JP2002236543A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which can provide tactile feedback based upon a user's touch for user's input operation. SOLUTION: A tactile feedback sheet 26A in a 1st implementation style which is built in this input device 1A has a back plate 30 and a diaphragm 31 and spacers 32 are arranged at the peripheral part to form a uniform gap between them, and a heat source 33 is provided at a specific position on the back plate 30 and the space between the back plate 30 and diaphragm 31 is filled with transparent or translucent uncompressed liquid 34 under atmospheric pressure and then sealed. This tactile feedback sheet 26A is characterized by that volume variation is caused by the generation of vapor gas by heating in the uncompressed liquid 34 and the liquefaction of the vapor gas by cooling and vibration and swelling perpendicular to the diaphragm 31 are fed back to the finger 19, etc., of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device,
In particular, the present invention relates to an input device configured so that a force sense is returned to a user at the time of an input operation by a user's pressing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A touch panel or a touch pad in which an input operation is performed with a finger is used as an input device of an electronic device. In such a touch panel or a touch pad, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-251347, a pantograph-shaped metal fitting is arranged below the touch pad to thereby give a sense of force such as a click feeling. It has been proposed to. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-1
No. 15306 proposes a structure in which a transparent reversing plate is arranged on a touch panel, and a click feeling is obtained by such a reversing plate.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-327756 and 11-327786, and
No.-49913 and the like propose a structure in which projections are provided on the display surface of a touch panel to provide tactile information to a user. In such a structure, a projection is formed on the surface in advance, and a display mechanism such as a button is displayed on the display unit in accordance with the position.

[0004]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-25134
The method according to Japanese Patent Publication No. 7 requires space for components constituting a pantograph-shaped metal fitting, which hinders reduction in thickness of the touch pad. In addition, even when the function is disabled, the reaction force is returned by the touchpad, so that the user is confused. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-1
Also in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 15306, there is a problem in that a reaction force is returned to an invalid key operation, and the operation is perceived as being accepted, resulting in confusion. In addition, these structures have a disadvantage that, besides returning a reaction force, they cannot transmit haptic information such as vibration or pulse response.

[0005] JP-A-11-327756 and JP-A-11-327786, or JP-A-2000-49
In the configuration of Japanese Patent Publication No. 913, projections are also arranged at positions other than the input waiting area on a screen having a small number of display items, and confusion occurs when the user performs input by relying on tactile sensation. Originally, it was not possible to provide a projection only for a necessary portion such as an input event waiting area each time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device which enables a user to return to the tactile sensation by force in response to an input operation by the user. Aim.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention relates to an input device having a haptic feedback mechanism including a sealing structure in which an incompressible liquid is sealed and a heat source for heating and / or cooling the incompressible liquid. It is.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an input device having a force sense feedback mechanism including a sealing structure in which a non-compressed liquid is sealed and a pressure source for compressing the non-compressed liquid. The returned force sense operates by simple vibration or bulge, or operates by periodic vibration, arbitrary waveform vibration, or steps.

Here, the input device may be a touch panel, and the front side is made of a transparent or translucent member.
It may be used in combination with a display device.

[0010] Furthermore, the portion that generates a force sensation may comprise a diaphragm, and the diaphragm may generate a force sensation by a change in the internal pressure of the non-compressed liquid accompanying the generation of gas.

[0011] It is preferable that the non-compressed liquid is heated and evaporated by applying a current to the heat source to generate a gas, and that the non-compressed liquid returns to its original property by removing the heating. It is. The heat source may be an electric resistor or a Peltier element. In particular, when the latter Peltier element is used, heating and cooling can be performed by the same element depending on the polarity of the applied voltage.

Further, by applying a current to the pressurizing source, a pressure is applied to the non-compressed liquid to cause the diaphragm to swell and cut off the swelling to eliminate the swelling of the diaphragm. Good. The pressurizing source may be sealed inside the sealing structure, and the pressurizing source is configured with a sub-chamber separate from the main body that is the sealing structure, and the main body and the sub-chamber are It is also possible to make the communication by means of the communication means, so that a pressure increase accompanying the operation of the pressurizing source is transmitted to the main body through the communication means. In the former case, it is preferable to dispose a separator so as to partition between the pressure source and the display unit, and to swell only the display unit side.

