JP2003331681A - Input device and electronic device with same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide excellent switching operability to an input device by adding a switching function as well as a function of detecting the magnitude of a continuous analog input to a part of the device having a function of an analog switching input. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises a first membrane sheet 13 having at least one or more of resistors or electrodes in pairs, a second membrane sheet 12 which is formed so that a pairs of electrodes are faced each other with a space, and a piece of metal contact 25 which is placed between these two layered membrane sheets. An operation member 7, which has a projection for making a pair of resistors built in the membrane sheets contact with each other by partially pressing and deforming the first, second membrane sheet or metal contact, is placed outside the membrane sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,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 suitable as an input device for portable electronic equipment such as a mobile phone, and in particular, it is possible to input the operation direction when a sheet is pressed and the strength of the operated force. Regarding the input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an input device for portable electronic equipment such as a mobile phone, as shown in FIG. 10, a four-way input section 105 is formed by arranging four resistors 100, 101, 102, 103 on the left, right, top and bottom. , A plurality of vertically and horizontally aligned (FIG.
Then, there is known one having a sheet 107 such as a printed circuit board provided with (3 × 4) switch input portions 106.
For example, as shown in the sectional structure of FIG. 11, the switch input unit 106 is provided with fixed contacts 108, 109, and 108 on a sheet 107 such as a printed circuit board so as to be spaced apart from each other, and a dome for bridging the fixed contacts 108, 108. A metal contact piece 110 made of a metal piece of a mold is provided, and a contact sheet 111 and a key top 112 are laminated on the metal contact piece 110 to form a switch contact 115. Since the convex portion 113 is formed on one side of the metal contact of the previous key top 112 and the key top 112 is configured to be vertically movable, the user can
By pressing 12 with a finger, the metal contact piece 110 is elastically deformed via the convex portion 113, and the deformed metal contact piece 110 connects the fixed contacts 108 and 109 so that the switch is turned on, that is, as a switch. It is configured to be in a conductive state.

The four-way input unit 105 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a protruding conductive rubber 115 is provided on the resistor 101 of the sheet 107 such as a printed circuit board in a state of being supported by the elastic layer 116 and the key top 117, and the user can press the key top 117 with his / her finger. The conductive rubber 115 is pressed against the resistor 101 to establish electrical continuity, and the conductive rubber 115 and the resistor 101 are connected according to the pressing force.
The contact area with and changes, and the resistance value of both ends of the resistor 101 changes. As the force pressing the key top 117 increases, the conductive rubber 115 and the resistor 101
When the contact area with the key top 117 increases, the change amount (decrease) of the resistance value between both ends of the resistor 101 increases with the increase of the contact area. Therefore, the key top 117 is detected by detecting the change amount of the resistance value. The force for pressing can be continuously calculated in an analog manner.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned input device, the user can feel the operation feeling when the metal contact piece 110 is bent and deformed in the switch input section 106 at the moment when the switch input is about to enter. In addition, there is an advantage that it is possible to provide a switch mechanism having an excellent input operation feeling. However, in the previous input device, 4
In the direction input section, only the resistance force due to the elastic deformation of the conductive rubber 115 is transmitted to the user, and the input feeling at the time of analog input is hard to be transmitted to the user, and the switch mechanism has a poor operation feeling.

