Operating device, control unit, and control method

Abstract

To provide a switch and an operating device capable of realizing power saving while maintaining a high-speed response.SOLUTION: A switch incorporated in an operating device includes a movable member that swings in response to a pressure from the outside, a contacted member that moves toward and away from the movable member as the movable member swings, and a light-receiving element that can detect light while electricity is flowing. The switch can output a signal in response to contact with the contacted member as the movable member swings, and can output a signal by transmitting or blocking light detected by the light-receiving element as the movable member swings. After outputting a signal in response to a light detection state of the light-receiving element as the movable member swings, the switch limits the flow of electricity to the light-receiving element when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting a signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device having a movable member, a control unit, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] 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 being demanded 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. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 112842 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A switch that opens and closes a circuit using an optical element as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem of increasing power consumption because it is necessary to energize the element constantly or intermittently.

[0005] The present application discloses an operating device, a control unit, and a control method that are capable of controlling the power consumption of an element, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the operating device described in the present application is an operating device that includes a movable member that swings in response to external pressure, and outputs a signal in response to the swinging of the movable member, and 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, and is capable of outputting a signal in response to 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 in response to the light detection status of the light-receiving element as the movable member swings.

[0007] 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 always 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 starts outputting a signal, no current is applied to the light-receiving element.

[0008] Furthermore, the control unit described in the present application is a control unit that controls the output of a signal based on the oscillation of a movable member that oscillates based on external pressure, and is equipped with a first determination means that determines the contact / separation state of a contacted part that comes into contact and separates as the movable member oscillates, a current control means that controls the supply 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 oscillation of the movable member from the light detection status by 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 supply of current based on the light detection status by the second determination means.

[0009] The control unit is also configured to control 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, wherein 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, when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting a signal, current is not applied to the light-receiving element.

[0010] Furthermore, the control method described in the present application is a control method for a control unit that controls the output of a signal based on the oscillation of a movable member that oscillates based on external pressure, and the control unit includes a first determination means that determines the disconnection state of a contacted part that is disconnected by the oscillation of the movable member, 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 light detection status by the light receiving element, which is the transmission or blocking of light due to the oscillation of the movable member, and an output means that outputs an ON signal based on the first determination procedure and the second determination procedure, and is characterized in that the current control means controls the flow of current based on the light detection status by the second determination means.

[0011] Furthermore, in the control method, the output of a signal is controlled by a mode selected from a plurality of modes including a high-speed mode, a power-saving mode, and a high-speed power-saving mode, wherein the high-speed mode is a mode in which current is constantly 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, when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting a signal, current is not applied to the light-receiving element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The operating device and the like described in the present application perform control in accordance with the light detection state, thereby achieving at least one of the effects of controlling the power consumption of the element and increasing the speed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device described in the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a switch described in the present application. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a switch described herein. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of a switch described in the present application. [Figure 5] 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. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of a light-emitting unit included in a switch described in the present application. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an operating device described in the present application. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a current application method switching process using a switch described in the present application. [Figure 13] 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. [Figure 14] 1 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of signal processing by a switch described herein. [Figure 15] 1 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of signal processing by a switch described herein. [Figure 16] 1 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of signal processing by a switch described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <Application example> The operating device described in the present application 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 in the present application is incorporated as a microswitch into various electronic devices and other devices that include the operating device. Below, an operating device 1 and a switch 2 illustrated in the drawings will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <Control 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 in the present application. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the operating device 1 described in the present application 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 with the user's finger, and a rotation operation unit 11 such as a mouse wheel that accepts rotation operations with 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 operation device 1, such as pressing the pressing operation unit 10, rotating the rotating operation unit 11, and moving (dragging) the operation device 1 while pressing the pressing operation unit 10.

[0017] Inside the operating device 1, a switch 2 (described later) is housed for each pressing operation unit 10 and each rotating operation unit 11, and when a pressing operation is performed on a pressing operation unit 10, a part inside the pressing operation unit 10 presses the corresponding switch 2. The switch 2 outputs a signal based on the pressing state via a signal line 12 to an external electronic device such as a personal computer.