Further, the sealing structure may be divided into a plurality of small spaces by a plurality of separators, and a plurality of force feedback mechanisms may be juxtaposed and configured. A heat source is provided in these small spaces and the non-compressed liquid is provided. To control the generation of evaporative gas. In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of force feedback mechanisms be switched by a switching circuit provided outside.

Further, gas may be generated in an area where an input operation is to be performed, so as to notify that the apparatus is in an input standby state. When gas is generated and an input operation is performed in an area in an input standby state, the gas may disappear.
In addition, a visual feedback mechanism, an auditory feedback mechanism, and other sensation return mechanisms can be used together with the haptic feedback mechanism.

A preferred embodiment of the invention included in the present application is a haptic feedback mechanism including an uncompressed liquid, a heat source for heating the same and generating a vaporized gas, and a sealing structure for sealing them. Another preferred embodiment of the invention included in the present application is a haptic feedback mechanism including a sealing structure that seals a non-compressed liquid and a pressurizing source that pressurizes the liquid, and the haptic feedback mechanism includes a touch panel or The present invention relates to a structure including at least one of a display mechanism and a system including a circuit for controlling a reaction of the structure.

According to such an embodiment, the realization of a feedback mechanism based on a force sense for an input operation on a touch panel or the like is achieved. At the same time, position recognition by tactile sensation and its control are enabled. In addition, the haptic feedback function according to the above aspect can be used in combination with visual feedback by a display screen, or auditory feedback by voice or music, and the user can select these return modes according to the use state. Can be. For the user, confirmation by touch or force can be performed without relying on sight or hearing, and quick and reliable operation of the device becomes possible, and no irritations are caused. Tactile or haptic feedback is very effective, especially for users with visual or hearing handicap.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The input device of the present invention will be described below with reference to various embodiments shown in the drawings.

First Embodiment First, an input device according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an input device having a force feedback sheet according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view of the input device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the display unit of the input device shown, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the display unit of the input device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a first embodiment of the present invention which constitutes the display unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional side view showing a state in which the force-feedback sheet shown in FIG. 5 is operated, and FIG. 7 is a force-feedback sheet shown in FIG.
FIG. A is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a main part showing a state in which the gas is generated, and FIG. B is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a main part showing a state in which the gas has disappeared. FIG. 8 and FIG. 8 are graphs showing the haptic feedback operation of the haptic feedback sheet shown in FIG.

The input device 1A of the present invention is applied to a small portable device such as an information terminal, a car navigation system, a display device combined with a touch panel such as a computer, a remote commander such as an electronic device, or a position information device such as a touch pad. It concerns a possible input device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1A includes an outer casing 10 having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape.
Frames 11 are respectively connected to both ends of the outer casing 10 and reinforced. On the upper surface of the outer casing 10, a display unit 12 which is also used as a touch panel is provided. An input panel 13 is provided below the display unit 12, and
A plurality of operation buttons 14 are arranged below the input panel 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel constituting the display unit 12 is configured to make an input with a pointing tool 18 such as a stylus or to make a direct input with a finger 19 of a user. An icon 20 is displayed on the display unit 12 so that the input with the pointing tool 18 or the finger 19 can be easily performed. Therefore, a predetermined input operation can be performed by touching the icon 20 with the stylus 18 or the finger 19.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the display unit 12 includes a display panel 24, a switch sheet 25 for a touch panel, and a haptic feedback sheet 26 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
A has a three-layer structure. The display panel 24
Are designed to perform a predetermined display, and the touch panel switch sheet 25 is configured to perform a switching operation with an input operation.

The touch panel switch sheet 25 mentioned here includes a resistive film type and other types. The display panel 24 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).
There are flat displays and curved displays such as displays. The haptic feedback sheet 26A is configured to perform an operation for haptic feedback according to an input operation as described later.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display panel 24, the switch sheet 25 for the touch panel, and the haptic feedback sheet 26A are overlapped and used in the outer casing 10.

The input device 1A has a touch panel function on the display unit 12, and switches the touch panel switch sheet 25 according to the positions of buttons, switches, menus, icons, and the like projected on the display unit 12. To accept input events. Here, the input event is input to the touch panel switch sheet 25 by the user's finger 19 or stylus 18, as shown in FIG.

