Input device

Input device

<p>1. . .Input device</p><p>2. . .Body</p><p>3. . .Display panel</p><p>4. . .A flat input device</p><p>10. . .Flip board</p>

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1, (A) is a state before operation, and (B) is a state during operation.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 (A) showing an embodiment of a convex body provided on the instruction display.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functions of the input device.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart.

6 (A) (B) are perspective views showing an example of an input operation.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another operation touch generating mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in Fig. 8, (A) shows a state before operation, and (B) shows a state during operation.

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to an input device for performing an input operation and an input coordinate operation on another touch panel for an input point having an indication display on the same operation panel.

Background technique

A button-type input mechanism is provided on an input device such as a mobile phone, which can perform various operations such as inputting a telephone number, starting and ending a call.

In addition, recently, the Internet connection environment using mobile phones has been increasing, and various services are available with mobile phones. As a result, various menus are displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone, and frequent menu selection operations can be performed.

When using a previous input device to select a function menu, as the above-mentioned button-type input mechanism provided on the mobile phone, a button-type or lever-type input mechanism indicating a direction is additionally provided, thereby moving to a position capable of selecting a function menu.

(Invention to solve the problem)

However, the above-mentioned conventional input device has a problem that the operability is impaired because it is performed by an input mechanism that is different between a button-type input operation and an input operation of a menu selection. In addition, in the conventional input device, since the direction in which the menu is moved is restricted to the up-down and left-right directions, it is difficult to quickly select a menu. Moreover, it is impossible to perform handwriting input or the like using the above-mentioned input means.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an input device such as a cursor movement operation such as a pressing operation on a predetermined input point and a menu selection, and a handwriting input device without impairing operability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device that enables an operator to reliably know that a pressing operation has been performed.

[Methods used to solve the problem]

The input device of the present invention is characterized by having an input mechanism capable of coordinate input and indicating display of a plurality of input points, and a control unit that receives an input signal from the input mechanism and generates an operation signal corresponding to the input signal; In the control unit, the input signal from the input mechanism may be identified as coordinate data, and an operation signal corresponding to the input item of the input point may be generated when the instruction display is additionally touched.

For example, the input mechanism is configured by a planar input device capable of coordinate input, and a structure in which the instruction display is provided on a surface of the planar input device.

Further, in the control device, when the contact point is moved on the input mechanism, the movement state of the contact point may be identified as the coordinate data.

In addition, the input device of the present invention includes a planar input mechanism capable of coordinate input, an indication display provided on a surface of the input mechanism and capable of indicating a plurality of input points, and receiving an input signal from the input mechanism. And a control unit that generates an operation signal corresponding to the input signal; in the control unit, when a predetermined input mode is set, the touched input point is detected and an operation signal corresponding to an instruction item of the input point is generated, When other input modes are set, regardless of the display of the input points, the input signal from the input mechanism is identified as coordinate data.

In each of the above inventions, a display mechanism is provided. When the control unit recognizes the coordinate data, a display corresponding to the coordinate data is displayed on the display mechanism. When the instruction display is touched, a display corresponding to the display mechanism is displayed. The text, symbols, or numbers shown above.

In the present invention described above, since the operation corresponding to the input point for instructing display and the input operation of ignoring the coordinate data of the input point can be performed on the same operation surface, various input operations can be performed.

In addition, it is preferable to provide an operation tactile feel generating mechanism for giving a pressing reaction force when the input point indicated by the instruction display is pressed.

The operation tactile feel generating mechanism may be additionally provided at a position corresponding to the input point indicated on the instruction display, or may be provided at a position inside the input mechanism.

In addition, the operation feel generating mechanism is a structure that can be formed by a dome-shaped reversing plate located inside the input mechanism.

Thereby, the operator can be informed that it has been pressed, and it is possible to prevent the user from performing a reliable operation by preventing forgetting the pressing.

In addition, the switch board can also be used for switch input.

At this time, since the switchboard does not perform switch input before reversing, it is possible to prevent the switchboard from being input only by displaying the touch instruction.

Schematic illustration

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1, (A) is a state before operation, and (B) is a state during operation.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 (A) showing an embodiment of a convex body provided on the instruction display.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functions of the input device.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart.

6 (A) (B) are perspective views showing an example of an input operation.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another operation touch generating mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in Fig. 8, (A) shows a state before operation, and (B) shows a state during operation.

