119
`United States Patent
`5,673,066
`[11] Patent Number:
`Sep. 30, 1997
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Todaetal.
`
`US005673066A
`
`[54] COORDINATE INPUT DEVICE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Yasushi Toda; Hideki Suzuki, both of
`Iwaki, Japan
`
`0383304
`8/1990 European Pat. Off. .
`0419145
`3/1991 European Pat. Off... 345/173
`38-181170 10/1983 Japan...ssessesseessecsssesanssesseonse 341/22
`
`wre 345/173
`2139762
`11/1984 United Kingdom
`[73] Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
`
`85005477 12/1985—WIPO cosssssssstecsssnnessnessenssnneces 345/173
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 317,688
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Oct. 5, 1994
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 47,221, Apr. 14, 1993, abandoned.
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr 22,1992
`Apr 21,1992
`Apr. 21,1992
`Mar 29,1993
`
`[JP]
`[JP]
`[JP]
`[JP]
`
`o.ccccssessscssessenerensreaseensee 4-101351
`Japatt
`Japan ....
`- 4-101352
`
`Japan ....
`. 4-101353
`Japath .cessescessssscosseneenstenstenses 5-093583
`
`“Mouse/Keyboard Concept—Incorporating Unique Devices
`For Controlling CRT Display Cursors” —IBM Technical
`Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 27, No. 10 B Mar. 1985.
`“Foot—Operated Mouse” LB.M. Technical Disclosure Bul-
`letin vol. 28 No. 11 Apr. 1986.
`
`Primary Examiner—Richard Hjerpe
`Assistant Examiner—Lun-Yi Lao
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Guy W. Shoup; Patrick T. Bever
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A cursor control device is provided which has good oper-
`ability and can reflect clearly an operator’s natural motion in
`accordance with a qualified value (conversion coefficient).
`The cursor control device is constituted of an operation plate
`(5) with an operation surface (7), an operation pressure
`detector with a pressure-sensitive sensor (3) arranged on the
`back surface of the operation plate (5) to detect a touch
`pressure by a control member, and an arithmetic circuit. The
`arithmetic circuit performs an arithmetic operation of both
`the coordinate position and the moving rate of the control
`memberusing a detection signal from the operation pressure
`4,121,049 10/1978 Roeber 200...ecccccessessceeeceees 178/18
`detector, and the movement of a cursor based on a first
`4,293,734 10/1981 Pepper, Jr.
`.....sscscccceereeaseersoses 178/19
`qualified value and a second qualified value. The first
`4,736,191
`4/1988 Matzke et al.
`«« 345/157
`qualified value is determined according to the movement
`4,745,565
`5/1988 Garwin etal.
`eee 178/18
`and the moving rate of a coordinate position. The second
`5,053,758 10/1991 Comett etal. ....
`- 340/712
`qualified value is determined according to the touch pressure
`5,117,071
`5/1992 Greanias et al.
`..
`wae 178/19
`of the control member.
`5,231,380—F/1993 Logan ...rccerscssecsecnvssersesseessereeens 341/22
`5,327,161
`7/1994 Logan etal. ..
`.- 345/173
`5,432,531
`7/1995 Calder et al.
`...cccsssessseresseenees 345/173
`
`Tint Co enccccccssssssesssesssscnsenccensenssassnssanese GO9G 5/08
`E51]
`
`[52] U.S. Ch we.
