JP2002157063A - Multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment, and electronic equipment using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment capable of conducting various kinds of operations within a small area. SOLUTION: This multi-directional switch system has a protruded part 30, a base part 31 mounted with the protruded part 30, and a means for converting stresses applied from plural finite directions onto the protruded part 30 into different electric signals respectively. This electronic equipment is a telephone set, a game machine, a car navigation system, an input device for the Bluetooth, a desk type personal computer or one smaller than the desk type, and is the electronic device integrated with a pointing device and the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multidirectional switch system for electronic equipment and an electronic equipment using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Existing electronic devices are required to be smaller and have more functions. For example, mobile phones are particularly strongly demanded. In such an electronic device, multiple functions are realized by arranging a large number of buttons in an area limited in design.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned multi-function electronic device, since a large number of buttons are arranged in an area limited in design as described above, the buttons are in a state of being crowded, and the usability is never good. It can not be said. For example, an erroneous operation of pressing a button arranged next to a target button is often performed.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of performing various operations in a small area.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a multidirectional switch system for an electronic device according to the present invention has a projection 30 and a base 31 to which the projection 30 is attached.
It is characterized by having means for converting the stress applied to the projection 30 from a finite number of directions into different electric signals.

[0006] By providing the configuration of the present invention, a plurality of different electric signals can be output only by operating one projection 30, and different functions can be arbitrarily assigned to each electric signal. It is possible to provide an electronic device capable of performing various kinds of operations within the electronic device.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 (which will be described later), the plurality of directions are, for example, arbitrary x and y directions of the projection 30, and
And the z direction (that is, the direction in which the head of the projection 30 is pressed downward).

[0008] When a person operates an electronic device, the number of the above-mentioned finite plurality of directions is generally considered to be appropriately about 3 to 16. This is because if it exceeds 16, the frequency of different switching due to a slight shift in the stress applying direction is likely to increase. However, this cannot be said unconditionally because it depends on the ability of the person to operate, but it is considered that most people can operate without erroneous operation if at least the nine directions are about nine.

For this reason, if a device capable of applying a stress with good reproducibility from a somewhat accurate angle (direction) is operated without human operation, the number of the finite directions is increased to some extent. No problem. For example, it is possible to set a stress application direction exceeding 16.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the base 31 is a substrate on which electronic devices or electronic components constituting a multidirectional switch system for electronic devices are mounted. The reason is that, if only the role of attaching the protruding portion 30 to the base portion 31 can be taken, the volume efficiency of the electronic device or the whole multi-directional switch system for the electronic device can be reduced.
Having one member play multiple roles in this way is
This is important in maintaining and securing the miniaturization of electronic devices or multidirectional switch systems for electronic devices.

In the configuration of the present invention, it is preferable that the surface of the projection 30 has a three-dimensional shape capable of sensing contact at least at one of stress-possible positions corresponding to a plurality of finite directions. The reason is that, when the operator of the electronic device is a human, having the shape capable of sensing the contact has an advantage that the operator can grasp the direction in which the stress should be applied by touching the protrusion 30. This advantage is exhibited particularly when the electronic device of the present invention is a mobile phone. The reason is that when a mobile phone is used, it is highly probable that a groping operation in the dark or the like is required.

In addition to the above advantages, it is considered that there is an advantage that the frequency of different switching due to a slight shift in the direction of applying a stress is reduced. Therefore, this may increase the number of directions in which the switch functions.

The three-dimensional shape in which contact can be sensed is, for example, a flat portion of the projection 30 formed substantially perpendicular to the direction in which stress is to be applied to the projection 3. In other words, the configuration of the switch portion is such that a part or the whole of the side surface of the protrusion 3 has a polygonal cross-section, and the application of stress to two or more sides of the polygon in a substantially vertical direction is converted into an electric signal different from each other. There is a certain configuration. The presence of a plurality of the flat portions at a certain angle results in a three-dimensional shape as a whole. It is also effective to form a slight convex portion as a three-dimensional shape capable of sensing contact at the position of the projecting portion 30 corresponding to a specific stress applying direction (switching direction).

