JP2004206206A - Input device and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device with improved operationality by enhancing multi-functioning with simple device. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic equipment 1 comprises acceleration sensors 7-10 (detection means) for detecting the magnitude of an input operation force applied to a keyboard part 6 (input device), and a CPU 11 (event generation means) for generating an event corresponding to the magnitude of the input operation force detected by the detection means. A new event is generated in conformation to the magnitude of the input operation force, and such an event can be substituted for a single click event or double click event. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an input device applied to an electronic device such as a personal computer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a push-button input device such as a keyboard or a launcher button, or a pointing input device such as a touch pad or a stick type.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A push button type input device, for example, a keyboard, is configured by arranging a large number of push buttons (also called key tops) engraved with alphabets, kana characters or symbols on a substrate in a predetermined arrangement. An elastic body such as a spring or rubber is inserted between each keytop and the substrate, and each keytop is normally in a floating state. For this reason, in a normal state (a state in which no key operation is performed), the electrode of each key top is separated from the substrate electrode, and the electrodes are in an off state. However, when an arbitrary key top is pressed down by the user, The electrode of the keytop and the substrate electrode come into contact with each other to be turned on, and a key code corresponding to the keytop is transmitted to the electronic device (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Alternatively, a pointing-type input device, for example, a touch pad, is configured by a flat panel having a large number of contacts arranged in a matrix, and when an arbitrary position on the flat panel is touched by a user, the touch position is changed to the touch position. One or more closest contacts are turned on, and an XY coordinate signal of the contact is transmitted to the electronic device (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-73777 (page 3, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-353107 (page 6-7, FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, each of the above-mentioned conventional input devices can take only two states, that is, ON and OFF of a contact, and there is a technical problem to be improved in view of multifunction of the input device.
[0006]
Taking a keyboard as an example, the conventional one has only the code generation function of the alphabet if the function of each key top is the engraved character of the key top, for example, the key top of the uppercase alphabet "A". . However, as a matter of course, a lowercase letter "a" is also required to create a sentence or the like. Therefore, a lowercase key code or the like is generated in combination with another key (shift key or the like). Since they must be operated at the same time, there is a drawback that the trouble cannot be denied.
[0007]
In the case of a touch pad, in addition to a pointing operation for moving a cursor, an accompanying operation such as a single click or a double click is required. However, such an accompanying operation can be distinguished from a change in the XY coordinate signal of the touch contact. Although it is difficult to arrange the click buttons (equivalent to the left and right buttons of a mouse) generally beside the touch pad, it is unavoidable that the mechanism is complicated (hence, the cost is increased). There are drawbacks such as the need to secure a placement space.
[0008]
Therefore, an object to be solved by the present invention is to provide an input device which is multi-functionalized with a simple device and has improved operability.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An input device according to the present invention is a push button type or pointing type input device, wherein a detecting means for detecting a magnitude of an input operating force applied to the input device, and an input operating force detected by the detecting means And an event generating means for generating an event corresponding to the size of.
According to the present invention, an event corresponding to the magnitude of the input operation force performed on the input device occurs. Therefore, in addition to the conventional functions of the input device (such as a key code generation function), it is possible to generate a new event corresponding to the magnitude of the input operation force. By using the input device instead of or a double-click event, it is possible to provide an input device with multi-functionality and improved operability.
Further, the electronic device according to the present invention has a display unit, a rectangular pressing surface extending in the longitudinal direction along a vertical side of the display unit, and a detecting unit for detecting a pressing strength against the rectangular pressing surface. A first pressure sensing portion having a rectangular pressing surface extending in the longitudinal direction along the lateral side of the display portion, and a detecting means for detecting a pressing intensity with respect to the rectangular pressing surface. And a display control means for controlling the display unit in accordance with various pressing operation patterns detected by the first pressing detecting unit and the second pressing detecting unit. It is characterized by the following.
Further, in a preferred aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, the pressing operation pattern includes at least a tap operation with a small pressing strength and a large pressing force detected on the first pressing sensing unit and the second pressing sensing unit. It is characterized by including a strong tap operation.
According to the present invention, not only a simple tap operation (weak tap operation) but also a complicated operation pattern such as a double tap (strong tap operation) can be detected, and appropriate processing corresponding to each can be performed. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the user interface is increased, and the usability can be improved.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking application to a portable electronic device as an example. In the following description, the specification or examples of various details and examples of numerical values, character strings, and other symbols are merely reference for clarifying the idea of the present invention, and all or some of them Obviously, the idea of the invention is not limited. In addition, well-known techniques, well-known procedures, well-known architectures, and well-known circuit configurations (hereinafter, “known matters”) will not be described in detail, but this is also for the purpose of simplifying the description, It does not intentionally exclude all or some of the matters. Such a well-known matter can be known to those skilled in the art at the time of filing the present invention, and is naturally included in the following description.
[0011]
(1) First embodiment
FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment and an internal block diagram thereof. In FIG. 1A, the electronic device 1 is portable and has a thin shape integrated with a display screen that can be operated by hand. A flat display panel 3 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an ELD (Electro Luminescence Display) is provided on the surface of the device main body 2 (housing), and various operation buttons 4 and up, down, left and right scroll buttons 5 are provided. A keyboard unit 6 (input device) having a keyboard and the like is provided. At predetermined positions (four corners in the figure) inside the device main body 2, accelerations for detecting acceleration in a "predetermined direction" applied to the device main body 2 are respectively provided. Sensors 7 to 10 are provided.
[0012]
Here, the “predetermined direction” refers to a direction in which the strength of the operation force at the time of button operation performed on the keyboard unit 6 can be detected. That is, the illustrated keyboard unit 6 is provided on the surface of the device main body 2, and in this case, the button operation force performed on the keyboard unit 6 is applied as a vertical force on the same surface. In such a case, the mounting directions of the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 may be set so that the acceleration in the vertical direction applied to the surface of the device main body 2 can be detected.
