JP2005149235A - Electronic equipment with plural status key switches, and electronic equipment control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment and an electronic equipment control unit which can input a large amount of information using a small number of switches, perform high-speed input, and which is easy to operate, and enables input operation with little feeling of fatigue. <P>SOLUTION: One or more plural status key switches 10 are provided on the outer surface of electronic equipment 24 with a display part 22 for displaying control information. Also, an operation orientation of the plural status key switches 10 is made to coincide with the display orientation displayed in the display part 22. Furthermore, the plural status key switches 10 are arranged on the same surface as the display part 22, and the plural status key switches 10 are provided on the back side of the display part 22 as well. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and an electronic device control apparatus that perform input using a multi-state key switch.

  In recent years, mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones have rapidly spread. Even in stationary electronic devices that are not portable, due to the development of multi-functionality, the number of switches becomes too large if only single-function switches are arranged, and there is a situation where they are hesitant to mount on devices. On the other hand, downsizing of the device main body is also progressing, and from these circumstances, how to mount the input switch on the device surface is a big problem.

  Conventionally, as an input key switch for inputting information to an electronic device, a cross key switch used for moving a cursor or the like displayed on a display screen is known in addition to a numeric key switch (for example, a patent) Reference 1). The cross key switch has fixed contacts arranged in four cross directions on the surface of the substrate, and a key that extends in the four cross directions corresponding to the fixed contact in the four cross directions via a rubber sheet above these fixed contacts. In addition to arranging the top, movable contacts facing the fixed contact are arranged in the four cross-directions on the bottom surface of the rubber sheet, and the key top is swung in one of the four cross-directions. The fixed contact and the movable contact corresponding to the swing direction are formed to contact each other.

Portable electronic devices using such a cross key switch are also available on the market (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 11-194886 A JP 2001-307601 A

  However, in the above-described cross key switch, in order to indicate any one direction in the four cross directions, the end of one of the four cross directions in the key top is pressed with a fingertip. For this reason, in order to change the direction of the cruciform four directions indicated by the cross key switch, the fingertip must be moved to one of the cruciform four ends of the key top. There is a problem that it is not suitable for application to an input device that simultaneously operates a key switch to input various types of information. Moreover, since the shape and dimension are large, it is difficult to make the entire device compact and there is a problem that the amount of input information is small.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, can input a lot of information with a small number of switches, can input information without visually confirming the switch, and can input at high speed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device and an electronic device control device that are easy to operate and allow an input operation with less fatigue.

  The invention described in claim 1 is an electronic apparatus having a display unit for displaying control information, wherein one multi-state key switch is provided on the outer surface of the electronic apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, the operation direction of the multi-state key switch and the display direction displayed on the display unit are matched.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the second aspect, the multi-state key switch and the display unit are arranged on the same plane.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the second aspect, the multi-state key switch is arranged on the back surface of the display unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an indicator for indicating an operation state of the multi-state key switch is provided on the same surface as the display unit.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the multi-state key switch is arranged on the same surface as the display unit, and a multi-state key switch is provided on the back surface of the display unit.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a portable electronic device comprising a gripping part and an information display part, wherein the gripping part is provided with irregularities that are symmetrical in a plan view and can be tilted to the left and right of the gripping part. It is characterized by having a piece.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein one multi-state key switch is provided on the front surface of the gripping portion, and a plurality of multi-state key switches are provided on the back surface of the gripping portion. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that a plurality of the multi-state key switches are provided respectively on the front surface and the back surface of the electronic apparatus having the information display section.

  The invention according to claim 10 is an electronic device having an information display portion on an inner surface of a lid that is openable and closable with respect to the electronic device main body, and a plurality of the electronic device main body or the information display portion on the front and back surfaces, respectively. A multi-state key switch is provided.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a portable electronic device in which a multi-state key switch for thumb is provided on the front surface of a portable electronic device having an information display section, and a multi-state key switch for index and middle fingers is provided on the back surface of the portable electronic device. Thus, the planar view is symmetric.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device according to the eleventh aspect, a concave portion is provided at a portion where the ring finger contacts when the portable electronic device is held with one hand.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the portable electronic device according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein a notch is provided in a portion that comes into contact with a palm when the portable electronic device is held with one hand. It is.

