JP5788656B2 - Information terminal, control method thereof and control program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal, and more particularly to an information terminal that accepts input of pointing information and key information.

  Conventionally, there are many information terminals that accept input of key information from a keyboard on which a plurality of keys are arranged and input of pointing information from a pointing device. Such an information terminal has a keyboard and a pointing device. For example, a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) includes a keyboard and a touch pad as a pointing device.

  As such information terminals are increasingly miniaturized due to market needs, miniaturization of keyboards and touchpads is also required. However, there is a limit to downsizing these because of operability problems.

Conventionally, various techniques have been disclosed for touch pads in information terminals.
For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-065730), by using a highly sensitive capacitive sensor as a touch pad, in addition to inputting a two-dimensional coordinate, an object to be detected in space. A mobile communication terminal device is disclosed that can input the position of the three as three-dimensional coordinates.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-257374 discloses a virtual key arrangement on a display device, and changes a virtual key to be selected when a sliding operation is performed on the touchpad. There is disclosed a technique for recognizing that a determination operation has been performed on a selected virtual key when an operation for increasing the pressing force on the touch pad is performed.

JP 2008-0665730 A JP 2008-257374 A

  However, although Patent Document 1 is characterized by processing of input information for the touch pad, handling of the input information for the touch pad has not been considered in relation to the keyboard. Further, although Patent Document 2 relates to a selection operation and a determination operation for a virtual key displayed on a display device, determining a key to be input by an operation on a touch pad from a virtual key displayed on the display device The operation of inputting keys arranged on a normal keyboard is much more complicated. From this point, even if it is patent document 2, it cannot be said that the input information with respect to a touchpad is handled considering the relationship with a keyboard. Further, in Patent Document 2, since input information for the touch pad is accepted as input information for the virtual key, the user cannot obtain a sense of touching the key when performing key input. Improvement was desired.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the size of an information terminal that accepts input of pointing information and key information while giving the user a keyboard touch feeling. That is.

An information terminal according to the present invention includes a sheet-like electrode whose capacitance changes when a conductor approaches, a key operation unit including one or more keys stacked on the sheet-like electrode, and a sheet-like electrode Based on the detection means for detecting the position and amount of change in the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode since the electrode is in a predetermined state, the conductor approaches the sheet-like electrode based on the detection output of the detection means. Input information generating means for generating pointing information that is information indicating the position and key information that is information indicating that a key of the key operation unit has been operated. When the amount of change detected by the means is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold value, key information is generated, and when the amount of change detected by the detection means is less than the first threshold value Pointin Generates information, change amount detected by the detection means further comprises an informing means for informing that the first threshold or more, the notification means, the amount detected by the detecting means changes at least the first threshold value If it is, notification is performed in the first mode, and if the amount of change detected by the detection means is less than the first threshold, notification is performed in a second mode different from the first mode .

  In the information terminal according to the present invention, it is preferable that the input information generation unit generates the pointing information when the input information generation unit is equal to or larger than a second threshold smaller than the first threshold and smaller than the first threshold.

  The information terminal of the present invention further includes storage means for storing the positions of one or more keys on the sheet-like electrode, and the input information generating means stores the position where the capacitance has changed in the sheet-like electrode, The key information is preferably generated based on the key position stored in the means.

  Further, in the information terminal of the present invention, the key operation unit includes a support for supporting the key separated from the sheet-like electrode in the stacking direction, and the support has a key having a predetermined size or more. It is preferable that the key is deformed so as to move in the pressed direction by being pressed toward the sheet-like electrode with force.

  In the information terminal according to the present invention, the input information generating means generates key information for each key, and the notifying means includes one or more notifying sections provided corresponding to each key, and the key information is It is preferable that a notification unit provided corresponding to the generated key is notified that the value is equal to or more than the first threshold value.

  The information terminal according to the present invention preferably further includes an execution unit that executes an application, and the input information generation unit preferably outputs key information and pointing information as input information for the application.

An information terminal control method according to the present invention includes a sheet-like electrode whose capacitance changes based on the proximity of a conductor, a detector that detects the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode, and one or more keys. A control method for controlling an information terminal comprising a key operation unit stacked on a sheet-like electrode and a processor, wherein the detector is a sheet from when the sheet-like electrode is in a predetermined state. Detecting the position and amount of change of the capacitance of the electrode and the amount of change detected by the detector is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold value, the processor is detected by the detector. In addition, based on the position where the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode has changed, a step of generating key information, which is information indicating that the key of the key operation unit has been operated, and the amount of change detected by the detector are Less than 1 threshold In some cases, the processor generates pointing information, which is information indicating a position where the conductor approaches the sheet-like electrode, based on a position where the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode is detected, which is detected by the detector; The step of detecting the position and the change amount includes performing notification in the first mode when the detected change amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, and detecting the change amount as the first threshold value. If it is less, the notification is performed in a second mode different from the first mode .