At the time of such an operation, in the conventional touch panel, the pressing force P-displacement δ curve of the touch panel itself becomes a linear P-δ curve shown by 1 in FIG. Further, in the case of a resistive touch panel or the like, 2 P-δ having a stroke slightly more than 1
Become a curve. In this case, in any case, the user does not know at which point the touch panel is turned on and an input event has occurred. On the other hand, in the case of a touch panel using a reversing mechanism and a reversing plate as indicated by 3 in FIG. 8, as the user pushes down, the reaction force is released by a certain depressing force, so that the user is turned on. Can be recognized.

On the other hand, in the force feedback sheet 26A of the first embodiment used in the input device 1A of the present invention, the characteristics at the time of pressurization have a profile close to 1 or 2 in FIG. , ON state, and when the input event occurs, the push-back as indicated by 4 occurs, and the push-back is returned as a force sense to inform the user that the input event has occurred. It is something that has been done.

As shown in FIG. 5, the haptic feedback sheet 26A has a back plate 30 and a diaphragm 31 which constitute a substrate.
A spacer 32 is arranged in the periphery so as to form a uniform gap between them, a heat source 33 is provided at a predetermined position on the back plate 30, and a back plate is provided. The space between the diaphragm 30 and the diaphragm 30 is filled with a transparent or translucent non-compressed liquid 34 and sealed. The internal pressure at this time is set substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure.

The haptic feedback sheet 26 for this haptic feedback
A is a touch panel switch screen as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that they are used in a state where they are overlapped with each other in a state including the display panel 25 and the display panel 24.

Regarding the haptic feedback mechanism, the present embodiment utilizes the expansion of the volume of the non-compressed liquid 34 by heating and the reduction of the volume by cooling, and the evaporating gas generated by heating in the sealed non-compressed liquid 34. It is characterized in that a volume change of liquefaction due to generation and cooling of the vaporized gas is caused, and a vibration or a displacement in a direction perpendicular to the display surface is fed back to the user's finger 19 or the like.

As the back plate 30, for example, hard glass, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PMMA
It is preferable to use plastics such as (acryl: polymethyl methacrylate), PI (polyimide), PE (polyethylene), and polyurethane.

As the diaphragm 31 on the surface with which the user's finger 19 contacts, for example, the above-mentioned PE
Soft plastics such as T, PMMA, PI, PE, polyurethane can be used.

As the heat source 33, for example, a material having transparency such as ITO (Indium Tin O) is used.
xide) As the thin film and the non-transparent material, for example, a high-resistance alloy material that generates Joule heat when energized, such as nichrome, can be used.

The non-compressed liquid 34 is preferably water, but may be glycerin or ether.
By adding a mixed solution or solute, the boiling point, viscosity,
What adjusted transparency may be sufficient.

Further, when the heat source 33 is continuously heated, it is thermally saturated, and the gas remaining phenomenon due to the thermodynamic hysteresis of the generated gas and the shortage of gas generation become problems. In order to solve this, a heat reservoir or a cooling source is installed near the heat source 33 and connected in a thermally conductive manner, so that the above problem can be solved in use. When using the equipment continuously, it is necessary to install a cooling mechanism for the heat source 33. As an example of the cooling mechanism, a member such as a metal case or iron that can rapidly absorb heat may be used, and it is effective to use a Peltier element having both functions of a heat source and a cooling source. . The Peltier element is an element in which a temperature difference is generated between both ends by applying a voltage to both ends of the element, and by using this characteristic, the heat source 33 and the cooling source can be used. In this case, heat generation and cooling can be performed in chronological order by switching the polarity of the applied voltage from an external circuit.

The heat source 33 which is an electrode of the electric resistor
If it is non-transparent, it may be formed on the outer peripheral portion of the back plate 30 deviating from the effective screen, and may be closed with the frame 11 or the like. Needless to say, such considerations need not be taken for a transparent electrode. The heat source 33 is connected to an external circuit such as a control unit and an amplification unit as shown in FIG.