[0018] That is, the operating device 1 described in the present application includes a pressing operation unit 10 that receives pressing operations from the outside, a rotation operation unit 11 that receives operations such as rotation operations, and a switching operation unit 13, and further includes an internal switch 2. The operating device 1 transmits the pressing operations received by the pressing operation unit 10 and / or the rotation operation unit 11 to the switch 2 as pressure from the outside, and outputs a signal based on the operation of the switch 2 from a signal line 12 to an external electronic device.

[0019] <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.

[0020] 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 formed on the top surface of the housing 20 at a position slightly 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.

[0021] Furthermore, from the bottom surface of the housing 20, there protrude a first terminal 220 which is part of a support member 22 (see FIG. 3, etc.) which will be described later, a second terminal 230 which is part of a contacted member 23 (see FIG. 3, etc.) which will be described later, a third terminal pair 240 which is part of a light-emitting unit 24 (see FIG. 3, etc.) which will be described later, and a fourth terminal pair 250 which is part of a light-receiving unit 25 (see FIG. 3, etc.) which will be described later. The first terminal 220 protrudes from the left end side of the bottom surface of the housing 20. The second terminal 230 protrudes from near the center of the bottom surface 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 end side of the bottom surface of the housing 20. The two terminals protruding side by side from the front side of the bottom surface of the housing 20 are the third terminal pair 240, and the two terminals protruding side by side from the rear side are the fourth terminal pair 250.

[0022] In the switch 2 thus formed, an external pressing operation received by the operating device 1 is transmitted to the pressing member 21 as a pressure from outside the housing 20. The pressing member 21 moves from an upper first position to a lower second position when pressed from the outside, and moves from the lower second position to the upper first position when the external pressure is released.

[0023] Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross-section of the switch 2 described in the present application. Fig. 4 shows a cross-section cut along a vertical plane including line AB shown in Fig. 2 as viewed from the front.

[0024] A space is provided within the housing 20 of the switch 2 as a housing chamber 201 for accommodating various components for opening and closing an electric circuit. An insertion hole 200 is formed in the top surface of the housing 201, penetrating from the outside of the housing 20, and a pressing member 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 200.

[0025] The various components accommodated in the accommodation chamber 201 will now be described. In addition to the aforementioned pressing member 21, supporting member 22, contacted member 23, light-emitting unit 24, and light-receiving unit 25, various components such as a movable member 26 are disposed in the accommodation chamber 201. A first locking portion 221, which is a part of the supporting member 22, is disposed in the lower left side of the accommodation chamber 201, and a second locking portion 222, which is a part of the supporting member 22, is disposed in the lower center of the accommodation chamber 201. The contacted member 23 is disposed in the lower right side of the accommodation chamber 201. The light-emitting unit 24 is disposed in front of the contacted member 23 on the lower right side of the accommodation chamber 201, and the light-receiving unit 25 is disposed behind the contacted member 23. The movable member 26 is disposed so as to extend laterally within the accommodation chamber 201, and is locked by the first locking portion 221 and the second locking portion 222 of the supporting member 22.

[0026] The support member 22 and the contacted member 23 will be further described. Fig. 5 is a schematic external view showing an example of the support member 22 and the contacted member 23 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. Fig. 5 is a front view showing only the support member 22 and the contacted member 23 arranged in the switch 2 as viewed from the front of the switch 2. The support member 22 and the contacted member 23 shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are all formed from conductive metal plates, and are arranged at a distance from each other within the housing 20.

[0027] The support member 22 is thin and erected so that its normal direction is the front-to-rear direction. The lower part of the support member 22 is formed as a first terminal 220 that protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing 20. The upper part of the support member 22, which is positioned inside the accommodation 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.

