JP2668151B2 - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a coordinate input device for moving a cursor and designating coordinates on a display in a computer system.

<Related Art> Conventionally, a mouse or a trackball is used as a coordinate input device. The mouse moves the ball on the back surface by moving the mouse on the desk surface, and moves the cursor on the display in a direction corresponding to the moving direction of the mouse. A trackball moves a cursor in the same manner as described above by turning a relatively large sphere by hand.

<Problems to be solved by the invention> However, a mouse has a disadvantage that a large space is required on a desk surface. In the case of a trackball, you don't need a lot of space, but when you move the cursor a long distance, you have to turn the sphere with your hand,
It is necessary to repeat the operation of removing the hand from the sphere, returning it to its original position, turning the hand again on the sphere, and such a hand changing operation is unnatural and difficult to adjust, and the cursor movement is intermittent and awkward There are drawbacks.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and does not require a large space.
An object of the present invention is to enable a cursor to be moved easily and naturally.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve such an object.

That is, the coordinate input device of the present invention, a pen shaft-shaped grip portion to be gripped by a finger, a handle portion holder that fits the pen shaft-shaped grip portion in a coaxial state and in a state capable of tilting in all radial directions,
Pressure sensors in the x and y directions supported by the handle holder to detect a pressure change due to tilting of the pen shaft-like handle, and a change in pressing force of the pen shaft-like handle in the axial direction. A pressure sensor for performing coordinate designation by pressing the pen shaft-shaped handle in the axial direction, and the pen shaft-shaped handle is provided with a cancel switch for canceling the coordinate designation, and the pen shaft The shaft protruding from the lower part of the handle is fitted inside the cylindrical body,
The cylindrical body is tightly fitted inside the upper cylindrical portion of the handle holder via a cylindrical rubber in a state of being in close contact therewith, and between the cylindrical rubber and the inner wall of the cylindrical portion, in the x direction and the y direction. Wherein said pressure sensor is supported.

<Operation> According to the above configuration of the present invention, when the pen shaft-shaped handle portion is tilted by grasping with a finger, the outputs of the pressure sensors in the x direction and the y direction change according to the tilt direction, and the cursor is set based on the output. Is moved in a direction corresponding to the tilting direction of the pen shaft-shaped handle. Furthermore, by pressing the pen shaft-shaped handle portion in the axial direction, the output of the pressure sensor that senses the pressing force changes and the coordinates can be designated, and by operating the cancel switch of the pen shaft-shaped handle portion, You can cancel specified coordinates.

In addition, the shaft of the pen shaft-shaped handle is tightly fitted inside the tube of the handle holder via the tube and the rubber, and between the cylindrical rubber and the inner wall of the tube, x Since the pressure sensors in the direction and the y direction are supported, the output of the pressure sensor in the x and y directions can be changed and the cursor can be moved by only slightly tilting the pen shaft-shaped handle. .

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the coordinate input device A.

A raised base 4 is formed integrally with the hand rest 2, and the base of the pen-shaped coordinate input device A is supported on the base 4 in a semi-fixed state. That is, the pen-shaped coordinate input device A can be adjusted to an arbitrary direction and an arbitrary angle, and the adjusted posture can be fixed by a screw (not shown) on the back surface. It has become.

1A is a sectional view taken along the axial direction of the pen-type coordinate input device A, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

A shaft 6a is integrally protruded from the lower part of the pen shaft-like handle 6 which is gripped by the operator's finger. A rubber 10 and a pressure sensor 12 for designating coordinates are provided below the tubular body 8 into which the shaft body 6a is vertically movably fitted. The pressure sensor 12
It is supported in contact with the bottom surface of the cylindrical body 8. A cylindrical rubber 14 is fitted on the cylindrical body 8 in a tightly contacted state, and a pair of pressure sensors 16x ₁ , 16x ₂ in the x direction are provided in four concave portions formed every 90 ° on the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical rubber 14. And a pair of pressure sensors 18y ₁ and 18y ₂ in the y direction are embedded. The tubular rubber 14 is fitted in the tubular portion 20a, which is integrally projected on the upper portion of the handle holder 20, in a close contact state.

As described above, the cylindrical rubber 14 is closely fitted to the cylindrical body 8 in which the shaft body 6a of the pen shaft-shaped handle 6 is fitted, and the cylindrical rubber 14 is The concave portion of the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical rubber 14 and the grip portion holder 20
Since the x-direction and y-direction pressure sensors 16x ₁ , 16x ₂ ; 18y ₁ , 18y ₂ are supported between the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 20a and the pen shaft-shaped grip portion 6, the pen shaft-shaped grip portion 6 is tilted extremely slightly. Only then, the cursor can be moved as will be described later, the amount of tilting can be reduced as compared with a conventional joystick, and operability is improved. Four pressure sensors 16x _1, 16x _2, 18
y ₁ and 18y ₂ are for moving the cursor, and are supported in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 20a. A cancel switch 22 is provided near the lower portion of the pen shaft-shaped handle portion 6 at a position where the index finger touches the pen shaft-shaped handle portion 6 when the finger is grasped by a finger (see FIG. 2).

