JP2006211542A - Composite input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite input device in which excellent usability can be obtained by smoothly performing a plurality of kinds of continuous input operations while excluding feelings of click, a configuration is simplified and manufacturing costs are also reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The composite input device comprises: a first switch constituted of a rotary member 2 which is supported so as to freely rotate back and forth and a rotation detecting means 3 for detecting a rotating direction and a rotating amount of the rotary member 2; at least one second switch constituted of a proximity detection sensor 7 disposed under the outer peripheral edge of the rotary member 2; and a control unit 9 which is connected to the rotation detecting means 3 and the proximity detection sensor 7 and determines an input operation by an operator in accordance with a result of detecting the rotating direction and the rotating amount of the rotary member 2 in the first switch and a result of detecting the selecting operation of the proximity detection sensor 7 in the second switch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite input device that enables a plurality of continuous input operations, and more particularly to a composite input device used in an electronic apparatus.

  In recent years, operations of various electronic devices have been diversified, and therefore, a larger number of input devices that realize desired operations are required.

  However, if a single input device is simply added to the main body of the electronic device, it is necessary to secure an arrangement area for that, and the electronic device is contrary to the recent demand for downsizing of the electronic device. There is concern. In view of this, a composite input device has been developed in which a plurality of input devices are integrated (hereinafter referred to as a switch) and a plurality of input operations can be performed by operating the switches.

  As the composite input device, for example, an encoder as a rotation operation input unit is built in as a first input device, and a dome-shaped contact is arranged as a second input device immediately below the peripheral edge of the rotation operation input unit. A composite input device is known (see Patent Document 1). In an electronic device equipped with such a composite input device, for example, a specific function can be obtained from a menu displayed on the screen of the electronic device by pressing the arrangement portion of the dome-shaped contact in the peripheral portion of the rotation operation input unit. The selected function can be activated by selecting and then rotating the rotation operation input unit. For example, the volume can be selected from the menu by the first pressing operation, and then the volume can be increased or decreased by rotating the rotation operation input unit.

  In a conventional composite input device including such a switch, when the operator operates the first switch or the second switch with a finger, the operator feels pressing or rotating (hereinafter, referred to as a “switching operation”). It is common to have a structure that conveys a click feeling.

JP 2003-13421 A

  However, it is also true that there are operators who feel that the click feeling of the switch pressing operation and the rotation operation is uncomfortable, and there is a request that the click feeling is unnecessary.

  Therefore, recently, for example, as the rotation operation input unit, a plurality of electrostatic sensors that react only to a living body such as a fingertip are arranged in an annular shape, and the detection of each sensor is processed by the control unit. A composite input device that eliminates a click feeling by using an input device that determines an operation input has been developed.

  However, a switch having a configuration in which a plurality of electrostatic sensors are arranged in an annular shape requires a considerable number of sensors, and the wiring of each sensor becomes complicated and is connected to each sensor. Since the control unit (IC) is required to have high processing performance, the manufacturing cost has been increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to perform a smooth operation by eliminating the click feeling of a plurality of continuous input operations and obtain a good feeling of use. An object of the present invention is to provide a composite input device having a structure and low manufacturing cost.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the composite input device according to the present invention is characterized by a rotating member that is rotatably supported in forward and reverse directions, and a rotation detecting means that detects the rotating direction and the rotating amount of the rotating member. A first switch comprising: at least one second switch comprising a proximity detection sensor disposed below an outer peripheral edge of the rotating member; and the first switch connected to the rotation detection means and the proximity detection sensor. And a control unit that determines and processes the input operation of the operator based on the detection result of the rotation direction and amount of the rotation member and the detection result of the selection operation of the proximity detection sensor of the second switch.

  Specifically, the rotating member may be a code plate of an encoder, and the rotation detecting unit may be a sensor capable of detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the code plate of the encoder.

