Abstract:
A mouse device is adapted to be connected to an information processing device. A case body has a bottom face formed with a recess. A coordinates information input device is provided on the bottom face of the case body to input coordinate information to the information processing device. An image capturing device is incorporated in the case body to capture an image of an object situated within an image capturing range. A stand is integrally provided on the bottom face of the case body and selectively placed in one of a first position housed within the recess and a second position withdrawn from the recess to fix the image capturing range.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a mouse device provided with an image capturing device, which is also used as a camera device.  
         [0002]     In recent years, a simplified television conference system through Internet prevails. Correspondingly, as a computer peripheral device, a personal small-sized camera equipped with an image capturing device also prevails. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-282452A discloses a hybrid device in which such a personal small-size camera is incorporated in a mouse device.  
         [0003]     When such a mouse is employed as a coordinates information input device, the coordinates information is inputted while the mouse is moved on a plane. For this reason, the bottom of the mouse must be made flat.  
         [0004]     On the other hand, when such a mouse device is employed as a camera device, in order to fix the image capturing area of the image capturing device, it is necessary to attach an individual fixing tool onto the bottom of the mouse device. It is troublesome for the user.  
         [0005]     In addition, when the above functions of the mouse device are switched to each other, a user must carry out a changeover operation to respective application softwares for the coordinates information inputting function and the camera function. It is troublesome for the user.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a mouse device provided with an image capturing device, in which the coordinates information inputting function and the camera function can be switched to each other while maintaining workability.  
         [0007]     In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention, there is provided a mouse device adapted to be connected to an information processing device, comprising:  
         [0008]     a case body, having a bottom face formed with a recess;  
         [0009]     a coordinates information input device, provided on the bottom face of the case body to input coordinate information to the information processing device;  
         [0010]     an image capturing device, incorporated in the case body to capture an image of an object situated within an image capturing range; and  
         [0011]     a stand, integrally provided on the bottom face of the case body and selectively placed in one of a first position housed within the recess and a second position withdrawn from the recess to fix the image capturing range.  
         [0012]     The mouse device may further comprise a sensor provided in the recess to detect whether the stand is placed in the first position. Here, the coordinates information input device is automatically activated while automatically deactivating the image capturing device, when the sensor detects that the stand is placed in the first position. On the other hand, the image capturing device is automatically activated while automatically deactivating the coordinates information input device, when the sensor detects that the stand is not placed in the first position.  
         [0013]     The sensor may be a mechanical switch or an optical sensor.  
         [0014]     The stand may be pivotably provided on the bottom face of the case body, so that the image capturing range is adjusted in accordance with a pivot angle of the stand.  
         [0015]     The stand may be extensibly provided on the bottom face of the case body, so that the image capturing range is adjusted in accordance with an extended length of the stand.  
         [0016]     A part of the case body may be tapered so as to form a slant face which is to be brought into contact with a face on which the mouse device is placed, when the stand is placed in the second position. Here, a rubber pad may be provided on the slant face.  
         [0017]     With the above configuration, the image capturing area can be adjusted and fixed without troublesome operation such as preparation of an individual fixing tool. Further, the coordinates information input function and the image capturing function can be switched with improved workability. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a mouse device according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the mouse device of  FIG. 1 , showing a state that a stand is housed in a case body;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective section view showing a portion where the stand is attached to the case body of the mouse device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing how to use the stand;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the mouse device of  FIG. 1 , showing a state that the stand is used;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective section view showing a sensor switch of the mouse device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7A  is an enlarged perspective section view of a first modified example of the mouse device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7B  is an enlarged perspective section view of a second modified example of the mouse device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged side view showing a front end portion of the mouse of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a side view showing a mouse device according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the mouse device of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged section view showing a stand of the mouse device of  FIG. 9 ; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of a modified example of the mouse device of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     Embodiments of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0033]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a mouse device  1  according to a first embodiment comprises a case body  2  which has a size enough to be settled in a user&#39;s hand.  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mouse device  1  further comprises an image capturing device  6  necessary for a camera function, and a pivotable stand  10  capable of adjusting an image capturing area of the image capturing device  6 . A bottom face  23  of the case body  2  is formed with a recess  21  adapted to house the stand  10  in an non-use state. In the recess  21 , a mechanical sensor switch  13  for detecting whether the stand  10  is housed in the recess  21  is provided. A part of a track ball  9  for inputting coordinates information is exposed on the bottom face  23  of the case body  2 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mouse device  1  further comprises a left click button  3  and a right click button  4  for making the operation such as clicking, double-clicking or drugging to be done by a user, and a scroll button  5  for making the operation such as scrolling and others. The function and operation of these left click button  3 , right click button  4  and scroll button  5 , which are well known, will not be explained in detail.  
         [0036]     The mouse device  1  is connected to an information processing apparatus (not shown) such as a personal computer. In this case, the connection between the mouse device  1  and the information processing apparatus may be made by a cable relied on the USB standard or a wireless system as well as a dedicated mouse device cable.  