The shaft 6a, the cylindrical body 8, the cylindrical rubber 14, and the cylindrical portion 20a are coaxial with each other. Four pressure sensors 16x _1, 16x
_{For 2} , 18y ₁ and 18y ₂ , a strain gauge or the like is used.

Since the cylindrical rubber 14 exists between the cylindrical body 8 in which the shaft body 6a of the pen shaft-shaped handle 6 is fitted and the cylindrical portion 20a of the handle holder 20, the pen shaft-shaped handle 6 Can be tilted in all radial directions with respect to the handle holder 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an interface between the coordinate input device A having the above configuration and the microcomputer B. In the figure, reference numerals 30 and 32 denote pressure sensors 16x ₁ and 16 in the x direction.
amplifier circuit x _2, the amplifier circuit of the pressure sensor 18y _1, 18y ₂ in the y direction is 34, 36, the amplifier circuit of the pressure sensor 12 for coordinate designation is 38,
40 and 42 are comparators, 44 and 46 are subtraction circuits, 48 and 50 are absolute value circuits, and 52, 54 and 56 are A / D conversion circuits.

 Next, the operation of the coordinate input device A having the above configuration will be described.

Loosen the screw fixing the base of the handle holder 20 and the base 4 of the pen-type coordinate input device A, and hold the pen shaft-shaped handle 6 with your fingers while placing your hand on the hand rest 2. In order to be able to do so, the direction and angle of the pen shaft-shaped grip 6 are adjusted, and the grip holder 20 is fixed to the base 4 again with screws.

Even when the pen shaft-like handle 6 is in a free state,
Tubular rubber 14 which is sandwiched has multiplied the strength pressure in each of the pressure sensors _{16x 1, 16x 2, 18y 1} , 18y 2 for moving the cursor between the tubular body 8 and the cylindrical portion 20a, Amplifier circuits 30, 32, 3
The output voltages of 4,36 have a certain level. In its free state, it amplifies the output voltage Vx ₁ of the amplifier circuit 30 in the x-direction circuit 32
The output voltage Vx ₂ and are equal, also previously adjusted amplification factor of the amplifier circuits so that the output voltage Vy ₂ of the output voltage Vy ₁ and amplifier circuit 36 in the y-direction of the amplifying circuit 34 equal.

Now, the user places the hand on the hand rest 2 and grasps the pen shaft-like handle 6 with his / her finger, and tilts the pen shaft-like handle 6 according to the direction in which the cursor is to be moved.

If the penholder shaped grip portion 6 when tilted in the x direction, the shaft 6a, a pressure sensor 16x _1, the pressure in 16x ₂ in the x direction from the tubular body 8 through the cylindrical rubber 14 is applied, The electromotive voltage of the tilt-side pressure sensor increases, and the electromotive voltage of the anti-tilt-side pressure sensor decreases. The electromotive voltages of the pressure sensors 16x ₁ and 16x ₂ are amplified by the amplification circuits 30 and 32 and input to the comparator 40 and the subtraction circuit 44. This characteristic is shown in FIG. When tilting the pen shaft shaped grip portion 6 in the + x-direction, the output voltage Vx ₁ of the amplifier circuit 30 is increased, the output voltage Vx ₂ of the amplifier circuit 32 drops.
When tilted in the -x direction, the output voltage Vx ₁ is lowered, the output voltage Vx ₂ rises. The degree of rise and drop of the output voltage, penholder shaped grip portion 6 tilting angle of the size of depends on the magnitude of the pressure applied and thus the pressure sensor 16x _1, 16x _2.

The output voltages Vx ₁ , Vx ₂ are converted into (Vx ₁ , Vx ₂ ) by the subtraction circuit 44, and | Vx ₁ , Vx ₂ | = Vx by the absolute value circuit 48. The characteristics are shown in FIG. 4 (b). The absolute value voltage Vx is converted into digital data by the A / D conversion circuit 52 and input to the microcomputer B. Further, the output voltages Vx ₁ and Vx ₂ are compared in the comparator 40, and Vx ₁
When> Vx ₂ , it outputs "H" level to the microcomputer B, and when Vx ₁ <Vx ₂ , outputs "L" level.

