JP4569250B2 - Input device, input system, and input method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which can input a command into a computer without using a switch and a button. <P>SOLUTION: The inputting device includes a first sensor 1 and a second sensor 2 which output a signal which can specify the moving amount and the moving direction of a mouse 100. When a user rotates the mouse 100, an arithmetic unit 10 specifies the central position of the rotation based on the output of the first sensor and the output of the second sensor, and calculates the rotating direction and the rotating angle. A controller 30 transmits the command according to the specified central position of the rotation, the calculated rotating direction and the rotating angle specified by the arithmetic unit 10 to the computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device connected to a computer, an input system including the computer and the input device, and an input method for giving a command to the computer from the input device.

  A conventional input device (pointing device) typified by a mouse or the like, for example, inputs a command (command) using an electromagnetic switch. When inputting a command, the user presses the switch (click operation). Etc.). However, when operating the mouse, the user presses the electromagnetic switch with the index finger or the middle finger or bends the first joint or the second joint of the other finger with one of the index finger or the middle finger extended. The unnatural operation posture must be maintained, and when it is continued for a long time, fatigue accumulates in the finger muscles, resulting in an increase in the physical burden on the user and the accompanying deterioration in operability. It was. In addition, depending on the usage environment and usage time, input performance (operability) may be deteriorated due to deterioration of the contact part of the electromagnetic switch or malfunction due to dust or dirt entering the mouse itself. .

  In view of this, a command execution method for recognizing a character to be input by a combination of mouse movement directions has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a pointing device that switches information indicating any of the movement direction, the movement amount, and the rotation direction of the main body according to a user's switch operation and outputs the information to a computer has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-87378 (paragraphs 0010 to 0052, FIG. 1) JP-A-11-282620 (paragraphs 0012 to 0018, FIG. 1)

  However, since the command execution method described in Patent Document 1 determines a character to be input only by moving the mouse back and forth, left and right, the user must move the mouse in a complicated manner, and time is required for character input. There is a problem that it takes.

  In the pointing device described in Patent Document 2, a user must switch information input to a computer by operating a switch.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device, an input system, and an input method that can input a command to a computer without using a switch or a button.

  An input device according to the present invention is an input device that is connected to a computer that displays a pointer on a screen and transmits a movement amount and a movement direction to the computer when the pointer is moved, and specifies the movement amount and the movement direction of the input device. A plurality of detection means for outputting possible signals; a transmission means for determining a movement amount and a movement direction of the input device based on the signal output from the detection means; and transmitting information indicating the movement amount and the movement direction to the computer. Based on the signal that can specify the movement amount and the movement direction output from the detection means, it is specified which of the detection means is the rotation center position of the input device, and the rotation direction and rotation with respect to a predetermined reference direction. Information indicating an instruction to the computer according to the calculation means for calculating the angle, the rotation center position specified by the calculation means, and the rotation direction and rotation angle calculated by the calculation means. Characterized in that a control means for transmitting that the command to the computer.

  The calculation means may use the direction from the position of the detection means as the center position to the position of another detection means as the reference direction.

  There may be provided storage means in which the correspondence between the rotation center position, rotation direction and rotation angle and the command is set, and the control means includes the rotation center position specified by the calculation means and the rotation direction calculated by the calculation means. A command corresponding to the rotation angle may be extracted from the storage means.

  Contact detection means for detecting whether or not the input device is in contact with the fixed surface and outputting a detection signal indicating the detection result; and a movement direction detection means for detecting the movement direction of the input device based on the output of the detection means; Based on the detection signal output from the contact detection means, the input device may be provided with a vertical movement determining means for detecting that the input device has touched the fixed surface after being separated from the fixed surface. After detecting that the apparatus is in contact with the fixed surface after being separated from the fixed surface, a command corresponding to the rotation center position, the rotation direction, and the rotation angle may be transmitted to the computer. According to such a configuration, the user can cause the input device to transmit a command to the computer by rotating the input device after contacting or separating the input device.

  The transmission unit may stop transmitting the information indicating the movement amount and the movement direction until the calculation unit finishes calculating the rotation direction and the rotation angle. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the pointer of the display unit of the computer from moving while the input device is rotating.

  When the control means transmits a command to the computer, the control means transmits to the computer information indicating a movement vector opposite to the movement vector from the position when the input device starts to rotate to the position when the rotation ends. May be. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the pointer of the display unit of the computer from moving while the input device is rotating.

  A rotation time fixing means for fixing the rotation center position of the input device may be provided in the vicinity of the detection means. According to such a configuration, the user can easily rotate the input device around the vicinity of the detection means.

  The fixing means at the time of rotation is rod-shaped, and when one end is pressed, the other end with a sharp angle may be fixed so that the input device rotates in the vicinity of the detecting means. Then, when the vicinity of the detection means is pressed against the fixed surface, the input device may be fixed so as to rotate in the vicinity of the detection means.

  A fingerprint detection means for detecting a fingerprint and a fingerprint storage means for storing the fingerprint in advance may be provided, and the control means may check whether the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint detection means matches the fingerprint stored in the fingerprint storage means. If it is determined whether or not they match, the command may be transmitted to the computer. According to such a configuration, the security of the input device can be improved.

  A plurality of fingerprint detection means may be provided, and the fingerprint detection means may be arranged at symmetrical positions when the user places his / her hand on the input device. According to such a configuration, even if the user places the right hand on the input device or the left hand on the input device, the user can use the input device without feeling uncomfortable.

  Three or more detection means may be provided, and the detection means may be installed such that their distances are different from each other. According to such a configuration, the calculation means can specify that the rotation center position is the detection means with the smallest amount of movement detected by each detection means.

An input system according to the present invention determines a movement amount and a movement direction of an input device based on a plurality of detection means for outputting a signal capable of specifying a movement amount and a movement direction of the input device, and a signal output from the detection means. The center position of the rotation of the input device is determined by the transmission means for transmitting information indicating the movement amount and the movement direction to the computer, and the signal that can specify the movement amount and the movement direction output from the detection means. The calculation means for calculating the rotation direction and the rotation angle with respect to a predetermined reference direction, the rotation center position specified by the calculation means, and the rotation direction and rotation angle calculated by the calculation means are specified. in response, an input device and a control means for transmitting a command is information indicating instructions to the computer to the computer, the computer according to commands received from an input device Characterized the early days including the display processing means for displaying on the display means information indicating the received command.

  The display processing unit may cause the display unit to light or blink part or all of the pointer with a color corresponding to the command received from the input device. According to such a configuration, information indicating a command received by the computer can be displayed on the display means.

  The display processing means may cause the display means to light or blink a graphic of a color corresponding to the command received from the input device in the vicinity of the pointer. According to such a configuration, information indicating a command received by the computer can be displayed on the display means.

  The display processing unit may cause the display unit to display information indicating the received command in a window of a color corresponding to the command received from the input device. According to such a configuration, information indicating a command received by the computer can be displayed on the display means.

  An input method according to the present invention is an input method using an input device that transmits a moving amount and a moving direction when moved to a computer that displays a pointer on a screen. Based on the signal that can specify the movement amount and the movement direction output from the plurality of detection means that output the identifiable signal, the center position of the rotation of the input device is specified as the detection means, Calculating a rotation direction and a rotation angle with respect to the reference direction, and transmitting a command, which is information indicating an instruction to the computer, to the computer according to the specified rotation center position and the calculated rotation direction and rotation angle. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to input a command (command) to the computer by moving the main body without using a switch or a button.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The mouse 100 as an example of the input device detects the movement of the mouse 100 on the surface that contacts the fixed surface on the fingertip side (hereinafter referred to as the front side) when the user places his / her hand on the mouse 100. A first sensor (detection means) 1 is provided, and the rear side of the mouse 100 is in contact with the wrist side (hereinafter referred to as the rear side) fixed surface when the user places his / her hand on the mouse 100. A second sensor (detection means) 2 for detecting movement is provided. In addition, the mouse 100 is configured to calculate the movement of the mouse 100 based on the results detected by the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2, the first sensor 1, and the second sensor. 2 includes a storage unit (storage unit) 20 that stores the results detected by 2 and a control unit (control unit, transmission unit) 30 that transmits a command, which is information indicating a command, to a computer to which the mouse 100 is connected. Here, the command is a command to the computer such as a left click, a right click, or a screen scroll. Note that the mouse 100 does not have to be provided with a switch or button for the user to perform a click operation.

