JP5147821B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an input equipment.

  Conventionally, for example, there is a so-called touch pad as an input device in a notebook computer. This touch pad has a planar input surface. A detection unit that detects an operation input to the input surface is provided below the input surface. The touch pad moves a pointer displayed on the screen of a notebook personal computer by bringing a finger into contact with the input surface and sliding the finger on the input surface.

  The detection unit of the touch pad includes a capacitance sensor, and detects a capacitance that changes when a finger is slid on the input surface. Based on the detected change in capacitance, the movement of the finger touching the input surface is detected and reflected in the movement of the pointer.

JP 2008-226100 A

  However, the input device as described above has a problem in operability because it is necessary to slide a finger many times on the input surface of the touch pad when the pointer is moved largely. In addition, it is conceivable to widen the input surface of the touch pad in order to move the pointer greatly, but this increases the amount of movement of the finger and increases the burden on the operator. In such a case, there is also a problem that the apparatus becomes large.

  Therefore, in view of such a conventional problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of easily moving a pointer greatly and an input control device including the input device.

An input device according to the present invention for solving the above-described problems and achieving an intended object includes an input having a planar input surface and a detection unit that detects movement of an object in contact with the input surface. In the input device including the input unit, the input unit is provided in the input device main body so as to be movable in a direction along the input surface with respect to the input device main body, and protrudes from the bottom surface of the input unit to the input unit. And a strain transmitting member having a protruding direction distal end fixed to the input device body, and the strain transmission generated when the input unit is moved relative to the input device body in the input device body. A strain sensor that detects a distortion of the member, an input unit movement detection unit that detects a pressing direction and a pressing force of the object from the distortion detected by the strain sensor, and detects a movement amount of the input unit with respect to the input device body ; Provided It is characterized in.

The input device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the input device, the strain transmitting member is fixed to an elastic body supported by the input device main body.

  According to the present invention, the input unit having the planar input surface and the detection unit that detects the movement of the object in contact with the input surface is provided so as to be movable in the direction along the input surface with respect to the input device body. Since it has an input unit movement detection unit that detects the movement, it is possible to perform normal operations in the input unit and further operations to move the input unit in the direction along the input surface, and combine these operations. Thus, both a fine operation and a large operation of the pointer are possible.

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the above input device. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the above input device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main part of the input device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of the above input device. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the above input device. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the above input device. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an operating state of the input device. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an operating state of the input device. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an input control device including the input device. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the pointer displayed by the input control device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the pointer displayed by the input control apparatus. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the input device of the input control device of the above. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the pointer displayed by the input control apparatus.

  Embodiments of an input device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 to 5 show an input device according to the first embodiment. The input device 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called pad-type pointing device, and is installed in a portable information device such as a notebook computer. That is, the input device 1 is used to operate a pointer on the screen. The input device 1 includes an input unit 2, an input unit movement detection unit, and an input device body 4. The input device body 4 supports the input unit 2 and constitutes an outer shell of the input device 1.

  The input unit 2 includes a reaction force generating member 2a, a planar input surface 2b, and a detection unit 2c that detects the movement of the object A that is in contact with the input surface 2b. The input unit 2 is provided in the input device body 4 so as to be movable in a direction along the input surface 2b with respect to the input device body 4. The input unit 2 is formed in a substantially plate shape. The input unit 2 performs input by bringing a finger into contact with the input surface 2b and sliding it. In the first embodiment, the input unit 2 uses a so-called capacitance type.

  The detection part 2c is formed in a substantially plate shape. The detection unit 2c is a so-called electrostatic capacitance type touch sensor, and a plurality of electrodes (not shown) are arranged along the input surface 2b to form a plurality of capacitors. The detection unit 2c detects the position, movement amount, movement speed, movement direction, and the like of the object A on the input surface 2b from the capacitance of the capacitor that changes when the conductive object A such as a finger contacts the input surface 2b. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reaction force generating member 2a is disposed on the upper surface of the detection unit 2c so as to cover the detection unit 2c. The reaction force generating member 2a is for generating a reaction force in response to an operation of the operator and obtaining an operational feeling. The reaction force generating member 2a is composed of a rubber sheet in the first embodiment. Further, the upper surface of the reaction force generating member 2a is an input surface 2b.

