JP7794230B2 - Operating device, control unit, and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an operating device equipped with a movable member, a control unit, and a control method.

Operating devices such as mice equipped with switches such as microswitches are widely used as input devices for electronic devices such as computers. In particular, various characteristics are now required of mice used in computer games known as e-sports. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a microswitch that can be used as a mouse switch. The microswitch disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses optical elements such as a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and the optical elements open and close a circuit.

International Publication No. 2016/112842

Switches that open and close circuits using optical elements, such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1, require that the elements be energized either constantly or intermittently, resulting in increased power consumption.

This application discloses an operating device, control unit, and control method that are capable of controlling the power consumption of elements, etc.

In order to solve the above problems, the operating device described in this application includes a movable member that swings in response to external pressure and outputs a signal based on the swing of the movable member. The operating device includes a contacted member that moves toward or away from the movable member as the movable member swings, a light-receiving element that can detect light while current is flowing through it, and a control unit that controls the flow of current to the light-receiving element. The operating device is capable of outputting a signal based on contact with the contacted member as the movable member swings, and is capable of outputting a signal by transmitting or blocking light detected by the light-receiving element as the movable member swings, and the control unit controls the output of the signal based on the light detection status of the light-receiving element as the movable member swings.

The operating device further includes a switching unit that receives a switching input to switch the control method used by the control unit, and the control unit controls the output of a signal using a control method selected from a plurality of modes including a high-speed mode, a power-saving mode, and a high-speed power-saving mode in response to the switching input from the switching unit. The high-speed mode is a control method in which current is constantly applied to the light-receiving element, the power-saving mode is a control method in which current is not applied to the light-receiving element, and the high-speed power-saving mode is a control method in which, after a signal is output based on the light detection status of the light-receiving element as the movable member swings, the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and begins outputting a signal, the light-receiving element is not energized.

Furthermore, the control unit described in this application is a control unit that controls the output of a signal based on the swing of a movable member that swings in response to external pressure, and is equipped with a first determination means that determines the contact state of a contacted part that moves in contact with or away from the movable member as it swings; a current control means that controls the flow of current to a light-receiving element that can detect light while current is flowing; a second determination means that determines the transmission or blocking of light due to the swing of the movable member from the light detection status of the light-receiving element; and an output means that outputs an ON signal based on the first determination means and the second determination means, and is characterized in that the current control means controls the flow of current based on the light detection status of the second determination means.

Furthermore, the control unit controls the output of a signal using a control method selected from a plurality of modes including a high-speed mode, a power-saving mode, and a high-speed power-saving mode. The high-speed mode is a control method in which current is constantly applied to the light-receiving element, the power-saving mode is a control method in which current is not applied to the light-receiving element, and the high-speed power-saving mode is a control method in which, after a signal is output based on the light detection status of the light-receiving element as the movable member swings, current is not applied to the light-receiving element when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting a signal.

Furthermore, the control method described in this application is a control method for a control unit that controls the output of a signal based on the swing of a movable member that swings in response to external pressure, and the control unit includes a first determination means that determines the disconnection state of a contacted part that is disconnected when the movable member swings; a current control means that controls the flow of current to a light-receiving element that can detect light while current is flowing; a second determination means that determines the transmission or blocking of light due to the swing of the movable member, and the light detection status of the light-receiving element; and an output means that outputs an ON signal based on the first determination procedure and the second determination procedure, and the current control means controls the flow of current based on the light detection status of the second determination means.

Furthermore, the control method controls signal output in a mode selected from a plurality of modes including a high-speed mode, a power-saving mode, and a high-speed power-saving mode. The high-speed mode is a mode in which current is always applied to the light-receiving element, the power-saving mode is a mode in which current is not applied to the light-receiving element, and the high-speed power-saving mode is a mode in which, after a signal is output based on the light detection status of the light-receiving element as the movable member swings, current is not applied to the light-receiving element when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting a signal.