An object of the present invention is to provide an input device excellent in operational feeling of a switch function by adding an ON / OFF switch function to a portion having an analog switch input function in addition to continuous detection of the size of an analog input. The purpose is to Further, an object of the present invention is to add a switch function for turning on and off to a portion having an analog switch input function in addition to the continuous detection of the size of an analog input, and to provide an excellent switch operation feeling and to arrange a switch as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device that can be housed in a small area and can be made compact. Further, the object of the present invention is to
In addition to the continuous detection of analog input and output and the addition of an on / off switch function to the part that has the analog switch input function, the switch function is excellent in operation feeling, and the input mode and sleep mode are introduced to control the analog switch function. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device configured to save power in the sleep mode.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the input device of the present invention has a sheet provided with one or more resistors or electrodes and another sheet provided with one or more electrodes or resistors. A main membrane sheet is formed by arranging a pair of resistors and electrodes facing each other with a space therebetween, and a sheet having one or more electrodes and a sheet having one or more electrodes are paired electrodes. A sub-membrane sheet is formed by arranging them so as to be opposed to each other with a space therebetween, and both of these membrane sheets are laminated, and a metal contact piece is interposed between these membrane sheets, and the outside of the main membrane sheet is formed. A protruding portion that partially presses and deforms the sheet or the metal contact piece to bring the paired resistor element and the electrode or the resistor elements into contact with each other. E was operating member is characterized by comprising disposed. It is possible to obtain an analog input operation by changing the contact area between the resistor and the electrode due to the pressing force on the operating member, and at the same time, by increasing the pressing force on the operating member, the click feeling due to the vibration accompanying the deformation of the metal contact piece It is possible to obtain a good operation feeling at the time of analog input. Moreover, the switch input function can be achieved by bringing the electrodes of the sub-membrane sheet below the metal contact pieces into contact with each other through the deformed metal contact piece by increasing the pressing force to the operation member. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a switch input operation feeling having both a good analog input feeling and a switch input feeling. Further, in the paired sheet provided with the resistor or the electrode, only one resistor may be provided on one side and only the electrode may be provided on the other side. You may change suitably according to a position.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized in that the resistor or electrode of the laminated membrane sheet and the metal contact piece are arranged at a coaxial position in the thickness direction of the membrane sheet. And By being arranged at the coaxial position, it is possible to smoothly perform the deformation when the operation member is pressed and the protrusion deforms the membrane sheet to bring the resistor and the electrode into contact with each other. Further, since the metal contact piece is located at the coaxial position, the deformation of the metal contact piece and the deformation of the membrane sheet side therebelow can be performed smoothly, and the switch input operation associated with the contact between the electrodes can be reliably performed.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a pair of resistors, a first sheet having one or more resistors or electrodes and a second sheet having one or more electrodes or resistors. The first membrane sheet is formed by arranging the body and the electrodes or electrodes so as to face each other with a space between them, and a plurality of fixed contacts are formed on the sheet to install a metal contact piece bridging these fixed contact points to provide a switch contact. A switch sheet is formed, and the first membrane sheet and the switch sheet are laminated in a state in which the planar positions of the electrode or resistor and the metal contact piece are displaced, and the first membrane sheet and the switch sheet are provided outside the first membrane sheet. An operating member having a protrusion that contacts the electrode with a pair of resistors incorporated in the first membrane sheet by partially pressing and deforming the sheet; Characterized in that the operating member having projections for contacting partially pressing and the fixed contact each other built by deforming the switch sheet tact piece metal contact piece is formed by provided. Since the metal contact piece and the resistor are arranged so as to be displaced from each other in a plan view, the metal contact piece allows the switch input operation and the analog switch input due to the deformation of the resistor to be selectively used.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a plurality of the switch contacts at a point contrast position that surrounds a reference position in plan view, and the switch contacts are provided at a point symmetric position inside the switch contact position at the point symmetric position. A plurality of resistors forming a pair of the membrane sheet are arranged. With such an arrangement, the switch contact having the metal contact piece and the analog input portion including the resistor can be arranged in a small area, and the size can be reduced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of resistors forming a pair of the switch contact and the membrane sheet are arranged at point contrast positions surrounding a reference position in plan view. To do. With such an arrangement, the switch contact having the metal contact piece and the analog input portion including the resistor can be arranged in a small area, and the size can be reduced.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a tip portion made of a tapered elastic body is formed on the side of the membrane sheet of the protrusion, and the force for pressing the tip portion against the membrane sheet is small or large. By this, an analog switch is configured in which the contact area of the resistor incorporated in the membrane sheet is adjustable.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises an analog input type membrane sheet in which a plurality of resistors are arranged at a plane view point contrast position surrounding a reference position and multi-direction analog input is possible. Is.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first sheet provided with a plurality of resistors or electrodes at a symmetrical position in a plane view surrounding a reference position on one surface side and the first sheet are spaced apart from each other. A first sheet is composed of a second sheet provided with an electrode or a resistor that is arranged and faces the plurality of resistors or electrodes, and a third sheet having a plurality of electrodes on one surface side and the third sheet. A fourth sheet provided with an electrode facing the plurality of electrodes and spaced apart from the sheet of the third sheet, and a third sheet or a fourth sheet according to the positions of the pair of electrodes facing each other.
A second membrane sheet is configured by including a metal contact piece disposed on the outer side of the first membrane sheet, and the first membrane sheet and the second membrane sheet include the first membrane sheet and the second membrane sheet.
Of the second membrane sheet is aligned with the position of the pair of resistors or electrodes of the second membrane sheet, and is located between these membrane sheets at the same position in plan view as the resistor or the electrodes. A metal contact piece is inserted in the sheet, and an operating member having a protrusion made of an elastic body for partially pressing the sheets is provided on the stacked sheets. With the above configuration, it is possible to obtain an analog input operation by changing the contact area of the resistor due to the pressing force on the operating member, and at the same time, increase the pressing force on the operating member to vibrate due to the deformation of the metal contact piece. It is possible to obtain a click feeling due to, and thereby a good operation feeling at the time of analog input can be obtained. In addition, the switch input function can be achieved by further contacting the resistor of the membrane sheet below the metal contact piece, which is deformed by further increasing the pressing force to the operation member, to the contact. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a switch input operation feeling having both a good analog input feeling and a switch input feeling. Further, since the whole can be constructed by folding each sheet, the production becomes easy.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the input device of the present invention is provided with a control section having first and second output terminals and an analog voltage input terminal, and the pair of resistor and electrode or Four switch input sections composed of resistors are bridge-connected, the first output terminal is connected to a part of the bridge connection portion, and the second output terminal is connected to the electrode or the resistor. Connected to the power supply via a resistor, the other part of the bridge connection part is grounded,
The analog voltage input terminal is connected to another part of the bridge connection part. In the input device of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the control unit compares the voltage applied from the output terminal with the voltage from the analog input terminal to make contact between the pair of resistors and electrodes or electrodes. Operation mode to detect analog input by
It has a sleep mode in which the first output terminal is grounded and the output terminal is used as an interrupt input, and the sleep mode is released and can be switched to the operation mode by a waveform caused by contact between the resistor and electrodes or resistors. It is characterized by being In the sleep mode, power is consumed only by energizing the resistor from the power source, so that power can be saved.

