JPH0764711A - Data input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the data input device which does not necessitate a mechanical/physical contact of a mouse member, and a comparatively wide plane for moving the mouse member, and also, is excellent in environment resistance. CONSTITUTION:A ceramic gyro-element 1 for the X axis and a ceramic gyro- element 2 for the Y axis are arranged so that each of them makes a right angle with each other, their signals are received by amplifier circuits 3, 4, polarity of this signal is monitored by a one-chip microcomputer 6 which contains an A/D converter, and from its signal, the moving direction to each of the X axis and the Y axis is stored for a prescribed time. An ON/OFF state of an external output start/stop switch 5 is monitored by the one-chip microcomputer 6, and existence of polarity signals from the ceramic gyro-elements 1, 2, its storage means and the ON/OFF state of the external output start/stop switch 5, etc., are decided, converted into a pulse signal for showing a moving direction and a moving speed and outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data input device used as an input device for personal computers and video game machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a data input device having a mouse member has been known as a typical data input device for inputting two-dimensional coordinates. This data input device is arranged so that a ball that rotates due to friction with the table by horizontally moving a mouse member on the table two-dimensionally and a ball that comes into contact with the ball and rotates at the same time are connected to the X-axis and the Y-axis. It is composed of two rotary encoders for detecting the respective moving directions and moving amounts by their rotations, and the output thereof is converted into a pulse signal and inputted to a personal computer or the like.

[0003]

As described above, the conventional data input device having the mouse member obtains the data of the moving direction and the moving amount by detecting the rotation of the ball arranged in the mouse member. Therefore, it is essential that the ball rotates in the mouse member.

Therefore, in this conventional data input device,
(1) In order to rotate the ball in the mouse member, a table or the like having an appropriate frictional force on the surface is required, and the ball must always be in contact with the surface of the table or the like for use. The degree of freedom in time decreases, (2) a relatively wide flat surface is required to secure a sufficient amount of movement of the mouse member, and (3) friction between the ball in the mouse member and its moving surface. There is a problem that it is not suitable for use in an environment with oil, water, dust, etc. that causes a decrease in power.

An object of the present invention is to provide a data input device which does not require a mechanical / physical contact of a mouse member or a relatively wide plane for moving the mouse member and which is also excellent in environment resistance. To provide.

[0006]

According to the present invention, two vibrating gyros arranged as detecting means for detecting a moving direction and a moving speed with respect to each of the X-axis and the Y-axis,
Storage means for storing a movement direction for each of the X-axis and the Y-axis from the signals obtained by these vibration gyros for a certain period of time, an output operation means for starting / stopping output to the outside by a switch, and a movement speed by the switch. Speed, a moving speed switching means, a signal conversion output means for converting and outputting the data signal indicating the moving direction and moving speed, the vibration gyro, the storing means, the output operating means, and the moving speed switching means. A data input device is obtained, which comprises: a signal converting / outputting means and a mouse member housed therein.

Further, according to the present invention, two vibrating gyros arranged as detecting means for detecting a moving direction and a moving speed with respect to each of the X-axis and the Y-axis, and these vibrating gyros are obtained. A moving direction determining means for determining a moving direction with respect to each of the X axis and the Y axis from the polarity of the signal; and an output starting means for starting an external output by rotating the vibrating gyro in any directions of the X axis and the Y axis. ,
An output stopping means for stopping the external output when the polarities of the signals are reversed, and a mouse member accommodating the vibrating gyro, the moving direction determining means, the output starting means, and the output stopping means. A data input device is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, two vibrating gyros arranged as detecting means for detecting the moving direction and moving speed with respect to each of the X-axis and the Y-axis, and signals obtained by these vibrating gyros. Amplitude amount peak value detecting means for detecting the peak values of the + polarity and − polarity amplitude amounts of
Add / subtract means for performing addition / subtraction based on the peak value and the peak value and polarity of the signal obtained thereafter, moving direction speed determining means for determining the moving direction and moving speed from the calculation result of the adding / subtracting means, A data input device is provided, which comprises a vibrating gyroscope, an amplitude amount peak value detecting means, an adding / subtracting means, and a moving member speed determining means.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the data input device of the first embodiment, two vibrating gyros for the X axis and two vibrating gyros for the Y axis are arranged in the mouse member so that they are at right angles, and the change in the angular velocity given to each vibrating gyro. The moving direction is determined by the polarity obtained by, and the polarity is stored for a certain period of time. The external output is started and stopped by turning the switch on and off. Furthermore,
The moving speed is increased by applying the angular velocity while turning on the switch for starting / stopping the external output, and is decreased by turning on the switch after applying the angular velocity with the switch off. Then, the moving direction and the moving speed obtained in this case are converted into pulse signals and output.

