JP2003167670A - Input device and portable equipment using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device having sufficient operability while surely holding portable equipment and the portable equipment. <P>SOLUTION: When a moving operation from a first contact point to a second point in a contact state is carried out on a position input area 12 having a position detecting means 12a for detecting an inputted absolute position, movement information is changed and outputted based on each absolute position of the first and/or second point. For example, the quantity of movement between the first point and the second point is changed according to arbitrary scalar quantity generated based on the absolute position, and outputted as the movement information. Also, a position detection reference point 21 which can be arbitrarily defined is disposed at an arbitrary position on the position input area, and the movement information is changed and outputted based on the relative positional relation of the position detection reference 21 and the inputted absolute position. For example, the movement information is changed and outputted according to whether or not the moving operation from the first point to the second point is away from the position detection reference point 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device and a mobile device using the input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as a powerful input device used in a portable device, an input device using a button can be mentioned. The button is binary ON / OFF information,
Alternatively, information such as the speed when the button is pressed, the pressing force, and the pressing time is detected, and that information is output from the input device to the outside as input information. In addition, as another input device, a pointing device such as a touch pad can be used. 2 pointing devices
Detects dimensional position information, position, moving distance, moving speed,
Information such as the moving direction is detected, and the information is output from the input device to the outside as input information.

[0003]

In portable devices, unlike stationary devices such as tabletop devices, it is necessary to hold the body of the portable device itself in some form. Normally, the main body of the mobile device is held by hand, but on the other hand, the operation of the mobile device is also generally performed by hand. For this reason, the input device for a mobile device, unlike a stationary device, must have a structure and function that not only considers the operability at the time of input but also the aspect of holding the main body of the mobile device.

As described above, the input device using a button detects a vertical movement (that is, a pressing operation) with respect to the button, a change in the pressed position, a change in the pressing force, or the like, and detects those changes. Information is output as input information. Therefore, after pressing the button, it is necessary to release the button without fail. In such an operating method, it is difficult to simultaneously use the finger used for the operation to hold the portable device body.

On the other hand, as described above, most pointing devices used with the input device itself fixed, such as the touch pad, detect the contact position of the finger to be operated and the movement of the finger, as described above. Since the information is output as the input information, the individual operations are only horizontal movements parallel to the surface of the pointing device, which makes it possible to hold the portable device main body and operate the input device at the same time.

However, in a pointing device such as a touch pad, when it is desired to continuously input movements in the same direction in the input area of the touch pad, for example, when a finger is moved in a desired direction. , If a movement operation is made to a corner position that is out of the input area of the touch pad, once release the finger from the touch pad and leave the finger off the touch pad, for example, It is necessary to move the finger to a position where the movement operation can be input again, such as the center of the input area of the touch pad. Here, if the finger is moved to the center of the input area of the touch pad without releasing the finger from the touch pad, the finger movement operation is also output as input information, and is continuously the same. A desired operation for moving in the direction cannot be output as the input information, resulting in the output of the input information that the user does not want.

On the other hand, when the finger is moved from the touch pad to a position where input of the movement operation is possible, such as the center of the input area of the touch pad, the portable device main body is held and the input device is operated. It becomes difficult to achieve compatibility with the input operation for.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in the present invention, a pointing device such as a touch pad is used as an input means that can be used in a portable device, and a portable device main body is provided. It is intended to provide an input device having a sufficient operability for satisfying a user's request without hindering holding and a portable device using the input device.

That is, in the present invention, a position detecting means capable of detecting absolute position information and a position input area capable of inputting an input position and movement information by touching a finger on the position detecting means. And each contact detected when the finger is operated to move from the first point to the second point on the position input area without releasing the operating finger from the position input area. Desired movement information is obtained by changing a detection amount (moving amount) such as a moving direction, a moving speed, or a moving distance between the first point and the second point based on either or both of the positions. It is intended to provide an input device provided with a function of outputting the input device and a mobile device using the input device.

[0010]

An input device and a portable device using the input device according to the present invention are constituted by the following technical means. The first technical means has a position input area provided with a position detection means for detecting absolute position information on the input area, and is a first contact position detected on the position input area. In the input device having a function of outputting movement information when moving from the point 1 to the second point while keeping contact with the position input area, the first point or the point on the position input area Changing and outputting the movement information output from the input device based on contact absolute position information indicating absolute position information of the second point or both the first point and the second point. It is characterized by being an input device having a function capable of performing.

A second technical means is the input device according to the first technical means, wherein the movement information output from the input device is between the first point and the second point. It is characterized in that the input device has a function capable of outputting information in which the movement amount is changed by an arbitrary scalar amount generated based on the contact absolute position information.

A third technical means is the input device according to the first or second technical means, which has a position detection reference point at an arbitrary position on the position input area, and has the position detection reference point as the position detection reference point. An input device having a function capable of changing and outputting the movement information output from the input device based on a relative positional relationship with the absolute contact position information. To do.