An information terminal control program according to the present invention includes a sheet-like electrode whose capacitance changes based on the approach of a conductor, a key operation unit including one or more keys and stacked on the sheet-like electrode. , A program for controlling an information terminal executed by a processor in an information terminal comprising a processor, wherein the capacitance of the sheet electrode changes when the sheet electrode is in a predetermined state in the processor The obtained position and the amount of change, and when the amount of change in the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold, based on the position where the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode has changed. The step of generating key information, which is information on the operation of the key of the key operation unit, and the capacitance of the sheet electrode when the amount of change in the capacitance of the sheet electrode is less than the first threshold value Based on the changed position, and generating a pointing information indicating the position where the conductors are close to the sheet electrode is performed, the step of obtaining the position and the change amount is the amount obtained changed first If the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, notification is performed in the first mode, and if the detected amount of change is less than the first threshold value, notification is performed in a second mode different from the first mode. Including .

  According to the above configuration, the information terminal can generate key information and pointing information based on a change in capacitance of the sheet-like electrode. Note that which of these pieces of information is generated is determined based on the amount of change in capacitance. In the information terminal, the key operation unit is stacked on the sheet electrode. Thereby, the information terminal can make a user input key information by operating the key of a key operation part, and can give the user the feeling of touching a key when generating key information.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the information terminal which is 1 implementation of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structure of the 2nd housing of the information terminal of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the key operation part of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the electrode sheet | seat of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the electrode sheet | seat of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the hardware constitutions of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the information input in the pointing input mode by the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the information input in the keyboard input mode by the information terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart of the input information generation process performed in the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows collectively the information about the several mode of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the processing content of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the input mode of information in the modification (1) of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the change aspect of a threshold value in the modification (2) of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structure of the 2nd housing | casing in the modification (3) of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the hardware constitutions in the modification (3) of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows collectively the information about the several mode of the modification (3) of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the structure of the electrode sheet in the modification (3) of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows collectively the information about the several mode of the modification (4) of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the 2nd housing | casing in the modification (5) of the information terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the hardware constitutions in the modification (5) of the information terminal of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the information terminal of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[1. Schematic configuration of information terminal]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the information terminal 100.

  The information terminal 100 includes a first housing 1 and a second housing 2. The first casing 1 and the second casing 2 are connected to each other so as to be foldable by a predetermined shaft (not shown). The information terminal 100 does not necessarily include a plurality of housings configured to be foldable. You may be comprised from the single housing.

  The first housing 1 includes a display unit 30. The display unit 30 is configured by a liquid crystal display device, for example. The display unit 30 includes a document on a network such as a web page, an address book stored in the information terminal 100, a mail creation screen by a mailer executed on the information terminal 100, an editing screen by a document creation application, a drawing application It is possible to display various information such as an image creation screen by, a browsing screen in a browsing application for image data and video data.

  The second housing 2 is provided with an operation area 20, and a key group 21 </ b> A, a left key 21 </ b> B, and a right key 21 </ b> C are provided in the operation area 20. The key group 21A includes 19 operation buttons. The left key 21B and the right key 21C are operation buttons, respectively. The operation area 20 is an area in which an electrode sheet 200 described later is built.

[2. Information terminal internal structure]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the internal structure of the second casing 2 of the information terminal 100.

In the second casing 2, the key operation unit 500 is stacked on the electrode sheet 200.
The key operation unit 500 includes a plurality of keys 501 to 505. Keys 501 to 505 correspond to operation buttons included in key group 21A, or operation buttons constituting left key 21B or right key 21C, respectively. The keys 501 to 505 of the key operation unit 500 protrude on the surface of the second casing 2. However, the keys 501 to 505 of the key operation unit 500 may be configured so that the surface thereof is flush with the other parts of the second casing 2, that is, without a step. In the information terminal 100, the number of keys is not limited to 5 or more, and may be 5 or less.

  In the information terminal 100, the user's finger, which is a conductor, approaches the surface of the key operation unit 500, and the capacitance of the electrode sheet 200 changes with respect to the initial state. Then, when the finger moves on the surface of the key operation unit 500, the position where the electrostatic capacity changes in the electrode sheet 200 with respect to the initial state moves. In the information terminal 100, pointing information is generated as the position where the capacitance changes moves. The pointing information is information on the operated position. In the present embodiment, it is information on the position where the electrode sheet 200 is operated. The pointing information is used, for example, as information for moving the cursor with respect to the application.

  The initial state refers to a state where a conductor such as a user's finger is not in proximity to the operation area 20, for example. More specifically, in addition to the constituent elements of the information terminal 100, a conductor that changes the capacitance of each electrode in the electrode sheet 200 has a position that substantially affects the detected value of the capacitance. Say not placed.

  In this specification, a user's finger is shown as the conductor, but the conductor for the information terminal of the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a pen-like member that functions as a conductor. In this case, the user operates the information terminal 100 by moving the member closer to the operation area 20 or moving the member on the operation area 20.

  Further, in the information terminal 100, the bottom surfaces of the keys 501 to 505 come into contact with the electrode sheet 200 when pressed in a downward direction in the figure with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined force. Thereby, the finger | toe which is a conductor approaches the electrode sheet 200, and the variation | change_quantity of the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode sheet 200 becomes large. Information generated in the information terminal 100 based on the increase in the amount of change in capacitance is input information (key information) for each key.

[3. Configuration of key input mechanism]
3A and 3B are enlarged views of a portion corresponding to the key 501 of the key operation unit 500. FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3A, key 501 includes a main body 501A and a support portion 501B. The main body 501A is supported by the support portion 501B so as to be separated from the electrode sheet 200 in the stacking direction. The support portion 501B is made of a plastic material (for example, a synthetic resin such as a polyurethane resin, rubber, or the like).

