Input device and program

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to adjust a plurality of parameters through only an operation for moving an operation body.　This input device for generating a signal for controlling an object to be controlled comprises: a movement information detection means for detecting movement information pertaining to an operation body that is moved in a discretionary direction from a neutral position by an operator; a rotation information detection means for detecting rotation information pertaining to an operation for rotating the operation body so as to draw a circle in a horizontal direction in a state in which the operation body has moved beyond a prescribed movement amount; a first generation means for generating a signal in accordance with the movement information detected by the first detection means; and a second generation means for generating a signal in accordance with the rotation information detected by the second detection means.

Description

Input Device and Program

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device and a program.

[0002] There is known an input device including a support portion into which a joystick is inserted in an insertable / removable manner and which supports the inserted joystick so as to be tiltable, a sensor that detects the tilt direction and tilt amount of the joystick supported by the support portion, and a control portion including an instruction generation portion that generates a control signal according to the tilt direction and tilt amount detected by the sensor (Patent Document 1).

[0003] There is also known an information input device for an information device, including first coordinate input means and second coordinate input means, detection means that detects respective movement information from the movements of these coordinate input means, and control means that processes the movement information of the second coordinate input means detected by this detection means so as to increase or decrease the movement amount of a cursor and sends it to the device main body side (Patent Document 2).

[0004] JP-A-2014-35598, JP-A-2001-265532

[0005] The present invention enables adjustment of a plurality of parameters only by a movement operation of an operating body.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the input device according to claim 1 is an input device that generates a signal for controlling a control target, and includes movement information detection means that detects movement information of an operating body that is moved in an arbitrary direction from a neutral position by an operator, rotation information detection means that detects rotation information of an operation of rotating the operating body in a horizontal direction in a circular shape in a state where the operating body has moved beyond a predetermined movement amount, first generation means that generates a signal according to the movement information detected by the movement information detection means, and second generation means that generates a signal according to the rotation information detected by the rotation information detection means.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the input device described in claim 1, the first generation means selects the type of signal based on the detection result of the direction of movement in the movement information, and generates the signal when the amount of movement in the movement information exceeds a threshold.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the input device described in claim 2, the type of signal can be changed by the operator.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the input device described in claim 1, the second generation means generates a predetermined signal according to the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation in the rotation information.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the input device described in claim 4, the second generating means generates a predetermined signal each time the amount of rotation exceeds a predetermined predetermined angle.

[0011] To solve the above problem, the program described in claim 6 is a program for a processor to implement a function for generating a signal to control a controlled object, characterized by: a movement information detection function for detecting movement information of an operating body moved by an operator from a neutral position in an arbitrary direction; a rotation information detection function for detecting rotation information of an operation in which the operating body is rotated in a horizontal circular motion when the operating body has moved beyond a predetermined amount of movement; a first generation function for generating a signal in accordance with the movement information detected by the movement information detection function; and a second generation function for generating a signal in accordance with the rotation information detected by the rotation information detection function.

[0012] According to the inventions described in claims 1 and 6, it is possible to adjust multiple parameters simply by moving the operating body.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 2, the type of signal is selected based on the direction of movement of the operating body, making it easier for the operator to set the function.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 3, the operator can change the function to be set.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 4, an operator can set multiple parameters simply by moving the operating body.

[0016] According to the invention described in claim 5, the shortcut key signal can be transmitted the required number of times.

[0017] This is a perspective view showing the input device according to this embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the input device according to this embodiment. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the support part. This is a diagram showing the configuration of the regulating member. This is a diagram illustrating how to operate the input device. This is a diagram illustrating an example of setting signal types in eight directions. This is a diagram illustrating the rotation operation in the rotation information detection unit. This is a flowchart showing the procedure for signal determination in the input device. This is a diagram illustrating the tracing operation in the input device according to Modification 2. This is a diagram illustrating the selection of signal types in the input device according to Modification 3. This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a drawing system to which the input device is connected.

[0018] Next, the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, including embodiments and specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples. Furthermore, in the following description using the drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions, etc., may differ from those of reality. For ease of understanding, illustrations of components other than those necessary for the explanation have been omitted as appropriate.

