JP2003331685A - Input device and electronics - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact input device superior in operability. <P>SOLUTION: An operation part 12 of the input device comprises a flexible tubular operation member 18 and a plurality of conductors 25-27 formed along the length direction of inner circumference of the operation member 18. These conductors 25-27 can come into contact with each other with deformation of the operation member. The conductors 26 and 27 present higher conductivity than that of conductor 25. <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 for operating an electronic device and inputting information via an electric signal, and an electronic device equipped with the input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a portable audio device equipped with a remote control device (input device). On the upper surface of the housing of the portable audio device 231 shown in this figure, there is provided a disc-shaped operation section 232 for performing switch operation by performing a seesaw operation at a position in the cross direction, and this operation section 232.
Thus, for example, operations such as reproduction / stop of the acoustic disc, skip (skipping one song), and back skip (reverseing one song) can be performed. The remote control device R2 includes an operation unit S2 for operating the portable electronic device 231.
And the covered line 23 for audio signal connected to the case 233
5, a pair of earphones 236 connected to one end of the covered wire 235, and a round string-like covered wire 238 attached to the case 233 and having a plug 237 at one end. The double line 238 is for the voice signal and the operation unit S2.
It is formed integrally with a covered wire (not shown) for extracting a signal from the. The operation unit S2 is a box-shaped case 233 made of a synthetic resin molded product, and is exposed from the case 233. Like the operation unit 232, an operation body 234 capable of performing a switch operation by a seesaw operation in a cross direction.
have. Then, the operation body 234 can perform the same operation as the operation unit 232 provided in the housing of the portable audio device 231.

The remote controller R2 is adapted to be attached to and detached from the portable audio device 231 by inserting / removing the plug 237 into / from the jack part of the portable audio device 231. Such a portable audio device 231 is generally used by inserting the earphone 236 into an ear while the portable audio device 231 is put in a pocket or bag of clothes. The operation unit S2 of the remote control device R2 can be used to perform music playback / stop operations.

[0004]

In recent years, remote control devices mounted not only in portable audio equipment but also in portable electronic equipment tend to be downsized. However, when the remote control device R2 having the configuration shown in FIG. 20 is downsized, the operation section S2 is inevitably downsized, and the width and stroke of the operation body 234 that operates the seesaw is reduced, so that the operability is impaired. There is a problem. Further, as the operation section S2, there is one having a plurality of button switches instead of the operation body 234, but in that case, the operability is more significantly deteriorated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that realizes excellent operability and downsizing of the main body. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic device equipped with the above input device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following constitutions. An input device according to the present invention includes a tubular operating member having flexibility, and a plurality of conductive members arranged along the length direction of the inner circumference of the operating member, wherein the plurality of conductive members are the operation members. It is characterized in that the members are arranged so that they can come into contact with each other as the members are deformed.

According to the input device having the above structure, the switch operation can be performed by deforming the tubular operation member with a finger or the like and bringing the conductive member provided inside the operation member into contact with the operation member. Further, when the input device according to the present invention is applied to the input means of a portable electronic device, the external shape thereof is a cord shape, so that it is extremely easy to miniaturize and is excellent in portability, and the operation is easy. It is also excellent in sex.

Next, in the input device according to the present invention,
At least one of the conductive members preferably has higher conductivity than the other conductive members. Since the input device having the above-described configuration is provided with the conductive members having different conductivity, by operating the conductive member having high conductivity and the conductive member having relatively low conductivity, the operated member in the length direction of the operating member is operated. Since the position of the part can be detected, analog input can be performed by sliding a finger on the operation member.