A fourth technical means is the input device according to the third technical means, which corresponds to the relative positional relationship between the position detection reference point and the contact absolute position information,
The movement information output from the input device is an input device having a function that can be arbitrarily defined by an operator.

A fifth technical means is the input device according to the third or fourth technical means, wherein the moving operation from the first point to the second point moves away from the position detection reference point. An input device having a function of changing and outputting the movement information output from the input device according to a moving operation or an approaching moving operation.

A sixth technical means is the input device according to any one of the third to fifth technical means, wherein the first technical means is used.
Based on the positional relationship between the movement operation from the point to the second point and the position detection reference point, a selection operation for selecting a desired item from the selection item list displayed in the display area is selected. It is characterized in that the input device has a function capable of outputting instruction information for instructing a determination operation or a cancellation operation of the item as the movement information.

A seventh technical means is the input device according to any one of the first to sixth technical means, wherein the position input area is a two-dimensional position detection area. It is characterized by that.

An eighth technical means is the input device according to any one of the first to sixth technical means, wherein the position input area is a one-dimensional position detection area. It is characterized by that.

A ninth technical means is a portable device using the input device according to any one of the first to eighth technical means.

The tenth technical means is a portable device in which a processing device is provided with a program capable of realizing the function of any one of the input devices of the first to sixth technical means. To do.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of an embodiment of an input device according to the present invention and a portable device using the input device will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a typical embodiment of a mobile device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a main body of the mobile device. The mobile device 11 includes a position input area 12 for detecting a contact position of a finger to be operated, and the position input area 12
And a display area 13 for displaying various kinds of information including the position information of the finger input in the above. Here, the position input area 12 provides a touch pad type input means, and inside the position input area 12, it is possible to detect absolute position information on the input area. The position detecting means 12 a is provided, and the position input area 1 when a finger is brought into contact with the position input area 12
2 is configured as an input device capable of detecting absolute position information. Then, by detecting the absolute position information of the first point which is the first contact position and / or the second point after the finger is moved while keeping the contact as the contact absolute position information, the input Device or position input area 1
As the output information from 2, the moving amount including the moving distance, the moving direction, the moving speed, and the like is changed based on the contact absolute position information in addition to the connection absolute position information, and is output to the outside as the movement information. Is being output.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the position input area 12 of the input device shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, inside the position input area 12, position detecting means 12a capable of detecting the contact position of the finger as absolute position information of the input area is provided, and at the same time, A position detection reference point 21 is provided at the center of the position input area 12.

The position detection reference point 21 corresponds to the position input area 1
2 shows the center position of the second position, and can be defined so as to give an arbitrary function with respect to the positional relationship between the contact absolute position information and the position detection reference point 21. For example,
Output control of movement information when a finger is moved is performed (for example, movement information is output only when a movement operation to move away from the position detection reference point 21 is performed, and conversely, a movement operation for approaching is performed. If it is done, the movement information is not output), or
From the list displayed in the display area 13, an item is selected or a determination operation is performed (for example, the position detection reference point 2
The vertical movement operation of 1 is used as an item selection operation, and the left movement of the position detection reference point 21 is output as a determination operation or a cancellation operation of the selected item). It can be defined as indicating position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram and a vector diagram showing an example of information output from the input device formed in the position input area 12 when inputting into the position input area 12 shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 3A shows the position input area 12 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which position information is input by pointing with a finger on the position P ₂ while first contacting the position P ₁ 31 and then maintaining contact of the finger on the position input area 12;
The case where the moving operation is performed up to 32 is shown. Also,
FIG. 3B is a vector diagram showing movement information when the position information input as shown in FIG. 3A is output from the input device forming the position input area 12.

In FIG. 3 (A), when a state occurs in which the operating finger touches the position input area 12 of the input device, the input device forming the position input area 12 is first touched by the finger. The position P ₁ 31 is detected as the first point. When the finger to be operated is moved to the position P ₂ 32 without being separated from the position input area 12, the input device detects the moved position P ₂ 32 as the second point.
Then, as shown in the vector diagram of FIG.
_From the coordinate of ₁ (P ₁ x ₁ , P ₁ x ₂ ) to the coordinate of position P ₂ (P
₂ x ₁ and P ₂ x ₂ ), the moving amount (P
₂ -P _{1), i.e., (P 2 x 1 -P 1} x 1, P 2 x 2 -P
_The input device outputs ₁ x ₂ ) as movement information 33.