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show examples of the specific configuration of the present invention. That is, the electrode land portion 24 is provided on the outer peripheral portion, the projection 30 is provided on the central portion, and the projection 30 is radially provided between the outer peripheral portion and the projection 30 around the projection 30.
A thin polygonal or circular ceramic plate 21 having a plurality of resistors 22 and a base 31 on which the ceramic plate 21 is mounted, and an electrode land portion 24 on the outer periphery of the ceramic plate 21
Is electrically connected to and fixed to the base 31 by soldering to the base 31, a gap 33 is provided between the ceramic plate 21 and the base 31 by soldering, and the protrusion 3
A multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment which detects the pressing of the protrusion 30 by the ceramic plate 21 flexing around the soldered portion of the outer periphery thereof as a fulcrum due to the pressing of the protrusion 30. Has a thick pedestal portion at the lower end thereof in contact with the ceramic plate 21, and the resistor 22 is arranged on the back surface side of the ceramic plate 21 which the base 31 steps on as the protrusion 30 is pressed.

When the projections 30 are pressed downward in the z-axis direction due to the presence of the gaps 33, the bending of the thin ceramic plate 21 with the solder connection portions 32 as fulcrums can be allowed. By allowing the bending, a stable and large pressurization to the resistor 22 can be secured. The magnitude and stability of the pressurization are important factors that directly affect the output signal characteristics of the multidirectional switch system for electronic equipment according to the present invention, which will be described later.

The means for converting the stress applied to the projection 30 from a finite number of directions into the electric signals different from each other will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as an example. Regular octagonal ceramic plate 2 integrated with projection 30
On the lower surface, there is a resistor 22 which operates in the same manner as a stress sensor. When the projection 30 is stressed (bent) in the x and y directions, one or two of the resistors 22 in the bent direction are provided. One is compressed and its resistance decreases. The decrease in the resistance value is output directly from the electrode land portion 24 as an electric signal.

In order to set the switch to be turned on when stress is applied (bent) to the projection 30 in a direction parallel to the eight sides of the ceramic plate 21 in FIG. The electrode wiring 23 and the electrode land portion 24 are shown in the same figure so that a total of eight cases, in which the resistance values individually decrease and the resistance values of adjacent resistors 22 decrease as a group, respectively, can be distinguished. It is formed as follows. Here, the signals are output from different electrode lands 24.
The resistance decrease signal is recognized as a different electric signal. Thus, it is possible to convert the stress applied to the projection 30 from a finite number of directions (eight in this case) into different electric signals.

Here, a multi-directional device according to the present invention can also be obtained by using a piezoelectric element such as a piezoelectric ceramic made of PZT (lead zirconate titanate) instead of the resistor 22, and appropriately processing an electric signal generated therefrom. A switch system can be configured.

The electronic device according to the present invention is characterized in that the electronic device according to the present invention has means for transmitting a command corresponding to a different electric signal, which is issued from the multidirectional switch system for electronic device of the present invention, to the electronic device control section. Becomes

The control unit may include means for changing a command corresponding to a different electric signal in accordance with a time for applying a stress to the protrusion 30 in an arbitrary direction and / or the number of times of applying the stress per predetermined time. preferable. The reason is that the number of instructions to the electronic device can be increased without increasing the number of directions in which the stress is applied, and the operation is facilitated. This means that a plurality of commands can be assigned to one of the stress application directions of the protrusion 30. Thus, when there is a possibility that the switching may be performed differently due to the slight deviation in the stress applying direction, the stress applying direction (switching direction) can be reduced.

Examples of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention include a personal computer, a telephone, a game machine, a car navigation system, a Bluetooth input device, and the like. The multidirectional switch system for electronic equipment of the present invention is effective if the telephone is a mobile telephone, particularly a high-performance mobile telephone having a function capable of transmitting and receiving electronic data other than voice. Electronic data other than voice is coded characters or images. To handle these,
Since the same operation as that of the personal computer is required for the telephone, the technical idea of one member and multiple functions as in the present invention becomes effective. Further, the personal computer is a desktop type or a smaller personal computer, and the personal computer is integrated with a pointing device. Use of a multi-directional switch system is advantageous.

