JPH05333997A - Mouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the fatigue of hands due to key operations and to prevent an operation mistake brought about due to touching erroneous keys by placing a wrist rest at the lower part of ten keys on the surface of a mouse and mounting the ten keys stepping down from the surface of the mouse. CONSTITUTION:A connection cord 12 which is extended from the head of the mouse is directly or indirectly connected to the main unit of a computer. An upper surface 13 of a mouse 11 is almost flat, and a front end section 14 is formed higher than a rear end section 15. On the upper surface 13, a mouse function key 16 is provided at the inner part of the front end section 14. The functions such as 'place', 'click', and 'return' are allocated to the mouse function key 16 to input the function direction to the computer main unit. A main body 11 is slid on a desk or the like by means of a mouse, and signals according to the number of rotations and the direction of rotation of a mouse ball 18 are sent to the computer main unit. The wrist rest 20 is used when operating the mouse function key 16 or ten keys 17.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mouse which is a kind of computer input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows the appearance of a conventional personal computer. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 71 denotes a computer main body, in which a control unit centering on a microprocessor and a main memory are incorporated. Further, one or a plurality of floppy disk drives 72 are provided so that data and the like can be written in and read from a floppy disk which is a secondary storage means. Reference numeral 73 is a cathode ray tube (CRT) which is a kind of output device and which outputs input data, calculation results, programs and the like. As the output device, a printer, a CAD output device, or the like can be connected to the computer main body 71 in addition to the display 73.
74 is a keyboard which is a kind of input device, and is composed of a character key 75 for inputting characters, symbols, etc., a function key 76 for inputting various instructions, and a numeric keypad 77 which is convenient for inputting numerical values. .. Reference numeral 78 denotes a mouse, which is a type of input device, and a ball (not shown), a part of which is exposed on the bottom surface and which can be rotated, is rolled on the desk, and a position on the screen or the like can be designated on the display 73. Also,
Mouse function key 79 required for mouse operation on the top of mouse 78
Not only is there a numeric keypad 80 for entering numbers. Such a mouse is disclosed in JP-A-3-28
Published in 2815.

[0003]

However, in the conventional mouse described above, the mouse 78 is provided on the upper surface of the mouse 78 because not only the mouse function keys 79 necessary for mouse operation but also the numeric keypad 80 for inputting numerical values are provided. The 78 itself has to function as a simple keyboard, and the fatigue of the operator's fingers seems to be a problem. Furthermore, by arranging not only the mouse function keys 79 but also the numeric keypad 80 on the upper surface of the mouse 78, for example, when the numeric keypad 80 is arranged below the mouse function keys 79, the numeric keypad 80 is mistaken when operating the mouse function keys 79. There is a problem of operation mistakes caused by touching. Even if the mouse function key 79 and the ten-key pad 80 are arranged opposite to each other, similarly, there is a problem of an operation error caused by accidentally touching the mouse function key 79 when operating the ten-key pad 80. The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mouse capable of inputting numerical values and the like and also capable of preventing operator's finger fatigue and erroneous operation.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a mouse function key and a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value, and a mouse rear portion is provided to reduce hand fatigue due to key operation. It has a hand rest on the wrist. Further, according to the present invention, by mounting the ten-key pad in a step-down manner from the surface of the mouse, it is possible to prevent an operation error due to an erroneous key touch when the mouse function key or the ten-key pad is operated. Moreover, not only the numeric keypad but also the cursor keys and main operation keys are provided on the surface of the mouse.

[0005]

According to the present invention, therefore, it is possible to reduce the erroneous operation of the mouse function keys and the numeric keypad and to reduce the fatigue caused by inputting a large number of numerical values.

[0006]