Therefore, according to the data input device of the first embodiment, with the mouse member held in the air,
The angular velocity, that is, the rotation is given in any direction of the X-axis or the Y-axis, and the switch for starting / stopping the external output is turned on / off to switch the moving speed between high speed and low speed. It becomes possible.

The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceramic gyro element 1 (or 2) of a vibration gyro used in this embodiment. 2 shows an example of a signal obtained by applying an angular velocity to the ceramic gyro element 1 (or 2) in the direction of arrow a or b in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the amplitude polarity of the signal is determined by the direction of the angular velocity given to the ceramic gyro element 1 (or 2).

As shown in FIG. 3, the data input device of the first embodiment has an X-axis ceramic gyro element 1 and a Y-axis.
The ceramic gyro elements 2 for shafts are arranged so that they are at right angles to each other, and the signals of these ceramic gyro elements 1 and 2 are respectively received by amplifier circuits 3 and 4. Then, the polarity of this signal is monitored by the 1-chip microcomputer 6 having the built-in A / D converter, and the moving direction for each of the X-axis and the Y-axis from the signal is stored for a certain period of time. Also, start / stop the external output.
The on / off state of the stop switch 5 is monitored by the 1-chip microcomputer 6, and the ceramic gyro elements 1 and 2 are monitored.
The presence / absence of a polarity signal from the storage device, its storage means state, and the on / off state of the external output start / stop switch 5 are determined, and converted into pulse signals indicating the corresponding moving direction and moving speed. Then, this pulse signal is input to the personal computer or the like through the cable 7.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the judgment of the directivity is made when the signals of the ceramic gyros 1 and 2 exceed the threshold voltages + Vth.multidot.-Vth provided for both polarities.

The data input device according to this embodiment is constructed by arranging the components shown in FIG. 3 in a mouse member 8 as shown in FIG.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the data input device of the second embodiment, two vibrating gyros for the X axis and two vibrating gyros for the Y axis are arranged in the mouse member so that they are at right angles to each other, and the change in the angular velocity given to each vibrating gyro. The direction of movement is determined by the polarity of the signal obtained by, and external output is started. After that, the external output is stopped by detecting the polarity opposite to the signal obtained by the change in the angular velocity given to each vibration gyro.

Therefore, according to the data input device of the second embodiment, by applying an angular velocity, that is, rotation in any direction of the X-axis or the Y-axis with the mouse held in the air, Output is started and coordinates can be moved. Further, the external output is stopped by applying the angular velocity in the opposite direction, that is, the rotation in the direction opposite to the direction in which the external output is started, and the coordinate movement can be stopped.

The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The ceramic gyro element 1 (or 2) of the vibrating gyroscope used in this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment described above in that the ceramic gyro element 1 (or 2) is indicated by an arrow in FIG. A signal as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained by giving an angular velocity in the direction of a or b, and the amplitude polarity of the signal is determined by the direction of the given angular velocity.

As shown in FIG. 6, the data input device according to the second embodiment includes an X-axis ceramic gyro element 1 and a Y-axis ceramic gyro element.
The ceramic gyro elements 2 for shafts are arranged so that they are at right angles to each other, and the signals of these ceramic gyro elements 1 and 2 are respectively received by amplifier circuits 3 and 4. Then, the 1-chip microcomputer 6 having a built-in A / D converter monitors the polarity of this signal, starts and stops the external output, and inputs the data to the personal computer or the like through the cable 7.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the signals of the ceramic gyros 1 and 2 are set to the threshold voltage + Vth. Made by exceeding.

The data input device according to the second embodiment is constructed by arranging the components shown in FIG. 6 in the mouse body 8 as shown in FIG.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the data input device of the third embodiment, two vibrating gyros for the X-axis and two vibrating gyros for the Y-axis are arranged in the mouse member so that they are at right angles, and the change in the angular velocity given to each vibrating gyro. The moving speed and the moving direction are determined according to the peak value and the polarity of the amplitude amount of the signal obtained by, and external output is performed. After that, the peak value and the polarity of the amplitude amount obtained by the change in the angular velocity given are detected, and the addition and subtraction with the previously obtained peak value are performed, and the moving speed and moving direction are determined based on the obtained results. The output is performed and this process is repeated.

For example, for each vibrating gyro, (+)
When a strong angular velocity is applied in the direction, its external output is
The moving speed is increased in the direction corresponding to the (+) direction for output. After that, when a weak angular velocity is applied in the (-) direction,
The peak value obtained in the (-) direction is subtracted from the peak value obtained in the (+) direction. As a result, the value of the peak value becomes small while the polarity remains (+), and the output is externally output so that the moving speed becomes slow. Furthermore, when a strong angular velocity is given in the (-) direction, the same calculation is performed, and the result shows that (-)
It is externally output in the direction corresponding to the direction at the moving speed corresponding to the calculation result. Therefore, according to the data input device of the third embodiment, while the mouse member is held in the air, the angular velocity, ie, the rotation, can be applied in any direction of the X-axis or the Y-axis with a certain strength. Then, the moving speed and moving direction are determined, and external output is performed.