Explanation of main component symbols

1. . .Input device

2. . .Body

3. . .Display panel

4. . .A flat input device

10. . .Flip board

(Embodiment of Invention) (Example 1)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing Embodiment 1 of the input device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing line 2-2 in FIG. 1, (A) shows a state before operation, and (B) shows an operation state. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the input device of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing switching of the input mode, and FIGS. 6 (A) and (B) are perspective views illustrating an example of an input operation.

The input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a visualized mobile phone, and a display panel 3 and an input mechanism are provided in the body 2 as a display mechanism. The display panel 3 is composed of a monochrome or color liquid crystal panel or an EL panel.

The input mechanism includes a planar input device 4. The planar input device 4 has a capacitance type or a pressure-sensitive structure, and can input coordinates. The electrostatic capacitance type is an X-direction detection electrode and a Y-direction detection electrode formed of a silver (Ag) -based paste. It has insulation and is made of PET (ethylene glycol terephthalate) having a predetermined dielectric constant. The upper and lower sides of the formed resin film face each other in a matrix shape. By disposing the resin film and the electrode on the substrate of the conductive pattern formed on the resin film, the resin film and the electrode can be flexibly deformed. Thus, by touching the surface of the flat input device 4 with a medium such as a finger, coordinates can be input.

In addition, as a pressure-sensitive type, a resistor having a potential difference in the X and Y directions and a conductor opposed to the resistor are pressed with a finger or the like to bring the conductor into contact with the resistor to generate a resistance value. Change so that coordinates can be entered.

In the input device described above, a display film 7 is superimposed on and fixed to the surface of the capacitance-type or pressure-sensitive flat-type input device 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The display film 7 is formed of a film made of a resin such as PET or silicone rubber. On the surface, a display 8 indicating a plurality of separate input points such as characters, numbers, and symbols is formed by a printing process or a transfer process. . In addition, a circular frame indicating an input point is formed on each instruction display 8, and characters, numbers, symbols, and the like are printed or transferred in the frame.

The display film 7 may deform a part of the indication display 8 to be convex and concave-convex shape, and as shown in FIG. 3, a convex body formed of rubber or the like may be adhered to the surface of the display film 7. 8A. The characters, numbers, symbols, etc. are printed or transferred on the surface of the convex body 8A.

The input mechanism is provided with an operation touch generating mechanism 6 inside the planar input device 4, and a base 9 made of glass epoxy resin or metal is provided in the body 2. On the base 9, A dome-shaped (diaphragm-shaped) inversion plate 10 is provided. The inversion plates 10 are respectively provided at positions corresponding to each of the above-mentioned instruction displays 8 indicating the above-mentioned input points.

In the state before the operation shown in FIG. 2 (A) and FIG. 3, the flat input device 4 and the display film 7 are not deformed, and the reversing plate 10 also maintains a state of a dome shape. In this state, when a desired instruction display 8 is pressed from above with a finger, a pen, or the like, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), both the flat input device 4 and the display film 7 are deformed into a concave shape. At this time, the above-mentioned reverse plate 10 is reversed by the pressing force, and as a result, the reverse reaction force of the reverse plate is generated. The pressing reaction force gives the operator a finger with a "click" feeling, so that the operator knows that the pressing has actually been performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the input device 1 is provided with a control unit 21. The control unit 21 is connected to and controls the display panel 3 and the flat input device 4 described above, and is further connected to a transmitting unit 22, a receiving unit 23, and a memory unit 24. The transmitting unit 22 and the receiving unit 23 transmit and receive external sound signals or data signals. The memory unit 24 can store telephone number data, various setting data, and display data displayed on the display panel 3.

The control unit 21 may set a predetermined input mode (instruction display input mode) and other input modes when a predetermined input point having the instruction display 8 is touched with a finger or the like. That is, the coordinate input mode is different from two different input modes. For example, when one of the instruction displays 8 is pressed with a finger or the like, and it is detected that the pressing is continued for a predetermined time, it is considered that the predetermined input mode is set. In this mode, an input signal corresponding to an instruction item indicated by the instruction display 8 is given, and an operation signal corresponding to an input character, number, or symbol is generated according to the input signal.

When it is detected that the contact point of the flat input device 4 with a finger or the like has been moved within a predetermined time, etc., it is considered that the other input mode (coordinate input mode) is set. At this time, coordinate data is generated by the surface of the above-mentioned planar input device 4 moved by a finger or the like, and an operation signal recognized as the coordinate data is generated.