[0028] The contacted member 23 has a thin plate shape that is erected so that its normal direction is 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, at a distance from the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25. A lower portion of the contacted member 23 is formed as a second terminal 230 that protrudes from the lower surface of the housing 20. An upper portion of the contacted member 23 located within the accommodation chamber 201 forms a contacted portion 231 that comes into contact with the movable member 26 when the pressing member 21 is located at the second position and the movable member 26 is pressed by the pressing member 21. A light-shielding plate 232 that blocks light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 is formed below the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23, and the light-shielding plate 232 has a transmission hole 233 that transmits the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24.

[0029] The light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 will be further described. FIG. 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 FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 emits light upon receiving power from a control unit CU (see FIG. 11, etc.) described below, 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 supplied 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 in 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 placed thereon and bonded thereto by a wire 244. The light-emitting element 241, the lead frame 243, and the 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 resin having high transmittance, 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 resin having high transmittance, making the interior 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 the same as the configuration of the light-emitting unit 24, so the description of the light-emitting unit 24 should be taken into consideration and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that, when understanding the light-receiving unit 25, the light-emitting element 241 and the third terminal pair 240 described as the configuration of the light-emitting unit 24 should be read as the light-receiving element 251 and the fourth terminal pair 250.

[0030] Within the housing 20 of the switch 2, the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 are disposed in opposing positions such that the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 receive light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24. 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 the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 detects light, the electricity-carrying state of the electricity-carrying state changes, and an ON signal based on the change in electricity-carrying state due to the reception of light is output from the fourth terminal pair 250.

[0031] The movable member 26 will be further described. The movable member 26 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a member formed from a conductive metal plate and is disposed in the accommodation chamber 201 so that its longitudinal direction coincides with 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. In addition, the right end of the movable member 26 is 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 coincides with the front-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-shielding 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 pressing force of the pressing member 21.

[0032] In the switch 2 configured as described above, when the pressing member 21 receives external pressure, it moves downward and presses down the movable member 26. When the movable member 26 is pressed down, the movable contact portion 261 and the light-shielding piece 262 on the right end side, which is the free end of the movable member 26, move down. When the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 moves down, the movable contact portion 261 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. When the movable contact portion 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, a first circuit external to the switch 2 is closed, making it possible to 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 electricity 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 electricity is supplied from the control unit CU, the light-receiving element 251 detects reception of light from the light-emitting element 241, and is thereby turned on, enabling it 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 metallic movable member 26 hits the contacted portion 231 of the metallic contacted member 23. The user recognizes the metallic sound generated when the movable member 26 hits the contacted member 23 as a clicking sound. The user also recognizes the feeling of the movable member 26 hitting 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 generated when the movable member 26 hits the contacted member 23 and the feeling of the contact, thereby adjusting the clicking sound and the clicking sensation. For example, by using a material and shape that is less likely to produce a clicking sound, it is possible to achieve quieter clicking.

[0033] 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 the 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 insulated 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, and the light is turned off.

[0034] Next, the opening and closing of a circuit by the switch 2 described herein will be described. FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch 2 described herein. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a cross-section taken along a vertical plane including line AB shown in FIG. 2, as viewed from the front. In FIGS. 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. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is not subjected to external pressure and is positioned at an upper first position. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is subjected to external pressure and has descended to a lower second position. By transitioning from the state illustrated in FIG. 7 in which no pressure is applied to the state illustrated in FIG. 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, a current flows as shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 8, resulting in an ON state. When the external pressure is released and the state returns to the state illustrated in Fig. 7, the flowing current is cut off and the device is turned OFF.

[0035] 9 and 10 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch 2 described herein. Each of FIGS. 9 and 10 shows a cross section cut along a vertical plane including line CD shown in FIG. 2, viewed from the right. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is not subjected to external pressure and is positioned at an upper first position, and FIG. 10 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is subjected to external pressure and has descended to a lower second position. By transitioning from the state shown in FIG. 9 in which no pressure is applied to the state shown in FIG. 10 in which pressure is applied, the right end of the movable member 26 descends, 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 a transmission window 263 opened in the light-shielding piece 262. 10, light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 in a conducting state passes through the transparent window 263 formed in the light-shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26, passes through the transparent hole 233 formed in the light-shielding plate 232 of the contacted member 23, and reaches the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25. The conducting light-receiving element 251 detects reception of light from the light-emitting element 241 and is turned on. When the external pressure is released and the state returns to the state illustrated in FIG. 9, the optical path between the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 is blocked and the state becomes off.