[0013]
Although FIG. 1 shows an example of a so-called keyboard-integrated electronic device 1 in which the keyboard unit 6 is mounted on the device main body 2, the present invention is not limited to this. An electronic device external to a keyboard may be used. However, the electronic device must have a high possibility of performing an input operation while holding the external keyboard. In this case, the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 may be built in the case of the external keyboard, and the strength of the button operation force applied to the external keyboard may be detected by the acceleration sensors 7 to 10.
[0014]
In FIG. 1B, a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “CPU”) 11 for integrally controlling each processing operation of the electronic device 1 is provided inside the electronic device 1 as a work memory when executing each operation process. , A nonvolatile rewritable storage device (hereinafter, “PROM”) that holds various software processed by the CPU 11 and holds user-specific information and the like. 13, a flat display panel 3, a keyboard unit 6, acceleration sensors 7 to 10 and the like are connected to each other via a bus 14.
[0015]
The CPU 11 controls the display state of the flat display panel 3 by loading software resources (such as basic programs and various application programs) pre-written in the PROM 13 into the RAM 12 and executing the software resources. The present invention captures signals from the keyboard unit 6 and the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 and executes necessary input event processing (key code sampling processing, acceleration sampling processing, etc.) based on those signals. The described event generation means and determination means are realized.
[0016]
FIG. 2A is a flowchart showing a main part of the input event process. In general, a change in the state of an input device such as a keyboard is detected periodically or irregularly (eg, CPU interruption). Ta in FIG. 2B indicates, for example, a key sample period that is periodically performed. In this flowchart, first, it is determined whether or not the key sample period Ta is applicable (step S11). If the key sample period Ta is not applicable, that is, before or after the key sample period Ta, The flowchart ends to cause the CPU 11 to execute another process.
[0017]
On the other hand, if the key sampling period Ta is satisfied, a key code fetching process (key sampling process) from the keyboard unit 6 and a signal fetching process (acceleration sampling process) from the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 are executed (step S12). ).
[0018]
Next, for example, the presence / absence of key input is determined by comparing the previous key code sample value with the current key code sample value (step S13), and if there is no key input (keyboard unit 6 is not operated) ) Returns to step S11, and when there is a key input (when the keyboard unit 6 is operated), the strength of the key operation force is determined (step S14). Here, the magnitude of the key operation force is determined based on the magnitude of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensors 7 to 10. That is, since the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 are incorporated in the device main body 2 in a state where the strength of the button operation force performed on the keyboard unit 6 can be detected, the accelerations detected by the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 are This is because the strength (large or small) of the button operation force performed on the keyboard unit 6 is directly represented.
[0019]
In FIG. 2B, the acceleration sample value swings in the positive and negative directions within the key sample period Ta. The amplitude in the positive direction indicates a positive acceleration value Pz, and the amplitude in the negative direction indicates a negative acceleration value Nz (key operation reaction force acceleration). Therefore, Pz and Nz are represented by absolute values (| Pz |, | Nz |), and a predetermined threshold value SL is compared with | Pz |, | Nz | to determine whether SL <| Pz | or SL. If <| Nz |, the key operation force can be determined to be “strong” (large), otherwise (SL> | Pz | and SL> | Nz |), the key operation force can be determined to be “weak” (small). can do.
[0020]
As described above, after determining the strength of the key operation force, an appropriate event corresponding to the determination result is generated, and the application (application software) can use the event. That is, if the key operation force is determined to be “strong”, for example, an event “a strong input of the corresponding key” is generated (step S15). If the key operation force is determined to be “weak”, for example, By generating an event "a weak key input" (step S16), in addition to the original function of generating a key code, the above two events (strong key input / weak key input) Can be added, and by making those events available to the application, the keyboard section 6 can be made multifunctional.
[0021]
The use of the above-mentioned two events (strong key input / weak key input) is not limited. It just needs to be freely available from the application. For example, a "strong key input" event may be used instead of the conventional double click event, or a "weak key input" event may be used instead of the conventional single click event.
[0022]
Alternatively, when the alphabet key of the keyboard unit 6 is pressed down, the strength of the operation force is determined, and when the operation is strongly performed, an uppercase letter is used, while when the operation is weakly performed, a lowercase letter is used. . Alternatively, during Japanese input by Roman character conversion, if a strong operation is performed, the non-conversion mode (mode for inputting the alphabet as it is) may be set, while if the operation is weak, a Japanese conversion mode may be set.
[0023]
Or, cursor keys of the keyboard unit 6 (keys for moving a mouse cursor up, down, left, and right; for example, up, down, left, and right arrow keys, jog dial type function keys, and the like, and the scroll button 5 corresponds to FIG. 1). The operating force may be detected in multiple stages, and the magnitude of the cursor movement amount may be controlled for each stage. For example, when scroll control is taken as an example, the operation force on the cursor key is detected in n stages (N1: minimum intensity operation force, N2: next-level intensity operation force,..., Nn: maximum intensity operation force). If the minimum strength operation force (N1), the minimum cursor movement amount (one line or one digit movement) is set, and if the next strength operation force (N2), the next cursor movement amount (two lines or two digits). If the maximum strength operation force (Nn) is used, the maximum cursor movement amount (the first line of the file, the last line of the file, or the beginning of the line or the end of the line) may be used.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a property setting screen (user setting screen) in a case where the operation force on the cursor key is detected in n stages. The property setting screen 14 includes a list box 15 for specifying a target cursor key, a text box 16 for specifying the number of divisions of the operating force (corresponding to the above n stages), a list box 17 for event assignment, And a graph control 18 for adjusting the event-acceleration correlation characteristic.
