JP3592189B2 - Pointing device and information processing device operated by jaw and mouth - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pointing device and an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a pointing device technology that enables an input operation without using a hand so that a handicapped person can perform an input operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, the theme of nursing care for the physically handicapped is a problem that attracts much attention. However, is the spread of information processing devices such as personal computers, which are tools for making life easier, a truly useful tool for people with disabilities? At present, most user interfaces can be described as using hands. However, a user interface for handicapped people is naturally necessary.
[0003]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-269722 discloses a keyboard-type input device that can be operated with the mouth or lips. In this device, a key to be input is selected from many keys by a mouth or a lip so that the key can be input. However, this method cannot be said to be a sufficiently easy operation for a user.
[0004]
Recently, GUI (Graphical User Interface) has been greatly developed in consideration of user's ease of use. For this reason, the user can perform a simple input operation of moving a cursor on a display screen to an operation area called a target icon and pressing an input switch without relying on an input device such as a keyboard. A mouse device is a typical pointing device that performs such an input operation. The mouse device usually has two input switches, and detects the movement of the mouse device itself and generates a movement information signal indicating the amount of movement in each of the movement directions (represented by the X (horizontal) direction and the Y (vertical) direction). Then, the signal is output to the information processing apparatus through a single cable together with a signal indicating the state of the input switch.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-244797 discloses a mouse-type pointing device. This pointing device has only a pointing (movement of the cursor position) operation function provided independently of the mouse device, and a small lever is operated by a mouth. However, a switch operation of the mouse device (hereinafter referred to as a click) is performed by a mouse. Since the operation is performed by the device, the pointing operation and the click operation cannot be performed at the same time.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional input device operated without using a hand has a problem that the operation cannot be easily performed, such as selecting a key to be input from many keys with a mouth or a lip. Also, you cannot perform operations that require pointing and switch operations at the same time, such as dragging and dropping, where you click the icon of a point, move the point while clicking, and then release the click. There was a problem.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device that enables various input operations to be easily performed without using a hand, and an information processing apparatus that connects the pointing device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first pointing device of the present invention operates a first input switch for transmitting an input operation to an information processing device, a second input switch for transmitting an input operation to the information processing device, and a movement of a cursor position on a display screen. A pointer moving device for irradiating infrared rays, and a wearing band adapted to be worn on a face, wherein a user operates the first input switch and the second input switch by using a chin or a mouth. Attached to the position of the wearing band that can be operated, and the pointer moving device is attached to a position of the wearing band that can be operated by a user.
[0011]
A second pointing device according to the present invention includes a first input switch for transmitting an input operation to an information processing device, a second input switch for transmitting an input operation to the information processing device, and a movement of a cursor position on a display screen. A pointer moving device for irradiating infrared rays to perform the operation, a mounting band adapted to be mounted on the face, and a movement in the form of a sheet, which detects the infrared light emitted from the pointer moving device and indicates movement information of the cursor position. A movement detection unit that generates and outputs an information signal, wherein the wearing band attaches the first input switch and the second input switch to a position where a user can operate the chin or the mouth using a chin or a mouth. Further, the pointer moving device is mounted at a position where the user can operate the device, and the signal of the first input switch and the signal of the second input switch are connected to a first cable. The second cable including the movement information signal output from the movement detection means and the first cable are connected together and connected to the information processing apparatus as a third cable. And
[0012]
The third pointing device of the present invention has a power switch for turning on / off the power supply to the pointer moving device, in addition to the second pointing device, and the wearing band that allows a user to operate the power switch. It is characterized in that it is attached to the position.
[0013]
According to a fourth pointing device of the present invention, in the first to third pointing devices, the wearing band is extendable and contractible.
[0014]
According to a fifth pointing device of the present invention, in the first to third pointing devices, the pointer moving device emits electromagnetic waves other than infrared rays.
[0015]
In a sixth pointing device of the present invention, in the second or third pointing device, the movement detecting means detects an electromagnetic wave other than infrared rays emitted from the pointer moving device and generates a movement information signal indicating movement information. It is characterized by the following.
[0016]
According to a seventh pointing device of the present invention, in the second or third pointing device, a signal included in the third cable is compatible with a signal of a mouse device.
[0017]
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention has means for connecting the second or third pointing device as an input device, and receiving the signal in the third cable and processing the signal in the same manner as the signal of the corresponding mouse device.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The main pointing device 10 includes a pointer moving device 11 for irradiating infrared rays, a lower input switch 12, an upper input switch 13, a power switch 14 for turning on / off the power supply of the pointer moving device 11, and these switches ( 12 to 14) and a mounting band 15 to which the pointer moving device 11 is attached and which is attached to the user's face. A cable 16 which collects ON / OFF state signals of the lower input switch 12 and the upper input switch 13 is connected. are doing.
