JP2007200732A - Signal input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal input device capable of inputting a signal by a technique similar to input and settlement of an instruction signal by a conventional rotary encoder and a push switch by using a small and simple mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: A touch sensor 5 is arranged on a cylindrical circumferential surface of a rotary contact operation member 4. By detecting a position where a finger of a user contacts the touch sensor 5, it is used as a scroll direction of a map screen of, for instance, a navigation device. When the contact position of the finger is moved, its movement direction is detected and used for a menu selection instruction signal or the like. A similar operation may be enabled by dividing the touch sensor 5 to arrange them in line in the circumferential direction, and the cylindrical circumferential surface may be a circumferential surface comprising at least a partial surface of a cylindrical surface. The touch sensor 5 may be used for an additional instruction signal of the user by allowing the movement of the contacting finger in the cylindrical axis direction to be detected, an irregular part may be formed on the cylindrical circumferential surface, and thereby rocking and pressing of the rotary contact operation member may be allowed to be detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a signal input device for inputting various instruction signals to various devices by operating a finger or the like.

  For example, in a navigation device, in order to input and confirm various instruction signals such as menu selection, map scrolling, destination input, etc., and to input and confirm various instruction signals to an audio device, various signal inputs have been conventionally used. A signal input device comprising a rotary encoder and a push switch is widely used. The signal input method for selecting and confirming the input by the rotary encoder and the push switch is not limited to the apparatus as described above and is widely used in various fields.

  Even after the method of selecting and confirming input using the rotary encoder and push switch as described above was developed, various signal inputs such as a method of inputting a signal by bringing a finger etc. into contact with the touch screen, etc. Despite the fact that the method has been developed, the basic operation method is the same even if the menu screen that prompts the input of the signal is changed. It has a feel and can be operated without always checking with the eyes, and has the advantage that it does not take up space unlike those operated in a plane. In addition, the rotary operation is suitable for things such as loops that have no beginning and end, long list selection, etc., and because many people are accustomed to inputting instruction signals for various devices. Conceivable.

  On the other hand, as a technique that has rapidly become popular in recent years, for example, a pad-type pointing device used as a signal input means of a portable personal computer, a touch pad, or a touch screen, which is detected as a finger touching the surface is detected. There are means using a touch sensor (hereinafter collectively referred to as a touch sensor). In this touch sensor, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the planar touch sensor 101 includes a large number of switch function units 102 inside, and an object such as a finger 104 is brought into contact with the surface 103. A predetermined signal corresponding to the position of the XY axis where each switch function unit is located is output.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12B, the internal structure of the touch sensor 101 includes an operation detection film 106 including operation detection electrodes 105 corresponding to individual switch function units that detect that a finger is in contact with the surface. The counter electrode film 107 is disposed on the back side of the operation detection film 106 with a space therebetween, and the electrically insulating film 108 is disposed between the operation detection film 106 and the counter electrode film 107. When a voltage is applied to the operation detection electrode 105 and the counter electrode film 107, a capacitor is formed with the insulating film 108 therebetween. Each operation detection electrode 105 is the switch function unit 102 in FIG. 12A, and each operation detection electrode is connected to each operation detection electrode 105 by a signal line extending from the side in the XY direction. The voltage as the capacitor 106 can be detected.

  In the touch sensor 101 as described above, a stable electric field is generated between the operation detection electrode 105 and the counter electrode film 107 as shown in FIG. It is stable with a certain amount of electrification between the electrodes. In this state, when the finger contacts or approaches the operation detection film 106 as shown in FIG. 5C, the finger acts as a conductor, and a part of the electric field is attracted to the finger, and the accumulated charge is reduced. . As a result, the voltage of the operation detection electrode 105 decreases, and the signal is guided by the lead wire, and the control device can detect which part of the touch sensor 101 the switch function unit 102 touches or approaches. It can be input as a user instruction signal.