`345/157; 345/173; 341/34
`[58] Field of Searcby ......cccsscsssccsssssccssssssennseee 345/156, 157,
`345/160, 173, 179, 180, 182, 174, 104,
`145; 178/18, 19; 463/37; 273/178 B; D14/114,
`100, 107; 341/34
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`4 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`SENSOR DETECTS PRESSURE
`
`CALCULATE TOUCH
`PRESSURE P
`
`CALCULATE
`COORDINATE POSITION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CALCULATE CURSOR MOVEMENT D
`
`
`GUTPUT VALUE D TO DISPLAY
`
`CALCULATE MOVING RATE V
`
`
`CALCULATE U2
`
`CALCULATE U1
`
`CALCULATE MOVEMENT S
`
`
`
`Valve Exhibit 1061
`Valve Exhibit 1061
`Valve v. Immersion
`Valve v. Immersion
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 3
`
`13
`
`
`
`PE esSEXEXEPRECY
`SSE LY
`
`
`
`
`
`eegeNOSOY
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 4
`
` SENSOR DETECTS PRESSURE
`
`
`
`
`CALCULATE TOUCH
`PRESSURE P
`
`
`
`
`
`CALCULATE
`COORDINATE POSITION
`
`CALCULATE MOVING RATE V
`
`
`
`CALCULATE U1
`
`CALCULATE MOVEMENT S
`
` CALCULATE U2
`
`
`
`CALCULATE CURSOR MOVEMENT D
`
`
`OUTPUT VALUE D TO DISPLAY
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 40f 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 5
`
`;
`
`MOVING RATE OF CONTROL MEMBER
`
`V
`
`U1
`
`iw
`
`3s
`
`©L
`
`i
`tL.a
`Ss
`CG
`
`—n
`
`Y
`oriL
`
`U2
`
`lw
`
`0
`
`TOUCH PRESSURE OF CONTROL MEMBER
`
`p
`
`3< r
`
`sx—
`
`)Sa
`
`o Q=o
`
`Sa
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 50f 19
`
`—
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 7(a)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet6 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 9(a)
`
`_P1
`
`180,
`160
`
`P2
`
`0
`
`20
`
`40
`
`80
`60
`TIME (m sec)
`
`100
`
`120
`
`140
`
`FIG. 9(6)
`
`STROKE
`
`-uvoO~
`
`2
`
`oeLe oO=—&UW
`
`20
`
`40
`
`60
`
`80
`
`100
`
`120
`
`140
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 10fa)
`
`95
`
`80
`
`100
`
`320
`240
`TIME (m sec)
`
`400
`
`£480
`
`FIG. 10(b)
`
` ola
`
`240
`
`320
`
`400
`
`480
`
`0
`
`80
`
`160
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 17
`
`
`
` SWITCH
`INPUTTING
`OFF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DOES THE
`
`
`MOVEMENT EXCEED
`10 BETWEEN PEAK POINT PI
`
`AND PEAK POINT
`P2 ?
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 12(a)
`
`0
`
`20
`
`40
`TIME (m sec)
`
`60
`
`80
`
`FIG. 12(b)
`
`STROKEOoPrNWF&FWO~I
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 13(a)
`
`P4
`
`120
`
`100
`
`& 80
`S 60
`S
`
`40
`
`20
`
`80 100 120 140 160 160
`% 2020 60
`TIME ({m sec)
`
`FIG. 13(b)
`
`
`
`(4020 60
`
`80 100
`
`120 140 160 180
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 12 of 19 .
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 14
`
`
`SWITCH
`
`INPUTTING
`OFF
`
`
`
`?
`
`
`
`DOES THE
`
`DOES
`
`MOVEMENT EXCEED
`
`
`
`TOUCH
`
`10 BETWEEN PEAK POINT P1
`NO
`PRESSURE
`
`AND PEAK POINT
`
`F AT POINT Pl
`P2 ?
`
`EXCEED
`100g
`
`
`
`113
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 15(a)
`
` 0
`
`BO
`
`160
`
`400
`320
`240
`TIME {m sec)
`
`480
`
`560
`
`FIG. 15(b)
`
`“ 205
`
`0
`
`$80
`
`160
`
`240
`
`320
`
`400
`
`480
`
`560
`
`Lid
`
`“o
`
`O
`ce
`Ee
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 14 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 16(3)
`
`LOAD(g)
`
`100
`
`80
`
`60
`
`40
`
`20
`
`=p
`
`% 80
`
`160
`
`400
`320
`240
`TIME (m sec)
`
`480
`
`560
`
`FIG. 16{b)
`
`
`
`400
`
`480
`
`560
`
`(80 160.