In the illustrated example, “right cursor” is set as a target cursor key in the list box 15, and the number of divisions “8” is set in the text box 16. The event name “right scroll” is set in the list box 17, and the characteristics of the graph control 18 are such that the event amount is small and the acceleration is large (key is high) in a region where the acceleration is small (the key operation force is weak). A characteristic is set in which the event amount increases in a region where the operation force is strong.
According to this, the operation force of the right cursor key is divided into eight levels and detected, and the right scroll amount of the cursor is adjusted according to the strength of each operation force (N1 to N8) according to the above characteristic (graph control 18). Characteristic).
[0025]
By the way, the strength of the key operation force varies depending on the person (user), and even the same user does not always perform the key operation with a stable strength. For this reason, it is desirable to set the threshold value for determining the strength of the key operation force for each user, and to set the threshold value in consideration of the variation in the operation force even for the same user. It is desirable to do.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a setting value storage program for each user in consideration of this point. This flowchart is executed at least once for each user who operates the electronic device 1 before the operation (for example, when the electronic device 1 is obtained). This flowchart includes a first step (step S21) of repeating a loop for all keys of the keyboard unit 6, and data obtained in the first step (weak key operation force / strong after averaging processing and the like). Key operation force) as data unique to the user in the PROM 13 (step S22).
[0027]
The first step (Step S21) includes two sub-steps (Step S21a and Step S21b) each repeated n times (for example, n = 10).
[0028]
One sub-step (step S21a) collects data of a weak key operation force. In other words, a message such as “Please tap the“ KeyName ”key lightly on the flat display panel 3 (“ Count ”times)” is displayed, and the user is prompted to tap the designated key (“KeyName” key) lightly. Thereafter, the acceleration values detected by the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 are stored in the work area of the RAM 12 as the "Count" weak key operation force. Here, “KeyName” is an arbitrary key name (for example, A, B, C,...), And “Count” is the number of repetitions (1 to n) of the sub-step (step S21a). When the final repetition number (n times) of the sub-step (step S21a) is reached, the weak key operation force from the first to the nth times stored in the work area of the RAM 12 is averaged, and the processing result is obtained. The “weak key operation force” is unique to the user.
[0029]
In the other sub-step (step S21b), data of strong key operation force is collected. In other words, a message such as "Strongly hit the" KeyName "key. (" Count "times)" is displayed on the flat display panel 3 to urge the user to strongly hit the designated key ("KeyName" key). Thereafter, the acceleration values detected by the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 are stored in the work area of the RAM 12 as the "Key" strong key operation force. When the final repetition number (n times) of the sub-step (step S21b) is reached, the strong key operation force from the first time to the n-th time stored in the work area of the RAM 12 is averaged, and the processing result is obtained. The “strong key operation force” unique to the user is used.
[0030]
According to this flowchart, an average value of n times of weak key operation force, an average value of n times of strong key operation force, and the like are obtained for all keys of the keyboard unit 6, and these data are unique to the user. Since the data is stored in the PROM 13, a threshold value for determining the strength of the key operation force can be set for each user, and an appropriate threshold value that takes into account the variation in the operation force even for the same user can be set. Settings can be made.
[0031]
In the above-described embodiment, a total of four acceleration sensors 7 to 10 are provided at the four corners of the device main body 2; however, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of acceleration sensors may be smaller (three to one) if only the strength of the button operation force performed on the keyboard unit 6 is detected. However, when a total of four acceleration sensors 7 to 10 are provided at the four corners of the device main body 2 as in the above embodiment, the touch performed on the device main body 2 will be described in detail below. It is possible to perform the strength determination of the operation and the rough determination of the touch location, and to generate an appropriate event corresponding to the determination result.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for roughly determining a touch operation place performed on the device main body 2. In this flowchart, first, it is determined whether or not the key sample period Ta is met (step S31). If the key sample period Ta is not met, that is, before or after the key sample period Ta, The flowchart ends to cause the CPU 11 to execute another process.
[0033]
On the other hand, if the time corresponds to the key sampling period Ta, a signal fetching process (acceleration sampling process) from the acceleration sensors 7 to 10 is executed (step S32). Then, it is determined whether or not acceleration has been detected (step S33). If acceleration is not detected, the process returns to step S31. If acceleration is detected, the next “touch operation location determination step” (step S34) is executed. .
[0034]
In this “touch operation location determination step” (step S34), rough determination of the touch operation location performed on the device main body 2 is performed according to the combination of the acceleration detection values of the four acceleration sensors 7 to 10 ( Step S34a).
[0035]
<First case>
This is a case where only one acceleration detection value among the acceleration detection values of the four acceleration sensors 7 to 10 protrudes and changes. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, this is a case where one of the four corners of the device main body 2 (location indicated by the symbol Pa) is strongly touched. In this case, the touch location (Pa) largely moves downward, and only the acceleration detection value of one acceleration sensor (the acceleration sensor 10 in the illustrated example) provided at the location (Pa) protrudes and changes. By detecting the change, an arbitrary event corresponding to the change can be generated.
[0036]
<Second case>
This is a case where two of the acceleration detection values of the four acceleration sensors 7 to 10 protrude and change with the same tendency. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, this is a case where one side of the device main body 2 (location indicated by the symbol Pb) is strongly touched. In this case, the touch location (Pb) largely moves downward, and the acceleration detection values of the two acceleration sensors (the acceleration sensors 8 and 10 in the illustrated example) provided on both sides of the location (Pb) have the same tendency. , The change occurs prominently, and by detecting the change, an arbitrary event corresponding to the change can be generated.
[0037]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the strength of the key operation force performed on the keyboard unit 6 can be determined, and the key operation force can be determined in addition to the conventional function (key code generation function). A new function corresponding to the strength (for example, a single-click event can be generated at a weak operation force or a double-click event at a strong operation force) can be added, and the input device can be multifunctional. Can be.