At this time, in the conventional input device, the position P ₁ ,
Only the relative positional relationship between the positions P ₂ becomes important. For example, in the input area of the input device, this input position P 2
_Even if the same movement operation is performed at the position where ₁ and P ₂ are moved in parallel, the movement information output from the input device includes
There is no difference. On the other hand, in the input device according to the present invention, not only the relative positional relationship between the positions P ₁ and P ₂ on the input device, that is, the position input region 12, but also on the input device, that is, the position input region The output information from the input device, that is, movement information, including the absolute positions of the positions P ₁ and P ₂ on the position 12, is used.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram and a vector diagram showing an example of the case where the movement information including the absolute position information in the input device according to the present invention is output, which is detected on the input device, that is, the position input area 12. Absolute contact position indicating absolute position information of either or both of the first point which is the first contact position and the second point which is the position after the movement on the position input area 12 while keeping contact. It is a figure which shows an example which the movement information output from an input device changes according to the information and the detected said contact absolute position information.

That is, FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which position information is input by pointing with a finger in the position input area 12 shown in FIG. 2. First, the position P ₁ 41a is touched. Therefore, when the movement operation is performed to the position P ₂ 42a while keeping the finger contact with the position input area 12, and when the position P _{1 ′} 41b is _first contacted, the finger contact with the position input area 12 is performed. while maintaining, position P _{2 '}
The case where the moving operation is performed up to 42b is shown. Further, FIG. 4B is a vector diagram showing the respective movement information when the respective positional information input as shown in FIG. 4A is output from the input device forming the position input area 12. .

As shown in FIG. 4 (A), when a state occurs in which the operating finger touches the position input area 12 of the input device, the input device first moves the position P ₁ touched by the finger.
41a is detected as the first point. Without moving the finger to be operated from the position input area 12, move the finger to the position P ₂ 42
When moving to a, the input device detects the position P ₂ after the movement as the second point. Here, as shown in the vector diagram of FIG. 4B, the coordinates (P ₁ x ₁ , P ₁ x ₂ ) which is the absolute position information of the position P _{1 to} the coordinates (P ₁ which is the absolute position information of the position P ₂ ). ₂ x ₁ , P ₂ x ₂ ), by inputting absolute position information of the positions P ₁ and P _{2 on} the input device as the contact absolute position information, the input contact absolute position Considering a function F that returns a scalar value calculated based on position information, the scalar value of the function F and the movement amount (P ₂ −
Product of P _1), i.e., the input device as _{F (P 1, P 2)} · (P 2 x 1 -P 1 x 1, P 2 x 2 -P 1 x 2) moving information 43a outputs.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), relative to the position input region 12 on the input device, the operation rather than the finger position P ₁ 41a performing, state touched position P ₁ '41b occurs Then, the position P _{1 ′} that is the first point touched by the finger first
41b and the position P _{2 ′} 4 which is the second point to which the finger to be operated is moved without being released from the position input area 12.
2b and 2b are respectively detected. Here, the position P _{1 ′} 41b which is the first point and the position P _{2 ′} 42b which is the _second point are the positions detected as the positions previously moved on the position input area 12 of the input device. Position P ₁ 41a which is the point ₁
And the position P ₂ 42 which is the second point are the same detection positions as when they are moved in parallel.

Since it is a parallel movement, the movement amount (P
₂ -P ₁₎ and the movement amount _{(P 2 '- P 1'} ) and are equal to each other. On the other hand, the scalar value of the function F is the position input area 12 of the input device.
Since the absolute position above is input, F (P ₁ , P ₂ )
And F (P _{1 ′} , P _{2 ′} ) have different scalar values.
That is, when a movement operation is performed between the position P _{1 ′} 41 b which is the first point and the position P _{2 ′} 42 b which is the second point, the function F (P _{1 ′} , P _{2 ′} ) Scalar value and movement amount (P
_{2 '-} P _1') and the product, _{i.e., F (P 1 ', P} 2') · (P 2 'x 1 -P 1' x 1, P 2 'x 2 -P
_{1 'x 2)} input device as the movement information 43b and will output.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, the position P_{1 '}
 41b and position P_{2 '} 42b is the first point and the second point
If the movement information 43b output from the input device is
Setting P ₁ 41a and position P₁ 41a is the first point and the second point
And the movement information 43a output from the input device
Are different when they both perform exactly the same operation.
However, the absolute value detected on the position input area 12 of the input device
Depending on the position, the movement information output from the input device may change.
It is possible to give. Regarding the definition of function F
Can be performed as needed, and the operator himself needs
It is also possible to define it according to. Also, in the function F
Is the position P as the contact absolute position information.₁And position P₂When
It shows the case where both are input as input data.
However, the position P is not limited to such a case.₁Or position
P₂You can enter only one of
It doesn't matter.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the position input area 1
The operation in the case where the position detection reference point 21 is provided in 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Here, FIG.
6A and 6B are a schematic diagram and a vector diagram showing an example of outputting movement information when a finger is moved away from the position detection reference point 21 on the position input area 12, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of outputting movement information when a finger is moved so as to approach the position detection reference point 21 above.