[0019] (1) Overall configuration of the input device Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the input device 1, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the input device 1, Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the support part 11, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the regulating member 14, and Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the drawing system 100 to which the input device 1 is connected. The configuration of the input device 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] As an example of an operator, a user uses the drawing system 100 shown in Figure 11 to draw and create an illustration (create image data) on the computer main unit 110, using the pen input tablet 130 with one hand (for example, the right hand) to draw the illustration. Meanwhile, operations performed during drawing include enlarging and reducing the drawn image or a part thereof (hereinafter referred to as "object"), moving and rotating the object, and switching tools. These operations are not necessarily suitable for operation with a pointing device, so the user uses the other hand (for example, the left hand) to operate the input device 1, calling up necessary shortcuts and adjusting multiple parameters while creating the illustration.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the input device 1 is an auxiliary input device that generates a separate signal to control a controlled object by being operated with the other hand (e.g., the left hand) independently of the operator operating a pen input tablet or the like with one hand (e.g., the right hand). It comprises a main body 10 and an operating body 20.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the input device 1 includes a movement information detection unit 30 that detects movement information of an operating body 20 that is moved by an operator from a neutral position in an arbitrary direction, and a first signal generation unit 40 that generates a signal according to the movement information detected by the movement information detection unit 30. In addition, the input device 1 is configured to include a rotation information detection unit 50 that detects rotation information of an operation in which the operating body 20 is rotated in a horizontal circular motion when the operating body 20 has moved beyond a predetermined amount of movement, a second signal generation unit 60 that generates a signal according to the rotation information detected by the rotation information detection unit 50, and a control unit 70.

[0023] (1.1) Hardware configuration of the input device 1 (Main body) The main body 10 is a housing that supports the operating body 20 so that it can be tilted. The main body 10 is molded into a cylindrical shape with a large width relative to its height using a material such as synthetic resin, and a recess 10a is formed in the center of the upper surface. The main body 10 has a support part 11 inside. The support part 11 is a mechanism that supports the operating body 20 so that it can be tilted within the recess 10a, and has a support member 12, a biasing member 13 (not shown), and a regulating member 14.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the support member 12 is a member that supports the base end 20a of the operating body 20 so that it can tilt at the center of the bottom surface of the main body 10. As the support member, for example, a plate-shaped member having a recess 12a for receiving the base end 20a of the operating body 20, a spherical seat, etc. can be used.

[0025] The biasing member 13 is a member that biases the operating body 20 toward the neutral position. Here, the neutral position is the position in which the operating body 20 stands vertically within the recess 10a of the main body 10. For example, a spring can be used as the biasing member.

[0026] Figure 4 shows the configuration of the restricting member 14. The restricting member 14 is a member that limits the tilting direction of the operating body 20 and restricts the tilting of the operating body 20 so that it cannot tilt beyond a threshold angle in directions other than the four directions (corresponding to the type of signal). The restricting member 14 is a disc with a diameter approximately the same as the inner width of the main body 10, and as shown in Figure 4, four openings 14a are formed in the center thereof. As shown in Figure 3, the restricting member 14 is positioned inside the main body 10, with the operating body 20 passing through the openings 14a, and spaced above the support member 12. The threshold angle of tilting of the operating body 20 is determined by the size of the inscribed circle 14b of the openings 14a and the distance between the restricting member 14 and the support member 12.

[0027] As a result, when the operating body 20 is tilted from the neutral position shown in Figure 4A to, for example, the upper (rear) side of the drawing as shown in Figure 4B, it moves within the opening 14a beyond the inscribed circle 14b (beyond the threshold angle) until it contacts the upper edge of the regulating member 14. The same applies when the operating body 20 is tilted to the lower (front), left (left side), and right (right side) sides of the drawing. By restricting the tilt of the operating body 20 so that it can tilt in the four directions shown in Figure 5 beyond the threshold angle, the user can select the type of signal without making a mistake based on the tilt direction of the operating body 20.

