JP2010272111A - Information apparatus with input part disposed on surface invisible when in use, input method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information apparatus which gives a user a naturally physical operation feeling due to depression with finger pressure without fighting for the surface area of a front surface on the user side by a screen display part and an input part each other. <P>SOLUTION: The information apparatus includes a depression type input part and a display control part. The depression type input part includes a depression surface with which a finger is to be brought into contact, a depression detection part for detecting physical depression of the depression surface, and a sensor for detecting the proximity state of a position of a finger on the depression surface. The depression type input part is disposed on a surface which is invisible in a visual field when the screen display part is viewed. The display control part displays functional images of respective positions of the depression surface, on the screen display part and specifies and displays whether a finger is close to a functional position to which each function image is made to correspond. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information device including a screen display unit and an input unit as a user interface.

  In recent years, various types of portable information devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), electronic dictionary devices, electronic books, smart books, and netbooks have become widespread. Such a portable information device includes a screen display unit such as a display and an input unit such as a keyboard and a touch pad as a user interface, and can execute various application software. For example, a cellular phone includes a liquid crystal display and a numeric keyboard, and functions in a general manner like a personal computer by an OS (Operating System).

  A portable information device is forced to have structural restrictions as compared with a stationary information device such as a desktop personal computer. A portable information device requires a reduction in the volume of the entire device in order to improve portability. As a result, since the surface area of the device is reduced, the size of the display as the screen display unit must be reduced, and the visibility as viewed from the user becomes poor. Similarly, since the size of the keyboard and touchpad as the input unit must be reduced, the operability is also inferior. For example, a numeric keyboard mounted on a cellular phone needs to make the key top size as small as possible and the key interval as small as possible.

  On the other hand, in recent years, a touch panel display in which a screen display unit and an input unit are integrated has become widespread (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The touch panel display allows a user to input various information and operate the device by touching the display with a finger (or stylus pen). In this case, a touch panel display can be arranged on the user-side front surface of the portable information device, and the visibility seen from the user is excellent. Also, the virtual buttons of various functions by application can be virtually configured on the display. Therefore, the installation of a physical keyboard can be omitted, and the display area can be increased by that amount.

  There is also a small electronic device provided with a display and a touch panel display on the front side of the user (see, for example, Patent Document 2). There is also a small electronic device that can be operated with one hand by providing a display on the front side of the user and a touch panel on the back side (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  Furthermore, there is a technique for giving the user a sense of pressing the touch panel display by sinking the operation surface by a predetermined stroke in the internal direction (see, for example, Patent Document 4). According to this technique, the display is arranged on the front side of the user side, and the touch panel is arranged behind the display in the direction of the user side.

JP 2005-266968 A WO2005 / 091117 JP 2002-318640 A JP 2008-171440 A

Kyocera, “Comfortable operation smooth touch”, [online], [Search April 20, 2009], Internet <URL: http://www.sanyo-keitai.com/au/w54sa/feature/smooth.shtml> Microsoft Research, “Showing a new UI that can be operated with a finger placed on the back of the device”, [online], [Search April 20, 2009], Internet <URL: http: //techon.nikkeibp. co.jp/article/NEWS/20080305/148529/> Smooth touch, “Handwriting changes this way: W42SA to ask development team”, [online], [Search April 20, 2009], Internet <URL: http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/ mobile / articles / 0609/05 / news010.html>

  The problem of the size of the screen display unit and the input unit in the portable information device is based on the fact that both of the two user interfaces need to be mounted in front of the user. This is because both the screen display unit and the input unit share the surface area of the user side front surface.

  In the case of a touch panel display, since the display itself is touched with a finger or a pen, fingerprint marks by the finger or scratches by the pen also give an uncomfortable feeling to the user's visibility. In addition, the touch panel display does not return a mechanical reaction due to the pressing of the finger in order to operate the virtual button displayed on the screen. For this reason, it is not possible to obtain human natural physical operation feeling. Some devices create a secondary reaction, such as a vibrator, when the virtual button is pressed. However, since the mechanical dedicated parts are mounted, the volume of the apparatus is increased, and the cost and power consumption are also increased.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an information device, an input method, and a program that can obtain a human natural physical operation feeling by pressing acupressure without both the screen display unit and the input unit having the same surface area on the user side. The purpose is to provide.