Next, in the input device according to the present invention,
The operation member includes a pair of first outer walls facing each other and a pair of second outer walls facing each other, and the first outer wall and the second outer wall have different shapes from each other, and It is preferable that the members are respectively disposed on the inner surfaces of the pair of first outer walls and the pair of second outer walls of the operation member. In the input device configured as described above, the first outer wall and the second outer wall forming the outer periphery of the operation member have different shapes from each other, so that the operation member outer peripheral direction has a predetermined directionality. To be done. Due to this shape,
The user can easily recognize the position of the finger on the peripheral surface of the operation member by the tactile sensation of the finger. Therefore, it is possible to realize an input device having extremely excellent operability without erroneous operation even if the input device is not visually recognized during operation.

Next, in the input device according to the present invention,
The first outer wall of the operating member is a flat plane portion,
The second outer wall has a racetrack-shaped cross section in which the curved surface portion has a curved surface shape, and the conductive member is disposed on an inner surface of the pair of flat surface portions of the operation member and an inner surface of any one of the curved surface portions. It can be configured. In the input device having the above-described configuration, since the operation member has a racetrack type cross-sectional shape and has the flat portion on the outer surface of the operation member, the position of the finger on the operation member peripheral surface can be determined by the tactile sensation of the finger. It can be easily recognized by the user. Therefore, even if the input device is not visually recognized at the time of operation, there is no erroneous operation,
It is possible to realize an input device with extremely excellent operability.

Next, in the input device according to the present invention,
The conductive member arranged on the first outer wall may have a higher conductivity than the conductive member arranged on the second outer wall. Alternatively, the conductive member arranged on the second outer wall may have higher conductivity than the conductive member arranged on the first outer wall.

Next, in the input device according to the present invention,
It is preferable that the conductive member is made of conductive rubber, and the conductive member having higher conductivity than other conductive members is made of conductive rubber and a metal wire. According to the above configuration, it is possible to form an input device that is excellent in strength against bending by configuring the conductive member mainly with conductive rubber, and it is possible to easily configure conductive members with different conductivity, The ease can be improved.

Next, in the input device according to the present invention,
A plurality of signal lines may be embedded inside the operation member. According to the above configuration, it becomes easy to add another function to the input device, and it is possible to provide the input device having excellent functionality.

Next, in the input device according to the present invention,
A connection terminal for connecting with an audio device may be provided at one end of the signal line, and an earphone may be provided at the other end of the signal line. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide an input device that can be suitably used as a remote control device for an audio device equipped with an earphone.

Next, the input device according to the present invention comprises a tubular operating member having flexibility and a plurality of conductive members provided along the lengthwise direction of the inner circumference of the operating member. By sliding the pointer with respect to, the analog input according to the position of the operated portion in the length direction of the operating member or the moving direction and moving speed of the pointer is possible. According to the input device having the above configuration, the analog input to the electronic device by connecting to various electronic devices,
It is possible to provide an input device that can be operated by sliding an operation member with an indicator such as a finger.

Next, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by including the input device described above. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide an electronic device including an input device having excellent portability and operability as an input unit. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an analog input can be performed by sliding the operating member of the input device with an indicator such as a finger.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective configuration diagram of a portable audio device including a cable type controller according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the cable type controller shown in FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line HH shown in FIG. The cable-type controller 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a cord-shaped operating portion 12, a protective member 14 attached to the tip of the operating portion 12, and two connecting cords 15 drawn from the end surface of the protective member 14. 1
5 and earphones 16 and 16 provided at the tips of the connection cords 15 and 15, respectively. Although not shown, the base end portion (the end portion on the opposite side of the protection member 14) of the operation portion 12 is connected to the portable audio device 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operating portion 12 includes a tubular operating member 18 having a racetrack cross section, and an electric member disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the operating member 18 along the longitudinal direction of the operating member 18. It is composed of conductors (conductive members) 25, 26 and 27. The operating member 18 is made of a flexible insulating material such as a resin material, and has flat portions (first outer walls) 18a and 18b and curved portions (second outer wall) 18c protruding outward. , 18d. The flat surface portions 18a and 18b are arranged to face each other, and the curved surface portion 18
c and 18d are also arranged to face each other.