  A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the portable electronic device according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, wherein the display unit for displaying information and the electronic device main body are separated.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the portable electronic device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein a protrusion gripping portion that can be put in and out is provided on the back surface of the portable electronic device.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects, a holding plate that comes into contact with the palm is provided at a lower corner of the portable electronic device in plan view so as to be able to enter and exit. It is a feature.

  The invention described in claim 17 is characterized in that one multi-state key switch is provided on the surface of a stationary electronic device having an information display section.

  The invention described in claim 18 is characterized in that the three multi-state key switches arranged on the surface of the stationary electronic device are arranged so that the plan view becomes the apex of the triangle.

  The invention according to claim 19 is characterized in that information is input by a combination of a multi-state key switch operated by the thumb of the hand and a key switch operated by a finger other than the thumb.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the multi-state key switch is provided in an armrest portion of a seat and is used as an input device of an electronic device.

  The invention according to claim 21 is characterized in that a multi-state key switch is arranged in the hub portion of the steering wheel to serve as an input means of an electronic device.

  According to the electronic device of the first aspect of the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide a large number of switches on the surface of the electronic device, the electronic device can be made compact.

  According to the electronic device of the second aspect of the present invention, since the operation direction of the key switch matches the display direction of the display unit, the operation of the key switch becomes easy.

  According to the electronic device of the third aspect of the present invention, the key switch can be easily operated with one hand.

  According to the electronic device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide a switch on the surface of the electronic device, the display device provided on the surface of the device can be enlarged.

  According to the electronic device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when the multi-state key switch is provided on the back surface of the electronic device, the operation state of the multi-state key switch can be directly recognized by the display.

  According to the electronic apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the states of two or more multi-state key switches can be combined and coded, a large amount of information can be input even with a small number of switches.

  According to the portable electronic device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the grip portion has the left and right symmetrical concave portions, it can be gripped surely by hand and can be gripped reliably by either the left or right hand.

  According to the portable electronic device according to claim 8 of the present invention, since the states of two or more multi-state key switches can be combined and coded, a large amount of information can be input even with a small number of switches.

  According to the electronic device according to claim 9 or claim 10 of the present invention, information input operation can be performed while the electronic device is held with one hand.

  According to the portable electronic device of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a quick operation can be performed with either one of the left and right hands.

  According to the portable electronic device of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the ring finger and the little finger can be brought into contact with the recess to reliably hold the device.

  According to the portable electronic device of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, since the shape of the device is similar to the shape of the palm, there is little hand fatigue even if the device is held for a long time with one hand.

  According to the portable electronic device of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since the display unit for displaying information and the electronic device main body can be separated from each other, they can be used separately as necessary.

  According to the portable electronic device of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, even if the portable electronic device is installed on the desk, it can be used by setting the protrusion gripping portion.

  According to the portable electronic device of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the shape of the holding plate in contact with the palm is similar to the shape of the palm. Few.

  According to the stationary electronic device of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide a switch on the front surface of the device, the surface of the device can be used effectively, and the degree of freedom in designing the device is improved.

  According to the stationary electronic device according to claim 18 of the present invention, since the position of the switch is not in an unnatural position even if the key switch is operated independently with an index finger or a middle finger having a direction different from that of the thumb, it is comfortable. It can be operated and has less fatigue.

  According to the electronic device of the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, since the states of two or more multi-state key switches can be combined and coded, a large amount of information can be input even with a small number of switches.

  According to the electronic device control apparatus of the twentieth aspect of the present invention, since the surface of the operation key switch has a concave shape, no malfunction occurs even if a part of the human body hits the armrest.

  According to the electronic device control apparatus of the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, even when the vehicle is being driven, the audio device can be operated without moving the line of sight, so that the vehicle can be driven safely.

  Prior to describing a mode for carrying out the present invention, a multi-state key switch used for carrying out the present invention will be described. The multi-state key switch was invented by the same inventor as the inventor of the present application, and details thereof are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-353078. Here, the outline of the multi-state key switch will be briefly described.