[0036] <Functional configuration> Next, the functional configuration of the controller device 1 described in the present application will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the controller device 1 described in the present application. 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 components such as 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. Power 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.

[0037] The switching unit SU is a circuit that receives a switching operation from the outside when the switching operation unit 13 receives a switching operation to switch the power supply method. The switching unit SU transmits the switching input from the outside as a switching signal to the control unit CU. Note that the switching input from the outside is not limited to the operation from the switching operation unit 13 illustrated as an example, and can be designed appropriately to receive a switching signal from an external electronic device such as a connected personal computer.

[0038] 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, and controls these circuits. Specifically, the control unit CU outputs a signal via signal line 12 based on the open / close state of 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.

[0039] The power supply unit PSU is a circuit that supplies power to various components included in 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 the outside via the signal line 12.

[0040] The switching unit SU, control unit CU and power supply unit PSU may be placed inside the housing of the switch 2, or outside the housing 20, for example, on a board on which the switch 2 is mounted, and can be designed as appropriate.

[0041] <Signal Processing> Next, a description will be given of signal processing of the switch 2 described in the present application. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a current supply method switching process by the switch 2 described in the present application. The control unit CU included in the switch 2 executes the current supply 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.

[0042] In the energization method switching process, the control unit CU of the switch 2 receives a switching input from the switching unit SU (S101) and switches the energization method based on the received switching input (S102). The energization method can be selected from a variety of modes, including a high-speed mode, a high-speed power-saving mode, and a power-saving mode, and can be switched as needed. If the power supply unit PSU is configured using a battery, the energization method may be switched based on the remaining power of the power supply unit PSU. The high-speed mode is a mode in which power is constantly supplied to the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28, maintaining a high-speed response with minimal delay from operation to signal output. The high-speed power-saving mode is a mode in which power consumption is reduced while maintaining a high-speed response. The power-saving mode is a mode in which power is limited to the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28 depending on the situation.

[0043] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a power supply control process in the high-speed power saving mode in the switch 2 described in the present application. As the power supply control process, the control unit CU of the switch 2 supplies power to the light-emitting unit 24 and the 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, since the contactless mechanism 28 has a high responsiveness, the contactless mechanism 28 usually enters the ON state first. This is due to factors such as the fact that the contact mechanism 27 takes longer than the contactless mechanism 28 to transition to a stable ON state because a bounce occurs when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23.

[0044] In step S201, when the light receiving element 251 detects light and the non-contact mechanism 28 is turned on (S201: YES), the control unit CU causes the operation 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).

[0045] If it is determined in step S203 that the contact mechanism 27 has entered the ON state (S203: YES), the control unit CU stops the supply of current to the light-emitting element 241 of the non-contact mechanism 28 (S204) and stops the supply of current to the light-receiving element 251 (S205). By performing a restriction process such as stopping the supply of current, only the contact mechanism 27 outputs a signal to the outside. The determination process 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. Note that a predetermined waiting time sufficient for the contact mechanism 27 to enter the ON state may be set, and a waiting process for the predetermined waiting time may be executed as an alternative to the determination process in step S203. If a waiting process is executed, the determination process 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 of stopping the supply of current to the light-emitting element 241 in step S204. The predetermined waiting time sufficient to turn on the movable member 26 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.

[0046] After stopping the supply of current 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 an ON signal to the outside (S207). Then, the control unit CU cancels the stop of the supply of current to the light-emitting element 241 of the contactless mechanism 28 (S208), cancels the stop of the supply of current to the light-receiving element 251 (S209), resumes the supply of current, returns to step S201, and repeats the subsequent processes.