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state where the key of FIG. 3A is pressed toward the electrode sheet 200. Referring to FIG. 3B, when the key 501 is pressed downward from the state shown in FIG. 3A, the support portion 501B is bent as shown in FIG. The bottom surface of the main body 501 </ b> A contacts the electrode sheet 200.

  In the present embodiment, the main body 501A of the key 501 is supported by the support portion 501B, and the main body 501A is pressed with a predetermined amount of force, that is, a force that can bend the support portion 501B. Thus, the user's finger can be brought close to the electrode sheet 200, thereby changing the capacitance of a part of the X electrode and the Y electrode constituting the electrode sheet 200. With such a configuration, a key touch feeling can be given to the user when performing key operations.

  Also, the user's finger can be brought closer to the electrode sheet 200 only by the amount of bending of the support portion 501B after the key is pressed with the predetermined magnitude of force. In the information terminal 100, when the user's finger is on the surface of the key 501 in a state where the support portion 501B is not bent (FIG. 3A), the amount of change in the capacitance of the X electrode and the Y electrode is Y1 or more and Y2 Less than the value. On the other hand, when the user's finger is on the surface of the key 501 in a state where the support portion 501B is bent (FIG. 3B), the amount of change in the capacitance of the X electrode and the Y electrode is Y2 or more. Become. That is, the information terminal 100 is configured such that the capacitances of the X electrode and the Y electrode change in accordance with the magnitude of the force with which the key 501 is pressed. More specifically, when the key 501 is pressed, the capacitances of the X electrode and the Y electrode corresponding to the key 501 change to such an extent that key information indicating that the key 501 has been operated can be generated. It is configured as follows. Thereby, the information terminal 100 is configured such that when the user performs a key operation, the key touch feeling is given to the user, and key information corresponding to the operated key can be generated. .

  The key operation unit 500 is provided with a plurality of keys (some of which are shown as keys 501 to 505) having the same configuration as the key 501 as shown as the key group 21A, the left key 21B, and the right key 21C. It has been. The number of keys provided in the key operation unit 500 is not limited to that shown in FIG. The number of keys provided is not necessarily plural, and may be singular.

[4. Configuration of electrode sheet]
FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the electrode sheet 200. In the electrode sheet 200, the noise protection sheet 201, the glass 202 which is an insulator, and the electrode layer 203 are laminated | stacked in order. A predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode layer 203. In the information terminal 100, a detector 205 that detects the capacitance of the electrode layer 203 is provided. The detector 205 is included in the input information detection unit 210. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the user's finger F approaches the surface of the electrode sheet 200, the capacitance in the electrode layer 203 changes. By detecting the change amount with the detector 205, the position on the plane on which the key input unit 400 is stacked on the electrode sheet 200 (the operation position) is specified.

  Specifically, the electrode layer 203 includes an X electrode layer 2031 for specifying the operation position in the X direction of the electrode layer 203 and a Y electrode layer 2032 for specifying the operation position in the Y direction. Composed. FIG. 5A schematically shows the configuration of the X electrode layer 2031, and FIG. 5B schematically shows the configuration of the Y electrode layer 2032.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, in the X electrode layer 2031, a plurality of X electrodes 2031 A, 2031 B,... 2031 X,.

  Referring to FIG. 5B, in Y electrode layer 2032, a plurality of Y electrodes 2032 A, 2032 B,... 2032 Y,.

  In the initial state of the information terminal 100, a predetermined voltage is applied to each of the X electrodes 2031A, 2031B,... 2031X, ... 2031N and the Y electrodes 2032A, 2032B, ... 2032Y, ... 2032M. When the operation position of the finger F with respect to the electrode layer 203 is on the X electrode 2031X in the X direction and on the Y electrode 2032Y in the Y direction, the potentials of the X electrode 2031X and the Y electrode 2032Y change. In the information terminal 100, the detector 205 detects a potential difference between each of the X electrodes 2031A, 2031B, ... 2031X, ... 2031N and each of the Y electrodes 2032A, 2032B, ... 2032Y, ... 2032M. Then, the set of the X electrode and the Y electrode in which the potential difference has changed is specified. Such a combination of the X electrode and the Y electrode is specified by a unit that processes the detection output of the detector 205 of the input information detection unit 210 described later.

  Information for converting each of the X electrodes 2031A, 2031B,... 2031X,... 2031N to the position in the X direction, and each of the Y electrodes 2032A, 2032B,. The information for this is memorize | stored in the 2nd conversion information storage part 62 mentioned later.

  Further, in the electrode layer 203 of the electrode sheet 200, the capacitance varies depending on the magnitude of the operated force, that is, the magnitude of the force applied in the stacking direction by the touch operation on the operation area 20.

  In the present embodiment, pointing information corresponding to the operation position on the electrode sheet 200 is generated when the amount of change in capacitance exceeds a certain value and is equal to or less than a specific value.

