JP2002073249A - Electronic equipment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inputting device corresponding to not only a computer or game machine but also a network terminal or the like by providing an electronic tablet capable of obtaining the same sense of operation regardless of a right-handed person or a left-handed person. SOLUTION: This electronic equipment 1 having plural inputting means to be operated by an operator while either the right or left edge of the electronic equipment is held in the operator's hand is provided with at least three inputting means 3, 4, and 5 arranged in a vertical direction at the held side of the electronic equipment, and positioned so as to be operated by the thumb of the operator's hand at the held side. In this case, the inputting means 3, 4, and 5 arranged in the vertical direction are arranged like a circular-arc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable input device for an electronic device such as a computer or a public line terminal, and relates to an electronic tablet which inputs data to a touch panel with a hand or an input pen.

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
77 shows a controller that can be connected to an electronic device such as a video game device or a personal computer disclosed in No. 77.
This controller is a control pad with tablet 3
1, the main body is formed in a shape such that the operator can easily hold it with both hands. A cross key is provided on one side of the main body as operating means, and a plurality of cross keys are provided on the opposite side of the cross key and on the front side thereof. A trigger button 11 is provided. There is a display device in the center of the main unit, and a touch panel 2
Is provided. As a result, when the operator selectively equips a character item or the like as the game progresses,
The operator can cause the display device to output an item selection screen, select equipment on the touch panel 2 instantly, and continue the game. Since it is not necessary to use the monitor screen of the game device body (not shown) as the item selection screen, the game can be smoothly developed.

[0003] The controller is arranged so that the fingertip of the right thumb can be easily applied to the plurality of trigger buttons 11 when the operator holds both palms on both wings of the main body. When holding the main body with both hands, both palms are applied to the outside of both wings of the main body, thumb is on the front side,
The index finger is positioned on the upper side of both wings of the main body, and the other fingers are held on the rear side. In this case, the base of the thumb is located on both wing peninsula portions of the main body, and the trigger buttons 11 are arranged in an arc shape around the virtual base of the thumb so that the trigger button 11 can be easily operated with the thumb. With this arrangement, the operator provides an excellent ergonomic arrangement in which any trigger button 11 can be pressed naturally by holding the control pad 31 in both hands and swinging the thumb back and forth and left and right. They are not tired of both long-time operation and continuous operation.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 6-324805 discloses an electronic device with a tablet that provides the same operability for a right-handed person and a left-handed person in real-time operation of the electronic device with the tablet. It consists of a flat rectangular casing, a tablet-integrated display, a cross switch, a push button switch, and a left / right switch. The cross switch is arranged on a diagonal line of the casing. Are symmetrically arranged on the diagonal line. By switching the left / right switch, the function of the push button switch is replaced, the direction of the cross-shaped switch is changed, the display direction of the display body is rotated, and the tablet coordinate conversion is performed. With this, the changeover switch provided on the electronic device with tablet according to the dominant hand of the operator,
In the usage method of replacing the function of the push button switch, changing the direction of the cross-shaped switch, rotating the display direction of the display body, converting the coordinates of the tablet, and performing the same tablet operation and button operation in real time, Right-handed and left-handed people are given exactly the same operability.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-81943 discloses a tablet for a position detecting device connected to a computer or a word processor or the like, a substantially circular base,
It has a coordinate reading surface and an operation unit, and the portion corresponding to the lower half circle of the arc-shaped portion of the base is a body eve that is one step lower than the side portion on the side of the coordinate reading surface. The operation unit is placed on the lower part. A left operation button and a right operation button are provided on the operation unit.
The operation unit is pivotally mounted on the surface of the base so as to be able to swing around a rotation axis located at a position that is a center of curvature of an arc shape,
Can slide on the lower part. The swing range of the operation unit is symmetric about the axis of symmetry of the coordinate reading surface. As a result, the operation unit can be swung, so that the layer sub can be freely moved to a position where the operator can easily operate, and a layout that is easy for all operators to use can be obtained. Since the swing range is symmetrical with respect to the coordinate reading surface, the coordinate reading surface can be made the same for both right-handed and left-handed operators.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In Japanese Patent Application No. 0-28777, some operators have a right-handed and a left-handed, and this controller involves a problem that right-handed and left-handed users can use differently.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-324805, a right-handed person or a left-handed person can give the same operation feeling. Despite the necessity of arranging two, only one of them is used in actual use, the number of parts is increased compared to when only one is used, and the manufacturing cost is increased. It is hard to say that they were arranged from the viewpoint of improvement.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-81943, an operation section is pivotally mounted on a surface of a base around a rotation axis, and wiring from left and right operation buttons arranged on the operation section is not provided. Because it is connected to the terminal inside the basic base through the rotating shaft. There are moving parts in the structure, and the wiring is flexible,
The durability is difficult, and the manufacturing process must be complicated.