[0047] In step S201, when it is determined that the OFF state is maintained (S201: NO), the control unit CU repeats the process of step S201 in which the control unit CU monitors the non-contact mechanism 28 and determines whether the non-contact mechanism 28 has been turned ON. That is, the control unit CU monitors the ON state of the non-contact mechanism 28 until the non-contact mechanism 28 is turned ON.

[0048] In step S203, when it is determined that the contact mechanism 27 is not in the ON state (S203: NO), the control unit CU repeats the process of step S203 of monitoring the contact mechanism 27 and determining whether it has become in the ON state. That is, the state of the contact mechanism 27 is monitored until the contact mechanism 27 becomes in the ON state. As described above, when a standby process is executed instead of the determination process of step S203, the monitoring process itself becomes unnecessary.

[0049] In step S206, if the contact mechanism 27 maintains the ON state (S206: NO), the control unit CU repeats the process of step S206 in which the control unit CU monitors the contact mechanism 27 and determines whether the contact mechanism 27 has transitioned to the OFF state. That is, the control unit CU monitors the state of the contact mechanism 27 until the contact mechanism 27 becomes the OFF state.

[0050] In this way, when the switch 2 provided in the operating device 1 starts outputting the ON signal due to contact between the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23 after outputting the ON signal based on the light detection status of the light receiving element 251, it limits the supply 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 releases the limit on the supply of electricity to the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 and resumes the supply of electricity. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of power consumed during the period from the stoppage to the resumption of the supply of electricity while maintaining the response speed of the non-contact mechanism 28. The power supply control process is executed in the above manner.

[0051] The high-speed mode is a power supply method in which current is constantly supplied to the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28. The power-saving mode is a power supply method in which current is constantly stopped from being supplied to the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28.

[0052] Next, signal waveforms for each energization method are illustrated. FIG. 14 is a waveform diagram showing 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 waveform (LED) from the top 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 state of the light-receiving element 251, with the uppermost waveform indicating an insensitive state (not detecting light) and the lowermost waveform indicating a sensitive state (detecting light).

[0053] In the high-speed mode, the light-emitting element 241 is intermittently energized, so that the light-emitting element 241 emits light at regular intervals, and the waveform of the light emission resembles a pulse wave as shown in FIG. 14 . The light-receiving element 251 is constantly energized, and when the light-emitting element 241 emits light and receives light that has passed through the transmission window 263 of the movable member 26 and the transmission hole 233 of the contacted member 23, the light-receiving element 251 enters a sensed state. Even when the light-emitting element 241 enters an extinguished state, there is residual light, so the transition of the light-receiving element 251 from the sensed state to the insensible state follows a curved waveform. The switch 2 outputs an ON signal when the contact mechanism 27 is in an ON state or when the light-receiving element 251 of the non-contact mechanism 28 is in a sensed state. Note that the output of the ON signal can also be controlled solely by the non-contact mechanism 28. In this case, the switch 2 outputs an ON signal when the light-receiving element 251 enters a sensed state and stops outputting the ON signal when the insensible state continues for a certain period of time. Therefore, the switch 2 can have a redundant configuration with the non-contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27, and therefore can improve reliability with a high-speed response.

[0054] FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signal processing by the switch 2 described herein. FIG. 15 shows a waveform diagram in the high-speed power-saving mode. From the top, FIG. 15 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, and a waveform (PD) indicating the detection state of the light-receiving element 251. These waveforms are expressed in the same way as in FIG. 14 , and for comparison with FIG. 14 , the waveforms shown in FIG. 14 are indicated by dashed lines. The waveform shown at the bottom shows the state of the contact mechanism 27 as a waveform (CONTACT), with the upper level indicating an open state in which no ON signal is output and the lower level indicating a 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 bounces.

[0055] 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 supply 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 releases the restriction on the supply of current to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 and resumes the supply of current. Therefore, the switch 2 described in the present application can reduce the amount of power consumed during the period from the stop to the restart of the supply of current to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 while maintaining the response speed of the contactless mechanism 28.

[0056] FIG. 16 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signal processing by the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 16 shows a waveform diagram in power saving mode. From the top, FIG. 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 FIG. 15. For comparison with FIG. 14, the waveforms shown in FIG. 14 are shown with dashed lines.