Next, the haptic feedback operation of the haptic feedback sheet 26A according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the heat source 33 is energized in accordance with the switching of the external switching circuit, the non-compressed liquid 34 in contact with the vicinity of the heat source 33 is heated and evaporated, and gas 35 is generated. When the evaporating gas 35 is generated, the pressure of the non-compressed liquid 34 in the space increases, so that the diaphragm 31 swells and deforms as shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter, this phenomenon is referred to as “swelling”). "). When the power supply to the heat source 33 is cut off, the swelling state shown in FIG. 7A changes to the state shown in FIG. 7B, and the evaporated gas 35 on the heat source 33 disappears.
By converting the non-compressed liquid 34 in the vicinity of the heat source 33 into the evaporated gas 35 based on such a principle, the feedback of the force sense is performed.

Accordingly, the bulging of the diaphragm 31 is transmitted to the user's finger 19, and a haptic feedback on the occurrence of the input event occurs. Then, by synchronizing the feedback action composed of such a feedback action with the occurrence of an input event and the screen display, the function of force feedback is achieved.

Embodiment 2 Next, a haptic feedback sheet according to a second embodiment which can be used in the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view of a haptic feedback sheet according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a haptic feedback sheet shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged front view of the input device shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the input operation is different, along the line AA of FIG.

In the force feedback sheet 26A of the first embodiment, the swelling area due to the return of the diaphragm 31 is the entire display surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, two fingers 19 are used. Each finger 1
9 could not be returned individually.

Therefore, the haptic feedback sheet 2 of this embodiment
In FIG. 6B, as shown in FIG. 9, a separator 40 is erected between the back plate 30 and the diaphragm 31 to form the inside of the force-feedback sheet by a plurality of sealed small spaces 36. These are arranged in a form, and a heat source 33 is provided in each small space 36 to seal the non-compressed liquid 34. The heat source 33 in each small space 36 is connected to a driver 50 provided outside.

With such a structure, a heat source 33 is required in each small space 36. However, the heat source 33 for generating heat from an external circuit can be selectively switched, and the heat source 33 can be synchronized with the input position information. By doing so, it vibrates only in the vicinity of the area where the user's finger 19 is touching, and an action can be given. This means that the power supplied to the heat source 33 per small space 36 is small because the volume of the small space 36 is small, so that power saving can be achieved as a whole. In addition, since the haptic feedback is given only to the vicinity of the area touched by the user's finger, for example, as shown in FIG. Also, the force feedback can be given only to the corresponding finger 19, and the user can know the reaction, the situation, and the state of the device through the tactile sensation.

The size of each of the small spaces 36 defined by the separator 40 is preferably, for example, about 5 mm × 5 mm, depending on the size of the area where the finger 19 touches the panel 12. Thus, by providing a selector in the external circuit and controlling which small space 36 is connected, it is possible to control the area in which feedback is returned.

Third Embodiment Next, a haptic feedback sheet according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 12 is a partial front plan view of an input device 1B having a haptic feedback sheet according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 7A shows a force feedback sheet according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a sectional side view in an input waiting state, FIG. 6B is a sectional side view in an input state. FIG. C is a cross-sectional side view with the haptic feedback, and FIG.
4 is a graph showing the relationship between the pressing force of the haptic feedback sheet shown in FIG. 3 and the displacement of the diaphragm.

The haptic feedback sheet 26C of the third embodiment
The internal structure of the second embodiment is the haptic feedback sheet 26 of the second embodiment.
Same as B. That is, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, a plurality of small spaces 36 are formed by being divided by the separator 40, and a heat source 33 is provided in each of the small spaces 36 to seal the non-compressed liquid 34. Have been.

In such a structure, the small space 36 of the mechanism corresponding to the input waiting area of the display screen is heated in advance, and the diaphragm 31 constituting the appearance surface (surface) of the mechanism is shown in FIG. 13A. So that it is swollen. Accordingly, this state is changed to an input operation waiting area, for example, an input waiting state area 56 including a button area in the drawing that prompts the user to make a right / wrong selection as shown on the display unit 12 of the input device 1B shown in FIG. It is made to correspond to the menu selection area 58 and the like.