  The first sensor 1 is a sensor that outputs a signal that can specify a movement vector (movement direction and movement amount) associated with the movement of the mouse 100. For example, the first sensor 1 is orthogonal to a sphere that rotates according to the movement of the mouse 100 on the horizontal plane. And two rotors that rotate according to the rotation of the sphere, and a rotary encoder that outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of each of the two rotors. One rotor rotates in accordance with the rotation of the sphere toward the front side and the rear side, and the other rotor rotates in a direction perpendicular to the one rotor according to the rotation of the sphere. Therefore, the rotary encoder connected to the shaft of one rotor outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the sphere toward the front side and the rear side (X direction). The rotary encoder connected to the other rotor shaft outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the sphere in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction. For example, one rotary encoder changes the state of the output signal every time the mouse 100 moves a predetermined amount in the X direction. The other rotary encoder changes the state of the output signal every time the mouse 100 moves a predetermined amount in the Y direction.

  The first sensor 1 includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The light receiver emits light and the light reflected by the mouse pad or the like is received by the light receiver so that the movement direction and the movement amount of the mouse 100 are changed. It may be configured to obtain corresponding information and output a signal indicating the information. Further, the first sensor 1 includes an image sensor, and an image obtained by the image sensor is compared with an image obtained before a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 seconds), and based on an image change, the X direction. And the signal which shows the movement amount of a Y direction may be output.

  The configuration of the second sensor 2 is the same as the configuration of the first sensor 1. In order to accurately grasp the rotation of the mouse 100, it is preferable to use a sensor provided with an image sensor rather than using a rotary encoder via a rotor. An example of using a rotary encoder that outputs a two-phase signal that changes the phase difference each time a certain amount of rotation is detected will be described.

  The calculation unit 10 and the control unit 30 are realized by a CPU, for example. The storage unit 20 is realized by, for example, a cache memory built in the CPU, a RAM, or the like.

  The configuration of the calculation unit 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the calculation unit 10. Based on the output of one rotary encoder of the first sensor 1 (X1 in FIG. 2), the calculation unit 10 outputs one pulse each time the first sensor 1 moves a predetermined amount in the X direction. A movement detection unit 21X is provided. The output pulses include a forward pulse and a backward pulse. Further, based on the output of the other rotary encoder of the first sensor 1 (referred to as Y1 in FIG. 2), a movement detector that outputs one pulse each time the first sensor 1 moves a predetermined amount in the Y direction. 21Y is provided. The output pulses include a forward pulse and a backward pulse.

  Further, based on the output of one rotary encoder of the second sensor 2 (X2 in FIG. 2), a movement detector that outputs one pulse each time the second sensor 2 moves a predetermined amount in the X direction. 22X is provided. The output pulses include a forward pulse and a backward pulse. Further, based on the output of the other rotary encoder of the second sensor 2 (referred to as Y2 in FIG. 2), a movement detector that outputs one pulse each time the second sensor 2 moves a predetermined amount in the Y direction. 22Y is provided.

  The determination unit 11 compares the output of the movement detection unit 21X with the output of the movement detection unit 22X, and determines whether or not the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2 are relatively moving in the X direction. judge. Here, when the direction of the movement vector due to the movement of the first sensor 1 and the direction of the movement vector due to the movement of the second sensor 2 are the same, the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2 are Suppose that it has not moved relatively. That is, the mouse 100 is not rotating in a state where the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2 are not relatively moved. In addition, the determination unit 11 compares the output of the movement detection unit 21Y and the output of the movement detection unit 22Y, and whether the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2 are relatively moving in the Y direction. Judge whether or not.

  The determination unit 11 further determines whether or not the mouse 100 is rotating based on the determination result for the X direction and the determination result for the Y direction. It is determined which of the sensors 2 is the rotation center position.

  For example, the distance between the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2 is 3 cm, and the user places the mouse 100 on a fixed surface such as a desk or mouse pad with the position of the second sensor 2 as the center. If the rotation is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise, the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y do not output a pulse between the start of rotation and the end of rotation. However, the movement detection unit 21Y outputs the number of pulses corresponding to the movement of the mouse 100 about 2.12 cm to the left when viewed from above, and the movement detection unit 21X has moved about 0.88 cm to the rear side. Outputs the number of pulses according to. Then, the determination unit 11 can determine that the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2 are moving relatively, that is, the mouse 100 is rotating. If the determination unit 11 determines that the mouse 100 is rotating, the determination unit 11 determines the center position of rotation based on the number of pulses output by the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y. In this case, since the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y do not output a pulse, it is determined that the mouse 100 is rotating around the position of the second sensor 2. That is, it is determined that the rotation center position is the position of the second sensor 2.

  The calculation unit 12 inputs the determination result of the determination unit 11, and calculates the rotation direction and the rotation angle with respect to the reference direction using the outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, and 22Y based on the determination result.

When the position of the second sensor 2 is the rotation center position, the calculation unit 12 calculates the rotation direction and the rotation angle based on the number of pulses output by the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y. That is, from the calculation result of tan ⁻¹ (2.12 / (3-0.88)) = 45 °, it is calculated that the rotation direction of the mouse 100 is counterclockwise and the rotation angle is 45 °. Note that the moving direction on the left side when the mouse 100 is viewed from above is positive, and the counterclockwise rotation direction is positive.

When the user rotates the mouse 100 clockwise by 45 ° on the fixed surface around the position of the second sensor 2, the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit are between the rotation start and the rotation end. 22Y does not output a pulse. However, the movement detection unit 21Y outputs the number of pulses corresponding to the movement of the mouse 100 about 2.12 cm to the right when the mouse 100 is viewed from above, and the movement detection unit 21X has moved about 0.88 cm to the front side. Output the corresponding number of pulses. Then, the determination unit 11 outputs a determination result that the mouse 100 is rotating and that the rotation center position is the position of the second sensor 2. The calculation unit 12 calculates the rotation direction and the rotation angle based on the number of pulses output by the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y. In this case, tan ⁻¹ (−2.12 / ( Since 3-0.88)) = − 45 °, it is calculated that the rotation direction of the mouse 100 is clockwise and the rotation angle is 45 °.

  Then, the calculation unit 12 outputs the determination result of the determination unit 11 (whether or not it is rotating and the center position of rotation) and the calculation result (the rotation direction and the rotation angle) to the control unit 30. The outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, and 22Y are also output to the control unit 30.

  Hereinafter, the calculation unit 12 calculates the rotation direction and the rotation angle, for example, “in a counterclockwise (or clockwise) direction around the position of the first sensor 1 (or second sensor 2). “It is determined that it has rotated x °” or “It has been detected that it has rotated x ° counterclockwise (or clockwise) around the position of the first sensor 1 (or second sensor 2)”. To express.

  When the control unit 30 inputs a signal indicating the position of the rotation center specified by the calculation unit 10 and a calculation result, the mouse 100 is connected to a command predetermined according to the position of the rotation center and the calculation result. To the computer you are using. When it is not detected that the mouse 100 is rotating, the control unit 30 outputs the outputs of the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y or the outputs of the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y. Is transmitted to the computer as a signal representing the movement of. The computer displays a pointer on the display unit, and moves the pointer on the display unit based on a signal indicating movement of the mouse 100. The mouse 100 may use outputs of the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y as signals representing movement, or may use outputs of the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the rotation of the mouse 100 and the command. Data indicating the relationship shown in FIG. 3, that is, the correspondence relationship between the rotation center position, rotation direction, rotation angle, and command is stored in the storage unit 20 in advance. The relationship shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the relationship between the rotation of the mouse 100 and the command is not limited to the illustration in FIG.

  The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2. FIG. 4A shows a state before the mouse 100 is rotated. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the mouse 100 is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2.

