects a rotational position by a change in an optical signal between a light emitting section and a light receiving section provided with the disk sandwiched therebetween. By abolishing it, instead, by detecting the rotational position by using the reflection of light at the reflection part formed on the ball itself, the shaft and disk etc. can be omitted, the structure can be simplified, and the size and thickness can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball-type input device that is easy and stable in operation, and is easy to maintain.

[0010]

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is, in a ball type input device for rotating a ball according to a position selected by an operator and for extracting a signal according to the rotational position of the ball, At least one of the balls has a structure in which at least an outer portion that is freely rotatable in a fixed place is made of a light-transmittable material, and a predetermined reflection pattern for reflecting light is provided at the portion made of the light-transmittable material. ,
The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit is configured to be reflected by the reflection pattern and incident on the light receiving unit, and the rotational position of the ball is detected by the change of the optical signal in the reflection pattern. It is characterized by having done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rotational position of the ball is detected by detecting the rotational direction of the ball and extracting both X-axis and Y-axis signals that are orthogonal to each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, both the X-axis signal and the Y-axis signal extracted by the change of the optical signal are independently counted, and the axis signal that reaches earlier by a predetermined numerical value is output, At the same time, all the count values are reset and the counting operation is repeated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ring-shaped printed circuit board having a hole into which the ball is rotatably fitted, and a light emitting section and a light receiving section are connected to the printed circuit board. , Is attached.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the printed circuit board is mounted and supported on a step portion formed in a circumferential direction inside a case for accommodating balls.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the inner portion of the ball is made of a light-shielding material, and the outer portion is made of a light-transmitting material. It is characterized in that a reflector is provided at a plurality of locations to form a reflection pattern.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the ball as a whole is formed of a light transmissive material, and a polygonal body having a plurality of polygonal reflecting surfaces is provided inside the ball to form a reflection pattern. It is characterized by

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a switch means for turning on / off the current supply circuit, which is provided in the current supply circuit for driving the detection circuit for detecting the rotational position of the ball. It is characterized in that it is configured to be turned on / off by the pushing operation of the ball.

The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that elastic means for pushing up the ball is provided in order to return the ball to the original position from the pushing operation.

The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that a ball holding plate for holding the ball rotatably is provided so as to be swingable, and the switch means is operated by the ball holding plate.

The invention according to claim 11 is characterized by comprising an illumination means which is turned on to illuminate the ball.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided a switch means for turning on / off the current supply circuit, which is provided in the current supply circuit for driving the detection circuit for detecting the rotational position of the ball. And a lighting means which is configured to be turned on / off by a pushing operation of the ball and which is turned on so as to illuminate the ball, and the lighting means is interlocked with the operation of the switch means. .

The operation of the invention will be described below.
In the invention according to, the light emitted from the light emitting portion is reflected by the reflection pattern and is incident on the light receiving portion, and the rotational position of the ball is detected by the change of the optical signal of the reflection pattern. Therefore, there is no shaft, no disk on the shaft, and no slits on this disk, the internal structure is simple, and it is easy to reduce the size and thickness. In addition, since the shaft that contacts the ball is not required, dust and foreign matter will adhere. It is difficult to do so, it is possible to stabilize the operation, and periodic cleaning becomes unnecessary.

In the invention according to claim 2, the rotation position of the ball is detected by detecting the rotation direction of the ball.
Both X-axis and Y-axis signals that are orthogonal to each other are extracted and performed. Therefore, not only the right-angled direction but also the diagonal direction is detected.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a cross key mouse or the like that is often used in a mobile phone or the like can be formed with a simple structure, and the device can be made compact. As a result, the mobile phone or the like can be made smaller and thinner. It will be easier and easier to maintain.

In the invention according to claim 4, since the printed circuit board is provided and the light emitting section and the light receiving section are attached to the printed circuit board, the apparatus can be more effectively made compact.

In the invention according to claim 5, since the printed circuit board is placed and supported on the stepped portion inside the case of the apparatus, the apparatus can be more effectively made compact.

In the inventions according to claims 6 and 7, the function as the ball peculiar to the present invention is surely maintained.

In the invention according to claim 8, in order to reduce the power consumption of the device, when the ball is used, the ball is pushed and the power supply circuit is turned off by the switch means.
When the ball is used again, the ball is pushed and the power supply circuit is turned on by the switch means.

In the invention according to claim 9, the ball is returned to the original position from the pushing operation by the elastic means.

In the invention according to claim 10, the pushing operation of the ball is transmitted to the switch means via the ball holding plate.

In the eleventh aspect of the invention, the ball is illuminated by the illuminating means and the state can be clearly known.