  When the user operates his / her finger while looking at the display unit such as a monitor, the user's instruction signal looks at the cursor of the display part indicated by the finger, or the characters and symbols displayed so as to be distinguishable from others. The user can input a predetermined instruction. When inputting a confirmation signal after such an instruction input, for example, when performing a click operation for bringing the finger into contact with the touch sensor 101 for a short time, the contact time of the finger in the switch function part of the part touched by the finger is set. It is detected and determined as a confirmation instruction signal, and a confirmation signal can be input.

A technique for inputting an instruction signal by the rotary switch as described above and performing a function selection confirmation input by a push switch is disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1, and a signal input by a touch sensor is disclosed in, for example, the following patent. It is disclosed in Document 2 and the like.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-187814 JP-A-5-143235

  As described above, a method using a rotary encoder and a push switch has many advantages when inputting and determining a user's instruction signal to various devices, and this method has many advantages, but this method uses a rotation mechanism of the operation unit and its detection. Part and operation unit pressing support mechanism and its detection unit are required, the overall mechanism becomes complicated, the unit price is high, and there are problems in terms of durability due to the increase in the number of mechanically moving parts. There was a problem that caused failure.

  Further, the method using the flat touch sensor as described above has an advantage that the mechanism is simple and there are almost no mechanical moving parts, so that there is no possibility of causing deterioration of the mechanical moving parts and there are few failures. However, since it has a planar shape, a large area is required to detect a sufficient input operation, and there is a problem that it is not suitable for a device that cannot secure a sufficiently large area when arranging the operation unit.

  Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to input a signal by a method similar to that of inputting and confirming an instruction signal by a conventional rotary encoder and push switch by a simple mechanism, and a planar touch switch requiring a large plane. It is a main object to provide a signal input device that can perform input by the same method without using the.

  In order to solve the above problems, the signal input device according to the present invention comprises an outer peripheral surface comprising at least a part of a cylindrical surface, and constitutes a contact operation member by providing a touch sensor along the outer peripheral surface. Contact detecting means for detecting a circumferential position of the outer peripheral surface of an object in contact with the touch sensor is provided.

  Another signal input device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the signal input device, a touch sensor in which the contact detection means is formed on one sheet is provided on the outer peripheral surface.

  According to another signal input device of the present invention, in the signal input device, the contact detection means includes a plurality of touch sensors arranged in a circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface. And

  Another signal input device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the signal input device, the contact detection means also detects a position of the outer peripheral surface in a cylindrical axis direction.

  Another signal input device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the signal input device, a plurality of protrusions extending in a cylindrical axis direction of the outer peripheral surface are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the contact operation member in the circumferential direction. And

  According to another signal input device of the present invention, in the signal input device, a plurality of tactile sensation members extending in a cylindrical axis direction of the outer peripheral surface are embedded in a circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the contact operation member. It is characterized by.

  In another signal input device according to the present invention, in the signal input device, the contact detection unit detects a movement in a circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of an object in contact with the touch sensor. And

  In another signal input device according to the present invention, in the signal input device, the contact detection unit detects a movement of an object in contact with the touch sensor in a cylindrical axis direction of the outer peripheral surface. And

  The signal input device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the signal input device, the contact detection means outputs a different signal according to a contact time of an object touched to the touch sensor. .

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the signal input device further includes a swing detection unit that swingably supports the contact operation member and detects the swing of the contact operation member. Features.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the signal input device further includes a push-in detecting unit that supports the rotation contact member so as to be pushed in a cylindrical axis direction and detects the push-in of the contact operation member. It is characterized by that.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, a simple mechanism is used to input and confirm an instruction signal using a rotary encoder and a push switch that have been widely used in the past, and a signal is input using a common method. In addition, a signal can be input in the same manner without using a planar touch switch that requires a large plane.

  The purpose of a signal input device that can input a signal in the same manner as the input and determination of an instruction signal by a conventional rotary encoder and push switch with a small and simple mechanism is to at least part of the cylindrical surface A contact operation member is provided by providing a touch sensor along the cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and a position in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of an object that contacts the touch sensor. This is realized by providing a contact detection means for detecting.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a signal input device according to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a cylindrical contact operation member 4 is attached to a mounting member 2 to which the signal input device 1 is attached via a tilting push detection switch 3. The attached example is shown. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the contact operation member 4 has a cylindrical outer periphery, and includes a touch sensor 5 on the cylindrical surface. The touch sensor 5 is formed by forming the conventional flat touch sensor described in FIG. 12 into a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 1D and winding it on the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical contact operation member 4. be able to.