  A multi-state key switch is an input key switch for inputting information to an electronic device (hereinafter, the multi-state key switch is referred to as an “input key switch”), and is operated without separating the fingertip from the surface of the input key switch. And a key top that is displaced into a plurality of states, and a switch that can detect each of the plurality of states. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the input key switch 10. FIG. 1A is a top view of the input key switch 10, and FIG. 1B is a longitudinal sectional view of the input key switch 10. The input key switch 10 includes a key top 12. The key top 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape into which a fingertip having an upper surface is fitted. The opening of the key top 12 is formed in a shape and / or material in which a fingertip fits and a frictional force acts on the fingertip when the keytop 12 is operated with the fingertip. A switch 14 is provided below the key top 12. The switch 14 is fixed to the substrate 16. A plurality (three in the figure) of switches 14 are arranged on the same circumference as the circumference of the key top 12. The key top 12 is held by a holding member 18. The holding member 18 is connected to the shaft 20 so as to be swingable. The lower end of the shaft 20 is fixed to the substrate 16.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the input key switch 10. 2 (a) is a longitudinal sectional view of the input key switch 10, FIG. 2 (b) is a top view of the input key switch 10, and FIG. 2 (c) is the force acting on the key top 12 where the contact of the switch A is closed. FIG. 2D is a diagram showing a vector region, and FIG. 2D is a diagram showing a vector region of a force acting on the key top 12 where the contacts of one switch or two switches are closed. When a fingertip is fitted into the opening of the key top 12 and a force is applied in the horizontal direction, the key top 12 swings about the connecting portion between the holding member 18 and the shaft 20. When the key top 12 swings, the holding member 18 holding the key top 12 is displaced in the vertical direction, and any one of the plural switches (three in the figure) or two adjacent switches are pressed. The contact of switch 14 is closed. When no force is applied to the key top 12, all the contacts of the switch 14 are open. When a fingertip is fitted into the opening of the key top 12 and a force is applied in the left direction in FIG. 2B, the contact of the switch A is closed, and when a force is applied in the lower left direction, both the contacts of the switch A and the switch B are applied. When the force is applied in the lower right direction, the contact of the switch B is closed. When the force is applied in the right direction, both the contacts of the switch B and the switch C are closed, and when the force is applied in the upper right direction. When the contact of the switch C is closed and a force is applied in the upper left direction, both the contacts of the switch A and the switch C are closed. As a result, 1 is doubled to the number of the switches 14 of the input key switch 10 by the combination of opening and closing of the contacts of a plurality of switches (three in the figure) including the state where no force is applied to the key top 12. It is possible to detect the added number of states (seven states in the case of the figure).

  Next, the balance of forces acting on the input key switch 10 will be described. When a fingertip is fitted in the opening of the key top 12 and a horizontal horizontal force Fh is applied to the key top 12, the horizontal force Fh balances the fulcrum reaction force and the fulcrum P of the switch reaction force with the center moment. As shown in FIG. 2C, when the horizontal force Fh is applied in the direction sandwiched between the switch A and the switch B, the force is supported by the switch A and the switch B, so the horizontal force Fh can be considered as the resultant force of Fa and Fb. . The change in force due to the displacement of the key top 12 is ignored. Regardless of whether the contact of switch B is opened or closed, the contact of switch A opens and closes depending on whether the component Fa in the switch A direction of the horizontal force Fh exceeds the threshold value. The contact of A is closed. Similarly, when the direction of the horizontal force Fh is between the switch A and the switch C, the oblique lattice range becomes the vector region of the horizontal force Fh in which the contact of the switch A is closed. The same applies to the vector region of the horizontal force Fh in which the contacts for the other switches B and C are closed. As shown in FIG. 2D, the contacts of two adjacent switches are closed in the vertical hatching region where the regions where the switch contacts are closed overlap. In the lateral hatching area where the above-mentioned area where the contact of the switch is closed does not overlap, the contact of one switch is closed.

  According to the input key switch 10 described above, the key top 12 can be swung by fitting a fingertip into the opening of the key top 12, and the amount of rocking of the key top 12 for closing the contact of the switch 14 is small. Therefore, the key top 12 can be operated without releasing the fingertip without moving the fingertip on the surface of the keytop 12. Therefore, it is possible to provide an input key switch suitable for an input device that inputs a plurality of types of information at a high speed by simultaneously operating a plurality of input key switches 10 with one hand with a small movement amount of a fingertip for inputting information. it can.