Considering the situation described above, a case of planning and designing a portable electronic tablet will be considered. FIG.
(A) shows a right-handed electronic tablet, which is designed based on the controller shown in FIG. 7 without an unnecessary cross key. A VHS videotape-sized rectangular tablet body has a touch panel located slightly to the right of the center and three trigger buttons on the left side of the tablet 24.
The connection cable 25 to the electronic device is drawn out from the upper surface side of the tablet body. The operator operates the touch panel with the right hand or a pen held in the right hand. Tablet 2 in left hand
In order to operate the three trigger buttons while holding 4, the left palm is placed on the left side of the tablet 24 in the short direction, the thumb is placed on the upper side of the tablet surface, and the back surface is supported by the remaining four fingers.

FIG. 5B shows a case where the electronic tablet of FIG. 5A is turned upside down, and considers a case where a left-handed operator uses the electronic tablet. In this case, the tablet 24 shown in FIG.
Is turned upside down, and the left-handed operator operates the touch panel with the left hand or a pen held in the left hand. To operate the three trigger buttons while holding the tablet 24 with the right hand, place the right palm on the right side of the tablet in the short direction, place your thumb on the upper side of the tablet surface, and use the remaining four fingers to hold the back of the tablet. support. In this case, the connection cable 25 exits from below the tablet 24 and is connected to the electronic device. The fact that the connection cable 25 protrudes from the near side differs from the case where the connection cable 25 protrudes from the upper side in the case of a right-handed person.

That is, in the case of the length of the connection cable 25 from the electronic device main body, in the case of FIG. 5A, the connection cable 2 is normally used to connect to the electronic device in front of the operator.
5 can be used, but in FIG. 5B, the connection cable is protruded from the lower surface of the electronic tablet. Normally, when connecting to an electronic device in front, the length of the connection cable 25 is shortened by the turn of the connection cable 25. This is hard to say that the operating conditions are the same in a game or the like in which two operators compete with each other. In FIG. 5B, the connection cable 25 needs to be turned back. Therefore, the position shown in FIG.
The electronic tablet shown in (A) and (B) is planned, and a design concept for improving operability based on its ergonomics will be described.

FIG. 6A shows a right-handed tablet 26.
The touch panel is arranged slightly to the right of the center of the VHS video tape-sized rectangular tablet body, and three trigger buttons 29, 30, 31 are provided on the left side of the tablet 26.
And the connection cable to the electronic device is tablet 26
From the right side. The operator operates the touch panel with the right hand or a pen held in the right hand. While holding the tablet 26 with the left hand, the three trigger buttons 29, 3
In order to operate 0 and 31, the palm of the left hand is placed on the left side of the main body of the electronic tablet in the transverse direction, the thumb 27 is placed above the front surface of the tablet 26, and the back surface is supported by the remaining four fingers.