  On the opposite side (bottom surface side) of the input unit 2 to the input surface 2b, a strain transmission member 11 is disposed. The strain transmission member 11 is formed in a columnar shape and protrudes from the bottom surface of the input unit 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the strain transmission member 11 is disposed at the center and four corners of the bottom surface of the input unit 2. The elastic plate 3 is fixed to the front end of the strain transmitting member 11 in the protruding direction.

  The elastic plate 3 is formed in a plate shape, and the plate-like surface is disposed along the input surface 2b. As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic plate 3 is fixed to the input device main body 4 so as to be elastically deformable with the support member 4 a supporting four corners. The elastic plate 3 is distorted via the strain transmitting member 11 when the input unit 2 moves in the direction along the input surface 2b. As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic plate 3 is installed in the input device main body 4 so that the strain transmitting member 11 is disposed at the four corners and the center of the elastic plate 3.

  The elastic plate 3 is provided with a plurality of strain detection elements 12 constituting a strain sensor. That is, a plurality of strain sensors are installed. The strain detection element 12 is installed on the measurement target and is distorted together with the measurement target. When the strain detection element 12 is distorted, the electrical resistance of the strain detection element 12 changes. The strain detection element 12 is connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) that detects a change in electrical resistance. A strain sensor detects this change in electrical resistance as strain.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the strain detection elements 12 are disposed at the front, rear, left and right at substantially equal intervals around the strain transmission member 11 disposed at the approximate center of the elastic plate 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the strain transmitting member 11 is disposed at the center of the four sides of the input unit 2, and the surface of the elastic plate 3 facing the input unit 2 is centered from the vicinity of the root of the strain transmitting member 11. The strain detecting element 12 may be disposed toward the head. If the strain detection element 12 is arranged in at least two directions, the pressing direction of the object A can be detected from the strain.

  The strain sensor includes a strain detection element 12 and an electronic circuit (not shown) that detects a change in resistance of the strain detection element 12. The input unit movement detection unit in the first embodiment is constituted by this strain sensor.

  The input unit 2 and the input unit movement detection unit are connected to a signal processing unit (not shown). Signals generated in the input unit 2 and the input unit movement detection unit are sent to the signal processing unit. That is, the distortion signal detected by the distortion sensor and signals such as the position, movement amount, movement speed, and movement direction of the object A detected by the detection unit 2c are sent to the signal processing unit. In this signal processing unit, signals from a plurality of strain sensors are combined to calculate in what direction and how large the input surface 2b is pressed. In the signal processing unit, signals of the input unit 2 and the input unit movement detection unit are processed and transmitted to the outside as operation signals. As the operation signal, the moving direction and speed of the pointer are output.

  The signal processing unit calculates the pointer moving direction and speed based on the signal from the input unit 2 and outputs it as an operation signal, and the pointer moving direction based on both signals from the input unit 2 and the input unit movement detection unit. At least three modes are set: a mode that calculates the speed and outputs it as an operation signal, and a mode that calculates the movement direction and speed of the pointer based on the signal from the input unit movement detection unit and outputs it as an operation signal be able to.

  When the operator presses the input surface 2b in a predetermined direction, the input unit 2 moves in a direction along the input surface 2b although it is minute, for example, from the state shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. Accordingly, the strain transmitting member 11 is also distorted in that direction. Further, the distortion is transmitted to the elastic plate 3. The strain of the elastic plate 3 is detected by the strain detection element 12.

  The input device 1 configured as described above is fixed to the main body or keyboard of a notebook computer. The signal processing unit of the input device 1 is connected to the control unit of the information device. In the input device 1, an operator performs an operation by bringing an object A such as a finger into contact with the input surface 2 b. The input unit 2 can perform input by bringing the object A into contact with the input unit 2 and sliding on the input surface 2b in the same manner as a normal touch pad. Moreover, the input by pressing the input surface 2b of the input unit 2 in an arbitrary direction can be performed. Therefore, this input device 1 can generate two different signals by one input device. Since the movement direction and movement speed of the pointer can be output as operation signals based on the two signals generated from the input unit 2 and the input unit movement detection unit, it is particularly movable compared to a conventional touch pad. It can be output as various operation signals at speed.