Further, when the pointing device is a pointing device such as a planar coordinate device (touch pad), and the multi-directional switch for electronic equipment according to the present invention is provided in front of the touch surface, the cursor moving operation and the command input operation are performed. Since the operation can be performed with almost no movement of the hand, there is an advantage that the operability is improved.

It is preferable that the function of each switch of the multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment has a function of scrolling the screen of the electronic equipment display unit. The reason for this is that small electronic devices are destined to reduce the area occupied by the display unit, and it is necessary to make screen scrolling of the display unit as easy as possible to compensate for this disadvantage. .

It is further preferable that the function setting at the time of operating each switch of the multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment can be selected and set by a user of the electronic equipment from certain options. This is due to the diversification of the user's electronic device usage patterns.

When the electronic device is a personal computer, the options are, for example, activation and termination of system software, activation and termination of any application software, screen scroll of any application software, screen zoom up, screen zoom down, Internet For example, the display screen of the browser software is returned to the screen displayed immediately before, or the screen is displayed one screen after the currently displayed screen.

[0026] The Bluetooth input device includes a plurality of
Information that allows information to be input to electronic devices via communication means
Device. The electronic devices here will be
Includes any additional electronic equipment. Also as a communication means
Frequency band 2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 G
Hz (ISM band) electromagnetic wave
You.

In this case, the information input device includes:
Preferably, an authentication means for identifying the operator is provided. Such authentication means include, for example, recognition of fingerprints, palm prints, handprints, voice prints, retinas, irises (patterns inside the iris, outside the pupil), or handwriting, input of a password or password, and use of a key. At least one selected from Among them, identification of fingerprints, palm prints, handprints, and voice prints, identification of capillaries on the retina, and identification of irises, which are authentication means using biological characteristics of humans, are preferable. This is because these identification items are different for every person and do not change even when the years have passed.

However, it may be inefficient to use the same authentication means for all electronic devices. Therefore, no authentication means may be provided for an electronic device (for example, an audio device used personally) for which a demand for enhanced security is low, or a very simple authentication means such as a password may be used.

The provision of such an authentication means makes it possible to use the information input device with high security. For example, access to important confidential information, use of electronic money, access to a so-called home security system, transmission of officer approval information in corporate groupware, and the like may be possible only with such authentication means. .

In a communication system environment using the above-described Bluetooth input device, various types of information are exchanged, so that the types of information are various. Therefore, the use of the multidirectional switch system for electronic equipment of the present invention is suitable. In the case where a wide variety of operations are required so that the switching operation alone is not sufficient, other input means such as a key, a switch, a microphone, a camera, a coordinate input device (a pointing stick, a touch pad, a pen pad, a track ball, a mouse, etc.) Are preferably used in combination with at least one member selected from dials and the like.

[0031]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view of a switch unit according to a multidirectional switch system for electronic equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a back side of an alumina plate 21. Resistor 2
2 and the arrangement of the wiring electrodes 23 are shown.

On the surface of the thin octagonal alumina plate 21, a projection 30 is provided at the center thereof. The protruding portion 30 has a thick pedestal portion 30 a at its lower end, and its lower end surface is fixed to the center of the alumina plate 21 by an adhesive. The protrusion 30 may be a prism or a cylinder, but has a flat portion (a three-dimensional shape capable of sensing contact) of the protrusion 30 formed substantially perpendicular to the direction in which stress is to be applied to the protrusion 3. (Not shown). The pedestal 30a is preferably rectangular. On the back side of the alumina plate 21, four thick film resistors 22 mainly composed of ruthenium oxide are arranged, and the resistors 22 are connected by an Ag-Pd thick film conductive layer 23 so as to be connectable as a bridge circuit. An electrode land portion 24 connected to the printed wiring board, which is a base portion 31, is provided around the base portion 31. Except for the electrode lands 24, the back surface of the alumina plate 21 is covered with a protective film (not shown) to protect the resistor 22 and the conductive layer 23.