In FIG. 5A, the position detection reference point 21 is obtained by pointing the position input area 12 shown in FIG. 2 with a finger.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state of position information that has moved away from the position P _1. First, the position P ₁ 52 is touched, and then the position P ₂ is maintained while the finger is kept in contact with the position input area 12.
The case where the moving operation is performed up to 53 is shown. Also,
FIG. 5B is a vector diagram showing movement information when the position information input as shown in FIG. 5A is output from the input device forming the position input area 12. That is, FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example in which, when the position detection reference points O 51 and O 61 are provided, the movement information output changes depending on the absolute position where the finger touches in the position input area. . The position detection reference points O 51 and O 61 are shown in FIG.
It is exactly the same as the position detection reference point 21 shown in FIG. 2 and is located at the center of the position input area 12.

As shown in FIG. 5, the position detection reference point O 5
In the state where a finger operating on the position input area 12 of the input device provided with 1 touches, the input device first detects the position P ₁ 52 at which the finger touches first as the first point. When the finger is moved to the position P ₂ 53 without releasing the operating finger from the position input area 12, the input device detects the moved position P ₂ as the second point.

At this time, the position detection reference point O 51 and the position P ₁
52 | P ₁ −O | and position detection reference point O 51
The distance | P ₂ −O | between the position and the position P ₂ 53 is calculated. The symbol | x | is a symbol indicating the absolute value of x. Here, when the movement from the position P ₁ 52 as the first point to the position P ₂ 53 as the second point is a movement away from the position detection reference point O 51, that is, the distance | P ₂ −O If the difference obtained by subtracting the distance | P ₁ -O | from | has a positive value, and if the relationship of | P ₂ −O | − | P ₁ −O |> 0 holds, the movement amount (P ₂ -P ₁ ) That is, (P ₂ x ₁ -P ₁ x ₁ , P ₂ x ₂ -P ₁ x ₂ ) is used as the movement information 54, or although not shown in FIG. Thus, the product of the scalar value of the function F (P ₁ , P ₂ ) and the movement amount (P ₂ −P ₁ ), that is, F (P ₁ , P ₂ ) · (P ₂ x ₁ −P ₁ x ₁ , P ₂ x ₂ −P ₁ x ₂ ) as the movement information 54 is output by the input device.

In the example shown in FIG. 5A, a finger movement operation is performed in the upper right area of the position input area 12 in the upper right direction (that is, in the direction away from the position detection reference point O 51). However, the position detection reference point O
Even if the finger is moved in the lower left direction (that is, in the direction away from the position detection reference point O 51) in the lower left area of the position input area 12 at the point-symmetrical position with 51 as the center, exactly the same operation is performed. The movement information of

On the other hand, in the case shown in FIG. 6, the positional relationship between the detected positions P ₁ and P ₂ and the position detection reference point O61 is different from that shown in FIG. . That is, in the case of FIG. 6, the position detection reference point O 6
The distance between and the position detection reference point O 61 and the position P ₂ 63 after the movement is the second point | 1 and the distance between the initial contact position P ₁ 62 is the first point | P ₁ -O | as the result of calculation of the distance _{| | P 2 -O P 2 -O} | from the distance | P ₁ -O
When the difference obtained by subtracting | has a negative value, that is, when the relationship of | P ₂ −O | − | P ₁ −O | <0 holds, the position P ₁ that is the first point
This corresponds to the case where the movement from 62 to the position P ₂ 63 which is the second point is the movement to approach the position detection reference point O 61,
In such a case, the input device does not output any movement information.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the finger is moved in the lower right direction (that is, in the direction toward the position detection reference point O 61) in the upper right region of the position input region 12. However, in the lower left area of the position input area 12 located at a point-symmetrical position with respect to the position detection reference point O 61 in the upper right direction (that is, the position detection reference point O 61
Even if a finger is moved (in the direction toward), the movement information is not output at all.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a moving operation for moving away from the position detection reference point O 51 without releasing the finger on the position input area 12 with respect to the position detection reference points O 51, O 61. And the position detection reference point O 6
Depending on the case of performing a moving operation approaching 1,
Even when the same amount of movement is performed in the same direction, the movement information output from the input device is different (that is, the movement information is changed and then output). , The case where the output as the movement information is not generated even if the movement operation is performed so as to approach the position detection reference point O 61.

The position detection reference points O 51, O 61
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the above description is made by arranging at the center of the position input area 12, but the position detection reference points O 51, O 61 may be arranged at arbitrary positions in the position input area 12.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the presence or absence of the output of the movement information is discriminated by the movement operation for separating the position detection reference points O 51 and O 61 and the movement operation for approaching the position on the contrary. , The position detection reference point O
51 and O 61, the relationship between the moving operation to move away from the O 61 and the moving operation to approach, and the presence / absence of the output of the movement information may be reversed, and the output may be different due to the difference in the moving operation direction. It is also possible to change the value (vector amount) of the movement information that is set. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to such cases. That is, the input device according to the present invention is capable of detecting the absolute position of the contact position of the finger, and the position detection reference points O 51, O
61 and an arbitrary meaning is given to a relative positional relationship between the contact position of the finger, that is, the contact absolute position information indicating the absolute position information of the first point and / or the second point,
By making it possible to change and output the movement information output from the input device, that is, the position input area 12, it is sufficient to satisfy the operation required by the user without disturbing the holding operation of the portable device body. Various functions can be provided.