  Next, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which one multi-state key switch 10 is provided on the outer surface of an electronic device 24 having a display unit 22 for displaying control information. 3A is provided on the same surface as the display unit 22, and FIG. 3B is provided on the back surface of the display unit 22. A specific example is a digital camera. A conventional cross key switch or the like used for a digital camera requires a large installation space because the switch itself has a large size and a plurality of switches must be installed. On the other hand, since the multi-state key switch 10 has a small size, installation space can be reduced. As a result, when the multi-state key switch 10 is used, the entire device can be gathered compactly. Further, in the case of the multi-state key switch 10, since it is not necessary to visually operate the switch, it can be installed on the back surface of the device. In that case, the device can be made more compact. FIG. 3C shows a video camera 24 with a conventional key switch 26 on the front surface and a multi-state key switch 10 in the vicinity thereof. In this case, many functions can be operated with the hand whose position is fixed by the grip belt 28, and conditions can be changed even during photographing.

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows an example in which the multi-state key switch 10 is applied to an electronic device 24 that performs channel switching of a portable stereo. FIG. 4B is applied to a cordless remote electronic device 24. One display unit 22 and one multi-state key switch 10 are provided on the surface of these electronic devices. As shown in the drawing, the electronic device 24 is held with the index finger 30, and the thumb 32 is brought into contact with the multi-state key switch 10 for operation. These embodiments are characterized in that the operation direction of the multi-state key switch 10 and the direction of the display content displayed on the display unit 22 are matched. As a result, since the operation direction of the multi-state key switch 10 and the display direction of the display unit 22 are visually matched, the operation of the multi-state key switch 10 is facilitated.

  FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. 5A to 5C show a case where one multi-state key switch 10 is provided on the back surface of the display unit 22. 5A and 5C show an example applied to the cordless remote device 24, and FIG. 5B shows an example applied to the portable stereo device 24. FIG. In these examples, since the multi-state key switch 10 is provided on the back surface of the display unit 22, the switch itself cannot be visually recognized when the switch is operated, but the multi-state key switch 10 used in the present invention is a concave key. Since it has a top, it can be operated by groping. As shown in these examples, since it can be operated even if a switch is provided on the back surface of the display unit 22, it is not always necessary to arrange the switch on the surface of the device. Therefore, the electronic device 24 can be miniaturized and multiple functions can be realized. In addition, when a plurality of LEDs 34 indicating the operation state of the multi-state key switch 10 are provided on the same surface as the display unit 22, the operation state of the multi-state key switch 10 can be directly visually recognized. It becomes easy.

  FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is applied to a cordless remote device 24. The thumb key switch 10a is arranged on the same surface as the display unit 22, and the index finger key switch 10b is provided on the back surface of the display unit 22. is there. 6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a side view, and FIG. 6C is a rear view showing the back surface. In this embodiment, the thumb key switch 10a provided on the front surface is brought into contact with the thumb 32, and the index finger key switch 10b provided on the rear surface is brought into contact with the index finger 30 to perform the switch operation. Is performed with the middle finger 36 other than the thumb 32 and the index finger 30. In this embodiment, two thumb key switches 10a and forefinger key switches 10b, one for each of the front and back surfaces of the electronic device 24, are provided, so that two thumb key switches 10a and for the index finger are provided. By combining and coding the state of the key switch 10b, it is possible to realize a multi-function while being small.

  FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the present invention is applied to a cellular phone 24 having a structure in which a grip portion 38 and a display portion 32 are freely opened and closed by a hinge 40. FIG. . FIG. 7A is a rear view, and the grip portion 38 is provided with concavities and convexities 38a and 38b that are symmetrical in plan view so as to be easily gripped by fingers. Further, as shown in the figure, three index finger key switches 10b and middle finger key switches 10c and 10d are provided on the back surface of the grip portion 38. FIG. 7B is a front view, and the holding portion 42 is provided with a holding piece 42 that can tilt left and right. By tilting the holding piece 42 to the left and right, the portable electronic device 24 can be reliably held by either the left or right hand. One thumb key switch 10a is provided on the surface of the grip portion 38. 7 (c) to 7 (e) are diagrams for explaining the gripping method of the gripping portion 38 and the arrangement of the fingertips that come into contact with the thumb key switch 10a, the index finger key switch 10b, and the middle finger key switches 10c and 10d. It is a drawing. The thumb key switch 10a provided on the surface of the grip portion 38 is provided by the thumb 32, and two of the three index finger key switches 10b and the middle finger key switches 10c and 10d provided on the back surface of the grip portion 38. Is operated with the index finger 30 and the middle finger 36. The remaining one is not used at the same time, but is used when it is changed by the left and right hands. In the present embodiment, since two or more thumb key switches 10a, index finger key switch 10b, and middle finger key switches 10c and 10d can be combined and coded, a large amount of information can be input at high speed. .

  FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, which is an example applied to a small notebook personal computer 24. Specifically, a notebook computer 24 having an information display unit 22 on the inner surface of a lid 44 that can be opened and closed with respect to the personal computer 24 body, and a plurality of the thumbs on the front and back surfaces of the notebook computer 24 main body or the information display unit 22, respectively. A key switch 10a, an index finger key switch 10b, and a middle finger key switch 10c are provided. FIG. 8A shows a notebook key switch 10a with a thumb key switch 10a, an index finger key switch 10b, and a middle finger key switch 10c provided on the front and back surfaces in the vicinity of the left and right ends. ) Is provided with a thumb key switch 10a, an index finger key switch 10b, and a middle finger key switch 10c on the front and back surfaces near the left and right ends of the notebook personal computer display unit 22. FIG. 9 is an example applied to a one-board personal computer 24 having a display unit 22 on the personal computer body, one near the left and right ends of the front surface of the one-board personal computer, and two near the left and right ends of the back surface. A total of six multi-state key switches 10 are provided. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the arrangement of the multi-state key switch 10 is symmetrical. In these examples, the information input operation can be performed with the thumb 32 and the index finger 30 while holding the electronic device 24 with one hand.

  FIG. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to a one-board electronic device 24. In FIG. An information display unit 22 is provided on the surface of the electronic device 24 main body, and two thumb key switches 10a are provided on the surface. On the other hand, two or more index finger key switches 10b and a middle finger key switch 10c are also provided on the back surface of the electronic device 24, and the arrangement of the input key switches 10 on both the front and back surfaces is symmetrical. Yes. Further, at both lower corners of the main body of the electronic device 24, a notch 46 is provided at a portion that comes into contact with the palm when the electronic device 24 is held with one hand. The input key switch 10 provided on the front surface of the main body of the electronic device 24 is operated by the thumb 32, and the input key switch 10 provided on the back surface is operated by the index finger 30 and the middle finger 36. As described above, in the present embodiment, the arrangement of the input key switch 10 is symmetric, so that the same operating environment can be maintained without any difference between the left and right hands. In addition, it can be used interchangeably without fixing the fingers corresponding to each multi-state key switch 10, and realizes high-speed input operation even when the electronic device 24 is carried and used. be able to.

  FIG. 11 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention, which has a structure in which the information display unit 32 can be folded with respect to the electronic device 24 main body. By providing two or more thumb key switches 10a on the surface of the electronic device 24 main body, the electronic device 24 main body can be used in a vertical and horizontal posture. Further, the information display unit 22 is separable from the main body of the electronic device 24 so that the information display unit 22 and the main body of the electronic device 24 can be used separately as necessary.

  FIG. 12 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention, in which a concave portion 50 is provided at a corresponding portion on the back side of the device where the ring finger 46 and the little finger 48 abut when the portable electronic device 24 is held with one hand. . The arrangement of the input key switch 10 installed on the front surface and the back surface of the electronic device 24 is the same as in the previous eighth and ninth embodiments. According to this embodiment, the holding of the electronic device 24 by bringing the ring finger 46 and the little finger 48 into contact with the recess 50 provided on the back surface of the electronic device 24 enables reliable holding.

