JP2006293945A - Input device, method and device for forming input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which enables a user to perform exact input with sufficient operability even without always watching hand, a method and a device for forming the input device. <P>SOLUTION: A tactile part by ruggedness is provided on an external surface of a panel board 40 in accordance with the shapes of detection areas of each sensor on operation keys such as each key of four-direction keys 27, search mode keys 28A-28C and a search bar 30 of a touch panel, which are desirable to be operated without watching the hand. Thus, the user can exactly recognize a position and the shape of an input part by tactile senses of fingertips in operation. On the search bar 30, the recessed shape by a curved surface is linearly formed so that analog input is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, a method for forming the input device, and an apparatus, and is particularly suitable for application to a touch panel that inputs a signal by directly touching with a finger.

  Conventionally, a touch panel has been used as an input device for equipment. The touch panel is for inputting a signal to a device by touching a panel member on which a sensor is arranged with a conductive material such as a finger or a pen. In the touch panel, for example, a detection area on the outer surface of the panel member by the sensor is used as an operation key.

  The panel member constituting the touch panel is made of, for example, transparent acrylic or glass, and is usually used by being mounted on a screen of a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). With this configuration, the user can confirm the type of the operation key by displaying on the display device, and touch the desired operation key to input a signal to the device.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a liquid crystal display, that is, a LCD is attached with a touch panel, is superimposed on an image displayed on the liquid crystal display, is concentric with the center of the display surface, and is a rectangle similar to the outer frame of the display surface There has been proposed an electronic still camera device that graphically displays a plurality of zoom frames and controls the zoom so that the zoom frames instructed from the plurality of zoom frames by the touch panel coincide with the outer frame of the display surface.

JP 2003-224742 A

  However, the conventional input device, input method, and equipment have the following problems. As described above, the touch panel is operated by the user perceiving and discriminating the positions and types of the operation keys visually. That is, the conventional touch panel has a problem that an accurate signal cannot be input to the device unless the user touches the operation key.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device, an input method, and an apparatus capable of performing accurate input with good operability without always looking at the hand.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the first invention includes a panel member in which a haptic part corresponding to the shape of the detection region of the sensor is formed on the outer surface,
A detection unit for detecting finger contact and physical separation in a detection region by a sensor;
An input device comprising: a supply unit that supplies signals corresponding to finger contact and physical separation detected by the detection unit to the outside as input signals.

  In the first invention, a tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection area of the sensor is provided on the outer surface of the panel member, and by detecting the contact and physical separation of fingers in the detection area by the sensor, the user can In addition, the position and shape of the input unit recognized by the sensor can be accurately grasped by the sense of touch of the fingertip.

  In the first invention, it is preferable that the tactile portion is formed in a convex shape. As a result, when the detection unit is searched without looking at the hand, a tactile sensation similar to a mechanical switch can be obtained. At that time, it is desirable to form the convex shape by the inclined surface and the upper surface. As a result, the stimulus to the finger is alleviated, the contact area of the finger in the detection unit can be increased, and the sensitivity of the sensor can be prevented from deteriorating.

  In the first invention, it is preferable that the tactile sensation portion is formed in a concave shape. Thereby, the thickness of the panel member is reduced, and the sensitivity of the sensor in the detection unit can be increased. At that time, it is desirable to form the concave shape by a curved surface. Thereby, the contact surface of a finger can be matched with the swelling of the fingertip.

  In the first invention, it is preferable that an index indicating the position of the detection region is written on the panel member. Thereby, the user can grasp the position of the detection region visually.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the sensor detects the contact and physical separation of fingers on the outer surface of the panel member in the detection region of the sensor, and uses the signals corresponding to the detected finger contact and physical separation as input signals. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for forming an input device, wherein a tactile portion corresponding to a shape of a detection region is formed on an outer surface of a panel member of the input device supplied to the outside.

  In the second invention, by providing a tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection region of the sensor on the outer surface of the panel member, the position and shape of the input part recognized by the sensor by the tactile sense of the fingertip when operated by the user are accurately determined. An input device that can be grasped can be formed.

A third aspect of the invention is a control unit that performs control based on an input signal;
A panel member in which a tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection region of the sensor is formed on the outer surface;
A detection unit for detecting finger contact and physical separation in a detection region by a sensor;
The apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies a signal corresponding to finger contact and physical separation detected by the detection unit to the control unit.

