JPH08185258A - Spherical measurement sensor for ball-point pen or mouse for computer operation, and ball-point pen for computer operation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To convert a character, a numeral, and a graphic which are being inputted into a digital signal and input it directly to a computer or to make computer operation easy and accurate. CONSTITUTION: A small sphere 1 has nonmagnetic bodies 2 and extremely small magnetic bodies 3 mixed nearby the surface of the sphere while having many extremely small magnetic bodies 3 on the top surface at nearly equal intervals to make electromagnetic discrimination possible. The small sphere 1 is inserted loosely in a holder A so that the small sphere can roll in all directions. Further, a 1st magnetic force converting means 5 and a 2nd magnetic force converting means 6 which measure the X-axial rolling direction and Y- axial rolling direction of the nonmagnetic bodies 2 and extremely small bodies 3 electromagnetically and converts the measurement results into electric signals are incorporated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball-point pen for computer operation or a mouse for making a digital signal of a character and figure in writing and directly inputting it to a computer, or making the computer operation simple and accurate. Sphere measuring sensor and computer-operated ballpoint pen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a ball-point pen is a tool for writing only and cannot input a signal to a computer itself. On the other hand, digitizers that input letters and numbers while writing them on a computer had a limit on the number of sheets of paper that can be stacked. That is, the pressure under the paper is detected by the writing pressure. There is also a spherical sensor for a computer-operated mouse developed by the applicant of the present invention, which uses an ink for optical measurement, so that the spherical sensor does not roll as intended, or the optical sensor is an optical sensor. There was a problem that it hindered various measurements.

[0003]

Therefore, with the object of inputting to a computer while writing with a ball-point pen, development of ink, a small sensor, and one which is not limited by the number of sheets of paper to be stacked and the like have been demanded. There is. Furthermore, development of a simple mouse spherical sensor for computer operation is also desired.

[0004]

Therefore, as a result of earnest studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventor has found that the present invention can be applied to a small ball or a non-magnetic material and a magnetic microparticle in the vicinity of the surface of the small ball. A small sphere in which a large number of magnetic micro-particles on the surface are mixed with each other at substantially equal intervals to enable electromagnetic identification, and the small sphere is loosely inserted in a holder so as to be rollable in all directions, For a computer-operated ball-point pen or mouse having a first magnetic force converting means and a second magnetic force converting means for electromagnetically measuring the X-axis rolling direction and the Y-axis rolling direction of a non-magnetic body and a magnetic minimum body, respectively. By using the spherical measurement sensor of
The above-mentioned problems are solved by converting a digitized figure of a character being written into a digital signal for direct input operation to a computer, or simple and accurate computer operation.

[0005]

When writing or operating with the computer-operated ball-point pen or mouse of the present invention, since the non-magnetic material and the magnetic ultra-small material are mixed in the small sphere, the change in magnetism is caused by the rolling of the small sphere. Is digitized as an electric signal by the first magnetic force converting means and the second magnetic force converting means, and the signal is calculated as the movement amount in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, whereby the locus is converted into a signal.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the first embodiment of the present invention mainly has a spherical measuring sensor for a computer-operated ballpoint pen. FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a main part of the embodiment and is an enlarged part. The material of the small sphere 1 is a non-magnetic material 2 such as brass as a base, and magnetic microscopic bodies 3 such as iron-based members are combined or mixed. The diameter of the small sphere 1 is about 1 mm to It is about 4 mm.

When the small sphere 1 is manufactured, a large number of frames 1a, 1a, ... Are divided into substantially equal areas on the surface of the small sphere 1, and the frames 1a, 1a ,. A large number of electromagnetic identification marks m, m, ... As the magnetic minimum bodies 3 are provided at the central position, the overlapping portions of 1a, 1a, and the like.
Since the frame 1a is only the reference surface of the electromagnetic identification mark m, it is unnecessary after the electromagnetic identification mark m is formed. Further, the respective electromagnetic identification marks m are substantially circular and are maintained at equal intervals.

