JP2008258805A - Personal digital assistant and cellular phone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a personal digital assistant which suppresses erroneous direction input for the scroll of screen display and the movement of a cursor when operating an operation key overlapped and arranged on an electrostatic pad. <P>SOLUTION: The personal digital assistant comprises: an operation position detection sensor 37 composed of a thin film where a plurality of electrodes are arranged, for detecting an operation position; a direction input control part 31 for detecting the movement of the operation position on the basis of the output of the detection sensor 37 and generating direction input signals; a key input part 32 for detecting a pressurizing operation by a user to the pressurizing surface of the operation key and generating key input signals; displays 22 and 23 with display screens; and a display control part 34 for controlling the display position of image information within the display screen on the basis of the direction input signals. The thin film of the detection sensor 37 is at least partially overlapped and formed on the pressurizing surface of the operation key, and the direction input control part 31 discriminates whether or not to generate the direction input signals on the basis of the operation position when the movement is started when detecting the movement of the operation position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal and a cellular phone, and more specifically, an improvement of a portable information terminal including a sensor that detects an operation position using a phenomenon in which the capacitance of an electrode changes when operated by a user. About.

  As a sensor that can detect a user operation and determine the operation position by utilizing a phenomenon that the capacitance of the electrode changes by the user's operation, a capacitive touch pad (hereinafter referred to as an electrostatic capacitance) is used. (Referred to as a pad). The electrostatic pad is a pointing device that performs input according to an operation position, and is used for scrolling a screen display, moving a cursor, and the like. The scrolling of the screen display and the movement of the cursor are performed by detecting the movement of the operation position. When the electrostatic pad is traced with a finger, the movement direction is input. Such an electrostatic pad is easier to reduce in thickness and has better durability than an operation key consisting of a contact open / close switch that conducts between terminals by pressing. Conventionally used.

  In general, portable information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) need to be portable, and thus are required to be downsized. On the other hand, there is a limit in reducing the size of the electrostatic pad and the operation key without deteriorating the operability. Therefore, in the portable information terminal, when both the electrostatic pad and the operation key are arranged, the electrostatic pad and the operation key are arranged adjacent to each other, or the electrostatic pad is arranged so as to overlap a part of the operation key. It is thought that there are not a few cases. In particular, in a mobile phone that is often operated while holding the housing with one hand, the electrostatic pad and the operation key are arranged adjacent to each other from the viewpoint of improving operability when operated with one hand. There are many cases.

  In the conventional portable information terminal as described above, when operating the operation keys arranged adjacent to or overlapping the electrostatic pad, the electrostatic pad is traced, and the screen display scrolls or the cursor moves. There was a problem that the direction input for was mistakenly performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and portable information that improves operability by suppressing malfunctions when operating operation keys adjacent to or overlapping with an electrostatic pad. The object is to provide a terminal and a mobile phone. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal that suppresses erroneous input of directions for scrolling a screen display and moving a cursor.

  A portable information terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a thin film in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged, an operation position detection sensor for detecting a user's operation position on the thin film based on a change in capacitance of the electrode, Based on the output of the operation position detection sensor, the movement of the operation position is detected, direction input control means for generating a direction input signal indicating the movement direction, and the user's pressing operation on the pressing surface is detected, and key input is performed. A key input means for generating a signal; a display means having a display screen for displaying image information; and a display control means for controlling the display position of the image information in the display screen based on the direction input signal. The thin film of the operation position detection sensor is formed to overlap at least a part of the pressing surface of the key input means, and the direction input control means is an operation position. Upon detecting the movement, configured to determine whether or not to generate the direction input signal on the basis of the the operating position upon start of the movement.

  In this portable information terminal, the thin film of the operation position detection sensor is formed so as to overlap the pressing surface of the key input means, and when a movement of the operation position is detected, a direction input signal is generated based on the operation position at the start of the movement It is determined whether or not to do so. With such a configuration, since the direction input signal is appropriately generated according to the operation position at the start of movement, the display position of the image information can be used when operating the operation key arranged redundantly on the operation position detection sensor. It is possible to prevent the direction input for controlling the error from being erroneously performed.

  In addition to the above configuration, the portable information terminal according to the second aspect of the present invention is configured so that the direction input control unit is located outside the input start prohibition area formed on the thin film with the operation position at the start of movement being associated with the pressing surface. The direction input signal is generated in some cases, and the direction input signal is not generated in the input start prohibited area. According to such a configuration, by determining the input start prohibited area as an area where direction input is desired to be prohibited, the direction input signal is appropriately determined depending on whether or not the operation position at the start of movement is within the input start prohibited area. Since it is generated, it is possible to prevent an unintended direction input from being performed.

  In addition to the above configuration, the portable information terminal according to the third aspect of the present invention is configured such that the input start prohibited area includes an overlapping area between the pressing surface and the thin film. According to such a configuration, since the input start prohibition area includes the overlapping area of the pressing surface and the thin film, it is possible to prohibit the direction input in which the operation position at the start of movement is at least in the overlap area.