  FIG. 13 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention, which is an example applied to the portable electronic device 24. As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, the back surface of the portable electronic device 24 is provided with a protrusion gripping portion 52 that can be opened and closed by a hinge 40 with respect to the main body of the electronic device 24. The protrusion gripping portion 52 is closed when stored and is in close contact with the back surface of the main body of the electronic device 24, but can be opened at a predetermined angle as needed during use. Also, a holding plate 54 that comes into contact with the palm is provided at both lower corners in plan view of the main body of the electronic device 24 so as to be able to enter and exit. Therefore, when in use, the holding plate 54 can be taken out and held so as to come into contact with either the left or right palm. Further, two or more thumb key switches 10a, index finger key switches 10b, and middle finger key switches 10c are provided on the front and back surfaces of the electronic device 24 main body, respectively. The portable electronic device 24 is assumed to be used and operated with one hand. The thumb key switch 10a provided on the surface of the electronic device 24 is operated with the thumb 32, and the index finger key provided on the back surface of the electronic device 24. The switch 10b and the middle finger key switch 10c are operated with the index finger 30 and the middle finger 36. The other fingers and palm hold the electronic device 24 main body and the protrusion gripping portion 52. According to the present embodiment, a large amount of information can be input in spite of the small number of switches, and the holding plate 54 that comes into contact with the palm is provided in the lower corner of the portable electronic device 24 in plan view so as to be able to enter and exit. Therefore, even if the electronic device 24 is held for a long time with one hand, hand fatigue can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the portable electronic device 24 according to the present embodiment can be used by standing on a desk with the protrusion gripping portion 52 opened as required, or can be used by being set.

  FIG. 15 shows an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, in which one multi-state key switch 10 is provided on the outer surface of a stationary electronic device 24 having an information display section 22. For example, in a stationary electronic device 24 having a large information display unit 22 on the front side of a device such as a television, it is necessary to effectively use the front side of the device. Therefore, it is effective to install switches such as channel switching on the outer surface other than the front of the device. However, since a conventional normal switch needs to be operated visually, for example, if a switch is provided on the side of the device, the operation becomes difficult. On the other hand, since the multi-state key switch 10 can be operated without relying on vision, even if a switch is provided on the side of the electronic device, it can be operated relatively easily. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the side surface of the electronic device can be used effectively, and the degree of freedom in designing the electronic device is improved.

  FIG. 16 shows a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. Three thumb key switches 10a, an index finger key switch 10b, and a middle finger key switch 10c arranged on the surface of the stationary electronic device 24 are arranged. They are arranged so that the plan view is the apex of the triangle. For example, the amount of input information required to operate a printer, a microwave oven, and a washing machine has increased with the higher functionality of these devices, but not as much as a personal computer. As a result, when the multi-state key switch 10 is used, one piece is still insufficient, but if three pieces are used, a sufficient amount of information can be input. Therefore, three thumb key switches 10a, index finger key switches 10b, and middle finger key switches 10c can be used as operation switches for these devices in place of many conventional switches. 16A is an example applied to a printer, FIG. 16B is an example applied to a microwave oven, and FIG. 16C is an example applied to a washing machine. Here, in this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the three thumb key switches 10a, the index finger key switch 10b, and the middle finger key switch 10c arranged on the surface of the stationary electronic device 24 can be viewed in plan view. It is characterized by being arranged so as to be the vertices of a triangle. As a result, even if the multi-state key switch 10 is operated independently with the thumb 32 and the index finger 30 and the middle finger 36 that are different in direction from each other, the switch position is not in an unnatural position. it can. In addition, an inexpensive and multifunctional device can be realized with less fatigue.

  17 and 18 show a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. A thumb key switch 10a operated by the thumb 32 of the hand and an index finger key switch 10b operated by a finger other than the thumb 32 are shown. The electronic device can input information by combination with the middle finger key switch 10c. FIG. 17 shows a keyboard in which all inputs can be made by six multi-state key switches 10. The six switches are respectively operated by the thumb 32, the index finger 30, and the middle finger 36 of the left and right hands. The input information is created by coding the state of these input key switches 10. In FIG. 18, the thumb key switch 10a is arranged only at the part operated by the thumb 32 of both hands, and the conventional key switch 26 is used at the part operated by the other fingers 30 and 36. Even in this case, it is possible to obtain input information encoded by the state combination of the thumb key switch 10a operated by the thumb 32 of both hands and the conventional key switch 26 operated by the other fingers 30 and 36. Therefore, the number of conventional key switches 26 required can be reduced, and a keyboard that does not require hand movement during input operations can be realized. Therefore, according to the keyboard according to the present embodiment, the device can be reduced in size and space can be realized. Further, since no hand movement is required during the input operation, the operability is improved and high-speed input can be realized.

  FIG. 19 shows a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, which is an electronic device control device 60 that includes a multi-state key switch 10 in an armrest 58 of a seat 56 such as a passenger aircraft, and serves as an input means of the electronic device. Since the surface of the multi-state key switch 10 used in this embodiment has a concave shape, the switch does not malfunction even if a part of the human body hits the armrest 58. In addition, since a large amount of information can be input with a small number of switches and the switches can be operated without visually confirming, the user-friendly electronic device control device 60 can be realized.