  In the third invention, a tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection area of the sensor is provided on the outer surface of the panel member, and by detecting the contact and physical separation of fingers in the detection area by the sensor, the user can In addition, the position and shape of the input unit recognized by the sensor can be accurately grasped by the sense of touch of the fingertip. Further, the device can be controlled by supplying a signal corresponding to the finger contact and the physical separation detected by the detection unit to the control unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel member in which a tactile sensation part corresponding to the shape of a line or a planar detection region connecting a plurality of sensors is formed on the outer surface;
A detection unit for detecting finger contact and physical separation in the detection region by a plurality of sensors;
An input device comprising: a supply unit that supplies signals corresponding to finger contact and physical separation detected by the detection unit to the outside as input signals.

  In the fourth invention, a tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection area is provided on the outer surface of the panel member, and by detecting the contact and physical separation of fingers in the detection area, the user can detect the tactile sense of the fingertip during the operation. Thus, the position and shape of the input unit recognized by the sensor can be accurately grasped. In addition, since the detection area is a line or a plane shape connecting a plurality of sensors, analog input can be performed satisfactorily.

  In 4th invention, it is preferable to form a tactile sense part by concave shape. Thereby, fingers can be guided in the concave shape. At this time, it is desirable to form the concave end portion in a curved shape. Thereby, the irritation | stimulation to the finger in an edge part can be relieve | moderated.

  In the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to provide the tactile sensation part with another tactile part indicating a predetermined position in a line or planar detection region. Thereby, the user can perceive a predetermined position of the detection area by touch.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sensors detects the contact and physical separation of fingers on the outer surface of a panel member in a line or planar detection region connecting a plurality of sensors, and the detected fingers are detected. A tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection region is formed on the outer surface of the panel member of the input device that supplies signals corresponding to the contact and physical separation to the outside as input signals. It is a forming method.

  In the fifth invention, by providing a tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection region on the outer surface of the panel member, the user can accurately grasp the position and shape of the input part recognized by the sensor by the tactile sense of the fingertip during operation. An input device can be formed. In addition, since the detection area is a line or a plane connecting a plurality of sensors, an input device that can satisfactorily perform analog input can be formed.

A sixth aspect of the invention is a control unit that performs control based on an input signal;
A panel member in which a tactile part corresponding to the shape of a line or a planar detection region connecting a plurality of sensors is formed on the outer surface;
A detection unit for detecting finger contact and physical separation in the detection region by a plurality of sensors;
The apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies a signal corresponding to finger contact and physical separation detected by the detection unit to the control unit.

  In the sixth invention, a tactile part corresponding to the detection region is provided on the outer surface of the panel member, and by detecting the contact and physical separation of the fingers in the detection region, the user can detect the sensor by touching the fingertip during operation. It is possible to accurately grasp the position and shape of the input unit recognized by. Further, analog input can be performed because the detection area is a line or a plane connecting a plurality of sensors. Further, the device can be controlled by supplying a signal corresponding to the finger contact and the physical separation detected by the detection unit to the control unit.

  According to the present invention, since the position and shape of the input unit recognized by the sensor can be grasped by the tactile part on the outer surface of the panel member, the user can perform accurate input with good operability without looking at the hand.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, an example of a device provided with an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a front panel 2 as an example of a recording / reproducing apparatus 1 applicable to the present invention. The recording / reproducing apparatus 1 uses an optical disc as a recording medium, and records a video signal supplied from the outside such as a video camera to a recording medium and reproduces a video signal recorded on the recording medium. As a recording medium applicable to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, for example, an optical disk that uses a blue-violet laser emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 405 nm as a light source and realizes a recording capacity of 23 GB (gigabytes) with a single-sided single layer structure can be used. .

  As will be described later, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is provided with a display unit 10 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) on the front panel 2 to project a video signal reproduced from a recording medium or a video signal supplied from the outside. In addition, various status information of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 can be displayed on the display unit 10 together with the video signal.

  Each operation element arranged on the front panel 2 is configured using a touch panel except for a part. As the touch panel, for example, a capacitive coupling type that detects contact of a finger based on a change in capacitance of an electrode provided on a substrate can be used. For example, a predetermined electrode is formed at a position corresponding to the operation portion on the substrate corresponding to substantially the entire surface excluding the display unit 10 of the front panel 2. As the substrate, for example, a film made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) or the like is used. A dielectric plate such as a glass plate or an acrylic plate is bonded to the substrate to form a panel surface.

  As the dielectric plate to be bonded to the substrate, for example, an acrylic plate is used, and further, a transparent acrylic plate is used, which can give a high-class feeling to the design. Hereinafter, a transparent acrylic plate is used as a dielectric plate to be bonded to the substrate, and the plate is referred to as a panel plate.