  In the portable information terminal according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the input start prohibited area includes an area sandwiched between the edge of the thin film closest to the overlapping area and the overlapping area. Configured. According to such a configuration, the input start forbidden area includes the overlapping area of the pressing surface and the thin film and the area sandwiched between the edge and the overlapping area of the thin film, so that the input start prohibiting area is overlapped with the operation position detection sensor. When operating the operation keys, it is possible to effectively prevent unintended direction input.

  In the portable information terminal according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the pressing surface of the key input means is disposed below the center of the thin film, and the direction input control means has a vertical direction of the operation position. When a movement in the above direction is detected and a direction input signal indicating either the upward direction or the downward direction is generated, and the upward movement as the operation position at the start of movement is detected in the input start prohibited area, The image information is configured to be prohibited from moving upward. According to such a configuration, since the upward movement of the image information is prohibited when the upward movement of the input start prohibited area as the operation position at the start of movement is detected, the operation position detection sensor It is possible to effectively prevent an unintended direction input from being performed when operating an operation key that is disposed below the center in an overlapping manner.

  A portable information terminal according to a sixth aspect of the present invention comprises an operation position detection sensor that includes a thin film on which a plurality of electrodes are arranged, and detects an operation position of a user on the thin film based on a change in capacitance of the electrode. Based on the output of the operation position detection sensor, the movement of the operation position is detected, direction input control means for generating a direction input signal indicating the movement direction, and the user's pressing operation on the pressing surface is detected, and key input is performed. A key input means for generating a signal; a display means having a display screen for displaying image information; and a display control means for controlling the display position of the image information in the display screen based on the direction input signal. The pressing surface of the key input means is disposed adjacent to the thin film of the operation position detection sensor, and the direction input control means detects the movement of the operation position. Configured to determine whether or not to generate the direction input signal on the basis of the the operating position upon start of the movement.

  In this portable information terminal, the pressing surface of the key input means is arranged adjacent to the thin film of the operation position detection sensor, and when a movement of the operation position is detected, a direction input signal is generated based on the operation position at the start of the movement It is determined whether or not to do so. With such a configuration, since the direction input signal is appropriately generated according to the operation position at the start of movement, the display position of the image information when operating the operation key arranged adjacent to the operation position detection sensor It is possible to prevent the direction input for controlling the error from being erroneously performed.

  In addition to the above configuration, the portable information terminal according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is configured so that the direction input control unit is configured when the operation position at the start of movement is outside the input start prohibited area on the thin film adjacent to the pressing surface. A direction input signal is generated, and the direction input signal is not generated when it is within the input start prohibited area. According to such a configuration, by determining the input start prohibited area as an area where direction input is desired to be prohibited, the direction input signal is appropriately determined depending on whether or not the operation position at the start of movement is within the input start prohibited area. Since it is generated, it is possible to prevent an unintended direction input from being performed.

  A mobile phone according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a thin film on which a display screen for displaying image information, an operation key having a pressing surface, and a plurality of electrodes are provided between the display screen and the operation key. An electrostatic pad for detecting a user's operation position on the thin film based on a change in capacitance of the electrode, and detecting the movement of the operation position based on a detection result by the electrostatic pad, Direction input control means for generating a direction input signal indicating a moving direction, key input means for detecting a user's pressing operation on the pressing surface and generating a key input signal, and the display screen based on the direction input signal Display control means for displaying the image information therein, wherein the thin film of the electrostatic pad is formed so as to overlap at least part of the pressing surface of the operation key, and the direction input control is performed. Means, upon sensing of the movement of the operating position, arranged to prohibit upward movement of the image information on the basis of the the operating position upon start of the movement.

  According to the mobile information terminal and the mobile phone according to the present invention, since the direction input signal is appropriately generated according to the operation position at the start of movement, the direction input for controlling the display position of the image information is erroneously performed. Can be suppressed. Accordingly, malfunctions in the direction input for scrolling the screen display and moving the cursor are suppressed, so that the operability when operating the operation keys adjacent to or overlapping the electrostatic pad is improved. be able to.

  FIGS. 1A and 1B are external views showing an example of a schematic configuration of a portable information terminal according to the present embodiment, and a foldable mobile phone 1 is shown as an example of the portable information terminal. In the mobile phone 1, the display housing 2 and the operation housing 4 are connected via the hinge part 3, and the display housing 2 and the operation housing 4 can be folded with each other facing each other.

  FIG. 1A shows a state seen from the operation surface side in a state where both housings are unfolded, and FIG. 1B shows a state where both housings are folded. The display housing 2 has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the connecting direction. The receiving housing 21 and the display 22 are arranged on the display surface of the housing surface that is the inner surface when folded, and the display is displayed on the outer housing surface. 23 and a camera 24 are arranged.

  The receiver 21 for receiving voice is a voice output device during a call, and is disposed on the opposite side of the hinge 22 from the display 22. The display 22 is a display device having a display screen having a vertically long rectangular shape, and here, is constituted by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display 23 is a display device having a display screen with a smaller screen size than the display 22.