To explain the design concept, when the trigger buttons 29, 30, and 31 are not used, or when none of the trigger buttons must be pressed, the thumb is held so that the thumb 27 does not fall on the trigger buttons 29, 30, and 31. The tablet 26 is placed above the trigger button 29 on the upper surface of the tablet so that the tablet 26 is held between the thumb and the remaining fingers arranged on the rear surface. Next, when the trigger buttons 29, 30, 31 are appropriately operated, the left palm is lowered slightly to the left side in the short direction of the tablet 26 as compared with the former, and the position of the thumb is changed to the trigger buttons 29, 30 on the tablet surface. , 31 on the left side and hold the tablet 26 with the remaining fingers arranged on the back surface of the tablet 26. When it is necessary to operate any of the trigger buttons 29, 30, and 31 from the holding position of the left hand, the thumb is swung right and left from the base as indicated by the arrow shown in the figure, so that the fingertip is applied to each trigger button. Make it reach. For this purpose, a plurality of trigger buttons 29, 30, 31 are arranged in an arc around the base of the thumb. In this case, the center of the arc is the point where the base of the thumb 27 is located, which is near the near side position on the left side in the short direction of the tablet 26 in consideration of the standard hand size.

FIG. 6B shows a left-handed person in FIG.
A plan view when operating the electronic tablet shown in FIG.
This will be considered similarly. In FIG. 6B, FIG.
With the electronic tablet in (A) turned upside down, the left-handed operator operates the touch panel with the left hand or a pen held in the left hand. In order to operate the three trigger buttons 29, 30, and 31 while holding the tablet 26 with the right hand, place the right palm on the right side in the short direction of the tablet 26, and place the right thumb 28 on the upper side of the tablet surface. , Support the back side with the remaining four fingers. In this case, the trigger button 29,
There is no problem if the user does not operate the buttons 30 and 31. However, in the case where the plurality of trigger buttons 29, 30, and 31 are constantly operated, it is difficult to operate with the base of the thumb 28 fixed. This is the trigger button 29, 30, 31
Is not arc-shaped around the base of the thumb 28, but intersects with the trajectory of the thumb 28 swung right and left. In this case, three trigger buttons 29, 3
To operate 0, 31, the trigger buttons 31, 32,
As the position becomes closer to the outside of the tablet 33, the palm, which has been in contact with the right side in the short direction of the tablet 26, is gradually separated from the right side in the short direction of the tablet 26, whereby the thumb is positioned on the trigger button. When the palm is separated from the lateral side of the tablet 26, the holding mechanism of the tablet 26 must be unstable. This would be very inconvenient for left-handed people.

In view of the above considerations, the present application provides an electronic tablet that can provide the same operational feeling without distinction between right-handed and left-handed people, and is provided not only for computers and game machines but also for network terminals and the like. It is to obtain a corresponding input device.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having a plurality of input means for operating an operator while holding one of right and left ends. And at least three or more input means vertically arranged at a position on the gripped side of the electronic device which can be operated by the thumb of the hand at the gripped side; This is achieved by the means being an electronic device arranged on an arc. According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a state where the operator holds one of the left and right ends of the electronic apparatus, the operator operates the three or more arc-shaped input means with the thumb of the hand holding the side. be able to.

The above object is achieved according to claim 2 of the present invention.
2. A line connecting the uppermost input means and the lowermost input means, wherein the input means provided between the uppermost input means and the lowermost input means of the input means is provided. This is achieved by providing an electronic device in which each of the plurality of input means is arranged so as to be closer to the center of the electronic device than to the separation. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the input means disposed between the uppermost part and the lowermost part is located at the center of the electronic apparatus, it is easy to operate with the thumb of the grasped hand.

The above object is achieved according to claim 3 of the present invention.
According to the first or second aspect, the present invention is attained by an electronic device having an input device for transmitting data based on an operation signal to an information processing device, wherein the electronic device has a tablet surface for position detection. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the digital camera has the tablet surface, input can be performed on the tablet surface.

The above object is achieved according to claim 4 of the present invention.
4. An electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a cable means for transmitting data based on the operation signal to the information processing apparatus is provided at an end opposite to an end provided with the input means. You. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the cable means to the information processing apparatus is provided in the direction opposite to the side on which the hand is gripped, the cable means may be in the way when gripping.

The above object is attained according to claim 5 of the present invention.
An input device for transmitting data to an information processing device, the input device including a plurality of input means operated by an operator, and changing a function assignment of the plurality of input means according to a state in which the input device is held. This is achieved by providing an input device having a function assignment changing unit that performs the function assignment. According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to cope with any holding method by changing the function assignment of the input means even if the input means is held, that is, even if the input means is held with the right hand or the left hand.