  More specifically, the touch panel is a transparent electrode sheet in which a signal pattern and a GND (Ground) pattern are formed on an PET (Iridium Tin Oxide) film 41A on a PET sheet 41B, as schematically shown in FIG. 41 is bonded to a panel plate 40 made of a transparent acrylic plate.

  The panel board 40 is painted, for example, from the back side, the electrode structure is concealed from the outside, and characters and symbols indicating the function of each key are printed. At this time, a transmissive portion can be provided in the coating, and a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) can be disposed on the back surface thereof. An operation result or the like can be explicitly shown by lighting a light emitting element at a corresponding position according to an operation on the touch panel.

  The layout of each part in the front panel 2 will be schematically described. On the left side portion of the front panel 2, a display unit 10 using, for example, an LCD is provided. The display unit 10 can display a video input to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 or a video reproduced from a recording medium by the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, and various statuses of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 and functions to be described later. The functions of the keys 20, 20,... Are displayed.

  The front upper portion of the right side of the front panel 2 is provided with a notch 11 cut out from the upper end in a horizontally long rectangular shape, and the notch 11 exposes a disc insertion opening 12 provided on the main body side of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. It is like that. That is, the front panel 2 has a movable structure with respect to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, operates so that the lower end portion protrudes forward, and the front panel 2 can be tilted. The front panel 2 operates so that the lower end protrudes forward and the upper end is lowered to a predetermined level, so that the disc insertion into the disc insertion opening 12 is not prevented when the front panel 2 is tilted.

  For example, rotary knobs 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D for adjusting the level of the audio input signal are provided at the lower left end of the front panel 2. The rotary knobs 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D are arranged such that a part of the arc is exposed at the lower end of the front panel 2 and the other part of the arc is covered by the panel plate 40 described above. The exposed portion is set to a certain degree necessary and sufficient for the user to put his / her finger on and rotate the rotary knobs 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D. The scales and the like of the rotary knobs 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are written on the surface of the rotary knobs 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D, for example, and are visible through the panel plate 40. On the right side of the rotary knobs 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D, a switch 14 for setting the adjustment mode of the rotary knobs 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D is provided.

  On the left end side of the front panel 2, a power switch 15, a remote selection switch 16, a headphone level volume 17, and a headphone jack 18 are provided from the top. Further, an eject button 19 for ejecting the disc inserted from the disc insertion port 12 and loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus is provided on the right side of the disc insertion port 12. Further, a shift key 24 is provided near the center of the front panel 2.

  An operation element constituted by the touch panel of the front panel 2 will be described. An entity such as a key or a search bar described below is a sensor using an electrode formed on a transparent electrode sheet 41 provided via a panel plate 40, and detects a finger contact based on a change in capacitance. To output a predetermined control signal. The front panel 2 includes a digital sensor that outputs a signal indicating whether or not finger contact is detected, and an analog sensor that can continuously detect the position of the finger between two points. It is used. In the example of FIG. 1, digital sensors are used for various keys, and analog sensors are used for the search bar 30.

  In the following, touching various keys by a digital sensor and detecting touching the key will be expressed as pressing the key for convenience.

  Function keys 20, 20,... Are arranged adjacent to the right side of the display unit 10. The function keys 20, 20,... Are composed of a plurality of keys (5 functions F1 to F5 in the example of FIG. 1). , 20,... Can be switched to a predetermined function. The function keys 20, 20,... Are assigned to the function keys 20, 20,... At the right end of the display unit 10 when the display mode of the display screen displayed on the display unit 10 is the function menu mode. ... displayed at positions corresponding to each.

  A page key 21 and a display key 22 are arranged below the function keys 20, 20,. The page key 21 switches the display mode of the display unit 10 to the function mode in which the function keys are displayed, and switches the key set of the function keys 20, 20,. The display key 22 switches the mode of the screen displayed on the display unit 10.

  Various keys 23 </ b> A to 23 </ b> E used for editing operations, system settings, and the like are arranged below the disk insertion slot 12. These various keys 23A to 23E are provided with predetermined protrusions on the surface so that the user can operate them without looking at the panel surface. In the example of FIG. 1, two functions are assigned to the keys 23 </ b> A to 23 </ b> C, and the contents of each function are shown above and below the keys. By pressing the keys 23A to 23C while pressing the shift key 24, for example, a function written on the lower side of the key is selected.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the key 23 </ b> A is a key used for simple editing, and instructs clip clipping and connection. The key 23B instructs display of thumbnail images. By operating the key 23B together with the shift key 24, an essence mark search is instructed. The essence mark is a mark that is automatically recorded in accordance with a change in a predetermined condition at the time of video recording, such as camera filter replacement. Keys 23 </ b> C to 23 </ b> E are keys used when system settings of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 are performed. The key 23C is also used for editing work.

