JPH0592848U - Grip type trackball - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The objective is to improve the operability of the game. [Structure] A trackball case has a grip so that it can be supported by one hand, and the ball can be rotated by the thumb of the hand holding the grip, and two sets for detecting the rotation of the ball are provided. A converter for converting the XY coordinate signals from the encoder of FIG.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device mainly used for a TV game machine, and relates to a trackball type controller which has both continuous XY position signal input and a joystick function and which can be operated by one hand.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional trackball, in which 1 is a ball, 2 is a rotary shaft supporting the ball 1, 3 is an encoder provided on the rotary shaft 2, and 4 is a window 4a on the upper surface. Formed box-shaped case.

In FIG. 1, the ball 1 is supported by a rotating shaft 2 and is housed in a case 4 so that its upper portion is exposed to the outside through a window 4 a in a rotatable state. The rotation is transmitted to the shaft 2, and based on this rotation, the encoder 3 converts the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 2 into an electric signal and outputs it.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 When such a conventional trackball is used as an input device, it is necessary to secure a flat surface on which the trackball is placed, and there is a problem that it cannot be used at any place.

Further, depending on the software used, there are one that inputs XY coordinates and one that inputs keys in the up, down, left, and right directions, and it was necessary to prepare both.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and has a grip portion so that the case of a trackball can be supported by one hand, and the ball can be held by the fingers of the hand holding the grip portion. Is a grip type trackball having a rotatable structure and a converter for converting XY coordinate signals from two sets of encoders for detecting the rotation of the ball into pseudo key input signals for up, down, left, right.

[0007]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, a trackball case, 11 is a ball for inputting a direction, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are switches for trigger input, 16 is a grip (grip), and 17 is a trackball mode. And a switch for changing the pseudo joystick mode.

The ball 11 and the switches 12 and 13 are operated with a thumb, the switch 14 is operated with an index finger, and the switch 15 is operated with a middle finger, so that the controller can be operated with one hand.

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 21 and 22 are two sets of encoders for detecting the rotation of the ball, and 23 is a signal from the encoders 21 and 22 by the mode changeover switch 17 and is an XY coordinate signal and data in four directions of up, down, left and right. To create. An output converter 24 converts each of the above signals into a pulse signal and outputs it to the game machine.

[0010]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the trackball can be held and operated with one hand, so that the other hand can be freely used during the game, and the memos and materials during the game can be viewed. There is no need to interrupt the game each time.

The use of the trackball improves the operability in games that require the movement of a cursor or the like, especially in role-playing games and the like.

Since it also has a pseudo joystick mode, it is not necessary to prepare various input devices by software.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a prior art mouse.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Case 11 Ball 12 Switch 1 13 Switch 2 14 Switch 3 15 Switch 4 16 Grip 17 Changeover Switch 19 Control Unit 21 X Direction Econder 22 Y Direction Encoder 23 Output Converter 24 Output Control Unit 31 Rotation Axis

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A case having a window on its upper surface, a ball which is partially exposed from the window and is rotatable, and two sets of balls which are in contact with the ball in a direction always orthogonal to each other to support the ball and rotate. In a trackball device including a rotary shaft and two sets of encoders for detecting the rotation of the rotary shaft and capable of inputting a position in the XY directions, the case has a grip portion that can be supported by one hand, A grip-type trackball, characterized in that the ball is configured to be rotatable by the thumb of a supported hand. 2. The grip-type trackball according to claim 1, further comprising a converter for converting XY coordinate input signals from the two sets of encoders into up / down / left / right pseudo key input signals.