The above object is achieved according to claim 6 of the present invention.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the function assignment changing means is achieved by an input device for changing a function assignment based on operation information of the operator. According to the invention of claim 6,
The change of the function assignment of the plurality of input means can be changed based on the operation information of the operator.

The above object is attained according to claim 7 of the present invention.
An input device, comprising: a plurality of input means operated by an operator while holding one of the left and right ends, and transmitting information based on input information of the input means to an information processing apparatus, wherein the input device comprises: The input device includes at least three or more input devices arranged in a vertical direction at a position that can be operated by the thumb of the hand on the gripped side, and is the uppermost input device and the lowermost input device. The input means disposed between the input means and the input means is located closer to the center of the electronic device than a line connecting the uppermost input means and the lowermost input means. This is achieved by arranging each of the means and providing an input device for changing the function assignment of the input means based on information from the information processing device. According to the invention of claim 7, a plurality of input means are arranged so that the input device can be gripped with either the right or left hand and can be operated with the thumb of the hand, and furthermore, the input means can be input in response to the right hand or the left hand. The function of the means can be changed based on the information from the information processing device.

The above object is attained according to claim 8 of the present invention.
In order for the operator to input information to the information processing device,
In a hand-held input device mainly operated by inputting with the dominant hand of the operator and operating while holding the input device with the other hand, at least a part of the housing of the input device which is held by the hand holds the fingers of the held hand. This is achieved by providing an input device having a thickness suitable for applying palms to the sides of the housing. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the input device is held with one hand, the input device has a thickness suitable for being applied to the palm, so that it is easy to hold firmly.

The above object is achieved according to claim 9 of the present invention.
According to the eighth aspect, the present invention is achieved by an input device in which a non-slip process is performed on a housing portion of a portion for holding the input device so as to fit the hand. According to the ninth aspect of the invention, when the input device is held in one hand, the input device can be held without slipping, so that accurate input can be performed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the weight portion of the device is located on the side of the hand-held portion. This is achieved by: According to the tenth aspect, when the device itself is held in the hand, the weight of the device is inside the hand, so that the device is hard to be tired, and the input operation with the opposite hand can be easily performed.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the device held in the hand of the device is thicker than the other device, and the thick portion of the thumb is used. This can be achieved by providing an input device provided with input means at a position where the input device comes. According to the eleventh aspect, when the device is held with one hand, the device is adapted to the hand, and the operation of the input means can be easily performed with the thumb of the hand holding the device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the input device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is characterized in that the input device is a modular cable connection terminal telephone compatible with an ISDN line or a portable telephone connected to an analog public line network. This is achieved by using an input device used from a terminal or connected to a portable terminal capable of digital wireless communication. According to the twelfth aspect, input to a communication network such as the Internet or a network becomes possible.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an electronic tablet according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0029]

FIG. 1A is a front view of a tablet 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view. The pressure-sensitive touch panel 2 in the center of the front is provided with a plurality of pressure-sensitive sections that detect the pressure by being pressed inward along the surface. Of the X- and Y-coordinates of the pressure-sensitive part is pressed, and the value of the two-dimensional coordinate is output. In addition to the pressure-sensitive type, the touch panel 2 has a built-in member for generating a magnetic force such as a magnet in the pen tip, and a plurality of magnetic force detection units provided inside the touch panel 2 along the surface of the touch panel 2. A device that detects the magnetic force when tracing the surface of the touch panel 2 and outputs the detected coordinate position, or a static electricity generating unit that generates static electricity and a plurality of static electricity detecting units provided on the surface of the touch panel 2 so that the operator can touch it with a finger As a result, the static electricity escapes through the operator's body to detect the coordinate position where the static electricity escaped, and outputs the detected coordinate position. In the embodiment of the present invention, any method may be used.