  Below the various keys 23A to 23E, keys 25A to 25E for controlling various recording / reproducing operations are arranged. That is, for example, the key 25A is pressed once to return to the head of the clip currently being reproduced or selected, and when pressed twice continuously, the key 25A moves to the head clip recorded on the disc. The key 25B is a playback key for instructing playback at 1 × speed in the forward direction. For example, when the key 26C is pressed once, the key moves to the head of the clip next to the currently reproduced or selected clip, and when pressed twice, the key 26C moves to the last clip recorded on the disc. The key 25D is a stop key for giving an instruction to stop reproduction, and the key 25E is a recording key for instructing recording. On both sides of the recording key 25E, convex portions are provided in the form of vertically long bars as guards for preventing erroneous operation. Note that by simultaneously operating the playback key 25B and the preview key 25A, high-speed playback in the reverse direction is instructed. Further, by simultaneously operating the playback key 25B and the next key 25D, high-speed playback in the forward direction is instructed.

  A four-direction key 27 is arranged on the right side of the keys 25A to 25E. The four-direction key 27 includes four keys respectively corresponding to the four directions of up, down, left and right, and is used when it is necessary to give a direction instruction based on the display on the display unit 10, for example. For example, when the editing operation is performed, the four-way key 27 is pressed together with the above-described key 23C to specify the IN point and the OUT point and the marking for the reproduction position. The position corresponding to each of the four-direction keys 27 on the front panel 2 has a convex shape and can be operated without the user looking at the panel surface.

  Below the keys 25A to 25E, a search bar 30 made of an analog sensor is arranged. The search bar 30 can linearly detect the position touched by the finger. For example, the position touched by the finger is detected based on the change in capacitance of each of the two electrodes arranged at both ends of the search bar 30. Since the position is detected using the values of the two points at both ends, the detected position can be specified as one point regardless of the thickness of the user's finger or the like. The search bar 30 has a horizontally long concave shape with the panel plate 40 wound in an arc shape. Further, the search bar 30 is provided with a protrusion 32 slightly above the lateral central portion in the concave shape, so that the user can easily identify the central portion.

  In addition, the bottom of the search bar 30 that is rolled in an arc shape is formed with a transmission portion 31 in the form of a slit corresponding to the linear position detectable range in the lateral direction of the search bar 30, In the case where a light emitting element such as an LED is provided at a position corresponding to the transmission portion, light emission of the light emitting element can be confirmed from the panel surface side. As will be described in detail later, a plurality of light emitting elements are provided over the entire slit-shaped transmission part 31, and emit light corresponding to the position where the finger touches the search bar 30.

  Also, on the right side of the search bar 30, search mode keys 28A to 28C for designating and displaying an operation mode for the operation of the search bar 30 are arranged. A transmission portion is formed on the panel plate 40 in a predetermined manner corresponding to the search mode keys 28A to 28C, and a light emitting element such as an LED is provided at a position corresponding to the transmission portion on the back side of the panel plate 40.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a circuit configuration relating to the front panel 2. The touch panel unit 42 includes the panel plate 40 and the transparent electrode sheet 41 described with reference to FIG. 2, and a control module that converts an output signal from the transparent electrode sheet 41 into a control signal corresponding to the subsequent KY microcomputer 44. The touch panel unit 42 is connected to the KY microcomputer 44 via the LED board module 43. The KY microcomputer 44 is connected to a system controller (system controller) 45 on the main body side of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1.

  Note that, for example, part or all of the non-touch panel type keys such as the shift key 24 are directly supplied to the KY microcomputer 44, for example.

  The LED substrate module 43 is attached to the back as viewed from the front surface of the front panel 2 of the touch panel unit 42, the LEDs are arranged at predetermined positions on the substrate, and an LED light emission control circuit is provided. As described above, the transmissive portion is provided on the panel plate 40 corresponding to the position of the LED so that light emission by the LED can be confirmed from the front side of the front panel 2. In the example of FIG. 1, as described above, LEDs are arranged at positions corresponding to the search mode keys 28 </ b> A to 28 </ b> C, and a plurality of slits corresponding to the entire length of the slit-shaped transmission part 31 in the search bar 30. An LED is placed.