The resistor 22 is connected by the thick-film conductive layer 23 and is disposed at a position straddling the edge 30b of the pedestal portion between the center and the outer periphery of the alumina plate 21. That is, when a stress is applied to the projection 30, the thick pedestal 3 at the lower end of the projection 30.
The resistor 22 is disposed on the back surface side of the alumina plate 21 at the position 30b where the step 0a is stepped on. FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the trimming pattern of the resistor. As shown in FIG.
2b, 22c and 22d are positions 30b where the pedestal part is stepped on.
Are arranged so that the center thereof is located near the back surface side of the. Then, the trimming pattern L is trimmed so as to be arranged symmetrically with respect to the center position of the resistor. Therefore, the untrimmed portion is located substantially at the center of the resistor 22. Thereby, the untrimmed portion which has the largest influence on the change in the resistance value as the resistor can be arranged at the portion where the change is the largest due to the action of the compressive or tensile stress of the alumina plate. Then, since the trimming is performed substantially symmetrically with respect to the center position C where the post is arranged, it is possible to take out an even output with respect to the stress in the x, y, and z directions without picking up the skew. .

As shown, eight electrode lands 24 are provided radially from the center of the alumina plate 21 on the outer periphery. The electrode lands 24 are fixed to the base 31 which is a printed wiring board by solder connection, and the back surface of the alumina plate 21 floats from the surface of the base 31. That is, electrode lands are provided at eight locations in the peripheral portion of the alumina plate 21, and are fixed to the wiring lands of the base 31 by the solder connection portions 32 so that the respective electrode lands have the same height. The thickness t of the solder connection portion is about 0.1 mm, and a gap 33 that can bend exists between the back side of the alumina plate 21 on which the resistor is disposed and the front side of the base 31.

A signal is output to the outside of the base 31 which is a printed wiring board via a bridge type output circuit (not shown) connected to the land. The resistor 22 has such a characteristic that when a tensile force acts, the resistance value increases when the resistor expands, and the resistance value decreases when a compressive force acts, contracting. When the resistor 22 expands and contracts, the balance of the resistor bridge circuit is lost and a potential difference occurs. This potential difference changes linearly in a certain range,
By amplifying this potential difference, it is possible to output a signal indicating a change in the pressing force applied to the protrusion 30.

FIG. 4A shows a case where a pressing force in the x direction is applied to the protrusion 30. The alumina plate 21 is bent at the edge 30b of the pedestal 30a, and a large compressive force acts on the resistor 22a and a large tensile force acts on the resistor 22b. Similarly, FIG. 4B shows a case where a pressing force in the z direction is applied to the protrusion 30. The alumina plate 21 is provided at both edges 3 of the pedestal 30a.
It bends at 0b, and the same tensile force acts on both the resistor 22a and the resistor 22b.

As described above, the outer peripheral portion of the alumina plate 21 is supported by the solder connection portion 32 having a certain height, so that the solder connection portion 32 serves as a fulcrum, and x, y, and By applying a pressing force in the z-direction, a large compressive or tensile force can be applied to the resistor 22 provided at a position where the pedestal portion 30a substantially intermediate between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion of the alumina plate 21 steps. Therefore,
This makes it possible to detect a change in the resistance value of the resistor 22 caused by pressing the protrusion 30 in the x, y, and z directions with good sensitivity.

Such a fulcrum having a constant height can be easily formed by using a soldering technique of a surface mount component, and a fulcrum having a constant height and fixing as a strong connection terminal can be simultaneously achieved. Can be. And 8 in this case
Since the alumina plate 21 is held by the support of the points, a structure having a good balance of heights and a strong bonding strength can be obtained. A cream solder is printed on the printed wiring board (base 31) of the alumina plate, and the alumina plate is mounted and reflowed, so that a uniform solder height and a strong solder connection can be obtained. At this time, the height of the fulcrum can be easily adjusted by the solder printing amount and the reflow condition.

In this embodiment, an example is described in which an octagonal alumina plate is used and eight electrode lands are provided. However, a circular alumina plate is used and more than eight electrode lands are provided. The alumina plate may be supported by soldering. This makes it possible to further disperse the pressing force applied to the protrusions, and to further enhance the stability and durability of the switch.

In this embodiment, the material of the alumina plate is alumina as the name implies, but other materials may be used as long as they are insulating materials and have rigidity and some elasticity. For example, a glass fiber-mixed epoxy resin molded article, another fiber-reinforced resin molded article, a phenol resin molded article, an iron plate or a stainless steel plate coated with a glass or resin layer, and the like can be suitably used.