On the left side of the front view, trigger buttons 3, 4, 5
Is provided. When this trigger button is pressed, the contact of the switch inside or below the button contacts, and the presence or absence (resistance value) of the current flowing between these contacts is detected, and whether this button is pressed or not is detected. But
In the present invention, without being limited to this, the contact is exposed on the surface, and by directly contacting this with a finger or the like, a switch that detects whether or not the current flowing through the finger has been touched is detected. May be used instead of the trigger button. A connection cable 6 is provided on the right side of the front view.
The connection cable is electrically connected to an information processing device such as a game machine as shown in FIG. 2 so that the information processing device can supply power required for the tablet 1 to operate. It is possible to transmit and receive signals such as transmitting operation information of the operator based on a request from the processing device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state of connection with another device when using the tablet 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The game device 9 includes a program data storage device or a storage medium 14 (including an optical disk and an optical disk drive) in which a game program and data (including video and music data) are stored. A CPU 12 for calculating coordinates for image display, etc., a system memory 13 for storing programs and data necessary for the CPU 12 to perform processing, and a program and data for starting the game apparatus 9 are stored. BOOT
A ROM 15, a bus arbiter 16 for controlling a flow of program data between each block of the game apparatus 9 and a device connected to the outside, a video (MOVIE) data read from a program data storage device or a storage medium 14, A rendering processor 17 for generating an image for displaying an image according to a player's operation or a game progress
A graphic memory 18 for storing graphic data and the like necessary for the rendering processor 17 to generate an image; a music data read from the program data storage device or the storage medium 14; And a sound processor 19 for generating sound effects and sounds in accordance with the progress of the game, and a sound memory 20 for storing sound data and the like necessary for generating sound effects and sounds.

The bus arbiter 16 is connected to a modem 22 that communicates with another game device or a network server through a telephone line for communication. The modem 22 connected to the game device 9 uses a telephone line, but a TA (terminal adapter) using a telephone line, a cable modem using a cable TV line, a mobile phone, and a PHS are also used. A communication device that performs wireless communication means and optical fiber communication means may be used. In addition, the bus arbiter 16 includes a control pad 10 that outputs information for controlling the game device 9 and devices connected to the outside to the game device 9 according to the operation of the operator.
And an electronic device such as the tablet 1 of the present invention. The tablet 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention conforms to the signal standards of the trigger buttons 3, 4, 5 and the touch panel 2 and other electronic devices connected to the game device 9, as described in FIG. And a peripheral interface 23 that allows a common terminal to be used.

Further, as shown in the connection state of FIG. 2, the game device 9 has a speaker 21 for reproducing an audio signal output from the sound processor 19 and a display for displaying an image signal output from the rendering processor 17. The monitor 8 is connected to the outside.

In general, the game apparatus 9 requests operation information from the electronic apparatus such as the tablet 1 and the control pad 10 at predetermined time intervals. It is configured to output operation information such as a trigger button and a touch panel to the game device 9. Then, the game device 9 stores the operation information received from the electronic device device in the system memory 13.
The CPU 12 uses the application program in the CPU 12 as a parameter to execute image processing and sound processing that reflect the operation of the operator on the rendering processor 17 and the sound processor 19, and displays an image and a sound on the display monitor 8 and the speaker 21. Outputs audio.

The tablet 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the game apparatus 9, but may be an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a workstation, a telephone or a communication apparatus having an image display function, or a communication function or information. It may be used by connecting to an image display device having a processing function. The tablet 1 itself may have at least one of an information processing function, a screen display function, and a communication function.

Next, the features of the tablet 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, trigger buttons 3, 4, and 5 are provided on the left side of the front view. A right-handed operator holds the tablet 1 with his left hand and the pen 7 with his right hand in this state. To perform an input operation on the touch panel 2. On the other hand, the left-handed operator sets the tablet 1 at 180 °
By rotating the trigger buttons 3, 4, and 5 to the right, the tablet 1 is gripped by the right hand, and the pen 7 is held by the left hand to perform an input operation on the touch panel 2. As a result, the usage corresponding to both types of right-handed and left-handed operators can be performed. When both right-handed and left-handed operators respectively hold the back of the tablet 1 with all or at least one of the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger, the palm is bent and the base of the thumb or the thumb is attached. Part supports the upper surface, and in this state trigger buttons 3, 4, 5
Operate.