  FIG. 20 shows a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, which is an electronic device control device 60 in which a multi-state key switch 10 is arranged on a hub 64 portion of a steering wheel 62 of an automobile or the like and used as operation information input means. . Even when driving a vehicle, it is possible to operate audio equipment without moving the line of sight, so that safe driving of the vehicle is not impaired. Further, when the multi-state key switch 10 is arranged at a position as shown in the figure, it becomes difficult to operate the switch except when the vehicle is traveling straight ahead, so that even safer driving can be realized.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a multi-state key switch. It is a figure which shows the principle of operation of a multi-state key switch. 1 is an external view of an electronic apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 3rd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 4th Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 5th Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 6th Example of this invention. Same as above It is explanatory drawing which shows 7th Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 8th Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 9th Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 10th Example of this invention. Same as above It is an external view of the electronic device which shows 11th Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 12th Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 13th Example of this invention. Same as above It is explanatory drawing which shows 14th Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 15th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Multi-state key switch (input key switch)
10a Multi-state key switch for thumb
10b Multi-state key switch for index finger
10c, 10d Multi-state key switch for middle finger
22 Display
24 electronics
34 Display
38 Grip part
38a, 38b uneven
42 Holding piece
44 lid
46 Notch
50 recess
52 Projection grip
54 Retaining plate
60 Electronic equipment controller

Claims (21)

  An electronic apparatus having a display unit for displaying control information, wherein one multi-state key switch is provided on an outer surface of the electronic apparatus.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation direction of the multi-state key switch matches a display direction displayed on the display unit.   3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the multi-state key switch and the display unit are arranged on the same plane.   The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the multi-state key switch is disposed on a back surface of the display unit.   5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a display unit that indicates an operation state of the multi-state key switch on the same surface as the display unit.   An electronic apparatus comprising: the multi-state key switch arranged on the same surface as the display portion; and a multi-state key switch provided on the back surface of the display portion.   A portable electronic device comprising a gripping part and an information display part, characterized in that the gripping part is provided with unevenness that is bilaterally symmetrical in plan view, and the gripping part is provided with a holding piece that can be tilted left and right. Portable electronic devices.   The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein one multi-state key switch is provided on a front surface of the grip portion, and a plurality of multi-state key switches are provided on a back surface of the grip portion.   An electronic apparatus comprising a plurality of the multi-state key switches respectively provided on a front surface and a back surface of an electronic apparatus having an information display unit.   An electronic device having an information display portion on the inner surface of a lid that can be opened and closed with respect to the electronic device body, wherein a plurality of the multi-state key switches are provided on the front surface and the back surface of the electronic device body or the information display portion, respectively. Electronic equipment characterized by   A portable electronic device having a multi-state key switch for thumb on the front surface of a portable electronic device having an information display unit, and a multi-state key switch for index and middle fingers on the back surface of the portable electronic device, the plane view being bilaterally symmetric A portable electronic device characterized by its shape.   The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein a concave portion is provided in a portion where a ring finger contacts when the portable electronic device is held with one hand.   The portable electronic device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a notch is provided in a portion that comes into contact with a palm when the portable electronic device is held with one hand.   The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein a display unit for displaying control information and an information display unit are separated.   The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein a protrusion gripping part that can be put in and out is provided on a back surface of the portable electronic device.   The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein a holding plate that comes into contact with a palm is provided in a lower corner portion of the portable electronic device in plan view so as to be able to enter and exit.   A stationary electronic device, wherein a single multi-state key switch is provided on a surface of a stationary electronic device having an information display unit.   3. A stationary electronic device characterized in that three multi-state key switches arranged on the surface of the stationary electronic device are arranged so that the plan view is a vertex of a triangle.   An electronic apparatus, wherein information is input by a combination of a multi-state key switch operated by a thumb of a hand and a key switch operated by a finger other than the thumb.   An electronic device control apparatus comprising the multi-state key switch in an armrest portion of a seat and serving as an input device of an electronic device. An electronic device control device characterized in that a plurality of state key switches are arranged on a hub portion of a steering wheel to provide operation information input means.

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