For example, with the position detection reference point O as the center,
Divide into four quadrants: top right, top left, bottom left, bottom right
Depending on which quadrant the move operation was performed on, the above-mentioned function F
(P ₁, P₂Output of movement information by changing the scalar value of
It may be possible to change the result, or
Move operations performed on any of the quadrants will clear the button.
Same function as clicking (click or double click)
Or right click etc.)
Yes.

Further, the position detection reference points O 51, O 61
And movement information output from the input device, that is, the position input area 12, corresponding to the relative positional relationship between the input position and the absolute position information on the input area (that is, the position information in the position input area 12). It is also possible for the operator to add a function that can be arbitrarily defined as necessary.

Next, a cursor indicating a position or a marker similar to that exists on the display area 13 shown in FIG. 1, and the display area is displayed in accordance with the movement information which is the output information from the position input area 12 constituting the input device. Consider a user interface in which the position of the cursor on 13 is moved.

First, an embodiment of the conventional input device will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional example relating to a situation in which the cursor moves on the display area of the display device when the touch pad is operated as the input device, and FIG.
Shows the situation of the input operation to the touch pad which is the input device, and FIG. 7B shows the situation where the cursor on the display area of the display device moves in response to the input operation of FIG. 7A. Shows.

In FIG. 7A, reference numeral 71 denotes a touch pad which is an input device mounted on a portable device, and 7
2 is the position P _{1 that} is touched by the finger for the first time, that is, the first point, 73
Is the position P ₂ after the movement, that is, the second point, and 74a to 74c indicate the moving operation direction of the finger on the touch pad 71, respectively. In addition, in FIG.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a display area mounted on the mobile terminal,
Reference characters a and 76b indicate the positions of the cursors for changing the display position in accordance with the output information from the input device of the touch pad 71, and each cursor exemplifies a case of arrow display. Further, 77a to 77c indicate the moving direction of the cursor when the display position of the cursor changes.

As shown in FIG. 7A, by using the touch pad 71 in the conventional example, the position P ₁ 72, which is the first point where the finger first touches, and the position after the movement which is the second point P ₁ 72. P
_{When a} moving operation is performed up to 273 as indicated by an arrow 74a, the position of the cursor on the display area 75 is changed to the finger moving operation 74a on the touch pad 71 as shown in FIG. 7B.
Based on the output result of the movement information corresponding to, the movement operation is performed as shown by an arrow 77a, and the cursor position moves from the position of 76a to the position of 76b.

In such a case, the cursor position is further indicated by the arrow 77a on the display area 75 in FIG. 7B.
If you want to continue moving in the same direction as
As shown in (A), on the touch pad 71,
In the same direction as the arrow 74a, there is not a sufficient area for performing the finger movement operation.
₂ from the touch pad 71 as shown by the arrow 74b.
After moving the operating finger in the opposite direction to the position P ₁ 72 where there is a sufficient moving operation area above, the finger is again moved in the same direction as the arrow 74a as indicated by the arrow 74c. Need to do.

However, here, with the finger to be operated still touching the touch pad 71, the arrow 74
When a moving operation such as b is performed, the moving information regarding the moving operation of the finger is also included in the touch pad 7 of the input device.
The output is performed from 1, and as shown in FIG. 7B, the movement of the cursor 77b in the reverse direction, which is originally unnecessary, occurs.

Therefore, even after that, even if, as shown in FIG.
As in (A), the operation of moving the finger of arrow 74c is performed, and the arrow 77a shown on the display area 75 of FIG. 7B is displayed.
Even if the cursor position is moved again as indicated by the arrow 77c in the same direction as in FIG.
The position P ₂ 73 which was initially moved by the operation of moving the finger of 4c
As shown in FIG. 7B, unless the finger can be moved beyond the range
As the cursor position on the display area 75 shown in
It is not possible to move the cursor position beyond the position 76b that was first moved in the direction of the arrow 77a, and the cursor position cannot be moved to a desired position.

That is, a finger moving operation such as an arrow 74b shown in FIG. 7A (that is, a finger moving in the opposite direction to a position P ₁ 72 where there is a sufficient moving operation area on the touch pad 71). When performing (operation), do not touch the touch pad 71 as it is, but once touch the finger with the touch pad 71.
After returning the position of the finger to an arbitrary position where there is a sufficient movement operation area on the touch pad 71, the touch pad 71 is again touched with the finger, and the finger is moved in the same direction as the arrow 74a. It is necessary to move it. As a result, a finger for performing an input operation is once released from the touch pad 71, and a state occurs in which the input operation cannot be performed while holding the input device body.