In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the input device according to any one of the preceding claims is provided on the bottom side of the operation button. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an electronic device having the features of the input device described above.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in more detail below. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a mobile phone (portable electronic device) provided with an input device according to the present invention. The mobile phone 1 of this embodiment has a vertically elongated thin box-shaped case body 2 on the upper surface base side ( The operation panel section 3 is formed on the front side), and the display panel section 4 made of a liquid crystal panel or the like is provided on the top end side (hand side) of the case body 2. The input device according to the present embodiment is built in the operation panel unit 3, and on the lower side of the operation panel unit 3, there are a total of 15 operation buttons (operation bodies) 5 in three rows of five vertically. Four operation buttons (operation members) 6 are provided on the upper side of the operation panel unit 3 with left and right spaces above and below, and a donut disc type four-way operation button (at a position surrounded by these four operation buttons 6). An operation member 7 is provided, and an operation button (operation member) 8 is separately provided at the center of the four-direction operation button 7.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the switch sheet 10 arranged on the bottom side of each operation button of the operation panel section 3, and FIG. 3 shows a developed state of the switch sheet 10 and 4-direction operation. FIG. 4 shows one sectional structure of the input device arranged on the bottom peripheral side of the button 7, and FIG. 5 shows a sectional structure of the four-direction operation button 7 on the bottom peripheral side.
Shown in. The switch sheet 10 is a vertically long second membrane sheet 12 having a size capable of substantially covering the bottom side of the operation panel 3 and 1/3 of the second membrane sheet 12.
The first membrane sheet 13 having a certain length and the same width is foldably connected to each other, and is formed by stacking the first membrane sheet 13 on the upper side of the second membrane sheet 12. .

The second membrane sheet 12 is formed with the switch input portions 15 shown in FIG. 2 which are individually located under the plurality of operation buttons 5 provided on the mobile phone 1, and the second membrane sheet 12 is formed. The switch input section 1 shown in FIG. 2 is individually located under the four operation buttons 6 in a portion where the sheet 12 and the first membrane sheet 13 are overlapped.
6 is formed, and further four switch input parts 17 are provided below the operation button 7, and a switch input part 18 is provided below the operation button 8.

The four switch input parts 17 are arranged in a point-symmetrical position around the center of the doughnut-shaped operation button 7 in plan view, in other words, at 90 ° intervals around the circumference of the operation button 7 as shown in FIG. 3 and the cross-sectional structure thereof is the structure shown in FIG. A holding layer 20 made of an elastic material such as rubber is provided on the lower surface side of the operation button 7, and a protruding portion 21 is formed on the holding layer 20 so as to be aligned with the position where the switch input portion 17 is formed. 21a has a trapezoidal cross section. The shape of the tip portion 21a is not particularly limited to this shape, and may have a round cross section, an elliptical cross section, or the like.
Various shapes can be applied.

Below the protruding portion 21, as shown in FIG. 4, an upper first sheet 13a and a lower second sheet 13 are provided.
There is provided a first membrane sheet 13 consisting of b and a spacer sheet 13c which is interposed between them and which opposes both the sheets 13a and 13b with a space therebetween, and is aligned with the protruding portion 21 in the spacer sheet 13c. A hole portion 13d is formed in the open portion, the first sheet 13a and the second sheet 13b are arranged to face each other through the hole portion 13d, and the hole portion 13 of the first sheet 13a is formed.
An electrode (electric conductor) 22 made of a Ag pattern or the like having a rectangular shape in plan view is provided on the surface on the d side, and a resistor such as a carbon resistor having a rectangular shape in plan view on the surface on the hole portion 13d side of the second sheet 13b ( A resistance layer) 23 is provided, and the electrode 22 and the resistor 23 are provided.
Are opposed to each other at predetermined intervals through the holes 13d.