[0028] Although it was explained that four directions at 90-degree intervals correspond to signal types, the direction to which signals correspond can be set arbitrarily. For example, eight directions at 45-degree intervals could correspond to signal types. Alternatively, six directions at 60-degree intervals, twelve directions at 30-degree intervals, etc., can be set arbitrarily. Figure 6 shows an example where signal types are set for eight directions. Examples of signal types include "Zoom" (top), "Tool" (top left), "Brush Size" (left), "Layer Density Change" (bottom left), "Layer Operation" (bottom), "Undo / Redo" (bottom right), "Screen Rotation" (right), and "Brush Density" (top right).

[0029] The regulating member 14 is supported so as to be rotatable within the main body 10 when the operating body 20 moves (tilts) within one of the openings 14a of the regulating member 14 beyond the inscribed circle 14b (beyond the threshold angle) until it contacts the upper edge of the regulating member 14. This allows the operating body 20 to be rotated in a circular motion horizontally while it is moved (tilted) into either opening 14a of the regulating member 14. A predetermined angle is set for the rotation of the operating body 20, and a predetermined signal is generated according to the direction of rotation each time the amount of rotation exceeds the predetermined angle.

[0030] (Operating body 20) The operating body 20 is a member that tilts in multiple directions from the neutral position (in this case, four directions indicated by arrows in Figure 5), and is formed into a cylindrical shape with a sufficiently long axial length relative to its thickness (diameter) using a material such as synthetic resin.

[0031] Thus, the input device 1 has a cylindrical body 10, and a cylindrical operating body 20 is supported in a neutral position at the center of the upper surface of the body 10. In other words, the input device 1 has a symmetrical cylindrical shape as a whole, and can be operated regardless of the operator's dominant hand.

[0032] (1.2) Functional configuration of the input device 1 (Movement information detection unit 30) The movement information detection unit 30 is a sensor that detects the tilt direction and tilt angle of the operating body 20, and is provided inside the main body 10. As the movement information detection unit 30, for example, a capacitive sensor or an optical sensor can be used to measure the distance between the operating body 20 and the inner wall of the main body 10 in relation to the direction of movement, thereby measuring the tilt direction of the operating body 20 and the tilt angle in each direction. The detection result of the movement information detection unit 30 is transmitted to the first signal generation unit 40.

[0033] (First signal generation unit 40) The first signal generation unit 40 selects the type of signal according to the detection result of the movement information detection unit 30. When creating an object such as an illustration on the computer main unit 110, the types of signals selected may include, as an example, "scaling" of the object, "rotating" the object, changing the "brush size", changing the "brush density", "layer" operation, changing the "layer density", and "switching tools".

[0034] (Rotation Information Detection Unit 50) Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the rotation operation in the rotation information detection unit 50. The rotation information detection unit 50 is a sensor that detects the direction and angle of rotation when the operating body 20 is tilted beyond a threshold angle (see arrow R1 in Figure 7), that is, when the operating body 20 is rotated horizontally in a circular motion (see arrow R2 in Figure 7) while the movement information detection unit 30 has detected the tilt of the operating body 20, and is provided at the tip of the operating body 20. For example, a rotary encoder sensor can be used as the rotation information detection unit 50. The detection result of the rotation information detection unit 50 is transmitted to the second signal generation unit 60.

[0035] (Second Signal Generation Unit 60) The second signal generation unit 60 generates a predetermined signal each time the amount of rotation detected by the rotation information detection unit 50 exceeds a predetermined angle. The signal is a pre-set shortcut key. For example, if the rotation direction is to the right (clockwise), the "Shift key" is set, and if it is to the left (counterclockwise), the "Space key" is set. If the predetermined angle is 10 degrees, the "Shift key" signal is generated once when the operating body 20 is rotated 10 degrees to the right. If the operating body 20 is rotated 24 degrees to the right, the "Shift key" signal is generated twice, and if it is rotated 360 degrees, the "Shift key" signal is generated 36 times. As another example, if the operating body 20 is rotated 50 degrees to the right and then 70 degrees to the left, the "Shift key" signal will be generated 5 times and the "Space key" signal will be generated 7 times.

[0036] The second signal generation unit 60 generates a pre-set shortcut key signal each time a predetermined angle is exceeded, when rotation information is detected by the rotation information detection unit 50, while the type of signal has been selected by the first signal generation unit 40 according to the detection result of the movement information detection unit 30. This makes it possible to adjust multiple parameters by only moving the operating body 20.