  The hinge part 3 is a connecting means having a rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction, and the display case 2 can be rotated with respect to the operation case 4 around the rotation axis so that both cases can be folded. Yes.

  The camera 24 is an imaging unit that captures a subject and generates image data, and includes a two-dimensional image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).

  The operation housing 4 has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the connecting direction similar to that of the display housing 2. The operation surface is the inner housing surface when folded, and the transmission microphone 41, the numeric keypad 42, and the determination are determined on this operation surface. Key 43, direction key 44, guide keys 45 to 48, and electrostatic pad 49 are arranged.

  The transmitting microphone 41 is a voice input device during a call, and is disposed at the end of the casing opposite to the hinge portion 3. The numeric keypad 42 is an operation key used for inputting a telephone number, character input of an e-mail, or the like.

  The determination key 43, the direction key 44, and the guide keys 45 to 48 are assigned to different functions depending on the use situation, and the function assignment is an operation key displayed on the screen, and is also called a soft key or a function key. . For example, a function for starting a web browser is assigned to the guide key 45, and an email browsing function is assigned to the guide key 46. The guide key 47 is assigned a photographing function by the camera 24, and the guide key 48 is assigned a telephone book browsing function.

  The direction key 44 is an independent multi-function key that can perform four types of operation inputs by pressing the upper, lower, left, and right pressing parts, and is used for scrolling the screen display, moving the cursor, and the like. The direction key 44 is a ring-shaped operation key having a rectangular area that overlaps the electrostatic pad 49, and a determination key 43, which is a separate operation key, is arranged at the center thereof.

  The numeric keypad 42 is arranged on the hinge part 3 side with respect to the transmission microphone 41, and the determination key 43, the direction key 44, and the guide keys 45 to 48 are all arranged on the hinge part 3 side with respect to the numeric keypad 42. The enter key 43 and the direction key 44 are arranged at the center of the operation casing 4 in the short direction. The guide keys 45 and 46 are arranged on the left side of the direction key 44, and the guide keys 47 and 48 are arranged on the right side. The guide keys 45 and 47 are arranged closer to the hinge part 3 than the guide keys 46 and 48.

  These operation keys 42 to 48 are each composed of a contact opening / closing type switch having a pressing surface, and by pressing the pressing surface, the terminals are brought into conduction to output an input signal.

  The electrostatic pad 49 is an operation position detecting means for detecting a user operation using a phenomenon in which the capacitance of the electrode changes when operated by the user and discriminating the operation position. The electrostatic pad 49 is made of a thin film on which a plurality of electrodes are arranged, and the operation position of the user on the thin film is detected based on a change in the capacitance of the electrode.

  Specifically, the movement direction is input by tracing the electrostatic pad 49 with a finger, and the screen display is scrolled or the cursor is moved in accordance with such direction input.

  Here, it is assumed that the electrostatic pad 49 has a rectangular shape and is provided between the display screen of the display 22 and the operation keys 42 to 48. In particular, the foldable mobile phone 1 is disposed between the hinge portion 3 and the operation keys 42 to 48. Further, the electrostatic pad 49 is formed so that the thin film overlaps at least a part of the pressing surface of the operation keys 44, 45 and 47, and is disposed adjacent to the pressing surface of the operation key (decision key) 43. Has been.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the electrostatic pad 49 in the mobile phone 1 of FIG. 1, and shows electrode patterns 51 and 52 formed on a flexible substrate. The electrostatic pad 49 is made of a thin film in which electrode patterns 51 and 52 are formed on a flexible substrate. In this embodiment, the electrode pattern is made of a copper foil.

  Each of the electrode patterns 51 and 52 is composed of a plurality of hexagonal electrodes arranged on a straight line, and forms a parasitic capacitance with a metal object or the like inside the housing. Assuming that the longitudinal direction of the operation housing 4 is the Y direction and the direction intersecting the Y direction is called the X direction, the electrode pattern 51 is an electrode pattern in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged in the Y direction. Reference numeral 52 denotes an electrode pattern in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged in the X direction.

  The electrode pattern 51 has five electrodes arranged in the Y direction, and each electrode is electrically connected by a wiring pattern. The electrode pattern 51 is an electrode pattern for detecting an operation position in the X direction, and a plurality of electrode patterns 51 are arranged with different positions in the X direction. In this example, six electrode patterns 51 are formed at regular intervals, and each electrode pattern 51 corresponds to a wiring pattern Xi (i = 1 to 6).

  Seven electrodes are arranged in the X direction in the electrode pattern 52, and each electrode is electrically connected by a wiring pattern. The electrode pattern 52 is an electrode pattern for detecting an operation position in the Y direction, and a plurality of electrode patterns 52 are arranged with different positions in the Y direction. In this example, six electrode patterns 52 are formed at regular intervals, and each electrode pattern 52 corresponds to a wiring pattern Yj (j = 1 to 6).