  The touch sensor 5 is composed of a large number of switch function units as in the conventional case, but in the example shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the contact operation member 4, and the axial direction of the contact operation member 4 A one-dimensional touch sensor is configured by being divided and arranged in parallel to each other so that when at least one of the user's fingers touches the touch sensor 5, the position in that direction is detected, and When the finger moves in the circumferential direction as shown in A of FIG. 1B, the movement can be detected. Note that a two-dimensional touch sensor as shown in FIG. 10 that has been widely used conventionally can be used as it is. In that case, it is also possible to set so as to detect only the circumferential movement of the touched finger as described above.

  However, when the conventional two-dimensional planar touch sensor as described above is used as it is on the cylindrical surface as necessary, in addition to detecting the operation of moving the finger in the circumferential direction as described above, It is also possible to detect that the contact operating member 4 has moved more than a predetermined amount in the axial direction and use it as another signal for determining an instruction signal for moving the finger in the circumferential direction, for example.

  A signal from the touch sensor 5 when the finger is moved in the circumferential direction while bringing the finger into contact with the touch sensor 5 provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical contact operation member 4 is shown in FIG. 2B, for example. Something like this is obtained. That is, FIG. 2 shows the outer periphery of the contact operation member 4 that does not rotate while the outer periphery of the contact operation member 4 is picked by two fingers Y1 and Y2 such as the thumb and the index finger as shown in FIG. For example, when moving as shown by the arrow A in the figure, the signal from the touch sensor as described above is shown in FIG.

  In the example of the output signal in FIG. 2B, the strength of the contact signal with respect to the circumferential position X of the contact operation member 4 is shown. The first output signal S1 is obtained by the finger Y1, and the first output signal S1 is obtained by the finger Y2. A two-output signal S2 is obtained. When each finger is pressed against the touch sensor by the force of picking it with the finger, some switch function units are affected by the electric field movement to the finger, and the signal intensity gradually decreases from the center of the finger contact position. Output signal shape. Such output signals S1 and S2 move in the A direction in FIG. 5B as the finger moves in the circumferential direction as the finger moves in the A direction in FIG.

  By detecting this movement, when the signal input device is attached to the audio device 7 as shown in FIG. 2C as the signal input device 1, for example, the function for adjusting the volume is selected. When the user grips the outer periphery of the contact operation member 4 of the signal input device 1 that is non-rotatably mounted and traces in the circumferential direction as described above, the signal shown in FIG. The moving direction of the signal is detected, the volume setting scale instruction on the volume adjustment screen displayed on the display unit 8 is moved, and an operation similar to that of a rotary knob using a conventional rotary encoder can be performed. .

  By performing such a configuration and operation, it is not necessary to provide a rotating part or a rotary encoder like the conventional one, making it difficult to cause a failure and performing the sound volume by an operation similar to the operation of a conventional rotary knob. Since operations such as adjustment can be performed, anyone can easily perform the operation without having to consider how to operate.

  In addition, for example, by detecting the initial contact position with respect to the contact operation member 4 that is non-rotatably attached, the user's instruction direction is detected, and for example, a direction signal such as a signal indicating the direction at the time of map scrolling is detected. It can also be output. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the touch sensor 5 can be disassembled by 10 degrees around the contact operation member 4, it is detected that the user's finger has touched any angle portion shown in the figure. can do.

  Thus, for example, when the map displayed on the monitor is scrolled in an arbitrary direction as shown in FIG. 3B, the cursor can be moved in the angular direction of the touch sensor touched by the finger as described above. become. By using such a scroll direction instruction method, it is possible to give an angle instruction much finer than that in which the conventional joystick is tilted to instruct the eight directions, and the scroll operation in accordance with the user's will is performed. Will be able to do. The contact operation member 4 that performs such an operation can be stably instructed by using a member that is fixed to the head unit of the vehicle.