  First, a case where the mouse 100 transmits a left click command to the computer will be described (see column A in FIG. 3). For example, the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2, and then the second sensor 2 within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). It is assumed that the mouse is rotated by 45 ° clockwise around the position (that is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture).

  Then, the calculation unit 12 in the calculation unit 10 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the second sensor 2, and based on the outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, and 22Y, the second The sensor 2 is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the sensor 2 and then rotated clockwise 45 ° around the position of the second sensor 2 within a predetermined time (ie, Mouse 100 returns to the original posture). In this case, the reference direction of the rotation direction and the rotation angle is a direction from the position of the second sensor 2 at the start of rotation toward the position of the first sensor 1. The calculation unit 12 outputs the determination result and the calculation result to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 transmits, for example, a left click command to the computer according to the determination result and the calculation result.

  Next, a case where a drag command is transmitted to the computer will be described (see columns B and C in FIG. 3). For example, the user rotates the mouse 100 counterclockwise by 45 ° around the position of the second sensor 2, and then the first sensor 1 and the second sensor are relatively It is assumed that the mouse 100 is moved without moving, that is, the mouse 100 is not rotated, and is further rotated by 45 ° in the clockwise direction around the position of the second sensor 2.

  Then, the calculation unit 12 first determines that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the second sensor 2. If the calculation unit 12 does not detect further rotation within a predetermined time, the control unit 30 transmits a drag command to the computer. Thereafter, when the calculation unit 12 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2, the control unit 30 transmits a drag end command to the computer. To do. Since the mouse 100 is not rotated until the drag end command is transmitted after the drag command is transmitted, the control unit 30 outputs the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y, or the movement detection unit. The outputs of 22X and movement detection unit 22Y are transmitted to the computer as signals representing the movement of mouse 100. The computer can recognize the movement trajectory of the mouse 100 from the signal representing the movement of the mouse 100, and can recognize that the range has been designated.

  It should be noted that the computer may display the color of the area designated in the range reversed from the time when the drag command is transmitted until the time when the drag end command is transmitted.

  In this embodiment, the mouse 100 can transmit a left click command and a drag command to the computer as separate commands.

  Further, when copying the information included in the area specified by the range to another area, the user moves the mouse 100 around the position of the second sensor 2 while the range is specified. Rotate 45 ° counterclockwise. Then, the calculation unit 12 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated 45 ° in the clockwise direction around the position of the second sensor 2. Then, the control unit 30 transmits a drag command to the computer.

  Further, the user moves the pointer on the display unit of the computer so that it points at the copy destination while preventing the mouse 100 from rotating. Thereafter, for example, the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2 while pressing the “Ctrl” key on the computer keyboard. Then, the control unit 30 transmits a drag termination command to the computer. The computer receives the command and recognizes that the “Ctrl” key has been pressed, and stores the information included in the range designation area. When the mouse 100 is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise, the copy is made at the position where the pointer is displayed on the display unit.

  Next, a case where the mouse 100 transmits a right click command to the computer will be described (see column D in FIG. 3). For example, the user rotates the mouse 100 45 degrees in the counterclockwise direction around the position of the first sensor 1, and then, within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), the first sensor 1 It is assumed that the mouse is rotated by 45 ° clockwise around the position (that is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture).

  Then, the calculation unit 12 in the calculation unit 10 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the first sensor 1, and based on the outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, and 22Y, the first The sensor 1 is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the sensor 1 and then rotated clockwise 45 ° around the position of the first sensor 1 within a predetermined time (that is, Mouse 100 returns to the original posture). The calculation unit 12 outputs the determination result and the calculation result to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 transmits, for example, a right click command to the computer according to the determination result and the calculation result.

  Depending on the software installed in the computer, when a right-click command is received, a window for selecting an instruction or the like may be displayed on the display unit of the computer. At this time, when the user moves the mouse 100 so as not to rotate so that the pointer displayed on the display unit points to a predetermined position in the window in order to select an instruction or the like, the control unit 30 Depending on the movement of the mouse 100, the outputs of the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y or the outputs of the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y are transmitted to the computer as signals representing the movement of the mouse 100. Further, the mouse 100 may use an average value of outputs from the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 22X and an average value of outputs from the movement detection unit 21Y and the movement detection unit 22Y as signals representing movement. .

  Then, when the user rotates the mouse 100 45 degrees counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2 and further rotates 45 degrees clockwise within a predetermined time, the control unit 30 transmits a left-click command to the computer. The computer selects an instruction or the like in the window according to the left click command.

  Next, a case where the mouse 100 transmits a left double-click command to the computer will be described (see column E in FIG. 3). For example, the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2, and then the second sensor 2 within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). It is assumed that the mouse is rotated by 45 ° clockwise around the position (that is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture). Further, before the predetermined short time elapses, the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° in the counterclockwise direction around the position of the second sensor 2, and then within the predetermined time, It is assumed that the second sensor 2 is rotated by 45 ° clockwise around the position of the second sensor 2 (that is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture).

  In response to the calculation unit 12 detecting rotation in the counterclockwise direction by the first user and rotation in the clockwise direction within a predetermined time, the control unit 30 first performs the left click. Try to send a command to the computer. However, when the calculation unit 12 detects the rotation in the counterclockwise direction by the second user and the rotation in the clockwise direction within the predetermined time before the predetermined short time has elapsed, Send left double-click command to computer without sending left-click command.

  That is, after the calculation unit 12 detects the first rotation in the counterclockwise direction and the clockwise rotation within a predetermined time, the second time before the predetermined short time elapses. When detecting the counterclockwise rotation and the clockwise rotation within a predetermined time by the user, the control unit 30 transmits a left double-click command to the computer. In addition, when the second rotation by the user in the counterclockwise direction and the rotation in the clockwise direction within the predetermined time are detected before the predetermined short time elapses, the control unit 30 Send left click command to computer.

  For example, the user can center the position of the second sensor 2 so that the control unit 30 can easily determine whether to transmit a left click command or a left double click command. The mouse 100 is rotated 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction, and then rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction around the position of the second sensor 2 within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). When the calculation unit 12 detects, the control unit 30 may transmit a left double-click command to the computer.

  Next, a case where the mouse 100 transmits a screen scroll command to the computer will be described (see column F in FIG. 3). For example, for example, it is assumed that the user rotates the mouse 100 by 90 ° in the clockwise direction around the position of the second sensor 2. Then, the calculation unit 12 in the calculation unit 10 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the second sensor 2, and based on the outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, and 22Y, the second It is determined that the sensor 2 is rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction around the position of the sensor 2. The calculation unit 12 outputs the determination result and the calculation result to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 transmits, for example, a screen scroll command to the computer according to the determination result and the calculation result.

  For example, when a computer that executes spreadsheet software and displays a data area on the entire display unit receives a screen scroll command, it determines which range of the entire data area is displayed on the display unit. The window shown may be superimposed on the data area displaying and displayed on the display unit. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example when a window indicating which range of the entire data area is displayed on the display unit is displayed on the display unit. In FIG. 5, a first frame 200 that is the outline of the window indicates the shape of the entire data area, and a second frame 201 indicates the range of the data area displayed by the display unit.

  Then, in response to the received screen scroll command, the computer moves the range of the data area to be displayed on the display unit and moves the second frame 201 within the first frame 200. Here, when the display unit displays the entire width of the data area, the computer does not move the second frame 201 even if it receives a command to scroll the screen horizontally, but scrolls the screen vertically. When the command is received, the second frame 201 is moved vertically. Similarly, when the display unit displays the entire vertical width of the data area, the computer does not move the second frame 201 even if it receives a command to scroll the screen vertically, but it scrolls the screen horizontally. When the command to be received is received, the second frame 201 is moved sideways.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the mouse 100 can transmit the above command to the computer in the same manner as when a conventional mouse is used. As a result, various commands can be transmitted to the computer as in the case of using a conventional mouse. Further, unlike the case of using a conventional mouse, the user does not need to press a switch or button.