1 is a plan view of a mouse in a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a right side view thereof. In FIGS. 1 and 2, 10 is a mouse, and 11 is a mouse body, which is formed in a size that an ordinary adult can hold with one hand. A connection cord 12 extends from the head of the mouse and is directly or indirectly connected to the computer body. Mouse body
The upper surface 13 of 11 is formed to be substantially flat, and the front end portion 14 is formed higher than the rear end portion 15. On the upper surface 13, 16 is a mouse function key, which is provided at the rear of the front end portion 14. Functions such as place, click, and return are assigned to the mouse function key 16, and it is possible to input a function instruction to the computer main body by pressing the mouse function key 16. It should be noted that the positions and the numbers of the mouse function keys 16 are not necessarily limited to the illustrated positions and numbers. A numeric keypad 17 is provided at the rear of the mouse function key 16. Numeric keypad 17 has numbers from "0" to "9", comma ",", period "." ] Input keys are arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be only “0” to “9”, comma “,”, period “. Keys other than “” may be arranged. Note that the position of the ten-key pad 17 is not limited to the position shown in the drawing such as being arranged at a position opposite to the mouse function key 16. Reference numeral 18 denotes a mouse ball, and rotation of the mouse ball 18 allows the mouse body 11 to move. Ie mouse ball
The lower end of 18 slightly protrudes from the bottom surface 19 of the mouse body 11. As a result, the mouse body 11 is placed on a desk or the like and slid, and a signal corresponding to the number of rotations and the direction of rotation of the mouse ball 18 is sent to the computer body. The means for generating a signal associated with the rotation of the mouse ball 18 has exactly the same structure as a conventionally known mouse such as a potentiometer, and therefore its explanation is omitted. Reference numeral 20 is a hand rest for placing the wrist when operating the mouse function key 16 or the ten key 17.

Next, the operation of the mouse 10 will be described.
Here, tabulation work is taken as an example. Operator is a hand rest
Place your wrist on 20, grab the mouse 10 with one hand, slide it on the desk, etc., and move the mouse cursor (arrow on the display, mark in the shape of your index finger, etc.) to the position of the frame where you can enter numerical values while watching the display. .. Then, an appropriate numerical value is input in the frame by selectively pressing the ten key 17. At this time, if necessary, the mouse function key 16 such as return can also be pressed. If you do all this work in the frame of the table, the table is completed. To enter all numerical data, move the mouse 10 and the numeric keypad 17 and /
Or it can be done only by operating the mouse function keys 16, so the operator does not have to remove one hand from the mouse 10 while looking at the screen of the display, and by placing his wrist on the hand rest 20, mouse input with less hand fatigue. Operation becomes possible.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a mouse according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a right side view thereof. In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 10 is a mouse, and 11 is a mouse body, which is formed in a size that an ordinary adult can hold with one hand.
A connection cord 12 extends from the head of the mouse and is directly or indirectly connected to the computer body. The upper surface 13 of the mouse body 11 is formed into a substantially flat surface, and the front end portion 14 is formed higher than the rear end portion 15. On the upper surface 13, 16 is a mouse function key, which is provided at the rear of the front end portion 14. Mouse function key 16 has place, click,
A function such as return is assigned, and it becomes possible to input a function instruction to the computer main body by pushing it. It should be noted that the positions and the numbers of the mouse function keys 16 are not necessarily limited to the illustrated positions and numbers. 17 is a numeric keypad, which is provided at the rear of the mouse function key 16
It is mounted at a position one step lower than the mounting position of. Numeric keypad 17 has numbers from "0" to "9", comma ",", period "." ] Input keys are arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be only “0” to “9”, comma “,”, period “. Keys other than “” may be arranged. Note that the position of the ten-key pad 17 is not limited to the position shown in the drawing such as being arranged at a position opposite to the mouse function key 16. 18 is a mouse ball, this mouse ball
The rotation of 18 allows the mouse body 11 to move. That is, the lower end portion of the mouse ball 18 slightly projects from the bottom surface 19 of the mouse body 11. As a result, the mouse body 11 is placed on a desk or the like and slid, and a signal corresponding to the number of rotations and the direction of rotation of the mouse ball 18 is sent to the computer body. The means for generating a signal according to the rotation of the mouse ball 18 has exactly the same structure as a conventionally known mouse such as a potentiometer, and therefore its explanation is omitted. Reference numeral 20 is a hand rest for placing the wrist when operating the mouse function key 16 or the ten key 17. Next, the operation of the mouse 10 will be described. The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description thereof is omitted here. However, by mounting the ten-key 17 at a position one step lower than the mounting position of the mouse function key 16, the mouse function such as tabulation work is performed. It is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the numeric keypad 17 when the number of times the key 16 is operated is large. It should be noted that the distance lowered by one step seems to be a distance slightly higher than the key top height of the standard full keyboard, for example, about 10 mm, but the distance is not limited to this. As a result, the operator can place the wrist on the hand rest 20 to reduce the fatigue of the hand, and can perform the mouse input operation with less erroneous operation of the mouse function key 16 or the ten key 17.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a mouse according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a right side view thereof. In FIGS. 5 and 6, 10 is a mouse, and 11 is a mouse body, which is formed in a size that an ordinary adult can hold with one hand.
A connection cord 12 extends from the head of the mouse and is directly or indirectly connected to the computer body. The upper surface 13 of the mouse body 11 is formed into a substantially flat surface, and the front end portion 14 is formed higher than the rear end portion 15. On the upper surface 13, 16 is a mouse function key, which is provided at the rear of the front end portion 14. Mouse function key 16 has place, click,
A function such as return is assigned, and it becomes possible to input a function instruction to the computer main body by pushing it. It should be noted that the positions and the numbers of the mouse function keys 16 are not necessarily limited to the illustrated positions and numbers. 50 is not only the above-mentioned numeric keypad, but also the cursor keys, that is, keys such as "↑", "→", "←", "↓" and the return key (also called a line feed key) for moving the cursor by one character in the arrow direction. In addition, the main operation keys, namely “×”, “÷”, “+”, “−”,
Although it is composed of “=”, “/”, etc., it is not limited to this and will be referred to as a numeric keypad here. The ten-key pad 50 is provided at the rear of the mouse function key 16 and is mounted at a position one step lower than the mounting position of the mouse function key 16. The position of the numeric keypad 50 is not limited to the position shown in the drawing such as being arranged at the position opposite to the mouse function key 16. Reference numeral 18 denotes a mouse ball, and rotation of the mouse ball 18 allows the mouse body 11 to move. That is, the lower end portion of the mouse ball 18 slightly projects from the bottom surface 19 of the mouse body 11. As a result, the mouse body 11 is placed on a desk or the like and slid, and a signal corresponding to the number of rotations and the direction of rotation of the mouse ball 18 is sent to the computer body. The means for generating a signal associated with the rotation of the mouse ball 18 has exactly the same structure as a conventionally known mouse such as a potentiometer, and therefore its explanation is omitted. Reference numeral 20 is a hand rest for placing the wrist when operating the mouse function keys 16 or the numeric keypad 50.