  In addition, each electrode constituting the electrode patterns 51 and 52 is disposed so as to be surrounded by two electrodes adjacent in the Y direction and four electrodes adjacent in the X direction. That is, the electrode patterns 51 and 52 are honeycomb patterns in which one electrode is surrounded by six adjacent electrodes.

  In general, when a finger approaches the electrostatic pad 49, a capacitance is generated between the electrode of the electrostatic pad 49 and the finger. Therefore, the capacitance increases as the electrode pattern includes an electrode located closer to the finger. To do. In the electrostatic pad 49, the operation position is determined by detecting such a change in capacitance.

  Here, the capacitance formed by each electrode pattern 51 is Cxi (i = 1 to 6), and the capacitance formed by each electrode pattern 52 is Cyj (j = 1 to 6). The electrostatic capacity Ck (k = xi, yj) is monitored, and the two-dimensional position operated by the user is detected by specifying the electrode pattern whose electrostatic capacity has changed in the X and Y directions. Will be. The capacitance Ck is a combination of a parasitic capacitance formed between each electrode pattern and a metal object inside the housing and a capacitance generated when a finger or the like approaches each electrode pattern. Value.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the mobile phone 1 in FIG. 1, which is a cross-section parallel to the longitudinal direction of the operation casing 4 and includes a part of the cross-section including the guide key 45. Has been. The electrostatic pad 49 is formed by overlapping the thin film with at least a part of the key top 53 that is the pressing surface of the guide key 45. The guide key 45 includes a key top 53, a pusher 56 a of a PET sheet 56 disposed in the operation housing 4, a metal dome 57, and copper foil patterns 58 a and 58 b on the circuit board 58.

  The key top 53 is a decorative panel indicating operation keys, and for example, characters indicating function assignments to the operation keys are printed. The key top 53 is disposed between the decorative panel 54 on the hinge part 3 side and the decorative panel 54 on the guide key 46 side, and a gap is provided between the key top 53 and the decorative panel 54. The decorative panel 54 on the hinge part 3 side and the decorative panel 54 on the guide key 46 side are fixed to the operation casing 4, whereas the key top 53 can be moved up and down in the thickness direction of the operation casing 4. It has become.

  Specifically, by attaching the key top 53 on the flexible urethane sheet 55 bonded to the inner surface of the decorative panel 54, the key top 53 can move up and down with respect to the decorative panel 54. ing. Each of the key top 53 and the decorative panel 54 is made of a material harder than the urethane sheet 55, for example, a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate (polycarbonate) or a metal, and is bonded to the urethane sheet 55 at an essential point.

  Under the urethane sheet 55, that is, on the circuit board 58 side, an electrostatic pad 49 made of a thin film in which an electrode pattern is formed on a flexible board is arranged to detect a change in capacitance of the pressing surface of the key top 53. It has a possible configuration. Here, the electrostatic pad 49 is disposed so as to overlap the entire key top 53 and a part of the decorative panel 54 on the hinge part 3 side. The overlapping area A1 of the electrostatic pad 49 and the guide key 45 is formed at the end of the thin film opposite to the hinge part 3.

  Under the electrostatic pad 49, a PET sheet 56 made of PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) is disposed. The PET sheet 56 is formed with a pusher 56 a that protrudes toward the circuit board 58, and transmits the vertical movement of the key top 53 to the metal dome 57. The pusher 56 a is disposed at the center of the key top 53.

  The metal dome 57 is made of a dome-shaped conductive metal whose central portion is curved toward the PET sheet 56, and is arranged on the circuit board 58 with its peripheral portion in contact with the copper foil pattern 58 a. When the key top 53 is pressed, the metal dome 57 is elastically deformed toward the circuit board 58 by the pusher 56a, and the central portion of the metal dome 57 is brought into contact with the copper foil pattern 58b to be conductive, whereby the copper foil patterns 58a and 58b. Are electrically connected to each other.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the guide key 45 of FIG. 3, and shows the arrangement of the metal dome 57 and the copper foil patterns 58 a and 58 b on the circuit board 58. The metal dome 57 has a shape in which a central portion of a circular metal plate is curved. Each of the copper foil patterns 58 a and 58 b is a rectangular pattern, and is arranged on a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the operation casing 4.

  The copper foil pattern 58b is disposed between the copper foil pattern 58a disposed on the hinge portion 3 side and the copper foil pattern 58a disposed on the guide key 46 side. The metal dome 57 is arranged so that the central portion thereof is positioned on such a copper foil pattern 58b.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the guide key 45 of FIG. 3, and shows an equivalent circuit of a metal dome switch composed of the metal dome 57 and the copper foil patterns 58a and 58b. A metal dome switch composed of a metal dome 57 electrically connected to the copper foil pattern 58a on the circuit board 58 and the copper foil pattern 58b causes the metal dome 57 to be elastically deformed, and the central portion of the metal dome 57 is connected to the copper foil pattern 58b. The copper foil patterns 58a and 58b are conductive switches.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile phone 1 in FIG. 1, and illustrates an example of a functional configuration in the mobile phone 1. This mobile phone 1 includes a direction input control unit 31, a key input unit 32, a main control unit 33, in addition to the receiver 21 for reception, the displays 22, 23, the camera 24, the microphone 41 for transmission, and the operation keys 42 to 48. The display control unit 34, the cellular communication unit 35, and the operation position detection sensor 37 are configured.