[0038]
In addition, since key strength determination data is collected for each user and held as user-specific data, not only a user who performs key operations of average strength but also a relatively strong key operation is performed. Even if the user has a habit or has the habit of performing a weak key operation, the user can accurately determine the strength of the key operation force, and the user always has the appropriate key operation regardless of the “habit” of the key operation. Events can be generated.
[0039]
In addition, when collecting the strength determination data of the key operation force for each user, the same key operation is repeated a plurality of times to obtain an average value or the like of each acceleration detection value, and the average value or the like is used as data unique to the user. Therefore, data collection can be performed in consideration of variations in key operation strength, and reliability of key operation force strength determination can be improved.
[0040]
Further, when all four acceleration sensors 7 to 10 are provided at the four corners of the device main body 2, a touch operation on one of the four corners of the device main body 2 (the first case described above) is performed based on a combination of the detected acceleration values. ) Or a touch operation on one of the four sides (the above-described second case) can be determined, and an arbitrary event corresponding to the determination result can be generated. Therefore, the device main body 2 itself can be used as a part of the input device.
[0041]
(2) Second embodiment
FIG. 7 illustrates an electronic device 20 that is portable and can be viewed by a user while holding it with both hands (HR, HL). A flat display panel 22 (display unit) such as an LCD or an ELD and various operation buttons 23 to 27 are arranged on the surface of the device main body 21, and a first element which is one of the elements unique to the present embodiment. A first pressure sensing unit 28 and a second pressure sensing unit 29 are arranged. Each of the first pressure sensing unit 28 and the second pressure sensing unit 29 has a rectangular pressure sensing surface (hereinafter, referred to as “rectangular pressing surfaces 281 and 291”) on its surface.
[0042]
The preferred layout position of the first pressure sensing unit 28 is such that when the device body 21 is held by both hands by the user, the pressing surface (rectangular pressing surface 281) is held by the finger of the user's right hand HR (thumb in the illustrated holding method). ) Is a position that can be easily operated in the vertical direction. That is, in the illustrated example, it is a position where the longitudinal direction of the rectangular pressing surface 281 extends along the right side of the flat display panel 22. On the other hand, the preferred layout position of the second pressing sensing unit 29 is such that when the device body 21 is held by both hands by the user, the pressing surface (rectangular pressing surface 291) is held by the finger of the user's left hand HL (in the illustrated holding method). This is a position that can be easily operated in the lateral direction with the thumb). That is, in the illustrated example, it is a position where the longitudinal direction of the rectangular pressing surface 291 extends along the lower side of the flat display panel 22.
[0043]
The user can press the rectangular pressing surfaces 281 and 291 with the thumb. Here, the pressing operation in the present embodiment can be performed in two types, a “weak” pressing operation and a “strong” pressing operation. Hereinafter, for convenience, a weak pressing operation is referred to as a single tap operation, and a strong pressing operation is referred to as a double tap operation. However, "single" and "double" have no special meaning. In particular, "double" does not mean two touches. As will be described later, double tapping means performing single tapping with "strong" pressing force. A shift operation while being pressed is referred to as a slide operation, and a shift operation performed after the single tap or the double tap is referred to as a tap + slide operation.
[0044]
FIG. 8 is a simplified internal block diagram of the electronic device 20. In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes a CPU that controls each processing operation of the electronic device 20, 31 denotes a RAM that functions as a work memory in executing each operation process, 32 denotes a ROM that stores various software processed by the CPU 30, 33 is a display control unit (display control means), 34 is an input / output interface, and 35 is a bus.
[0045]
The CPU 30 loads software resources (such as basic programs and various application programs) previously written in the ROM 32 into the RAM 31 and executes the software resources. The first pressure sensing unit 28 and the second pressure The processing unit 29 realizes various processing functions by combining hardware resources such as the CPU 30 and the above-mentioned software resources while taking in input signals from other input devices 36 (such as various operation buttons 23 to 27). According to the processing result, for example, the display mode of the flat display panel 22 is controlled via the display control unit 33.
[0046]
FIG. 9 is a structural diagram showing an example of the first pressure sensing unit 28 or the second pressure sensing unit 29. When viewed as an electronic circuit, the first pressure sensing unit 28 includes, as shown in (a), a circuit including normally-off type n switch elements SW1, SW2, SW3,. , And circuits composed of the same number of piezoelectric elements Z1 to Zn as those switch elements. One of the switch elements SW1 to SWn is individually connected to terminals Pv1, Pv2, Pv3,..., Pvn, and the other switch element of all switch elements SW1 to SWn is common. The piezoelectric elements Z1 to Zn are individually connected to terminals Sv1, Sv2,..., Svn.
[0047]
Similarly, in the case of the second pressure sensing unit 29, a circuit composed of n switch elements SW1, SW2, SW3,..., SWn, and the same number of piezoelectric elements Z1 as those switch elements To Zn circuit. One of the switch elements SW1 to SWn is individually connected to terminals Ph1, Ph2, Ph3,..., Phn, and the other switch element of all switch elements SW1 to SWn is common. Are connected to the terminal Phcom, and the piezoelectric elements Z1 to Zn are individually connected to the terminals Sh1, Sh2,..., Shn.