At this time, if the functions A, B, and C are assigned to the trigger buttons 3, 4, and 5, respectively, the operation method differs between right-handed operation and left-handed operation. In addition, the functions include general functions that are frequently used such as select and cancel, and it is very difficult to reverse the button arrangement. In addition, when the touch panel 2 is used as a pointing device of the display monitor 8, the coordinates specified on the screen are turned upside down and left and right, which is very difficult to use.

In the tablet 1 according to the present invention, in order to solve this problem, setting for left-handed or right-handed can be made by software processing on the game device 9 side. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. The system memory 13 is used to change the operation information sent from the tablet 1 to a left-handed or right-handed setting when using the application program as a parameter when the CPU 12 executes the program. A program based on the flow of 4A is stored. Before using the tablet 1 in the application program, the CPU 12 executes this program in advance to change the settings of the tablet reading program (not shown). When started in S1, the display monitor 8 displays "left hand" and "right hand" indicating which hand the tablet is held. (S2) The operator uses the control pad 10 or the tablet before setting with the "left hand".
Or "right hand". (S3) In the embodiment, since the tablet 1 before setting is set for the right hand on the application program, if "right hand" is selected, the process is terminated without doing anything in S5. (S6) (S
If the left hand is selected in 3), the coordinate values of the X axis and the Y axis are exchanged in (S4), and the function A of the trigger button 3 and the function C of the trigger button 5 are exchanged.

Next, the arrangement of the trigger buttons will be described. When pressing a plurality of trigger buttons with the thumb while holding the tablet 1, it is desirable to arrange the trigger buttons within the rotation range of the belly of the thumb. On the other hand, the rotation range of the thumb when gripping the tablet is generally within 90 ° around the base of the thumb as shown in FIG. 6A. When the trigger button is arranged at an equal distance from the rotation axis of the thumb, the trigger button 29 is slightly to the left of the trigger button 30 and the trigger button 31 is
It is desirable to arrange it slightly to the right of the trigger button 30. That is, the trigger buttons 29, 30, 31 are arranged on the upper right quarter when the circle is divided into four parts horizontally and vertically from the center.
It is desirable to arrange.

However, when a left-handed operator operates the tablet on which the trigger buttons are arranged as shown in FIG. 6B, the rotation range of the belly of the thumb does not match the arrangement of the trigger buttons, and it is very difficult to use. It becomes something.

In the tablet 1 of the present invention, the trigger button 3 and the trigger button 5 are arranged symmetrically in the vertical direction, and the trigger button 4 is arranged closer to the center of the tablet 1 than the trigger buttons 3 and 5. By doing so, the same operational feeling can be obtained even if the user switches between left and right.

When the tablet 1 is gripped with the left hand, the trigger button 5 is located closer to the base of the thumb than the other trigger buttons, so that there is less fear of being pressed by mistake. Instead of assigning functions that are used simultaneously while inputting data (drag functions such as cursors and icons), functions that are used alone such as switching the operation mode of the tablet are assigned. Further, a function that accepts an input only when an application program executed on the game device 9 issues an instruction (a function of selecting “Yes” or “No”) may be assigned. .

Next, the connection cable 6 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, generally, the game device 9 and the display monitor 8 are arranged relatively close to each other, and the tablet 1
Input devices or electronic devices such as the control pad 10 and the like often require a relatively long connection cable (cable means) so that the operator can operate it at a free operation position. In such a case, the game apparatus 9 is often arranged in a forward direction with respect to the operator and the tablet.
And connection cables 25 and 3 in the forward direction with respect to the operator when gripped by the operator as shown in the front view of FIG.
0 is arranged so as to extend.

However, when the connection cable (cable means) is provided at such a position, and when used by a left-handed operator, the connection cable 25 is protruded toward the operator as shown in FIG. 5B. Will come. That is, the length of the connection cable (cable means) up to the game apparatus 9 changes depending on whether the tablet is held with the right hand or the left hand, and some operators feel that the connection cable is short and difficult to operate. It is. As shown in FIG. 1A, the tablet 1 according to the present invention is provided at an end opposite to the end gripped by the operator. With this configuration, the distance from the game device is constant whether the tablet is held with the right hand or the left hand, so that a stable operation can be ensured regardless of the operator. The tablet 1 may be arranged anywhere from the center of the back surface to the end opposite to the grip.