  Unlike the conventional touch sensor 5 that is arranged on a flat surface, the touch sensor 5 is arranged so as to extend in the depth direction. This gives the same operability as a conventional rotary dial and jog, and allows rotation while picking. By doing so, it is possible to detect a rotational movement by a natural operation by giving a three-dimensional feeling or a picked feeling while preventing a shake of a finger during an operation. Further, since a one-dimensional / strip type sensor can be used, it can be realized with a simpler circuit than a conventional two-dimensional / planar type rotary sensor.

  In addition, it is not always necessary to pick and operate the contact operation member 4 as described above, and it is possible to perform a signal input operation by detecting that even one finger is in contact, and that one finger has moved. It is also possible to perform the signal input operation similar to the above by detecting. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact operation member 4 is formed in a kamaboko shape, and a touch sensor 5 similar to the above is provided on the cylindrical surface portion on the upper surface side, and the operation is performed by touching this portion with a finger. be able to. In addition to the one-dimensional type as described above, a two-dimensional type touch sensor as described later can also be used as the touch sensor 5.

  Furthermore, by using the touch sensor as described above, it is possible to detect by just bringing the finger close to or touching the touch switch, so that guidance on the operation mode in the current operating state is output by voice or display and fed back. The user can perform an actual operation after listening to the guidance, and can prevent an operation that causes an erroneous operation before the operation. This cannot be done with a conventional mechanical rotary switch, and it cannot be detected until the actual operation of the switch, and the problem that could only be detected after an erroneous operation has occurred can be solved. it can. In addition, mechanical parts such as conventional rotary switches can be reduced, and deterioration and production costs can be reduced.

  In addition, by using such a touch sensor, when a tap action is required for a definite operation, etc., a tap operation is performed at any part, so that a short-time contact state can be achieved as with a conventional flat touch sensor. And a definite signal or the like can be determined based on the detected signal, eliminating the need for a separate switch or the like.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, an example using a touch sensor extending in a one-dimensional direction is shown. However, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a two-dimensional touch sensor 11 is used like a conventional flat touch sensor. It is good also as a structure which wound this around the cylindrical contact operation member 4 similar to the above. By using such a two-dimensional touch sensor on a three-dimensional surface such as a cylindrical surface, it is possible to detect an operation of sliding a finger in the axial direction of the cylinder in addition to the above-described operation. Can be used for functions such as zooming in and out of the map and fading out of the audio device. Further, for example, a circular flat touch sensor is provided on the front side of the contact operation member 4 in addition to the side surface as described above, and an instruction is given by the cylindrical touch sensor 5 in addition to the conventional sensor output. Then, when confirming, an operation such as touching that part may be performed.

  The touch sensor 5 in the signal input device is provided with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional touch sensor on the outer periphery of the rotation contact operation detection member 4 having an outer peripheral surface formed of at least a part of a cylindrical surface. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the touch sensor may be intermittently disposed with respect to the rotation contact operation detection member 4. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 6, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 6B and the flat surface of the outer peripheral surface in FIG. Sensors 5 are arranged at intervals from each other.

  In such a contact operation member 4, when the outer peripheral surface of the contact operation member 4 is gripped in the same manner as described above as shown in FIG. 6A, the output signal due to the contact between the finger and each touch sensor 5 is shown in FIG. ) Is output as S1-4. In FIG. 6C, output signals S1 and S2 are output when the finger Y1 in FIG. 6A comes into contact with c4 and c5 shown in FIG. The output signals S3 and S4 are output when the finger Y2 comes into contact with c12 and c13 in the adjacent touch sensor 5. At this time, when each finger contacts only one touch sensor 5, only one signal is output.

  Therefore, when the fingers Y1 and Y2 are moved in the direction of the arrow A while contacting the fingers Y1 and Y2 along the outer periphery in FIG. 6A, the output signals S1 to S4 move in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. The signal can be used to adjust the volume of the audio device as in FIG. 6 (d). However, for example, when the address is searched in the alphabetical order in the navigation device 9 as shown in FIG. When selecting any one of the place names listed in the above, it can also be used when searching while scrolling the screen. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to detect the user's instruction direction by detecting the position where the touch sensor 5 is first contacted.