  The control unit 30 displays on the display unit of the computer from when the calculation unit 12 detects that the mouse 100 has started to rotate until it detects the end of rotation (until the calculation of the rotation direction and the rotation angle is completed). In order to prevent the pointer being moved, a signal indicating the movement of the mouse 100 (the output of the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y or the output of the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y) is transmitted to the computer. Regulate not to. However, without such restriction, the movement vector (movement amount) of the mouse 100 is determined based on the output of the first sensor 1 or the second sensor 2 from the start of the rotation of the mouse 100 to the end of the rotation. When the command is transmitted to the computer, information indicating the movement vector opposite to the movement vector is transmitted to the computer so that the mouse 100 is rotated and displayed on the display unit of the computer. The pointer may be prevented from moving.

  The rotation angle used in this embodiment is an example, and the rotation angle is not limited to 45 ° or 90 °. If the rotation angle can be distinguished so that various commands can be transmitted, an arbitrary value can be used as the rotation angle.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where the mouse 100 according to the second embodiment of this invention is rotated. FIG. 6A shows a state before the mouse 100 is rotated. FIG. 6B shows a state where the user has rotated the mouse 100 in the counterclockwise direction.

  The mouse 100 as an example of the input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes four sensors (first sensor 1, second sensor 2, third sensor 3, and the like) that detect movement of the mouse 100. And the fourth sensor 4) are different from the first embodiment, and the other points are the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same sensors as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  The first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2 are installed on the front side of the surface in contact with the fixed surface of the mouse 100, and the third sensor 3 and the fourth sensor 4 are located behind the surface in contact with the fixed surface of the mouse 100. Installed on the side. Here, each sensor is installed on the surface in contact with the fixed surface of the mouse 100 so as to be positioned at each of the trapezoidal apexes such that the upper base is the front side and the lower base is the rear side. For example, the first sensor 1 is installed at the left end of the trapezoidal upper base, the second sensor 2 is installed at the right end, and the left end of the trapezoidal bottom base, as viewed from the side that contacts the fixed surface of the mouse 100 The fourth sensor 4 is installed on the right side, and the third sensor 3 is installed on the right end.

  Since the configurations of the third sensor 3 and the fourth sensor 4 are the same as those of the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2 in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Although the circuit configuration of the mouse 100 of this embodiment is as illustrated in FIG. 1, the arithmetic unit 10 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7, for example. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the movement detection unit 23 </ b> X each time the third sensor 3 moves in the X direction by a predetermined amount based on the output (X <b> 3) of one rotary encoder of the third sensor 3. 1 pulse is output. The output pulses include a forward pulse and a backward pulse. The movement detection unit 23Y outputs one pulse every time the third sensor 3 moves in the Y direction based on the output (Y3) of the other rotary encoder of the third sensor 3. . The output pulses include a forward pulse and a backward pulse.

  The movement detection unit 24X outputs one pulse each time the fourth sensor 4 moves a predetermined amount in the X direction based on the output (X4) of one rotary encoder of the fourth sensor 4. The output pulses include a forward pulse and a backward pulse. The movement detection unit 24Y outputs one pulse every time the fourth sensor 4 moves in the Y direction based on the output (Y4) of the other rotary encoder of the fourth sensor 4. . The output pulses include a forward pulse and a backward pulse. The configuration and operation of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, and 22Y are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The determination unit 11 determines whether or not the mouse 100 has rotated on the fixed surface based on the outputs of the eight movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, 22Y, 23X, 23Y, 24X, and 24Y. Specifically, the determination unit 11 detects the movement vectors of the first to fourth sensors based on the outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, 22Y, 23X, 23Y, 24X, and 24Y. It is determined whether or not the difference between the respective movement vectors is equal to or less than a certain value even though pulses are output from the units 21X and 21Y. If the difference between the respective movement vectors is equal to or less than a certain value, it is determined that the mouse 100 has moved without rotating on the fixed surface. In addition, if one movement vector shows an insignificant value (value is 0 or a value close to 0) even though the three movement vectors show significant values, it corresponds to the movement vector. It is determined that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the sensor to be operated.

  When the mouse 100 is rotating, the calculation unit 12 uses the outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, 22Y, 23X, 23Y, 24X, and 24Y to generate a reference direction (for example, the rear side of the mouse 100). The rotation direction and the rotation angle with respect to the direction from the front side to the front side are calculated. Then, the calculation unit 12 outputs the determination result of the determination unit 11 (whether or not it is rotating and the center position of rotation) and the calculation result (the rotation direction and the rotation angle) to the control unit 30. The outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, 22Y, 23X, 23Y, 24X, and 24Y are also output to the control unit 30.

  For example, the distance between the first sensor 1 and the third sensor 3 is 3 cm, and the user places the mouse 100 on a fixed surface such as a desk or mouse pad with the position of the third sensor 3 as the center. If the rotation is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise, the movement detection unit 23X and the movement detection unit 23Y do not output a pulse between the rotation start and the rotation end. However, the movement detection unit 21Y outputs the number of pulses corresponding to the movement of the mouse 100 about 2.12 cm to the left when viewed from above, and the movement detection unit 21X has moved about 0.88 cm to the rear side. Outputs the number of pulses according to. Then, the determination unit 11 can determine that the first sensor 1 and the third sensor 3 are moving relatively, that is, the mouse 100 is rotating. If the determination unit 11 determines that the mouse 100 is rotating, the determination unit 11 determines the center position of rotation based on the number of pulses output by the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y. In this case, since the movement detection unit 23X and the movement detection unit 23Y do not output a pulse, it is determined that the mouse 100 is rotating around the position of the third sensor 3. That is, it is determined that the center position of rotation is the position of the third sensor 3.

  The calculation unit 12 inputs the determination result of the determination unit 11, and based on the determination result, using the output of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, 22Y, 23X, 23Y, 24X, 24Y, the rotation direction with respect to the reference direction And the rotation angle are calculated.

When the position of the third sensor 3 is the rotation center position, the calculation unit 12 calculates the rotation direction and the rotation angle based on, for example, the number of pulses output by the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y. To do. That is, from the calculation result of tan ⁻¹ (2.12 / (3-0.88)) = 45 °, it is calculated that the rotation direction of the mouse 100 is counterclockwise and the rotation angle is 45 °. Note that the moving direction on the left side when the mouse 100 is viewed from above is positive, and the counterclockwise rotation direction is positive.

When the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° clockwise on the fixed surface with the position of the third sensor 3 as the center, the movement detection unit 23X and the movement detection unit are between the rotation start and the rotation end. 23Y does not output a pulse. However, the movement detection unit 21Y outputs the number of pulses corresponding to the movement of the mouse 100 about 2.12 cm to the right when the mouse 100 is viewed from above, and the movement detection unit 21X has moved about 0.88 cm to the front side. Output the corresponding number of pulses. Then, the determination unit 11 outputs a determination result that the mouse 100 is rotating and that the center position of the rotation is the position of the third sensor 3. The calculation unit 12 calculates the rotation direction and the rotation angle based on the number of pulses output by the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y. In this case, tan ⁻¹ (−2.12 / ( Since 3-0.88)) = − 45 °, it is calculated that the rotation direction of the mouse 100 is clockwise and the rotation angle is 45 °.

  The determination unit 11 in the calculation unit 10 is based on the magnitudes of the movement amounts of the first to fourth sensors based on the outputs of the movement detection units 21X, 21Y, 22X, 22Y, 23X, 23Y, 24X, and 24Y. A sensor at the center of rotation may be specified. Specifically, for example, if the detected amount of movement is the first sensor 1, the second sensor 2, the fourth sensor 4, and the third sensor 3, the mouse 100 has the smallest amount of movement. It is determined that the first sensor 1 has been rotated around the position.

  In addition, although the distance between each sensor may each differ, here, for example, the distance of the 1st sensor 1 and the 4th sensor 4, the 2nd sensor 2 and the 3rd sensor 3 and , And the distance between the second sensor 2 and the fourth sensor 4 is equal to the distance between the first sensor 1 and the third sensor 3. Furthermore, the distance between each sensor is the distance between the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 2, the distance between the third sensor 3 and the fourth sensor 4, and the first sensor 1 It is assumed that the distance is the distance between the fourth sensor 4 and the distance between the second sensor 2 and the fourth sensor 4, and the calculation unit 10 stores each distance in advance.