In such a region 56, 58, the diaphragm 31 is locally bulged upward, so that the user can see the bulged portion without touching the display itself and move the bulged portion to the tip of the finger 19. With the finger 19
Can be found only by the tactile sensation. In the next stage, when the user presses an operation button or the like in the input waiting area 56 as shown in FIG. 13B in this state, the touch panel 12 receives the input and generates an input event. I do. When the input event occurs, the heat generation is stopped as a feedback operation as shown in FIG. 13C, and the evaporative gas 35 generated in the input standby state is stopped.
By eliminating the internal pressure, the swelling of the surface disappears. By such an operation, the user's finger 19 is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the surface, and this is perceived as a user's tactile sensation, so that the user can be provided with force feedback information.

The non-compressed liquid 3 during such an operation
FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the pressing force P of No. 4 and the displacement δ of the diaphragm 31. That is, in the input standby state, the diaphragm 31 is in a raised state, and when an input event occurs, the evaporating gas 35 disappears rapidly, and thereafter, the pressure of the non-compressed liquid 34 increases by pressing with the finger 19. .

Embodiment 4 Next, a haptic feedback sheet 26D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a sectional plan view of a force-feedback sheet according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a sectional side view of the force-feedback sheet shown in FIG. is there.

The haptic feedback sheet 26 in each of the embodiments described above uses the heat source 33 to generate the non-compressed liquid 34.
Is evaporated, and the diaphragm 31 is expanded by the generated evaporative gas 35. However, in the haptic feedback sheet 26D of the present embodiment, not the heat source 33 but one of the electromagnetic actuators. Is that the electromagnetic plunger 60 is used. The electromagnetic plunger 60 comprises a ferromagnetic piston 61 and a solenoid 62 having a bobbin wound with a solenoid coil. When power is supplied to the solenoid 62, the piston 61 is pushed out in the direction of arrow A. Performs an operation of returning to the original position indicated by the arrow B.

The diaphragm 31 of this embodiment also has a back plate 30 and a diaphragm 31 constituting a substrate, and a space is formed around the periphery so as to form a gap between them.
The arrangement is made such that a support 32 is provided. The formed space is filled and sealed with the transparent or translucent non-compressed liquid 34 as described above. The internal pressure in this case is also substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure.

The space on the right side in FIG. 15 is partitioned by a separator 40, and is divided into a wide space for displaying a screen and a narrow space for not displaying a screen. However, the separators 40 are shorter on both sides than the width of the spacers 32, so that both spaces communicate through the passages 41 so that a portion of the uncompressed liquid 34 can flow in and out of each other. . An electromagnetic plunger 60 is disposed in the narrow space. It goes without saying that the separator 40 and the electromagnetic plunger 60 are disposed outside the effective display surface of the screen.

The haptic feedback system constructed as described above
When the solenoid 62 is energized, the electromagnetic plunger 60 is actuated, and the piston 61 moves in the direction of arrow A to apply a positive pressure to the non-compressed liquid 34, thereby causing the uncompressed liquid 34 to move vertically on the surface with which the user is in contact. Vibration and reaction force can be generated in the direction, and a haptic feedback function can be obtained.

Conversely, the non-compressed liquid 34 is maintained at a static pressure, or the diaphragm 31 surface is expanded as in the above embodiment, and when the user touches the diaphragm 31, the electromagnetic plunger 60 May be operated and retracted to apply a negative pressure to the non-compressed liquid 34 to obtain a tactile feedback.

Fifth Embodiment Next, with reference to FIG. 17, a description will be given of a haptic feedback sheet according to a fifth embodiment which can be used for the input device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional plan view of a haptic feedback sheet according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The haptic feedback sheet 26 of the fourth embodiment described above.
In D, the electromagnetic plunger 60 has an integral structure in which the non-compressed liquid 34 is disposed in the space inside the diaphragm 31. However, in the haptic feedback sheet 26E of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, A sub-chamber 64 is provided independently of the main body 63 which is a structural part of the diaphragm 31, and the sub-chamber 64
The electromagnetic plunger 60 is disposed inside the main body 63 and the sub-chamber 6.
4 are connected to each other by a joint 65 constituting communication means.

