JPH04336316A - System for informing computer internal state information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the visual burden and to improve the information effect by informing internal information on a computer through tactile feeling by the partial vibration of an input device. CONSTITUTION:This system consists of a computer which outputs a predetermined vibration driving signal corresponding to an internal state and a computer input device which receives the vibration driving signal and vibrates an operation part corresponding to the vibration driving signal. In this case, the clicking of a button 21 is effective by vibrating the button is informed to the operator. When a program 131 detects the shift to a clicking available state, the switch of a driving part 14 with the switch is closed with an instruction. Consequently, a driving radio wave is supplied through a driving line 17 to vibrate a piezoelectric element 22 below the button 21 and the operator who touches the button feels the clicking available state with the finger.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a notification method for outputting internal state information of a computer to a computer input device in an interactive computer system.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventional interactive computer systems are
As a means of interaction with the operator, a keyboard, mouse, etc. are used for input, and a display, buzzer, and sound generator are used for output. For example, the display is used as an output means to notify the internal status of the computer, such as whether input is possible or not. This information was communicated by changing the shape of the cursor or by sending messages, and some information was communicated by lighting up a lamp on the keyboard.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] All of the conventional computer status information notification methods described above operate visually, and the operator has to concentrate on the display or shift his gaze to the lamp on the keyboard. However, there was a drawback in that it placed a heavy burden on the visual sense.

[0004]Also, although auditory methods such as buzzers and voices can be used to respond to input operations, such as notifications of whether or not click input is possible, they are not suitable for notifying status information before an operation. There were drawbacks.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first invention updates the internal state of a computer in response to an input from a computer input device, and transmits internal state information of a predetermined internal state to the computer input device. In the computer internal state information notification method in an interactive computer system, the computer outputs a predetermined vibration drive signal according to the internal state when the predetermined internal state is detected; and the computer input device that receives the vibration drive signal and vibrates the operating part corresponding to the vibration drive signal.

[0006]

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a computer internal state information notification system according to the present invention.

Next, the operation will be explained using the drawings.

In normal operating conditions, a click signal from the button 21 of the mouse 2 is received by the mouse input section 15 of the computer 1 via the button switch 23 and the mouse connection cable 3, and is sent to the CPU via the bus 12.
11, the corresponding program 131 in the memory 13 is executed and the result is displayed on the display 4 via the display control section 16.

This embodiment has means for notifying the operator in advance that clicking the button 21 is valid by vibrating the button.

[0011] Now, when the program 131 detects that it has shifted to a clickable state, the switch-equipped drive unit 1
Close switch 4 by command. As a result, a drive current flows through the drive line 17, vibrates the piezoelectric element 22 at the bottom of the button 21, and notifies the operator's finger touching the button of the clickable state as a feeler.

0012

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the computer internal status information notification method of the present invention has the effect of reducing the visual burden because status information inside the computer is notified through the antenna by partial vibration of the input device. There is.

[0013] Furthermore, if the present invention is applied to a case where status information within a computer is notified before an input operation, such as a notification of a clickable state, the notification effect will be further improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a computer internal state information notification method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Computer 2 Mouse 3 Mouse connection cable 4 Display 11 CPU 12 Bus 13. Memory 14 Drive unit with switch 15 Mouse input section 16 Display control section 17 Drive line 21 Button 22 Piezoelectric element 23 Button switch 131 Program

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A computer in an interactive computer system that updates the internal state of the computer in response to input from a computer input device and notifies the computer input device of internal state information of the internal state determined in advance. In the state information notification method, the computer outputs a predetermined vibration drive signal according to the internal state when the predetermined internal state is detected, and the vibration drive device receives the vibration drive signal. A computer status notification system comprising: the computer input device that vibrates an operating part in response to a signal.