The small sphere 1 composed of the non-magnetic body 2 and the magnetic micro body 3 is manufactured by two kinds of manufacturing methods, as shown in FIGS. First, in the example of FIG. 5, a magnetic tiny body 3 which is a mixed sinter and is a particle sphere of an iron-based member having a diameter of about 0.3 mm is entirely covered with a brass coating 2a of about 0.05 mm. Are coated [see FIG. 5 (A)]. Approximately 80 magnetic microspheres 3 made of particles having a brass coating 2a formed in this manner are compacted into a substantially spherical shape while being sintered at an appropriate temperature, and a large number of non-magnetic bodies 2 made of brass. Small spheres 1 composed of magnetic microspheres 3, 3, ... Which are particle spheres are formed as a mixed sintered product and have a substantially spherical diameter of about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm [see FIG. 5 (B)]. . From this state, only the surface is polished as a sphere having a diameter of about 2 mm, and an appropriate portion of the magnetic microsphere 3 which is a spherical particle portion is exposed [see FIGS. 5 (C) and (D)]. . The cross-sectional portion of the magnetic extremely small body 3 exposed by polishing is configured as the electromagnetic identification mark m, and the adjacent electromagnetic identification marks m, m are provided at positions appropriately separated (FIG. 5C). reference〕. The small spheres made of such a mixed sinter can be manufactured relatively easily and inexpensively.

Further, in the example of FIG. 6, a non-magnetic core body 2b, which is a mixed combination and has a diameter of about 1.6 mm and is made of a spherical brass, is prepared. And, the magnetic microsphere 3 which is a particle sphere of an iron-based member having a diameter of about 0.3 mm is about 0.05
The whole is covered with a brass coating 2a of about mm, and the magnetic spheres 3 made of particles having the brass coating 2a formed in this way, which are particle spheres, are arranged on the entire peripheral surface of the sphere of the nonmagnetic core 2b and sintered. [See FIG. 6 (A)]. After this sintering, as a sphere having a diameter of about 2 mm, which is smaller than this, it is ground at the hemisphere position of the magnetic sphere 3 having a particle coating with a brass coating 2a on the surface, and the magnetic sphere 3 having a spherical sphere is appropriately sized. The part is cut off (see FIGS. 6B and 6C). The cross-sectional location of the magnetic microparticle 3 exposed by polishing is
The electromagnetic identification marks m are formed, and the adjacent electromagnetic identification marks m and m are provided at positions appropriately separated from each other. In the case of this mixed bond, it is cut at the diameter portion of the magnetic microsphere 3 which is a particle sphere, and the electromagnetic identification marks m are almost the same, and although they are small spheres, a large number of electromagnetic identifications are obtained. It has an average hardness and can be highly accurate.

The holder A has a conical shape, and a spherical recess 4 into which the small sphere 1 is loosely inserted is formed at the tip of the constricted side.
Are formed. The spherical recess 4 is a hole into which about two thirds of the small spherical body 1 can be inserted.
After the small sphere 1 is loosely inserted, the small spherical body 1 is caulked and fixed so as to narrow the tip portion of the spherical concave portion 4, and the small sphere 1 is loosely inserted without protruding from the spherical concave portion 4. As a result, the small spherical body 1 rolls in any direction with respect to the spherical concave portion 4.

The small spherical body 1 is loosely inserted into the spherical concave portion 4 of the holder A. When viewed in a horizontal cross section with the center of the small spherical body 1 as a reference, in the horizontal cross section, changes in the amount of magnetic flux are at mutually perpendicular positions. Is provided with a first magnetic force converting means 5 and a second magnetic force converting means 6. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first magnetic force converting means 5 and the second magnetic force converting means 6 are configured by winding the upper portions of the iron core portions 5a, 6a, which are substantially inverted triangles, with coils 5b, 6b for sensing or exciting. The electromagnetic identification mark m of the small sphere 1 is identified at the tip portions on both sides of the portions 5a and 6a. When this identification is performed, the magnetic flux circuits of the iron core portions 5a and 6a are closed,
The amount of magnetic flux increases, and the electromotive force changes in proportion to this increase. This change is converted into an electric signal by the first magnetic force converting means 5 and the second magnetic force converting means 6.