Next, on the lower side of the first membrane sheet 13, the upper third sheet 12a, the lower fourth sheet 12b, and both sheets 12a, 1 are interposed between them.
Spacer sheet 12 for arranging 2b facing each other with a space
A second membrane sheet 12 made of c is provided, and a hole 12d is formed in a portion of the spacer sheet 12c aligned with the protrusion 21.
3d sheet 12a and 4th sheet 12b through 2d
Are opposed to each other, and the hole portion 1 of the third sheet 12a is
An electrode (conductor) 22B having a rectangular shape in plan view is formed on the surface on the 2d side, and an electrode (conductor) 23B having a rectangular shape in plan view is formed on the surface on the hole 12d side of the fourth sheet 12b. The electrodes 22B and 23B are arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval via the hole 12d.

Next, the first membrane sheet 13 and the second
A metal contact piece 25 formed by punching out a metal plate in a dome shape, for example, faces the first membrane sheet 13 side with its center facing the center of the holes 12d, 13d. Is aligned and inserted. Although not shown in the drawing, the metal contact piece 25 is formed of a transparent adhesive sheet with an adhesive layer that is overlaid on the upper surface of the third sheet 12a.
It is supported and fixed on the upper surface of a. Further, the switch input sections 1 are individually provided below the plurality of operation buttons 5 provided on the mobile phone 1 in the second membrane sheet 12.
5 is provided, and each switch input section 15 is composed only of the second membrane sheet 12 and the metal contact piece 25. Further, the switch input section 16 is individually provided below the plurality of operation buttons 6, and the switch input section 18 is also provided below the operation button 8, but the switch input sections 16 and 18 are the second ones. It is composed of the membrane sheet 12, the metal contact piece 25, and the first membrane sheet 13 laminated on them. The first membrane sheet 13 overlaid on the metal contact piece 25 has holes 13d, electrodes 22, resistors 2
3 is not provided, that is, the first sheet 13a
And a portion where the second sheet 13b and the spacer sheet 13c are simply laminated is arranged. Since the sectional structure shown in FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing only one of the four switch input sections 17, the switch input section 17 having the sectional structure as shown in FIG. 90
It means that they are arranged at intervals.

In the above structure, the user of the mobile phone 1 can perform various works such as transmission and reception of the mobile phone, work such as image input, and work such as selection of various functions by pressing necessary operation buttons. Here, when the desired one of the operation buttons 5 or the operation buttons 6 and 8 is pressed,
The second membrane sheet 1 is formed through the first membrane sheet 13 by the protrusion formed on the lower portion of each operation button.
The second metal contact piece 15 is pressed.
That is, when the pressing force with respect to the pressed button is increased, the metal contact piece 25 is deformed and bent so as to be convex downward.
The third sheet 12a on the side of the membrane sheet 12 can be bent to bring the electrodes 22B and 23B into contact with each other,
As a result, the switch is turned on and switch input is performed. When the metal contact piece 25 is deformed and bends, the vibration caused by the deformation of the metal contact piece 25 is transmitted to the user's finger. By grasping this vibration with the fingertip, the switch input operation is completed. Can be grasped, and excellent key input feeling and key click feeling can be obtained.

Next, when the user presses a part of the circumferential portion of the operation button 7, the projection 21 abuts the first membrane sheet 13 from the state shown in FIG. 4 to deform the first sheet 13a. , The electrode 22 on the first sheet 13 side to the resistor 23
Since the contact area between the electrode 22 and the resistor 23 can be changed according to the change in the pressing force of the operation button 7 while being pressed to the side, the amount of change in the resistance value between the two ends of the electrode 22 and the resistor 23 can be changed. By detecting, the pressing force of the operation button 7 can be calculated and used as an analog input device. That is, it is possible to obtain an analog input output according to the magnitude of the pressing force applied to the operation button 7.

Then, when the pressing force of the operation button 7 is further increased, the projection 21 is inserted through the first membrane sheet 13,
When the metal contact piece 25 is bent and the bending deformation of the metal contact piece 25 becomes large, the metal contact piece 2
5 is deformed so as to be convex toward the second membrane sheet 12 side. Since the vibration accompanying the deformation is transmitted to the user's finger during this deformation, the user pressing the operation button 7 must perceive that the metal contact piece 25 is deformed due to a sufficiently large analog input value by the operation button 7. You can After that, the metal contact piece 25 presses the electrode 22B on the side of the second membrane sheet 12 against the electrode 23B, so that the switch function can be exerted here by the action of contact between the electrode 22B and the electrode 23B. Therefore, the operator using the operation button 7 can obtain an analog input operation by the contact function of the electrode 22 and the resistor 23 of the first membrane sheet 13 in the first stage, and then the metal contact piece 25 The electrode 22B accompanied by vibration due to deformation,
It is possible to obtain a switch input function having a so-called tactile feeling and a good usability, which can provide a switch input feeling of 23B.