  For example, in the mode in which the movement direction and speed of the pointer are calculated based on signals from the input unit 2 and the input unit movement detection unit and output as an operation signal, the pointer is displayed when the input surface 2b is slid while being pressed. In the case of an operation that simply moves the input surface 2b and slides the input surface 2b, it can be said that the output moves the pointer slowly. By doing so, the pointer on the screen can be moved greatly without performing an operation of sliding the finger on the input surface 2b many times. Therefore, operability can be improved. In such a case, even if the input surface 2b is not large, sufficient input can be performed, so that the input device 1 can be reduced in size. Further, when the input surface 2b is pressed perpendicularly to the input surface 2b, another operation signal can be transmitted.

  In the first embodiment, the strain detection element 12 is installed on the elastic plate 3 and the strain of the elastic plate 3 is detected by the strain detection element 12. May be installed to detect the strain of the strain transmitting member 11. In the first embodiment, a plurality of strain transmitting members 11 are provided, but one may be used. In the first embodiment, the strain detection elements 12 are provided at four places. However, the strain detection elements 12 may be provided at least at two places in different directions. In the first embodiment, the elastic plate 3 is formed in a rectangular shape, but may have any shape as long as there is a portion extending in at least two directions around the strain transmission member 11.

  In the first embodiment, the strain sensor uses the strain detection element 12 that detects a change in electrical resistance. However, when the force is applied to the measurement target and the measurement target is distorted, the strain sensor Various sensors can be used to detect the amount of force acting in which direction.

  In the first embodiment, the input unit 2 is a capacitance type, but when an operation is performed by bringing the object A such as an operator's finger into contact with the input surface 2b, the input surface of the object A is input. Any contact-type input unit that detects a position, a movement amount, a movement speed, a movement direction, and the like in 2b may be used. In addition, although the input part 2 in this Embodiment 1 is provided with the reaction force generation member 2a, the reaction force generation member 2a does not need to be provided. That is, the upper surface of the detection unit 2c may be used as the input surface 2b.

  In the first embodiment, the movement direction and movement speed of the pointer are output as operation signals, but the movement distance of the pointer may also be output. That is, the moving distance of the pointer may be calculated based on the distance that the object A has moved on the input surface within a certain time and output as an operation signal. Information necessary for moving the pointer may be output as the operation signal.

(Embodiment 2)
6 to 10 show an input device according to the second embodiment. The input device 21 in the present embodiment is a so-called pad-type pointing device, and is installed in a portable information device such as a notebook computer. That is, the input device 21 is used to operate a pointer on the screen. The input device 21 includes an input unit 22, an input unit movement detection unit 41, and an input device main body 24. The input device main body 24 supports the input unit 22. The input device main body 24 is formed in a substantially plate shape.

  The input unit 22 includes a planar input surface 22b and a detection unit 22a that detects the movement of the object A in contact with the input surface 22b. The input unit 22 is provided in the input device main body 24 so as to be movable in a direction along the input surface 22 b with respect to the input device main body 24. The input unit 22 is formed in a substantially plate shape. The input unit 22 performs input by bringing a finger into contact with the input surface 22b and sliding it. In the second embodiment, the input unit 22 uses a so-called capacitance type.

  The detection part 22a is formed in a substantially plate shape. The detection unit 22a is a so-called electrostatic capacitance type touch sensor, and a plurality of electrodes (not shown) are arranged along the input surface 22b to form a plurality of capacitors. The detection unit 22a detects the position, movement amount, movement speed, movement direction, and the like of the object A on the input surface 22b from the capacitance of the capacitor that changes when the conductive object A such as a finger contacts the input surface 22b. . The upper surface of the detection unit 22a is an input surface 22b.

  On the opposite side (bottom surface side) of the input unit 22 from the input surface 22b, a slide mechanism 25 is disposed. As shown in FIG. 8, the input unit 22 is installed so as to face the input device main body 24 via the slide mechanism 25.

  The slide mechanism 25 has a pair of members combined so as to be slidable with respect to each other. One of the members is fixed to the detection unit 22a, and the other member is fixed to the input device main body 24. 22 is arranged so as to be slidable relative to the input device main body 24. The slide mechanism 25 may have an existing structure using a spring or the like.

  The input unit 22 is arranged by the slide mechanism 25 so as to be slidable in eight directions from the center along the input surface 22b. As shown in FIG. 7, the input device main body 24 is provided with switches 23 around the slide mechanism 25 in a direction in which the input unit 22 can slide. The input unit movement detection unit 41 in the second embodiment is configured by the switch 23.