According to the present invention,
A screen display;
A pressing surface that is touched by a finger; a pressing detection unit that detects physical pressing of the pressing surface; and a sensor that detects a proximity state of the finger position on the surface of the pressing surface, and the screen display unit is visually observed A push-type input unit arranged on a surface that is not visible in the field of view,
A display control unit that displays a functional image at each position on the pressing surface on the screen display unit and that specifically displays whether or not a finger is in proximity to the functional position associated with each functional image. .

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, the push-type input unit is preferably a keyboard, and the function image displayed on the screen display unit by the display control unit is preferably a key function image.

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, the push-type input unit is a touch pad that can be pressed down on the entire surface via the elastic unit, and the function image displayed on the screen display unit by the display control unit is It is also preferable that the image is a functional image at each position on the pressing surface.

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, it is also preferable that the push-type input unit is disposed on the back surface, side surface, and / or corner portion of the screen display unit.

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, when the push-type input unit is arranged on the back surface with respect to the screen display unit, the display control unit displays the function image having the same arrangement configuration as the function position on the screen. It is also preferable that the function position displayed on the screen and the function position assigned to the pressing surface and the function image displayed on the screen display portion have a mirror surface relationship.

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, when the push-type input unit is disposed on a side surface or a corner portion with respect to the screen display unit, the display control unit is configured to function within the range of the screen display unit. It is also preferable to control the screen display unit so that the functional image is displayed at a position close to.

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, it is also preferable that the display control unit controls the screen display unit so that a functional image representing a reduced functional position is displayed.

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, the function position and the function image are a QWERTY layout of the keyboard, and the display control unit displays the keyboard image of the QWERTY layout on the screen display unit, and the finger approaches. It is also preferable to visually display the specific keys.

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, it is also preferable that the display control unit can change the assignment of the function position and the function image according to the operating application.

  According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, it is also preferable that the display control unit performs control so that a function position that is not used is not displayed on the screen display unit in accordance with an operating application.

According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention, the information device further includes a posture sensor that detects whether the device is held vertically or horizontally, and the display control unit holds the detected by the posture sensor. It is also preferable to change the assignment between the function position and the function image according to the orientation of the function.

According to another embodiment of the information device of the present invention,
Information equipment is foldable,
The screen display part is arranged inside or outside when folded,
It is also preferable that the push-type input unit is disposed outside or inside when folded.

According to the present invention, there is provided an input method for an information device having a screen display unit and a push-type input unit arranged on a surface not visible in the field of view when the screen display unit is viewed,
A first step of displaying on the screen display unit a functional image of each position of the pressing surface in the pressing type input unit;
A second step of detecting a proximity state of the finger position by a sensor on the surface of the pressing surface;
A third step of specifying on the screen display unit whether or not the finger is in proximity to the functional position associated with the functional image;
A fourth step of detecting physical pressing of the pressing surface by finger pressure on the pressing surface;
And a fifth step of executing a function based on the function image associated with the function position where the finger is in proximity.

According to the present invention, a computer mounted on an information device having a screen display unit and a push-type input unit arranged on a surface not visible in the field of view when the screen display unit is viewed is caused to function. A program,
A first step of displaying on the screen display unit a functional image of each position of the pressing surface in the pressing type input unit;
A second step of detecting a proximity state of the finger position by a sensor on the surface of the pressing surface;
A third step of specifying on the screen display unit whether or not the finger is in proximity to the functional position associated with the functional image;
A fourth step of detecting physical pressing of the pressing surface by finger pressure on the pressing surface;
The computer is executed as a fifth step of executing a function based on a function image associated with a function position where a finger is in proximity.