`
`260
`
`320
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 30,1997
`
`Sheet 15 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`
`
`
`SWITCH INPUTTING OFF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THE
`PRESSURE
`
`
`
`SMALLER THAN
`
`
`TOUCH PRESSURE
`
`
`F AT RISING POINT P3
`
`WITHIN LESS THAN
`
`100ms FROM
`PEAK POINT
`
`
`
`YES
`
`IS
`PEAK POINT P4 DETECTED
`?
`
`YES
`STORE THE TOUCH PRESSURE F
`AT PEAK POINT P4 IN RAM
`
`
`
`NO
`IS TOUCH
`<PRESSURE F AT PEAK POINT P4
`
`
`
`OVER 1509 ?
`
`
`
`
`IS THE
`MOVEMENT S BETWEEN
`
`
`
`
`RISING POINT P3 AND PEAK
`POINT P4 OVER
`
`
`10 ?
`
`NO
`SWITCH INPUTTING ON
`
`125
`
`126
`
`
`
`127
`
`198
`
`129
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 16 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 18
`
`FIG. 18A
`
`FIG.
`
`18A
`
`FIG. 188
`
`1")
`
`116
`
`
`DOES
`
`
`DOES THE
`
`THE TOUCH
`
`
`
`MOVEMENT S BETWEEN
`
`PRESSURE F AT
`
`PEAK POINT P1 AND PEAK POINT
`PEAK POINT PI
`
`
`
`P2 EXCEED 10
`
`
`EXCEED
`?
`
`100g ?
`
`
`
`
`
`IS PEAK
`
`
`POINT P2 DETECTED WHEN T
`
`¢ 60ms 7
`108
`
`YES
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 17 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 18B
`
`c) @
`
`(A)
`
`NO
`
`(3)
`
`143
`
`
`
`
`IS TOUCH
`PRESSURE F AT PEAK POINT P2
`OVER 75g ?:
`
`
`YES
`
`
`I$
`THE STATE IN DRAG MODE NOW
`?
`
`
`
`109
`
`YES
`
`144
`
`NO
`
`100
`
`SWITCH INPUTTING ON
`
`SWITCH
`INPUTTING OFF
`
`YES
`
`@)
`
`)
`
`EXCEED 15 ?
`
`
`ENTER DRAG
`MODE
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 18 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 19
`
`FIG. 19A
`
`FIG. 198
`
`FIG.
`
`19A
`
`(3')
`
`Oe Spies
`<a 121
`
`YES
`
`
`DOES SF
`EXCEED SEQUENTIALLY 10g THREE
`
`
`TIMES ?
`.
`
`
`STORE THE TOUCH PRESSURE F AND THE
`TIME OF RISING POINT P3 IN RAM
`
`
`
`IS PEAK POINT P4 DETECTED ?
`
`YES
`
`STORE THE TOUCH PRESSURE F
`AT PEAK POINT P4 IN RAM
`
`123
`
`[~!24
`
`125
`
`126
`
`127
`
`108
`
`NO
`
`
`IS THE TOUCH
`PRESSURE F AT PEAK POINT P4
`
`OVER 150g ?
`
`
`
`
`
`DOES THE MOVEMENT
` S FROM RISING POINT P3 TO PEAK POINT.
`
`P4 EXCEED 10 ?
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Sheet 19 of 19
`
`5,673,066
`
`FIG. 19B
`
`
`IS THE STATE IN DRAG MODE NOW ?
`
`
`
`NO
`SWITCH
`
`
`INPUTTING
`SWITCH INPUTTING ON.
`OFF.
`
`129
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IS THE
`
`PRESSURE SMALLER THAN
`
`TOUCH PRESSURE F AT RISING POINT P3
`
`WITHIN 100ms FROM PEAK
`POINT P4 ?