The operating device described in this application performs control according to the light detection status. This achieves at least one of the following effects: controlling the power consumption of the element and increasing its speed.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device described in the present application. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a switch described in the present application. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a switch described herein. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of a switch described in the present application. 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of a support member and a contacted member included in a switch described in the present application. 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of a light-emitting unit included in a switch described in the present application. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an operating device described in the present application. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a current application method switching process using a switch described in the present application. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power supply control process in a high-speed power saving mode in the switch described in the present application. 1 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of signal processing by a switch described herein. 1 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of signal processing by a switch described herein. 1 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of signal processing by a switch described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Application example>
The operating device described herein is used, for example, as an operating device such as a mouse used to operate a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). The switch described herein is incorporated as a microswitch into various electronic devices and other devices that include the operating device. The operating device 1 and switch 2 illustrated in the drawings will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Operating device 1>
First, the operating device 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device 1 described herein. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the operating device 1 described herein is applied to a mouse used to operate an electronic device such as a personal computer. The operating device 1 includes a pressing operation unit 10, such as a mouse button, that accepts pressing operations by the user's finger, and a rotation operation unit 11, such as a mouse wheel, that accepts rotation operations by the user's finger. The rotation operation unit 11 is configured to accept not only rotation operations but also pressing operations, and thus also functions as the pressing operation unit 10. The operating device 1 is also connected to a signal line 12 that outputs an electrical signal to an external device such as a personal computer. The operating device 1 is not limited to wired communication using the signal line 12, and can output electrical signals via various communication methods, such as wireless communication. Furthermore, the operating device 1 includes a switching operation unit 13, such as a push button, on its side that accepts switching operations to switch the power supply method. The user performs various operations on the operating device 1, such as pressing the pressing operation unit 10, rotating the rotating operation unit 11, and moving (dragging) the operating device 1 while pressing the pressing operation unit 10.

The operating device 1 houses a switch 2 (described below) for each pressing operation unit 10 and rotating operation unit 11. When a pressing operation unit 10 is performed, a part inside the pressing operation unit 10 presses the corresponding switch 2. The switch 2 outputs a signal based on the pressing status via signal line 12 to an external electronic device such as a personal computer.

That is, the operating device 1 described in this application comprises a pressing operation unit 10 that accepts pressing operations from the outside, a rotation operation unit 11 that accepts operations such as rotation operations, and a switching operation unit 13, and further comprises an internal switch 2. The operating device 1 transmits pressing operations accepted by the pressing operation unit 10 and/or the rotation operation unit 11 to the switch 2 as external pressure, and outputs a signal based on the operation of the switch 2 to an external electronic device via a signal line 12.

<Switch 2>
Next, the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch 2 described in the present application. In this specification, the directions of the switch 2 are expressed as follows: the left front side as viewed in Fig. 2 is the front, the right rear side is the rear, the left rear side is the left, the right front side is the right, the upper side is the top, and the lower side is the bottom; however, these directions are for convenience of explanation and do not limit the mounting direction of the switch 2. As described above, the switch 2 is housed as a microswitch inside an electronic device such as the operating device 1, and receives a pressing operation received by a portion such as the pressing operation unit 10 of the operating device 1 as an external pressure.

The switch 2 includes a housing 20 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 20 is formed by a lower base 20a and an upper cover 20b. A rectangular insertion hole 200, through which a pressing member 21 is inserted, is opened on the top surface of the housing 20, located to the left of the center when viewed from the front. The pressing member 21 inserted into the insertion hole 200 is a member that moves up and down within a range from a first position above to a second position below when pressed from outside the housing 20. The upper end of the pressing member 21 protrudes from the top surface of the housing 20.

Furthermore, protruding from the underside of the housing 20 are a first terminal 220 that is part of the support member 22 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described below, a second terminal 230 that is part of the contacted member 23 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described below, a third terminal pair 240 that is part of the light-emitting unit 24 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described below, and a fourth terminal pair 250 that is part of the light-receiving unit 25 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described below. The first terminal 220 protrudes from the left edge of the underside of the housing 20. The second terminal 230 protrudes from near the center of the underside of the housing 20. The third terminal pair 240 and the fourth terminal pair 250 protrude side by side in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions from the right edge of the underside of the housing 20. The two terminals protruding side by side on the front side of the underside of the housing 20 are the third terminal pair 240, and the two terminals protruding side by side on the rear side are the fourth terminal pair 250.

In the switch 2 configured in this manner, an external pressing operation received by the operating device 1 is transmitted to the pressing member 21 as pressure from outside the housing 20. When pressure from the outside is received, the pressing member 21 moves from the upper first position to the lower second position, and when the pressure from the outside is released, it moves from the lower second position to the upper first position.

Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch 2 described herein. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross-section of the switch 2 described herein. Figure 4 shows a cross-section cut along a vertical plane including line A-B shown in Figure 2, as viewed from the front.

A space is provided within the housing 20 of the switch 2 as a storage chamber 201 that houses various components that open and close the electrical circuit. An insertion hole 200 that penetrates from the outside of the housing 20 is opened in the top surface of the storage chamber 201, and a pressing member 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 200.

The various components housed within the storage chamber 201 will now be described. The storage chamber 201 contains various components, such as the aforementioned pressing member 21, support member 22, contacted member 23, light-emitting unit 24, and light-receiving unit 25, as well as a movable member 26. A first locking portion 221, which is part of the support member 22, is located on the lower left side of the storage chamber 201, and a second locking portion 222, which is part of the support member 22, is located on the lower center side of the storage chamber 201. The contacted member 23 is located on the lower right side of the storage chamber 201. The light-emitting unit 24 is located on the lower right side of the storage chamber 201, in front of the contacted member 23, and the light-receiving unit 25 is located behind the contacted member 23. The movable member 26 is located within the storage chamber 201, extending left and right, and is locked by the first locking portion 221 and second locking portion 222 of the support member 22.