  The KY microcomputer 44 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor, and outputs a command corresponding to the control signal supplied from the touch panel unit 42 to the system controller 45 on the main body side. Further, the KY microcomputer 44 controls the light emission control circuit of the LED board module 43 based on an operation on the touch panel and a command from the system controller 45, and turns on the LEDs in a predetermined manner.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a partial configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 for explaining an example of an operation controlled by each operation key of the front panel 2.

  The system controller 45 is based on a control signal corresponding to an operation key of a touch panel or a non-touch panel system supplied from the KY microcomputer 44 described above by a program recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory), for example, as follows. Each unit constituting the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is controlled so as to perform the recording / reproducing process.

<Recording process>
During the recording process, an audio signal is supplied to the audio signal input unit 52 via the input terminal 51 from a video camera or the like. The audio signal input unit 52 performs a predetermined process on the audio signal supplied via the input terminal 51. The audio signal processed by the audio signal input unit 52 is supplied to the audio / video (A / V) signal processing unit 53.

  On the other hand, a video signal is supplied to the video signal input unit 55 via the input terminal 54 from a video camera or the like. The video signal input unit 55 performs predetermined processing on the video signal supplied via the input terminal 54. The video signal processed by the video signal input unit 55 is supplied to the audio / video signal processing unit 53.

  The audio / video signal processing unit 53 performs predetermined processing based on a control signal from the system controller 45 on each of the audio signal supplied from the audio signal input unit 52 and the video signal supplied from the video signal input unit 55. . The audio / video signal subjected to the predetermined processing can be output to the outside of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. The video signal subjected to the predetermined processing is subjected to display processing and is also supplied to the display unit 10. As a result, an image is displayed on the display unit 10. The audio / video signal that has undergone predetermined processing is also supplied to an encoder / decoder (ENC / DEC) 56 at the time of recording.

  The encoder / decoder 56 performs compression encoding processing on the audio / video signal supplied from the audio / video signal processing unit 53 using the memory 57. The audio / video signal processed by the encoder / decoder 56 is supplied to the drive 58.

  The drive 58 sequentially performs processing such as error correction encoding and recording encoding modulation on the audio / video signal supplied from the encoder / decoder 56 to record the audio / video signal on the optical disc 59.

<Reproduction processing>
At the time of reproduction processing, the drive 58 sequentially performs processing such as demodulation and error correction code decoding on the audio / video signal read from the optical disc 59. The audio / video signal processed by the drive 58 is supplied to the encoder / decoder 56.

  The encoder / decoder 56 decompresses the compression code of the audio / video signal supplied from the drive 58. The audio / video signal expanded by the encoder / decoder 56 is supplied to the audio / video signal processing unit 53.

  The audio / video signal processing unit 53 performs predetermined processing based on a control signal from the system controller 45 on each of the audio / video signals supplied from the encoder / decoder 56. The audio / video signal subjected to the predetermined processing can be output to the outside of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. The video signal is subjected to display processing and is also supplied to the display unit 10. As a result, the reproduced video is displayed on the display unit 10.

  As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 can control the recording / reproducing process by the operation keys on the front panel 2.

  In one embodiment, the optical disk 59 is used as a recording medium for recording / reproducing, but other recording media may be used. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a modification of the partial configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another modification of the partial configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5, the drive 58 sequentially performs processing such as error correction coding and recording coding modulation on the audio / video signal supplied from the encoder / decoder 56 at the time of recording. Audio / video signals are recorded on the tape 60. Further, the drive 58 sequentially performs processing such as demodulation and decoding of an error correction code on the audio / video signal read from the magnetic tape 60 during reproduction. Other operations are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6, the audio / video signal compression-encoded by the encoder / decoder 56 at the time of recording is supplied to a memory interface (I / F) 61 and is attached to a removable memory 62 such as a flash memory. Audio / video signals are recorded. At the time of reproduction, the audio / video signal read from the memory 62 is supplied to the encoder / decoder 56 via the memory interface 61. Other operations are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  Also in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 in these modified examples and other modified examples, the recording / reproducing process and the like can be controlled by the operation keys on the front panel 2.

  Next, the input device which is the main part of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the right side of the front panel 2 as viewed obliquely from the front. In the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, each of the keys 23A to 23E, the four-direction key 27 (upward key 27A, leftward key 27B, rightward key 27C and downward key 27D), search mode keys 28A to 28C and search bar 30 are provided. A tactile sensation portion having a concavo-convex shape is provided on the outer surface of the arranged panel plate 40. Hereinafter, each of the keys 23A to 23E is appropriately referred to as a key 23, and each of the search mode keys 28A to 28C is appropriately referred to as a search mode key 28.