A low electric conductor (conductive member) 25 made of conductive rubber extends along the lengthwise direction of the inner surface of the curved surface portion 18d, and the inside of the conductive rubber material 21 extends along the lengthwise direction of the inner surface of the flat surface portion 18a. A first high-electric conductor (conductive member) 26 having a metal wire 22 embedded therein is extended, and a second metal wire 24 is embedded inside the conductive rubber material 23 along the length direction of the inner surface of the flat portion 18b. A high electric conductor (conductive member) 27 is extended. Further, the electric conductors 25 to 27 are partially embedded and fixed in the thickness direction of the operating member 18, and each electric conductor 2
About half of the thickness of 5 to 27 is exposed in the space 13 inside the operation member 18. The first and second high electric conductors 2
The metal wires 22 and 23 embedded in the wires 6 and 27 are made of a metal material having good conductivity such as Cu or Al.
The conductivity of No. 7 is higher than that of the low electric conductor 25.

Further, on the curved surface portion 18c of the operating member 18 in which the conductors 25 to 27 are not provided, four voice signal lines 29 connected to the connection cords 15 and 15 shown in FIG.
Is buried. Although not shown, the conductor 2
All of 5 to 27 and 3 to 4 signal lines 29 are electrically connected to the portable audio device 30.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a low electric conductor 25,
The second high-conductivity conductors 27 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and are arranged so as to be separated from each other in the non-operating state. The arrangement relationship between the low electric conductor 25 and the first high electric conductor 26 is also the same, and the same is true for the first and second high electric conductors 26 and 27.

A case where the portable audio device 30 is operated by the cable type controller 10 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are explanatory views for explaining the operation of the operation unit 12 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows an operation of twisting the operation unit 12, and FIG. 5 shows an operation of picking the operation unit 12. ing. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cable type controller 1
At 0, a plurality of inputs can be made by operating the operation unit 12 with fingers or the like. First, the operation unit 1
When an operation of picking 2 with fingers and twisting is performed, the operated portion of the operation portion 12 is elastically deformed into the shape shown in FIG. In this state, the low electric conductor 25 and the first high electric conductor 26 are in contact with each other. Here, since the low electric conductor 25 is made of conductive rubber, when a voltage is applied to the low electric conductor 25, the low electric conductor 2
An electric field distribution along the extending direction of 5 occurs. By contacting the high electric conductor 26 having good conductivity in this state, a voltage corresponding to the contact position can be taken out from the high electric conductor 26 side, whereby the operated position of the operating portion 12 can be detected. When a finger is slid along the length direction of the operation section 12 while the operation section 12 is twisted (the conductors 25 and 26 are in contact with each other), the moving direction and the moving speed of the finger are changed. It becomes possible to detect. That is, continuous analog input can be performed by the cable type controller 10, and the above input operation can be assigned to, for example, volume adjustment of the portable audio device 30. In addition, in FIG. 4, the first high conductor 26 and the low conductor 2 are shown.
Although the case where the operation portion 12 is contacted with 5 is shown, if the operation portion 12 is twisted in the opposite horizontal direction in the drawing, the second high conductor 27 and the low conductor 25
The same input operation as above can be performed by contacting with. The same function (volume control, etc.) as described above may be assigned to this input operation, or another function may be assigned.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the operation portion 12 is pinched, the flat surface portions 18a and 18b are curved inward, and the curved surface portions 18c and 18d are also deformed accordingly. As a result, the first high electric conductor 26 and the second high electric conductor 27 come into contact with each other. Since the high electric conductors 26 and 27 are configured to have good conductivity, the switch operation can be performed in the state shown in FIG. Therefore, this input operation can be assigned to, for example, a play / stop operation in the portable audio device 30.