  The composite input device of the present invention operates as follows. That is, the operator selects one of the functions assigned to each of the second switches, and puts a finger on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member of the first switch that is directly above the selected second switch. Put it on. By this operation, the proximity detection sensor as the second switch reacts, so the control unit determines the selection of the function assigned to the second switch by the operator. Then, with the operator placing a finger on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member, the rotating member is rotated clockwise (forward rotation direction) or counterclockwise (reverse rotation direction). At this time, since the rotation detection sensor detects the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the rotation member, the control unit performs a desired operation in the selected function, for example, when the volume function is selected by the operation of the second switch. And the channel switching (ascending or descending order) when the channel function is selected by operating the second switch.

  According to the composite input device according to the present invention, neither the first switch composed of the rotating member and the rotation detecting means nor the second switch composed of the proximity detection sensor causes a click feeling, and therefore is continuous. Multiple types of input operations can be performed smoothly and the feeling of use is good, the configuration is simple, the number and area of proximity detection sensors can be reduced, and the controller also has advanced processing performance. Since it is not required, it has extremely excellent effects such as low manufacturing costs.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of the composite input device 1 according to the present embodiment disposed in the input unit on the surface of the casing 21a of the electronic device 21, and FIG. FIG.

  The composite input device 1 of the present embodiment is an input device that enables two consecutive input operations, and a switch as an input device for selecting a function that the electronic device 21 has, and a desired function in the selected function And a switch as an input device for performing the above operations.

  Specifically, an input device for performing a desired operation in the selected function includes a disc-shaped rotating member 2 that is rotatably supported in the forward and reverse directions, and the rotating direction of the rotating member 2 And a first switch comprising a rotation detecting means 3 for detecting the rotation amount.

  The rotation member 2 and the rotation detection means 3 may be of a known configuration that does not cause a click feeling. In the present embodiment, the rotating member 2 is an encoder code plate, and the rotation detecting means 3 is a photosensor sensor 6 capable of detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the encoder code plate. As the code plate 5 and the reflection type photosensor 6, the configuration of the optical encoder disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-14405 of the applicant's prior application can be used.

  Briefly describing the optical encoder, the code plate 5 is rotatably supported by a shaft, and a large number of concave and convex portions (not shown) are arranged at equal pitch intervals on the same track, so that the A and B phases are arranged. A detection pattern is formed. Further, when the light emitting element 6a and the light receiving element 6b are disposed close to the surface of the code plate 5 on which the concavo-convex portion is formed, and the code plate 5 is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction, the light emitting element 6a The emitted light is reflected by the A and B phase detection patterns and received by the light receiving element 6b, and an A phase signal and a B phase signal having a phase difference of 90 ° are output from the light receiving element 6b. Based on the signal and the B phase signal, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the code plate are detected. The optical encoder disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-14405 detects the absolute position of the code plate 5, but in this embodiment, the rotation direction and amount of the code plate 5 are detected. I can do it.

  The input device for selecting a function of the electronic device is composed of a capacitance sensor 7 as a proximity detection sensor, and at least one second device disposed below the outer peripheral edge of the code plate 5 as the rotating member 2. It is a switch. Here, the proximity detection sensor is a sensor that can detect that a detected object such as a human body is approaching the sensor, and conceptually refers to a sensor that does not necessarily require a contact or pressing operation for sensing. A capacitance sensor, a temperature sensor, a photo sensor, and the like can be exemplified. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the capacitance sensors 7 are arranged in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and four second switches corresponding to the capacitance sensors 7 are arranged.

  The capacitance sensor 7 is formed of a lead electrode (not shown) formed of an Ag (silver) -based paste and PET (polyethylene terephthalate), etc., in which the lands 7a are insulative and have a predetermined dielectric constant. A sheet member (not shown) is formed on the upper surface. The sheet member is disposed on a wiring board 8 built in the electronic device 21, and each electrode of the capacitance sensor 7 is connected to a circuit pattern formed on the wiring board 8, and is connected to a control unit 9 described later. Electrically connected. According to the capacitance sensor 7 having such a configuration, a dielectric such as a finger approaches the surface of the land 7a of the capacitance sensor 7, whereby the capacitance changes at the position where the land 7a is formed. Therefore, the presence or absence of an input operation can be determined by monitoring the change in capacitance.