  In addition, the operation key provided with a tactile sense part is not limited to these, You may provide in other operation keys, such as the key 20 and the keys 25A-25E. However, when applied to all the operation keys, there is a possibility that the flat feeling that is an advantage of the touch panel may be impaired. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the keys only for the keys that can be operated without looking at the hand.

  Each key of the key 23, the four-direction key 27, and the search mode key 28 constitute a tactile part with a convex shape, and the search bar 30 constitutes a tactile part with a concave shape. By constructing the tactile sensation portion with a convex shape, a tactile sensation similar to a mechanical switch can be obtained when looking for the detection portion of the sensor without looking at the hand. Further, by forming the tactile sensation portion with the concave shape, the thickness of the panel plate 40 is reduced, and the sensitivity of the sensor can be increased.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a cross-sectional configuration of the key 23. FIG. 8A shows a cross-sectional configuration of the key 23 in the vertical direction and an image of a finger during operation, and FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectional configuration of the key 23 in the horizontal direction. FIG. 9 shows a top view of the key 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a sensor made of an ITO film 41 </ b> A is provided on the inner surface of the panel plate 40 corresponding to the position of the key 23. The detection area by the sensor is, for example, inside the signal pattern approximately the same as the size of the key arranged at the center position of the key 23. In addition, a protrusion 71 is formed as a tactile part on the outer surface of the panel plate 40 corresponding to the position of the key 23. Note that the shape, size, number, and arrangement of the tactile portions in the key 23 are not limited to the illustrated protrusions 71 as long as the user can touch them with a fingertip. Further, the tactile sensation part may be formed by a depression having the same shape as the protrusion 71.

  As shown in FIG. 9, an indicator 72 indicating the position of the key 23 and an indicator 73 indicating the type of the key 23 are printed on the panel board 40 by printing or the like. For example, in the case of the key 23E, the character “MENU” is written as the index 73. The index 72 and the index 73 can be described by, for example, letters, numbers, symbols, figures, or a combination thereof. By writing the index 72 on the panel board 40, the user can visually recognize the position of the detection part of the sensor in the key 23. Further, by writing the index 73 on the panel board 40, the user can visually recognize the type of the key 23, that is, what key the key 23 is.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, for example, the detection area 74 in the index 72 is a range in which finger contact with the key 23 and physical separation are recognized by the detection of the sensor. When the center of the finger touching the board 40 is within the index 72, it is determined that the key 23 has been operated.

  As described above, the protrusion 71 is formed on the outer surface of the panel plate 40 in the detection region 74 of the sensor of the key 23, so that the user can grasp the position of the input unit in each key 23 by touch. it can. In the illustrated example, the shape, size, number, and arrangement of the protrusions 71 are the same in each key 23. By changing these, the type of each key 23 can be identified by tactile sensation. Can do.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a cross-sectional configuration of the key portion of the four-way key 27. FIG. 10A shows a cross-sectional configuration in the vertical direction and an image of a finger during operation, and FIG. 10B shows a cross-sectional configuration in the horizontal direction. FIG. 11 shows a top view of the down key 27D of the four-way key 27.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a sensor made of an ITO film 41 </ b> A is provided on the inner surface of the panel plate 40 corresponding to the position of each key of the four-direction key 27. The detection area by the sensor is, for example, inside the signal pattern substantially the same as the size of the key arranged at the center position of each key of the four-way key 27. Further, on the outer surface of the panel plate 40 corresponding to the position of each key of the four-direction key 27, a convex portion 75 is formed as a tactile sense portion.

  The convex portion 75 has a substantially trapezoidal cross section, and the upper surface 76 that is the top side of the convex shape is smaller than the lower surface 77. Further, the height of the convex portion 75 is set such that the sensor can sufficiently detect the contact of the finger with the upper surface 76. For example, the upper surface 76 is substantially the same size as the contact surface of the average forefinger fingertip, and the inclination angle α is such that when the center of the convex portion 75 is lightly pressed with the fingertip of the hand, the bulge portion of the fingertip is an inclined surface. The angle is gentle so as to contact 78. The inclined surface 78 with the inclination angle α may be formed in a stepped shape or a curved shape. In addition, the tactile sensation part in each key of the four-direction key 27 is not limited to the illustrated convex part 75 as long as the user can touch it with a fingertip. Note that the tactile sensation portion may be formed by a convex shape having a curved cross section. However, since the contact area with a finger is reduced, it may have a flat contact surface such as the upper surface 76 shown in FIG. preferable. Moreover, you may form a tactile sense part by concave shape.