[0048]
Needless to say, the circuit configuration of the switch elements SW1 to SWn can be realized with various structures. For example, it may be an arrangement of tact switches or a touch switch by electrostatic induction, or a structure as shown in FIG. That is, the piezoelectric elements Z1 to Zn and the elastic body 28c (29c) are interposed at regular intervals between the rectangular pressing surfaces 281 (291) and 28b (29b) made of an insulator, and the adjacent elastic bodies 28c (29c ), A pair of contacts 28d (29d) are disposed, and the thickness L of the piezoelectric elements Z1 to Zn and the elastic body 28c (29c) is set to such a degree that the contacts 28d (29d) do not contact in a steady state, and When the pressure sensing unit 281 (291) is pushed down, its thickness L is reduced so that the contact 28d (29d) comes into contact. The contacts 28d (29d) correspond to SW1, SW2, SW3,..., SWn, respectively, and the arrangement interval D is about the size of the thumb of the user.
[0049]
According to this structure, when an arbitrary position of one of the insulators (the upper rectangular pressing surface 281 (291) in the figure) is pressed down by the thumb of the user, one or a plurality of contacts 28d located at the pressed down portion (29d) is turned on. Therefore, for example, if a predetermined potential corresponding to logic 1 is applied to the common terminal Pvcom (Phcom), the logic is applied from the terminal Pi via the contact 28d (switch element SWi: i is 1 to n) in the ON state. 1 can be taken out.
Moreover, one or a plurality of piezoelectric elements Z1 to Zn located in the depressed portion are compressed and deformed, and voltages corresponding to the strength of the depressing force are taken out from the terminals Sv1 to Svn (Sh1 to Shn). Therefore, it is possible to extract a signal indicating the pressing strength together with a signal indicating the pressing position.
[0050]
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a memory map of the ROM 32. The ROM 32 has a storage area 32a for an operating system (also referred to as a basic program) and a storage area 32b for an application program (also referred to as an application program). Hereinafter, for convenience, the storage area 32c includes a “state management program”.
[0051]
The “state management program” includes classification information of “a pressing operation pattern that may be detected” in the first pressing sensing unit 28 and the second pressing sensing unit 29 (FIG. 13B, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15), and determines which classification the pressing operation pattern actually performed by the user belongs to based on the classification information, and generates an instruction signal corresponding to the determination result. For example, in the case of an application program such as document display software, various processing procedures can be executed using the instruction signal.
[0052]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a classification example of “a pressing operation pattern that may be performed intuitively” for the first pressing sensing unit 28.
<Slide operation>
The slide operation is an operation of shifting the fingertip while pressing the rectangular pressing surface 281 with the fingertip U, as shown in FIGS. (A) is an upward sliding operation, and (b) is a downward sliding operation. Here, “up and down” means a direction in which the upper side of the flat display panel 22 is “up” and the lower side is “down”. Although not shown, the same applies to the case of the second pressure sensing unit 29. The slide operation is an operation of moving the fingertip U while pressing the rectangular pressing surface 291 with the fingertip U, and moving the fingertip rightward. Includes slide operation and slide operation to the left. Here, the “right direction” and “left direction” are directions in which the right side of the flat display panel 22 is “right” and the left side is “left”.
[0053]
<Single tap operation>
The single tap operation is an operation of pressing the rectangular pressing surface 281 "weakly" with the fingertip U as shown in (c) and (d). (C) shows a single tap operation near the upper portion of the rectangular pressing surface 281, and (d) shows a single tap operation near the lower portion of the rectangular pressing surface 281. The “near” is, for example, a region that falls into one-third of the rectangular pressing surface 281 when the rectangular pressing surface 281 is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction. The vicinity is the lower third of the rectangular pressing surface 281.
[0054]
Although not shown, the same applies to the case of the second pressing sensing unit 29. The single tap operation is an operation of pressing the rectangular pressing surface 291 "weakly" with the fingertip U, and the rectangular pressing surface 291 And a single tap operation near the left side of the rectangular pressing surface 291. Also in this case, “near” means, for example, a region that falls into one third of the rectangular pressing surface 291 when the rectangular pressing surface 291 is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction. / 3, near the left side is the left side 1/3 of the rectangular pressing surface 291.
[0055]
<Double tap operation>
The double tap operation is an operation of “strongly” pressing the rectangular pressing surface 281 with the fingertip U as shown in (e), (f), and (g). Generally, “double tap” means an operation of repeating a single tap twice within a predetermined time, but this embodiment does not follow such a meaning. The “double tap operation” in this specification means that a single tap is performed with “strong” pressing force.
[0056]
(E) is a double tap operation near the upper portion of the rectangular pressing surface 281, (f) is a double tap operation near the center of the rectangular pressing surface 281, and (g) is a lower portion of the rectangular pressing surface 281. This is a double tap operation to the vicinity, and “near” as in the case of the single tap operation is, for example, one-third of the length of the touch surface in the longitudinal direction of the first pressure sensing unit 28 when it is divided into three equal parts. It can be an area.
[0057]
Although not shown, the same applies to the case of the second pressing sensing unit 29, and the double tap operation is an operation of pressing the rectangular pressing surface 291 "strongly" with the fingertip U, and the rectangular pressing surface 291 And a double tap operation near the left side of the rectangular pressing surface 291. Also in this case, “near” means, for example, a region that falls into one third of the rectangular pressing surface 291 when the rectangular pressing surface 291 is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction. / 3, near the left side is the left side 1/3 of the rectangular pressing surface 291.
[0058]
<Single tap operation + slide operation>
The single tap operation and the slide operation are operations in which the fingertip U “weakly” presses the rectangular pressing surface 281 and then shifts, as shown in (h) and (i). In (h) and (i), the position of the tap and the direction of the shift are different. That is, (h) performs a single tap near the upper portion of the rectangular pressing surface 281, and then performs a downward shift operation. (I) performs a single tap near the lower portion of the rectangular pressing surface 281, and This is an operation of shifting upward. Although not shown, the same applies to the case of the second pressing sensing unit 29, and the single tap operation + sliding operation is an operation of shifting the rectangular pressing surface 291 with the fingertip U after weakly pressing it. .
