Patent ID: 6300940
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: G05G,G06F

Abstract:
An input device for a computer comprising:a reflection type optical sensor having a light emitter and a light receiver;an operation section disposed facing the optical sensor, the operation section being tilted when a load is applied thereto; andoutput means for detecting a tilt status of the operation section based on signals from the light receiver and outputting detected results to a computer body as positional information, wherein the light receiver includes a both-side division type position sensitive detector for two-dimensional position detection,wherein the reflection type optical sensor further includes a light shader having a hole disposed therein at a position facing the light receiver, for shading the light receiver from light other than light reflected according to the position of the operation section, whereby the reflected light forms a light spot on the light receiver, andwherein the both-side division type position sensitive detector generates plural outputs by division of a photoelectric current between plural output electrodes, a division ratio of the outputs indicating the position of the light spot relative to each electrode.