The operation button 7 has 90 degrees around its circumference.
Since the analog input operation can be performed at four positions at intervals of °, the operation button 7 can be used as a four-way analog switch, and it also has a four-way switch function by pushing the operation button 7 deeply. You can Then, when the load applied to the operation button 7 is released, the operation button 7 returns to the original parallel state by the elastic restoring force of the operation button holding layer 20, and the electrode 22 and the resistor 2
3 is also restored to the original position, and the input state is released. As described above, since the holding layer 20 made of an elastic material such as rubber is provided in the above configuration, the reliability is high and the product life is long. Further, since the projections 21 are in contact with the electrodes 22 and the resistors 23 via the first sheet 13a, the projections 21 are hard to wear, have high reliability, and have a long service life.

In the embodiment described above, since the first membrane sheet 13, the second membrane sheet 12 and the metal contact piece 25 are overlapped and arranged at the same position in plan view, the analog input function portion and the switch input function portion are arranged. The device area can be reduced and the size can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the two are arranged at different positions in a plane. Further, in the case of the mobile phone 1 having the four-direction operation button 7 having the above configuration, for example, a map or the like is displayed on the display panel unit 4 in a GPS mobile phone or the like, and the cursor position on the map is set along the map. When moving and moving to a specific position and changing to another enlarged map screen etc., move the cursor by analog input according to the change in the contact area between the electrode 22 and the resistor 23. When the position is controlled to select a specific position, the pressing force to the operation button 7 is increased to bend the metal contact piece 25 to bring the electrodes 22B and 23B of the second membrane sheet 12 into contact with each other. An operation method such as inputting a switch can be selected. Therefore, by adopting the configuration of this example, it is possible to provide the mobile phone 1 having the functions of moving the display screen on the display panel 4 and selecting the display portion.

By the way, in this embodiment, the switch input section 1 is provided in the operation button 7 having a four-way switch function.
7 is applied, four switch input sections 17 are provided. However, when the configuration of the present invention is applied to an operation button having a multi-directional switch function such as a two-way, three-way, six-way, or eight-way switch, those switches are provided. It suffices to provide the required number of switch input units 17 according to the function. Further, the electronic device to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the mobile phone as in the above embodiment, but a personal computer such as a portable small information terminal or a laptop computer, or an operation button used by connecting to them. Alternatively, it is an operation button or the like of a remote controller for a television, a video recording / reproducing device, etc., and it is needless to say that it can be widely applied to these electronic devices.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the input device according to the present invention. In the input device of this embodiment, the operation button 7 and the projection for forming the analog input portion described in the previous embodiment are shown. A portion 30 in which the holding layer 20 with the portion 21 and the first membrane sheet 13 are stacked is
The sheet main body 31 having a rectangular shape in plan view is formed at a point-symmetrical position (in this example, at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction) surrounding a specific point in the center, and is slightly outside of the same as the structure shown in FIG. The switch sheet 32 having the switch contacts 115 is laminated so that the switch contacts 115 are arranged at point symmetrical positions (at intervals of 90 ° in the circumferential direction in this example) surrounding a specific point in the center of the sheet body 31. Is formed. With the arrangement as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to obtain a switch that can be downsized in plan view in the configuration including the portion 30 including the resistor that performs four-direction input and the switch that performs switch input. In addition, regarding the operation and effect of the portion 30 that constitutes the analog input portion, the same effect as that of the analog input portion including the protruding portion 21 and the first membrane sheet 13 of the above embodiment can be obtained. Further, with respect to the switch contact 115, it is possible to obtain a switch input feeling having a key click feeling and a good operation feeling.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the input device according to the present invention. In the input device of this embodiment, the operation button 7 and the projection for forming the analog input portion described in the previous embodiment are provided. A portion 30 in which the holding layer 20 with the portion 21 and the first membrane sheet 13 are stacked is
The sheet main body 34, which is rectangular in a plan view, is formed at a point-symmetrical position (in this example, at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction) surrounding a specific point in the central portion, and is also circumferentially positioned at the same circumferential position. The switch seat 32 provided with the switch contact 115 that is displaced and is equivalent to the structure shown in FIG.
The switch contacts 115 are laminated so as to be arranged at point symmetrical positions (at intervals of 90 ° in the circumferential direction) surrounding a specific one point in the central part of the above. By arranging as shown in FIG. 8, the switch can be miniaturized in plan view. Further, regarding the function and effect of the portion 30 which constitutes the analog input portion, the projection portion 21 of the previous embodiment is used.
The same effect as that of the analog input portion including the first membrane sheet 13 and the first membrane sheet 13 can be obtained. Also, switch contact 11
With respect to No. 5, it is possible to obtain a switch input feeling with a good operation feeling having a key click feeling accompanying the deformation of the metal contact piece 110.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a circuit suitable for detecting the resistance value of the resistor 23 of the four-direction switch input section 17 of the first embodiment described above. In the description of this circuit, the description of FIG.
Of the four switch input parts 17 provided at the point target positions as shown in FIG. 4, the resistor of the right switch input part 17 is 23X +, the electrode is 22a, and the resistor of the left switch input part 17 is 23X−. , The electrode 22b, the resistor of the upper switch input unit 17 is 23Y +, the electrode is 22c, the resistor of the lower switch input unit 17 is 23X-, and the electrode is 22d. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the detection circuit of this embodiment has four resistors 23X +, 23X−, 23Y +, and 23Y assembled as a bridge circuit.
-And four electrodes 22a to 22d corresponding to them,
A control unit (CPU) 50 connected to them is provided.