  The operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example, the user rotates the mouse 100 45 degrees in the counterclockwise direction around the position of the first sensor 1, and then, within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), the first sensor 1 It is assumed that the mouse is rotated by 45 ° clockwise around the position (that is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture).

  Then, the calculation unit 12 in the calculation unit 10 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the first sensor 1, and outputs the movement detection units 21X and 21Y and the movement detection units 23X and 23Y or the movement. Based on the outputs of the detection units 24X and 24Y, the first sensor 1 is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the first sensor 1, and then the clockwise direction around the position of the first sensor 1 (That is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture). The reference direction of the rotation direction and the rotation angle is a direction from the position of the first sensor 1 at the start of rotation toward the position of the third sensor 3 or the fourth sensor 4. The calculation unit 12 outputs the determination result and the calculation result to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 transmits, for example, a left click command to the computer according to the determination result and the calculation result.

  Next, a case where a drag command is transmitted to the computer will be described. For example, the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° in the counterclockwise direction around the position of the fourth sensor 4 and then prevents each sensor from moving relatively, that is, the mouse 100. Suppose that the mouse 100 is moved so as not to be rotated, and is further rotated 45 ° clockwise around the position of the fourth sensor 4.

  First, the calculation unit 12 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the fourth sensor 4. If the calculation unit 12 does not detect further rotation within a predetermined time, the control unit 30 transmits a drag command to the computer. Thereafter, when the calculation unit 12 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2, the control unit 30 transmits a drag end command to the computer. To do. Since the mouse 100 is not rotated until the drag end command is transmitted after the drag command is transmitted, the control unit 30 outputs the movement detection units 21X and 21Y, the movement detection unit 22X, and the movement detection. The output of the unit 22Y and the outputs of the movement detection units 23X and 23Y or the movement detection units 24X and 24Y are transmitted to the computer as signals representing the movement of the mouse 100. The computer can recognize the movement trajectory of the mouse 100 from the signal representing the movement of the mouse 100, and can recognize that the range has been designated.

  It should be noted that the computer may display the color of the area designated in the range reversed from the time when the drag command is transmitted until the time when the drag end command is transmitted. Further, when it is not detected that the mouse 100 is rotating, the control unit 30 outputs the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y, outputs the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y, and the movement detection unit 23X. The outputs of the movement detector 23Y or the outputs of the movement detector 24X and the movement detector 24Y are transmitted to the computer as signals representing the movement of the mouse 100. The computer displays a pointer on the display unit, and moves the pointer on the display unit based on a signal indicating movement of the mouse 100. The mouse 100 outputs, as signals representing movement, outputs of the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y, outputs of the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y, outputs of the movement detection unit 23X and the movement detection unit 23Y, and a movement detection unit. Any of the outputs of 24X and the movement detector 24Y may be used. In addition, the mouse 100 has, as a signal indicating movement, an average value of outputs from the movement detection unit 21X, the movement detection unit 22X, the movement detection unit 23X, and the movement detection unit 24X, the movement detection unit 21Y, the movement detection unit 22Y, You may use the average value of the output of the detection part 23Y and the movement detection part 24Y.

  Further, when copying the information included in the range designation area to another area, the user moves the mouse 100 around the position of the fourth sensor 4 with the range designation being performed. Rotate 45 ° counterclockwise. Then, the calculation unit 12 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated 45 ° in the clockwise direction around the position of the fourth sensor 4. Then, the control unit 30 transmits a drag command to the computer.

  Further, the user moves the pointer on the display unit of the computer so that it points at the copy destination while preventing the mouse 100 from rotating. Thereafter, for example, the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the fourth sensor 4 while pressing the “Ctrl” key on the computer keyboard. Then, the control unit 30 transmits a drag termination command to the computer. The computer receives the command and recognizes that the “Ctrl” key has been pressed, and stores the information included in the range designation area. When the mouse 100 is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise, the copy is made at the position where the pointer is displayed on the display unit.

  Next, a case where the mouse 100 transmits a right click command to the computer will be described. For example, the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2, and then the second sensor 2 within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). It is assumed that the mouse is rotated by 45 ° clockwise around the position (that is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture).

  Then, the calculation unit 12 in the calculation unit 10 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the second sensor 2, and outputs or moves from the movement detection units 22X and 22Y and the movement detection units 23X and 23Y. Based on the outputs of the detectors 24X and 24Y, it is determined that the first sensor 1 is rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the first sensor 1. Thereafter, the calculation unit 12 determines that it has rotated 45 ° in the clockwise direction around the position of the second sensor 2 within a predetermined time (that is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture). The calculation unit 12 outputs the determination result and the calculation result to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 transmits, for example, a right click command to the computer according to the determination result and the calculation result.

  Depending on the software installed in the computer, when a right-click command is received, a window for selecting an instruction or the like may be displayed on the display unit of the computer. At this time, when the user moves the mouse 100 so as not to rotate so that the pointer displayed on the display unit points to a predetermined position in the window in order to select an instruction or the like, the control unit 30 According to the movement of the mouse 100, the outputs of the movement detectors 21X and 21Y, the outputs of the movement detectors 22X and 22Y, the outputs of the movement detectors 23X and 23Y or the movement detectors 24X and 24Y It is transmitted to the computer as a signal representing movement.

  Then, when the user rotates the mouse 100 45 degrees counterclockwise around the position of the fourth sensor 4 and further rotates 45 degrees clockwise within a predetermined time, the control unit 30 transmits a left-click command to the computer. The computer selects an instruction or the like in the window according to the left click command.

  Next, a case where the mouse 100 transmits a left double-click command to the computer will be described. For example, the user rotates the mouse 100 45 degrees in the counterclockwise direction around the position of the third sensor 3, and then the third sensor 3 within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). It is assumed that the mouse is rotated by 45 ° clockwise around the position (that is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture).

  Then, the calculation unit 12 in the calculation unit 10 determines that the mouse 100 has rotated around the position of the third sensor 3, and outputs the movement detection units 23X and 23Y and the movement detection units 21X and 21Y or the movement. Based on the outputs of the detection units 22X and 22Y, the first sensor 1 rotates 45 ° counterclockwise around the position of the first sensor 1 and then rotates clockwise around the first sensor 1 position. (That is, the mouse 100 returns to the original posture). The calculation unit 12 outputs the determination result and the calculation result to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 transmits, for example, a left double-click command to the computer according to the determination result and the calculation result.

  If four sensors are provided, the rotation center can be divided into four types. Therefore, the 45 ° rotation and the 90 ° rotation with each sensor as the rotation center position are separated. By assigning these commands, a total of eight types of commands can be defined. Furthermore, a total of 16 types of commands can be defined by assigning different commands for the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction. That is, the mouse 100 can transmit 16 types of commands to the computer. The command set in the control unit 30 is limited to the case where the clockwise and counterclockwise directions around the four sensors are rotated at 45 ° and 90 °, respectively. Instead, for example, when each of the four sensors is rotated at 30 ° and 60 ° in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction around each of the four sensors, For example, the rotation may be 15 °, 45 °, and 100 ° in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the mouse 100 can transmit the above command to the computer in the same manner as when a conventional mouse is used. As a result, various commands can be transmitted to the computer as in the case of using a conventional mouse. Further, unlike the case of using a conventional mouse, the user does not need to press a switch or button.

Note that the control unit 30 is configured so that the pointer displayed on the display unit of the computer does not move until the calculation unit 12 detects that the mouse 100 has started rotating and detects the end of rotation. 100 moves the representative signal (the output of the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y, the output of the movement detection section 22X and the movement detecting unit 22Y, the output of the moving detection portion 23X and the movement detecting unit 23Y, or the movement detecting section 24X And the output of the movement detector 24Y) are not transmitted to the computer. However, without such restriction, the movement vector (movement amount) of the mouse 100 is determined based on the outputs of the first sensor 1 to the fourth sensor 4 from the start of the rotation of the mouse 100 to the end of the rotation. When the command is transmitted to the computer, information indicating the movement vector opposite to the movement vector is transmitted to the computer so that the mouse 100 is rotated and displayed on the display unit of the computer. The pointer may be prevented from moving.