  The cellular communication unit 35 is a mobile communication processing unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the base station via a communication antenna. The main control unit 33 performs processing related to communication, processing of images taken by the camera 24, and the like.

  The operation position detection sensor 37 includes an electrostatic pad 49 and a detection circuit 36 that detects a user's operation position on the electrostatic pad 49 based on a change in capacitance in the electrode pattern of the electrostatic pad 49.

  The direction input control unit 31 detects the movement of the operation position based on the output of the detection circuit 36 and performs an operation of generating a direction input signal indicating the movement direction. This direction input signal is a control signal for instructing screen display scrolling or cursor movement. When a movement of the operation position is detected, the direction input signal is generated based on the operation position at the start of the movement. Is determined.

  Specifically, a direction input signal is generated when the operation position at the start of movement is outside the input start prohibited area on the electrostatic pad 49, and no direction input signal is generated when it is within the input start prohibited area. . The input start prohibition area is an area in which direction input by the electrostatic pad 49 is prohibited, and is an operation key arranged adjacent to or overlapping the thin film of the electrostatic pad 49, here, the operation keys 43, 44, It is formed on the thin film in association with the pressing surfaces 45 and 47.

  Here, the operation position on the electrostatic pad 49 is a contact position on the thin film when a finger is brought into contact with the thin film of the electrostatic pad 49. If the operation position changes while maintaining the contact state. It is determined that the operation position has moved. That is, a desired direction input is performed by an operation of sliding a finger while making contact with the electrostatic pad 49. When the movement of the operation position is detected, if the operation position at the start of movement on the electrostatic pad 49 is within the input start prohibited area, the direction input becomes invalid. The contact state here includes not only the case where the finger and the electrostatic pad 49 are actually in contact, but also the case where the finger is slightly separated from the electrostatic pad 49.

  The key input unit 32 performs an operation of detecting a user's pressing operation on the pressing surfaces of the operation keys 42 to 48 and generating a key input signal corresponding to the pressed operation key.

  The display control unit 34 displays image information on the display screen of the display 22 or 23 and performs an operation of controlling the screen display based on the direction input signal. Specifically, the display position of the image information in the display screen is controlled based on the direction input signal. For example, the screen display is scrolled in the direction indicated by the direction input signal, or the cursor is moved. Further, the highlight display is moved in the direction indicated by the direction input signal, or the mouse pointer is moved.

  The scrolling of the screen display is a display position changing operation for changing image information being displayed on the screen, for example, in units of lines. The movement of the cursor is a display position changing operation for moving a display object indicating an input position such as a character. The movement of the highlight display is an operation of changing the display position such as reverse display indicating the selected item in the menu. The movement of the mouse pointer is an operation of changing the display position of the mouse pointer (icon for position display) on the screen.

  Here, a direction input signal indicating any one of the upward direction, the downward direction, the left direction, and the right direction is generated, and the screen display is scrolled in these directions, the cursor is moved, or the highlight display is moved. Shall. Further, in this electrostatic pad 49, when an operation of tapping twice with a finger, that is, a so-called double tap operation, is performed, the same input processing as that when the enter key 43 is pressed is performed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the operation position detection sensor 37 in the mobile phone 1 of FIG. The operation position detection sensor 37 monitors the capacitance Ck (k = x1 to x6, y1 to y6) of each electrode pattern of the electrostatic pad 49, and detects the operation position based on the change of each capacitance Ck. It is carried out.

  In general, when charging a capacitor having a capacitance Ck by supplying a current that does not change with time, the time required for charging increases as the capacitance Ck increases. The operation position detection sensor 37 detects the operation position using the correlation between the change in capacitance and the charging time.

  Specifically, the operation position detection sensor 37 is a capacitor having a capacitance Ck, that is, a capacitor Cmod used for charging the electrostatic pad 49, the switches SW1 and SW2, the constant current source 11, and the capacitance Ck. The detection circuit 36 includes a comparator 12, a timer 13, and an operation position detection unit 14. The operation position is detected by measuring the time required to charge each capacitance Ck to a predetermined voltage.

  The switch SW1 is connected in parallel to the electrostatic capacity Ck, and the electrostatic capacity Ck can be discharged by closing the switch SW1. The switch SW2 is connected in series to the capacitor Cmod. By closing the switch SW2 while the switch SW1 is opened, the capacitance Ck can be charged by the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor Cmod. The output of the constant current source 11 is supplied between the switch SW2 and the capacitor Cmod. When the switch SW2 is opened, the capacitor Cmod is charged.