The support member 22 and the contacted member 23 will now be described further. Figure 5 is a schematic external view showing an example of the support member 22 and contacted member 23 provided in the switch 2 described herein. Figure 5 is a front view of the switch 2, seen from the front, illustrating only the support member 22 and contacted member 23 arranged within the switch 2. The support member 22 and contacted member 23 illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5 are all formed from conductive metal plates and are arranged at a distance within the housing 20.

The support member 22 is thin and erected with its normal direction aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The lower part of the support member 22 is formed as a first terminal 220 that protrudes from the underside of the housing 20. The upper part of the support member 22, located within the storage chamber 201, is bifurcated into two parts, with the left part formed as a first locking portion 221 and the right part formed as a second locking portion 222. The first locking portion 221 and the second locking portion 222 are bent toward the front to make it easier to lock the movable member 26.

The contactable member 23 is a thin plate-like member erected with its normal direction aligned in the front-to-rear direction, and is erected at a position rearward of the light-emitting unit 24 and forward of the light-receiving unit 25, spaced apart from the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25. The lower part of the contactable member 23 is formed as a second terminal 230 protruding from the underside of the housing 20. The upper part of the contactable member 23, located within the accommodation chamber 201, forms a contactable portion 231 with which the movable member 26 comes into contact when the pressing member 21 is in the second position and pressing the movable member 26. A light-shielding plate 232 that blocks light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 is formed below the contactable portion 231 of the contactable member 23, and the light-shielding plate 232 has a transmission hole 233 that allows light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 to pass through.

The light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 will now be described further. Figure 6 is a schematic external view showing an example of the light-emitting unit 24 included in the switch 2 described herein. The light-emitting unit 24 illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 6 emits light upon receiving power from the control unit CU (see Figure 11, etc.), which will be described later, and the light-receiving unit 25 receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24. The light-receiving unit 25 can detect the received light only when power is being applied from the control unit CU. The light-emitting unit 24 is configured using a light-emitting element 241, such as an LED. The light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 is molded within a resin unit housing 242, and the third terminal pair 240 protrudes from the unit housing 242. Two approximately linear lead frames 243 are arranged inside the unit housing 242. One end of the lead frame 243 protrudes from the inside to the outside of the unit housing 242, forming the third terminal pair 240. The other end of the lead frame 243 is located within the unit housing 242, and the light-emitting element 241 is mounted thereon and bonded thereto by a wire 244. The light-emitting element 241, lead frame 243, and wire 244 are disposed at the bottom of a recess formed within the unit housing 242. The recess formed within the unit housing 242 is filled with a highly transmittance resin such as epoxy resin during the manufacturing process, and components such as the light-emitting element 241 are molded within the unit housing 242 in a state that is visible from the outside. FIG. 6 shows the light-emitting unit 24 in a state in which the unit housing 242 is filled with a highly transmittance resin and the interior is visible. The light-receiving unit 25 is configured using a light-receiving element 251, such as a photodiode (PD) or a phototransistor (PT), as a detector for detecting light. The light-receiving element 251 is capable of detecting light when power is supplied from the control unit CU. The configuration of the light-receiving unit 25 is substantially similar to that of the light-emitting unit 24, so the description of the light-emitting unit 24 should be taken into consideration and a detailed description will be omitted. Note that the light-emitting element 241 and third terminal pair 240 described as components of the light-emitting unit 24 should be read as the light-receiving element 251 and fourth terminal pair 250 when understanding the light-receiving unit 25.

In the housing 20 of the switch 2, the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 are arranged so that the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 face each other, so that the light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 is received by the light-receiving element 251. When electricity is applied to the light-emitting unit 24 through the third terminal pair 240, the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 emits light. When light is detected, the electricity-carrying state of the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 changes, and an ON signal based on the change in electricity-carrying state due to light reception is output from the fourth terminal pair 250.