[0057] In the power saving mode, the switch 2 constantly stops the supply of electricity to the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251. Therefore, the switch 2 outputs an ON signal when the contact mechanism 27 is in the closed state, and stops outputting the ON signal when the contact mechanism 27 is in the open state. In the power saving mode, no electricity is supplied to the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251, so that the amount of power consumed can be significantly reduced.

[0058] As described above, the switch 2 etc. described herein restricts, for example, the supply 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 is in 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. releases the restriction on the supply of current to the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 and resumes the supply of current. This allows the switch 2 etc. described herein to reduce the amount of power consumed during the period from the stoppage to the resumption of the supply of current 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 performs a movement operation (drag) to move the operating device 1, such as a mouse, while maintaining the pressing operation unit 10 of the operating device 1 in a pressed state.

[0059] Furthermore, the switch 2 etc. described in the present application can switch the energization method to modes other than the above-mentioned high-speed power saving mode by receiving a switching input from the switching unit SU. For example, in the high-speed mode in which the non-contact mechanism 28 is constantly energized, it is possible to achieve a high-speed response, and various other excellent effects are achieved, such as improved reliability by providing a redundant configuration with the non-contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27, and expanded functionality by controlling different power loads with the non-contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27.

[0060] Furthermore, when the power saving mode is selected, it is possible to reduce power consumption, which is an excellent effect.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but 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 limited in any way by the description. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

[0062] For example, in the above embodiment, the non-contact mechanism 28 is configured as an optical mechanism using the light-emitting element 241 that emits light and the light-receiving element 251 as a detector that detects the light as the detection target, but 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 applied to various forms, such as configuring the non-contact mechanism 28 using a magnet that generates a magnetic force and a Hall element as a detector that detects the magnetic force as the detection target.

[0063] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, a configuration was shown in which the contact mechanism 27 uses a conductive support member 22 and a contacted member 23, which connect and disconnect as the conductive movable member 26 swings, thereby opening and closing a circuit. However, the present invention is not limited to conductive members as long as the opening and closing mechanism has contacts. Furthermore, the movement of the movable member 26 is not limited to swinging, and various other movements, such as up and down movement when pressed, can be applied. In other words, as long as the circuit can be opened and closed by the connection and disconnection 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, in the contactless mechanism 28, the movable member 26 does not need to be a conductive member.

[0064] Furthermore, 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 expanded into various forms, such as extending the interval between intermittent current supply.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 are incorporated into the housing 20, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be expanded into various forms, such as covering the housing 20 with the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 that are attached to a substrate by an attachment method such as surface mounting.

[0066] 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, and it is possible to appropriately design it, such as to block light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 when it swings. It is also possible to appropriately design it, such as to reflect light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 and output an ON signal depending on the state of reception of the reflected light. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Operating device 12 Signal line (output section) 13 Switching operation section 2 Switch 20 Case 21 Pressing member 22 Support member 23 Contacted member 231 Contacted part 232 Shade 233 Transmission hole 24 Lighting Unit 241 Light-emitting element 25 Light receiving unit 250 4th terminal pair 251 Light receiving element (detection part) 26 Movable parts 262 Light shielding piece 263 Transparent window 27 Contact mechanism 28 Non-contact mechanism SU switching unit CU control unit PSU power supply section

Claims

1. 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 supply of electricity to the light receiving element; Equipped with 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; The output signal is controlled based on the light detection state of the light receiving element in accordance with the swing of the movable member. An operating device characterized by:

2. 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, 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, 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. An operating device characterized by:

3. 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; Equipped with The power supply control means controls power supply to the light receiving element based on the light detection state by the second determination means. A control unit characterized by:

4. 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, 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, 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 characterized by:

5. 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; Equipped with The power supply control means controls power supply to the light receiving element based on the light detection state by the second determination means. A control method comprising:

6. 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, The high-speed power-saving mode is a mode in which, after a signal is output based on the light detection state 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 comprising:

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