  The voltage applied to the capacitor Cmod is supplied to the comparator 12 through a low-pass filter circuit. The comparator 12 compares the output voltage of the capacitor Cmod with a predetermined voltage Vref and performs an operation of supplying a signal corresponding to the comparison result to the timer 13.

  The timer 13 measures the time required for the output voltage of the capacitor Cmod to reach the voltage Vref after closing the switch SW2, and outputs the measurement result to the operation position detector 14. The operation position detection unit 14 compares the time required for the output voltage of the capacitor Cmod to reach the voltage Vref with a predetermined threshold, and determines the presence / absence of an operation on the electrostatic pad 49 based on the comparison result. Is going. The presence / absence determination of the operation based on the measurement result by the timer 13 is sequentially performed for all the capacitances Ck, and the operation position on the electrostatic pad 49 is determined based on the determination result for each capacitance Ck. The operation position discrimination result is output as a sensor output.

  Next, the operation of the electrostatic pad 49 will be described. First, the capacitor Cmod is charged with the switches SW1 and SW2 open. Next, the switch SW1 is closed to discharge the capacitance Ck.

  Thereafter, the switch SW1 is opened and then the switch SW2 is closed, and the capacitance Ck is charged using the charge accumulated in the capacitor Cmod as a source. At this time, the time required for charging the capacitance Ck until the voltage applied to the capacitances Ck and Cmod reaches the voltage Vref is measured, and the presence or absence of an operation is determined based on the measurement result. The operation position is determined. Such operation position determination processing is repeatedly performed at a predetermined sampling rate.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the main part of the cellular phone 1 of FIG. 1, in which input start prohibited areas A11, A21, and A31 are formed in association with the pressing surfaces of the operation keys 44, 45, and 47. An electrostatic pad 49 is shown. Each of the input start prohibition areas A11, A21, and A31 is an area on the thin film that prohibits direction input by the electrostatic pad 49, and is formed in association with each pressing surface of the operation keys 44, 45, and 47, respectively. Yes.

  Each of the guide keys 45 and 47 is disposed so that the entire pressing surface overlaps the thin film of the electrostatic pad 49. Here, the guide key 45 is arranged with the key top portion adjacent to the lower edge and the left edge of the thin film, and the guide key 47 is arranged with the key top portion on the lower edge and the right edge of the thin film. It is assumed that it is arranged adjacent to the end side. That is, the guide key 45 is disposed at the lower left corner of the thin film, and the guide key 47 is disposed at the lower right corner of the thin film.

  The direction key 44 is disposed so that a part of the upper side of the pressing surface overlaps the thin film of the electrostatic pad 49. Here, it is assumed that the direction key 44 is disposed so that the key top portion overlaps the lower side edge of the thin film. Each of the operation keys 44, 45 and 47 has a pressing surface disposed below the center of the thin film.

  The input start prohibited areas A11, A21, and A31 are formed as areas including overlapping areas A12, A22, and A32 with the operation keys, respectively. Here, it is assumed that each of the input start prohibited areas A11, A21, and A31 is an area in which the overlapping area is expanded outward. In this electrostatic pad 49, an input start prohibition region is formed on the opposite side of the thin film hinge portion 3, and the hinge portion 3 side is outside the input start prohibition region.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the operation at the time of movement detection in the mobile phone 1 of FIG. 1, and the direction inputs B1 to B5 having different operation positions at the start of movement when the electrostatic pad 49 is traced with a finger are shown. It is shown. The direction input B1 is a direction input that starts moving within the input start prohibited area A11 and ends moving outside the input start prohibited area A11. Such direction input is invalidated. The direction input B2 is a direction input that starts moving outside the input start prohibited area and ends moving within the input start prohibited area A11. Such a direction input is valid, and the moving direction, in this case, downward A direction input signal indicating is generated.

  The direction inputs B3 and B4 are both direction inputs that start moving outside the input start prohibited area and finish moving outside the input start prohibited area. Such direction input is valid and the moving direction, in this case Respectively generate direction input signals indicating the upward direction and the right direction. The direction input B5 is a direction input that starts moving in the input start prohibited area A21 and ends moving in the input start prohibited area A31. Such a direction input is also invalidated.

  Here, if the finger is slid from the area outside the electrostatic pad 49 and the electrostatic pad 49 is traced, the first operation position on the electrostatic pad 49 may be within the input start prohibited area when the operation position is moved. For example, the direction input is invalidated, and the direction input is performed if it is outside the input start prohibited area.

  In this embodiment, in this way, when an upward or leftward movement as the operation position at the start of movement in the input start prohibited area is detected, the direction input is invalidated, and the upward direction of the image information Alternatively, movement in the left-right direction is prohibited. With this configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent an unintended direction input from being performed when operating the operation key that is overlapped with the electrostatic pad 49 and disposed below the center. .

  Steps S101 to S107 in FIG. 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation at the time of movement detection in the mobile phone 1 in FIG. First, when the operation position detection sensor 37 detects a user operation on the electrostatic pad 49, the operation position detection sensor 37 determines the operation position on the thin film, and outputs the determination result to the direction input control unit 31 as a sensor output (step S101).