  And the composite input device of this embodiment is connected to the rotation detection means 3 and the capacitance sensor 7, and the detection result of the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the code plate 5 as the rotation member 2 of the first switch, And a control unit 9 that determines and processes the input operation of the operator based on the detection result of the selection operation of the capacitance sensor 7 as the second switch.

  And the composite input device of this embodiment acts as follows.

  That is, the operator selects one of the functions assigned to each of the second switches, and the code plate 5 as the rotating member 2 of the first switch that is directly above the selected second switch. Put your finger on the outer periphery. As described above, the capacitance sensor 7 as the second switch can determine the selection of the function of the operator only by approaching a living body such as a finger. In order to perform two input operations, the finger is actually brought into contact with the code plate 5.

  Due to this operation of the operator, the capacitance sensor 7 as the second switch reacts, so that the control unit 9 determines the selection of the function assigned to the operator's second switch. At the same time, monitoring of the rotation of the code plate 5 using the reflective photosensor 6 of the first switch is started.

  Then, with the operator placing a finger on the outer peripheral edge of the code plate 5, the code plate 5 is rotated clockwise (for the sake of convenience, the forward direction) or counterclockwise (for the sake of convenience, the opposite direction). Let At this time, since the reflection type photosensor 6 detects the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the code plate 5, the control unit 9 can perform the desired function in the selected function, for example, the volume function by the operation of the second switch. Various operations such as volume adjustment when selected and channel switching (ascending order or descending order) when the channel function is selected by the operation of the second switch can be executed.

  As described above, according to the composite input device of the present embodiment, it is possible to smoothly perform a plurality of types of input operations without giving a click feeling to the operator, and to obtain a good feeling of use.

  In addition, the composite input device according to the present embodiment has a simple configuration, and the number and area of the capacitance sensors can be reduced, and the control unit does not require high processing performance, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced. .

  Such a composite input device can be used as an input means for a navigation system, a personal computer, a mobile phone or the like.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given by specifically assuming one operation when the composite input device is mounted on a navigation system as an electronic device, with reference to FIGS. 2A to 4A are schematic front views showing the operation state of the composite input device, FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 2A, and FIG. A display screen 22 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the navigation system in which the composite input device 1 of this embodiment is mounted can display two types of maps with different scales on the same display screen 22.

  The capacitance sensor 7 as the second switch disposed on the right side of the composite input device 1 displays only the map displayed on the right side of the display screen 22 on the display screen 22 and its scale. The capacitance sensor 7 as a second switch arranged on the left side of the composite input device displays only the map displayed on the left side of the display screen 22. While displaying on the screen 22, it functions as a left screen selection switch for switching the scale.

  When the right screen switch is selected, the first switch including the code plate 5 as the rotating member 2 is rotated counterclockwise, and the scale of the map displayed on the right side of the display screen 22 is reduced. A volume for displaying a wide-area map by reducing the denominator and displaying a more detailed map, and conversely, by rotating clockwise, the denominator of the map scale displayed on the right side of the display screen 22 is increased. It is controlled to function as a switch.

  When the left screen switch is selected, the first switch including the code plate 5 as the rotating member 2 is a clockwise denominator of the map scale displayed on the left side of the display screen 22 by rotating clockwise. To display a more detailed map, and conversely, by rotating counterclockwise, the denominator of the map scale displayed on the left side of the display screen 22 is increased to display a wide area map. It is controlled to function as a switch.

  Specifically, for example, when a more detailed map is displayed by reducing the denominator of the map scale a little on the left screen in FIG. 2C, as shown in FIG. A finger is placed on the outer peripheral edge of the code plate 5 as the rotating member 2 of the first switch that is directly above the capacitance sensor 7 as the second switch disposed on the left side of the device 1.