In contrast to the conventional example described above, the operation of the input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a situation in which the cursor moves on the display area of the display device when the input device according to the present invention is operated.
FIG. 8A shows the situation of the input operation to the position input area which is the input device, and FIG. 8B corresponds to the input operation of FIG. 8A and is on the display area of the display device. This shows the situation where the cursor position moves. In this example,
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the movement information is output only in the case of the moving operation to move away from the position detection reference point, and in the case of the moving operation to approach the position detection reference point, even if the finger touches the position input area. A case will be described in which the movement information is not output even when the information is left as it is.

In FIG. 8A, reference numeral 81 denotes a position input area which is an input device used in a portable device, and 82
Is the position P _{1 at} which the finger first touched, that is, the first point, and
3 is the position P ₂ after the movement, that is, the second point, 84a to 84c are the moving directions of the fingers on the position input area 81, and 88 is the position detection reference point described above. It is shown. In addition, in FIG.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a display area of a display device mounted on the portable device, and reference numerals 86a and 86b denote cursor positions for changing the display position according to movement information, that is, output information from the input device in the position input area 81. 87a to 87c show the moving direction of the cursor when the display position of the cursor changes. Here, each cursor exemplifies a case of arrow display, as in the case of FIG. 7B.

In the case of using the input device according to the present invention, that is, the position input area 81 shown in FIG. 8A, for example,
This figure shows a case where the same movement operation as the finger movement operation performed on the touch pad 71 of the conventional technique shown in FIG. 7A is performed. That is, a moving operation is performed as indicated by an arrow 84a from the first point, which is the first point touched by the finger P ₁ 82, to the second point, which is a position where further movement is not possible, that is, the position P ₂ 83 after the movement, as shown by an arrow 84a. Then, with the finger being touched still touching, the position 84 is once moved to the position P ₁ 82 where there is a sufficient area on the position input area 81, in the opposite direction, by the arrow 84b.
Then, the finger is again moved in the same direction as the arrow 74a, as indicated by the arrow 84c.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 8 (A),
Arrows 84a, 84 are provided between the position P ₁ 82 and the position P ₂ 83.
When a moving operation is continuously performed in a direction indicated by b and 84c with a finger touching the position input area 81, which is an input device, a display area 85 is displayed as shown in FIG. 8B. As for the position of the cursor, first, the cursor position moves as shown by the arrow 87a in accordance with the operation of moving the finger shown by the arrow 84a, moves from the position of 86a to the position of 86b, and further, the arrow 84c. In response to the operation of moving the finger shown in, the cursor position moves as shown by the arrow 87c,
It moves from the position of 86b to the position of 86c.

That is, the operation of moving the finger shown by the arrow 84b in FIG. 8A is performed at the position P as described in FIG.
The movement from ₂ 83 to the position P ₁ 82 is caused by the position detection reference point O.
Since the movement is closer to 88, the input device in the position input area 81 does not output the movement information even if the position input area 81 is kept touching with a finger. Also in the display area 85 shown in (), the cursor position does not move.

When it is desired to move the cursor position on the display area 85 shown in FIG. 8B from the position 86a to the desired position 86c, on the position input area 81 shown in FIG. 8A, The first point, the position P touched by the finger first
_When moving from ₁ 82 to a second point at a position where further movement is not possible, that is, a position P ₂ 83 after movement, FIG.
Even when the cursor position on the display area 85 shown in (B) cannot reach the desired position 86c, the finger is reciprocally moved in the same direction without releasing the operating finger from the position input area 81. By doing so, it becomes possible to move to the desired cursor position 86c. Therefore, since it is possible to perform the input operation (moving operation) without removing the finger performing the input operation from the position input area 81, the input operation (moving operation) can be performed while holding the input device, that is, the position input area 81. ) Can be performed together.

Next, another embodiment using the input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG.
Describes an example of a method of operating the input device according to the present invention in the case of performing a selection operation of selecting a selection item on the selection screen displayed in the display area of the display device and a determination operation of determining the selected item. 9A is a schematic diagram for
Shows the status of the input operation to the position input area which is the input device, and FIG. 9B shows that the selection item on the display area of the display device is selected in response to the input operation of FIG. 9A. It shows the situation that is decided by.

In FIG. 9A, 91 indicates a position input area which is an input device, 92 indicates the above-mentioned position detection reference point, and 93, 94, 95a and 95b respectively on the position input area 91. 7 shows a moving operation direction of the finger of the. Further, in FIG. 9B, 96 is a display area, 97 is an item list showing a selection screen displayed in the display area 96, and 98 is not selected in the item list 97. 9 is a non-selected item that indicates the item
Reference numeral 9 is a selection item indicating the selected item.