The control unit 50 has analog voltage input terminals A / D1 and A / D2 to which an analog voltage is input and an output terminal OUT1 which outputs a high level or low level voltage.
It has a plurality of input / output terminals such as (first output terminal) and OUT2 (second output terminal). The resistor 23X
One ends of the + and 23X- are connected to the resistors 23Y + and 23Y- so that they are connected in series. The other ends of the resistor 23X + and the resistor 23Y + are connected to the output terminal OUT1 of the control unit 50,
The other ends of X− and the resistor 23Y− are connected to the ground. The connection point between the resistor 23X + and the resistor 23X- is connected to the analog voltage input terminal A / D1, and the connection point between the resistor 23Y + and the resistor 23Y- is connected to the analog voltage input terminal A / D2. ing.

The electrodes 22a to 22d are connected to the output terminal OUT2 of the control section 50 through the same line through the backflow prevention diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively. These backflow prevention diodes D1 to D
No. 4 is provided in order to prevent the generated voltage from reaching other electrodes when a voltage is applied to the electrodes by bringing one of the electrodes into contact with the resistor. Further, a resistor R is connected in parallel via a branch line in the middle of the line connecting the backflow prevention diode D4 and the output terminal OUT2, and the branch line is connected to the power supply side.

When none of the switch input sections 17 is operated, the resistors 23X +, 23X-, 2
Since both 3Y + and 23Y- have the same resistance value, a voltage half the predetermined voltage Vcc is input to both of the two analog input terminals A / D1 and A / D2.
For example, in the circuit shown in FIG. 9, assuming that the resistance R is a high resistance value of about 10 MΩ and each resistor is 1.5 kΩ, the voltage of the output terminal OUT1 (GPIO) is 5 V when analog detection is performed. 23X + and resistor 23
5V is applied to the connection point of Y +, the connection point of the resistor 23X- and the resistor 23Y- becomes 0V, and a voltage of 2.5V is obtained at both the analog input terminals A / D1 and A / D2.

When any one of the switch input sections 17 is pushed in to increase or decrease the contact area between any one of the electrodes and the resistor, the amount of change in the resistance value can be detected by the size of the contact area between the electrode and the resistor. Yes, and if the change in resistance value due to the size of the contact area is measured and understood in advance, the amount of change in resistance value and the force applied to the electrode have a roughly proportional relationship, so the amount of change in resistance value corresponds The strength of the force applied by the electrodes can be calculated, and the calculation result can be output to the control unit 50 from an output terminal (not shown). For example, when the resistance values of the resistors 23X +, 23X−, 23Y +, and 23Y− are all 1.5 kΩ, the analog input terminal A / D
When a voltage of 2.5 V is obtained for both 1 and A / D2, for example, when the electrode of any one switch input unit 17 is pressed against the resistor to reduce the resistance value of the resistor, the resistance is reduced. Since the voltage changed from 2.5V is input to any one of the analog input terminals according to the decrease in the value, the analog output can be obtained according to the ratio.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 9, the sleep mode can be switched and current can be prevented from flowing in the circuit in the sleep mode to save power. In the sleep mode, the output terminal OUT1 (GPIO) is set to GND, the output terminal OUT2 (INTGPIO) is set to interrupt input, and the resistor R is pulled up to the power supply side. Here, by setting both A / D1 and A / D2 to open (OPEN), the sensor resistors 23X ± and 23Y ± are both GND and the electrode 22.
Since a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are on the power supply side, and one of the electrodes 22 and the resistor 23 are in contact with each other, the output terminal OUT2 (INTGPIO) has a falling waveform input, which is treated as an interrupt signal. Here, the relationship of “resistance value of resistor R >> resistance value of resistors 23X and 23Y” is required. By setting the output terminal OUT1 (GPIO) to the power supply side by this interrupt signal input, the normal input detection state described above can be obtained. In the previous sleep mode, there is substantially no current consumption to the sensor, and the low power consumption state can be achieved only by the consumption of the high resistance R.