In the invention according to claim 12, in order to reduce the power consumption of the device by interlocking the lighting means with the operation of the switch means, when the ball is used, the ball is pushed and the power supply circuit is switched by the switch means. While turning off, the lighting means is turned off, and when the ball is used again, the ball is pushed to turn on the power supply circuit by the switch means and turn on the lighting means.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the pointing device as the ball type input device according to the present invention emits light from a light emitting unit in order to eliminate the unstable operation due to dust or foreign matter which has been a problem in the related art, and to reduce the size and the number of parts. It is characterized in that the reflected light is reflected by a reflection pattern provided on the ball and is incident on the light receiving portion, and the rotational position of the ball is detected by the change of the optical signal of the reflection pattern. -It is comprised as shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 1, the pointing device 10 rotates the ball 11 according to the position selected by the operator, and inputs the position selected by the operator according to the rotation position of the ball 11.

In this embodiment, the rotation position of the ball 11 is detected by detecting the rotation direction of the ball 11.
Both X-axis and Y-axis signals that are orthogonal to each other are extracted and performed. The ball 11 has a structure in which at least an outer portion that is freely rotatable in a fixed place is formed of a light-transmitting material, and a predetermined pattern for reflecting light is provided in the portion of the light-transmitting material. .

Light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) D1 and D2 as light emitting portions and phototransistors T1 and T2 as light receiving portions are arranged in the vicinity of the ball 11, and the LEDs D1 and D2 and the phototransistor T are arranged.
1, T2 are arranged so that rotations in the directions of the X axis and the Y axis which are orthogonal to each other can be detected, and the light emitted from the LEDs D1, D2 is reflected by the reflection pattern of the ball 11 and is incident on the phototransistors T1, T2. The rotation direction of the ball 11 is detected by the change of the optical signal of the reflection pattern, and both the X-axis and Y-axis signals are extracted.

Case 12 of pointing device 10
As shown in FIG. 1, the inside is configured to be openable and closable, a circular opening 13 is formed in the center of the upper cover 10A, and inside the case 12, the ball 11 and the circuit board portion 14 are formed. And the ball fulcrum member 15 are housed. The circuit board portion 14 includes a printed board 16 and lead wires 17.
And two LEDs D1 and D2 and two phototransistors T1 and T2.

The printed circuit board 16 is, as shown in FIG.
It is formed in a circular ring shape and has two L
The EDD1 and D2 and the lead wire 17 are attached, and the two phototransistors T1 and T2 and the lead wire 1 are attached to the upper surface.
7 is attached, and a ball 11 is rotatably fitted and assembled in a hole 18 at the center thereof. The printed circuit board 16 is placed and supported on a step 19 formed in the case 12 in the circumferential direction, and the upper portion of the ball 11 is projected to the outside from the opening 13 of the upper cover 10A.

The bottom of the ball 11 is rotatably supported by a spherical recess 20 formed in the bottom of the case 12 and a plurality of ball fulcrum members 15 arranged in the bottom of the case 12. In this embodiment, since the printed circuit board 16 is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the ball 11, the position of the printed circuit board 16 can be lowered to facilitate the mounting of components, and the upper cover 10A can be placed substantially at the center of the ball 11. Ball 11 protruding from the upper cover 10A because it can be installed near
The exposed portion of the ball 11 is increased, and the operability of the ball 11 is improved.

FIG. 3 shows the pointing device 1 of the above.
It is a circuit block diagram of 0, LEDD1 and the phototransistor T1 are made to adjoin, LEDD2 and the phototransistor T2 are adjoined. These LEDs D1, D2
The phototransistors T1 and T2 are connected to the arithmetic circuit 21, respectively.

When the ball 11 rotates, the LEDD
The light emitted from D1 and D2 is reflected by the reflection pattern on the ball 11 and is incident on the phototransistors T1 and T2, and the arithmetic circuit 21 calculates the rotational position of the ball 11 based on the change in the optical signal of the reflection pattern. , It outputs the rotational position signal.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of the reflection pattern of the ball 11. What is shown in FIG. 4 is the ball 11
Of the inner part of the outer part is formed of a light-shielding material 22 such as a light-shielding resin, and the outer part is formed of a light-transmitting material 23 such as a light-transmitting resin. A circular reflector 24 is provided at the above position to form the above-described reflection pattern.

In the structure shown in FIG. 5, the ball 11 is entirely made of a light transmissive material 25 such as a light transmissive resin, and a plurality of polygonal shapes such as a pentagonal shape and a hexagonal shape are formed inside the ball 11.
A polygonal body 28 composed of the rectangular reflecting surfaces 26 and 27 is provided to form the above-described reflecting pattern. Although not shown, the surface of the ball 11 is covered with a material suitable for lubrication as necessary in order to fix the installation position of the ball 11 and obtain smooth rotation.