  The pointing information is information that identifies which position of the electrode sheet 200 has been operated. On the other hand, when the amount of change in electrostatic capacitance exceeds a specific value, key information is generated as a key input operation for pressing a key of the key operation unit 500, and the pointing information is not generated. Information for converting the position in the X direction and the position in the Y direction specified as described above into information for specifying (operating) each key included in the key operation unit 500 is a first conversion information storage unit described later. 61.

[5. Hardware configuration of information terminal]
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the information terminal 100.

  Referring to FIG. 6, information terminal 100 includes a control unit 50 that controls the operation of the information terminal 100 as a whole, an antenna 81 for transmitting / receiving data, and a signal process when transmitting / receiving data by the antenna 81. A communication control unit 80 that performs the above, a storage unit 60 that includes a storage device such as a flash memory, a display unit 30, a display control unit 31 that controls display contents on the display unit 30, a microphone 52 that receives voice input, and a voice output It includes a speaker 51, a sound output control unit 51 </ b> A that controls sound output from the speaker 51, a sound input control unit 52 </ b> A that processes sound input to the microphone 52 and sends the sound to the control unit 50, and a camera 91. The control unit 50 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 50 has a built-in timer 50A.

  In addition, as described above, the information terminal 100 includes a control unit that identifies a set of X electrodes and Y electrodes corresponding to the operation position with respect to the electrode sheet 200. The control unit includes a processor that executes processing for specifying the set based on the detection output of the detector 205, and constitutes the input information detection unit 210 together with the detector 205.

  The storage unit 60 includes a first conversion information storage unit 61, a second conversion information storage unit 62, a data storage unit 63, and a program storage unit 64.

  The first conversion information storage unit 61 stores information for converting the set of the X electrode and the Y electrode specified by the input information detection unit 210 into information specifying a key on the key operation unit 500.

  The second conversion information storage unit 62 stores information for converting the set of the X electrode and the Y electrode specified by the input information detection unit 210 into an operation position (coordinate information) on the electrode sheet 200.

  The control unit 50 includes an execution unit 50B and an information generation unit 50C as its functions. The execution unit 50B executes the application according to the program stored in the program storage unit 64. The information generation unit 50C generates key information and pointing information, and outputs these information to the execution unit 50B as input information for the application. The execution unit 50B and the information generation unit 50C may be realized by the control unit 50 executing a program stored in the program storage unit 64, or may be realized in hardware by a dedicated LSI (Large Scale Integration) or the like. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the program executed by the control unit 50 is not limited to the one stored in the program storage unit 64, but is information such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD (Secure Digital) memory card. It may be stored in a recording medium configured to be detachable from the terminal 100. Further, the program stored in the program storage unit 64 may be stored in the program storage unit 64 in advance, or may be downloaded via the communication control unit 80.

[6. Information input at the information terminal]
FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the relationship between the operation content and the information terminal 100 when the user operates the touch area 20 with the finger F approaching (touching).

  In the example of FIG. 7, the finger F is in the order of arrows A <b> 71, A <b> 72, A <b> 73, A <b> 74 on the operation area 20 (directly touching the operation area 20 or constant on the electrode sheet 200) A case is shown in which a distance within a range in which the amount of change in capacitance exceeding the value can be detected (at a distance separated from the operation area 20) is moved.

  In this case, key input in the operation area 20 is not detected. This is because no key is pressed with a force necessary for the main body to abut against the electrode sheet 200 as described with reference to FIG. That is, the finger F is not close to the electrode sheet 200 until a change in capacitance of a specific value or more is applied.

  In this case, the input information detection unit 210 detects the history of the amount of change in the capacitance of the electrode sheet 200 due to the movement of the finger F. And the control part 50 produces | generates the pointing information which is the log | history of the position where operation was performed with respect to the operation area 20, using the said log | history and the information memorize | stored in the 2nd conversion information storage part 62. FIG.

  For example, when the control unit 50 is executing a drawing application, the generated pointing information is sent to the application, so that the application generates information constituting the line drawing AR1 corresponding to the locus of the arrows A71 to A74. The line drawing AR1 is displayed on the display unit 30. Note that PT1 in FIG. 7 is a pointer indicating the latest input position of the pointing device information.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating the relationship between the operation content and information input to the information terminal 100 when the user presses a key in the operation area 20 with a force greater than a predetermined size.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the user's finger presses the key 503 in the direction of arrow A81 with a force equal to or greater than the predetermined magnitude, moves in the direction of arrow A82, and The key 505 is pressed in the direction of arrow A83 with a force greater than the predetermined magnitude. A finger pressing the key 503 is indicated by a finger F1, and a finger pressing the key 505 is indicated by a finger F2.

  When the key 503 is pressed as described above, the main body 503A of the key 503 comes into contact with the electrode sheet 200. Accordingly, the finger F1 approaches the electrode sheet 200 to a position where the capacitance at the position (a set of electrodes) corresponding to the key 503 of the electrode sheet 200 is changed by a specific value or more.

  Further, when the key 505 is pressed as described above, the main body 505A of the key 505 contacts the electrode sheet 200. Accordingly, the finger F1 approaches the electrode sheet 200 to a position where the capacitance at the position (a set of electrodes) corresponding to the key 505 of the electrode sheet 200 is changed by a specific value or more.

  FIG. 8C shows an example of a display screen on the display unit 30. The display screen is an example of a document editing screen when a document creation application is executed on the information terminal 100. In the editing screen, the input character string and the cursor 30A are displayed.