`
`
`SWITCH
`INPUTTING OFF
`
`
`
`
`

`

`5,673,066
`
`1
`COORDINATE INPUT DEVICE
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`08/047,221, filed Apr. 14, 1993, now abandoned.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a coordinate input device
`which inputs the coordinate position of an operation surface
`pointed by a finger or pen to a personal computer, and
`particularly to a coordinate input device which can perform
`a cursor position control by dragging a finger on an opera-
`tion surface to input the coordinate and which can perform
`a switching input operation from the operation surface.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`It has been widely known that such a coordinate input
`device uses as a tablet which can detect the coordinate
`position of a control member such as a finger on an operation
`plate in response to, for example, a change in an amount of
`areceived light or an electrostatic capacitance. Thetablet is
`a detecting device in a fiat shape which detects a coordinate
`position of a control member every a predetermined short
`sampling period of time and issues the detection signal to a
`computer body. The position of the cursor displayed on a
`display screen can be controlled by dragging the control
`member (usually, an operator’s finger) on the operation
`surface of the tablet. When an operator touches his finger
`against the operation surfaceof the tablet and movesit in the
`same direction as a direction of the cursor to be moved and
`by a predetermined movement thereof, a computer issues a
`control signal to move the cursor on the display screen. In
`this case, the movement and the moving direction of the
`cursor can be determined in accordance with the coordinate
`change of the finger on the operation surface.
`Since the operation surface of a tablet is generally much
`smailer than the screen of a conventional display, the move-
`ment of the cursor is determined by multiplying the move-
`ment of a control member (finger) by a predetermined
`qualified value. If the qualified value is constant, the drag-
`ging operation on the operation surface is complicated when
`a cursor is moved largely or finely on a display. For that
`reason, a current cursor control device using a tablet detects
`the moving rate of a control member based on a coordinate
`changeof the control member every sampling time, whereby
`it determines coarsely the qualified value when the moving
`rate is large or determines finely the qualified value when the
`moving rate is small. As described above,the qualified value
`which is a coefficient for converting the movement of a
`control member into a cursor movement increases. and
`decreases in accordance with the moving rate of the control
`member. Therefore an operator can control the position of
`the cursor with the movement quite larger than that of a
`finger by moving swiftly it on the operation surface when he
`wants to move largely the cursor on a display screen. In
`similar manner, an operator also can control the position of
`the cursor at the same movement as that of his finger by
`moving slowly his finger on the operation surface when he
`wants to move finely the cursor on a display screen.
`The conventional cursor control device where a qualified
`value (conversion coefficient) is varied in accordance with
`the moving rate of a control member on the operation
`surface of a tablet can improveits operability in comparison
`with a fixed qualified value using device. However, actually,
`itis not easy to vary properly the moving rate of the control
`member such as a finger on an operation surface. The
`operability is not necessarily good because it is unexpect-
`
`15
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`edly difficult to control the moving rate of the control
`member. Particularly, with a narrow operation surface of a
`tablet because of a limited space, it is more difficult to
`control the moving rate of the control member through the
`qualified value must be varied largely, thus causing poor
`operability.
`The above tablet can input coordinates to a personal
`computer. However, when an icon at a specified position on
`a display is selected, a special pen with a switch mounted on
`its tip thereof must be used or a push-button switch mounted
`separately from the operation surface for coordinate input-
`ting must be depressed after the finger inputting a coordinate
`has beenleft off from the operation surface. Accordingly, the
`conventional tablet provides poor operability.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is made to overcome the above
`problems. An object of the present invention to provide a
`coordinate input device with good operability.
`An another object of the present invention is to provide a
`coordinate input device which can prevent an erroneous
`switching input operation and can perform a reliable switch
`input operation only when a switching operation has been
`performed intentionally in various operating states accord-
`ing to actually measured data regarding a:touch pressure and
`an operation movement.
`According to the present invention, the coordinate device
`wherein when a control member such as a finger is moved
`on an operation surface, a signal corresponding to the
`direction and movement thereof are issued to a computer
`body to control the position of a cursor on a display is
`constituted of an operation plate having the operation sur-
`face; an operation pressure detecting means having a
`pressure-sensitive sensor arranged on the back surface of the
`operation plate, for detecting the touch pressure of the
`control member in use; and an arithmetic circuit for calcu-
`lating the coordinate position and movingrate of the control
`member based on a detection signal from the operation
`pressure detecting means, and for calculating the movement
`of the cursor in accordance with a first qualified value and
`a second qualified value, the first qualified value being
`determined based on the movement and movingrate of the
`coordinate position, the second qualified value being deter-
`mined based on the touch pressure of the control member.