In the case of a switch other than that shown in this embodiment, the protrusion is fixed or integrated on one of the surfaces of the substrate, and the resistance value of the resistance element caused by the application of stress to the protrusion. The multidirectional switch for electronic devices of the present invention can be configured as long as it has a configuration for grasping the direction and magnitude of the stress by a change.

For example, a switch having the structure shown in FIG. 5 can be used as the switch according to the present invention. The switch section having the structure shown in FIG. 5 has an operation section (protrusion section 10) at the center of a flat elastic plate (base section 11), a resistance detection element 12 disposed around the operation section (protrusion section 10), It is fixed in place. In other words, instead of forming a resistance element on the substrate surface,
The resistance element is formed on the side surface of the projection 10. Then, the stress applied to the protruding portion 10 causes the protruding portion 10 to bend, and the resistance element disposed thereon expands and contracts, thereby causing a change in the resistance value.

Even in a switch section other than the one shown in this embodiment, two orthogonal lines along the substrate surface, which have the intersection of the center of the sensor effective area on the substrate surface forming the resistance element, and the intersection point The resistive element is disposed at a position substantially equidistant from the substrate, and the protrusion is fixed or integrated with the substrate surface such that the center of the substrate surface substantially coincides with the center of the bottom surface of the post. If a mechanism for grasping the direction and intensity of the stress based on a change in resistance value due to a stimulus to the resistance element due to the application of the stress described above can constitute the multidirectional switch for electronic equipment of the present invention.

The stimulus is, for example, expansion or contraction due to the bending of the substrate, compression of the resistance element whose bottom surface of the projection is made almost directly without passing through the substrate, and compression release.

Another specific example of the switch section is shown in FIG.
The substrate 83 is a plate formed by molding an epoxy resin mixed with glass fibers. On the lower surface of the substrate 83, four pairs of circuit pattern electrodes 81 are provided.
6 are arranged, and these constitute a resistance element 38.

The circuit pattern electrode 81 is obtained by removing a part of the conductor layer on the surface and obtaining the remaining part, or a part of the substrate 83 conductive pattern obtained by the additive method as an electrode. And a resistor 36 formed between the pair of circuit pattern electrodes 81. As means for removing a part of the conductor layer on the surface, there is a means for attaching a copper foil to the surface of the substrate 83 and etching an unnecessary portion of the copper foil.

The resistance elements 38 are arranged on two orthogonal straight lines along the surface of the substrate 83, with the center of the surface of the substrate 83 as an intersection, and substantially equidistant from the intersection. On the upper surface of the substrate 83, a protrusion 35 having a substantially square bottom surface is fixed with an adhesive or the like. At this time, the center of the bottom surface of the projection 35 is substantially coincident with the center of the surface of the substrate 83. An L-shaped hole 39 is formed in the substrate 83, and an L-shaped bend is formed in the substrate 8.
It is provided so as to face three centers. This hole 39
It has a role of easily bending the substrate 83 by the stress applied to the protrusion 35 and a role of efficiently transmitting the stress to each of the resistance elements 38. That is, if stress is applied to the protrusion 35 in an arbitrary direction without the hole 39, the amount of deflection of the substrate 83 may not be sufficient, and the stress applied in the arbitrary direction may be a resistance element irrespective of the direction. The hole 39 is preferably formed because there is a possibility that the hole 39 propagates to the hole 38.