  In the information terminal 100, when the key 503 is pressed, the capacitance at the position corresponding to the key of the electrode sheet 200 changes by a specific value or more. Based on this, the control unit 50 refers to the information stored in the first conversion information storage unit 61 and generates key information indicating that the key 503 has been operated. When the information is sent to a running application, the application converts the information into document editing information such as character information. Based on the information generated by the conversion, the edit screen displayed on the display unit 30 is appropriately updated. For example, when the information generated by the conversion is character information, the editing screen is updated so that a character corresponding to the character information is added.

  In the information terminal 100, key information is similarly generated when the key 505 is pressed, and the information is appropriately used in the application being executed.

[7. Input information generation process]
As described above, the information terminal 100 is operated such that a key in the operation area 20 is pressed to generate key information corresponding to the key, and the user's finger moves on the operation area 20. To generate pointing information. A process (input information generation process) executed by the control unit 50 when generating such information will be described with reference to FIG. 9 which is a flowchart of the process.

  Referring to FIG. 9, in the input information generation process, control unit 50 first reads the capacitance value in step S10, and advances the process to step S20. Here, the capacitance value is, for example, the capacitance value of each X electrode and each Y electrode described with reference to FIG.

  In step S20, the control unit 50 obtains the difference between the capacitance value read in step S10 and the capacitance value in the initial state for each X electrode and each Y electrode, and the difference between each electrode indicates Y1. If it is determined whether or not all the electrodes exceed Y1, the process returns to step S10. If it is determined that the difference for at least one electrode exceeds Y1, the process proceeds to step S30. . Y1 is the above-described “constant value”.

  In step S30, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the difference for each electrode calculated in step S20 exceeds Y2, and if it is determined that the difference is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S40, and is determined to be Y2 or less. Then, the process proceeds to step S70. Y2 is a value larger than Y1, and is the above-mentioned “specific value”.

  In step S40, the control unit 50 sets the keyboard input mode and advances the process to step S50. The keyboard input mode is a mode for generating key information.

  In step S50, the control unit 50 generates key information as described above, and uses the conversion information stored in the first conversion information storage unit 61 to convert the key information to information such as character information (character code). And the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, the control unit 50 reflects the information such as the character information generated in step S50 in the control of the application being executed, such as the display content on the display unit 30, and returns the process to step S10.

  On the other hand, in step S70, the control unit 50 sets the pointing input mode, and proceeds to step S80. The pointing input mode is a mode for generating pointing information.

  In step S80, the control unit 50 generates the pointing information as described above, and the position operated on the electrode sheet 200 (operation area 20) using the conversion information stored in the second conversion information storage unit 62. Is generated, and the process proceeds to step S90. Here, the operated position may be an operated point or a plurality of operated points may be a continuous trajectory.

  In step S90, the control unit 50 reflects the position information generated in step S80 in the control of the application being executed, and returns the process to step S10.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram collectively showing mode switching modes in the input information generation processing described above. In FIG. 10, the range of the amount of change in capacitance for each mode, the usage mode (software processing) in the application of information generated based on the operation on the electrode sheet 200, and the image of key input in the information terminal 100 Is shown.

  Referring to FIG. 10, in the input information generation process, the magnitude of the force pressed against operation area 20 is such that the amount of change in capacitance of electrode sheet 200 exceeds Y1 and is equal to or less than Y2. If this is the case (Y1 to Y2), the pointing input mode is entered. In this mode, the generated pointing information is used to move the display position of the cursor or pointer in the application being executed on the information terminal 100.

  When the magnitude of the force is such that the amount of change in capacitance exceeds Y2, the keyboard input mode is entered. In this mode, the generated key information is used as key input information in an application being executed on the information terminal 100.

  And when the magnitude of the force is such that the amount of change in capacitance is less than Y1, no information is input to the application.

Such mode switching will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 shows the amount of change in the capacitance of the electrode sheet for a plurality of operations on the operation area 20. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows the amount of change in capacitance for the five operations indicated by a to e. In addition, the horizontal axis of FIG. 11 is a time change. That is, FIG. 11 means that the operation is performed in the order of a, b, c, d, and e.

  The amount of change in capacitance due to the operations of a, b, and d exceeds Y1, but is Y2 or less. Therefore, the control unit 50 is set to the pointing input mode by these operations, and generates pointing information. Specifically, operation position information is generated as pointing information in accordance with the amount of change in capacitance caused by each operation. Information for converting the change amount into the operation position is stored in the second conversion information storage unit 62.

  The amount of change in capacitance due to the operations of c and e exceeds Y2. Therefore, the control unit 50 is set to the keyboard input mode by these operations and generates key information. Specifically, the X electrode and the Y electrode whose capacitance has changed beyond Y2 in the electrode sheet 200 by each operation are specified, and the keys in the key operation unit 500 corresponding to these sets are specified. Information for specifying the key in this way is stored in the first conversion information storage unit 61.

  Note that the control unit 50 basically operates in the pointing input mode, and may be configured to operate in the keyboard input mode as an interrupt process when a change amount exceeding Y2 is detected. Then, the control unit 50 generates key information based on the change amount operation exceeding Y2, and then returns the process to step S10 to return to the pointing input mode.