  The switch 23 is a push-type switch with a click feeling. In the second embodiment, a so-called metal dome type tactile switch is used. The switch 23 is a switch that is turned on by pressing the switch portion. The switch 23 is disposed so that the switch portion faces the side surface of the slide mechanism 25. That is, the portion fixed to the input unit 2 of the slide mechanism 25 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and when the input unit 22 is slid, the cylindrical side surface of the slide mechanism 25 becomes the switch 23. By contact, the switch 23 is turned on, that is, the switch is activated.

  The input unit 22 and the input unit movement detection unit 41 are connected to the signal processing unit 42. Signals generated in the input unit 22 and the input unit movement detection unit 41 are sent to the signal processing unit 42. From the input unit 22, signals such as the position, the moving amount, the moving speed, and the moving direction of the object A on the input surface 2 b are sent to the signal processing unit 42. An activation signal for each switch 23 is sent from the input unit movement detection unit 41. Then, in the signal processing unit 42, the signals of the input unit 22 and the input unit movement detection unit 41 are processed and transmitted to the outside as operation signals. As the operation signal, the moving direction and speed of the pointer are output. Further, the activation signal of the switch 23 sent from the input movement detection unit 41 is output as the movement direction of the pointer corresponding to the position of the input switch 23. The input device 21 is connected to a control unit of an information device in which the input device 21 is installed via the signal processing unit 42.

  The signal processing unit 42 calculates the movement direction and speed of the pointer based on the signal from the input unit 22 and outputs it as an operation signal, and the movement of the pointer based on the signals from the input unit 22 and the input unit movement detection unit 41. At least three modes are set: a mode in which the direction and speed are calculated and output as an operation signal, and a mode in which the movement direction and speed of the pointer are set based on the signal from the input unit movement detection unit 41 and output as an operation signal can do.

  The input device 21 configured as described above is fixed to the main body or keyboard of the notebook computer. The signal processing unit 42 of the input device 21 is connected to the control unit of the information device. The input device 21 is operated by an operator by bringing an object A such as a finger into contact with the input surface 22b. The input unit 22 can perform input by bringing the object A into contact with the input unit 22b and sliding the input surface 22b in the same manner as a normal touch pad. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it is possible to perform input by sliding the input unit 22 along the input surface 22b. When the input unit 22 is slid, a feeling of clicking is generated so that the operator can feel that it has been operated. As described above, the input device 21 can generate two different operation signals by one input device.

  For example, the moving speed of the cursor transmitted as an operation signal when the input unit 22 is slid is set to be larger than the moving speed of the cursor transmitted during the touch operation on the input surface 22b, thereby sliding the object A on the input surface 22b. When the operation is performed, the cursor can be moved finely, and when the input unit 22 is slid, the cursor can be moved greatly. Therefore, operability can be improved. In particular, when the switch 23 is pressed and turned on, the cursor may move to an object on the screen in that direction. By doing so, the operability can be further improved. In addition, when the cursor is moved largely, the input unit 22 only needs to be slid, so the input surface 22b does not need to be large, the input surface 22b can be reduced, and the input device 21 can be downsized. Can do.

  In the second embodiment, the input unit 22 is a capacitance type, but when the operation is performed by bringing the object A such as an operator's finger into contact with the input surface 22b, the input unit 22 Any contact-type input unit that detects a position, a moving amount, a moving speed, a moving direction, and the like on the input surface 22b may be used. In the second embodiment, the switch 23 is a tactile switch, but may be any switch that is input when the input unit 22 is slid in a predetermined direction.

(Embodiment 3)
Here, an input control device using the above-described input device will be described. This input control device is used for information processing equipment such as a notebook personal computer. The input device may be the input device 1 according to the first embodiment or the input device 21 according to the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the case where the input device 21 is used will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the input control device 51 includes the input device 21 and a control unit 52. The control unit 52 includes pointer display control means 61, icon display control means 62, and icon determination means 63.

  The pointer display control means 61 reads a preset initial position (coordinates) of the pointer 32 and displays the pointer 32 on the screen of the display device 71 using the initial position as the pointer display position. The pointer 32 is displayed as an arrow image. The pointer display control means 61 displays so that the vertex of the arrow of the pointer 32 becomes the pointer display position. The pointer display control means 61 holds the pointer display position (coordinates) as the pointer reference position (coordinates).