As shown in FIG. 6 (A), when a predetermined input mode is set, the input number and the like are displayed on the display panel 3. In Fig. 6 (A), the indication display "8" is shown by touching the indication number "6" with a finger or the like. At this time, the display 3a of "6" is displayed on the display panel 3.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), when other input modes are set, by touching and moving with a finger or the like, a display 3b of the movement track can be displayed on the display panel 3, and when it is recognized as the movement track When it is a text track (such as Z), "Z" is displayed on the display panel 3.

Alternatively, when an operation of moving the finger on the flat input device 4 is performed, a menu selection display may be performed, a cursor display may be performed, and the display of the cursor may be moved. For example, when the start (webpage) screen of the Internet is displayed on the display panel 3, a cursor is displayed on the display panel 3, and the cursor can be moved along the X-Y plane by an input operation on the plane input device 4. Free movement in any direction. In addition, when the cursor is moved to determine the selection position of the function table, the operation of determining the function table is performed as follows. The determined operation may be performed by tapping the surface of the flat input device 4, for example. Alternatively, it may be implemented by operating an operation member provided separately on the body 2 and the flat input device 4.

In addition, the recognition of the operation detection by the finger pressing instruction display 8 and the detection of the tapping can be judged by different input detection states on the flat input device 4. For example, when the flat-type input device 4 is of an electrostatic capacity type, it is possible to determine whether the operation of pressing the indication display 8 or the tapping operation is based on a difference in the amount of change in the electric capacity per unit time. In addition, in a case where the flat-type input device 4 is a pressure-sensitive type, the above-mentioned identification can also be performed by a change in resistance value per unit time being different.

In the input device 1 described above, the predetermined input mode (input mode for displaying an instruction) and other input modes (coordinate input mode) are software-processed by the control unit 21. Therefore, each input mode can be automatically switched, and the display on the display panel 3 corresponds to the display switching of each input mode.

Next, a processing example of the control unit 21 of the input device 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step 1 (ST1), it is determined whether or not the input mode corresponds to a predetermined input mode, that is, a mode corresponding to an instruction item indicated by the instruction display 8. In step ST1, when it is judged that it is a predetermined input mode (YES), it moves to step ST2 and switches to the screen of the instruction item corresponding to instruction display 8 on the display panel 3. Then, the process proceeds to step ST3, and when the instruction display 8 of the flat input device 4 is pressed, an input signal of an instruction item according to the pressed instruction display 8 is generated. In step ST4, an operation signal is generated based on the input signal, and the display of the display panel 3 reflects the content corresponding to the operation signal.

In addition, if it is determined in step ST1 that it is another input mode (No), the process moves to step ST5, and the display of the display panel 3 switches to a screen corresponding to the input of the coordinate data, for example, to a menu selection screen or a cursor moving screen. . Then, the process proceeds to step ST6. When the flat input device 4 is operated, an input signal that is not related to the display of the instruction display 8 is generated by the flat input device 4 described above. Then it moves to step ST7, the above input signal is identified as the coordinate data, and the display of the display panel 3 reflects the content corresponding to the coordinate data.

In addition, in the processing operation of the control unit 21, whether to switch to the predetermined mode or other modes is performed by identifying whether a finger or the like has been touched at the input point of the instruction display 8 for a predetermined time or the contact point has been moved. , You can also switch the above mode by input operation.

In the input device 1 described above, the configuration in which the reversing plate 10 is a dome-shaped metal plate that gives the operator an operating feel is described, but the switch input may be performed by reversing the reversing plate. Structure.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which the inversion plate 10 is configured as a switching element 11 so as to be able to perform a switching input.

The switching element 11 shown in FIG. 7 is an electrode 13a formed on both sides of a resin film 12 made of PET as a conductor made of a silver (Ag) paste, and a conductive pattern formed by printing or the like. 13b structure.

The electrode 13a is provided on the resin film 12, a circular electrode 13a1 is formed in the center, and a ring-shaped electrode 13a2 is formed at a predetermined interval around the electrode 13a2, and a part of the electrode 13a2 is connected to the conductive pattern. A conductive pattern 13b is formed on the lower surface of the resin film 12, and the conductive pattern 13b is connected to the electrode 13a1. That is, a hole is formed in the resin film 12 under the electrode 13a1, and a connection conductor 14 is provided at the hole to make the conductive pattern 13b and the electrode 13a1 conductive. Further, a dome-shaped (diaphragm-shaped) inverting plate 15 is provided on the electrode 13a2, and the peripheral edge of the inverting plate 15 is set in a state in contact with the electrode 13a2. The positions are consistent.