  Further, as described above, as a method of intermittently arranging the touch sensor with respect to the rotation contact operation detection member 4, for example, a method as shown in FIG. 7 may be used. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 7, a large number of protruding portions 11 are formed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the contact operation member 4, and the touch sensor 5 is provided on the top of each protruding portion 11 as in the second embodiment. Accordingly, the detection of the contact position of the finger with respect to the periphery of the fixed contact operation member 4 and the movement direction can be detected in the same manner as described above. Can be done.

  In addition, when the user's finger moves so as to trace the periphery of the contact operation member 4, each protrusion 11 comes into contact with the finger, so that it corresponds to the movement of the finger, unlike when simply tracing the cylindrical surface. In response to the intermittent stimulation, it is possible to know with a sense how much movement has been performed and how fast the movement has been performed.

  In addition to the above-described example, for example, a method as shown in FIG. 8 can be adopted as a method of giving intermittent stimulation to the finger when moving so as to trace the periphery of the contact operation member 4. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a contact operation member 4 having a protrusion 11 around the periphery as shown in FIG. 7 is used, and a concave portion formed between the adjacent protrusions 11 is formed in a rod shape. The tactile sensation member 14 is held by the filler 15.

  When the rod-like tactile sensation member 14 is held by the filler 15, the tactile sensation member 14 is held by the filler 15 so that a part of the outer peripheral side wall of the tactile sensation member 14 is exposed and the tactile sensation portion 16 is formed. In the contact operation member 4 formed in this way, by allowing the tactile sensation member 14 to be a conductive material such as a metal, and using the filler 15 and the like as an insulating member, a signal can be input from the tactile sensation member 14. The user can input a signal obtained by touching the tactile sensation member 14 with a finger, and can perform the same signal input as in the second and third embodiments. In addition, the tactile sensation member 14 may be made of an insulating material, and touch sensors may be intermittently disposed in other portions as in the above-described embodiment.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an example in which a cylindrical rotation contact operation detection member 4 is attached to an attachment member 2 to which the signal input device 1 is attached in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, various types of conventionally used switches can be used as the tilting push detection switch 3. However, for example, a tilting push detection switch 3 as shown in FIG. 9 may be used. In the tilting push-in detection switch 3 shown in the figure, a switch operating plate 12 is provided at the tip of a rod 11 projecting from the contact operation member 4, and an operating surface 13 having an arcuate cross section is formed on the tip surface. Yes.

  In the switch case 14, the entire circumference of the switch operation plate 12 is pressed against the switch case opening flange 16 side by a spring 15 in the switch case 14. In this state, the switch operation plate 12 is not attached to the switch disposed on the bottom surface of the switch case 14. There is no contact. Various switches can be used, but the same touch sensor or push switch as described above may be used. For example, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 9B, the switches are provided with a push-in detection switch 18 arranged at the center and four tilt detection switches 19 arranged at equal intervals around the switch. In addition, as indicated by a broken line in the figure, an operation instruction in eight directions may be detected by further providing four tilt detection switches 19. In the figure, 20 indicates a lead wire.

  As a result, when the contact operating member 4 is swung as shown by the arrow B in FIG. 9A, the switch operating plate 12 pressed and supported by the spring 15 presses a part of the spring 15 and tilts and tilts. When the tilt detection switch 19 is in contact with the operating surface 13 of the switch operating plate 12, and the tilt detection switch 19 is a touch sensor as described above, the contact operation member 4 is tilted by the contact, that is, the user's The pointing direction can be detected. Further, when the tilt detection switch is a push switch, the switch is actuated by the switch actuating plate 12 and can be detected in the same manner. Thereafter, when the tilting operation of the contact operation member 4 is released, the switch operating plate 12 returns to the original position in FIG. 9A due to the repulsive force of the compressed spring.