[0019]
The movement detecting device 20 detects infrared rays emitted from the pointer moving device 11, detects the movement of the position of the sensing point, generates movement amounts in the X (horizontal) direction and the Y (vertical) direction, and generates a cable. 23. The cable 16 and the cable 23 are put together on the way to become a cable 25, which is connected to a connector prepared for a mouse device of the information processing apparatus.
[0020]
Each component of the main pointing device 10 is attached to a wearing band 15 so that it can be worn on the face of the user, and each component is arranged in a place where the user can easily operate. The user is supposed to operate with his / her chin or mouth (including lips, teeth, tongue, etc. in the present invention), and is specifically attached as follows.
[0021]
The pointer moving device 11 is attached to the wearing band 15 so as to be located on the front part of the chin of the user. The user can easily change the irradiation direction of the infrared ray by moving the face or the chin. The movement detection device 20 receiving this may be installed in a place where the user can easily operate. Since the wearing band 15 is made of rubber and has elasticity, the position can be slightly corrected, and the band 15 comes into close contact with the face. However, the material is not limited to a material having elasticity such as rubber, and may be a material which does not have elasticity and emphasizes ease of desorption.
[0022]
The function of the lower input switch 12 corresponds to a left-click switch of a general mouse device, and the function of the upper input switch 13 corresponds to a right-click switch of a general mouse device. The lower input switch 12 and the upper input switch 13 are of a push button type, and are mounted so as to be in close contact with the upper lip and the lower lip of the user, respectively. When the lower input switch 12 is operated, the lower lip is chewed, the lower input switch 12 is pulled into the mouth together with the lower lip, and the switch is turned on / off by pressing the switch with the upper teeth or the upper lip.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating this state. As shown in the figure, the lower input switch 12 located near the tip of the lower lip is moved into the mouth or near the entrance together with the lower lip by moving the chin and the lower lip to create the state of FIG. In this state, pressing the lower input switch 12 with the upper teeth or upper lip turns the lower input switch 12 on, and releasing the lower input switch 12 returns the switch to the off state. Operation is possible with the tongue in addition to the upper teeth or upper lip.
[0024]
Similarly, when operating the upper input switch 13, the upper lip is moved so as to bite the upper lip, the upper input switch 13 is pulled into the mouth or near the entrance, and the switch is turned on / off by the lower teeth or the lower lip. The specific method and means of input operation need not be the same, and the positions of the switches may be changed, and the two switches can be operated using the chin and the mouth without using hands. What is necessary is just to consider so that a drag-and-drop operation can be performed.
[0025]
The power switch 14 is mounted between the lower input switch 12 and the pointer moving device 11, and can be turned on and off by pressing the switch from the front. It can be operated by pressing against a fixed object such as a desk or wall near the face. Although this operation is somewhat troublesome, it is only necessary to perform an ON operation once when starting the input operation and an OFF operation once when ending the input operation, so that there is no great burden on the user.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection and configuration of the pointing device. The main pointing device 10 includes the pointer moving device 11, the lower input switch 12, the upper input switch 13, and the power switch 14 as described above, and transmits a signal indicating the on / off state of the lower input switch 12 and the upper input switch 13 to the cable 16. Output to These signals are functionally and electrically identical to the signals of the left and right switches of the mouse device, and have compatibility.
[0027]
The infrared light emitted from the pointer moving device 11 is received by the infrared heat-sensitive sheet 21 of the movement detecting device 20 installed at a remote place. The signal generation circuit 22 receives the light receiving position from the infrared thermosensitive sheet 21, generates a signal indicating the amount of movement in each of the X direction and the Y direction, and outputs the signal to the cable 23. The signal output here is functionally and electrically the same as the signal relating to the movement information of the mouse device, and has compatibility. Further, the signal generation circuit 22 is integrated with the infrared thermosensitive sheet 21 to be easily assembled and handled.
[0028]
The signal of the cable 16 and the signal of the cable 23 are combined into a cable 25 and connected to a connector of the information processing device 30 for a mouse device. The signal transmitted via the connector is recognized by the interface control means 31 as a left click operation or a double click operation. Although not shown in FIG. 2, each cable includes a power supply line and a ground line supplied from the information processing device 30, and is supplied to each component.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
First, the movement detection device 20 is installed as advance preparation. The installation place should be mounted on a place that is easy to use according to the usage conditions of the user, such as leaning against a wall or sticking to the ceiling. Next, the cable 25 is connected to the connector for the mouse device of the information processing device 30. Subsequently, the main pointing device 10 is worn on the face. The wearing band 15 of the main pointing device 10 may be worn in a wearing manner. Finally, the power switch 14 of the pointer moving device 11 of the main pointing device 10 is turned on. This completes the advance preparation.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the actual input operation will be described. By performing the preparation in advance, a state in which the pointer moving device 11 of the main pointing device 10 is irradiated with infrared rays is obtained. The user moves the jaw and irradiates it on the infrared thermosensitive sheet 21 to move the irradiation point. With this operation, the movement information is generated by the signal generation circuit 22 and sent to the information processing device 30 to be recognized by the interface control means 31, and the cursor is moved on the display screen. When the cursor is moved to a target location, the lower input switch 12 is clicked. By clicking, a signal is sent to the information processing device 30 and recognized by the interface control means 31, and at that time the icon pointed to by the cursor on the display screen is selected (a left click operation with a mouse device is performed). )
[0031]
In addition, by quickly clicking the lower input switch 12 twice, a double-click operation with a mouse device can be performed. In addition, an operation of moving an irradiation point while keeping the click and releasing the click at a target location. Thus, a drag and drop operation with a mouse device can be performed. On the other hand, by clicking the upper input switch 13, a right-click operation can be performed in a mouse device. The setting of the interface control means 31 may be switched so that the lower input switch 12 is the right switch of the mouse device and the upper input switch 13 is the left switch of the mouse device, depending on the circumstances and preferences of the user.