The third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The ceramic gyro element 1 (or 2) of the vibrating gyroscope used in this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment described above in that the ceramic gyro element 1 (or 2) is indicated by an arrow in FIG. By giving an angular velocity in the direction of a or b, a signal as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained, and the amplitude polarity and the amplitude amount of the signal are obtained depending on the direction and strength of the given angular velocity.

In the data input device of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, an X-axis ceramic gyro element 1 and a Y-axis ceramic gyro element 2 are arranged so that they are at right angles to each other. The signals of these ceramic gyro elements 1 and 2 are received by the amplifier circuits 3 and 4, respectively. Then, the 1-chip microcomputer 6 having a built-in A / D converter detects the peak value and polarity of the amplitude amount of this signal, performs arithmetic processing to convert the signal into a signal indicating the moving speed and moving direction, and Data is input to a personal computer or the like through 7.

In FIG. 10, the external output permission switch 9
When turned on, the external output is permitted, and when turned off, the external output is stopped, the movement can be stopped arbitrarily, and the peak value up to that point can be cleared.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the signals of the ceramic gyros 1 and 2 exceed the threshold voltages + Vth.multidot.-Vth provided for both polarities, the polarities are judged and peak value detection is started. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the obtained peak value P1 has a moving direction (+) and a moving speed PV = | P1 |. Next, based on the obtained peak value P2, the moving direction is (+) with P1-P2> 0, and the moving speed PV = | P1-P2 |. Next, according to the obtained peak value P3, P1-P2-P3 <0, the moving direction is (-), and the moving speed PV = | P1-P2-P3 |
And

Where | P1 |> | P2 | and | P
3 |> | P1 | + | P2 |, and the signal indicating the actual traveling speed is converted into a signal corresponding to the traveling speed PV.

The data input device according to the third embodiment has a mouse member 8 as shown in FIG.
Each component shown in 0 is arranged.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the mechanical / physical contact portion can be eliminated from the mouse member, a relatively wide plane for moving the mouse member is not required, Operation in the air becomes possible, and its environmental resistance is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceramic gyro element as a vibration gyro used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram showing an example of a signal obtained by applying an angular velocity to the ceramic gyro element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signals of a ceramic gyro element for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mouse member of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a waveform chart showing an example of signals of the ceramic gyro element for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mouse member of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram showing an example of a signal obtained by applying an angular velocity to the ceramic gyro element according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signals of the ceramic gyro element for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the mouse member of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 X-axis ceramic gyro element 2 Y-axis ceramic gyro element 3 Amplification circuit 4 Amplification circuit 5 External output start / stop switch 6 1-chip microcomputer 7 Cable 8 Mouse member 9 External output enable switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A detector arranged to detect a moving direction and a moving speed with respect to each of the X axis and the Y axis.
Individual vibrating gyros, storage means for storing a moving direction for each of the X-axis and the Y-axis from signals obtained by these vibrating gyros for a certain period of time, and an output operating means for starting / stopping output to the outside by a switch. A moving speed switching means for switching the moving speed by the switch, a signal conversion output means for converting and outputting the data signal indicating the moving direction and the moving speed, the vibration gyro, a storage means, and an output operation means. A data input device comprising: a moving speed switching means, a signal conversion output means, and a mouse member housed therein. 2. A detector arranged to detect a moving direction and a moving speed with respect to each of the X axis and the Y axis.
Individual vibrating gyros, moving direction determining means for determining a moving direction for each of the X-axis and the Y-axis based on the polarities of signals obtained by these vibrating gyros, and the vibrating gyro for any direction of the X-axis and the Y-axis. Output starting means for starting external output by rotating to, and output stopping means for stopping the external output when the polarities of the signals are opposite,
A data input device comprising the vibrating gyroscope, a moving direction determining means, an output starting means and an output stopping means. 3. A detector arranged to detect a moving direction and a moving speed with respect to each of the X-axis and the Y-axis.
Vibrating gyros, amplitude amount peak value detecting means for detecting peak values of + and-polarity amplitude amounts of signals obtained by these vibrating gyros, the above-mentioned peak value and the peak value of the signal obtained thereafter. And addition / subtraction means for performing addition / subtraction according to the polarity, moving direction speed determining means for determining the above-mentioned moving direction and moving speed based on the calculation result of this adding / subtracting means, the vibration gyro, the amplitude amount peak value detecting means, and the adding / subtracting means. And a mouse member accommodating a moving direction speed determining means.