  According to the information device, the input method, and the program of the present invention, both the screen display unit and the input unit are mutually used by providing the push-type input unit that can be operated with the user's finger on the surface that is not visually recognized by the user. It is possible to obtain a human natural-physical operation feeling by pressing the finger pressure without compromising the surface area of the front side of the person. The user can operate the keyboard or the touch pad with both hands, and can obtain an input operation feeling close to a QWERTY keyboard or pointing device.

It is the front view of a portable information device provided with the keyboard, a rear view, and sectional drawing. It is an external view of input operation in the portable information device provided with the keyboard. It is the front view of a portable information device provided with the touchpad, a back view, and sectional drawing. It is an external view of input operation in the portable information device provided with the touchpad. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable information device having a push-type input unit on a side surface or a corner portion and an external view of an input operation. It is an external view of input operation using a track point. It is an external view of input operation which displayed a different keyboard image. It is an external view of input operation in a foldable portable information device. It is an external view of input operation in a mobile phone. It is an external view of the wearable apparatus in this invention. It is a flowchart of the input method with respect to information equipment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the information device to which the present invention is contrasted, information is inputted by the finger pressure of the user's hand. Thus, although preferably a portable, it may be a user interface device for stationary information devices. In the following description, a portable information device such as a smartphone or a mobile phone will be described.

  The portable information device of the present invention includes a screen display unit such as a display and a push-type input unit such as a keyboard or a touch pad. The screen display unit is disposed on a surface that is viewed in the field of view when viewed by the user, for example, the front surface. On the other hand, the push-type input unit is disposed on a surface that is not viewed in the field of view when the screen display unit is viewed by the user, for example, the back surface, the side surface, or the corner. The feature of the present invention is the arrangement position of such a push-type input unit.

  In the following description, an embodiment in which the push-type input unit is “keyboard” and an embodiment in which “touch pad” is used will be described. 1 and 2 describe the “keyboard” embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 describe the “touchpad” embodiment. 5 to 10 may be any push-type input unit, but only the “keyboard” will be described for ease of explanation.

  FIG. 1 is a front view, a rear view, and a cross-sectional view of a portable information device including a keyboard.

  FIG. 1A is a front view of a portable information device including a keyboard according to the present invention. According to this front view, the portable information device 1 has the shape of a general smartphone or PDA (so-called palmtop type). The main body of the portable information device 1 is made of metal or synthetic resin, and has a size that allows a user to hold it with both hands (of course, it may be one hand). Further, in the portable information device 1, most of the surface area on the user side front surface is occupied by the display (screen display unit) 10. A function image 100 is displayed on the display 10. Examples of the function image include a keyboard image and an application button image. It is like an icon of a user interface in an OS for a personal computer. The user operates to press the function image.

  As a keyboard image 100, QWERTY keys are displayed. The QWERTY layout is a key layout as a de facto standard for keyboards with engraved Latin characters. At present, as a keyboard, a full keyboard operated with both hands as the QWERTY layout of a personal computer has become most popular. As a result, this input operation is the most widely used keyboard. On the other hand, in the case of a mobile phone, for example, the user holds with one hand and presses the key with the thumb of that hand. According to the present invention, in order to obtain the ease of keyboard input operation, the user holds with both hands (or one hand) and presses a QWERTY key.

  FIG.1 (b) is a rear view of the portable information device provided with the keyboard in this invention. According to this rear view, a keyboard (push-type input unit) 11 having substantially the same arrangement as the keyboard image 100 displayed on the display 10 is provided on the back of the portable information device 1. According to the present invention, the keyboard 11 is disposed on a surface that is not viewed in the field of view when the display 10 is viewed by the user.

  According to FIG. 1B, corresponding to the QWERTY key of the keyboard image 100 displayed on the display 10, the keyboard 11 has the QWERTY key. Each key corresponds to a functional image, and is “functional position corresponding to the functional image”. It should be noted that the key layout of the keyboard 11 arranged on the back surface and the key layout of the keyboard image 100 displayed on the display 10 are in a mirror-surface relationship. In addition, according to FIG.1 (b), the track point 12 is also arrange | positioned. Thus, the pointing operation on the application image 101 can be performed from the back side.