  The rotation angle used in this embodiment is an example, and the rotation angle is not limited to 45 ° or 90 °. If the rotation angle can be distinguished so that various commands can be transmitted, an arbitrary value can be used as the rotation angle. Furthermore, the number of sensors installed in the mouse 100 is not limited to four, and may be three or five or more.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The mouse 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes, in addition to the configuration of the mouse 100 according to the first embodiment, contact detection for detecting whether or not the mouse 100 is in contact with the fixed surface inside the mouse 100. Part (contact detection means) 110.

  When a sensor including a sphere that rotates according to the movement of the mouse 100 is used as the sensor, the sphere included in each sensor moves upward when the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is in contact with the fixed surface, and the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is in contact with the fixed surface. If not, it will move downward by its own weight. The contact detection unit 110 includes, for example, a moving unit 111 that moves upward or downward according to the upward or downward movement of a sphere included in the second sensor 2, and a switch 112 that contacts the contact point when the moving unit 111 moves upward. including.

  The control unit 31 detects whether or not the contact of the switch 112 of the contact detection unit 110 has come into contact. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a state in which the sphere included in the second sensor 2 is positioned below is indicated by a solid line, the sphere included in the second sensor 2 moves upward, and the moving unit 111 is moved upward. A state in which the contact of the switch 112 is in contact is indicated by a dotted line. Note that the contact detection unit 110 may be realized by a light emitter and a light receiver. In this case, the mouse 100 depends on whether the light emitter emits light and the light received by the mouse pad or the like is received by the light receiver. It may be detected whether or not the bottom surface of is in contact with the fixed surface.

  In this embodiment, the user floats the bottom surface of the mouse 100 from the fixed surface, that is, does not contact the fixed surface, and then moves the mouse 100 by bringing the bottom surface of the mouse 100 into contact with the fixed surface. Thus, the initial position of the mouse 100 is set. The moving direction is an initial direction K (see FIG. 9A). Thereafter, the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is again lifted from the fixed surface, and then the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is brought into contact with the fixed surface to bring the mouse 100 into a direction different from the initial direction K (FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 9D). )), The control unit 31 of the mouse 100 can recognize a command corresponding to the moved direction.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the mouse 100 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the detection signal of the switch 112 is input to the control unit 31. The control part 31 transmits a command to a computer similarly to the control part 30 in said embodiment. The computing unit 13 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 11, for example. In the calculation unit 13 shown in FIG. 10, the movement direction detection unit (movement direction detection means) 14 is based on the output of the movement detection units 21X and 21Y or the output of the movement detection units 22X and 22Y in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 31. Then, the moving direction of the mouse 100 is detected. The starting point of the movement direction is the position of the first sensor 1 or the second sensor 2 at the start of movement, that is, the first sensor 1 or the second sensor at the start of movement when the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is brought into contact with the fixed surface. This is the position of the sensor 2.

  The operation of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the user of the mouse 100 lifts the bottom surface of the mouse 100, the contact of the switch 112 of the contact detection unit 110 is released. The control unit 31 detects that the contact point of the switch 112 of the contact detection unit 110 has been released. Then, the control unit 31 determines that a mode for setting an initial direction has been entered because some command is designated by a user operation. When the user brings the bottom surface of the mouse 100 into contact with the fixed surface, the contact of the switch 112 of the contact detection unit 110 comes into contact. When the control unit 31 detects that the contact of the switch 112 of the contact detection unit 110 has come into contact, the control unit 31 instructs the movement direction detection unit 14 to start detection of the movement direction. Note that the control unit 31 realizes the vertical movement determination means for detecting that the mouse 100 has come into contact with the fixed surface after moving away from the fixed surface based on the detection signal output from the switch 112 as the contact detection means. become.

  When the user moves the mouse 100 without rotating the mouse 100, the movement direction detection unit 14 detects the mouse 100 based on the output of the movement detection units 21X and 21Y or the output of the movement detection units 22X and 221Y. Detect the moving direction. The movement direction detection unit 14 outputs information indicating the detected movement direction to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 stores information indicating the detected moving direction in the storage unit 20 as information indicating the initial direction K.

  Next, the control unit 31 detects that the contact of the switch 112 of the contact detection unit 110 has been released in response to the user lifting the bottom surface of the mouse 100. Then, in response to the user bringing the bottom surface of the mouse 100 into contact with the fixed surface, the control unit 31 detects that the contact of the switch 112 of the contact detection unit 110 has come into contact. Then, the control unit 31 determines that a mode in which some command is designated is entered. Then, it instructs the movement direction detection unit 14 to start detection of the movement direction.

  The movement direction detection unit 14 detects the movement direction of the mouse 100 based on the outputs of the movement detection units 21X and 21Y or the outputs of the movement detection units 22X and 221Y. The movement direction detection unit 14 outputs information indicating the detected movement direction to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 compares the information indicating the movement direction stored in the storage unit with the information indicating the movement direction output from the movement direction detection unit 14, and determines which direction the mouse 100 is relative to the initial direction K. It is judged whether it moved to. Then, a command corresponding to the determination result is transmitted to the computer. In addition, after the initial direction K is determined, a mode in which some command is designated without the user performing the operation of bringing the bottom surface of the mouse 100 into contact with the fixed surface after the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is lifted from the fixed surface is performed. You may make it enter.

  For example, when it is detected that the control unit 31 has moved in a direction rotated 90 ° counterclockwise with respect to the initial direction K (see FIG. 9B), the control unit 31 issues a left click command. Send to computer. If it is detected that the robot has moved in a direction rotated by 180 ° with respect to the initial direction K (see FIG. 9C), a double-click command is transmitted to the computer. In addition, when it is detected that the robot has moved 90 ° clockwise with respect to the initial direction K (see FIG. 9D), a right-click command is transmitted to the computer.

  When the command is transmitted to the computer, the control unit 31 ends the mode in which some command is designated. However, such a mode may be terminated according to an operation by the user. For example, such a mode may be terminated by floating the bottom surface of the mouse 100 a plurality of times or by floating the mouse 100 for a predetermined time or more. When the control unit 31 recognizes that the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is floated a plurality of times or for a predetermined time or more by the detection signal of the switch 112, the control unit 31 ends such a mode. Accordingly, when the control unit 31 recognizes that the bottom surface of the mouse 100 has been lifted again, the control unit 31 determines that a mode for setting the initial direction has been entered because a new command is newly designated.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can cause the mouse 100 to transmit a command by moving the mouse 100 after placing the mouse 100 on the fixed surface after floating. At this time, unlike the case of using a conventional mouse, the user does not need to press a switch or button.

  It should be noted that the control unit 31 is in the display unit of the computer from the mode for setting the initial direction because some command is designated until the mode for which some command is designated ends (a specific mode period). In order to prevent the displayed pointer from moving, a signal indicating the movement of the mouse 100 (the output of the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y or the output of the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y) is sent to the computer. Regulate not to send. Then, in a period other than the specific mode period, a signal indicating the movement of the mouse 100 is transmitted to the computer. Note that the mouse 100 may use outputs of the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 21Y as signals representing movement, or may use outputs of the movement detection unit 22X and the movement detection unit 22Y. Further, the mouse 100 may use an average value of outputs from the movement detection unit 21X and the movement detection unit 22X and an average value of outputs from the movement detection unit 21Y and the movement detection unit 22Y as signals representing movement. .

  However, without restricting as described above, the movement vector (movement amount and movement direction) of the mouse 100 is detected based on the output of the first sensor 1 or the second sensor 2 in the specific mode period, and the command is issued. When transmitting to the computer, information indicating a movement vector opposite to the movement vector is transmitted to the computer to prevent the pointer displayed on the display unit of the computer from moving due to the rotation of the mouse 100. It may be.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where two sensors are provided is taken as an example. However, even when one sensor or three or more sensors are provided, the control unit 31 responds to the moving direction of the mouse 100. It is possible to execute a process of transmitting the received command to the computer.