The movable member 26 will now be described in further detail. The movable member 26 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is made of a conductive metal plate and is disposed within the storage chamber 201 so that its longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. The left end of the movable member 26 is a fixed end that is engaged with the first engaging portion 221 and functions as a swing fulcrum 260. The right end of the movable member 26 is a movable abutment portion 261 that swings as a free end and moves toward and away from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23 as a result of the swing. The right end of the movable member 26 also forms a substantially rectangular light-shielding piece 262 that is bent downward from the movable abutment portion 261. The light-shielding piece 262 is formed so that its normal direction is the front-to-rear direction, and is provided with a substantially rectangular transmission window 263 through which light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 passes. The light-blocking piece 262 is located in front of the contacted member 23 and behind the light-emitting unit 24, spaced apart from the contacted member 23 and the light-emitting unit 24, and is positioned between the contacted member 23 and the light-emitting unit 24. The movable member 26 is formed with a biasing portion 264 that functions as a return spring and is punched out near the center and bent into an arc, and the tip of the biasing portion 264 is engaged with a second engaging portion 222 formed near the center of the accommodation chamber 201. The biasing portion 264 generates a reaction force that resists the pressure of the pressing member 21.

In the switch 2 configured as described above, the pressing member 21 moves downward when pressed from the outside, depressing the movable member 26. When the movable member 26 is pressed down, the movable abutment 261 and light-shielding piece 262 on the right end, which is the free end of the movable member 26, move down. When the movable abutment 261 of the movable member 26 moves down, the movable abutment 261 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. When the movable abutment 261 of the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23, electrical continuity is established from the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 to the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23. When electrical continuity is established between the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230, it becomes possible to close a first circuit external to the switch 2 and output an ON signal. When the light-shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26 is lowered, the optical path from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 to the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 passes through a transparent window 263 opened in the light-shielding piece 262. Therefore, when power is supplied from the control unit CU, light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 passes through the transparent window 263 opened in the light-shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26 and further passes through the transparent hole 233 opened in the light-shielding plate 232 of the contacted member 23 to reach the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25. When power is supplied from the control unit CU, the light-receiving element 251 detects reception of light from the light-emitting element 241, thereby entering an ON state and being able to output an ON signal. Furthermore, when the movable abutting portion 261 of the movable member 26 is lowered, the movable abutting portion 261 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. A metallic sound is generated when the movable abutment portion 261 of the metal movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the metal contacted member 23. The user perceives the metallic sound generated when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23 as a clicking sound. The user also perceives the sensation of the movable member 26 coming into contact with the contacted member 23 as a clicking sensation. Note that by appropriately designing the materials and shapes of the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23, it is possible to control the sound and sensation of contact generated when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23, and adjust the clicking sound and clicking sensation. For example, by using materials and shapes that are less likely to produce clicking sounds, it is possible to achieve quieter clicking.

When the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is urged upward by the reaction force of the urging portion 264. As the movable member 26 is urged upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. As the urging portion 264 urges the movable member 26 upward, the movable abutment portion 261 and light-shielding piece 262 located on the right end side of the movable member 26 rise. As the movable abutment portion 261 of the movable member 26 rises, the movable abutment portion 261 moves away from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. As the movable abutment portion 261 of the movable abutment portion 261 moves away from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23, an insulating state is established between the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 and the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23. As the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 are isolated from each other, the first circuit opens. When the light-blocking piece 262 of the movable member 26 is raised, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 is blocked by the light-blocking piece 262, turning it off.

Next, the opening and closing of a circuit by the switch 2 described herein will be described. Figures 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch 2 described herein. Figures 7 and 8 show a cross-section taken along a vertical plane including line A-B shown in Figure 2, viewed from the front. Note that in Figures 7 and 8, the outlines of the support member 22 and the contacted member 23 hidden by the housing 20 are indicated by dashed lines. Figure 7 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is not subjected to external pressure and is positioned in the upper first position. Figure 8 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is subjected to external pressure and has descended to the lower second position. By transitioning from the state illustrated in Figure 7 in which no pressure is applied to the state illustrated in Figure 8 in which pressure is applied, the right end of the movable member 26 descends, and the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23. Contact between the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23 establishes electrical continuity from the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 to the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23. When the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 are electrically connected, current flows as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 8, resulting in an ON state. When the external pressure is released and the state returns to that shown in Figure 7, the flowing current is cut off and the device is turned OFF.

Figures 9 and 10 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of a switch 2 described herein. Figures 9 and 10 show a cross-section taken along a vertical plane including line C-D shown in Figure 2, viewed from the right. Figure 9 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is not receiving external pressure and is in an upper first position, while Figure 10 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is receiving external pressure and has lowered to a lower second position. By transitioning from the state shown in Figure 9 in which no pressure is being applied to the state shown in Figure 10 in which pressure is being applied, the right end of the movable member 26 lowers, and the optical path from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 to the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 passes through the transparent window 263 opened in the light-shielding piece 262. Therefore, as shown by the solid arrows in Figure 10, light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 when power is applied passes through the transparent window 263 opened in the light-blocking piece 262 of the movable member 26, passes through the transparent hole 233 opened in the light-blocking plate 232 of the contacted member 23, and reaches the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25. When the power-applied light-receiving element 251 detects the reception of light from the light-emitting element 241, it enters the ON state. When the external pressure is released and the state returns to the example state shown in Figure 9, the optical path between the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 is blocked and the state becomes OFF.