At the central position of the holder A, an ink supply device B is provided as shown in FIG. The ink supply device B is composed of a hollow pipe 7 with a collar 7a and a coil spring 8, and the hollow pipe 7 is inserted into a vertical through hole 9 with a step 9a provided at a central position of the holder A. The hollow pipe 7 is filled with oil-based ink. The coil spring 8 is interposed between the collar 7a of the hollow pipe 7 and the step 9a, and the coil spring 8 is lightly pressure-bonded to the extent that the oil-based ink film is not broken by the elastic force of the coil spring 8. When the small sphere 1 rolls by writing, the oil-based ink adheres to the small sphere 1 and moves to be transferred to the writing body, thus completing the writing work.

As shown in FIG. 7, the holder A is connected to a pen shaft main body 10 of a computer-operated ballpoint pen, and an operation switch SW is provided in the middle of the pen shaft main body 10 at the rear end thereof. Is provided with a wire W and is connectable to the computer main body 20. The wires on the input and output sides of the sensing or exciting coils 5b and 6b of the first magnetic force converting means 5 and the second magnetic force converting means 6 are inserted into the wire W.

A central processing unit (CPU) 11 electromagnetically identifies and amplifies an electromagnetic identification mark m, which is the magnetic microsphere 3 of the small sphere 1, and amplifies the X-axis pulse reading means 11a, Y such as a counter. It has an axis pulse reading means 11b, an X axis movement amount control means 11c for converting the read X axis pulse number into a distance, and a Y axis movement amount control means 11d for converting the Y axis pulse number into a distance.

In the X-axis pulse number storage means 12 and the Y-axis pulse number storage means 13, the X-axis pulse reading means 11a and the Y-axis pulse reading means 11b of the central processing unit (CPU) 11 read the X-axis respectively. The RAM is configured so that the number of pulses or the number of Y-axis pulses is stored and stored as data, respectively, and can be appropriately read out by a command from the central processing unit 11.

Further, both the X-axis movement amount data and the Y-axis movement amount data are modulated, demodulated again on the display means 14 such as the screen of the CRT of the main body of the computer or the like, and written by the pen itself. Character display, for example, "2", "3", or "A" is displayed. at the same time,
With the pen, it is possible to write with an oil-based ink as a normal pen.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 10. First, the switch is turned on.
Then, the operation of the ballpoint pen for computer operation is started (see S1). Then, the operation causes the small sphere 1 to roll due to friction in response to the operation, so that a character can be written on a paper surface, and at the same time, the small sphere 1 rolls and X of the central processing unit (CPU) 11 simultaneously. Axis pulse reading means 1
The X-axis pulse number and the Y-axis pulse number are read by the 1a and Y-axis pulse reading means 11b (see S2). And
The X-axis pulse number and the Y-axis pulse number are stored (see S3). The stored X-axis pulse number and Y-axis pulse number are read out, and the X-axis movement amount and Y-axis movement amount are controlled by the X-axis movement amount control means 11c and the Y-axis movement amount control means 11d of the central processing unit (CPU) 11. Is calculated (see S4), this output signal is modulated (see S5) and transmitted to the computer main body 20, and this is digitally displayed on the display means 14 as the X-axis movement amount and the Y-axis movement amount (see S6). finish.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, it is a spherical measuring sensor for a computer operating mouse. This is because the ink supply device B in the spherical measuring sensor of the computer-operated ball-point pen does not exist, and other configurations, that is, the small sphere 1, the non-magnetic body 2, the magnetic tiny body 3, the electromagnetic identification mark m,
The holder A, the spherical concave portion 4, and other electrical means are the same as those of the spherical measuring sensor of the computer-operated ball-point pen, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, the same applies to the action.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the non-magnetic material 2 and the magnetic minimal body 3 are mixed in the small sphere or the vicinity of the surface of the small sphere, and a large number of magnetic minimal bodies 3, 3 are provided on the surface. A small sphere 1 which is electromagnetically distinguishable at approximately equal intervals is loosely inserted into the holder A so as to be rollable in all directions, and the non-magnetic body 2 and the magnetic micro body 3 are electromagnetically coupled. A ball-point pen for computer operation or a spherical shape for a mouse, which has a first magnetic force converting means 5 and a second magnetic force converting means 6 for measuring the X-axis rolling direction and the Y-axis rolling direction respectively and converting them into electric signals. By using the measurement sensor, firstly the trackball itself, which is the small sphere 1, is an element of the sensor, so that the ballpoint pen or mouse can be made extremely small and lightweight without the need for a sensing roller. Sensor that can be converted into a signal and becomes better And the effect of such possible utilized.