  Based on the sensor output from the operation position detection sensor 37, the direction input control unit 31 detects the movement of the operation position when the finger is in contact with the electrostatic pad 49. A direction input signal indicating the direction is generated (step S102). When the movement of the operation position is detected, the operation position at the start of movement is determined, and whether or not to generate a direction input signal is determined depending on whether or not the operation position is within the input start prohibited area. (Steps S103 and S104).

  If the operation position at the start of movement is within the input start prohibited area, the direction input is invalidated (step S105). On the other hand, if the operation position at the start of movement is outside the input start prohibited area, a direction input signal corresponding to the movement direction is generated, and the display position of the image information is moved by the display control unit 34 (step S106). , S107).

  According to the present embodiment, the direction input signal is appropriately generated according to the operation position at the start of movement. Therefore, when operating the operation keys arranged on the electrostatic pad 49, the image information It is possible to suppress erroneous direction input for controlling the display position. In particular, by defining an input start prohibited area as an area where direction input is prohibited, the direction input signal is appropriately generated depending on whether the operation position at the start of movement is within the input start prohibited area. It is possible to prevent the direction input not to be performed. In addition, since the input start prohibited area includes the overlapping area of the pressing surface and the thin film, it is possible to prohibit the direction input in which the operation position at the start of movement is at least in the overlapping area.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the electrostatic pad is formed so as to overlap the pressing surface of the operation key has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the operation key is arranged with the pressing surface adjacent to the electrostatic pad, an area on the thin film adjacent to the pressing surface of the operation key may be set as the input start prohibited area. Alternatively, an area including a part of the overlapping area of the electrostatic pad and the operation key may be set as the input start prohibited area.

  FIGS. 11A to 11D are plan views showing other configuration examples of the cellular phone 1 of FIG. 1, and input start prohibition areas C1, C2, C4 and the like corresponding to the pressing surface of the operation key 62. An electrostatic pad 61 on which C7 is formed is shown. FIG. 11A shows a case where an area on the thin film adjacent to the pressing surface is set as the input start prohibition area C1 with respect to the operation key 62 arranged with the pressing surface adjacent to the thin film of the electrostatic pad 61. It is shown. In this case, the operation key 62 is arranged with its pressing surface (key top portion) adjacent to the lower edge of the thin film of the electrostatic pad 61.

  With this configuration, even when the electrostatic pad 61 and the operation key 62 are arranged adjacent to each other, the direction input signal is appropriately generated according to the operation position at the start of movement. When the key 62 is operated, it is possible to prevent erroneous direction input for controlling the display position of the image information.

  In FIG. 11B, with respect to the operation key 62 arranged with a part of the pressing surface overlapping the thin film of the electrostatic pad 61, an area on the thin film including the overlapping area C3 is designated as an input start prohibited area C2. The case is shown. In this case, the operation key 62 is arranged with its pressing surface overlapping the lower edge of the thin film of the electrostatic pad 61.

  In FIG. 11C, with respect to the operation key 62 arranged with the entire pressing surface overlapping the thin film of the electrostatic pad 61, the overlapping area C5 and the edge 61a of the thin film closest to the overlapping area C5 are shown. In addition, a case where an area including an area C6 sandwiched between overlapping areas C5 is set as an input start prohibited area C4 is shown.

  In this case, the operation key 62 is arranged so that the entire pressing surface overlaps the thin film of the electrostatic pad 61, and an area sandwiched between the overlapping area C5 and the lower edge 61a of the thin film is formed. This is a region C6.

  By configuring in this way, the input start forbidden area C7 includes the overlapping area C5 of the pressing surface and the thin film, and the area C6 sandwiched between the edge 61a of the thin film and the overlapping area C5. It is possible to effectively prevent an unintended direction input from being performed.

  FIG. 11D shows a case where an area including a part of the overlapping area is set as an input start prohibited area C7 with respect to the operation key 62 arranged with the entire pressing surface overlapping the thin film of the electrostatic pad 61. It is shown. In this case, the operation key 62 is arranged so that the entire pressing surface thereof overlaps the thin film of the electrostatic pad 61, and an area including a part of the lower side of the overlapping area is an input start prohibited area C7. .

  By configuring in this way, the upper part of the pressing surface of the operation key 62 is outside the input start prohibition area C7, so that the direction can be input using the upper part of the pressing surface.