The same applies to the case where the pen shaft-like handle 6 is tilted in the y direction. That is, the output voltages Vy ₁ , Vy of the amplifier circuits 34, 36
y ₂ is the absolute value voltage by the subtraction circuit 46 and the absolute value circuit 50
Vy = | Vy ₁ −Vy ₂ |, which is converted into digital data by the A / D conversion circuit 54 and input to the microcomputer B. The comparator 42 outputs an “H” level to the microcomputer B when Vy ₁ > Vy _{2 and} an “L” level when Vy ₁ <Vy ₂ .

Of course, the pen shaft-shaped grip portion 6 is also tilted in the combined direction of the x direction and the y direction, and the microcomputer B is
Data Vx and Vy from the A / D conversion circuits 52 and 54 for determining the magnitude of the operation vector of the cursor movement and “H” and “L” data from the comparators 40 and 42 for determining the direction are input. The microcomputer B is Is calculated, and this is set as the cursor moving speed. Also, Vy / V
Calculate x and use this as the cursor movement angle. further,
The cursor moving direction is determined by the combination of "H" and "L" from the comparators 40 and 42.

When the cursor is moved to the desired position as described above, the coordinates are designated by depressing the pen shaft-like handle 6. Pressure is applied to the pressure sensor 12 via the rubber 10,
The electromotive voltage is amplified by the amplifier circuit 38, converted into digital data by the A / D conversion circuit 56, and input to the microcomputer B. The degree of coordinate designation is adjusted by adjusting the force with which the pen shaft-shaped grip portion 6 is pressed, and for example, it is possible to adjust the shade expression of color in drawing. Pressing the cancel switch 22 cancels the coordinate designation.

The operating condition of the pen-type coordinate input device A as described above is summarized as follows.

Since the pen shaft-shaped handle 6 is held by fingers and the pen shaft-shaped handle 6 is tilted in the direction in which the cursor is desired to be moved, the cursor can be moved in a natural way in the same way as when writing characters or pictures on paper. I can do it. In this case, the reaction force of the cylindrical rubber 14 is felt by the finger, and the response can make it easy to recognize the cursor moving direction. Of course, no large space on the desk is required.

The cursor moving speed can be easily adjusted according to the degree of tilt of the pen shaft-like handle 6. Also,
By responding to the reaction force of the tubular rubber 14, the degree of the cursor moving speed can be easily recognized.

The coordinates can be designated by depressing the pen shaft-like handle 6. That is, the coordinates can be specified following the cursor movement without the need to change the hand.

Although the above embodiment is for a right-handed person as shown in FIG. 2, it can be made for a left-handed person by providing the pedestal 4 at the right end of the hand rest 2.

<Effect of the Invention> According to the present invention, since the cursor can be moved by only slightly tilting the pen shaft-shaped handle portion,
The operability is improved, and there is an effect that the operation can be performed without a large space and with a natural feeling in the same manner as writing characters on paper.

Furthermore, by pressing the pen shaft handle in the axial direction, that is, by pushing it down, it is possible to specify the coordinates following the cursor movement, and by operating the cancel switch of the pen shaft handle, You can easily cancel the coordinates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a pen-type coordinate input device along the axial direction, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a pen-type coordinate input device, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an interface between the coordinate input device and a microcomputer, The figure is a displacement-voltage characteristic diagram. 6 ...... penholder shaped grip portion, 16x _1, 16x ₂ ...... x-direction pressure sensors, 18y _1, 18y ₂ ...... y-direction pressure sensor, 20 ...... grip holder

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A grip portion holder (20) in which a pen shaft-shaped grip portion (6) to be gripped with fingers and a pen shaft grip portion (6) are fitted coaxially and tiltably in all radial directions. When, x direction and y direction of the pressure sensor _{(16x 1, 16x 2, 18y} 1 senses the pressure change based on tilt of the pen shaft shaped handle portion is supported on the grip portion holder (20) (6), 18y ₂ ) and a pressure sensor (12) for detecting a change in the pressing force of the pen shaft-like handle (6) in the axial direction, and pressing the pen shaft-like handle (6) in the axial direction. A coordinate switch is provided on the pen shaft-like handle (6), and a cancel switch (22) for canceling the coordinate specification.
A shaft (6) protruding from a lower portion of the pen shaft-shaped handle (6).
a) is fitted inside the tubular body (8), and the tubular body (8) is mounted on the tubular portion (20) above the handle portion holder (20).
a) is fitted inside in tight contact with the cylindrical rubber (14),
Between the tubular rubber (14) and the inner wall of the tubular portion (20a), the pressure sensors (16x ₁ , 16x ₂ ,
18y ₁ , 18y ₂ ) is supported.