In the above embodiment, the case where the highly conductive electric conductors 26 and 27 are arranged on the flat portions 18a and 18b of the operating body 18 has been described, but in the input device according to the present invention, the inside of the operating body 18 is described. It is preferable that at least one of the electric conductors arranged on the peripheral side has a conductivity different from that of the other electric conductors. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another form of the operation unit provided in the cable type controller according to the present invention. The operation unit 40 shown in this figure includes a tubular operation body 38 having a racetrack cross section, electric conductors 35 to 37 provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and four signal lines 39 embedded in the operation body 38. It is configured with. Further, the operating body 38 is composed of flat surface portions 38a and 38b arranged opposite to each other and curved surface portions 38c and 38d arranged opposite to each other. The low electric conductors 36 and 37 made of conductive rubber are arranged on the inner surfaces of the flat portions 38a and 38b, respectively, and the high electric conductor 35 having the metal wire 33 built in the conductive rubber material 32 is arranged on the inner surface of the curved surface portion 38d. Has been done.

The operation unit 40 shown in FIG. 6 and the operation unit 12 shown in FIG. 2 are different from each other in that a conductor 35 containing a metal wire is incorporated therein.
Is provided on the curved surface portion 38d, and the electric conductors 36 and 37 having no metal wire and having relatively low conductivity are disposed on the flat surface portions 38a and 38b. Even with such a configuration, a cable type controller having the same function as that shown in FIG. 2 can be configured.

In the above embodiment, the case where the operation member 18 has a racetrack cross-section has been described, but the shape of the operation member 18 according to the present invention is not limited to this shape, and the predetermined directionality is obtained. Any cross-sectional shape having can be suitably used. For example, it may have an elliptical cross section or a frame cross section. Even with these shapes,
The operation position on the operation member 18 can be sensed by the feel of the fingers.

(Other Embodiment of Cable Type Controller) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an input device in which the operation unit 12 according to the above-mentioned embodiment is applied to a strap type controller. The controller 100 shown in this figure is a neck type. The strap 10 includes a hanging strap 101, a connecting member 105 that connects the strap 101 in an annular shape, and a cord-shaped operating portion 12 connected to the connecting member.
1, a plurality of input units 102 to 104 are provided, and a portable audio device 108 is connected to the operation unit 12 on the side opposite to the connecting member 105.

Input portions 102 to 104 are provided on both sides of the strap 101 with a connecting member 105 interposed therebetween.
In the strap controller of the present embodiment, the reproduction volume of the portable audio device 108 can be adjusted by the input unit 102 arranged on the right side in the drawing, and the reproduction volume of the portable audio device 108 can be adjusted by the input units 103, 104 arranged on the left side in the drawing. You can skip (tune forward) and back skip (tune back). Further, a button switch 105a is provided on the front side of the connecting member 105. By operating this button switch 105a, the play / stop operation of the portable audio device 108 and the input units 102 to 104 provided on the strap 101 are performed. The operation can be switched between permission and prohibition. Input unit 1 that can adjust the volume
02 is capable of adjusting the volume by sliding a finger on its upper surface, and in the input units 103 and 104,
The switch operation can be performed by pinching these with fingers.

Further, since the operating section 12 connected to the connecting member 105 is provided, the portable audio equipment 108 can be operated by the operating section 12 in addition to the above-mentioned input operation. By combining them, various operations can be performed, and an extremely highly functional input device can be configured.

Next, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the operating section 12 according to the above-mentioned embodiment is applied to an operating means of an electric lamp. As shown in this figure, the operating section provided in the electric lamp 120. 12, the on / off operation of the fluorescent lamp 121 and the brightness adjustment can be performed. Specifically, for example, the operation unit 1
The operation of turning on / off the fluorescent lamp 121 is performed by performing an operation of picking 2, and the brightness of the fluorescent lamp 121 is adjusted by sliding a finger on the operating portion 12 while the operating portion 12 is twisted. can do.

(Electronic Device) An electronic device equipped with the input device according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a mobile phone equipped with the cable type controller 10 of the above embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a mobile information terminal equipped with the cable type controller 10 of the above embodiment. . Since the mobile phone 130 and the mobile information terminal 140 shown in these figures are equipped with the cable type controller 10 of the above-described embodiment, they can be operated comfortably by operating the operation unit 12. Since the shape of the portion 12 is a cable type, it is not necessary to store it in a pocket or the like when carrying it, unlike the conventional remote control device, and it is possible to reduce the troublesomeness during operation.