  When the change amount of the capacitance is Y1 or less, the control unit 50 generates neither key information nor pointing information.

  In the present embodiment, pointing information may be generated even if the amount of change in capacitance is Y1 or less. That is, in the information terminal 100, it is sufficient that at least the threshold Y2 is set. However, by setting the threshold value Y1 so that the pointing information is not generated when the amount of change in capacitance is equal to or less than Y1, it is possible to ensure that the pointing information is generated due to noise. Can be avoided.

[8. Modification (1)]
In the present embodiment described above, the reference values (threshold values) Y1 and Y2 are used, and the keyboard input mode and the pointing input mode are switched based on the amount of change in the capacitance of the electrode sheet 200. By switching the mode in this way, even when the user touches the same position with respect to the operation area 20, the user can easily change the magnitude of the touching force between the keyboard input mode and the pointing input mode. You can switch between settings. Accordingly, the input mode can be switched by easily changing the operation mode for the user while stacking the key operation unit on the device for inputting the pointing information to reduce the size of the terminal.

Note that modifications related to mode switching are listed below.
As a first modification, the control unit 50 detects a key operation on the left key 21B (or the right key 21C), that is, detects that the key is pressed with a force greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude. , Switch modes. Specifically, for example, the control unit 50 defaults the input mode to the pointing mode, and sets the input mode to the keyboard input mode on condition that a key operation is performed on the left key 21B (or the right key 21C). Then, the control unit 50 continues the mode until the left key 21B (or the right key 21C) is operated, and returns to the pointing input mode on condition that the key is operated.

  As a second modification, there is an example in which the mode is switched based on a change in the number of operation positions with respect to the electrode sheet 200 (operation area 20). In this example, the control unit 50 switches the mode in response to detecting that the number of operation positions with respect to the operation area 20 has changed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, the control unit 50 responds to the movement trajectory while the user moves the operation position with the single finger F1 in the operation area 20. The position designation information is generated (pointing input mode). Then, as shown in FIG. 12B, in response to the finger F2 touching the operation area 20, that is, in response to the number of operation positions with respect to the electrode sheet 200 being changed from 1 to 2, The control unit 50 shifts to the keyboard input mode. Note that the control unit 50 determines the number of operation positions with respect to the electrode sheet 200 (operation area 20) based on, for example, the number of sets of X electrodes and Y electrodes whose capacitance change amount exceeds a specific value. To detect.

[9. Modification (2)]
In the present embodiment, threshold values Y1 and Y2 for the amount of change in capacitance for mode switching are stored in, for example, data storage unit 63.

  In the information terminal 100, these threshold values may be changed. The change of the threshold value is realized, for example, when the user inputs information for changing to the information terminal 100.

  The change of the threshold value, in particular, the change of the threshold value (threshold value Y1 in FIG. 11) indicating whether or not the pointing information is generated will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 (A) and 13 (B). In FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, points P1 to P10 are changes in capacitance of the X electrode (or Y electrode) due to an operation on the operation area 20.

  Referring to FIG. 13A, when the amount of change in capacitance is detected as indicated by points P1 to P5, the threshold value is large between the detected amount of change as indicated by Y11. If there is a difference, there may be a problem that it is easy to pick up noise. In such a case, the threshold value is preferably changed to Y12. The control unit 50 detects the difference between the detected amount of change in capacitance and the threshold value Y11 (the threshold value Y1 in FIG. 11), and increases the threshold value when a predetermined condition is satisfied between them. It is possible to notify information recommending to change to The predetermined condition is, for example, that the amount of change has continuously taken a value higher than a predetermined value by a predetermined number of times or more with respect to the threshold value Y11.

  Further, as shown as points P6 to P10 in FIG. 13B, when the detected change amount is close to the threshold value Y13 and does not exceed or exceed the threshold value Y13, the threshold value Y13 is: It is preferable that the threshold value Y14 is changed so as to decrease the value. Thereby, the point P7 having a value lower than the threshold value Y13 before the change is not used for generating the pointing information, and the operation causing the change amount is wasted. By changing to the threshold value Y14, it is possible to avoid a situation where the operation on the operation area 20 is wasted. In this case, it is predicted that the user voluntarily changes the threshold value. That is, when the user performs an operation on the operation area 20, the pointing information corresponding to the operation is not generated (the position of the pointer is not changed on the display unit 30). , Change the threshold.

[10. Modification (3)]
As a modification of the information terminal 100, an example will be described in which the information terminal 100 includes means for notifying that key information corresponding to each key has been generated corresponding to each key. FIG. 14 (FIGS. 14A and 14B) is a diagram for explaining the internal structure of the second housing of the information terminal 100 of the present modification. Note that FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B for this modification correspond to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 14, in this modification, an LED (light-emitting diode) panel 800 is provided under electrode sheet 200 (on the side opposite to the side on which key operation unit 500 is disposed). The LED panel 800 includes LEDs (including LEDs 801 to 805 in FIG. 14A) provided corresponding to the keys (including keys 501 to 505) provided in the key operation unit 500. In this modification, the number of keys and LEDs is not limited to 5 or more, and these numbers may be 5 or less, respectively.

  Also in this modification, when each key is pressed with a force that causes a change in capacitance of Y2 or more, key information corresponding to the key is generated.