  The pointer display control means 61 moves and displays the pointer 32 on the screen 31 of the display device 71 based on the operation signal of the input device 21. That is, when the movement direction and movement speed are input from the input device 21, the pointer display control means 61 calculates the pointer display position from the pointer reference position held and the input movement direction and movement speed. The pointer is moved and displayed from the pointer reference position to the pointer display position. The pointer display position is calculated as a position moved for a predetermined unit time from the pointer reference position at the input moving speed in the input moving direction. Each time the pointer display control means 61 moves the pointer, the pointer reference position is updated to the latest pointer display position.

  Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, when an operation of sliding with the finger on the input surface 22 b so as to draw a certain locus L is performed, on the screen 31 of the display device 71, as shown in FIG. 15. A locus L enlarged according to the size of the screen 31 is drawn.

  The icon display control means 62 reads a preset position (coordinates) of the icon 33 and displays the icon 33 on the screen 31 of the display device 71 so that this position becomes the center of the icon 33. Further, the icon display control means 62 holds the position of the read icon 33 as the icon position. The display area of the icon 33 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the display image of the icon 33.

  When a jumping signal is input from the input device 21, the icon determination unit 63 determines the presence / absence of a destination icon to be described later. In the present embodiment, the jumping signal is a signal in the direction of movement of the pointer corresponding to the movement of the input unit detected by the input unit movement detection unit. That is, in the operation signal composed of the moving speed and moving direction, the speed is zero. In other words, only the movement direction of the pointer is input.

  The icon determination unit 63 acquires the pointer reference position and the icon position at the time when the jumping signal is input from the pointer display control unit 61 and the icon display control unit 62. The icon discrimination means 63 discriminates whether or not there is an icon 33 where the straight line and the display area of the icon 33 intersect when a straight line is extended in the movement direction of the pointer input from the pointer reference position. In other words, it is determined whether or not there is an icon 33 that first intersects when the pointer is moved from the pointer reference position in the input pointer movement direction. When there are a plurality of such icons 33, the icon determination unit 63 determines the icon 33 in the foreground among the icons 33. This determined icon 33 is a destination icon.

  The icon discrimination means 63 outputs the position (coordinates) near the position (coordinates) of the destination icon as the pointer display position to the pointer display control means 61 as a discrimination result. As a result, the pointer 32 is displayed near the destination icon by the pointer display control means 61. Further, when the destination icon does not exist, the icon determination unit 63 performs pointer display control using the coordinates in the vicinity of the end of the screen 31 that is abutted by extending a straight line in the moving direction of the input pointer from the pointer reference position as a pointer display position. It outputs to the means 61. As a result, the pointer 32 is displayed near the end of the screen 31 by the pointer display control means 61.

  For example, when the pointer 32 is at the position shown in FIG. 12 on the screen 31 of the display device 71, the input unit 22 is slid as shown in FIG. Then, the switch 23 disposed in the sliding direction of the input unit 22 is activated, and a jumping signal is input to the icon determination unit 63 via the signal processing unit 42. As a result, the pointer 32 is moved to a position in the vicinity of the icon 33 by the icon discrimination means 63 and the pointer display control means 61 as shown in FIG.

  In the display control device 51 configured as described above, a normal pointer can be operated by the input unit 22 and, at the same time, as shown in FIG. By moving the input unit 22, the switch 23 can be activated to quickly move the pointer to the icon 33 existing in the pointer movement direction on the screen 31 corresponding to the movement direction of the input unit 22. Since the pointer 32 can be moved onto the icon 33 with one touch in this way, operability is improved.

A Object 1 Input device 2 Input unit 2a Reaction force generation member 2b Input surface 2c Detection unit 3 Elastic plate 4a Support member 4 Input device body 11 Strain transmitting member 12 Strain detection element 21 Input device 22a Detection unit 22 Input unit 22b Input surface 23 Switch 24 Input device body 25 Slide mechanism

Claims (2)

In an input device including an input unit having a planar input surface and a detection unit that detects movement of an object in contact with the input surface,
The input unit is provided in the input device main body so as to be movable in a direction along the input surface with respect to the input device main body.
The input unit is provided with a strain transmitting member that protrudes from the bottom surface of the input unit and has a protruding direction tip fixed to the input device main body.
A strain sensor that detects a strain of the strain transmitting member that is generated when the input unit is moved relative to the input device body on the input device body, and a direction in which the object is pressed from the strain detected by the strain sensor input device and detects the pressing force, characterized by providing an input portion movement detecting section for detecting a movement amount of the input unit with respect to the input unit body. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the strain transmitting member is fixed to an elastic body supported by the input device main body.

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