Next, the operation of the mouse 10 will be described.
The basic operation is the same as in the first embodiment described above, so it is omitted here, but by mounting the numeric keypad 50 at a position one step lower than the mounting position of the mouse function key 16,
It is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of the numeric keypad or the like 50 when the mouse function key 16 is operated many times such as in tabulation work. It should be noted that the distance lowered by one step is considered to be a distance slightly higher than the key top height of a standard full keyboard, for example, about 10 mm, but the distance is not limited to this.
This not only allows the operator to place his / her wrist on the hand rest 20 to reduce hand fatigue, but also enables the mouse input operation with less mistaken operation of the mouse function key 16 or the numeric keypad 50, etc. It is possible to perform considerable input operations such as tabulation work with only 10 operations, which has the effect of dramatically improving input efficiency.

[0011]

As is apparent from the above embodiment, the present invention has the effect of reducing the fatigue of the hand associated with the key operation by providing the depression on the surface of the mouse under the numeric keypad for the purpose of placing the wrist. .. In addition, by mounting the numeric keypad in a step-down manner from the surface of the mouse, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation when operating the mouse function key or the numeric keypad. Furthermore, by providing not only a numeric keypad but also a cursor key and a main operation key on the mouse surface, the main keyboard operation including the mouse operation can be performed only with the mouse.
This has the effect of dramatically improving the input efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mouse according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the mouse according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a mouse according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the mouse according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a mouse according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of a mouse according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional standard computer system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 78… Mouse, 11… Mouse body, 12… Connection cord, 13… Top, 14… Front end, 15… Rear end, 16,
79 ... Mouse function keys, 17, 77, 80 ... Numeric keys, 18 ... Mouse ball, 19 ... Bottom, 20 ... Hand rest, 50 ... Numeric keys, 71 ... Computer main body, 72 ... Floppy disk drive, 73 ... Display, 75 … Character keys, 76… function keys.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A hand rest comprising a mouse function key and a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value, and a hand rest for the purpose of placing a wrist on the back of the mouse to reduce the fatigue of the hand associated with the key operation. A mouse characterized by. 2. The mouse according to claim 1, wherein by mounting the numeric keypad in a step-down manner from the surface of the mouse, it is possible to prevent an operation error due to an erroneous key touch when the mouse function key or the numeric keypad is operated. 3. The mouse according to claim 2, wherein not only a ten-key pad but also a cursor key and a main operation key are provided on the surface of the mouse.