<Functional configuration>
Next, the functional configuration of the controller device 1 described herein will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the controller device 1 described herein. The switch 2 includes a contact mechanism 27 using components such as a support member 22 and a contacted member 23, and a contactless mechanism 28 using components such as a light-emitting unit 24 and a light-receiving unit 25. The controller device 1 also includes a switching unit SU that operates in conjunction with the switching operation unit 13 and a power supply unit PSU that supplies power to a control unit CU that controls various processes. In FIG. 11, thin lines connecting the components indicate wiring that serves as a medium for various signals, and thick lines indicate wiring that serves as a medium for power. Electricity is supplied to the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 of the contactless mechanism 28 from the control unit CU via a signal line 12. The line extending to the right in FIG. 12 indicates the signal line 12 connected to the controller device 1. For example, the signal line 12 can be configured as a communication line conforming to a communication standard such as the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, thereby serving as a medium for signal communication and power supply.

The switching unit SU is a circuit that accepts the switching operation as an external switching input when the switching operation unit 13 accepts a switching operation to switch the power supply method. The switching unit SU transmits the external switching input as a switching signal to the control unit CU. Note that the external switching input is not limited to the operation from the switching operation unit 13 shown as an example, and can be designed as appropriate to accept a switching signal from an external electronic device such as a connected computer.

The control unit CU is configured using a processor such as a microcomputer, and is a circuit that exchanges various commands and signals with the switching unit SU, power supply unit PSU, contactless mechanism 28, and contact mechanism 27, controlling these circuits. Specifically, the control unit CU outputs a signal via signal line 12 based on the open/close state of the contact mechanism 27. The control unit CU also controls the supply of electricity to the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 of the contactless mechanism 28, and when the light-receiving unit 25 detects light reception, outputs a signal based on the detection status via signal line 12. Furthermore, the control unit CU switches the method of supplying electricity to the contactless mechanism 28 based on the switching signal from the switching unit SU.

The power supply unit PSU is a circuit that supplies power to the various components of the switch 2. The power supply unit PSU may be configured using a battery built into the housing of the operating device 1 or the switch 2, or may be configured as a circuit that controls power supplied from an external source via the signal line 12.

The switching unit SU, control unit CU, and power supply unit PSU can be placed inside the housing of the switch 2, or outside the housing 20, for example, on the board on which the switch 2 is mounted; this can be designed as appropriate.

<Signal Processing>
Next, a description will be given of signal processing of the switch 2 described herein. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a current-carrying-method switching process performed by the switch 2 described herein. The control unit CU included in the switch 2 executes the current-carrying-method switching process when the switching unit SU receives an external switching input, such as a switching operation on the switching operation unit 13, for example.

In the power supply method switching process, the control unit CU of the switch 2 receives a switching input from the switching unit SU (S101) and switches the power supply method based on the received switching input (S102). The power supply method can be set to various methods, such as high-speed mode, high-speed power-saving mode, and power-saving mode, and can be switched as needed. If the power supply unit PSU is configured using a battery, the power supply method may be switched based on the remaining power of the power supply unit PSU. High-speed mode is a power supply method that constantly supplies power to the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28, maintaining a high-speed response with minimal delay from operation to signal output. High-speed power-saving mode is a power supply method that reduces power consumption while maintaining a high-speed response. Power-saving mode is a power supply method that limits power supply to the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28 depending on the situation.

Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the power supply control process in the high-speed power saving mode for the switch 2 described herein. As part of the power supply control process, the control unit CU of the switch 2 supplies power to the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 of the contactless mechanism 28, monitors whether the contactless mechanism 28 is in the ON state, and determines whether the contactless mechanism 28 has entered the ON state (S201). When the pressing operation unit 10 of the operating device 1 is pressed, the contact mechanism 27 and the contactless mechanism 28 enter the ON state. However, due to the high responsiveness of the contactless mechanism 28, the contactless mechanism 28 usually enters the ON state first. This is due to factors such as bounce occurring when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23, which causes the contactless mechanism 27 to take longer to transition to a stable ON state than the contactless mechanism 28.

In step S201, if the light-receiving element 251 detects light and the non-contact mechanism 28 is turned on (S201: YES), the control unit CU causes the operating device 1 to output an on signal (S202). After outputting the on signal, the control unit CU determines whether the contact mechanism 27 is turned on (S203).