  FIG.1 (c) is sectional drawing of the portable information device provided with the keyboard in this invention. According to this cross-sectional view, the portable information device 1 includes a key top 111, a press detection unit 112, a touch sensor 113, a protective film 114, a display control unit 115, and a posture (acceleration) sensor 116. . Here, the display control unit 115 is realized by executing a program that causes a computer mounted on the portable information device to function.

  The key top 111 is a button (pressing surface) having a convex physical shape arranged for each key. The user's finger applies acupressure to the key top.

  The press detection unit 12 is connected to the key top (press surface) 111 and detects a physical press on each key. The physical press detection unit 112 may be configured integrally with the substrate.

  The touch sensor 113 is provided on the surface of the key top 111, and detects the proximity state of the finger to each key (pressing surface) (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 and 3). The proximity state refers to a state where the finger is touching the key or the finger and the key are separated enough to receive static electricity. In the following description, it is assumed that “finger touch” is a proximity state.

  The touch sensor 113 includes, for example, an electrostatic sensor, a resistive film sensor, or an optical or thermal sensor. Signal contact of the finger detected by the touch sensor 113 is output to the display control unit 115.

  The protective film 114 protects the touch sensor 113 from the finger and, for example, energizes the touch sensor 113 with static electricity generated by the finger as it is.

  The display control unit 115 displays the function image of each key on the keyboard on the display. At this time, a keyboard image having substantially the same layout as that of the keyboard disposed on the back is displayed on the display. Moreover, it is preferable that a position is also substantially the same. The user can recognize that the key is present immediately behind the key displayed on the display. Note that the display control unit 115 preferably displays a keyboard image obtained by reducing the keyboard disposed on the back surface on the display. Thereby, the range of the application image 101 occupied on the display 10 can be made as wide as possible.

  Further, the display control unit 115 specifically displays the key (functional position) touched by the finger on the display based on the signal received from the touch sensor 113. By displaying the visual contact point on the key displayed on the display, the user can recognize the key touched by the finger.

  Furthermore, the display control unit 115 can change the function assignment of the keys on the keyboard in accordance with the running application. This is because the user pays attention only to the function of the key displayed on the display and is not aware of the key on the back. Therefore, it is not necessary to print the key assignment on the key top of the physical key on the back.

  Here, it is also preferable that the display control unit 115 performs control so that invalid key portions that are not used are not displayed on the display according to the application that is operating. This makes it possible to as wide as possible range of application image 101 to occupy on the display 10.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the display control unit 115 changes the function assignment of the keys on the keyboard in accordance with the holding direction detected by the attitude sensor 116. This is because the position of the finger touching the keyboard varies depending on the orientation of the portable information device 1 with respect to the user. For example, the keyboard key function assignment can be changed so that the user can operate with both hands when the holding posture is horizontal and can be operated with one hand when the posture is vertical.

  The posture sensor 116 is, for example, an acceleration sensor (for example, a semiconductor type), and can detect the vertical direction of the portable information device. The gravitational acceleration of the earth can be measured from the detected values of the three axes, and the inclination of the portable information device can be detected.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of an input operation in a portable information device equipped with a keyboard. Keyboard as depression type input section, the back of the display is disposed on a side surface or corner portions.

  FIG. 2A is a front view of the portable information device during an input operation. According to this front view, the portable information device 1 is held by the palm and thumb of the user. The display 10 displays a QWERTY keyboard image.

  When the user touches any key on the keyboard on the back, the key displayed on the display 10 is visually specified. For example, the contact point 102 is represented by a red circle. Thus, the user can visually know which key the finger is touching.

  When the finger is touching, the key is not pressed. For this reason, the information assigned to the key is not input. Next, the user can input the key assignment information by physically pressing the desired key while looking at the contact point 102 displayed on the display 10.

  Thus, the information obtained from the touch sensor is used exclusively for the purpose of presenting the contact position of the finger to the keyboard to the user. Therefore, a physical keyboard is used for actual key input. Thereby, it becomes possible to give a user a natural physical operation feeling (mechanical reaction in input), and the operability of input can be improved.