1 is an external view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a mobile information terminal according to the present embodiment, and shows a foldable mobile phone 1 as an example of the mobile information terminal. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an electrostatic pad 49 in the mobile phone 1 of FIG. 1 and shows electrode patterns 51 and 52 formed on a flexible substrate. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the mobile phone 1 in FIG. 1, which is a cross-section parallel to the longitudinal direction of the operation housing 4 and includes a part of a cross-section including a guide key 45. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of the guide key 45 in FIG. 3, in which the arrangement of the metal dome 57 and the copper foil patterns 58 a and 58 b on the circuit board 58 is illustrated. It is the figure which showed the equivalent circuit of the guide key 45 of FIG. 3, and the equivalent circuit of the metal dome switch which consists of the metal dome 57 and the copper foil patterns 58a and 58b is shown. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile phone 1 in FIG. 1, illustrating an example of a functional configuration in the mobile phone 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation position detection sensor 37 in the mobile phone 1 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of a main part of the mobile phone 1 in FIG. 1, in which an electrostatic pad 49 in which input start prohibited areas A11, A21, and A31 are formed is illustrated. It is the figure which showed an example of the operation | movement at the time of the movement detection in the mobile telephone 1 of FIG. 1, and direction input B1-B5 from which the operation position at the time of a movement start differs is shown. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation at the time of movement detection in the mobile phone 1 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another configuration example of the mobile phone 1 of FIG. 1, and shows an electrostatic pad 61 in which input start prohibition areas C1, C2, C4, and C7 are formed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 2 Display housing | casing 3 Hinge part 4 Operation housing | casing 11 Constant current source 12 Comparator 13 Timer 14 Operation position detection part 21 Receiver 22 and 23 for receiving calls 24 Camera 31 Direction input control part 32 Key input part 33 Main control Unit 34 display control unit 35 cellular communication unit 36 detection circuit 37 operation position detection sensor 41 microphone for transmission 42 numeric keypad 43 determination key 44 direction keys 45 to 48 guide key 49 electrostatic pads 51 and 52 electrode pattern 53 key top 54 decorative panel 55 Urethane sheet 56 PET sheet 56a Pusher 57 Metal dome 58 Circuit boards 58a, 58b Copper foil patterns A1, A12, A22, A32 Overlapping areas A11, A21, A31 Input start prohibition areas X1-X6, Y1-Y6 Wiring patterns

Claims (8)

An operation position detection sensor comprising a thin film in which a plurality of electrodes are disposed, and detecting an operation position of a user on the thin film based on a change in capacitance of the electrode;
Direction input control means for detecting movement of the operation position based on the output of the operation position detection sensor and generating a direction input signal indicating the movement direction;
A key input means for detecting a user's pressing operation on the pressing surface and generating a key input signal;
Display means having a display screen for displaying image information;
Display control means for controlling the display position of the image information in the display screen based on the direction input signal,
The thin film of the operation position detection sensor is formed so as to overlap at least a part of the pressing surface of the key input means;
A portable information terminal, wherein when the direction input control means detects a movement of an operation position, it determines whether or not to generate the direction input signal based on the operation position at the start of the movement.   The direction input control means generates the direction input signal when the operation position at the start of movement is outside the input start prohibition region formed on the thin film in association with the pressing surface, and the input start prohibition region The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the directional input signal is not generated when the mobile information terminal is within the mobile information terminal.   The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein the input start prohibited area includes an overlapping area between the pressing surface and the thin film.   4. The portable information terminal according to claim 3, wherein the input start prohibition area includes an area sandwiched between an edge of the thin film closest to the overlap area and the overlap area. The pressing surface of the key input means is disposed below the center of the thin film,
The direction input control means detects the vertical movement of the operation position, generates a direction input signal indicating either the upward direction or the downward direction, and uses the input start prohibited area as the operation position at the start of movement. The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein when an upward movement is detected, the upward movement of the image information is prohibited. An operation position detection sensor comprising a thin film in which a plurality of electrodes are disposed, and detecting an operation position of a user on the thin film based on a change in capacitance of the electrode;
Direction input control means for detecting movement of the operation position based on the output of the operation position detection sensor and generating a direction input signal indicating the movement direction;
A key input means for detecting a user's pressing operation on the pressing surface and generating a key input signal;
Display means having a display screen for displaying image information;
Display control means for controlling the display position of the image information in the display screen based on the direction input signal,
The pressing surface of the key input means is disposed adjacent to the thin film of the operation position detection sensor,
A portable information terminal, wherein when the direction input control means detects a movement of an operation position, it determines whether or not to generate the direction input signal based on the operation position at the start of the movement.   The direction input control means generates the direction input signal when the operation position at the start of movement is outside the input start prohibited area on the thin film adjacent to the pressing surface, and is within the input start prohibited area 7. The portable information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the direction input signal is not generated. A display screen for displaying image information;
An operation key having a pressing surface;
An electrostatic pad that is provided between the display screen and the operation key and is made of a thin film on which a plurality of electrodes are arranged, and detects a user's operation position on the thin film based on a change in capacitance of the electrode; ,
Direction input control means for detecting movement of the operation position based on a detection result by the electrostatic pad and generating a direction input signal indicating the movement direction;
A key input means for detecting a user's pressing operation on the pressing surface and generating a key input signal;
Display control means for displaying the image information in the display screen based on the direction input signal,
The thin film of the electrostatic pad is formed to overlap at least a part of the pressing surface of the operation key,
When the direction input control means detects the movement of the operation position, the mobile phone is characterized in prohibiting the upward movement of the image information based on the operation position at the start of the movement.

Images