         [0037]     When the mouse device  1  is used as a camera device, the stand  10  is pivoted so as to be withdrawn from the recess  21  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The mouse device  1  is laid on a desk or the like in this state, thereby fixing the image capturing area of the image capturing device  6 .  
         [0038]     The height of the image capturing area can be adjusted in accordance with the pivoting angle of the stand  10  as shown in dashed lines shown in  FIG. 4 . Therefore, the image capturing area can be easily adjusted without providing an individual fixing tool.  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the stand  10  is attached to the case body  2  by inserting both side ends of the stand  10  into holes  11  formed in the recess  21 .  
         [0040]     When the mouse device  1  is used as a coordinates information input device, the stand  10  is pivoted so as to be housed in the recess  21 , thereby making the bottom of the mouse device  1  flat.  
         [0041]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a front end portion of the case body  2  is tapered to form a slant face  12 . A slant angle  24  of the slant face  12  is set within a range of 15 to 45 degrees. When the mouse device  1  is used as the camera device, the desk face or the like and the slant face  12  are brought into contact with each other, thereby improving the stability of the mouse device  1 .  
         [0042]     Further, a rubber pad  20  is provided on the slant face  12  for preventing slippage, the installing stability of the mouse device  1  can be further assured. When the mouse device  1  is used as the coordinates information input device, since the rubber pad  20  will not be brought into contact with the desk face or the like, the mouse device  1  can be smoothly slid on the desk face or the like without any interference.  
         [0043]     The detection of the status of the stand  10  through the use of the mechanical sensor switch  13  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 6 .  
         [0044]     When the stand  10  is housed in the recess  21 , the sensor switch  13  is depressed by the stand  10 , thereby opening or closing internal contact (not shown). The housed state of the stand  10  is thus detected. To the contrary, when the stand  10  is withdrawn from the recess  21 , the depressed state of the sensor switch  13  is released, thereby detecting the withdrawn state of the stand  10 .  
         [0045]     When the housed state of the stand  10  is detected by the sensor switch  13 , the mouse device  1  automatically deactivate the camera function (application) and activate the coordinates information input function (application). To the contrary, when the withdrawn state of the stand  10  is detected by the sensor switch  13 , the mouse device  1  automatically deactivate the coordinates information input function and activate the camera function.  
         [0046]     In this embodiment, the mechanical switch is used as the sensor switch  13 . However, an optical sensor switch of transmissive type or reflective type may be alternatively used.  
         [0047]     Specifically, in a case where the reflective type optical sensor is used as shown in  FIG. 7A , the housed state of the stand  10  can be detected when a light detector  14   b  detects infrared light which is emitted from a light emitter  14   a  and reflected by the stand  10 .  
         [0048]     In a case where the transmissive type optical sensor is used as shown in  FIG. 7B , the withdrawn state of the stand  10  can be detected when a light detector  14   c  detects infrared light which is emitted from a light emitter (not shown).  
         [0049]     A mouse device according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9-11 . Components similar to those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and repetitive explanations for those will be omitted. In this embodiment, an extensible stand is used. The image capturing area of the image capturing device  6  can be easily adjusted by extending or contracting the stand without providing an individual fixing tool.  
         [0050]     Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the extensible stand is composed of a stand bottom  15   a  and an extensible rod  15   b . When the rod  15   b  is contracted so that the stand bottom  15   a  is housed in a recess  16  formed on the bottom face  23 , a mechanical sensor switch  17  disposed in the recess  16  is depressed by the stand bottom  15   a.    
         [0051]     Upon the depression of the sensor switch  17  by the stand bottom  15   a , the housed state of the stand is detected. Accordingly, the mouse device  1  automatically deactivates the camera function and activates the coordinates information input function.  
         [0052]     When the stand bottom  15   a  is withdrawn from the recess  16 , the depressed state of the sensor switch  17  is released, thereby detecting the withdrawn state of the stand. Accordingly, the mouse device  1  automatically deactivates the coordinates information input function and activates the camera function.  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIG. 12 , an optical sensor may be used as the sensor switch in place of the above mechanical sensor switch  17 .  
         [0054]     Specifically, the housed state of the extensible stand can be detected when a light detector  18   b  detects infrared light which is emitted from a light emitter  18   a  and reflected by the stand bottom  15   a . Therefore, the size of the stand bottom  15   a  is determined so as to have an enough size to certainly reflect the infrared light emitted from the light emitter  18   a  toward the light detector  18   b.    
         [0055]     The size of the stand bottom  15   a  is determined so as to be smaller than the size of the recess  16  because the stand bottom  15   a  must be entirely housed within the recess  16  (the bottom face  23  of the case body  2  must be made flat) when the mouse device  1  is used as the coordinates information input device. For the same reason, the depth of the recess  16  is determined such that the stand bottom  15   a  is entirely housed within the recess  16  when the stand bottom  15   a  depresses the sensor switch  17 .  
         [0056]     Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. Such changes and modifications as are obvious are deemed to come within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as defined in the appended claims.