[0037] (Control Unit 70) The control unit 70 is a processor including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and comprehensively controls the input device 1 through program execution. Based on the tilt direction and tilt angle of the operating body 20 detected by the movement information detection unit 30, the control unit 70 determines whether the tilt of the operating body 20 exceeds a threshold angle, controls the first signal generation unit 40 to perform the signal type selection function, and transmits the generated signal. The control unit 70 also determines the rotation direction of the operating body 20 detected by the rotation information detection unit 50 and determines whether the amount of rotation exceeds a specified angle. The control unit 70 controls the second signal generation unit 60 to perform the signal generation function, and transmits the generated signal.

[0038] (2) Operation diagram 8 of the input device 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure for signal determination in the input device 1. The control unit 70 determines whether the tilt angle detection result by the movement information detection unit 30 exceeds a threshold angle (S101). If the tilt angle detection result exceeds a threshold angle (S101: Yes), the first signal generation unit 40 determines the type of signal based on the tilt direction detection result (S102).

[0039] Next, the control unit 70 determines whether the rotation direction detected by the rotation information detection unit 50 is to the right (clockwise) or to the left (counterclockwise) (S103). If the rotation direction is to the right (S103: A), it determines whether the amount of rotation has reached a specified angle (S104). If the amount of rotation exceeds the specified angle (S104: Yes), the second signal generation unit 60 generates a predetermined signal corresponding to the rotation direction being to the right (S105). If the rotation direction is to the left (S103: B), the control unit 70 determines whether the amount of rotation has reached a specified angle (S106). If the amount of rotation exceeds the specified angle (S106: Yes), the second signal generation unit 60 generates a predetermined signal corresponding to the rotation direction being to the left (S107).

[0040] (3) Diagram 11 of the operation diagram of the input device 1 shows an example of the configuration of the drawing system 100. The drawing system 100 consists of a pen input tablet 130 connected to the computer main unit 110 and the display 120, and the input device 1. In the drawing system 100, the pen input tablet 130 and the input device 1 are connected to the computer main unit 110 by wireless or wired communication. Signals generated by the pen input tablet 130 and the input device 1 are processed by the computer main unit 110 and used to manipulate objects such as illustrations displayed on the display 120.

[0041] For example, in the drawing system 100, when scaling and rotating an object created using the pen input tablet 130, the user can operate the input device 1 with one hand (e.g., the right hand) different from the hand using the pen tool (e.g., the left hand), enabling efficient parameter adjustment.

[0042] The user tilts the operating body 20 upward. This indicates "zooming in / out" of the object. Next, while the operating body 20 is tilted upward, the user rotates the operating body 20 in a rightward (clockwise) direction so as to draw a circle in the horizontal direction. Each time the rotation amount exceeds a prescribed angle defined in advance, if the rotation is in the rightward direction, a signal set in advance is transmitted once. Here, for rotation in the rightward direction, the "Shift key" is set, and rotation of the object is indicated. If the rotation amount is twice the prescribed angle defined in advance, a "Shift key" signal is further transmitted, and further rotation of the object is indicated. The user stops the rotation operation of the operating body 20 when appropriate rotation is obtained.

[0043] In this way, the user can perform multiple parameter adjustments on the object only by operating the operating body 20 and can draw efficiently.

[0044] "Modification Example 1" In the present embodiment, the operating body 20 has been described as an input device 1 that is tilted in an arbitrary direction from the neutral position and selects the type of signal according to the tilt direction. However, the operating body 20 may be slid in a predetermined direction from the neutral position to detect the moving direction and the moving amount. The input device 1A according to Modification Example 1 includes a movement information detection unit 30A in the main body 10A and detects the movement of the operating body 20 when the operating body 20 slides in any one of the four directions. Then, at the position where the operating body 20 has slid, a rotation operation of rotating the operating body 20 in a circular motion in the horizontal direction is detected, and a signal of a preset type is generated.