[0059]
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a single tap operation (a weak pressing operation) and a double tap operation (a strong pressing operation). In this figure, when the rectangular pressing surfaces 281 and 291 of the first or second pressing sensing portions 28 and 29 are pressed with a weak force (a), the piezoelectric elements Zi located at the pressed locations are small signals Svi and Shi. On the other hand, when the rectangular pressing surfaces 281 and 291 of the first or second pressing sensing portions 28 and 29 are pressed with a strong force (b), the piezoelectric element Zi located at the pressed portion generates a large signal Svi. , Shi. In the present embodiment, these signal changes are detected to determine a single click operation and a double click operation.
[0060]
FIG. 13A is a state diagram of document display software executed as one of the application programs executed on the electronic device 20. In this figure, immediately after the power is turned on, the electronic device 20 reads the present document display program based on a predetermined operation of the user and executes a document selection mode (hereinafter, referred to as a selection mode) 40. The state is changed from the selection mode 40 to the document display / edit mode (hereinafter referred to as display / edit mode) 41 using each operation pattern (see FIGS. 11A to 11I), or vice versa. The state is changed to.
[0061]
FIG. 13B, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are diagrams showing the classifications of the respective operation patterns and the information of the operation definition associated with the operation patterns. The illustrated information (hereinafter referred to as “operation definition information”) is written in advance in the storage area 32 c of the state management program in the ROM 32.
[0062]
In FIG. 13B, the first column 42a at the left end defines the detection by the first press sensing unit 28, and the second column 42b is a field for storing the identification number (No.) of the press operation pattern. The third column 42c is a field for storing the detected content of the detected pressing pattern, and the fourth column 42d is a field for storing link information to an operation (processing process) when a desired operation pattern is detected in the selection mode 40. The fifth column 42f is a link information storage field for an operation (processing process) when a desired operation pattern is detected in the display / edit mode 41.
[0063]
According to this correspondence relationship diagram, No. The detection of the first slide operation (upward) (see FIG. 11 (a)) is displayed as an operation of “moving to the upper icon (item) (or the previous icon group page if the uppermost icon)” in the selection mode 40. No. is linked to the “up scroll process” operation in the edit mode 41. The detection of the slide operation (downward) of No. 2 (see FIG. 11B) is displayed as the operation of “moving to the lower icon (item) (or the next icon group page if the lowermost icon)” in the selection mode 40. -It is linked to the "down scroll process" operation in the edit mode 41. In the operation in the selection mode 40, the “item” means, for example, when a menu bar is displayed, or when a folder name / file name is displayed instead of an icon display, a desired operation content, folder, or file is displayed. It is shown.
[0064]
No. The detection of the single tap operation (near the upper portion) of the third mode (see FIG. 11C) includes the operation of “moving to the previous icon group page” in the selection mode 40 and the “page (line) UP” in the display / edit mode 41. No. processing is linked. The detection of the single tap process (near the center) of No. 4 is linked to the operation of “moving to the menu bar display (selection mode)” in the selection mode 40 and the operation of “go to edit toolbar display” in the display / edit mode 41. . No. The detection of the single tap process (near the lower portion) of No. 5 (see FIG. 11D) includes the operation of “moving to the next icon group display page” in the selection mode 40 and the operation of “Page DOWN (line)” in the display / edit mode 41. ) Processing "action.
[0065]
No. The detection of the double tap operation (near the upper part) 6 (see FIG. 11E) includes the “move to upper folder” operation in the selection mode 40 and the “move to page TOP” operation in the display / edit mode 41. No. The detection of the double tap operation (near the center) of No. 7 (see FIG. 11 (g)) includes the operation of “selection / display / selection mode transition processing (in the case of a folder icon, to the lower folder)” in the selection mode. It is linked to the operation of “selection / cancellation (transition to selection mode in case of cancellation)” in the edit mode 41. The detection of the double tap operation (near the lower part) of No. 8 (see FIG. 11 (f)) The operation is linked to the “window switching process” operation in the selection mode 40 and the “move to page END” operation in the display / edit mode 41.
[0066]
No. The detection of the single tap operation (near the upper portion) + sliding operation (downward) of No. 9 (see FIG. 11H) includes no processing (NOP) in the selection mode 40 and “lower scroll reverse display processing ( No.) in the case of selection. The detection of the single tap operation (near the lower part) + sliding operation (upward) of the ten (see FIG. 11 (i)) includes no processing (NOP) in the selection mode 40 and “upside-down inverted display processing ( If selected) "action is linked.
[0067]
In FIG. 14, the first column 42f at the left end defines the detection by the second pressing sensor 29, and the second column 42g is a field for storing the identification number (No.) of the pressing operation pattern. The third column 42h is a detection content storage field for the detected pressing pattern, and the fourth column 42i is a link information storage field for an operation (processing process) when a desired operation pattern is detected in the selection mode 40. The fifth column 42j is a link information storage field for an operation (processing process) when a desired operation pattern is detected in the display / edit mode 41.
[0068]
According to this correspondence relationship diagram, No. The detection of the slide operation (rightward) of the eleventh operation is performed by selecting the “movement processing of right-to-lower icon (to the next icon group page if the lowermost icon)” operation in the selection mode 40 and “right scrolling” in the display / edit mode 41. No. processing is linked. The detection of the 12 slide operations (left direction) includes the operation of “movement processing from left to upper icon (or the uppermost icon to the previous icon group page)” in the selection mode 40 and the operation of “left scroll” in the display / edit mode 41. Linked to the "action" action.