  And in this modification, it is further comprised so that LED provided corresponding to the key pressed in that way may light. FIG. 14B shows a state in which the key described as “Key8” in the operation area 20 is pressed in the direction of the arrow in the drawing with such force. In addition, a state in which an LED provided corresponding to a key described as “Key8” (provided below the key) is turned on by being pressed with the force is shown.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the information terminal 100 according to the present modification.
Referring to FIG. 15, in contrast to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 6, information terminal 100 of the present modification includes LEDs provided on the LED panel including LEDs 801 to 805 and driving them. The LED drive circuit 800A is further provided.

  FIG. 16 collectively shows the mode switching modes in the input information generation process executed by the information terminal 100 of the present modification. In addition, FIG. 16 of this modification is a figure corresponding to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 16, in the present modification as well, in the same way as in the above embodiment, the magnitude of the force of pressing the key in operation area 20 is the electrostatic capacity of electrode sheet 200 as indicated by “pointing input mode”. If the amount of change in capacitance is greater than Y1 and less than or equal to Y2 (Y1 to Y2), the pointing input mode is entered. In addition, as shown as “not input”, when the capacitance change amount is less than Y1, no information is input to the application. In these cases, in the LED panel 800, the LED provided corresponding to the key is turned off.

  On the other hand, as shown as “keyboard input mode” in FIG. 16, when the magnitude of the force is such that the amount of change in capacitance exceeds Y2, the keyboard input mode is entered, and The control unit 50 instructs the LED drive circuit 800A to turn on the LED provided corresponding to the pressed key. In response to this, the LED drive circuit 800A turns on the corresponding LED. If no such instruction is given, all LEDs are turned off.

  Thus, in this modification, when a certain key is pressed to such an extent that it enters the keyboard input mode, an LED provided corresponding to the key is turned on. Thus, the user can easily recognize whether or not the operation performed by the user is such that the operation enters the keyboard input mode.

  In addition, in this modification, it is preferable to be comprised so that it can visually recognize via LED sheet 200 that LED lighted. Thereby, it is preferable that the electrode sheet 200 is comprised with the material which permeate | transmits the light which LED emits, or a hole is provided in the part facing each LED. In FIG. 17, the structure of the electrode sheet 200 according to the latter is typically shown. Specifically, in the electrode sheet 200, a hole 2000 is provided in a portion facing the LED 801.

[11. Modification (4)]
In the above modification (3), the LED provided corresponding to each key is lit only when the corresponding key is pressed to the extent that generates key information.

  In the information terminal 100 of this modification, the LED provided corresponding to each key is lit in the first color when the corresponding key is pressed to such an extent that pointing information is generated, and When it is pressed to such an extent that key information is generated, it is lit in the second color. Such a lighting mode of the LED will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 18, in the present modified example as well, the magnitude of the force with which the key in operation area 20 is pressed is the electrostatic capacity of electrode sheet 200 as indicated by “pointing input mode”, as in the above embodiment. If the amount of change in capacitance is greater than Y1 and less than or equal to Y2 (Y1 to Y2), the pointing input mode is entered. In this case (when pointing information is generated), the control unit 50 instructs the LED drive circuit 800A to light the LED provided corresponding to the pressed key in the first color. . In response to this, the LED drive circuit 800A turns on the corresponding LED in the first color.

  As shown as “not input” in FIG. 18, no information is input to the application when the change amount of the capacitance is less than Y1. In this case, in the LED panel 800, the LED provided corresponding to the key is turned off.

  In addition, as shown as “keyboard input mode” in FIG. 18, when the magnitude of the force is such that the amount of change in capacitance exceeds Y2, the keyboard input mode is entered. In this case (when key information is generated), the control unit 50 instructs the LED drive circuit 800A to light the LED provided corresponding to the pressed key in the second color. . In response to this, the LED drive circuit 800A lights the corresponding LED in the second color.

  In this modification, the lighting color of the LED provided corresponding to the key is switched according to the magnitude of the force with which the key is pressed, but the lighting mode is switched instead of switching the lighting color. May be. For example, when the pointing information is generated, the corresponding LED is lit with the first illuminance, and when the key information is generated, the corresponding LED is set with the second illuminance brighter than the first illuminance. Light up.

[12. Modification (5)]
In the above modification (3), an example in which an LED is provided corresponding to each key is shown. In the information terminal 100, an LED may be provided to notify that any key is pressed to such an extent that key information is generated. FIG. 19 shows the second housing 2 of the information terminal 100 according to this modification.

  Referring to FIG. 19, in the present modification, the second casing 2 is provided with an LED 901. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the key described as “Key8” in the operation area 20 is pressed with a force sufficient to generate key information, and the LED 901 is lit in response thereto.

  FIG. 20 schematically shows a hardware configuration of the information terminal 100 according to this modification. In this modification, in addition to the information terminal 100 shown in FIG. 6, an LED 901 and an LED drive circuit 900 that drives the LED 901 are provided.

  In this modification, the LED 901 may be lit only when any key is pressed to the extent that key information is generated.

  The LED 901 is the first mode when any key is pressed to the extent that the pointing information is generated (the capacitance change amount is Y1 to Y2), and the key information is generated. May be turned on in a second mode different from the first mode when pressed to a certain extent (the amount of change in capacitance exceeds Y2).