Next, FIG. 1B will be described. FIG. 1B
FIG. 1 is a view of a tablet 1 according to the present invention as viewed from the side. The end on which the trigger buttons 3, 4, and 5 are disposed has a shape that is thicker than the end on the opposite side because it is the side to be gripped by the operator. As a result, when the tablet 1 is gripped with one hand, the index finger to the little finger located on the bottom face support a thinner portion than the grip portion near the center of the tablet 1, so that the tablet 1 is hard to fall out of the hand. Also, if the grip is thickened, the trigger buttons 3, 4, 5 and the peripheral interface 23 may be provided inside the grip, so that heavy objects inside can be concentrated on the grip. You can make it hard to feel.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having a plurality of input means operated by an operator while holding one of the right and left ends. Wherein at least three or more input means are disposed in a vertical direction at a gripped side of the electronic apparatus and at a position operable by a thumb of the gripped side, and the input device is disposed in the vertical direction. Since the input means is provided as an electronic device arranged on an arc, the operator grips at least one of the left and right ends of the electronic device and holds the input means arranged in three or more arcs. It can be operated with the thumb of the hand on the side of the finger.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the input means disposed between the uppermost input means and the lowermost input means is provided with the uppermost input means and the lowermost input means. Since the electronic device is provided with each of the plurality of input devices arranged closer to the center of the electronic device than the line connecting the input device and the lowermost input device, the uppermost portion and the lowermost portion are provided. Since the input means disposed between them is located at the center of the electronic apparatus, it is easy to operate with the thumb of the grasped hand.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first and second aspects, the electronic device has a tablet surface for position detection, and the input device transmits data based on an operation signal to the information processing device. Electronic device
Because it has a tablet surface, input can be performed on the tablet surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, a cable means for transmitting data based on the operation signal to the information processing apparatus is provided at an end opposite to the end provided with the input means. Since the electronic device is provided in the unit, the cable means to the information processing apparatus is provided in a direction opposite to the side where the hand is gripped, so that the cable means may be in the way when gripping.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device for transmitting data to an information processing device, the input device including a plurality of input means operated by an operator. Since it is an input device having a function assignment changing means for changing the function assignment of the plurality of input means,
By changing the function assignment of the input means even if the input means is held, that is, even if the input means is held with the right or left hand, it is possible to cope with any holding method.

According to claim 6 of the present invention, in claim 5, the function assignment changing means is an input device for changing the function assignment based on the operation information of the operator. The change of the function assignment can be changed based on the operation information of the operator.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus has a plurality of input means operated by the operator while holding one of the right and left ends, and transmits information based on the input information of the input means to the information processing apparatus. An input device for transmitting, comprising: at least three or more input means vertically arranged at a gripped side of the input device and at a position operable by a thumb of the gripped side; The input means provided between the input means being the uppermost part of the means and the input means being the lowermost part is higher than the line connecting the input means being the uppermost part and the input means being the lowermost part. Each of the plurality of input means is arranged so as to be close to the center of the electronic apparatus, and based on information from the information processing apparatus, the function is assigned to the input means. Hold the input device by hand A plurality of input means to be operable by the thumb of the hand have been placed, but they can function change on the basis of further information from the information processing apparatus functions change of the input means corresponds to the case of the right hand or left hand.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in order for the operator to input information to the information processing device, the operator mainly inputs the information with the dominant hand of the operator and operates the input device with the other hand while holding the input device. In the input device of the type, at least in a portion of the housing of the input device which is held by a hand, an input having a thickness suitable for applying fingers of a holding hand to the front and back of the housing and applying a palm to a side surface of the housing. Since it is a device, it is easy to hold firmly because it has a thickness suitable for being applied to the palm when holding the input device with one hand.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the input device is provided with a non-slip processing so that the input device is held in the housing portion of the portion for holding the input device. Since the user can hold the input device without slipping, accurate input is possible.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the input device is such that the weight portion of the device is located on the side of the portion to be held by hand. When the device is held in the hand, the weight of the device inside the hand makes it hard to be tired, and the input operation with the opposite hand can be easily performed.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the one held by the device is:
Because it is an input device that is thicker than the other and that has input means at the position where the thumb of the thick part comes,
When the device is held with one hand, the device fits into the hand, and the input means can be easily operated with the thumb of the hand holding the device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the input device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is characterized in that the input device is a modular cable connection terminal telephone compatible with an ISDN line or a portable terminal connected to an analog public network, or Since the input device is used by connecting to a portable terminal capable of digital wireless communication, input to a communication network such as the Internet or a network becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view and a side view of a tablet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection state when using a tablet according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of software for setting the tablet for left-handed use or right-handed use in the present invention, and a diagram illustrating an example of the setting.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a portable electronic tablet at a planning stage.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a planning stage of an electronic tablet for improving operability based on ergonomics.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tablet 2 ... Touch panel 3 ... Trigger button 4 ... Trigger button 5 ... Trigger button 6 ... Connection cable 7 ... Pen 8 ... Display monitor 9 ... Game apparatus 10 ... Control pad 11 ... Trigger button 12 ... CPU 13 ... System memory 14 ... Program data storage device or storage medium 15 BOOT ROM 16 Bus arbiter 17 Rendering processor 18 Graphic memory 19 Sound processor 20 Sound memory 21 Speaker 22 Modem 23 Interface 24 Tablet 25 Connection cable 26 Tablet 27 ... left thumb 28 ... right thumb 29 ... trigger button 30 ... trigger button 31 ... trigger button