  As shown in FIG. 11, on the panel board 40, an index 79 indicating the key position in the four-way key 27 and indices 80a and 80b indicating the type of the key 23 are printed. In the case of the illustrated downward key 27A, the character “MARK2” is written as the index 80a, and the symbol “↓” is written as the index 80b. The index 79 and the indices 80a and 80b can be described by, for example, letters, numbers, symbols, figures, or a combination thereof.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, for example, the detection area 81 inside the index 79 is set as a range in which finger contact with the four-way key 27 and physical separation are recognized by the detection of the sensor. When the center of the finger touching the panel board 40 is within the index 79, it is determined that an operation on a specific key among the four-way keys 27 has been performed.

  As described above, the convex portion 75 corresponding to the shape of the detection area of the sensor of each key of the four-way key 27 is formed on the outer surface of the panel plate 40, so that the user can touch each key of the four-way key 27 by touch. It is possible to grasp the position and shape of the input unit. In the illustrated example, the shape and size of the convex portions 75 of each key of the four-way key 27 are all the same, but by changing these, the type of each key can be identified by tactile sensation. it can.

  The search mode key 28 has a convex shape that is substantially the same as the key portion of the four-way key 27, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a cross-sectional configuration of the search bar 30. 12A shows a cross-sectional configuration of the search bar 30 in the vertical direction and an image of a finger during operation, and FIG. 12B shows a cross-sectional configuration of the search bar 30 in the horizontal direction. FIG. 13 is a modification of the cross-sectional configuration in the vertical direction of the search bar 30. FIG. 14 shows a top view of the search bar 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a sensor made of an ITO film 41 </ b> A is provided on the inner surface of the panel plate 40 corresponding to the position of the search bar 30. The detection area by the sensor is, for example, inside the signal pattern having substantially the same size as the plan view shape of the search bar 30. Further, a recess 82 is formed on the outer surface of the panel plate 40 corresponding to the position of the search bar 30. The concave portion 82 is formed into a concave shape by a curved surface such that the panel plate 40 is horizontally long in an arc shape. The curved surface shape forming the concave shape is not limited to the circular arc. By forming the concave shape with a curved surface, the contact surface of the finger can be matched to the bulge of the fingertip.

  The depth of the recessed part 82 is the thickness of the panel board 40, for example, within 3 mm, and is set to a thickness that allows the panel board 40 to maintain sufficient strength. That is, the thickness of the panel board 40 corresponding to the position of the search bar 30 is formed thin. Therefore, the search bar 30 has good sensor sensitivity and is suitable for detection of finger contact by an analog sensor.

  The vertical width of the recess 82 is set to a size suitable for guiding the finger that is being operated. Accordingly, the user can move the finger touching the recess 82 linearly and smoothly within the range of the recess 82. The lateral length of the recess 82 is a length corresponding to the shape of the detection area of the sensor. For example, when signal pattern sensors are arranged at both ends 83 of the recess 82, detection areas of the sensors are set in a line connecting the sensors, and the recess 82 is provided along the detection areas. Both ends 83 of the recess 82 are formed in a curved surface such as a spherical surface. As a result, it is possible to relieve the stimulus to the finger moving in the recess 82 and prevent the finger from being damaged.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, a tactile sensation portion formed by the protrusion 32 is provided at a predetermined position of the recess 82. Thereby, the user can perceive a predetermined position in the recess 82 by touch. In the illustrated example, only one projection 32 is provided slightly above the central portion in the horizontal direction in the concave shape of the concave portion 82. By setting the central portion slightly above, it is possible to increase the contact area of fingers in the central portion. The position and number of the protrusions 32 are not limited to this. Further, the shape of the tactile sensation part is not limited to the protrusion 32, and may be provided by a depression, for example.

  The tactile sensation part in the search bar 30 is not limited to the illustrated recess 82 as long as the user can touch it with a fingertip. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the bottom surface 84 and the inclined surface 85 form a concave shape, or as shown in FIG. Also good. Furthermore, you may form a tactile sense part by convex shape. Alternatively, the detection area of the sensor may be set to a planar shape connecting a plurality of sensors, and a concave shape corresponding to the shape of the detection area may be formed as the tactile part.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, for example, the detection area 88 inside the recess 82 is set as a range in which finger contact with the search bar 30 and physical separation are recognized by the sensor detection. Therefore, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 determines that the operation of the search bar 30 has been performed when the center of the finger touching the panel board 40 is within the recess 82.