[0045] "Modification 2" Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the tracing operation in the input device 1B according to Modification 2. The input device 1B according to Modification 2 consists of a touchpad equipped with a capacitive touch sensor. As shown in Figure 9, the operator can select a type of signal that is pre-set to correspond to the tracing direction by tracing the operating surface 20B of the touchpad (see arrow R1 in Figure 9). Then, while keeping contact with the operating surface 20B of the touchpad at the position where the tracing occurred, the operator can perform a tracing operation to draw a circle to the right (clockwise rotation) or to the left (counterclockwise rotation) (see arrow R2 in Figure 9) to generate a signal of a type that is pre-set for the rotation direction. The input device 1B may also be implemented in a tablet terminal equipped with a capacitive touch sensor that accepts touch input operations. The operator can select a type of signal that is pre-set to correspond to the tracing direction by tracing the touch panel of the tablet terminal. Then, by tracing a circle to the right (clockwise) or left (counterclockwise) while maintaining contact with the touch panel at the position where the trace was made, a signal of a predetermined type for the direction of rotation is generated. The detection targets of the input device 1B are parts of the operator's body, conductive objects such as a stylus pen, etc., but operations performed with a finger can also be targeted.

[0046] "Modification 3" Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the selection of signal types in the input device 1C according to Modification 3. As shown in Figure 10A, the input device 1C according to Modification 3 is composed of a cross key that can be pressed in four directions. The operator can select a signal type that is pre-set to correspond to the direction pressed by pressing the cross key in any direction (C11, C12, C13, C14). Then, as shown in Figure 10B, while pressing in one of the four directions (C11), the operator can select another signal type by pressing the horizontal direction, either the right direction (C12) or the left direction (C14). That is, if the vertical direction (C11 or C13) and the horizontal direction (C12 or C14) are pressed simultaneously, it is determined to be a diagonal direction, and a signal type different from the four directions (C11, C12, C13, C14) can be selected. Furthermore, while pressing in one of the four directions, it is also possible to detect the direction of rotation and generate a signal of a type pre-set for that direction of rotation by sequentially pressing the right direction or the left direction.

[0047] In this embodiment, a drawing system has been described in which an object is created using a pen input tablet 130 with one hand (right hand) while the input device 1 is operated with the other hand (left hand) to adjust the object's parameters. However, another system that utilizes the input device 1 is a video playback system. For example, in a video playback system, by tilting the operating body 20 to specify operations such as fast forwarding and rewinding, and rotating the operating body 20 in a circular motion horizontally while it is tilted, processing can be performed for a duration corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating body 20 (or at a speed corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating body 20).

[0048] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C... Input device 10, 10A... Main unit, 11... Support unit, 12... Support member, 13... Biasing member, 14... Regulating member 20... Operating unit, 30, 30A... Movement information detection unit, 40... First signal generation unit, 50... Rotation information detection unit, 60... Second signal generation unit, 70... Control unit 100... Drawing system, 110... Computer main unit, 120... Display, 130... Pen input tablet

Claims

1. An input device for generating a signal to control a controlled object, comprising: movement information detection means for detecting movement information of an operating body moved by an operator from a neutral position in an arbitrary direction; rotation information detection means for detecting rotation information of an operation in which the operating body is rotated horizontally in a circular motion when the operating body has moved beyond a predetermined amount of movement; first generation means for generating a signal in accordance with the movement information detected by the movement information detection means; and second generation means for generating a signal in accordance with the rotation information detected by the rotation information detection means.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first generating means selects the type of signal based on the detection result of the direction of movement in the movement information, and generates the signal when the amount of movement in the movement information exceeds a threshold.

3. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that the type of signal can be changed by the operator.

4. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second generation means generates a predetermined signal according to the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation in the rotation information.

5. The input device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second generating means generates a predetermined signal each time the amount of rotation exceeds a predetermined predetermined angle.

6. A program for a processor to implement a function for generating signals to control a controlled object, the program comprising: a movement information detection function for detecting movement information of an operating object moved by an operator from a neutral position in an arbitrary direction; a rotation information detection function for detecting rotation information of an operation in which the operating object is rotated horizontally in a circular motion when the operating object has moved beyond a predetermined amount of movement; a first generation function for generating a signal according to the movement information detected by the movement information detection function; and a second generation function for generating a signal according to the rotation information detected by the rotation information detection function.

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