If it is determined in step S203 that the contact mechanism 27 has entered the ON state (S203: YES), the control unit CU stops power supply to the light-emitting element 241 of the non-contact mechanism 28 (S204) and stops power supply to the light-receiving element 251 (S205). By performing restriction processing such as power shutdown, external signal output is performed only by the contact mechanism 27. The determination processing in step S203 takes into account the time difference between when the non-contact mechanism 28 enters the ON state and when the contact mechanism 27 enters the ON state. It is also possible to set a predetermined waiting time sufficient for the contact mechanism 27 to enter the ON state, and execute a waiting process for the predetermined waiting time as an alternative to the determination processing in step S203. If a waiting process is executed, the determination processing in step S203 can be omitted. That is, it is possible to output an ON signal in step S202, execute a waiting process for the predetermined waiting time, and then execute a process to stop power supply to the light-emitting element 241 in step S204. The predetermined waiting time sufficient to turn on the device is a time that takes into consideration the time it takes for the bounce that occurs when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23 to subside.

After stopping the supply of electricity to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 of the contactless mechanism 28, the control unit CU monitors whether the contact mechanism 27 has transitioned to the OFF state (S206). If the contact mechanism 27 has transitioned to the OFF state in step S206 (S206: YES), the control unit CU stops outputting the ON signal to the outside (S207). The control unit CU then cancels the power supply stop to the light-emitting element 241 of the contactless mechanism 28 (S208), cancels the power supply stop to the light-receiving element 251 (S209), resumes power supply, returns to step S201, and repeats the subsequent processes.

If it is determined in step S201 that the OFF state is maintained (S201: NO), the control unit CU repeats the process of step S201 in which it monitors the non-contact mechanism 28 to determine whether it has been switched ON. In other words, it monitors the ON state of the non-contact mechanism 28 until it is switched ON.

If it is determined in step S203 that the contact mechanism 27 is not in the ON state (S203: NO), the control unit CU repeats the process of step S203 in which it monitors the contact mechanism 27 and determines whether it has been turned ON. In other words, it monitors the state of the contact mechanism 27 until it is turned ON. As mentioned above, if a standby process is executed instead of the determination process of step S203, the monitoring process itself is unnecessary.

In step S206, if the contact mechanism 27 remains in the ON state (S206: NO), the control unit CU repeats the process of step S206, in which it monitors the contact mechanism 27 and determines whether it has transitioned to the OFF state. In other words, it monitors the state of the contact mechanism 27 until it switches to the OFF state.

In this way, the switch 2 provided in the operating device 1 outputs an ON signal based on the light detection status of the light-receiving element 251, and then when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23 and starts outputting the ON signal, it restricts the flow of electricity to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251. Furthermore, when the movable member 26 separates from the contacted member 23 and stops outputting the ON signal, the switch 2 lifts the restriction on the flow of electricity to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 and resumes the flow of electricity. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of power consumed during the period from the cessation of electricity to the resumption of electricity supply while maintaining the response speed of the non-contact mechanism 28. The electricity supply control process is executed in this manner.

The high-speed mode is a power supply method in which power is constantly supplied to the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28. The power-saving mode is a power supply method in which power is constantly stopped from being supplied to the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28.

Next, signal waveforms for each energization method are illustrated. FIG. 14 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of signal processing by the switch 2 described herein. FIG. 14 shows a waveform diagram in high-speed mode. In FIG. 14, the top waveform (MOUSE) indicates the pressed state of the operating device 1, with the uppermost waveform indicating an off state (not pressed) and the lowermost waveform indicating an on state (pressed). The second-highest waveform (LED) indicates the energized state of the light-emitting element 241, with the uppermost waveform indicating an off state (not energized) and the lowermost waveform indicating an energized, lit state. The bottom waveform (PD) indicates the light-receiving element 251's light-receiving detection state, with the uppermost waveform indicating an insensitive state (not detecting light) and the lowermost waveform indicating a sensitive state (detecting light).

In high-speed mode, the light-emitting element 241 is intermittently energized, emitting light at regular intervals, resulting in a pulsed waveform as shown in Figure 14. The light-receiving element 251 is constantly energized, and when light is emitted from the light-emitting element 241 and the light that passes through the transparent window 263 of the movable member 26 and the transparent hole 233 of the contacted member 23 is received, the light-receiving element 251 enters a sensitive state. Even when the light-emitting element 241 is turned off, there is residual light, so the transition from the sensitive state to the insensitive state of the light-receiving element 251 follows a curved waveform. The switch 2 outputs an ON signal when the contact mechanism 27 is ON or when the light-receiving element 251 of the non-contact mechanism 28 is in a sensitive state. It is also possible to control the output of the ON signal solely using the non-contact mechanism 28. In this case, the switch 2 outputs an ON signal when the light-receiving element 251 enters a sensitive state and stops outputting the ON signal when the insensitive state continues for a certain period of time. Therefore, the switch 2 can have a redundant configuration with a non-contact mechanism 28 and a contact mechanism 27, allowing for high-speed response and increased reliability.