  Furthermore, this embodiment can be combined with the first embodiment or the second embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, in order to transmit a left click command, the user rotates the mouse 100 45 degrees counterclockwise around the position of the second sensor 2. Thereafter, the mouse 100 is rotated by 45 ° in the clockwise direction around the position of the second sensor 2, but instead of rotating the mouse 100 by 45 ° in the counterclockwise direction, the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is fixed. After floating, the bottom surface of the mouse 100 may be brought into contact with the fixed surface.

  In order to transmit a right-click command, the user rotates the mouse 100 by 45 degrees counterclockwise around the position of the first sensor 1, and then the first sensor 1. Although the mouse 100 is rotated 45 ° clockwise around the position of the mouse 100, instead of rotating the mouse 100 45 ° counterclockwise, the bottom surface of the mouse 100 is lifted from the fixed surface, and then the mouse 100 The bottom surface may be brought into contact with the fixed surface. For other commands, instead of part of the operation of rotating the mouse 100, the bottom surface of the mouse 100 can be lifted from the fixed surface, and then the bottom surface of the mouse 100 can be brought into contact with the fixed surface. This is the same when combined with the second embodiment.

  That is, the control unit 31 detects that the mouse 100 has come into contact with the fixed surface after the mouse 100 is separated from the fixed surface, and then, similarly to the case of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. (However, a part of the operation is not necessary), and a command corresponding to the rotation center position, rotation direction, and rotation angle may be transmitted to the computer.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The mouse 100 according to the fourth embodiment has a rotation-time fixing portion (rotation-time fixing means) 121 that is a rod having one end sharpened at an acute angle and a convex portion in the middle, and a spring that pushes the rotation-time fixing portion 121 upward. 122, and has a recess in the upper part of each sensor on the upper surface side of the mouse 100, unlike the first embodiment, and the other points are the same as the first embodiment. The same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  One end pointed at an acute angle of the rotation fixing portion 121 is positioned so as to pass through a hole provided in the vicinity of each sensor, and the other end of the rotation fixing portion 121 is provided in a recess on the upper surface of the mouse 100. It is located so as to pass through the hole (state shown in FIG. 12A). Then, when the user places a finger or the like in the concave portion on the upper surface of the mouse 100 and pushes down one end of the rotation fixing portion 121, the other sharp end of the rotation fixing portion 111 is close to each sensor. It passes through the provided hole and is pressed against a mouse pad or the like (state shown in FIG. 12B). Then, the mouse 100 is fixed so as to rotate around one end pointed at an acute angle of the fixing part 121 during rotation. For example, when the user places a finger or the like in the concave portion in the upper part of the first sensor 1 and pushes down the fixing part 121 at the time of rotation, one end pointed at an acute angle of the fixing part 121 at the time of rotation becomes a mouse pad or the like. When pressed, the mouse 100 is fixed so as to rotate around the vicinity of the first sensor 1. Then, the user can easily rotate the mouse 100 around the vicinity of the first sensor 1.

  When the user removes a finger or the like from the rotation fixing portion 121, the spring 122 pushes the rotation fixing portion 122 upward, and one sharp end of the rotation fixing portion 121 is separated from the mouse pad or the like. Then, the user can freely move the mouse 100 back and forth and right and left.

  When the user places a finger or the like in the concave portion on the upper surface of the mouse 100, the rotating fixing portion 121 may be moved downward by an electromagnet or the like.

  According to this embodiment, since the mouse 100 is fixed by the user's operation so that the rotation fixing portion 121 rotates around the vicinity of the sensor, the user can easily rotate the mouse 100. . In addition, the sensor in the vicinity of the rotation fixing unit 121 to which the mouse 100 is fixed has a smaller amount of movement to be detected when it rotates, so the calculation unit 10 determines which sensor is rotating around. Becomes easier.

  Here, the first embodiment is taken as an example, but the present embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The mouse 100 in the fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an elastic body (fixing means at the time of rotation) 123 is installed in the vicinity of each sensor on the surface in contact with the fixed surface. Since the points are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are attached to the same sensors as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The elastic body 123 is realized by, for example, a cushion, sponge, rubber, urethane, plastic, or the like. A recess is provided above each sensor.

  The elastic body 123 is deformed when the user presses the mouse 100 against the fixed surface, and the frictional force with the fixed surface increases. Therefore, for example, when the user depresses the concave portion above the first sensor 1 and presses the mouse 100 against the fixed surface, the elastic body 123 near the first sensor 1 is deformed to be in contact with the fixed surface. The frictional force increases. Then, the user can easily rotate the mouse 100 around the vicinity of the first sensor 1.

  When the user stops pressing the mouse 100 against the fixed surface, the elastic body 123 returns to its original shape, and the frictional force between the mouse 100 and the fixed surface decreases. Then, the user can freely move the mouse 100 back and forth and right and left.

  According to this embodiment, since the mouse 100 is fixed so that the elastic body 123 rotates around the vicinity of the sensor by the user's operation, the user can easily rotate the mouse 100. In addition, since the amount of movement detected when the sensor near the elastic body 123 to which the mouse 100 is fixed is small, the calculation unit 10 can easily determine which sensor is rotating. become.

  Here, the first embodiment is taken as an example, but the present embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  A mouse 100 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes a fingerprint detection unit (fingerprint detection unit) 130 for detecting a fingerprint on the upper surface, and a fingerprint storage unit (fingerprint storage unit) for storing a user's fingerprint inside. Including points are different from the first embodiment, and the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same sensors as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  The fingerprint detection unit 130 is realized by, for example, a fingerprint authentication module. The fingerprint storage unit is realized by a memory such as a RAM, for example.

  When the user places a finger on the fingerprint detection unit 130 and performs a predetermined operation such as pressing a button of the mouse 100, the control unit 30 stores the fingerprint in the fingerprint storage unit. When the user places the finger on the fingerprint detection unit 130 when the user uses the mouse 100, the control unit 30 displays the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint detection unit 130 and the fingerprint stored in the fingerprint storage unit. In comparison, if it is determined that the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint detection unit 130 matches the fingerprint stored in the fingerprint storage unit, a command corresponding to the operation performed by the user on the mouse 100 is transmitted to the computer. When the user does not place his / her finger on the fingerprint detection unit 130 or the control unit 30 determines that the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint detection unit 130 does not match the fingerprint stored in the fingerprint storage unit, the control unit 30 Does not send a command to the computer when the mouse 100 is operated. If the control unit 30 determines that the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint detection unit 130 does not match the fingerprint stored in the fingerprint storage unit, the control unit 30 may transmit information indicating that the fingerprints do not match to the computer. .

  According to this embodiment, since a user who does not match the fingerprint stored in the fingerprint storage unit cannot operate the mouse 100, the security is improved as compared with the case where a password or the like is input to the computer. be able to. The fingerprint storage unit may store a plurality of user fingerprints.

  The mouse 100 may include a plurality of fingerprint detection units 130. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where the mouse 100 includes a plurality of fingerprint detection units 130. The fingerprint storage unit may store fingerprints of a plurality of fingers. Then, the security can be further improved as compared with the case where there is one fingerprint detection unit 130. In addition, when the user places his / her hand on the mouse 100, the plurality of fingerprint detection units 130 may be arranged at symmetrical positions. Then, both the user who operates the mouse 100 with the right hand and the user who operates the mouse 100 with the left hand can place their fingers on the fingerprint detection unit 130 without a sense of incongruity.

  Here, the first embodiment is taken as an example, but this embodiment is applied to the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment. It can also be applied.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, it is assumed that the mouse 100 is connected to a computer by wire. However, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is desirable that the mouse 100 is rotatable in any direction. Therefore, the mouse 100 is not limited to the rotation operation so that the wiring with the computer does not interfere with the rotation operation. More preferably, it is configured to communicate with a computer by wireless communication using sound waves or the like as a medium.

  Next, a processing example on the computer side will be described. When the computer receives the command in order to notify the user that the mouse 100 has transmitted the command, the computer may display information indicating that the command has been received on the display unit.