On the other hand, of the four switch input sections 17,
For example, when the oblique upper right direction (the direction between the electrode 23X + and the electrode 23Y +) is pressed, the electrode 23X + and the resistor 22a come into contact with each other, and the electrode 23Y + and the resistor 22c come into contact with each other. Then, the force PX applied to the electrode 23X +
And the force PY applied to the electrode 23Y + is calculated. In this case, the force P applied to the switch input unit 17 is P =
Calculated from PX + PY. Next, the positive direction of the X-axis in the direction in which the resistor 23X + and the resistor 23X- are arranged (the resistor 2
3 ° + direction) is 0 °, and θ is the pressing direction of the switch input unit 17, θ is tan θ =
Even if the pressed position is an oblique direction, which is obtained from PY / PX, the pressed direction and the strength of the pressed force can be calculated, and the control unit 50 outputs the result to the output terminal (not shown). Output from. Then, in the portable electronic device, it is possible to control the moving direction of the cursor and the scrolling direction from the output direction, and to control the moving speed of the cursor and the scrolling speed from the strength of the output force. Since the cursor can be moved or scrolled diagonally, the device is easy for the user to use.

[0038]

As described above, in the input device of the present invention, a membrane sheet having electrodes and resistors arranged in pairs and a membrane sheet having electrodes arranged in pairs are laminated, and a metal contact piece is interposed between them. Operation member provided with a protrusion that inserts the membrane sheet or the metal contact piece outside the membrane sheet and partially deforms the membrane sheet or the metal contact piece to contact a pair of electrodes embedded in the membrane sheet with a resistor. Since it is arranged, it is possible to obtain an analog input operation by the change of the contact area of the resistor due to the pressing force on the operating member, and at the same time, increase the pressing force on the operating member to vibrate due to deformation of the metal contact piece. It is possible to obtain a click feeling due to, and thereby a good operation feeling at the time of analog input can be obtained. In addition, the switch input function can be achieved by bringing the pair of electrodes of the lower membrane sheet into contact with the metal contact piece deformed by increasing the pressing force to the operation member. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a switch input operation feeling having both a good analog input feeling and a switch input feeling. In the input device of the present invention, the pair of electrodes of the first membrane sheet and the pair of electrodes of the resistor, the metal contact piece, and the second membrane sheet are arranged at coaxial positions in the thickness direction of the membrane sheet. This means that the deformation of the first membrane sheet, the deformation of the metal contact piece, and the second
This is preferable because the deformation of the membrane sheet can be smoothly performed.

The input device of the present invention comprises a membrane sheet having electrodes and resistors which form a pair, and a switch sheet having a fixed contact and a metal contact piece on the sheet to form a switch contact. By stacking the two sheets with the plane position of the metal contact piece shifted, and deforming the metal contact piece and an operating member provided with a protrusion for contacting the paired electrode and the resistor outside the membrane sheet. Since an operating member having a protrusion for contacting the fixed contact is provided, an analog input operation feeling according to the change of the contact area between the electrode and the resistor and an excellent operation feeling due to the deformation of the metal contact piece are provided. It is possible to provide both of the switch operation feelings involved.

The input device of the present invention comprises a first sheet having a plurality of electrodes or resistors at symmetric positions in a plan view and a second sheet having a resistor or electrodes facing a plurality of previous electrodes or resistors. The first membrane sheet is constructed from the sheet, the second membrane sheet is provided with the metal contact piece and the paired electrodes, and these are aligned and stacked, and the membrane sheet is placed on these. Since an operating member is provided that has a protrusion that partially presses and deforms to contact the pair of electrodes and the resistor, analog input due to a change in the contact area of the resistor due to the pressing force on the operating member At the same time as being able to obtain an operation, by increasing the pressing force on the operating member, it is possible to obtain a click feeling due to the vibration associated with the deformation of the metal contact piece. It is possible to obtain a work sense. Further, switch input can be performed by bringing the electrode of the membrane sheet below the metal contact piece into contact with the metal contact piece deformed by increasing the pressing force to the operation member. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a switch input operation having both a good analog input feeling and a good switch input feeling.

The present invention can provide an electronic device having an operation feeling having both the analog input function and the switch input function, which has the above-described excellent operation feeling.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a mobile phone equipped with an input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a membrane sheet of the input device used in the mobile phone shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a partial cross section of the input device.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a membrane sheet provided in the input device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a folded state of a membrane sheet included in the input device.

FIG. 6 is a partial development view of the membrane sheet.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the structure of the membrane sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the structure of the membrane sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit for measuring the resistance value of a resistor suitable for the input device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a printed circuit board provided in a conventional input device.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a switch unit included in a conventional input device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an analog switch unit included in a conventional input device.

13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the analog switch section shown in FIG. 12 is pressed.