In addition, protective films 16a and 16b are respectively provided around the inversion plate 15 and under the conductive pattern 13b. Furthermore, a thin layer is formed on the entire surface by a resin film 17 made of PET, and then, under the protective film 16b, an adhesive layer 19 is connected to a resin or metal base 18 to form a switching element 11.

The switching element 11 is provided below the planar input device 4 instead of the inversion plate 10 shown in FIG. 2. When the planar input device 4 is pressed and operated from above with a finger, the planar input device 4 and the display film 7 are elastically deformed, and the inversion plate 15 is pressed by this pressing force. Thereby, the inversion plate 15 is inverted as shown by the chain line in the figure, and the inversion plate 15 is in contact with the electrode 13a1. As a result, the electrode 13a and the conductive pattern 13b are turned on, and the switching output is switched to be turned on. For example, when the above-mentioned switch output is on, the generated coordinate input signal is ignored in the planar input device 4, and only the input of the switching element 11 is recognized in the control unit 21. In addition, by the reversal of the reversing plate 15, the operation feel of the pressing force at this time is transmitted to the operator. In addition, when the switching element 11 is operated without being recognized, the control unit 21 recognizes an input operation to the planar input device 4.

Furthermore, one switch circuit is connected to the wiring of a plurality of switches provided on each indication display 8. When any one of the switches is pressed, the switch circuits may be turned on. In this case, when the switch circuit is on, the detection signal of the planar input device 4 is ignored and switched, that is, it may be switched to a mode in which only the switch input of the indication display 8 is recognized.

(Example 2)

Next, a second embodiment of an input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the input device, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8, (A) shows a state before operation, and (B) shows a state during operation.

The input device 30 shown in FIG. 8 is a figure of a mobile phone, and a display panel 3 and an input mechanism as a display device are installed in the body 2. The input device 30 differs only in the plane input device 31, and other configurations are the same as those of the input device 1 described above, so descriptions thereof are omitted.

The planar input device 31 has a pressure-sensitive type or a capacitance type structure. In the case of the capacitance-type flat input device 31, the X-direction detection electrode and the Y-direction detection electrode are sandwiched between a resin film made of PET (ethylene glycol terephthalate), as described above. The resin films forming the electrodes are opposed to each other in a matrix, and the resin films forming the electrodes are provided on a rigid substrate made of glass epoxy resin or metal. In addition, the flat input device 31 has a display film 7 similar to that described above on its side surface, and an operation touch generating mechanism 33 is provided on its surface.

The operation feel generating mechanism 33 has a protrusion 35 at the front end thereof supported by the movable floor. The protrusion 35 is provided on a recessed base 36 provided in the body 2 and at a center on the inner side of the flat input device 31. The protrusion 35 is a member that generates a tactile sensation such as a pressing reaction force when pressed from above. Further, the operation feel generating mechanism 33 may be constituted by the above-mentioned dome-shaped reverse plate or the like.

In addition, a conductive bow 34 as a lifting device is provided between the planar input device 31 and the base 36.

As shown in FIG. 8, a planar input device 31 that is freely movable in the vertical direction is supported by the conductive arch bracket 34.

In the state before the operation shown in FIG. 9A, the conductive arch bracket 34 is in a slightly upturned state, and the flat input device 31 is located at the upper end thereof together with the display film 7. At this time, the flat input device 31 may be lifted by the elastic force of the protrusion 35, or may be lifted by an elastic member such as a coil spring (not shown) provided on the base 36.

Therefore, when the flat input device 31 is pressed from above with a finger or the like, the conductive bow 34 is folded, and the flat input device 31 and the display film 7 as a whole are pressed down horizontally. As a result, the operator can be surely informed of the pressed state by giving the operator a sense of operation by the pressing reaction force or the like generated when the protrusion 35 is pressed in.

The input device 30 is provided with a control unit similar to the input device 1 described above, and controls a predetermined input mode and other input modes. Then, the same processing as described above is performed to identify and switch between a predetermined input mode and other input modes.

The input device of the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone. For example, a predetermined input mode may be set as a remote controller of a television, and other input modes may be set as a controller of a game machine.

(Effect of the invention)

According to the present invention described above, since the input mode generated according to the operation signal of the input point and the input mode for generating the coordinate data can be performed on the same operation surface, the operation input is not impaired and the operation input can be performed quickly.

In addition, since the pressing reaction generated when the operation input point is pressed can be given to the operator, the operator can reliably know the pressing action and prevent operation errors.