A trimmable chip resistor 41 connected in series with each resistor element 38 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 83. The resistance element 38 on the lower surface of the substrate 83 and the trimmable chip resistor 41 on the upper surface of the substrate 83 are electrically connected through a through hole (via hole) of the substrate 83 (not shown).
When it is difficult to adjust the resistance value of each resistance element 38 to a certain range, the trimmable chip resistor 41 trims the trimmable chip resistor 41 with a laser trimmer or the like so that the resistance element 38 and the trimmable chip resistance are adjusted. Necessary when adjusting the sum of the resistance values with the vessel 41 to a certain range for use. At this time, the electrical connection between the resistance element 38 and the trimmable chip resistor 41 is, for example, as shown in FIG. The electric signal from the switch unit is output via the terminal 40. The support holes 42 are used for fixing the switch section to a case of an electronic device or the like. In the fixed state, the peripheral portion of the substrate 83 outside the hole 39 becomes a non-deformed portion that hardly deforms even when a stress is applied to the protrusion 35,
Is deformed when a stress is applied to the protruding portion 35, and becomes a deformed portion that expands and contracts the resistance element 38. The trimmable chip resistor 41 is preferably provided in the non-deformed portion so that the resistance value does not change under the influence of the deformation of the substrate 83.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of an electric signal input / output state in the switch section according to the present invention. The four sets of resistance elements 38 and the trimmable chip resistors 41 constitute a bridge circuit. A predetermined voltage is applied between a voltage application terminal (Vcc) and (GND) of this bridge circuit. Further, by analyzing the resistance values of the resistance element 8 (R1, 2) and the trimmable chip resistor 14 (trim1, 2) on the left side of the figure, a stress sensor in the Y-axis direction is constituted by the Y terminal (Yout). The resistance element 8 (R
3, 4) and the trimmable chip resistor 14 (trim).
By analyzing the resistance values of 3 and 4), a stress sensor in the X-axis direction is configured. Furthermore, when the top surface of the post is pressed downward (Z-axis direction), all the resistance values of the resistance elements 8 (R1 to 4) increase, and this state is referred to as the stress in the X-axis or Y-axis direction. It is detected separately. By dividing these detected stresses into several directions and converting them into different electrical signals, the multidirectional switch of the present invention is constituted.

FIG. 9 shows another specific example of the switch section.
In the switch section, the current progressing direction of the resistance element 52 is substantially parallel to each side of the contour 57 of the projection bottom, and the resistor 53 is located on the opposite side to the side facing the contour 57 of the projection bottom. Element 52 in which a trimming groove 54 is formed
Are disposed on two orthogonal straight lines along the surface of the substrate 51 at the intersection of the center of the surface of the substrate 51 and at substantially the same distance from the intersection, and the bottom surface of the projection 56 having a square outline with the center of the surface of the substrate 51 Are fixed so that each side of the contour 57 of the bottom surface of the projection faces the respective resistance element 52 so that the center substantially coincides with the center of the resistance element 52 due to the stimulus to the resistance element 52 caused by the stress applied to the projection 56. This is a switch unit capable of grasping the direction and magnitude of the stress from a change in resistance value, and is a switch unit in which the bottom surface of the projection 56 and a part of the resistance element 52 overlap without interposing the substrate 51.

In the switch portion shown in FIG. 9, the resistive element 52
The resistance value changes in response to compression / decompression by the bottom surface. Therefore, it is possible to increase the stimulus received by the resistance element 52 as compared to the configuration of the switch section in which the amount of change in the resistance value of the resistance element 38 depending on the amount of deflection of the substrate 83 shown in FIG. In addition, the output accompanying the change in the resistance value can be increased.

In order to further increase the output, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, there is a means for forming a convex portion on the bottom surface of the projection 56 for stimulating the resistance element 52. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 9, the protrusion 56 is rotated 45 ° and arranged, and a corner (convex portion) of the bottom of the protrusion 56 stimulates the resistance element 52. There is a method of separately forming a convex portion at a corresponding portion. In order to further increase the output in the configurations shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, for example, there is a means for narrowing the current flow path in a portion mainly receiving stimulation of the resistance element. For example, the thickness of a part of the resistor is reduced by reducing the width of a part of the upper surface of the resistor, or providing a convex portion on a member (a substrate in FIGS. 7 and 9) on which the resistor is disposed. Means. Further, in a switch section having a configuration in which a trimming groove is formed in a resistance element (FIGS. 3, 9 and the like), a means for mainly stimulating a resistor portion narrowed by the trimming groove is effective.