`The cursor control device is constituted of a coordinate
`input unit including an operation plate having a control plate
`for dragging a control member such as a finger, a substrate
`arranged on the back surface of the control plate and having
`a pressure sensitive sensor for detecting a touch pressure of
`the control member, and a CPU arranged on the substrate for
`calculating the variation and the moving rate of a coordinate
`position based on a detection signal from said pressure
`sensitive sensor; a keyboard input device having an input
`port portion for receiving a signal from the coordinate input
`unit; a computer body connected to the keyboard input
`device; and a display connected to the computer body for
`displaying the movementofthe cursor in accordance with an
`input signal from the coordinate input unit.
`A coordinate input device according to the present inven-
`tion is constituted of an operation plate having an operation
`surface where a touch pressure is applied; a pressure detect-
`ing means arranged on the back surface of the operation
`plate; a pressure position detecting means for detecting the
`coordinate of a touch point on the operation plate; a com-
`parison meansfor comparing a movement, a touch pressure
`value, or a time variation in pressure value of the coordinate
`
`

`

`5,673,066
`
`3
`with a prescribed value for the movement, the pressure
`value, or the time variation in pressure; a judging means for
`selecting a switching operation or non switching operation
`by the comparison means; and a switching signal generating
`means for generating a switching signal by means of the
`judging means.
`A control member such as a finger can be swiftly moved
`on an operation surface when the touch pressure against the
`operation surface is weak. On the contrary, a control member
`can be slowly moved on the operation surface when the
`touch pressure against the operation surface is strong. An
`operator’s natural motion depends on qualified values, thus
`controlling the position of the cursor easily in comparison
`with the conventional device where a qualified value is
`determined only by the movement of a control member. The
`qualified value which is a coefficient to convert the move-
`ment of a control member into a cursor movement
`is
`determined as a function (for example, a product) of a first
`qualified value and a second qualified value. The first
`qualified value is set so as to increase or decrease in
`accordance with the movement of a control member. The
`second qualified value is set so as to increase as the touch
`pressure of a control member decreases. When the operation
`surface has a small area, the touch pressure of the control
`member can be controlled. It is expected that good oper-
`ability is obtained because the second qualified value can be
`varied suitably.
`It is judged that a switch input is not intended when an
`operator depresses strongly an operation surface uninten-
`tionally even if the touch pressure or a change in time of the
`touch pressure exceeds a predetermined value. Asa result,
`an operator cannot perform unintentionally a switch input-
`ting. After the processing means judges that a switching
`input has been performed, the switching input is held when
`the movement of the coordinate exceeds a predetermined
`value. Even if a finger strikes the end of the operation
`surface while performing a switching input operation, the
`switching input is in a holding state. Hence after a finger is
`lifted off from the operation surface, the dragging operation
`can be continuously carried out by touching the operation
`surface to perform a switch inputting.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will hereinafter be explained in
`more detail with reference to the attached drawings,
`wherein:
`
`FIG. Lis a cross sectional view showing a pointing device
`according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the pointing device
`according to the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is an external view showing a portable personal
`computer mounting the pointing device according to the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an arithmetic processing
`routine in an arithmetic circuit according to the present
`embodiment;
`FIG. 5 is a graph showingfirst qualified values obtained
`by calculating the moving rate of a control memberusing the
`arithmetic circuit;
`FIG. 6 is a graph showing second qualified values
`obtained by calculating the touch pressure of a control
`member using the arithmetic circuit;
`FIGS. 7(a) and 7(6) are diagrams illustrating an input/
`output operation of the pointing device according to the
`present invention;
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`FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing structurally an embodi-
`mentof the coordinate input device according to the present
`invention;
`FIGS.9(a) and 95) show data actually measured when an
`operation surface is touched to perform intentionally a
`switching input operation, FIG. 9(a) being a graph showing
`the relationship between time and touch pressure, and 9(d)
`being a graph showing the relationship between time and
`movement;
`FIGS. 10(a) and 10(6) show data actually measured when
`an operation surface is touched without any intention to
`perform a switching input operation, FIG. 10(a) being a
`graph showing the relationship between time and touch
`pressure, and FIG. 10(b) being a graph showing the rela-
`tionship between time and movement;
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing steps
`according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 12(a) and 12(6) show data actually measured when
`a hard thing such as a pen is touched to an operation surface
`to perform intentionally a switching input operation, FIG.