This effect will be described in detail. Since the small sphere 1 or the vicinity of the surface of the small sphere is the small sphere 1 capable of electromagnetic discrimination in which the non-magnetic body 2 and the magnetic micro body 3 are mixed, the electromagnetic sphere is electromagnetically generated. The first spherical magnetic force converting means 5 and the second magnetic force converting means 6 for measuring the X-axis rolling direction and the Y-axis rolling direction, respectively, are used for the small spherical body 1.
The amount of movement caused by rolling can be identified almost accurately by the identified number.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the conventional sensing roller is not required, the size can be reduced and the digital data can be simultaneously input to the computer.

According to the invention of claim 2, in claim 1,
The non-magnetic body 2 and the magnetic micro-body 3 are made into a small spherical body 1 made of a mixed sintered product, and are used as a ball-point measuring sensor for a computer-operated ball-point pen or mouse. There is an advantage that the magnetic minute bodies 3 and 3 can be manufactured relatively easily and at low cost.

According to the invention of claim 3, in claim 1,
By using the ink supply device B for supplying ink to the small spheres 1 as the computer-operated ballpoint pen provided in the holder A, it is possible to input digital data to the computer simultaneously with writing. As a result, the conventional slip drafting, computer input work, and clerical work have been carried out in two stages. However, according to the present invention, the input work is completed at the same time as the original slip draft is made. Elimination and other economic and social benefits are great.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the lines of electromagnetic force are hardly affected by the inclusion of ink. In addition, since a spherical sensor is used as a necessary condition for satisfying the pen-like morphological size and rolling characteristics in writing, information is detected from the tip of inking for writing work, so there is minimal error mixing. It can be done easily. Further, in the conventional digitizer, the number of sheets of paper, etc., is limited, but the computer-operated ballpoint pen of the present invention can recognize characters and the like on the paper. Therefore, even if there are many sheets of paper, this limitation is imposed. There is an advantage that an accurate character can be recognized and a computer input work can be performed accurately without being received.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part of a spherical measuring sensor for a ballpoint pen for computer operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line P-P of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main members of the present invention.

FIG. 4 Partially enlarged view of a small sphere

5 (A), (B), (C), and (D) are cross-sectional views of a whole or a part showing a process for producing a small sphere as a mixed sintered product.

6 (A), (B), and (C) are sectional views of a whole or a part showing a process for producing a small sphere as a mixed bonded product.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a ballpoint pen for computer operation or a mouse for computer operation.

FIG. 8 is a system diagram of a ballpoint pen for computer operation or a mouse for computer operation.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a ballpoint pen for computer operation or a mouse for computer operation.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a ballpoint pen for computer operation or a mouse for computer operation.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a main part of a spherical measuring sensor for a computer-operated mouse of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... Holder 1 ... Small sphere 2 ... Non-magnetic body 3 ... Magnetic micro body 5 ... 1st magnetic force conversion means 6 ... 2nd magnetic force conversion means B ... Ink supply device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A small sphere or a small sphere containing a non-magnetic substance and a magnetic tiny body mixed in the vicinity of the surface thereof, and a plurality of magnetic tiny bodies on the surface thereof being arranged at substantially equal intervals to enable electromagnetic discrimination. A spherical body, the small spherical body being loosely inserted in a holder so as to be rollable in all directions, and the non-magnetic body and the magnetic minimal body are electromagnetically measured in the X-axis rolling direction and the Y-axis rolling direction, respectively. A spherical measuring sensor for a computer-operated ball-point pen or mouse, characterized in that it comprises a first magnetic force converting means and a second magnetic force converting means. 2. The spherical measuring sensor for a computer-operated ball-point pen or mouse according to claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic material and the magnetic extremely small body are formed as a small sphere made of a mixed sintered product. 3. The ballpoint pen for computer operation according to claim 1, wherein the holder is provided with an ink supply device for supplying ink to the small spheres.