  For example, the computer may light a predetermined portion of the pointer displayed on the display unit using a color corresponding to the received command. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example when the left half of the pointer is displayed in a predetermined color. Specifically, for example, when a computer receives a left-click command, the left half of the pointer lights up in green, or when a right-click command is received, the right half of the pointer turns orange and lights up. When a click command is received, the entire pointer is turned on in blue, and when a left drag command is received, the entire pointer is turned green and blinked. In addition, when the “Ctrl” key on the keyboard is pressed while the command is being received, the computer turns on the outer frame of the pointer with a thick red line.

  For example, the computer may light a round dot at a predetermined position near the pointer displayed on the display unit in accordance with the received command. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a round point is displayed at a predetermined position of the pointer. Specifically, for example, when a computer receives a left-click command, a green dot is lit on the left side of the tip of the pointer arrow, or when a right-click command is received, the computer turns orange on the right side of the tip of the pointer arrow. When a double click command is received, a blue round dot is lit on both sides of the tip of the pointer arrow, or when a left drag command is received, a green circle is displayed on the left side of the pointer arrow tip. Make the point blink. Further, when the “Ctrl” key of the keyboard is pressed while receiving a command, a red round dot is lit at the base of the arrow of the pointer.

  Further, for example, the computer may display a window indicating a command received from the mouse 100 on the screen of the display unit. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example in which a window indicating a command received from the mouse 100 is displayed on the screen of the display unit. Specifically, for example, when a computer receives a left click command, it displays “left click” in the window and turns on the window frame in green, or when a right click command is received, "Right click" is displayed and the window frame is lit in orange, or when a double-click command is received, "Double click" is displayed in the window and the window frame is lit in blue, When a left drag command is received, “left drag” is displayed in the window, and the window frame is made green and blinks. Further, when the “Ctrl” key of the keyboard is pressed while receiving a command, the lower border of the window is turned red to light up.

  The above-described method for notifying the user of the command received by the computer is an example, and the computer notifies the user of the command received using another color or another combination. May be.

  In the present invention, since the operation of clicking the mouse 100 is not performed, in order to confirm that the user has surely transmitted the command from the mouse 100 to the computer, a display corresponding to the command can be performed on the display unit. Meaningful.

  The present invention can be applied to an input device such as a mouse connected to a computer.

It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of a calculating part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the relationship between rotation of a mouse | mouth and a command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where a mouse | mouth is rotated 45 degrees in the counterclockwise direction centering on a 2nd sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example at the time of displaying the window which shows what range is displayed on a display part among the whole data areas on a display part. It is explanatory drawing explaining the case where the mouse | mouth of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is rotated. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of a calculating part. It is explanatory drawing explaining the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the mouse | mouth of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of the mouse | mouth in 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the calculating part in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where a mouse | mouth is provided with two or more fingerprint detection parts. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display when the left half of a pointer is displayed with a predetermined color. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example in the case of displaying a round point in the predetermined position of a pointer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display which displays the window which shows the command received from the mouse | mouth on the screen of a display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st sensor 2 2nd sensor 3 3rd sensor 4 4th sensor 10, 13 Calculation part 11 Determination part 12 Calculation part 14 Movement direction detection part 20 Storage | storage part 21X, 21Y, 22X, 22Y Movement detection part 23X , 23Y, 24X, 24Y Movement detection unit 30, 31 Control unit 100 Mouse 110 Contact detection unit 111 Movement unit 112 Switch 121 Rotation fixing unit 122 Spring 123 Elastic body 130 Fingerprint detection unit 200 First frame 201 Second frame

Claims (17)

In an input device that is connected to a computer that displays a pointer on a screen and transmits a movement amount and a movement direction to the computer when the pointer is moved,
A plurality of detection means for outputting a signal capable of specifying the movement amount and movement direction of the input device;
Transmission means for determining a movement amount and a movement direction of the input device based on a signal output from the detection means, and transmitting information indicating the movement amount and the movement direction to the computer;
Based on the signal that can specify the movement amount and the movement direction output by the detection means, the center position of the rotation of the input device is specified as the detection means, and the rotation direction with respect to a predetermined reference direction A calculation means for calculating the rotation angle;
Control means for transmitting a command, which is information indicating an instruction to the computer, to the computer according to the rotation center position specified by the calculation means and the rotation direction and rotation angle calculated by the calculation means. An input device characterized by that. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means uses a direction from the position of the detection means as the center position to the position of another detection means as a reference direction. A storage means in which the correspondence between the rotation center position, rotation direction, rotation angle and command is set;
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit extracts a command corresponding to the rotation center position specified by the calculation unit and the rotation direction and the rotation angle calculated by the calculation unit from the storage unit. Contact detection means for detecting whether the input device is in contact with the fixed surface and outputting a detection signal indicating the detection result; and
A moving direction detecting means for detecting the moving direction of the input device based on the output of the detecting means;
Based on the detection signal output by the contact detection means, and comprises a vertical movement determination means for detecting that the input device is in contact with the fixed surface after being separated from the fixed surface,
The control means transmits a command to the computer according to the rotation center position, rotation direction, and rotation angle after the vertical movement determination means detects that the input device has come out of contact with the fixed surface after moving away from the fixed surface. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The input according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit stops transmitting information indicating the movement amount and the movement direction until the calculation unit finishes calculating the rotation direction and the rotation angle. apparatus. When the control means transmits a command to the computer, the control means transmits to the computer information indicating a movement vector in a direction opposite to the movement vector from the position when the input device starts rotating to the position when the rotation ends. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a rotation time fixing means for fixing a rotation center position of the input device is provided in the vicinity of the detection means. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the rotation fixing means has a rod shape, and when one end is pressed, the other end sharpened at an acute angle fixes the input device so as to rotate in the vicinity of the detection means. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the rotation fixing means is an elastic body, and the input device is fixed to rotate in the vicinity of the detection means when the vicinity of the detection means is pressed against the fixing surface. Fingerprint detection means for detecting fingerprints;
A fingerprint storage means for storing the fingerprint in advance,
The control unit determines whether or not the fingerprint detected by the fingerprint detection unit matches the fingerprint stored in the fingerprint storage unit, and transmits a command to the computer if it matches. 10. The input device according to any one of items 9 . Multiple fingerprint detection means
The input device according to claim 10 , wherein the fingerprint detection means is disposed at symmetrical positions when the user places his / her hand on the input device. 3 or more detection means,
The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the detection means are installed such that their distances are different from each other. A plurality of detection means for outputting a signal capable of specifying a movement amount and a movement direction of the input device, and determining a movement amount and a movement direction of the input device based on the signal output from the detection means. and transmitting means for transmitting information indicating a direction in computer, based on a movement direction and a movement amount of the detection means output to the identifiable signal, the center position of rotation of the input device is in any of the detection means According to the calculation means for calculating the rotation direction and the rotation angle with respect to a predetermined reference direction, the center position of the rotation specified by the calculation means, and the rotation direction and the rotation angle calculated by the calculation means. And an input device including control means for transmitting a command, which is information indicating an instruction to the computer, to the computer ,
The computer, the input device in response to a command received from, including a display processing means for displaying on the display means the information indicating the command thus received
Input system comprising a call. The input system according to claim 13 , wherein the display processing unit causes the display unit to light or blink part or all of the pointer with a color corresponding to the command received from the input device. The input system according to claim 14 , wherein the display processing unit causes the display unit to light or blink a figure of a color corresponding to a command received from the input device in the vicinity of the pointer. The input system according to claim 14 , wherein the display processing means causes the display means to display information indicating the received command in a window of a color corresponding to the command received from the input device. In an input method using an input device that transmits a moving amount and a moving direction when moved to a computer that displays a pointer on a screen,
Based on the signals that can specify the movement amount and the movement direction that are output by a plurality of detection means that output a signal that can specify the movement amount and the movement direction of the input device, the center position of the rotation of the input device is the detection means. And calculating a rotation direction and a rotation angle with respect to a predetermined reference direction,
An input method comprising: transmitting a command, which is information indicating an instruction to the computer, to the computer according to the specified rotation center position and the calculated rotation direction and rotation angle.

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