[0053] FIG. 10 shows the Bluetooth information described above.
1 shows an external view and a block diagram of an information input device. Case 69
Display unit 67, key 66 as first input means,
A touch pad 65 serving as a second input unit;
The multidirectional switch 70 of the present invention, which is a force means, can be viewed from outside.
I can understand. Further, for example, a touch pad
Fingerprint can be recognized by pressing your fingertip on
An authentication means 64 is provided. Key 66 and touch
Input data from the touch pad 65 to the A / D converter 6
8 to a digital signal, and
Means for transmitting to an external electronic device by the antenna 61
ing. Further, the input data from the A / D converter 68
Is displayed on the display unit 67.
Thus, information or the like transmitted by a person who inputs information can be confirmed.
The antenna 61 is not observed from the outside and is inside the housing 69.
A thick film is formed on the substrate surface or the like.

Since the authentication means 64 adopts a method of recognizing a fingerprint by pressing a specific finger on the surface of the touch pad 65, the coordinate data resolution of the touch pad 65 is as follows.
A coordinate data resolution higher than that required for the touch pad 65 as a normal coordinate input device (pointing device) is used.

Here, the touch pad 65 is of a capacitive coupling type, in which the fingertip touches the surface of the touchpad 65 and then moves while maintaining the touched state (hereinafter referred to as “moving operation”). After touching the surface of the touch pad 65, the fingertip is operated by an operation (tap) of separating from the surface of the touch pad 65 within a predetermined time, or an operation of a combination of these operations.

The key 66 is used when inputting alternative data. For example, it is an on / off data input of a power supply of an electronic device. A plurality of these keys 66 are provided as shown in FIG.
To function as a numeric keypad on a personal computer or a push button on a telephone.

The communication means of the information input device 60 will be described below. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the information input device 60 of the present invention is used for inputting information to a personal computer. Information input from the information input device 60 is transmitted by an electromagnetic wave to the information receiving unit 62 on the personal computer side via the antenna 61. The electromagnetic wave is
Frequency band 2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 GHz
(ISM band). The transmitted electromagnetic wave is received by the antenna 63 of the personal computer, and the
The touch sensor circuit 73 provided in a normal personal computer transmits the information of the movement operation and the tap to the output port 74 as absolute coordinate data and relative coordinate data, and the data is transmitted to the operation of the personal computer. Will be reflected.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an outline of control of electric signals from the switch unit to the electronic device in the multidirectional switch system for electronic devices of the present embodiment. The control circuit 1 has a function of converting a potential difference from the switch unit into x and y coordinate data. For example, when stress is applied to the protrusion from the x and y directions, the resistance value balance of the switch unit is lost, and a potential difference is generated. This potential difference is input to the control circuit A.

When a potential difference is applied in the positive direction of the x and y axes (directions of R1 and R2) in FIG. 6B, the coordinate data (x, y) are both positive values. Conversely, when a stress is applied in the negative direction of the x and y axes (directions of R3 and R4), both coordinate data (x, y) are set to indicate negative values. Then, a value corresponding to the pressing force in the x and y directions is output from the control circuit 1 as coordinate data (x, y), that is, a vector value.

Based on the coordinate data (vector value) from the control circuit A, the control circuit B turns ON / OFF the corresponding switch.
This is a device that controls OFF. ON / OFF is determined by comparing the coordinate data (vector value) with the setting area of each switch on the x and y planes. This ON / OFF signal is input to the electronic device control unit to turn on / off each switch.
Is controlled according to.

[0061]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus capable of performing various operations in a small area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a switch unit according to a multidirectional switch system for electronic equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the arrangement of resistors and electrode wirings on the back surface of the alumina plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a trimming pattern of the resistor shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the switch unit of FIG. 1,
(A) shows a case where a pressing force is applied in the x direction, and (b) shows a case where a pressing force is applied in the z direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another switch unit according to the multi-directional switch system for electronic devices of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of electric signal control of the multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a switch unit according to the multi-directional switch system for electronic devices of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an outline of an electric signal input / output state in the electronic device multidirectional switch system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a switch unit according to the multi-directional switch system for electronic devices of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an external view and a block diagram of an electronic device using the electronic device multidirectional switch system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an electronic device using the multi-directional switch system for electronic devices of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21. Alumina plate 22, 36, 53. Resistor 23. Electrode wiring (thick film conductive layer) 24. Electrode land part 30, 35, 56. Projection 30a. Pedestal section 30b. Pedestal edge 31. Base 32. Solder connection part 33. Void 38,52. Resistance element 39. Hole 40. Terminal 41. Trimmable chip resistor 42. Support holes 51, 83. Substrate 54. Trimming groove 57. Outline of bottom of projection 60. Information input device 61, 63. Antenna 62. Receiver 64. Authentication means 65. Touch pad 66. Key 67. Display unit 68. A / D converter 69. Housing 70. Multi-directional switch 71. Receiver 73. Touch sensor circuit 74. Output port 81. Circuit pattern electrode