First, as shown in FIG. 9B, an item list 97 from which a single item can be selected from a plurality of selection items is displayed in the display area 96. Here, the item to be selected by the operator is the selection item 99.
The items that are not selected are displayed as non-selected items 98.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, with respect to the position detection reference point 92, a finger moving operation 93 to the front (that is, the upward direction of FIG. 9A) or to the rear (that is, the direction) is performed. Figure 9
When a finger movement operation 94 (downward in (A)) is performed, the selected item in the item list 97 on the display area 96 shown in FIG. The position is moved forward (that is, upward in FIG. 9B) or backward (that is, downward in FIG. 9B). Thus, it is possible to move to the position of the selection item 99 to be selected by moving the finger on the position input area 91.

Here, when a finger movement operation 95a to the right of the position detection reference point 92 is performed, a function which is a movement operation for determining a selection item is assigned. Thus, when the position of the selection item 99 is in the selected state, the operation of moving the finger on the position input area 91 is performed to the right of the position detection reference point 92, whereby the selection item 99 is selected. Can be selected. On the other hand, when the finger movement operation 95b to the left of the position detection reference point 92 is performed, a function that is a movement operation for canceling the selected item is assigned. Then, the selection item 99 once selected and determined
Can be canceled by performing a moving operation of the finger on the position input area 91 to the left of the position detection reference point 92.

Therefore, in the prior art, in many cases, when the selection / decision / cancel operation from the item list was performed by the button input, the input in the present invention provided with the position detection reference point 92. In the case of using the device, even if the input device uses a pointing device such as a touch pad type, the operation of moving from the first point to the second point and the position of the position detection reference point 92 are performed. It is possible to do it based on relationships. Thus, the operation of selecting a desired item from the item list on the selection screen and determining the selected item or canceling the determination is performed without releasing the finger operating the input device. It can be realized only by the moving operation of, and the operability having the function of holding the input device can be easily realized.

As described above, the input device according to the present invention outputs movement information including absolute position information in response to an input operation, that is, a finger movement operation. It is possible to quickly control the amount of movement of the cursor in the display area, and by providing a position detection reference point, it is possible to output different movement information depending on the movement direction of the finger. It is possible to efficiently output the position information and the movement information without separating from the input device. In addition to simply moving the position of the cursor in the display area, the user also performs operations such as selecting a selection item from the selection screen and performing the output necessary for the selection / decision / cancel operation such as decision. This is possible without removing the finger from the input device.

Furthermore, various functions such as the function of outputting different movement information and the function of performing selection / determination / cancellation operations as described above are executed by, for example, a processing device mounted on a portable device equipped with such an input device. It is also possible to realize it as a program that

Another embodiment of the portable device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Although the position input area in each of the above-described embodiments is shown to be composed of a two-dimensional position input area, in the present embodiment,
The case where the position input area is a one-dimensional position input area is shown. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a mobile device in the case where a one-dimensional position input area is provided as the input device. In addition, FIG.
It is an enlarged view of the position input area 102 of the input device shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 101 denotes a mobile device body, and a position input area 102 for detecting the position of a finger to be operated,
The display area 103 for displaying various information including the position information of the finger input in the position input area 102 is provided. Here, the position input area 102 is
Although it provides a touch pad type input means,
Position detecting means 102a capable of detecting absolute position information is provided inside the position input area 102, and an absolute position on the position input area 102 when a finger is brought into contact with the position input area 102. It is configured as an input device capable of detecting information.

As shown in FIG. 11, the position input area 102
Position detection means 102a capable of detecting the contact position of the finger as absolute position information is provided inside the position of the position detection reference point 111, and a position detection reference point 111 is provided at the center of the position input area 102. ing. That is, in the case where the portable device is downsized and the cursor position displayed in the display area 103 moves in only one dimension in the vertical direction, the corresponding position input area 102 also moves in the vertical direction. Since the moving operation can be performed only in one dimension, the size can be further reduced. 10 and 11, the position input area 102 is provided on the left and right sides of the housing of the portable device.
Although the example in which the display area 103 and the display area 103 are arranged is shown,
It is also possible to arrange the position input area and the display area on the upper and lower sides so that the moving operation direction and the moving direction of the cursor position are only one dimension in the left and right direction.

[0068]

As described above, according to the input device and the portable device using the input device of the present invention, the input device has the position information input means capable of detecting the input absolute position. Since the input device is capable of changing and outputting the movement information in the movement operation of the finger in each positional relationship of the operated position information, the operator does not have to remove the operating finger from the input device. A desired operation can be continuously performed, and operability can be improved. Furthermore, for example, in the case where such an input device is applied to a mobile device, in a state where the state of the finger holding the mobile device body is maintained as it is,
It is also possible to perform the operation desired by the operator together.