  For example, as in Non-Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, there is an existing technology that includes a touch panel on the back of a device. According to this technique, the uncomfortable feeling of visibility can be eliminated, but eventually a natural physical operation feeling cannot be obtained. The touch panel is a technique having both a key input operation function and a display function. In contrast, in the present invention, a touch of a finger is detected by a touch sensor by combining a touch sensor and a keyboard, and actual key input is operated by a physical keyboard.

  FIG. 2B is a rear view of the portable information device during the input operation. According to this rear view, the keyboard 11 is touched and pressed by a finger other than the user's thumb (index finger, middle finger, ring finger and / or little finger). Of course, it may be one operated by the thumb (to be described later by FIG. 5). Here, the assignment function display need not be printed on the key top of the keyboard 11 provided on the back surface. This is because the user sees only the keyboard image 100 displayed on the display 10 and does not see the keyboard arranged on the back surface. That is, the push-type input unit is disposed on a surface that is not visible in the field of view when the display 10 is viewed by the user.

  FIG. 3 is a front view, a rear view, and a cross-sectional view of a portable information device including a touch pad. Touchpad as depression type input section, the back of the display is disposed on a side surface or corner portions.

  FIG. 3 differs from FIG. 1 only in that the push-type input unit is a touch pad. In FIG. 3B, a touch panel 11 is provided on the back of the portable information device. On the touch panel 11, a function position is assigned to each position, and the function position is associated with a function image displayed on the display 10. As in FIG. 1, the position of the functional position of the touch panel and the position of the functional image of the display are in a mirror relationship.

  FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the portable information device in FIG. According to this cross-sectional view, the portable information device 1 differs from FIG. 1C only in that it includes an elastic portion 117.

  Elastic unit 117 is disposed between the touch pad 113 and the depression detection unit 112. The elastic portion 117 generates pressure fluctuation due to finger pressure applied to the touch pad. The pressure fluctuation of the elastic part 117 is applied to the entire pressing detection part 112.

  The press detection unit 12 is connected to the elastic unit 117 and detects physical press of the touch pad 113. As in FIG. 1C, the physical press detection unit 112 may be integrated with the substrate.

  The touch pad 113 includes a sensor on the surface, and detects the proximity state of the finger to the touch pad. The sensor of the touch pad 113 functions in the same manner as the touch sensor 113 of FIG. Signal contact of the finger detected by the touch pad 113 is output to the display control unit 115.

  Other components function in the same manner as in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is an external view of an input operation in a portable information device provided with a touch pad. The touch pad as the push-type input unit is disposed on the back surface, side surface, and / or corner portion of the display.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portable information device provided with a push-type input unit on the side and corner portions and an external view of the input operation.

  According to the perspective view of FIG. 5A, a key as a push-type input unit is disposed on the side surface and corner portion of the portable information device. Here, when the function position (key) is arranged on the side surface or the corner, the display control unit 115 displays the function image at a position close to the function position in the range of the display 10. According to FIG. 5A, the functional image is displayed on the side portion of the display 10. Moreover, according to FIG.5 (b), the key arrange | positioned at the side surface or corner | angular part of a portable information device is operated with the thumb. Furthermore, according to FIG.5 (c), the key arrange | positioned at the side surface or corner | angular part of a portable information device is operated with the index finger. As described above, the keys arranged on the side surfaces or corner portions can be operated with any finger.

  FIG. 6 is an external view of an input operation using track points.

  FIG. 6A is a front view of the portable information device during track point operation. According to this front view, the pointer based on the operation of the track point of the portable information device is represented as the pointer image 103 on the application image 101 of the display 10.

  FIG. 6B is a rear view of the portable information device when the track point is operated. According to the rear view, the track point is operated by the user's index finger.

  FIG. 7 is an external view of an input operation displaying different keyboard images.