[0032]
As described above, after the preparation is completed, the user can easily execute the same operation as that performed by a general mouse device by operating the chin and mouth without using hands. In addition, since the power switch 14 for turning on and off the pointer moving device 11 that emits infrared rays is provided, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed when the pointer moving device 11 is not used, and the life of the pointer moving device 11 can be extended. .
[0033]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which infrared light is used as the pointer moving device 11 has been described. However, the operation and functions of the present invention other than infrared light can be easily realized without changing from the above description. For example, an electromagnetic wave such as a laser beam may be used. Any electromagnetic wave may be used as long as it exhibits a certain degree of directivity without diverging even at a normal indoor distance. Along with this, it is necessary to change the infrared thermosensitive sheet 21 to one that can detect the position of the irradiated electromagnetic wave. Although the signal in the cable 25 is made compatible with a general mouse device, it may be made compatible with signals of other pointing devices.
[0034]
Further, the signals in the cable 25 do not necessarily have to be compatible with a general mouse device. However, in this case, the interface control means 31 needs a function of receiving signals in the cable 25 and recognizing these signals as corresponding signals of the mouse device. In this case, it is possible to add a signal in addition to the signal corresponding to the conventional mouse device and to incorporate a switch having a new function, and it is easy to provide a pointing device that is easier to use. There are features.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the input operation function is attached to the wearing band so that the pointing device can be operated using the chin or the mouth. There is an effect that a person who is incapable of the function can easily perform various input operations of the pointing device.
[0036]
Furthermore, since the infrared light emitted from the pointer moving device attached to the wearing band is received by the position detecting device installed at an arbitrary position and movement information is generated, the pointing device can be moved in a free posture, for example, while lying down. There is an effect that a pointing operation can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a pointing device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a pointing device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a click operation of a lower input switch 12 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main pointing device 11 Pointer moving device 12 Lower input switch 13 Upper input switch 14 Power switch 15 Mounting band 16 Cable 20 Movement detecting device 21 Infrared thermosensitive sheet 22 Signal generation circuit 23 Cable 25 Cable 30 Information processing device

Claims (8)

A first input switch for transmitting an input operation to the information processing device, a second input switch for transmitting the input operation to the information processing device, and a pointer moving device for irradiating infrared rays to operate the movement of the cursor position on the display screen And a wearing band adapted to be worn on the face, and attaching the first input switch and the second input switch to a position of the wearing band that can be operated by a user using a chin or a mouth, A pointing device, wherein the pointer moving device is attached to a position of the wearing band that can be operated by a user. A first input switch for transmitting an input operation to the information processing device, a second input switch for transmitting the input operation to the information processing device, and a pointer moving device for irradiating infrared rays to operate the movement of the cursor position on the display screen A movement band for detecting the infrared light emitted from the pointer moving device and generating and outputting a movement information signal indicating movement information of the cursor position by detecting a wearing band adapted to be worn on the face; Means, wherein the wearing band attaches the first input switch and the second input switch to a position where the user can operate the device using a chin or a mouth, and further operates the pointer moving device by the user. At a position where it is possible to collectively output the signal of the first input switch and the signal of the second input switch to a first cable, Pointing device being characterized in that so as to connect to the information processing apparatus as a third cable together with the second cable including a movement information signal output of the first cable. 3. The pointing device according to claim 2 , further comprising a power switch for turning on / off a power supply to the pointer moving device, wherein the power switch is attached to a position of the wearing band that can be operated by a user. 4. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting band is extendable. 4. The pointing device according to claim 2 , wherein the pointer moving device emits electromagnetic waves other than infrared rays. 4. The pointing device according to claim 2, wherein the movement detecting means detects a electromagnetic wave other than infrared rays emitted from the pointer moving device and generates a movement information signal indicating movement information. 4. The pointing device according to claim 2, wherein a signal included in the third cable is compatible with a signal from a mouse device. 4. An information processing apparatus, wherein the pointing device according to claim 2 or 3 is connected as an input device, and upon receiving a signal in the third cable, processes the signal in the same manner as a signal from a corresponding mouse device.

Images