6 and 7 show the ball 11 and the LEDD.
Also, an example of the relationship between the photo transistor T and the rotation of the ball 11 and the output waveform of the photo transistor T is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the light emitted from the LEDD is reflected by the reflector 24 and reaches the phototransistor T.

In the case of clockwise rotation, due to the difference in the incident angle of light,
One of the phototransistors T turns on first, and then the other phototransistor T.
When b is turned on and further rotated to the right, light is transferred from the reflector 24 of the ball 11 to the light-shielding material 22 and irradiated, the phototransistor Ta is turned off, and then the phototransistor Tb is turned off. , The output waveform is as shown in FIG.

In the case of the counterclockwise rotation, the output of the phototransistor T is opposite to that in the clockwise rotation, and the output is performed as the output waveform of FIG. 7B. The phototransistors Ta, T
In order to surely perform separation at the time of switching the light irradiated to b, it is preferable to dispose a separation plate 29 between the phototransistors Ta and Tb. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the phototransistors Ta and Tb are housed inside the case 30, and the separating plate 29 is attached to the phototransistor T on the outer surface of the case 30.
It is recommended to stand at the boundary between a and Tb.

The pointing device 1 of this configuration
In the case of 0, the ball 11 is made of a material which allows light to pass through at least the outer portion which is freely rotatable in a fixed place,
A structure in which a predetermined pattern for reflecting light is built in the portion made of the light-transmittable material, the light emitted from the LEDs D1, D2 is reflected by the reflection pattern and enters the phototransistors T1, T2, and the reflection pattern Since the rotational position of the ball 11 is detected by the change of the optical signal of, the two axes (X axis and Y axis), the disk on the two axes and the slit of this disk are not necessary, and the internal structure Will be easier. Therefore, it is possible to easily reduce the size and the thickness, and since the shaft that contacts the ball 11 is not necessary, dust and foreign matter are unlikely to be attached, and it is possible to stabilize the operation and to periodically perform the operation. Maintenance is easy because cleaning is not required.

The above embodiment also has the following advantages. That is, in this embodiment, the rotation position of the ball 11 is detected by detecting the rotation direction of the ball 11 and extracting both the X-axis and Y-axis signals orthogonal to each other. Not only that, but also diagonal movements of a mouse or the like can be detected.

Further, a ring-shaped printed board 16 in which the balls 11 are rotatably fitted is provided, and the printed board 16 has LEDs D1 and D2 and phototransistors T1 and T2 connected to the board 16. Etc., the device can be more effectively made compact, and in particular, the printed circuit board 16 and the ball 11 can be attached.
A step portion 1 formed circumferentially inside a case 12 for housing
Since it is mounted on and supported by the device 9, the device can be more effectively made compact.

Further, the inner portion of the ball 11 is made of a light-shielding material 22 and the outer portion of the ball 11 is made of a light-transmitting material 23, and the inner portion surface is formed at a plurality of places in the outer portion. A reflector 24 is provided to form a reflection pattern, or the ball 11 is entirely made of a light-transmittable material 25, and a plurality of polygonal shapes, such as a pentagonal shape and a hexagonal shape, are formed inside the ball 11. Since the polygonal body 28 including the reflecting surfaces 26 and 27 is provided to form the reflection pattern, the function of the ball 11 having the unique configuration of the present invention can be reliably maintained.

Next, another embodiment of the ball type input device of the present invention will be described. A typical mouse that is normally used as a ball-type input device is the X-axis direction and Y-axis.
A change signal in the axial direction is generated to detect not only the orthogonal direction but also the diagonal movement of the mouse.

In the present embodiment, in order to realize a cross key type mouse used in a mobile phone or the like as the ball type input device of the present invention, it is configured to take out only one signal of the X axis or the Y axis. ing. That is, in FIG. 9, after the optical signal is waveform-shaped by the waveform shaping unit 31, the rotation direction determination unit 32 determines the rotation direction, and the output (either X + or X- of the coordinates in FIG. 10). Or Y + or Y-) to a counter (counting means) 33.

The counter 33 outputs each time an input exceeding a preset numerical value is input, and the output of the counter 33 causes the counter reset 34 to reset the entire counter 33.
To zero. The inputs to the four counters are not opened at one time, but are operated so that they are opened sequentially. Therefore, by counting each independently and outputting only one signal of the X axis or the Y axis that has reached earlier,
The rotation direction of the ball is X +, X-, Y +, Y- in the coordinates in the figure.
You can tell which is which. In FIG. 9, 35
Is a light reflecting portion of the ball 11.