Here, when the electromagnetic plunger 60 is energized, the internal pressure of the non-compressed liquid 34 in the sub-chamber 64 increases. Such an increase in the internal pressure is transmitted to the main body 63 via the joint 65, whereby the diaphragm 31 covering the upper part of the main body 63 bulges upward, and the same function as in the fourth embodiment is achieved. .

By configuring the force feedback sheet 26E in this manner, the effective area of the display unit can be increased. In addition, by providing the sub-chamber 64, the arrangement of the main body 63 and the sub-chamber 64 can be changed freely, so that the equipment design or the handling can be facilitated. In addition, no projection is provided on the side of the force sense feedback sheet of the display unit 12, and the display unit 12 is slim in design.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments,
Although the example in which the electromagnetic plunger 60 is used as the electromagnetic actuator has been described, it should be added that other examples of the electromagnetic actuator include a linear motor, a voice coil, and the like.

The operation of the feedback mechanism constituting the haptic feedback sheet 26 in each of the above embodiments is shown in FIG. 18 as a sequence of a processing system when there is an input from the touch panel (switch sheet) 25, for example. Indicated. When the user performs an input operation (S1), an input event occurs from the touch panel 25 (S2). For example, a microcomputer or the like constituting a processing unit receives the input event (S3).
An instruction designating an optimal timing and operation mode is issued (S4). In response, the haptic feedback mechanism operates (S
5) Vibration and / or reaction force is applied to the user's finger 19 in contact. By feeling this operation, the user can recognize that the device has accepted the user's input (S6).

In combination with this feedback method, a command set for inverting display on the display unit 12 and a command for generating a beep sound or the like for the audio output unit are added to the command issued by the processing unit 70. Thereby, a plurality of returns can be provided to the user at the same time. FIG. 19 shows such a haptic feedback system that combines visual feedback and auditory feedback.

Here, the touch panel 25 and the driver 7
1. A feedback system comprising a processing unit 70, a driver 50 and a haptic feedback sheet 26, a haptic feedback mechanism comprising a driver 72 and a display device 12, and a audible feedback comprising a driver 73 and a speaker 74. A mechanism is added. As a result, not only force sense but also visual or auditory return can be given to the user at the same time.
Note that the processing unit 70 has a function of performing an input event from the touch panel 25 in accordance with an instruction or setting programmed in advance, selecting a single or a plurality of output mechanisms, and issuing an output command.

The present invention has been described with reference to a plurality of embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to only these embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the technical idea of the invention included in the present application. Changes are possible. For example, by using any of the systems described in the embodiments, for example, the vibration and the reaction force can be returned to the user. The vibration referred to here is the internal pressure obtained by repeating the expansion and extinction of the diaphragm 31 due to the evaporative gas 35 generated by the heat generation of the heat source 33 or the expansion and extinction of the diaphragm 31 due to the operation of the electromagnetic actuator. It uses fluctuations. The reaction force is obtained by causing the internal pressure to fluctuate by one of the forward reaction and the reverse reaction.

Further, the returned force sensation may be an operation based on simple vibration or bulging, or may be an operation based on periodic vibration, arbitrary waveform vibration, or step.

[0071]

The main invention of the present application is a sealing structure in which a non-compressed liquid is sealed, and the evaporating gas generated by heating the non-compressed liquid or the internal pressure generated by applying pressure to the non-compressed liquid. It has a haptic feedback mechanism that returns haptics to the user's finger or the like. These realizations can be realized by an input operation on a touch panel and the like, and at the same time, a tactile position recognition and its control have been made possible.

Therefore, according to the input device having such a configuration, since it can be used in combination with the visual return by the display screen and the auditory return by voice and music, the user can adjust the return according to the use situation. The form can be selected.

For the user, since confirmation by force sense and tactile sense can be performed without relying on visual and auditory senses, the device can be operated quickly and reliably, and erroneous input is reduced, so that there is no frustration. In particular, for a user who has a handicap in sight and hearing, return by force and touch is very effective.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an input device including a force feedback sheet according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view of the input device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a display unit of the input device shown in FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional side view of a display unit of the input device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a first view of the present invention constituting the display unit shown in FIG. 4;
It is a sectional side view of the haptic feedback sheet of an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view showing a state where the force feedback sheet shown in FIG. 5 is operated.