  When the operation of the operator is detected by the capacitance sensor 7 as the second switch from the change in capacitance (see FIG. 3B), the control unit 9 selects the left screen. And control so that only the map displayed on the left side of the display screen 22 is displayed on the display screen 22 (see FIG. 3C), and the reflective photosensor of the first switch. 6 starts monitoring the rotation of the code plate 5.

  Then, the operator rotates the code plate 5 clockwise as shown in FIG. 4 (A) with a finger placed on the outer peripheral edge of the code plate 5. At this time, since the reflective photosensor 6 detects the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the code plate 5 (see FIG. 4B), the control unit 9 determines from the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the code plate 5. The operator's desired operation is determined, and in the case of the present embodiment, control is performed such that the denominator of the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 22 is reduced to display a more detailed map (FIG. 4). (See (C)).

  As described above, according to the composite input device of the present embodiment, it is possible to smoothly perform a selection of a desired screen and an operation for supporting the display scale without giving a click feeling to the operator, and a good usability is achieved. I can.

  In the embodiment, the capacitance sensor 7 as the second switch disposed on the upper side and the lower side of the composite input device cancels the one-screen display, and is the basic setting 2. A cancel function for returning to the screen display, a voice guidance setting function of the navigation system, and the like are addressed, but the description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment and Example mentioned above, A various change is possible as needed. For example, in order to confirm the function selection, it is possible to provide a feedback function appealing to a sense other than the click feeling, for example, a chime sound generating mechanism (hearing use), an LED blinking mechanism (visual use), or the like. Further, the number of the second switches arranged is not limited to four, top, bottom, left, and right as in the above-described embodiment, but can be increased or decreased. The proximity detection sensor is not limited to a capacitance sensor, and may be a temperature sensor or a photo sensor. Furthermore, it is possible to give the function of a push switch to a rotating member supported by a rotating shaft, and in that case, three types of switch operations can be performed. Still further, the rotation detection means is not limited to a reflection type photosensor, and may be, for example, a magnetic detection (sensor) means in the case of a magnetic encoder, a switch member in the case of an electric encoder, or the like. Further, the rotating member and the rotation detecting means are not limited to the above-described configurations, and adopt a known rotary volume control configuration generally used for volume switches of audio equipment, light amount adjustment switches of lighting devices, and the like. Is also possible.

(A) Front schematic diagram in one embodiment of the composite input device of the present invention, (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of (A). (A) is a schematic front view showing a state before continuous input operation in an example in which the composite input device of this embodiment is arranged in a navigation system, (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of (A), (C) ) Is the display screen of the navigation system in the pre-operation state (A) is the front schematic diagram which shows the state in the middle of operation of continuous input in the Example which has arrange | positioned the composite input device of this embodiment in the navigation system, (B) is a principal part schematic sectional drawing of (A), C) Display screen of navigation system in the middle of operation (A) is the front schematic diagram which shows the state after the operation of continuous input in the Example which has arrange | positioned the composite input device of this embodiment in the navigation system, (B) is principal part sectional schematic of (A), C) The display screen of the navigation system in the post-operation state

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Composite input device 2 Rotating member 3 Rotation detection means 5 Code board 6 Reflection type photo sensor 6a Light emitting element 6b Light receiving element 7 Capacitance sensor 8 Wiring board 9 Control part 21 Electronic device 21a Case 22 Display screen

Claims (2)

A first switch comprising a rotating member rotatably supported in forward and reverse directions, and a rotation detecting means for detecting a rotating direction and a rotating amount of the rotating member;
At least one second switch comprising a proximity detection sensor disposed below the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member;
An operator's input operation based on the detection result of the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the rotating member of the first switch and the detection result of the selection operation of the proximity detection sensor of the second switch. A control unit for determining and processing,
A composite input device comprising:   2. The composite input device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a code plate of an encoder, and the rotation detecting unit is a sensor capable of detecting a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the code plate of the encoder.

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