  Further, when the contact operating member 4 is pushed in the direction of the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical surface of the contact operating member 4 as indicated by an arrow C in FIG. 9A, the entire spring 15 is compressed and the operating surface 13 of the switch operating plate 12 is moved. By forming an arc shape, it is possible to detect that the most projecting center portion is in contact with the center switch 18 and the user pushes the contact operation member 4 by inputting the signal. By using the tilt push detection switch 3 as described above, for example, the touch sensor provided on the cylindrical surface is traced in the direction of arrow A in FIG. After performing a desired function instruction, when the function is confirmed, the operation of pushing the contact operation member 4 is detected as described above, and a confirmation signal can be input. Even if such a conventional tilting push-in detection switch is used, the contact operating member 4 does not need to be rotated, and it is not necessary to provide a rotation detection switch. The part can be reduced.

  FIG. 9B shows an example in which the tilt detection switch 19 is individually used with a switch such as a touch sensor in the direction of detecting the tilt of the contact operation member 4, but for example, as shown in FIG. 9C, for example. Further, a donut-shaped annular touch sensor 21 is provided around the center switch 18, the annular touch sensor 21 is divided, for example, 10 degrees in the circumferential direction, and the switch operating plate 12 contacts the divided touch sensor portions. By detecting this, the direction in which the user operated the tilt detection switch 19 may be accurately detected.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, an example in which the tilting push detection switch 3 is provided separately from the contact operation member 4 is shown, but other than that, for example, the tilt push detection is detected in the contact manipulation member 4 as shown in FIG. 10. A switch can be built in. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a support shaft 22 protrudes from the mounting member 2, and a switch fixing member 23 having a larger diameter than the support shaft 22 and having an octagonal cross section in the drawing is provided at the tip. As in the above embodiment, an internal space 24 is formed inside the contact operation member 4 having the touch sensor 5 on the cylindrical surface portion as shown in FIG. 10C, and an opening of the internal space 24 is formed. A locking portion 25 having an L-shaped cross section is provided on the periphery.

  The locking portion 25 can be locked to a protruding portion of the switch fixing member 23 with respect to the support shaft 22, and is contracted between the end surface 26 of the switch fixing member 23 and the inner end surface 27 in the inner space 24 of the contact operation member 4. The locking portion 25 is locked to the back surface of the switch fixing member 23 by the force of the spring 28. A tilt detection push switch 31 is fixed to each of the eight side surfaces 30 of the switch fixing member 23, and the operation surface of each push switch is opposed to the eight inner wall surfaces 32 forming the internal space 24 with a gap. When the contact operation member 4 is tilted in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 10B, the tilt detection push switch 31 on the opposite side to the tilted direction comes into contact with and presses the inner wall surface 32 to obtain a tilt signal. I am trying to do it.

  A push-in detection push switch 33 is fixed at the center position on the end surface 26 of the contact operation member 4, and the operation protrusion protrudes from the inner end surface 27 in the internal space 24 of the contact operation member 4 so as to be close to the push-in detection push switch 33. 34 protrudes. Thereby, when the contact operation member 4 is pushed in the direction C in the figure, the operating projection 34 pushes the push-in detection push switch 33, so that it can be used for the user's confirmation instruction signal or the like as in the above embodiment.

  In the present invention, using the device as described above, the sensor output maximum value portion can be set as the instruction signal value by the output from the touch sensor as shown in FIG. 2B, and as shown in FIG. 6C. In the case of an output from a touch sensor, when there are outputs from a plurality of touch sensors, the intermediate position between them can be used as an instruction signal value, and when there is only one output, it can be used as an instruction signal. In the case of an output signal when a large number of individual touch sensors similar to FIG. 6 are used on the cylindrical surface of the member and a large number of touch sensors are touched with a finger, the contact operation member is picked by the method shown in FIG. It is possible to determine whether the left rotation operation to move to the right, the left rotation operation to move to the right, or the right rotation operation to move in the right direction is performed. Therefore, the output value from each sensor is input every predetermined time. It is thereby possible to accurately monitor the movement of the user's finger, the detection of the movement.