[Explanation of symbols]

6, 7, 8 ... Operation buttons (operation members), 10 ... Switch sheet, 12 ... Second membrane sheet, 12a ... Third
Sheet, 12b ... fourth sheet, 13 ... first membrane sheet, 13a ... first sheet, 13b ... second sheet, 13c ... spacer sheet, 17 ... switch input section, 20 ... holding layer, 21 ... Projection portion, 21a ... Tip portion, 2
2 ... Electrode, 23 ... Resistor, 22B, 23B ... Electrode, 25
… Metal contact pieces, 115… Switch contacts, OUT
1 ... 1st output terminal, OUT2 ... 2nd output terminal, 50
... Control unit, A / D1 ... First analog input terminal, A / D
2 ... 2nd analog input terminal, R ... resistance, 23X +, 2
3X -... Resistor, 23Y +, 23Y -... Resistor.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshihisa Endo             1-7 Aki, Otsuka-cho, Yukiya, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Su Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5G006 AA01 BA09 BB03 BC01 DB03                       DD02 FB04 FB14

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A sheet provided with one or more resistors or electrodes and another sheet provided with one or more electrodes or resistors are paired with a resistor and an electrode facing each other. A first membrane sheet, and a sheet having one or more electrodes and a sheet having one or more electrodes are paired so as to face each other with electrodes spaced apart from each other. A sheet is formed, both membrane sheets are laminated, and a metal contact piece is inserted between these membrane sheets, and the sheet or the metal contact piece is partially pressed to the outside of the main membrane sheet. An input device, characterized in that an operating member having a protruding portion for deforming the pair of resistors incorporated in the membrane sheet to contact the electrodes or the resistors is arranged. Place 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the resistor of the laminated membrane sheet and the metal contact piece are arranged at a coaxial position in the thickness direction of the membrane sheet. 3. A first with one or more resistors or electrodes
And a second sheet having one or more electrodes or resistors are arranged to face each other with a pair of resistors and electrodes or electrodes facing each other with a gap therebetween, and a sheet is formed. A switch sheet is formed by forming a plurality of fixed contacts on top of which a metal contact piece bridging these is installed to form a switch contact, and the first membrane sheet and the switch sheet are the electrodes or the resistor and the metal. Resistors that are stacked in a state where the planar positions of the contact pieces are displaced, and that press the sheet partly outward of the first membrane sheet to deform it and become a pair of resistors incorporated in the first membrane sheet. And a fixed contact built in the switch sheet by partially pressing and deforming the metal contact piece. Input apparatus characterized by an operating member having projections contacting a metal contact piece is formed by including a. 4. A plurality of the switch contacts are arranged at a point reference position surrounding the reference position in plan view, and an electrode paired with the main membrane sheet is provided at a point symmetric position inside the switch contact position of the point symmetric position. Alternatively, the input device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of resistors are arranged. 5. The input device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of resistors forming a pair of the switch contact and the membrane sheet are arranged at point contrast positions surrounding the reference position in plan view. . 6. A tip end portion made of a tapered elastic body is formed on the main membrane sheet side of the projection portion,
An analog switch is configured in which the contact area between a pair of resistors and electrodes or resistors that are built in the main membrane sheet is adjustable by the magnitude of the force that presses the tip portion against the main membrane sheet. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: 7. The analog input type membrane sheet, which is capable of analog input in a plurality of directions, is formed by arranging a plurality of the resistors at a plane viewpoint comparison position surrounding a reference position. The input device according to any one of 1. 8. A first sheet provided with a plurality of resistors or electrodes in a plane-view symmetrical position surrounding a reference position on one surface side and the plurality of resistors or electrodes arranged with a distance from the first sheet. A first membrane sheet is composed of a second sheet provided with electrodes or resistors facing each other, and the third sheet provided with a plurality of electrodes on one surface side and the third sheet are spaced apart from each other. A fourth sheet having electrodes facing the plurality of electrodes, and a metal contact piece arranged outside the third or fourth sheet according to the positions of the pair of electrodes facing each other. A second membrane sheet is constituted, and the first membrane sheet and the second membrane sheet are arranged such that a resistor or an electrode forming a pair of the first membrane sheet forms an electrode forming a pair of the second membrane sheet. Align position And a metal contact piece is interposed between the membrane sheets at the same position as the electrodes or the resistors in a plan view, and an elasticity for partially pressing the sheet on the overlapped sheets. An input device, comprising: an operation member having a body projection. 9. A bridge comprising four switch input sections each comprising a pair of a resistor and electrodes or electrodes or resistors provided with a control unit having first and second output terminals and an analog voltage input terminal. Connected, the first output terminal is connected to a part of the bridge connection portion, the second output terminal is connected to the electrode or the resistor, and at the same time connected to the power source via the resistor, the bridge connection 9. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the other part of the part is grounded, and the analog voltage input terminal is connected to another part of the bridge connection part. 10. An operation mode in which the control section detects an analog input due to contact between the pair of resistors and electrodes or resistors by comparing a voltage applied to the output terminal and a voltage from an analog input terminal. A sleep mode in which the first output terminal is grounded and the output terminal is used as an interrupt input, and the sleep mode is released and switched to the operation mode by a waveform caused by contact between the resistor and electrodes or resistors. The input device according to claim 9, wherein the input device is freely movable. 11. An electronic device comprising the input device according to claim 1 on a bottom side of an operation button.