15 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signal processing by the switch 2 described herein. Figure 15 shows a waveform diagram in high-speed power-saving mode. Figure 15 shows, from top to bottom, a waveform (MOUSE) indicating the pressed state of the operating device 1, a waveform (LED) indicating the energized state of the light-emitting element 241, and a waveform (PD) indicating the detection state of the light-receiving element 251. These waveforms are expressed in the same way as in Figure 14, and for comparison with Figure 14, the waveforms shown in Figure 14 are indicated by dashed lines. The waveform at the bottom shows the state of the contact mechanism 27 as a waveform (CONTACT), with the upper level indicating the open state in which no ON signal is output and the lower level indicating the closed state in which an ON signal is output. In the waveform of the contact mechanism 27, the vibrations immediately before the transition from the open state to the closed state and the vibrations immediately after the transition from the closed state to the open state indicate the state in which the movable member 26 is bouncing.

As explained in the flowchart of FIG. 13 , in the high-speed power saving mode, when the contact mechanism 27 is closed after the light-receiving element 251 enters the sensing state, the switch 2 stops the flow of current to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251. Furthermore, when the movable member 26 separates from the contacted member 23 and stops outputting the ON signal, the switch 2 removes the restriction on the flow of current to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 and resumes the flow of current. Therefore, the switch 2 described herein can reduce the amount of power consumed during the period from the cessation to the resumption of current flow to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 while maintaining the response speed of the contactless mechanism 28.

Figure 16 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signal processing by the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 16 shows a waveform diagram in power saving mode. From the top, Figure 16 shows a waveform (MOUSE) indicating the pressed state of the operating device 1, a waveform (LED) indicating the energized state of the light-emitting element 241, a waveform (PD) indicating the detection state of the light-receiving element 251, and a waveform (CONTACT) indicating the state of the contact mechanism 27. The representation of these waveforms is the same as in Figure 15. For comparison with Figure 14, the waveforms shown in Figure 14 are shown with dashed lines.

In power-saving mode, switch 2 constantly stops the flow of electricity to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251. Therefore, switch 2 outputs an ON signal when contact mechanism 27 is in the closed state, and stops outputting the ON signal when it is in the open state. In power-saving mode, no electricity is passed to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251, allowing for significant reductions in power consumption.

As described above, the switch 2 etc. described herein restricts, for example, the flow of current to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 when the contact mechanism 27 is closed after the light-receiving element 251 enters a sensitive state. Furthermore, when the movable member 26 separates from the contacted member 23 and stops outputting the ON signal, the switch 2 etc. removes the restriction on the flow of current to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 and resumes the flow of current. This allows the switch 2 etc. described herein to reduce the amount of power consumed during the period from the cessation to the resumption of current flow to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 while maintaining the response speed of the non-contact mechanism 28. For example, it is possible to reduce the power consumed when a user moves (drags) the operating device 1, such as a mouse, while maintaining the pressing operation unit 10 of the operating device 1 in a pressed state.

Furthermore, the switch 2 and other devices described herein can switch current supply methods in addition to the high-speed power-saving mode described above by receiving a switching input from the switching unit SU. For example, in the high-speed mode in which current is constantly supplied to the non-contact mechanism 28, it is possible to achieve faster response times. This provides a variety of excellent benefits, including improved reliability through a redundant configuration using the non-contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27, and expanded functionality through the control of different power loads using the non-contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27.

Furthermore, when in power-saving mode, it is possible to reduce power consumption, providing other excellent benefits.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be expanded into various other forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not bound in any way by the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and variations that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the non-contact mechanism 28 is configured as an optical mechanism using a light-emitting element 241 that emits light and a light-receiving element 251 as a detector that detects the light as the detection target. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various mechanisms that do not have contacts can be used. For example, the non-contact mechanism 28 can be configured using a magnet that generates magnetic force and a Hall element as a detector that detects the magnetic force as the detection target, and various other configurations are possible.

In the above embodiment, for example, a conductive support member 22 and contacted member 23 are used as the contact mechanism 27, and a circuit is opened and closed by contacting and separating in response to the swinging of the conductive movable member 26. The present invention is not limited to conductive members, and any opening and closing mechanism having contacts is sufficient. Furthermore, the movement of the movable member 26 is not limited to swinging, and can be applied to various other movements, such as up and down movement when pressed. In other words, as long as the circuit can be opened and closed by the contacting and separating of the moving movable member 26, appropriate designs are possible, such as a configuration in which the contacted member 23, pressed by the movable member 26 moving from up to down when pressed, moves to open and close the circuit. Note that for the contactless mechanism 28, the movable member 26 does not need to be a conductive member.