  According to FIG. 7, the keyboard image 100 to be displayed on the display 10 is reduced and displayed. By making the range of the keyboard image 100 occupied on the display 10 as small as possible, the range of the application image 101 on the display 10 is widened. Even if the position of the keyboard arranged on the back surface and the position of the keyboard image 100 displayed on the display 10 do not necessarily match, the operability from the user is maintained.

  Figure 8 is an external view of the input operation in the foldable portable information equipment.

  According to FIG. 8, the portable information device 1 is a foldable type having a hinge 13 and has, for example, a shape like a book. In such a portable information device 1, the display is arranged inside when folded, and the keyboard is arranged outside when folded. Each folded end is gripped by the user's hand. Since the display 10 viewed from the user is folded inward and stored, the screen can be prevented from being damaged or soiled. When the portable information device 1 is folded, the input function from the keyboard 11 is stopped.

  According to FIG. 8, the touch sensor 14 is disposed not only on the keyboard 11 but also on the entire back surface of the portable information device 1. Thus, not only the keyboard but also the finger touch position corresponding to the entire area of the display 10 is detected, and the pointer image 103 on the application image 101 on the display 10 is operated.

  FIG. 9 is an external view of an input operation in the mobile phone.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the portable information device is a mobile phone. FIG. 9A shows a front view of the mobile phone. According to the front view, the display 10 is foldable via the hinge 13 and the display 10 is arranged on both sides. The display 10 displays a reduced keyboard image. FIG. 9B shows a rear view of the mobile phone. According to this rear view, a keyboard is arranged on the back surface of the mobile phone.

  Conventional general mobile phones are often foldable, and a display is arranged on one side and a numeric keyboard is arranged on the other side with respect to the front of the user. Usually, the user holds the main body with the palm of the right hand and fingers other than the thumb and operates the numeric keyboard with the thumb of the right hand. Although the thumb has the least degree of freedom of the joint that can be shifted in the lateral direction, the thumb is used for the keyboard input operation. Moreover, it is input with one hand. On the other hand, according to the present invention, the cellular phone in the open state is gripped by the palm and thumb of the user, and the keyboard disposed on the back is touched and pressed by fingers other than the user's thumb. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a wide display area of the display and to press the back keyboard with a plurality of fingers.

  FIG. 10 is an external view of a wearable device according to the present invention.

  According to FIG. 10, the spectacle-type (headset) wearable device is represented. The information device targeted by the present invention is not necessarily limited to a device held by a user's hand, as in the above-described embodiment.

  According to the wearable device of FIG. 10, the display for the user is arranged inside the wearable device (side facing the user's field of view). The push-type input unit is arranged on a side portion that cannot be seen by the user. Pressing-type input section has the same functional structure and the touch pad keys or diagram of Fig 3. On the display of this wearable device, a functional image at each position on the pressing surface arranged on the side is displayed. In addition, it is specified whether the user's finger is close to the functional position associated with each functional image.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an input method for an information device. The processing procedure of this flowchart may be realized by executing a program that causes a computer mounted on an information device to function.

According to FIG. 11, the information device includes a screen display unit facing the user, and a push-type input unit arranged on a surface that is not visible in the field of view when the screen display unit is viewed by the user. And have.
(S1) The function image at each position of the pressing surface in the pressing type input unit is displayed on the screen display unit.
(S2) The proximity state of the position of the user's finger is detected by a sensor on the surface of the pressing surface.
(S3) On the screen display unit, whether the user's finger is close to the functional position associated with the functional image is specified and displayed.
(S4) Physical pressing of the pressing surface is detected by finger pressure on the pressing surface.
(S5) The function based on the function image associated with the function position where the user's finger is close is executed.

  As described above in detail, according to the portable information device of the present invention, a display is provided by providing a push-type input unit that can be operated with a user's finger on the back, side, and / or corner of the display. The display unit and the input function that make maximum use of the surface area of the device can be achieved without having the surface area of the user-side front and the input unit take advantage of each other, and a human natural-physical operation feeling can be obtained by pressing the input unit. The user can operate the keyboard with both hands, and can obtain an input operation feeling close to a QWERTY keyboard.