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device having a plurality of input means operated by an operator while holding one of left and right ends, wherein the electronic device is a gripped side of the electronic device. An electronic device, comprising: at least three or more input means arranged in a vertical direction at a position operable by a thumb of a hand, wherein the input means arranged in a vertical direction is arranged on an arc. 2. An input means provided between an input means at the uppermost part of the input means and an input means at a lowermost stage,
The plurality of input means are arranged so as to be closer to the center of the electronic apparatus than to the line connecting the uppermost input means and the lowermost input means. An electronic device according to claim 1. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device has a tablet surface for position detection, and is an input device for transmitting data based on an operation signal to the information processing device. Equipment and devices. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cable means for transmitting data based on the operation signal to the information processing apparatus is provided at an end opposite to the end provided with the input means. 3. The electronic apparatus according to 3. 5. An input device for transmitting data to an information processing device, the input device including a plurality of input means operated by an operator, wherein the plurality of input means correspond to a state in which the input device is gripped. An input device, comprising: a function assignment changing unit that changes the function assignment of (1). 6. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the function assignment changing unit changes the function assignment based on operation information of the operator. 7. An input device comprising: a plurality of input means operated by an operator while holding one of right and left ends, and transmitting information based on input information of the input means to an information processing apparatus, The input device includes at least three or more input means vertically arranged at a position on the gripped side of the input device which can be operated by the thumb of the gripped side, and an input means which is the uppermost part of the input means And the input means disposed between the input means at the bottom and the input means at the bottom are closer to the center of the electronic apparatus than on a line connecting the input means at the top and the input at the bottom. The input device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of input means is arranged as described above, and the function assignment of the input means is changed based on information from the information processing apparatus. 8. A hand-held input device which is mainly operated by a dominant hand of an operator and operated while holding the input device with the other hand, in order for the operator to input information to the information processing apparatus. An input device characterized in that the input device has a thickness suitable for at least a part of the housing to be held by a hand so that the fingers of the hand to be held are placed on the front and back of the housing and the palm is applied to the side surface of the housing. 9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein a non-slip process is performed on a housing portion of a portion holding the input device so as to be adapted to a hand. 10. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a weight portion of the device is located on a side of a portion to be held by hand. 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device held in the hand of the device is thicker than the other device, and the input means is provided at a position where the thumb of the thick portion comes. Characteristic input device. 12. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the input device is a modular cable connection terminal telephone compatible with an ISDN line or a portable terminal connected to an analog public line network.
Or an input device used by connecting to a portable terminal capable of digital wireless communication.