`12(a) being a graph showing the relationship between time
`and touch pressure, and FIG. 12(b) being a graph showing
`the relationship between time and movement;
`FIGS. 13(a) and 13(6) show data actually measured when
`a hard thing such as a pen is moved on an operation surface
`without any intention to perform a switching input
`operation, FIG. 13(a) being a graph showingtherelationship
`between time and touch pressure, and FIG. 13(6) being a
`graph showing the relationship between time and move-
`ment;
`FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing steps
`according to the second embodiment of the present inven-
`tion;
`FIGS. 15(@) and 15(b) show a flowchart showing data
`actually measured when a finger is moved on an operation
`surface to perform intentionally a switching input operation,
`FIG. 15(@) being a graph showing the relationship between
`time and touch pressure, FIG. 15(8) being a graph showing
`the relationship between time and movement;
`FIGS.16(a) and 16(4) show data actually measured when
`a finger is moved on an operation surface without any
`intention to perform a switching operation, FIG. 16(a) being
`a graph showing the relationship between time and touch
`pressure, FIG. 16(6) being a graph showingthe relationship
`between time and movement;
`FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing steps
`according to the third embodimentof the present invention;
`FIGS. 18(a) and 18(6) are flowcharts showing the pro-
`cessing steps according to the fourth embodiment of the
`present invention; and
`FIGS. 19a) and 19{b) are flowcharts showing the pro-
`cessing steps according to the fifth embodiment of the
`present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`A preferred embodiment of the coordinate input device
`according to the present invention will be explained below
`in accordance with FIGS. 1 through 6.
`FIG. Lis a cross sectional view showing a pointing device
`according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view
`showing the pointing device. FIG. 3 is an external view
`showing a pointing device built-in portable personal com-
`puter. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing arithmetic processing
`routine of an arithmetic circuit in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is
`
`

`

`5,673,066
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`6
`The pointing device 1, as shown in FIG. 3, can be
`structurally drawn out of and into the keyboard case 11
`arranging many keys 10 on the top surface. The drawing
`operation is done alongthe rails 9. In concrete, as shown in
`FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), when the lock releasing mechanism 12
`is pushed into the keyboard case 11, the locking mechanisms
`14 and 15 are released so that the pointing device 1 is
`protruded out in front of the keyboard case 11 due to the
`return force of the biased springs 16. When the pointing
`device 1 is pushed into the keyboard case 11 alongtherails
`9, the locking mechanism 14 and 15 are operated so that the
`pointing device 1 is housed inside the keyboard case 11.
`Since the pointing device 1 can be stored in the keyboard
`case 11 in no use, it is possible to miniaturize a portable
`personal computer.
`In the pointing device 1 drawnout in front of the keyboard
`case 11 for use, when an operator toucheshis finger against
`the operation surface of the operation plate 5 and movesin
`a predetermined direction by a predetermined movement,
`each of the pressure sensitive sensors 3 transmits a signal
`corresponding to the finger pressure through the. operation
`plate 5 to the computer in the keyboard case 11 via the flat
`cable 6. Hence the position of the cursor displayed on a
`display screen can be controlled.
`Next, a detail explanation will be made below as for the
`cursor position control method employing the pointing
`device 1 with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
`Whenan operator touches against the operation surface 7,
`the pressures of the respective pressure sensitive sensors 3
`vary with his finger’s position (pressure position). Hence the
`coordinate position (x, y) of a finger on the operation surface
`7 is expressed by the following arithmetic formulas:
`xeM{(atb){ord)Wathen)
`
`5
`a characteristic diagram graphing first qualified values
`obtained by calculating moving rates of a control member by
`means of an arithmetic circuit. FIG. 6 is characteristic
`diagram graphing second qualified values obtained calcu-
`lating touch pressures of a control member by means of an
`arithmetic circuit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an input/
`output operation of the pointing device according to the
`present embodiment.