  Various changes, modifications, and omissions of the above-described various embodiments of the present invention can be easily made by those skilled in the art. The above description is merely an example, and is not intended to be restrictive. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information device 10 Display 100 Function image 102 Contact point 103 Pointer image 11 Press type input part, keyboard, touch pad 111 Press surface 112 Press detection part 113 Touch sensor 114 Protective film 115 Display control part 116 Attitude sensor 117 Elastic part 12 Trackpoint 13 Folding hinge

Claims (14)

A screen display;
A pressing surface on which the finger comes in contact; a pressing detection unit that detects physical pressing of the pressing surface; and a sensor that detects a proximity state of the finger position on the surface of the pressing surface, and the screen display unit is visually A push-type input unit arranged on a surface that is not visible in the field of view when
A display control unit that displays a functional image at each position of the pressing surface on the screen display unit and that specifically displays whether the finger is close to a functional position associated with each functional image. Characteristic information equipment. The push-type input unit is a keyboard,
The information device according to claim 1, wherein the functional image displayed on the screen display unit by the display control unit is a functional image of a key. The press-type input unit is a touch pad that can press the entire surface through an elastic part,
The information device according to claim 1, wherein the functional image displayed on the screen display unit by the display control unit is a functional image at each position on the pressing surface.   The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the push-type input unit is disposed on a back surface, a side surface, and / or a corner portion of the screen display unit. When the push-type input unit is arranged on the back surface with respect to the screen display unit,
The display control unit displays a functional image of the same arrangement configuration as the functional position on the screen display unit,
The information device according to claim 4, wherein the functional position assigned to the pressing surface and the functional image displayed on the screen display unit have a mirror surface relationship. When the push-type input unit is disposed on a side surface or a corner portion with respect to the screen display unit,
5. The information device according to claim 4, wherein the display control unit controls the screen display unit so that a functional image is displayed at a position close to the functional position within the range of the screen display unit. .   The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display control unit controls the screen display unit so that a functional image representing the functional position in a reduced size is displayed. . The functional position and the functional image are a QWERTY layout of a keyboard,
8. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the keyboard image of the QWERTY layout on the screen display unit, and visually identifies and displays a key close to a finger. Information equipment described in the section.   The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display control unit can change assignment of a function position and a function image in accordance with an operating application.   10. The information according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit performs control so that a function position that is not used is not displayed on the screen display unit in accordance with an operating application. machine. It further has an attitude sensor that detects whether it is held vertically or horizontally.
11. The information according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit changes assignment of a function position and a function image in accordance with a holding direction detected by the posture sensor. machine. The information device is foldable,
The screen display unit is arranged inside or outside when folded,
The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the push-type input unit is arranged outside or inside when folded. An information device input method comprising a screen display unit and a push-type input unit arranged on a surface not visible in the field of view when the screen display unit is viewed,
A first step of displaying on the screen display unit a functional image of each position of the pressing surface in the pressing type input unit;
A second step of detecting a proximity state of a finger position by a sensor on the surface of the pressing surface;
A third step of specifically displaying on the screen display unit whether or not a finger is in proximity to the functional position associated with the functional image;
A fourth step of detecting physical pressing of the pressing surface by finger pressure on the pressing surface;
And a fifth step of executing a function based on a function image associated with a function position in which a finger is in close proximity, and an input method using an information device. A program for causing a computer mounted on an information device having a screen display unit and a push-type input unit disposed on a surface not visible in the field of view when the screen display unit is viewed,
A first step of displaying on the screen display unit a functional image of each position of the pressing surface in the pressing type input unit;
A second step of detecting a proximity state of a finger position by a sensor on the surface of the pressing surface;
A third step of specifically displaying on the screen display unit whether or not a finger is in proximity to the functional position associated with the functional image;
A fourth step of detecting physical pressing of the pressing surface by finger pressure on the pressing surface;
A program for an information device, which causes a computer to be executed as a fifth step of executing a function based on a function image associated with a function position where a finger is in proximity.

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