[Other variations]
It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where it is achieved by supplying a program to an information terminal. Then, a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU (Micro-Processing Unit)) of the system or apparatus records the recording medium. It is also possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code read from the recording medium itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment and its modification, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment and its modification are realized, but also an OS ( It goes without saying that a case where the operating system) performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiment and its modifications are realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiment and its modifications are realized by the processing.

  Recording media include CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk, magnetic Tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc. And a medium for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing | casing, 2nd housing | casing, 20 operation area, 21A key group, 21B left key, 21C right key, 30 display part, 30A cursor, 31 display control part, 50 control part, 50A timer, 60 memory | storage part, 61 1st conversion information storage part, 62 2nd conversion information storage part, 63 data storage part, 64 program storage part, 80 communication control part, 81 antenna, 100 information terminal, 200 electrode sheet, 201 noise protection sheet, 202 glass, 203 electrodes, 210 input information detection unit, 500 key operation unit, 501 to 505 key, 501B support unit.

Claims (8)

An information terminal equipped with a display device,
A sheet-like electrode whose capacitance changes based on the approach of the conductor;
A key operation unit stacked on the sheet-like electrode and including one or more keys;
Detection means for detecting the position and amount of change in the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode since the sheet-like electrode is in a predetermined state;
Based on the detection output of the detection means, generates pointing information which is information indicating a position where a conductor approaches in the sheet-like electrode and key information which is information indicating that a key of the key operation unit is operated. for further and an input information generating means,
The input information generating means
If the amount of change detected by the detecting means is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold, the key information is generated,
If the amount of change detected by the detection means is less than the first threshold, the pointing information is generated,
A notification means for notifying that the amount of change detected by the detection means is greater than or equal to the first threshold;
The notification means is a lighting means provided separately from the display device,
The notification means includes
When the amount of change detected by the detection means is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, it is lit in the first mode,
An information terminal that lights up in a second mode different from the first mode when the amount of change detected by the detection means is less than the first threshold.   The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the input information generation unit generates the pointing information when the input information generation unit is equal to or larger than a second threshold smaller than the first threshold and smaller than the first threshold. Storage means for storing the position of the one or more keys on the sheet electrode;
The input information generation unit generates the key information based on a position where the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode has changed and a position of the key stored in the storage unit. 2. The information terminal according to 2. The key operation unit includes a support for supporting the key with a distance from the sheet-like electrode in the stacking direction,
The said support body deform | transforms so that the said key may be moved to the said pressing direction, when the said key is pressed toward the said sheet-like electrode with the force more than predetermined magnitude | size. Item 4. The information terminal according to any one of Items 3 to 3. The input information generation means generates the key information for each of the keys,
The notification means includes
Including one or more notification units provided corresponding to the keys,
The information according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification unit provided corresponding to the key for which the key information has been generated is notified that the key information is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. Terminal. An execution unit for executing the application;
The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the input information generation unit outputs the key information and the pointing information as input information for the application. On the sheet-like electrode, including a display device, a sheet-like electrode whose capacitance changes based on the proximity of the conductor, a detector for detecting the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode, and one or more keys A control method for controlling an information terminal comprising a key operation unit and a processor stacked on each other,
Detecting the position and amount of change of the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode since the detector is in a predetermined state; and
When the amount of change detected by the detector is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold, the processor is positioned at a position where the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode has been detected, detected by the detector. And generating key information which is information indicating that the key of the key operation unit has been operated,
When the amount of change detected by the detector is less than the first threshold, the processor is based on the position detected by the detector where the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode has changed, Generating pointing information which is information indicating a position where the conductor approaches in the sheet-like electrode,
In the step of detecting the position and the change amount, when the detected change amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold, notification is performed in the first mode, and the detected change amount is the first change amount. If it is less than the threshold viewing contains and performing a notification with a different second aspect and the first aspect,
The information terminal further includes a lighting means provided separately from the display device,
Informing in the first mode is to turn on the lighting means in the first mode,
The information terminal control method , wherein the notification in the second mode is to turn on the lighting unit in the second mode . An information terminal comprising: a display device; a sheet-like electrode whose capacitance changes when a conductor approaches; a key operation unit including at least one key and stacked on the sheet-like electrode; and a processor A program for controlling the information terminal executed by the processor in
In the processor,
Obtaining the position and amount of change of the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode from when the sheet-like electrode is in a predetermined state;
When the amount of change in the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold, the key of the key operation unit is operated based on the position where the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode has changed. Generating key information that is generated information;
When the amount of change in capacitance of the sheet-like electrode is less than the first threshold, based on the position where the capacitance of the sheet-like electrode has changed, a position where the conductor approaches the sheet-like electrode. Generating the pointing information that is the information shown,
The step of acquiring the position and the change amount includes performing notification in the first mode when the acquired change amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and detecting the change amount as the first amount. If it is less than the threshold viewing contains and performing a notification with a different second aspect and the first aspect,
The information terminal further includes a lighting means provided separately from the display device,
Informing in the first mode is to turn on the lighting means in the first mode,
The information terminal control program is that the notification in the second mode is to turn on the lighting unit in the second mode .

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