`FIG. 8 is a block structural diagram showing the coordi-
`nate input device according to the present invention. FIGS.
`a) and 9(b) show actual data obtained by touching: inten-
`tionally the operation surface 51a to perform a switching
`input. FIG. 9(a) is a graph showing a time ys touch pressure
`characteristic and FIG. 9(b) is a graph showing a time vs
`movementcharacteristic. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) show actual
`data obtained by touching intentionally the operation surface
`Sla to perform a moving operation without a switching
`input. FIG. 10(a) is a graph showing a time vs touch pressure
`characteristic. FIG. 10(b) is a graph showing a time vs
`movementcharacteristic. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the
`processing steps according to the first embodiment of the
`present invention. FIGS. 12(¢) and 12(b) show actual data
`measured when the operation surface 51a is touched using
`a hard material such as a pen to perform a switching input
`intentionally. FIG. 12(2) is a graph showing a time vs
`pressure characteristic and FIG. 12(6) is a graph showing a
`time vs movement characteristic. FIGS. 13 (a) and 13(b)
`show actual data measured when the operation surface 51a
`is touched with a hard thing such as a pen, with an intention
`to perform only a. moving operation without performing a
`switching input. FIG. 13(a) is a graph showing a time vs
`pressure characteristic and FIG. 13(6) is a graph showing a
`time vs movementcharacteristic. FIG. 14 showsa flowchart
`showing the processing steps according to the second
`embodiment ofthe present invention. FIGS. 15(a) and 15(6)
`shows actual data measured when the operation surface 51a
`is touched with a finger, with an intention to perform a
`switching input. FIG. 15(a) is a graph showing a time vs
`touch pressure characteristic and FIG. 15(b) is a graph
`showing a time vs movementcharacteristic. FIGS. 16(@) and
`16() shows actual data measured when a touch pressureis
`added to the operation surface 1a with a finger, without any
`intention to perform a switching input. FIG. 16(a) is shows
`a graph showing a time vs pressure characteristic and FIG.
`16(b) shows a graph showing a time vs movement charac-
`teristic. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing steps
`according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart
`showing the processing steps according to the fourth
`embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing
`where K is a proportional constant.
`steps according to the fifth embodiment.
`When the movementS, movingrate V, and touch pressure
`Referring to now in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pointing device 1
`P of a finger on the operation surface 7 are detected, the
`includes a flexible print board 4 arranged fixedly over a
`qualified value U which is a coefficient for converting the
`metal plate 2 acting as a supporting plate. The flexible print
`movement § of a finger into the movement of a cursor is
`board 4 mounts a pressure sensitive sensor 3 and other
`determined as a product (U1xU2) ofafirst qualified value
`elements. A hard operation plate 5 is arranged on the
`U1 determined in accordance with the moving rate V and a
`55
`pressure sensitive sensor 3. The flat cable 6 extending from
`second qualified value U2 determined in accordance with
`the flexible print board 4 is connected to a computer 9 (not
`the pressure P. That is, the qualified value U1, as shown by
`shown). The operation plate 5 has a rectangular operation
`the graph in FIG. 5, is set so as to increase and decrease
`surface 7 where an operator can touch with and drag on it
`proportionally the moving rate V. The qualified value U2,as
`with a control member such as a finger. A face sheet & is
`shown by the graph in FIG.6, is set so as to increase as the
`adhered to the operation surface 7. The pressure sensitive
`touch pressure P decreases. The values U1 and U2 is
`sensors 3 are arranged beneath the four corners of the
`multiplied by the movement 5 every sampling time while
`rectangular operation surface 7, respectively. The four pres-
`the movementD of the cursor is calculated as a perpendicu-
`sure sensitive sensors 3 support the operation plate 5. Guide
`lar coordinate component corresponding to the moving
`rails 9 are arranged on both sides of the pointing device 1 to
`direction. Namely, the movement D of a cursor is obtained
`draw in and out a keyboard case mentioned later. The
`by the following formula:
`operation plate 5 is supported by an elastic member to tilt
`D=Uxs—U1xU2xs
`slightly in accordance with a finger pressure.