[0069]
No. The detection of the single tap operation (near the right side) of the thirteenth is performed by the operation of “moving from right to the lower icon (if the lowermost icon is the next icon group page)” operation in the selection mode 40 and the operation of “cursor No. "right shift processing" operation. The detection of the 14 single tap process (near the center) is linked to the operation of “moving to the menu bar display (selection mode)” in the selection mode 40 and the operation of “go to edit toolbar display” in the display / edit mode 41. . No. The detection of the 15 single tap processing (near the left side) is performed by selecting the “movement processing from left to upper icon (if the uppermost icon is the previous icon group page)” operation in the selection mode 40 and “cursor” in the display / edit mode 41. Linked to the "shift left" operation.
[0070]
No. The detection of the double tap operation (near the left side) of No. 16 is linked to the “movement processing to the upper folder” operation of the selection mode 40 and the no processing (NOP) of the display / edit mode 41. The detection of the double tap operation 17 (near the center) is performed by the operation of the “selection / display / selection mode transition processing” operation of the selection mode and the “selection / cancellation of the display / edit mode 41 (in the case of cancellation, the transition processing to the selection mode In addition, the detection of the double tap operation (near the right side) of No. 18 is performed in the selection mode 40 of “the process of moving to a lower folder in the case of a folder icon” operation and the display / edit mode 41 of the selection mode 40. No processing (NOP) is linked.
[0071]
No. The detection of the 19 single tap operation (near the right side) + slide operation (left direction) is detected as no processing (NOP) in the selection mode 40 and "inverted display from the cursor selection position (in the case of selection)" in the display / edit mode 41. No. The detection of 20 single tap operations (near the left side) + slide operation (rightward) detects no processing (NOP) in the selection mode 40 and "reverse display from the cursor selection position (in the case of selection)" operation in the display / selection mode 41 Is linked to.
[0072]
Further, in FIG. 15, the simultaneous detection of the first pressure sensing unit 28 and the second pressure sensing unit 29 is defined, and the first column 42k is a field for storing the identification number (No.) of the pressing operation pattern. The second column 42l is a detection content storage field of the detected pressing pattern, and the third column 42m is a link information storage field for an operation (processing process) when a desired operation pattern is detected in the selection mode 40. The fourth column 42n is a link information storage field for an operation (processing process) when a desired operation pattern is detected in the display / edit mode 41.
[0073]
According to this correspondence relationship diagram, No. The simultaneous detection of the slide operation (downward) and the slide operation (rightward) of No. 21 is linked to the no processing (NOP) of the selection mode 40 and the “zoom UP processing” operation of the display / edit mode 41. The simultaneous detection of the slide operation (upward) and the slide operation (leftward) at 22 is linked to the no processing (NOP) of the selection mode 40 and the “zoom DOWN processing” operation of the display / edit mode 41. No. Simultaneous detection of the slide operation (downward) and the slide operation (leftward) of No. 23 is linked to the no processing (NOP) of the selection mode 40 and the “rotate (display screen) clockwise” operation of the display / edit mode 41. No. Simultaneous detection of the slide operation (upward) and the slide operation (rightward) of 24 is linked to the no processing (NOP) of the selection mode 40 and the “rotate (display screen) counterclockwise” operation of the display / edit mode 41. Have been.
[0074]
Next, an actual operation example using the above-mentioned “operation definition information” will be described.
FIG. 16 is an operation conceptual diagram of a screen display mode performed using the first press sensing unit 28 and the second press sensing unit 29. In FIG. 16A, it is assumed that the electronic device 20 is currently operating in the selection mode 40, and a selection screen is displayed on the flat display panel 22. This selection screen can display n × m file icons 43 as icons on one screen (called a page) at a time. When the total number of displayable file icons is x, x Is divided by (n × m) (however, if the value includes a decimal number, a page (selection screen) corresponding to a value obtained by adding 1 to the positive numerical value) can be displayed. For example, when n = 4, m = 3, and x = 43, 43 / (4 × 3) = 3.5833..., And a positive value of 3.5833. By adding 1 to (3), a selection screen of four pages in total can be displayed.
[0075]
In the initial state (selection mode 40), the first page of the selection screen is displayed, and one of the file icons (for example, the upper left corner) is in the default selection state. In the figure, a file icon 43 surrounded by hatching indicates that the file is currently selected, and the hatched figure corresponds to the cursor 44.
[0076]
In the illustrated example, the file number (two-digit number) is displayed in the file icon 43. However, this is for the sake of illustration. May be written together with the file name. Alternatively, when an arbitrary file icon 43 is selected, a balloon tip may be displayed on the file icon 43 to display a file name, document information, property data, and the like.
[0077]
For example, if the 37th file icon 43 is set as a selection target, the 37th file icon 43 is located at the upper left corner of the fourth page as shown in FIG. To do so, the page turning operation may be repeated three times (page 1 → page 2 → page 3 → page 4). Many of the users who intend to turn the page perform a slide operation (downward) on the first press sensing unit 28, a single tap operation (near the bottom), or a continuous slide operation (right on the second press sensing unit 29). Direction) or a continuous single tap operation (near the right). This is because the slide operation intuitively images the selection movement of the file icon, and the single tap operation intuitively images the page turning to the operating user.
[0078]
In the case of the first press sensing unit 28, the scroll operation and the single tap operation are performed in the “operation definition information” (see FIG. 13B, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15). Since the operation of moving to the lower icon (item) (or moving to the next icon group page if the lowermost icon) operation and the operation of moving to the next icon group page operation are respectively linked, the first pressing is performed. When a scroll operation (downward) is performed on the sensing unit 28, the selected file icon sequentially moves, and when the last of the file icon group is reached, the file icon group moves to the next file icon group page. By repeating, the target file icon (the file icon 43 in the upper left corner of the fourth page) can be finally selected. Alternatively, when a single tap operation (near the lower part) is performed on the first press sensing unit 28, the display of the next file icon group page is repeated, and finally the target file icon (the upper left corner of the fourth page) The file icon 43) in the corner can be selected.