  That is, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the output value of the previous time (t-1) is obtained from each individual touch sensor c1-12 as shown in the graph (a), as shown in the graph of FIG. Is converted into a numerical value, for example, “6, 19, 9,..., 1, 1,”. “19, 9, 1,... 1, 1, 6” is obtained as the value shifted forward, and “6, 19, 9” is the same data as the output value (B) of the same position. .., 1, 1 ”is obtained. Conversely, when the output value (C) ahead by one position is obtained, the value obtained by shifting the touch sensor forward by one is obtained as“ 1, 6, 19. 9, 1, 1 "data is obtained.

  For example, at (t) after 0.05 seconds from such a state, the current output value (1) is “18, 8, 1,... In this case, when the output value (1) is multiplied by the value (A) in order to detect how it has moved from the contact body to the previous touch sensor, “342, 72, 1... 1, 1, 30 ". Similarly, multiplying the value of (B) yields" 108, 152, 9... 1, 1, 5 ", and multiplying the value of (C). “18, 48, 19... 9, 1, 5”. Comparing the values “1353, 1005, 487” obtained by summing c1 to c12 with respect to this calculation result, and selecting the highest value, it can be seen that (1) × (A) in the figure. It is determined that the position has moved forward by one position.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the output value (2) at this time (t) is “5, 18, 8,... (A), (B), and (C) are multiplied to obtain data as shown. By comparing these total values “1002, 1353, 1005”, it is determined that the maximum value is the position (B), and it can be seen that the finger has not moved from the previous time. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the output value (3) at this time (t) is “1, 5, 18,... A) (B) and (C) are multiplied to obtain data as shown. The total values “484, 1010, 1353” are compared, and it is determined that the maximum value is the position (C), and it is understood that the finger is moved one position ahead.

  In order to make the above-described numerical values easier to understand, the above example assumes that the current (t) output value is obtained from the previous (t-1) output value, and that progressive data having a slightly lower output value as a whole is obtained. Although shown, since the contact-like bodies are actually different from each other, it is not simply forward feed data. Even at that time, by calculating using the above-described method and obtaining the highest position, the moving direction of the finger holding the contact operation member 4 is determined accurately and by simple calculation. be able to.

  The signal input device according to the present invention can be widely used in place of a signal input device using a rotary encoder that has been conventionally used, or a signal input device composed of a combination of a rotary encoder and a push switch.

It is explanatory drawing of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the action | operation of the Example, and its application example. It is a figure which shows the other operation | movement of the Example, and its application example. It is a figure which shows the other aspect of the Example. It is a figure which shows the further another aspect of the Example. It is explanatory drawing of Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows Example 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows Example 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows Example 6 of this invention. It is a figure which shows Example 7 of this invention. It is a figure which shows a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Signal input device 2 Mounting member 3 Tilt pushing detection switch 4 Contact operation member 5 Touch sensor

Claims (11)

Comprising an outer peripheral surface comprising at least a part of a cylindrical surface, and configuring a contact operation member by providing a touch sensor along the outer peripheral surface;
A signal input device comprising contact detection means for detecting a position in a circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of an object in contact with the touch sensor.   The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection unit includes a touch sensor formed on a single sheet on the outer peripheral surface.   The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection unit includes a plurality of touch sensors arranged in a circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface.   The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection unit also detects a position of the outer peripheral surface in a cylindrical axis direction.   The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of protrusions extending in a cylindrical axis direction of the outer peripheral surface are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the contact operation member in the circumferential direction.   The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of tactile sensation members extending in a cylindrical axis direction of the outer peripheral surface are embedded in an outer peripheral surface of the contact operation member in a circumferential direction.   The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection unit detects a movement in a circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of an object in contact with the touch sensor.   The signal input device according to claim 4, wherein the contact detection unit detects a movement of an object in contact with the touch sensor in a cylindrical axis direction of the outer peripheral surface.   The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection unit outputs a different signal according to a contact time of an object in contact with the touch sensor.   The signal input device according to claim 1, further comprising a swing detection unit that supports the contact operation member in a swingable manner and detects the swing of the contact operation member. The signal input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a pushing detection unit configured to support the rotating contact member so as to be pushed in a cylindrical axis direction and detect pushing of the contact operation member.

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