In addition, for example, in the above embodiment, the current supply to the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 is restricted by stopping the current supply, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be implemented in various other ways, such as by lengthening the interval between intermittent current supply.

In addition, while the above embodiment shows a configuration in which the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 are incorporated into the housing 20, the present invention is not limited to this and can be implemented in various other configurations, such as by covering the housing 20 with the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 that are attached to a circuit board using a mounting method such as surface mounting.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the movable member 26 transmits light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 when it swings, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to appropriately design the movable member 26, such as by blocking light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 when it swings. It is also possible to appropriately design the movable member 26, such as by reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 and outputting an ON signal depending on the reception status of the reflected light.

1 Operating device 12 Signal line (output section)
13 Switching operation unit 2 Switch 20 Housing 21 Pressing member 22 Support member 23 Contacted member 231 Contacted portion 232 Light-shielding plate 233 Transmission hole 24 Light-emitting unit 241 Light-emitting element 25 Light-receiving unit 250 Fourth terminal pair 251 Light-receiving element (detection unit)
26 Movable member 262 Light blocking piece 263 Transparent window 27 Contact mechanism 28 Contactless mechanism SU Switching unit CU Control unit PSU Power supply unit

Claims (6)

An operating device comprising a movable member that swings in response to external pressure, and that outputs a signal in response to the swing of the movable member,
a contacted member that moves toward and away from the movable member by swinging;
a light receiving element capable of detecting light while energized;
a control unit that controls the power supply to the light receiving element,
The control unit
a signal based on contact with the contacted member caused by the swing of the movable member can be input ;
a signal based on whether the light receiving element detects light passing through or blocking the light in response to the swing of the movable member can be input ;
An operating device characterized in that an output signal is controlled based on a detection state of light from the light receiving element in accordance with the swing of the movable member. The operating device according to claim 1,
a switching unit that receives a switching input to switch a control method by the control unit;
The control unit
a control method selected from a plurality of modes including a high-speed mode, a power-saving mode, and a high-speed power-saving mode in response to a switching input from the switching unit, and the output of the signal is controlled by the control method selected from a plurality of modes including a high-speed mode, a power-saving mode, and a high-speed power-saving mode;
The high-speed mode is a control method in which the light-receiving element is constantly energized,
The power saving mode is a control method in which no current is applied to the light receiving element,
An operating device characterized in that the high-speed power saving mode is a control method in which, after outputting a signal based on the light detection status of the light receiving element as the movable member swings, when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting a signal, no current is passed to the light receiving element. A control unit for controlling output of a signal based on the swing of a movable member that swings based on external pressure,
a first determination means for determining a contact/separation state of a contacted part that is contacted and separated by the swinging of the movable member;
a current control means for controlling current flow to a light receiving element capable of detecting light while being energized;
a second determination means for determining whether light is transmitted or blocked by the swing of the movable member based on the state of light detection by the light receiving element;
an output means for outputting an ON signal based on the first determination means and the second determination means;
The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the power supply control means controls power supply to the light receiving element based on a state of light detection by the second determination means. 4. A control unit according to claim 3,
The output of the signal is controlled by a control method selected from a plurality of modes including a high-speed mode, a power-saving mode, and a high-speed power-saving mode;
The high-speed mode is a control method in which the light-receiving element is constantly energized,
The power saving mode is a control method in which no current is applied to the light receiving element,
A control unit characterized in that the high-speed power saving mode is a control method in which, after outputting a signal based on the light detection status of the light receiving element as the movable member swings, when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting a signal, no current is passed to the light receiving element. A control method for a control unit that controls output of a signal based on the swing of a movable member that swings based on external pressure, comprising:
The control unit
a first determination means for determining a disconnected state of a contacted part that is disconnected by the swinging of the movable member;
a current control means for controlling current flow to a light receiving element capable of detecting light while being energized;
a second determination means for determining whether light is transmitted or blocked by the swing of the movable member and whether the light is detected by the light receiving element;
an output means for outputting an ON signal based on the first determination procedure and the second determination procedure;
The control method, wherein the power supply control means controls power supply to the light receiving element based on a state of light detection by the second determination means. 6. The control method according to claim 5,
The signal output is controlled in accordance with a mode selected from a plurality of modes including a high-speed mode, a power-saving mode, and a high-speed power-saving mode;
The high-speed mode is a mode in which the light receiving element is constantly energized,
The power saving mode is a mode in which no current is applied to the light receiving element,
A control method characterized in that the high-speed power saving mode is a mode in which, after outputting a signal based on the light detection status of the light receiving element as the movable member swings, when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting a signal, no current is passed to the light receiving element.