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`yeN{(atb)-(b+c)H(atbterd)
`
`where a, b, c, and d are the outputs of the four pressure
`sensitive sensors 3, respectively, and M and N are propor-
`tional constants, respectively. The movementS of a finger on
`the pressure surface 7 can be detected as a perpendicular
`coordinate component corresponding to a moving direction.
`Furthermore, the moving tate V of a finger can be detected
`by the detected results. The touch pressure P against the
`operation surface 7 of a finger is expressed as the following
`formula:
`
`p=K(atb+c+d)
`
`

`

`8
`at various points are fa, fb, fc, and fd the touch pressure F
`is given by the following expression:
`
`F=fatforferfd
`
`m
`
`Since the momentroundthe Y axis is balanced, the touch
`pressure Fx expressed by the following expression:
`
`Frxa(fbye)xb
`
`(2)
`
`Since the moment round the X axis is balanced, the touch
`pressure Fy is expressed by the following expression:
`
`Fyfefax
`
`3)
`
`Therefore, the coordinates x and y are obtained by the
`following expressions:
`
`eFaxfarforforfa)
`
`6)
`
`7
`The value D obtained is sent to the display 13 to move the
`cursor.
`
`5,673,066
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`the qualified value U for
`In the above embodiment,
`converting the movement of a control member into the
`movement of a cursor is determined based on the first
`qualified value U1 determined according to the movementof
`a control member and the second qualified value U2 deter-
`mined according to the pressure of the control member.
`Whena control member is swiftly moved with a small touch
`pressure, the qualified value U becomes large, whereby a
`cursor can be moved coarsely on the display 13. On the
`contrary, when the control member is slowly moved with a
`large touch pressure, the cursor can be movedfinely on the
`display 13. This meansthat an operator can control easily by
`weakening the touch pressure when an operation member
`such as a finger is moved at high speed. An operator can
`control easily by strengthening when a control member is
`moved at slow speed. Hence in comparison with the con-
`a=(fotfe)XLfatfotferya)
`(4)
`ventional device where a qualified value is determined only
`by the moving rate of a control member, an operator’s
`natural motion can be reflected clearly by the qualified value
`U by determining a qualified value U as the product of U1
`and U2, as shownin the above embodiment.Asa result, the
`position of a cursor can be easily controlled while the
`operability can be improved.
`Asdescribed in the above embodiment, since the pointing
`device 1 is mounted so as to be drawn in and out of a
`portable personal computer, the touch pressure of the opera-
`tion surface 7 can beeasily controlled even if the operation
`surface 7 with a small area makes it difficult to control the
`moving rate of a control member. Therefore the second
`qualified value U2 can be varied properly to provide good
`operability.
`Next, the above embodiment will be explained in more
`detail as for its switching function.
`The structure of the coordinate input device according to
`the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 8.
`Piezoelectric elements 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d for converting
`a pressure into a voltage are arranged at four corners A, B,
`C, and D ofthe back surface or the operation surface 51a of
`a rigid plate 51, respectively. The piezoelectric elements
`52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are connected to the analog-to-digital
`(afd) convertors 54a, 542, S4c, and 54d in the processing
`circuit 53, respectively. Those outputs of the a/d converters
`54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d are connected to the input ports 55a,
`55b, 55c, and 55d, respectively. The input ports 55a, 556,
`55c, and 55d are connected to the CPU 57 by wayof the bus
`56. The read-only memory (ROM) 58, the random access
`memory (RAM) 59, and the output port 60 are connected to
`the bus 56. The output 6@ is connected to the input port 62
`of the personal computer 61.
`In the coordinate input device structure, when the opera-
`tion plate 51a ofthe rigid plate 51 is depressed with a finger
`or a pen, the a/d converters 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d convert
`partial pressures applied to the four piezoelectric elements
`52a, 52, 52c, and 52d into digital values. Thedigital values
`are input to the input ports 55a, 556, 55c, and 55d, respec-
`tively. The CPU 57 performs an arithm