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Zhang Tsuruhan No. 168-1, Liancheng Road, Zhongzheng City, Taipei County F-term (reference) 5B020 DD03 FF19

Claims (13)

[Claims] An electronic device comprising a projection and a base on which the projection is mounted, and means for converting stresses applied to the projection from a finite number of directions into different electrical signals. Multi-directional switch system for equipment. 2. The multidirectional electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the projection has a three-dimensional shape capable of sensing contact at least at one of stress-possible positions corresponding to a plurality of finite directions. Switch system. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a part or the whole of the side surface of the projection has a polygonal cross-section, and the application of stress to two or more sides of the polygon in a substantially vertical direction is conversion into different electric signals. The multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A thin polygon comprising an electrode land on the outer periphery, a projection on the center, and four resistors radially about the projection between the outer periphery and the projection. Or a circular ceramic plate and a base on which the ceramic plate is mounted, and an electrode land on an outer peripheral portion of the ceramic plate is electrically connected to and fixed to the base by soldering to the base, and the ceramic plate and the base are fixed. A gap is formed by the soldering between the ceramic plates, and the ceramic plate bends with the soldered portion of the outer peripheral portion as a fulcrum due to the application of stress to the protrusion, and the resistor is distorted and the protrusion is pressed. A multi-directional switch system for an electronic device, wherein the protrusion has a thick pedestal at the lower end thereof in contact with the ceramic plate, and the base is provided with a stress applied to the protrusion. The multidirectional switch system for an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resistor is arranged on a back side of a stepped ceramic plate. 5. A process for removing a part of a conductor layer on a surface and using a part of a substrate conductive pattern obtained as a remaining part or obtained by an additive method as an electrode, between a pair of said electrodes on the substrate surface. The intersection of the center of the sensor effective area of the substrate surface constituting the resistance element having a resistor formed as a film on the two straight lines perpendicular to the substrate surface, and substantially equidistant from the intersection The resistance element is provided, and the projection is fixed or integrated with the substrate surface such that the center of the substrate surface substantially coincides with the center of the bottom surface of the projection. A multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment according to the present invention. 6. The bottom surface of the projection and a part or the whole area of the strain gauge are overlapped without interposing the substrate, and the bottom surface of the projection stimulates the strain gauge to change the characteristic value of the strain gauge. The multidirectional switch system for an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for converting an electric signal into an electric signal based on the value. 7. The multi-directional electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the base is a substrate on which electronic components constituting an electronic device or a multi-directional switch system for the electronic device are mounted. Switch system. 8. An electronic device control unit for transmitting a command corresponding to a different electric signal, which is issued from the multi-directional switch system for an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, to the electronic device control unit. Electronic equipment using a multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for changing a command corresponding to a different electric signal in accordance with a time of applying a stress in an arbitrary direction and / or the number of times of applying a stress per a predetermined time. Electronic equipment using the multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment. 10. An electronic device using the multi-directional switch system for an electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the electronic device is selected from a personal computer, a telephone, a game machine, a car navigation system, and a Bluetooth input device. 11. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the electronic device is a desktop or smaller personal computer, and the personal computer is integrated with a pointing device. Electronic equipment using a multi-directional switch system. 12. The multidirectional switch system for an electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the function of each switch of the multidirectional switch system for an electronic device has a function of scrolling a screen of an electronic device display section. Electronic equipment used. 13. The electronic device user according to claim 8, wherein the function setting at the time of operating each switch of the electronic device multi-directional switch system can be selected and set by a user of the electronic device from certain options. Electronic equipment using the multi-directional switch system for electronic equipment according to any of the above.