[0032]

As described above in detail, in the input device of the present invention, a flexible tubular operating member and a plurality of conductive members provided along the inner circumference of the operating member are provided. The plurality of conductive members are arranged so as to be able to come into contact with each other when the operating member is deformed, so that the tubular operating member is deformed with fingers or the like and the conductive members provided inside the operating member are brought into contact with each other. By doing so, the switch operation is possible.

At least one of the conductive members is
If it is configured to have a higher conductivity than other conductive members, by bringing a conductive member having a high conductivity and a conductive member having a relatively low conductivity into contact with each other, the operated portion in the length direction of the operating member Since the position can be detected, analog input can be performed by sliding a finger on the operation member.

Next, in the input device according to the present invention,
The operation member is a cross-section racetrack type including a pair of flat surface portions facing each other and a pair of curved surface portions facing each other, and the conductive member is a pair of flat surface inner surfaces of the operation member, and the curved surface portion. If it is arranged on any of the inner surfaces, since the operation member outer surface has a flat portion, the user can easily recognize the position of the finger on the operation member peripheral surface by the tactile sensation of the finger. You can Therefore, it is possible to realize an input device having extremely excellent operability without erroneous operation even if the input device is not visually recognized during operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective configuration diagram of a portable audio device including a cable type controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the cable type controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line HH shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the operation unit 12 shown in FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the operation unit 12 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another form of the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another form of the input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another form of the input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional remote control device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an electronic device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Cable type controller 12 Operation part 18 Operation member 18a, 18b Plane portion (first outer wall) 18c, 18d Curved surface portion (second outer wall) 25 Low electrical conductor (conductive member) 26 First High Conductor (Conductive Member) 27 Second High Conductor (Conductive Member) 29 (for voice) signal line

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A flexible tubular operation member, and a plurality of conductive members provided along the length direction of the inner circumference of the operation member, wherein the plurality of conductive members are deformations of the operation member. An input device, which is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with each other. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the conductive members has higher conductivity than other conductive members. 3. The operation member includes a pair of first outer walls facing each other and a pair of second outer walls facing each other,
The outer wall and the second outer wall have different shapes, and the conductive member is a pair of first outer walls of the operating member,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is provided on an inner surface of any one of the pair of second outer walls. 4. A cross-section racetrack type shape in which the first outer wall of the operation member is a flat plane portion and the second outer wall is a curved curved surface portion, and the conductive member is A pair of flat surface inner surfaces of the operating member,
The input device according to claim 3, wherein the input device is arranged on any one of the inner surfaces of the curved surface portion. 5. The conductive member arranged on the first outer wall has higher conductivity than the conductive member arranged on the second outer wall. Input device. 6. The conductive member arranged on the second outer wall has higher conductivity than the conductive member arranged on the first outer wall. Input device. 7. The conductive member is made of conductive rubber, and the conductive member having higher conductivity than other conductive members is made of conductive rubber and a metal wire. The input device according to any one of 1. 8. The signal line according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of signal lines are embedded inside the operation member.
The input device according to item. 9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein a connection terminal for connecting to an audio device is provided at one end of the signal line, and an earphone is provided at the other end of the signal line. 10. A tubular operating member having flexibility, and a plurality of conductive members provided along the lengthwise direction of the inner circumference of the operating member, and a pointer is slid with respect to the operating member. Thus, the input device is capable of performing analog input according to the position of the operated portion in the length direction of the operating member or the moving direction and moving speed of the indicator. 11. An electronic device comprising the input device according to claim 1. Description: 12. An electronic device comprising the input device according to claim 1, wherein an operating member of the input device is slid by a pointer to perform analog input.