JP2000148377A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an input device which is inexpensive, excellent in durability and use convenience by suppressing oscillation of an oscillation means and judging input. SOLUTION: A ultrasonic wave sensor touch switch normally vibrates a sensor 1 of a ultrasonic wave oscillator, vibration of the sensor 1 is stopped by touching this switch and judgement of input is made. In this case, an output voltage of a circuit changes by a strength of touching the switch and it is possible to detect whether the switch is touched (i.e., the switch is pressed with a light pressure) or it is pressed separately. It is constituted so that input of three steps, a state in which the switch is not pressed (or touched), a state in which the switch is slightly touched and a state in which the switch is pressed, is enabled by using an output voltage which changes in accordance with a pressure in this way. Thus, since the sensitivity is excellent, it is possible to perform input with a light (weak) force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch as an input device for inputting to various devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sensor for detecting whether a person has touched or pressed can also be applied as an input device such as a switch according to the detection output. As these sensors or switches, a touch panel, a capacitance type touch sensor, a rubber pad type switch, an electromagnetic type touch sensor and the like are well known.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional sensors or switches, the touch panel and the capacitance type touch sensor are expensive, the rubber pad type switch has low durability, and the electromagnetic type touch sensor requires a dedicated pen. However, they do not satisfy the conditions of being inexpensive, durable and easy to use.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional input device and to provide an inexpensive, durable and easy-to-use input device.

[0005]

According to the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic oscillator having a circuit for obtaining an output based on the oscillation of the oscillator, and suppressing the oscillation of the oscillator. The problem is solved by determining the input.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that the input is judged in three stages. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that the three-stage input determination is determined based on an output voltage.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic sensor type touch switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The touch switch shown in FIG. 1 includes a sensor 1, a clock 2, resistors 3 to 5, capacitors 6 and 7, a diode 8, and the like. In this circuit, a clock 2, a resistor of 1 KΩ, and a sensor 1 are connected in series, and the clock 2 and the sensor 1 are each grounded. A capacitor 6 and a diode 8 are connected in series between the resistor 3 and the sensor 1, and an output is obtained from the end. The 1 KΩ resistor 4 is connected between the 10 μF capacitor 6 and the diode 8. The other end of the resistor 4 is grounded. A resistor 5 of 10 KΩ and a capacitor 7 of 0.01 μF are connected in parallel between the diode 8 and the output, and each end is grounded. In addition,
As the sensor 1, a commercially available ultrasonic oscillation element can be used.

In the ultrasonic sensor type touch switch of the present embodiment having the above circuit configuration, the sensor 1 which is an ultrasonic oscillation element is always vibrated, and the vibration of the sensor 1 is stopped by touching the switch. The input is determined. At that time, the output voltage of the circuit changes depending on the intensity of touching the switch, and it is possible to detect whether the switch is touched (the switch is pressed with a light pressing force) or the switch is pressed.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the switch pressing force and the output voltage in this touch switch. As shown in FIG. 2, in the switch of the present embodiment, there is an output of Vo (V) when the switch is not touched. Then, when the switch is touched, the output voltage increases in accordance with the pressing force, and when the switch is pressed with a predetermined pressing force or more, the output is saturated and becomes the output of Vh (V). When the switch is touched with a pressure weaker than the pressing force at which the saturation output Vh is obtained, if the output is Vx, then Vo <Vx <Vh. FIG. 2 shows the output V as an example when the switch is lightly touched.
₁ (V) is shown.

The level of the output, that is, whether the switch is pressed (the output is Vh) or the switch is lightly touched (the output is Vo <Vx <Vh) is determined by the OP amplifier. Alternatively, it is possible with a simple circuit using a comparator or the like, and a switch can be manufactured at low cost.

As described above, utilizing the fact that the output voltage changes in accordance with the pressing force, the switch according to the present embodiment includes:
When the switch is not pressed (touched):
The switch is configured to be capable of inputting in three stages: a state in which the switch is lightly touched, and a state in which the switch is pressed.

As a conventional switch, there are two switches, on / off.
Generally, an input that can be input in three stages is possible, but according to the ultrasonic sensor type touch switch of the present embodiment, three-stage input can be easily performed with a simple configuration.

Further, since the input can be performed by stopping the vibration of the ultrasonic sensor 1 by touching the switch, the pressing force of the switch may be weak (ie, the sensitivity is good).
Most suitable for use as switches for welfare equipment and the like. Further, there is an advantage that the durability is excellent because the input method is not an input method by opening and closing contacts and there is no mechanically movable part.

Specific examples of the use of the ultrasonic sensor type touch switch of this embodiment include a doorbell (a button for calling a nurse or a doctor) in a hospital facility or the like, and a mouse 10 of a personal computer as shown in FIG. An application to the button 11, an input device of a game machine, and the like can be considered. Further, it is also possible to use as a sensor that detects the passage of a person or an object (it can judge from the output that a human body or an object has touched), instead of a switch that a person consciously presses to input.

[0016]

As described above, according to the input device of the present invention, since the sensitivity is good, it is possible to provide an input device capable of performing an input with a light (weak) force. Therefore, it is most suitable for use as a switch of a welfare device or the like, for example. Further, the structure is simple and the durability is excellent.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since input determination can be made in three stages, it is possible to realize an input mode more complicated than turning on / off the switch. According to the configuration of the third aspect, it is possible to easily perform three-stage input determination with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic sensor type touch switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a relationship between a pressing force and an output voltage in the switch.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a specific application example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sensor (ultrasonic oscillation element) 2 Clock 10 Mouse 11 Push button

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input device comprising: an ultrasonic oscillating means; and a circuit for obtaining an output based on the oscillation of the oscillating means, wherein an input is determined by suppressing oscillation of the oscillating means. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input is determined in three stages. 3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the input determination in the three stages is determined based on an output voltage.