[0079]
When any of the operations is detected, a double tap operation (a strong tap operation) near the center of the first press sensor 28 or the second press sensor 29 is performed with the target file icon 43 selected. ), The operation mode is changed from the selection mode 40 to the display / edit mode 41 to activate the related application program, and the file content corresponding to the selected file icon is displayed on the flat display panel 22. Can be displayed.
[0080]
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram when the display screen is “enlarged”. In the drawing, it is assumed that, for example, the alphabet “A” is displayed on the display screen of the flat display panel 22. Now, when the user attempts to zoom up a part of the screen (for example, the lower right part of “A”), as shown in FIG. According to the content indicated by 21, the user simultaneously performs the sliding operation (downward) of the first press sensing unit 28 and the sliding operation (rightward) of the second press sensing unit 29. Although not shown, when zoom DOWN is attempted, on the contrary, when zoom DOWN is performed as shown in FIG. According to the content shown in 22, the user simultaneously performs the sliding operation (upward) of the first pressure sensing unit 28 and the sliding operation (leftward) of the second pressure sensing unit 29.
[0081]
Note that when a slide operation (leftward) is performed on the second sensing unit 29 while performing a slide operation (downward) on the first press sensing unit 28, the No. 2 of FIG. According to the contents shown in 23, the display screen is rotated clockwise by the amount of the slide detection as its control mode. Conversely, when a slide operation (up and down) is performed on the first pressure sensing unit 28 and a slide operation (right and left) is performed on the second sensing unit 29, No. 1 in FIG. According to the contents shown in 24, the display screen is rotated counterclockwise by the amount of the slide detection as its control mode. This allows the user to intuitively image the rotation of the display screen.
[0082]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the first pressure sensing unit 28 and the second pressure sensing unit 29 are operated by the user, the “motion definition information” (FIG. 13B, With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15), it is determined which operation pattern (single tap, double tap, slide or combination thereof) falls under the classification. Then, according to the determination result, a corresponding operation is picked up from the “operation definition information” and executed by a related application program.
[0083]
Therefore, it detects not only simple tap operations (weak tap operations), but also double taps (strong tap operations), slide operations, and complex operation patterns consisting of combinations of these, and performs appropriate processing corresponding to each. Can be done. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the user interface is increased, and the usability can be improved. Further, by simply rewriting the “operation definition information” (see FIG. 13B, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15), it can be freely applied to various application programs.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the input device which concerns on this invention, in addition to the function (key code generation function etc.) of the conventional input device, a new event corresponding to the magnitude of input operation force can be further generated. Therefore, by intentionally adjusting the magnitude of the input operation force, it is possible to generate a predetermined event simultaneously with the occurrence of a key code or the like. By using such an input device, it is possible to provide an input device with multi-functionality and improved operability.
According to the electronic device of the present invention, not only a simple tap operation (weak tap operation) but also a complex operation pattern such as a double tap (strong tap operation) is detected, and an appropriate corresponding pattern is detected. Processing can be performed. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the user interface is increased, and the usability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic device 1 according to a first embodiment and an internal block diagram thereof.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main part flowchart of an input event process, and a diagram illustrating a timing chart including a key sampling period Ta.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a property setting screen in a case where an operation force on a cursor key is detected in n stages.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a setting value storage program for each user.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart for roughly determining a touch operation place performed on the device main body 2;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a determination case (a first case and a second case) of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an external view of an electronic device 20 according to a second embodiment and an operation state diagram thereof.
8 is a simplified internal block diagram of the electronic device 20. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a structural diagram showing an example of a first pressure sensing unit 28 or a second pressure sensing unit 29.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a memory map of a ROM 32.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a classification example of “a pressing operation pattern that may be performed intuitively” with respect to the first pressing sensing unit 28;
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a single tap operation (a weak pressing operation) and a double tap operation (a strong pressing operation).
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state diagram of document display software executed as one of the application programs executed by the electronic device 20, classification of each operation pattern, and operation definition information associated with the operation pattern. is there.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the classification of each operation pattern and information of an operation definition associated with each of the operation patterns.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the classification of each operation pattern and information of an operation definition associated with each of the operation patterns.
FIG. 16 is an operation conceptual diagram of a screen display mode performed by using a first pressure sensing unit and a second pressure sensing unit 29;
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram when the display screen is “enlarged”.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Equipment body (housing)
6. Keyboard part (input device)
7-10 acceleration sensor (detection means)
11 CPU (event generation means, judgment means)
20 Electronic equipment
22 Flat display panel (display unit)
28 First Press Sensing Unit
29 Second pressure sensing unit
33 display control unit (display control means)
281, 291 Rectangular pressing surface

Claims (4)

In a push button type or pointing type input device,
Detecting means for detecting the magnitude of an input operation force performed on the input device;
An input device comprising: an event generating means for generating an event corresponding to the magnitude of the input operation force detected by the detecting means. The detection unit includes a plurality of acceleration sensors provided in a housing of the input device, and a determination unit that determines a touch location of the housing based on a combination of acceleration detection values of the plurality of acceleration sensors. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: A display unit,
A first pressing sensing unit having a rectangular pressing surface extending in the longitudinal direction along the vertical side of the display unit and having a detecting unit for detecting a pressing intensity on the rectangular pressing surface;
A second pressing sensing unit having a rectangular pressing surface extending in the longitudinal direction along the lateral side of the display unit and having a detecting unit for detecting a pressing intensity on the rectangular pressing surface;
An electronic device comprising: display control means for controlling the display unit in accordance with various pressing operation patterns detected by the first press sensing unit and the second press sensing unit. machine. The said press operation pattern contains at least the tap operation of a small press intensity detected on the said 1st press detection part and the said 2nd press detection part, and the tap operation of a large press intensity. 3. The electronic device according to 3.

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