In this embodiment, the cross-key mouse that is often used in mobile phones and the like can be formed with a simple structure, and the mouse can be made compact. As a result, the mobile phone and the like can be easily miniaturized and thinned. Further, there is an advantage that the maintenance is easy.

FIG. 11 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a pointing device represented by a mouse or the like is provided with an additional function. The pointing device 10 is configured not only to rotate the ball 11 but also to use the pushing force to turn the switch means 36 on or off when the ball 11 is pushed.

In this figure, a current supply circuit for driving a detection circuit for detecting the rotational position of the ball 11 is provided,
The switch means 36 for turning on / off the current supply circuit,
When the head of the ball 11 is pushed, it is turned on or off, and the pushing operation is stopped. As a resilient means, a return spring (not shown) built in the switch means 36
It is pushed up and returns to its original position. The return spring may be provided separately from the switch means 36. The switch means 36 is also used as a (click) switch when the icon on the display is clicked using the mouse.

In this embodiment, the ball holding plate 37 having the spherical recess 20 for rotatably supporting the bottom of the ball 11 and having the plurality of ball fulcrum members 15 is swung in the vertical direction in the figure by the fulcrum 38. The ball holding plate 37 is provided so that it can be pushed by one end of the switch means 36. In FIG. 11, 39 is an upper cover of the case, and 40 is a lower cover.

In this embodiment, for example, when there is no rotation signal from the ball 11 for a predetermined time, the switch means 36 is turned off, the power supply circuit is turned off, and the ball 11 is used again. , The ball 11 is pushed, the power supply circuit can be turned on by the switch means 36,
The power consumption of the device can be reduced and the ball 1
The switch means can be easily operated by pushing 1.

Since the ball 11 is configured to return from the pushing operation to the original position by the return spring, the ball 11 is automatically returned to the original position by releasing the hand after the pushing operation. It's convenient. Further, since the pushing operation of the ball 11 is transmitted to the switch means 36 through the ball holding plate 37, the holding of the ball 11 and the pushing mechanism can be formed by a single member, which simplifies the construction.

FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. Also in this embodiment, the mouse is provided with an additional function. That is, at a position near the ball 11,
An illuminating element 41 as an illuminating means that is turned on to illuminate the ball 11 is connected to and supported by a printed board 42. As described above, the ball 11 is made of a light-transmissive material, and the state of the ball 11 can be easily understood by illuminating the ball 11.

At the position near the ball 11, the LED
Since the D1 and D2 and the phototransistors T1 and T2 are provided, the illumination element 41 is provided so as not to interfere with them. According to such an embodiment,
The ball 11 is illuminated by the illumination element 41, and the state can be clearly known.

The lighting element 41 may be interlocked with the operation of the above-mentioned switch means 36. In this case, in order to reduce the power consumption of the device, the switch means 36 turns off the power supply circuit. , When the lighting element 41 is turned off and the ball 11 is used again, the ball 1
The illumination element 41 can be turned on by pressing 1 to turn on the power supply circuit by the switch means 36, and a switch or the like dedicated to the illumination element 41 is not necessary, which simplifies the operation.

[0062]

As described above, according to the ball type input device of the first aspect of the invention, the rotation position is detected by utilizing the reflection of light by the reflection pattern provided on the ball. Therefore, there is no shaft, no disk on the shaft, and no slits on this disk, the internal structure is simple, and downsizing and thinning are easy. Also, since the shaft that contacts the ball is not required, dust and foreign matter will adhere. It is difficult to do so, it is possible to stabilize the operation, and periodic cleaning becomes unnecessary.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the rotational position of the ball is detected, the rotational direction of the ball is detected, and
Since both X-axis and Y-axis signals that are orthogonal to each other are extracted and performed, not only the right-angled direction but also the diagonal direction can be detected together.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a cross key type mouse or the like often used in a mobile phone or the like can be formed with a simple structure, and the device can be made compact. As a result, the mobile phone or the like can be made compact and thin. It becomes easier to maintain and easier to maintain.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the printed circuit board is provided and the light emitting section and the light receiving section are mounted on the printed circuit board, the apparatus can be more effectively made compact.

According to the invention of claim 5, the printed circuit board is mounted and supported on the stepped portion inside the case of the apparatus, so that the apparatus can be more effectively made compact.

According to the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention, the function of the ball unique to the present invention can be reliably maintained.