7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the force feedback sheet shown in FIG. 5, wherein FIG. 7A is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a main part showing a state in which the gas is generated, and FIG. It is an expanded sectional side view of the important section showing the state where the gas disappeared.

8 is a graph showing a haptic feedback operation of the haptic feedback sheet shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional plan view of a haptic feedback sheet according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a sectional side view of the force feedback sheet shown in FIG. 9 taken along line AA.

11 is a partially enlarged front view of the input device shown in FIG. 1 in a state where input operations are different.

FIG. 12 is a partial front plan view of an input device including a haptic feedback sheet according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

13A and 13B show a force feedback sheet according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional side view in a state of waiting for input, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional side view in the input state. FIG. C is a cross-sectional side view in a state where the force sense is returned.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the pressing force of the haptic feedback sheet shown in FIG. 13 and the displacement of the diaphragm.

FIG. 15 is a sectional plan view of a haptic feedback sheet according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a cross-sectional side view of the force feedback sheet shown in FIG. 15 taken along line AA.

FIG. 17 is a sectional plan view of a force feedback sheet according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram of a processing system of a feedback mechanism when an input is provided from a touch panel of the input device including the force feedback sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a configuration block diagram of a haptic feedback system using both visual feedback and auditory feedback.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... outer case, 11 ... frame, 12 ... display part (touch panel), 13 ... input panel, 14 ... operation button, 18 ... pointing tool (stylus), 19 ... finger, 20 ... icon, 24 ...
Display panel, 25 ... Switch sheet for touch panel, 2
6A: Haptic feedback sheet according to the first embodiment of the present invention, 26B
... the haptic feedback sheet of the second embodiment of the present invention, 30 ... the rear plate, 26C ... the haptic feedback sheet of the third embodiment of the present invention,
26D: Haptic return sheet according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, 26
E: Force feedback sheet according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, 30: back plate, 31: diaphragm, 32: spacer, 33: heat source, 34: non-compressed liquid, 35: evaporated gas, 40: separator, 50 ... (Switching) Driver (IC), 56: Input standby state area, 57: Selection instruction area, 58: Menu selection area, 62: Processing unit, 63: Main body, 64: Sub chamber,
65 joint, 71, 72, 73 driver, 74
… Speaker

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An input device having a haptic feedback mechanism including a sealing structure in which an incompressible liquid is sealed and a heat source for heating and / or cooling the incompressible liquid. 2. An input device having a haptic feedback mechanism including a sealing structure in which the non-compressed liquid is sealed and a pressure source for compressing the non-compressed liquid. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the non-compressed liquid is transparent. 4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the non-compressed liquid easily becomes an evaporating gas by heating by the heat source, and returns to its original property when the heating is removed. 5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is an electric resistor, and the surface of the electric resistor is in contact with the non-compressed liquid. 6. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a cooling source is attached to the heat source. 7. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is a Peltier device. 8. In the sealing structure, a substrate and a diaphragm are held at a predetermined interval via a spacer, a space is formed between the two, and the non-compressed liquid is compressed by pressing the diaphragm. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a force sensation is generated by a pressure change in the space. 9. The sealing structure comprises a plurality of small spaces,
9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein the switching of each of the small spaces is performed by a switching circuit provided outside. 10. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure source is an electromechanical converter. 11. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the pressurizing source is provided outside the sealing structure. 12. The input device according to claim 9, wherein the pressurizing source is connected to each of the small spaces to apply a compressive force. 13. The system according to claim 8, wherein a pressure is applied to the non-compressed liquid in an area where an input operation is to be performed, so that the diaphragm expands to notify that the input is in a standby state. The input device according to claim 9. 14. The input device according to claim 13, wherein the pressure is removed by performing an input operation in an area in an input standby state in which the diaphragm bulges and the bulge of the diaphragm disappears. . 15. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a touch panel. 16. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the surface is formed of a transparent or translucent member and used in combination with a display device. 17. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a visual feedback mechanism, an auditory feedback mechanism, and another feedback mechanism are used together with the haptic feedback mechanism. 18. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback is a periodic vibration, an arbitrary waveform vibration, or a step operation.