  Similar to the key 23, the four-direction key 27, and the like, an indicator indicating the input area or the key type in the search bar 30 may be printed on the panel board 40 by printing or the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above description, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is an example of a device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. Applicable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the capacitive touch panel has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the touch panel can be applied to a resistive touch panel, an optical touch panel, an ultrasonic touch panel, and the like. Further, the sensor is not limited to a contact detection type sensor, and may be a pressure detection type sensor that detects a finger contact by a pressure state.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the front panel of the recording / reproducing apparatus to which the operation element by one Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of a structure of a touchscreen. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure regarding a front panel. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a partial structure of a recording / reproducing apparatus. FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating a modification of the partial configuration of the recording / reproducing device. FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating another modification of the partial configuration of the recording / reproducing device. It is the perspective view which looked at the right side of the front panel from diagonally forward. It is a figure which shows an example of the cross-sectional structure of the key by which the projection part was formed in the panel board. It is a figure which shows the upper side figure of the key by which the projection part was formed in the panel board. It is a figure which shows an example of the cross-sectional structure of the key by which the convex part was formed in the panel board. It is a figure which shows the upper side figure of the key by which the convex part was formed in the panel board. It is a figure which shows an example of the cross-sectional structure of a search bar. It is a figure for demonstrating the modified example of a concave shape. It is a figure which shows the upper surface of a search bar.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording / reproducing apparatus 2 ... Front panel 23 (23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E) ... Key 27 ... Four-way key 28 ... Search mode key 30 ... Search bar 72 ... Projection 40 ... Panel plate 41 ... Transparent electrode sheet 42 ... Touch panel 71 ... Projection 72, 73, 79, 80a, 80b ... Indicator 74, 81, 88 ... Detection area 75 ... convex part 76 ... upper surface 78 ... inclined surface 82 ... concave part 83 ... end part

Claims (14)

A panel member in which a tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection region of the sensor is formed on the outer surface;
A detection unit for detecting finger contact and physical separation in the detection region by the sensor;
An input device comprising: a supply unit that supplies a signal corresponding to finger contact and physical separation detected by the detection unit to the outside as an input signal.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the tactile part is formed in a convex shape.   The input device according to claim 2, wherein the convex shape is formed by an inclined surface and an upper surface.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the tactile part is formed in a concave shape.   The input device according to claim 4, wherein the concave shape is formed by a curved surface.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein an index indicating the position of the detection region is written on the panel member.   An input for detecting finger contact and physical separation on the outer surface of the panel member in the detection region of the sensor by the sensor and supplying a signal corresponding to the detected finger contact and physical separation to the outside as an input signal A method for forming an input device, comprising: forming a haptic portion corresponding to a shape of the detection region on an outer surface of the panel member of the device. A control unit that performs control based on the input signal;
A panel member in which a tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection region of the sensor is formed on the outer surface;
A detection unit for detecting finger contact and physical separation in the detection region by the sensor;
An apparatus comprising: a supply unit that supplies a signal corresponding to finger contact and physical separation detected by the detection unit to the control unit. A panel member in which a tactile part corresponding to the shape of a line or a planar detection region connecting a plurality of sensors is formed on the outer surface;
A detection unit for detecting finger contact and physical separation in the detection region by the plurality of sensors;
An input device comprising: a supply unit that supplies a signal corresponding to finger contact and physical separation detected by the detection unit to the outside as an input signal.   The input device according to claim 9, wherein the tactile part is formed in a concave shape.   The input device according to claim 10, wherein the end portion of the concave shape is formed by a curved surface.   The input device according to claim 9, wherein the tactile part is provided with another tactile part indicating a predetermined position in the line or planar detection region.   The contact and physical separation of the fingers on the outer surface of the panel member in the line or planar detection region connecting the plurality of sensors is detected by the plurality of sensors, and the detected finger contact and physical separation are detected. A tactile part corresponding to the shape of the detection region is formed on the outer surface of the panel member of the input device that supplies a signal corresponding to the above to the outside as an input signal. A control unit that performs control based on the input signal;
A panel member in which a tactile part corresponding to the shape of a line or a planar detection region connecting a plurality of sensors is formed on the outer surface;
A detection unit for detecting finger contact and physical separation in the detection region by the plurality of sensors;
An apparatus comprising: a supply unit that supplies a signal corresponding to finger contact and physical separation detected by the detection unit to the control unit.

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