According to the invention of claim 8, the power consumption of the device can be reduced, and moreover, the switch means can be easily operated by pushing the ball, and the operability is excellent.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the ball is configured to be returned from the pushing operation to the original position by the elastic member, the ball is automatically moved to the original position by releasing the hand after the pushing operation. It is convenient because it is located at.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the pushing operation of the ball is transmitted to the switch means through the ball holding plate, the holding and pushing mechanism of the ball can be formed by a single member, Simple to configure.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the ball can be illuminated by the illuminating means, and the state can be clearly known.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, since the lighting means is made to interlock with the operation of the switch means, the lighting means is turned off by the switch means in order to reduce the power consumption of the device. When the ball is turned off again, the ball can be pressed to turn on the power supply circuit by the switch means and the lighting means can be turned on. It will be easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a ball type input device according to the present invention, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a front sectional view.

2A and 2B are diagrams showing a relationship between a ball and a printed circuit board in the above ball type input device, in which FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG.
Is the front view

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit unit of the ball input device of the above.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing an embodiment of a ball structure in the same ball type input device, in which FIG. 4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is a sectional view.

5A and 5B are views showing another embodiment of the structure of the ball in the ball type input device, wherein FIG. 5A is a plan view and FIG.
Cross section

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a ball, an LED, and a phototransistor.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation of the ball and the output waveform of the phototransistor.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an optical axis separator between two phototransistors.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a circuit unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10: Coordinates for explaining the above embodiment

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

13A and 13B are diagrams showing an outline of a conventional example, where FIG. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13B is a front view of the disk in FIG. 13A.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 pointing device 11 balls D1, D2 LED T1, T2 phototransistor 12 cases 16 printed circuit board 22 Light-shieldable material 23 Light-transmissive material 24 reflector 25 Light-transmissive material 26,27 Reflective surface 28 Polygon 31 Wave shaping section 32 Rotation direction discriminating unit 33 counter 34 Counter reset 36 switch means 37 Ball holding plate 38 fulcrum 41 Lighting element

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A ball type input device for rotating a ball according to a position selected by an operator and extracting a signal according to the rotating position of the ball, wherein the ball has at least an outer portion which is rotatable at a fixed place. The structure is made of a light-transmissive material, and the part made of the light-transmissive material is provided with a predetermined reflection pattern that reflects light. The ball-type input device is characterized in that it is configured to be reflected by a reflection pattern and incident on a light receiving portion, and a rotational position of the ball is detected by a change in an optical signal in the reflection pattern. 2. The rotation position of the ball is detected by detecting the rotation direction of the ball and at the same time, the X axis and the Y axis orthogonal to each other.
2. Both axes signals are extracted and performed.
The ball-type input device described. 3. The X-axis signal and the Y-axis signal extracted by the change of the optical signal are independently counted, and the axis signal which reaches earlier by a predetermined numerical value is output, and at the same time, all the counted values are calculated. The ball input device according to claim 2, wherein the ball input device is reset and the counting operation is repeated. 4. A ring-shaped printed circuit board having a hole in which the ball is rotatably fitted, the light emitting section and the light receiving section being connected and attached to the printed circuit board. The ball type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: 5. The ball type input device according to claim 4, wherein the printed circuit board is mounted and supported on a step portion formed in a circumferential direction inside a case for accommodating balls. 6. The inner portion of the ball is formed of a light-shielding material, and the outer portion of the ball is formed of a light-transmitting material, and reflectors are formed on the inner portion surface and at a plurality of locations in the outer portion. The ball-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the reflection pattern is formed by providing the. 7. The reflection pattern is formed by forming the ball as a whole with a light-transmissive material and providing a polygonal body having a plurality of polygonal reflection surfaces inside the ball. Item 6. The ball type input device according to any one of items 1 to 5. 8. A switch means is provided which is interposed in a current supply circuit for driving a detection circuit for detecting the rotational position of the ball and which turns on / off the current supply circuit. The switch means is used to push the ball. The ball-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the ball-type input device is configured to be turned on / off by a. 9. The ball type input device according to claim 8, further comprising elastic means for pushing up the ball so as to return the ball to the original position from the pushing operation. 10. The ball type input device according to claim 8, wherein a ball holding plate for holding the ball rotatably is provided so as to be swingable, and the switch means is operated by the ball holding plate. . 11. The ball-type input device according to claim 1, further comprising a lighting unit that is turned on to illuminate the ball. 12. A switch means is provided which is interposed in a current supply circuit for driving a detection circuit for detecting the rotational position of the ball and which turns on / off the current supply circuit. The switch means is used to push the ball. 8. The illumination means is configured to be turned on / off by means of and is turned on to illuminate the ball, and the illumination means is interlocked with the operation of the switch means. The ball type input device according to any one of the above.