Furthermore, by providing a position detection reference point serving as a reference when performing a moving operation, it is possible to output different movement information based on the positional relationship with the position detection reference point. For example, when a moving operation for moving away from the position detection reference point is performed, movement information corresponding to the moving operation is output, and conversely, when a moving operation for approaching the position detection reference point is performed, any movement is performed. By changing the output of movement information so that movement information is not output even by operation, even if you want to continuously move in only one direction, you can continuously move without releasing the operating hand from the input device. It is possible to output movement information regarding one direction.

Further, conventionally, even in a selection screen where a selection operation is performed by a button operation, if the input device according to the present invention provided with a position detection reference point is used, even a touchpad type pointing device can be used. , It is possible to easily perform selection / determination / cancellation operations while maintaining the state in which the input device is held, without releasing the operating finger from the input device as in the case of button operation. .

Further, since it is possible to give arbitrary meanings to each of the moving operation directions of the finger with respect to the position detection reference point, it is possible to make an arbitrary request by the user without disturbing the holding operation of the portable device main body. It is possible to provide a sufficient function to satisfy the operation of.

Further, as the position information input means capable of detecting the input absolute position, not only the two-dimensional position input information means but also the one-dimensional position input information means can be used. By applying to a downsized portable device, it is possible to further downsize the portable device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a representative embodiment of a mobile device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a position input area of the input device shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are a schematic diagram and a vector diagram showing an example of information output from an input device included in the position input area when the position input area shown in FIG. 2 is input.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram and a vector diagram showing an example of a case where movement information including absolute position information is output in the input device according to the present invention.

5A and 5B are a schematic diagram and a vector diagram showing an example of outputting movement information when a finger is moved away from a position detection reference point on a position input area.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of outputting movement information when a finger is moved so as to approach a position detection reference point on a position input area.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional example relating to a situation in which a cursor moves on a display area of a display device when a touch pad is operated as an input device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where an input device according to the present invention is used for operation,
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a situation where a cursor moves on a display area of a display device.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an example of an operating method of the input device according to the present invention in the case of performing a selection operation for selecting a selection item on the selection screen displayed in the display area and a determination operation for determining the selected item. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a mobile device when a one-dimensional position input area is provided as an input device.

11 is an enlarged view of a position input area of the input device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 101 ... Portable device main body, 12, 81, 91, 10
2 ... Position input area, 12a, 102a ... Position detecting means,
13, 85, 96, 103 ... Display area 21, 51, 6
1, 88, 92, 111 ... Position detection reference point, 31, 41
a, 41b, 52,62,72,82 ... first finger touches the position P _1, P _{1 '(first} point), 32,42a, 42
b, 53,63,73,83 ... position after the movement P _2, P _{2 '}
(Second point), 33, 43a, 43b, 54 ... Movement information, 71 ... Touch pad, 74a, 74b, 74c, 8
4a, 84b, 84c, 93, 94, 95a, 95b ...
Finger movement operation direction, 75 ... Display area, 76a, 76b,
86a, 86b ... Cursor position, 77a, 77b, 7
7c, 87a, 87b, 87c ... cursor movement direction,
97 ... Item list, 98 ... Non-selected item, 99 ... Selected item.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A position input area provided with position detecting means for detecting absolute position information on an input area that has been input, the first contact position being a first contact position detected on the position input area. In the input device having a function of outputting movement information when moving from a point to the second point while keeping contact with the position input area, the first point or the first point on the position input area It is possible to change and output the movement information output from the input device based on contact absolute position information indicating absolute position information of two points or both the first point and the second point. An input device having a function. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein, as the movement information output from the input device, a movement amount between the first point and the second point is the absolute contact position. An input device having a function of outputting information changed by an arbitrary amount of scalar generated based on the information. 3. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a position detection reference point at an arbitrary position on the position input area, wherein the position detection reference point and the contact absolute position information are included. An input device having a function of changing the movement information output from the input device and outputting the movement information based on a relative positional relationship. 4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the movement information output from the input device is associated with the relative positional relationship between the position detection reference point and the contact absolute position information. An input device characterized in that the operator has a function that can be arbitrarily defined. 5. The input device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the moving operation from the first point to the second point is a moving operation to move away from or close to the position detection reference point. The input device having a function of changing the movement information output from the input device and outputting the movement information. 6. The input device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, based on a positional relationship between a movement operation from the first point to the second point and the position detection reference point. A function capable of outputting, as the movement information, instruction information designating a selection operation for selecting a desired item from the selection item list displayed in the display area and a determination operation or a cancellation operation for the selected item An input device comprising: 7. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the position input area is a two-dimensional position detection area. 8. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the position input area is a one-dimensional position detection area. 9. A portable device using the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. A portable device, wherein a processing device is provided with a program capable of realizing the function of the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.